Viadana v Munster Today, Kick-off: 5 p.m.When Munster heads knock together, they will probably conclude that leaving just one day before an important Heineken European Cup match in Italy is quaint, but fraught with plan-wrecking possibilities.
As the players finally settled into their seats at Shannon Airport for take-off yesterday, it would have occurred to a few that they ought to have been snacking on Italian sausage over an hour before the plane even taxied down the runway.
Some of the players would have arrived at Shannon Airport at 8.30 a.m. and waited for the fog to lift in Cork so that they could then pick up the remainder of the squad on route. As it happened, Cork remained wrapped in a cloud and a bus was commissioned to leave for Shannon at 1.08 p.m. with a police escort.
Bewildered folk in Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville marvelled at the Garda outriders' excellence in clearing the road of traffic for what some thought might have been a record dash of two hours between the airports.
But landing in Parma at 6.52 local-time, some 23 hours before the game against Viadana is scheduled to start appeared to make nonsense of professional preparation.
It was the last thing Alan Gaffney wanted before facing a home side bruised and battered from their 64-0 pasting by the Irish last week in Musgrave Park.
And so, too, was Gaffney sensitive to the broad smile on the face of Italian coach John Kirwan, who last week watched Amatori & Calvisano become only the third Italian side to win a European Cup match.
The Italians fought their way back from being dead and buried to beat Neath 38-29, having being 22-5 down at half-time.
"These victories will not only give players in Italy more confidence, but will also heighten their enthusiasm," Kirwan claimed, his words clearly putting it up to Viadana on home turf today.
Nine tries spread throughout the Munster side may not be realistic to repeat, but Gaffney has set the same standard for the encounter, and must do it without Denis Leamy in the replacements.
On Thursday night, the IRFU disciplinary panel handed down a three-week ban to the back row after he was cited by Old Belvedere following their AIL match.
While Leamy was cleared of the accusation of striking a player with his knee, the UCC player got three weeks for throwing a punch. Eddie Halvey is here in his place.
In just one other principle change, John Kelly comes on to the wing for Mossie Lawlor.
Typically, the team refuses to entertain any thoughts that Viadana will be an easy touch. "We have to be aware. I'm sure because of the scoreline (last week), Viadana have learned more about how we play than we learned about them," said Williams.
"The game wasn't physical. It was fast and we expect it to be tougher physically this time. This is a much more difficult task than Musgrave Park last week. I'm sure they will be better prepared this time around."
Munster are currently second in Pool Two with two wins from three games, with Gloucester leading with three wins from three. Viadana prop up the table, having conceded 190 points in three outings.
MUNSTER: J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan; J Williams (capt.), A Foley, A Quinlan. Replacements: J Blaney, S Kerr, M O'Driscoll, E Halvey, M Prendergast, K Kane, M Lawlor.
