Heineken European Cup Final: Matt Williams' analysis
THE HALFBACKS BATTLE
The pack are responsible for the halfbacks' performance. I couldn't believe the criticism directed towards George Gregan by the Australian press last season as the Wallaby forwards were to blame.
Dimitri Yachvili and Julien Peyrelongue dominated the semi-final against Bath because they were provided the necessary platform. The same can be said about the Munster v Leinster game. We mentioned the brilliant Leinster backs beforehand but forwards decide games. Backs implement the plan.
Yachvili brings a world-class kicking game to the proceedings, be it from the base of the scrum and rucks or off the kicking tee.
Stringer has the truest pass in the game and has produced phenomenal levels of consistency over the years. He gives O'Gara so much space.
He will never get the praise he fully deserves - like after an excellent break against Italy during the Six Nations people put it down to poor defending. It's sods law.
Really though it is O'Gara against Yachvili as Stringer and Peyrelongue are more link men for others to shine.
Peyrelongue is an understated 10, a reliable kicker like O'Gara, but he cannot dominate a game like the Cork man or even Freddie Michalak. He doesn't have to, as Yachvili and Damien Traille are the real Biarritz playmakers.
Again it comes down to Munster needing to dominate up front in order to win the tactical battle at half back - where O'Gara (or Yachvili) will be the game's deciding force.
The missing masses
Hell hath no fury like a Munster man's scorn. No one beats them twice, you know.
Well, the satirical website eastterrace.com must have no fear of reprisal when they criticised the world-renowned Red Army in their lead article.
First off the east terrace states the obvious: "the Fields of Athenry" can be found in Connacht - a hurling region of Co Galway in the province of Connacht.
"Munster fans could be barred from singing The Fields of Athenry in Cardiff on May 20th as a result of a legal move by a group of fans from Connacht," the skit read.
Mildly entertaining, but what might stick in the Munster craw is the following statement by the imaginary "Rugby Fans for Geographical and Melodic Awareness (RFGMA)":
"However, efforts to inform the large numbers of travelling Munster fans about the legal issue have been hampered by the difficulty lawyers have of locating them all prior to the final. Whilst anything up to 50,000 Munster supporters are expected to descend on Cardiff for the final, only around 8,000 fans were to be found at the most recent Celtic League clash at Thomond Park. Officials are mystified where the rest of the supporters can be found if not at Munster home games.
"'If anyone has any ideas how we can find these people to issue them with our writ,' said a lawyer for RFGMA, 'I'd be delighted to know, because they certainly aren't at the Celtic League games'."
Not to be finicky, but 9,000 attended Munster's penultimate home game of the season against the Edinburgh Gunners on April 15th. There were 5,000 at the previous two home games in Thomond and Musgrave Park respectively.
If the Holy Grail is on show at Thomond next Saturday, the Cardiff Blues can expect a full house, which incidentally is just under 14,000. Guess what they'll be singing.
Third time lucky?
2000 & 2002 finals
The 2000 headline read: Cruellest cut ends Munster odyssey. Two years later it was: Passion not enough for Munster. 2006: Munster passion ends odyssey? Maybe. Many expect a similar war of attrition to what Northampton and Leicester brought to bear in previous deciders.
There are eight survivors from the 9-8 defeat in Twickenham six years ago. Well, actually seven, as Mike Mullins was ruled out through injury yesterday. John Kelly is another doubt, but Anthony Horgan, Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Anthony Foley and try-scorer David Wallace play their third final.
Another injury concern, Rob Henderson, played the Millennium Stadium final in 2003, as did Paul O'Connell and Alan Quinlan. O'Connell hobbled ashore on 62 minutes, to be replaced by Mick O'Driscoll. Mullins came in for Henderson soon after, while assistant coach Jim Williams replaced Foley.
