There is a school of thought that says the World Cup spared Nicky English the unease of a media carnival on the subject of how impressive Tipperary have been in defence of their titles this season. You don't need a long memory to recall the last time that happened and Brian Cody's anguish as his Kilkenny team, with one All-Ireland under their belt, was subjected to lectures on its place in hurling history.

Yet Tipp have looked good. Their resolute disregard for a daunting injury list and the displays of the understudies have given them an edge sometimes lacking in champions. But it's also worth remembering that their two immediate predecessors, Kilkenny and Cork, each looked similarly imposing at this stage and weren't found out until the All-Ireland series.

There is a good argument that thus far Tipperary have had it easier than last year. The relatively free-flowing first round against Clare was in contrast to last summer's grimy, claustrophobic battle and better suited Tipp's natural style. Limerick never posed the same questions this time around.

Tomorrow Tipperary face the one team in the province with a bit of momentum. For three seasons Waterford had failed to build on the achievements of 1998. That slump has been arrested and if the one-point win over Cork in a match of dubious quality was a small step in hurling terms it was a giant leap for the team's confidence.

Four years ago Waterford came into a Munster final against apparently invincible All-Ireland champions with a morale-building win over Tipperary under their belts and nearly won. Admittedly Clare showed little mercy in the replay but the parallels are there. So Justin McCarthy will have had plenty to work on in his preparations.

In the past four years Waterford have played well in their matches with Tipp, beating them in '98 and losing somewhat unfortunately two years ago, with Ken McGrath hobbling around for most of the match after threatening to render stillborn Philip Maher's career as an intercounty full back.

If the picture is not as bleak for Waterford as many might make out, in what way is it actually positive? Some have concluded plausibly enough that McCarthy will concentrate on the corners of Tipperary's defence. Thomas Costello and Donnacha Fahey have played well to date, but they'll probably have to do so again tomorrow, with Paul Flynn likely to move inside at some stage.

Good performances from Waterford presuppose good performances from Flynn, Tony Browne and Ken McGrath. Flynn was excellent against Cork but has struggled in the past to put good displays back to back. Browne also played well five weeks ago but has never been able to reproduce the form that made him Hurler of the Year in 1998. McGrath is carrying an injury and hasn't been able to train or play. One thing is certain, they will all have far fewer opportunities tomorrow than against Cork.

Furthermore, English has a full hand for the first time this championship. Should the corner backs struggle or should Noel Morris or Conor Gleeson be unable to keep exceeding expectations, Paul Ormonde or Eddie Enright will be unzipping their tracksuits pretty quickly.

It is believed in Waterford that Brian Greene might be deployed to mark Eoin Kelly. Greene has been tried at corner back in challenges against Wexford and Galway, doing quite well on Fergal Healy in the latter. The risk is that Greene will be missed on the wing whereas his ferocity (even with the legendarily laissez-faire refereeing of Aodán Mac Suibhne) will not intimidate the dauntless Kelly.

If Waterford can get an early run on Tipperary they could exert a lot of pressure. But too much needs to go right for them and wrong for the champions for a surprise to be on the cards.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; T Costello, P Maher, D Fahey; E Corcoran, D Kennedy, P Kelly; T Dunne (capt), N Morris; B O'Meara, C Gleeson, L Corbett; E Kelly, J Carroll, B Dunne.

WATERFORD: S Brenner; J Murray, T Feeney, B Flannery; E Murphy, F Hartley, B Greene; T Browne, P Queally; K McGrath, P Flynn, E Kelly; J Mullane, S Prendergast, E McGrath.

Munster SHC final

Tipperary v Waterford

Sunday, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 4.30