Munster v Montauban:MUNSTER MAY have been taken away from their traditional Saturday evening slot but, at face value, that would appear to be where their discomfiture ends as they begin the defence of their Heineken Cup this evening in their revamped Thomond Park.
Almost unnervingly, the European champions have rarely looked so well set, while Montauban look as primed as a rib-eye roast for a well-heated oven.
Whereas Munster coach Tony McGahan has recalled Lifeimi Mafi, Ian Dowling and Jerry Flannery to what is a full-strength, first-choice team, Montauban take what appears a largely second-string side here - and are not the first French side to do so.
They cite fatigue after seven domestic games, in which four defeats have left them 10th in the table, and it comes as no surprise that the small-town club from Tarn-et-Garonne have left all their big guns at home.
Among these are the Fijian Vilimoni Delasau (joint leading try scorer in this season's Top 14 with five), the Maori wing-cum-fullback Shannon Paku, the injured first-choice outhalf, Cedric Rosalen, and his replacement of late, Fabien Fortassin.
Also left behind are their star flanker Ibrahim Diarra, who broke into the French team last season, first-choice lock Matthias Rolland, Georgian tighthead Goderzi Shvelidze and loosehead Benjamin Sa as coaches Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers retain just five of the team that played Stade Français last week. Among those starting are Scotland's veteran lock Scott Murray, who is working his way back from injury, as is his secondrow partner Rowen Frost, the Ireland-qualified Kiwi who has played with Connacht and Ulster.
The lively, goalkicking Romanian scrumhalf Petru Mitu (31) has also played against Ireland several times. But they have some raw meat amid the experience, such as a 20-year-old fullback, Johan Dalla-Riva, who has had only one fleeting appearance off the bench since playing in the opening win over Mont de Marsan.
It looks like an approach akin to Clermont's visit to Limerick in the second round last season, though given Clermont's much greater resources that was probably a stronger selection.
Of course, this Montauban side have little to lose, and given any early encouragement, they can swing from the hip. They might even be as surprisingly resilient as the understrength Bourgoin side that four years ago in round six kept Munster waiting for a bonus point until a late penalty try.
In any event, McGahan was never likely to take any chances.
"The side chosen for this first ERC game is one based on current form," he said. "This side is, we believe, the best fit to get a result against a very competitive Montauban XV. There were some tough decisions because almost the whole squad of players were given an opportunity to impress over the course of the Magners League campaign to date and put their hand up for selection."
His biggest fear may be the team or crowd or both could view tonight's opponents with complacency, but such is Munster's professionalism, sense of occasion in showing off their redeveloped new home and pride as reigning champions, this seems highly unlikely.
Conditions might also be a concern. The forecast is for heavy rain similar to what a week ago induced a truckload of errors in an undistinguished victory over Glasgow, but McGahan vows: "We have learned from our first game at Thomond Park last Saturday night and the conditions we face could be similar. We have to be focused on our ball carry and ball protection, otherwise like all good French sides, they can score from anywhere."
Munster have done their homework, Killian Keane recently taking in Montauban's win over Castres, when he would have noted the threat of their outside three, and McGahan confirmed, "I think they'll play with a lot of width first phase. I think they have a very strong and large forward pack who will play very direct around the fringes, and if their forwards get into range or if they get quick ball off first phase they can be as good as anyone."
In any event, the occasion demands Munster's A game. "That's being spoken about, but we really need and intend to put a standard on the performance," said McGahan. "It really needs to be our best performance of the season. We really need to say we're here and we're ready to go and we're really looking forward to being part of this campaign and part of this Heineken Cup."
The thought occurs Munster might ultimately benefit from playing Montauban away in their final pool game, but given a strong start tonight this opener looks laden with opportunities for a bonus point. And Munster rarely look a gift horse in the mouth.
MUNSTER:K Earls; D Howlett, R Tipoki, L Mafi, I Dowling; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; P O'Connell (capt), D O'Callaghan; A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Melck. Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, D Ryan, J O'Sullivan, M Prendergast, P Warwick, B Murphy.
MONTAUBAN:J Dalla Riva; S Jonnet, J Viard, R Jahouer, J Cassin; R Lespinas, P Mitu; B Balan, B Mach, N Adams; S Murray, R Frost; Y Caballero, M Raynaud (capt), M Clarkin. Replacements: C Traversa, L DelBoulbes, S Florea, K Ghezal, A Battut, F Fortassin, J Laharrague.
Referee:Wayne Barnes (England).
Previous meetings:None.
Results so far:Munster - 20-15 v Edinburgh (a); 50-6 v Dragons (h); 28-20 v Cardiff (h); 18-0 v Leinster (a); 25-17 v Glasgow. Montauban - 37-19 v Mont de Marsan (h); 20-22 v Bayonne (a); 18-14 v Bourgoin (h); 10-32 v Montpellier (a); 10-41 v Toulouse (h); 24-23 v Castres (h); 16-34 v Stade Français (a).
Heineken Cup record:Munster - Champions (2006, 08). R/up (2000, 02), s/f 3 times, q/f 3 times. Montauban - None.
Betting (Paddy Power):1/250 Munster, 100/1 Draw, 33/1 Montauban. Handicap odds (= Montauban + 30 pts) 10/11 Munster, 25/1 Draw, 10/11 Montauban.
Forecast:Munster to win.
