Munster momentum unlikely to be halted

As back-drops go to a rugby match on Irish soil, today's Munster-Colomiers Heineken Cup match (Musgrave Park, 2.30) is unique. The Irish hosts go into the match on the back of an away win over the same French opposition just a week ago, while a capacity all-ticket crowd is anticipated despite live television coverage and it being the last Saturday before Christmas. And, most distressingly of all perhaps, Munster start as strong favourites.

As Munster have coped with everything else thrown at them so far this season, the expectation is that they can handle this one as well. Whatever about their ever-improving collective skill levels and try-scoring abilities, as much as anything else this season they've been mentally strong and adaptable.

Cool as cucumbers, Munster have shown little or no signs of panic. Viewed in retrospect, Munster even recovered from letting it slip in an unnerving 15-minute period in the first half last week, managing to regain the initiative and win commandingly from a position where many Irish sides would have buckled in the past.

Granted, they're unlikely to have the line-out platform of last week when John Langford pilfered six first-half line-outs off Marc dal Maso's throw. As coach Declan Kidney readily concedes, you can't expect that two games running, least of all perhaps against the same opposition.

Even so, they've plenty of other strings to their bow. Along with their back-row's hard yardage gains, there is the slickness of Peter Stringer's service, Ronan O'Gara's rounded game and the running threat of their Kiwi-born midfielders that gives them so much more scope.

Quite what mental state Colomiers will be in is a different matter. They're still fuming over the hotly disputed two-year ban which was handed out to Richard Nones, they've suffered three successive defeats and they have an important French championship game next Wednesday against Aurillac.

Whereas Munster are still clinging to the overnight hope that John Hayes can respond to intensive physio on his lower back strain, they will otherwise field an unchanged team. By comparison, Colomiers have made five changes. And judging by the look of them, last season's European Cup runners-up intend to have a cut at this one.

Kidney makes the point that although Munster sit pretty, four points clear of their group rivals, one weekend could change everything. In the event of sides finishing level in a group, their placings will be decided firstly on the results between the teams in question.

Hence, as Kidney surmises, "were we to lose this weekend, and Saracens were to beat Ponty (Pontypridd), then they would know they'd only have to beat us by two points in the next round to top the group. We're all aware of this, so that keeps our feet on the ground."

Similarly, Colomiers may have half an eye on overturning last week's 16-point losing margin, a thought Kidney believes is given added credence by the selection of David Skrela at out-half.

Bound to be an improvement on Mickael Carre in any case, Kidney reckons the converted winger cum full back now at outhalf indicates that "Colomiers are going to have a go. He was their match-winner when moved in there against Saracens."

"They've gone for a lot of experience in the second row," observes Kidney as well, following the promotion of 32-year-old Jean-Philippe Revallier and 28-year-old Herve Manent. "They've also picked their big New Zealand prop to try and get their tight five right."

Theoretically then, an altogether different challenge awaits Munster. The earlier Munster can establish a grip, put a few points on the scoreboard, the better, on the premise that Colomiers may then become disheartened.

Allowing for all the boobytraps, Munster still should win, and assuredly enough at that, whether or not the scoreboard suggests as much.

MUNSTER: (v Colomiers, Musgrave Park, Saturday 2.30): J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, K Wood, AN Other, M Galwey (capt), J Langford, A Quinlan, A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements to be finalised.

COLOMIERS: JL Sadourny; P Martinez, S Roque, J Sieurac, B Lhande; D Skrela, F Culinat; JP Beyssen, M dal Maso, J Tomuli, JP Revallier, H Manent, B de Giusti, S Peysson, P Tabacco.

Referee: A Lombardi (Italy).