Munster v PerpignanThe Munster players' anthem, Stand Up and Fight, has rarely been more apposite. For today's visit of Perpignan at their Thomond Park citadel is one of those days when, with a little help from the Red Army, they really do have to stand up and be counted.
The prospect of Munster losing two from two in the opening phase of the Heineken Cup is unthinkable really. Not only would it be a severe blow to them, it would also be a dampener for Irish rugby.
However, nothing in a truncated, disrupted Celtic League programme had really prepared them for the increase in intensity which came with their visit to a red-hot Gloucester last week. With that shock to the system out of the way, it will be a surprise if it hasn't also served as a wake-up call of sorts.
The loss of Rob Henderson adds to their injury list. In addition to Henderson's absence, Jeremy Staunton has withdrawn with a torn stomach muscle. Dominic Crotty's recall (with John O'Neill on the bench) means they've 10 of last season's beaten finalists and so they should still have enough savvy to maintain their unbeaten European record in Limerick.
For all their troubles in Gloucester, there remained a resilience about them, and no less than the ever-improving John Hayes, Marcus Horan can take heart from the way the Munster scrum held up against Phil Vickery and co. Mick Galwey was still effective in calling plenty of lineout ball on himself and even without an out-and-out openside Jim Williams and Anthony Foley still lead from the front. Peter Stringer also had a fine game, and he and Ronan O'Gara look as assured as ever.
There'll be defensive duty required of course, but they'll hardly be extended as they were by Gloucester and provided they don't over-commit to rucks as they did at Kingsholm they should keep their shape.
It's akin to the rain-sodden meeting at Musgrave Park four years ago which celebrated the 20th anniversary of Munster's famous win over the All Blacks in that Munster were bouncing back from a 41-24 defeat in the first fixture at the Stade Aime Giral. Another sleeves-rolled-up start to put them on the front foot would eat into the characteristic French travail on the road.
Perpignan have made a decent start to the season, winning four of their five French championship matches to jointly top Pool B domestically. Their only blemish has been, unsurprisingly, away from home when losing to Narbonne, though they've added an away win at Mont de Marsan to home victories over Toulouse, Pau and Beziers.
In their opening European Cup match last week they were the first round's top try scorers with seven, albeit at home to Viadana, though encouragingly for Munster outhalf Nicolas Laharrague converted only three. They also conceded three tries in the second half.
They've made two changes, Christophe Manas replacing the injured Australian centre Ed Carter, while blindside flankers Lionel Mallier and Sylvain Deroux swap roles, with the latter dropping to the bench. It is a measure of the esteem in which Laharrague (19) is held that the former New South Wales Waratahs outhalf Manny Edmonds has to be accommodated at full back.
Perpignan are not a team of big names but they have a proud sense of unity with their fellow Catalan supporters. Perpignan arrive with a reputation as one of the better sides in the competition, a fact that doesn't unduly concern Munster coach Alan Gaffney.
"They're a good side. I went out there to see them play a few weeks ago and they're impressive. But I think it's a good thing we have such quality opposition immediately after last week because it's a huge challenge and there's nothing this side likes better than a challenge."
MUNSTER: J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, M Lawlor; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey, M O'Driscoll, J Williams (capt), A Quinlan, A Foley. Replacements: J Blaney, S Kerr, E Halvey, D Leamy, M Prendergast, D Crotty, K Keane.
PERPIGNAN: M Edmonds; P Bomati, C Manas, N Couttet, F Cermeno; N Laharrague, J Basset; R Peillard, A Moreno, N Mas, R Alvarez-Kairelis, J Daniell, L Mallier, P Murphy, B Gotta. Replacements: F Rofes, S de Besombes, V Debathy, S Deroeux, B Bellot, F Sid, D Marty.
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England).
Previous meetings: 1998-99 - Perpignan 41 Munster 24; Munster 13 Perpignan 5.
Formguide: Munster - lost 16-35 to Gloucester (away). Perpignan - won 46-27 against Viadana (home).
Leading try scorers: Munster - Peter Stringer 1. Perpignan - N Laharrague, S Deroeux, P Bomati, B Goutta, C Manas, M Edmonds, N Couttet 1 each.
Leading points scorers: Munster - Ronan O'Gara 11. Perpignan - Laharrague 9.
Betting (courtesy of Paddy Powers): Handicap odds (= Perpignan + 14pts) 10/11 Munster, 16/1 Draw, 10/11 Perpignan.
Forecast: Munster to win.
