Munster need to crank up the machine

Munster v Cardiff Thomond Park Today, 5.15 p.m.It's time Munster not only blew away the cobwebs, but gave someone an old-fashioned dusting. Much of their play this season has been mired in mediocrity, and they've shown a defensive fragility that in previous seasons would have been unthinkable.

The Heineken European Cup looms and Alan Gaffney's men could do with the tonic of a decisive victory to recalibrate confidence levels.

Munster have largely been Ireland's standard bearers in Europe of late, and they won't want those memories to be tarnished by a poor season.

The draw has been reasonably kind and the play-off stage beckons, but only if they can recover the steel and precision of last season. They haven't been controlling matches with the vice-like grip to which their supporters have become accustomed. In the past, if Munster exposed the jugular, there was no reprieve.

There is an expectation that normal service will be resumed, but that depends largely on the performance of Ronan O'Gara.

When the outhalf is on form Munster glide along, but when his game is out of kilter the coughing and spluttering of the machine can be heard in Killaloe. It's far from a one-man team, but O'Gara is very important to the general wellbeing.

Cardiff will pose an interesting assignment physically for the Munster pack, who, with the exception of Donncha O'Callaghan (injured) and possibly a selection issue or two in the back row, are at full strength. Today, they have to show evidence that they are capable of bossing their Welsh opponents.

It's about precision, control, patience and that raw edge. It's about setting the scrum, winning their own ball out of touch and getting Paul O'Connell into the air to terrorise Cardiff hooker Gareth Williams.

There is little point in putting the cart before the horse. Forwards win matches; the backs decide by how much.

Denis Leamy is a young player with a burgeoning reputation. He'll be aware another top-notch performance this evening could win him the number seven jersey for the European Cup match against Harlequins - ahead of David Wallace and Alan Quinlan.

If the home pack provides the ball then the focus will shift to the half-backs and beyond. Christian Cullen's sumptuous lines of running should continue to be exploited.

Munster have the pace and the football out wide to maximise the return.

Rob Henderson returns to the centre after injury and the hope locally will be that he can manage a sustained run of matches to rediscover form and fitness.

Coach Gaffney has plenty of options in the centre, but he'd like a pairing to step forward emphatically to stifle any

further argument.

Shaun Payne's versatility and footballing ability mean he could play anywhere in the back line. Today, he's chosen at outside centre with John Kelly on the right wing.

Mike Mullins and Jason Holland have not been removed from the equation. Recent recruit Paul Devlin is likely to get a run at some stage.

Cardiff haven't exactly been too chipper this season. Coach Dai Young makes five changes to the side easily beaten by Edinburgh in Scotland two weeks ago.

Rhys Williams is named in the centre alongside Tom Shanklin instead of in his more familiar position of full back. Craig Morgan moves from left wing to full back, Fereti Tuilagi switches wings, and Williams plays at outside centre.

Lee Thomas returns at outhalf and Jonny Vaughton fills the right-wing vacancy.

Williams made his senior rugby debut for Cardiff at centre against Bedford in February 1999. He again played in that position for the club against Ebbw Vale two years ago. He scored tries in Cardiff victories on both occasions.

Craig Quinnell has a new second-row partner in Robert Sidoli. Nathan Thomas has recovered from injury and is named at blindside wing forward. Martyn Williams captains the side.

Cardiff boast a strong bench, including Andrew Lewis, Deiniol Jones, Nathan Budgett and their top points scorer this season, Nick Macleod.

This evening represents a chance for Munster to lay down a marker for the rest of the season. It's not simply about winning, but about the manner in which they tackle the task.

The time has come for them to put all the early-season disruptions behind them.

MUNSTER: C Cullen; J Kelly, S Payne, R Henderson, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes, T Hogan, P O'Connell, J Williams, A Foley (capt), D Leamy. Replacements: J Flannery, G McIlwham, T Bowman, A Quinlan, M Prendergast, P Burke, P Devlin.

CARDIFF: C Morgan; J Vaughton, R Williams, T Shanklin, F Tuilagi; L Thomas, D Dewdney; G Jenkins, G Williams, M Jones, C Quinnell, R Sidoli, N Thomas, K Schubert, M Williams (capt) Replacements: A Lewis, R Thomas, D Jones, N Budgett, R Smith, N Macleod, S James.

Referee: David Changleng (Scotland).

Recent meetings: 2003 - Munster 31 Cardiff 10; April 2004 - Cardiff 60 Munster 14.

Last time out: Glasgow 26 Munster 28; Edinburgh 35 Cardiff 16.

Leading points scorers: Munster - Christian Cullen 30. Cardiff - Nick MacLeod 31.

Leading try scorers: Munster - Christian Cullen 6. Cardiff - Richard Smyth, Martyn Williams, Rhys William, Tom Shanklin, Craig Morgan, Dean Dewdney 1 each.

Verdict: Munster to win.