Improved Munster seek first victory on foreign field

Four victories in succession and an improved level of performance augur well for Munster's keynote clash with Perpignan at the Stade Aime Giral today.

Coach Declan Kidney will attempt to mastermind a feat which escaped previous incumbents, namely to secure a Munster victory on foreign soil in a European Cup tie. The mental baggage which accompanies any litany of failure does not appear a millstone to the present squad.

Nor does the success of recent matches foster unrealistic expectation, far from it. Kidney is at pains to point out that Munster have achieved nothing more than winning home matches, something which should be expected of them. He contends that the real task lies in the month ahead when they must visit Neath, Padova and his most immediate concern, Perpignan.

"We set targets at the beginning of the season, short-term and long-term, and despite one or two hiccups have realised many of those. The level of performance has sometimes slipped but we have refocused recently and I feel that things have improved. There is though still considerable scope to get better.

"Perpignan represent a big step forward on our journey. We have concentrated on our own game rather than worrying about their ability." Injuries have shorn Munster of several outstanding players at various times this season: the latest crisis centres on the scrum half berth where promising young student Peter Stringer faces a disconcerting examination, having experienced just 28 minutes as a Munster player.

Bemoaning the absence of Tom Tierney, Steve McIvor and Brian O'Meara is a futile exercise, Kidney has gone without key players before. The return of Killian Keane in the centre will offset the loss of the injured Michael Lynch not only from a playing but also a place-kicking perspective.

Cian Mahony's recovery from flu allows John Kelly to switch to a more familiar wing position. One suspects that Mahony will be a central figure in Munster's attacking gambits, taking the ball into contact, trying to break the gain line and allow the superlative backrow to feed off his strength.

Therein lies the essence of Munster's potency, the Shannon backrow axis of Alan Quinlan, Eddie Halvey and Anthony Foley. By his own admission Quinlan still chases full fitness, but his footballing ability belies any physical shortfall. He has been his province's outstanding performer in recent matches.

Halvey and Foley require a more sustained impact through 80 minutes rather than cameos of brilliance. Michael Galwey and Peter Clohessy have been fired up and prominent in the loose, Mick O'Driscoll effective out of touch, but it is the scrum that may give the most concern.

It creaked onerously against Ulster, they themselves not noted for powerful scrummaging. It is an area which will be vital this afternoon. Barry Everitt's responsibility increases with a new young partner at half back and the Lansdowne out-half will need to be sharper and more decisive.

French international Thomas Lievremont leads Perpignan from number eight in a club that also boasts the considerable talents of Raphael Ibanez, the durable hooker who led France to back-toback Grand Slams. Ibanez is not expected to start but will come off the bench.

Canadian lock Michael James is a central figure in a big powerful pack that includes another French international in prop Stephane de Bescombes. Behind the scrum 36 times capped, 37-year-old veteran out-half Didier Camberabero controls affairs. His virtuosity with a placed ball and from trademark drop goals will heavily penalise Munster folly.

Ibanez confesses that the club are not sure what to expect from their visitors: "We are not certain which are Munster's strongest qualities but I am sure their forwards will be traditional Irish players, hard and uncompromising.

"They are a provincial side with a lot of experienced internationals and they should be strong and good opposition. We will be taking this match very seriously," said Ibanez. And well they might for one senses that Munster's progress is becoming more pronounced.

This game might have come a little soon along the route but with the knowledge that the group winners receive a home draw in the quarter-finals, for 80 minutes this afternoon the pressure is firmly on Perpignan.

Munster: B Roche; J Kelly, K Keane, C Mahony, A Horgan; B Everitt, P Stringer; P Clohessy, M McDermott, J Hayes; M Galwey (capt), M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, A Foley, E Halvey.

Perpignan: G Bastide; A Joubert, D Plana, M Barrau, G Tutard; D Camberabero, C Purarnau; R Phillard, M Koniekewicz, S De Bescombes; J Pradal, M James; S Deroeux, T Lievremont, B Goutta.

Referee: R G Davies (Wales).