Munster focused on game plan

Rugby: Munster take their curtain call at Thomond Park in the pool stages of the European Cup enveloped in the expectation that victory is a formality.Subscribing to that viewpoint is understandable.

Bourgoin sacked their coach Philippe Saint Andre after the former French international wing was discovered to have applied for the position of national coach to Wales in succession to Steve Hansen who departs after the Six Nations Championship.

Saint Andre was forced to clear his desk this week and the coaching reigns have been passed to his assistant Laurent Seigne. Bourgoin have endured a pretty miserable European Cup to date, losing heavily twice to Gloucester and perhaps the final ignominy, conceding 44 points in defeat to Benetton Treviso.

Munster sneaked a gritty 18-17 success at Stade Pierre Rajon in the opening match of the pool courtesy of Ronan O'Gara's place-kicking tour de force.

Bourgoin have proved much more brittle since then. They pitch up to Thomond Park with just three internationals, prop Olivier Milloud, the excellent combative flanker Sebastien Chabal and former Springbok Grant Esterhuizen and the assurance from Seigne that they want to sign off the competition on an upbeat note.

Bourgoin will start the match full of the best intentions and the longer they remain within touching distance, the tougher they'll be to break down. Conversely, if Munster produce an early points deluge then the afternoon will be less fraught. It's a scenario that would appeal to coach Alan Gaffney, especially after last week's showing in Treviso.

Munster's first-half performance against the Italian team drew Gaffney's ire and he didn't couch his displeasure at the interval. It eventually had the desired effect before somnambulist tendencies afflicted the Irish province as they tread water mentally waiting for the final whistle.

It'll be easier to motivate them today. Despite their travails, Bourgoin are a French side with nothing to lose and given the slightest encouragement could provide the home side with a sticky afternoon. The premise for Munster is straightforward; the need to win the match, scoring four tries to guarantee the bonus and a five-point haul.

This would allow them to pip Gloucester and top the group, earning a home draw possibly against the aforementioned English side. The series is threatening to rival Lord of the Rings in the endurance stakes.

Marcus Horan is restored to the front row after missing the Treviso game with a back strain but Frankie Sheahan's minor knee surgery will keep him on the sidelines for a few weeks yet. James Blaney continues to deputise.

The concerns surrounding the fitness of full back Shaun Payne proved well founded as he failed yesterday's fitness appraisal, albeit by his own admission. Gaffney explained: "Shaun took the decision himself. He didn't feel entirely comfortable with his injury and said it would be unfair on the team to declare himself available.

"Now we'll run with Jeremy (Staunton) who had a good game last week and is in good form."

Staunton did look sharp in his second-half cameo last week, decisive in possession and backing his running ability. Mossie Lawler will fill the gap left among the replacements. Against Treviso, Munster put the cart before the horse, expecting to score tries off first-phase possession and trying to play ball out of the tackle when it simply wasn't on.

It may be more mundane but they need to adhere to the basics: win the ball, work the opportunities, tie in the defenders and then look to stretch Bourgoin out wide. Today's game plan is about patience and precision. The last thing Munster will relish is to be chasing a try or two entering the final 10 minutes.

In fairness Munster's case history suggests they do not repeat the same mistakes and provided they apply the lessons learnt from last week, it should make their goal today a little easier.

MUNSTER: J Staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, R Henderson, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, J Blaney, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell; J Williams (capt), A Foley, D Wallace. Replacements: G McIlwham, J Flannery, D Pusey, S Keogh, E Reddan, J Holland, M Lawler.

BOURGOIN: F Gengenbacher; K Zhakata, G Esterhuizen, M Forest, JF Coux; A Peclier, M Campeggia; O Milloud, B Cabello, J Bouic; P Jullien, M Stolz; J Bonnaire, P Raschi (capt), S Chabal. Replacements: JP Bonrepaux, B Barbato, P Pape, A Petrilli, C Lassucq, G Davis, A Forest.

Referee: T Spreadbury (England).

PREVIOUS MEETING (EC 2003-2004): Bourgoin 17 Munster 18.

FORMGUIDE: Munster - bt Bourgoin 18-17 (a); bt Benetton Treviso 51-0 (h); lost to Gloucester (a) 22-11; bt Gloucester 35-14 (h); bt Benetton Treviso (a) 31-20. Bourgoin - lost 18-17 to Munster (h); lost 49-13 to Gloucester (a); lost 42-33 to Benetton Treviso (a); beat Benetton Treviso 35-19 (h); lost 37-18 to Gloucester (h).

LEADING POINTS SCORERS: Munster - Ronan O'Gara 56. Bourgoin - Alexandre Peclier 23.

LEADING TRY SCORERS: Munster - Anthony Foley 3. Bourgoin - Sebastien Chabal 4.

BETTING (odds courtesy of Paddy Powers): Handicap - Bourgoin + 27 points.

10/11 Munster, 20/1 handicap draw, 10/11 Bourgoin.

FORECAST: Munster to win.