Munster ready to prove their character

RUGBY/Munster v Castres:  It'll be brutal and uncompromising, a contest for which it seems only a little trite to borrow from metaphors of war. There is a history of bad blood from previous clashes but that'll largely become irrelevant late this afternoon when English referee Dave Pearson's first whistle gives the signal for battle to be joined.

The only thing that matters is to leave Limerick having chalked up a victory. Munster would crave a bonus point too, rugby's equivalent to the cherry on top.

It's difficult to see today's clash being less than compelling. Central to that assumption is the fact that traditionally the strength of both teams has been their packs.

The twin New Zealand pillars of Kees Meeuws and Carl Hoeft, former All Black props of renown, now buttress the French side. Secondrow Lionel Nallet has been called into Bernard Laporte's French squad for the November series, as has outhalf Yann Delaigue.

Lock Rodrigo Capo Ortega is a Uruguayan international, while the former Wasp, Heineken European Cup winner, England international and Ronan O'Gara's pen pal Paul Volley is part of a new-look back row.

Castres coach Laurent Seigne has decided to change the entire unit for this game.

Further alterations can be found at hooker with the introduction of Remy Vigneaux; scrumhalf, where Matthew Barrau is promoted; and fullback, with Romain Teulet coming in and Jean Baptiste Peyras Loustalet moving to the right wing.

There is a vacancy on the other flank. England international Phil Christophers played there in last week's game against the Dragons but they could also call upon Laloaoa Millford, who scored a brace of tries last week. Both players are nursing injuries.

Munster coach Declan Kidney has also made changes. The neck injury to the luckless Frankie Sheahan's means a chance for Shannon hooker Jerry Flannery. Former Ireland under-21 international Denis Fogarty, a young player of considerable promise, joins the replacements. Alan Quinlan's knee-ligament damage means David Wallace is promoted to the starting XV.

Peter Stringer is restored to the scrumhalf role. South African Trevor Halstead will partner Gary Connolly, the latter switching to the more familiar outside role, in the centre. And Anthony Horgan returns on the left wing.

Nothing quite prepares a team for that Thomond experience. Munster were punished heavily last week by an in-form Sale yet might have sneaked a bonus point if not for a couple of errors induced by pressure and one thumping collision.

Tracing a graph of Munster performances in the European Cup over the years it's easy to discern a pattern. When questions are asked about appetite, hunger and character, the response is usually emphatic.

Castres don't suffer the general French malaise of being poor travellers. They've played well in recent matches but on their most recent outings there were one or two chinks for Munster to probe and capitalise on. Having established a comfortable lead at home to the Dragons last week, they conceded a brace of late tries as the Welsh stretched them out wide.

Munster know if would be futile to get involved in a war of attrition up front. They have to be precise at set-pieces and pick their contact points. It'll be about keeping the ball alive rather than adopting a rucking game, where Castres can employ physique.

They need to get Wallace and Denis Leamy running into space, Halstead running strongly and using the full expanse of the pitch. It'll be about picking the lock rather than trying to take the door off its hinges.

Anthony Foley has been an exceptional galvanising force in the past, his quiet intelligence and football nous indispensable. A few of his lieutenants are missing - Paul O'Connell, Quinlan and Sheahan - and so others must step forward.

With an athletic pack, international halfbacks and an eclectic, if underrated, mix farther out, Munster have the recipe for success.

It's up to them to fire up the Thomond Park cauldron early on or risk reducing a packed house to the periphery of the contest.

MUNSTER: S Payne; J Kelly, G Connolly, T Halstead, A Horgan; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; D Leamy, D Wallace, A Foley (capt). Replacements: D Fogarty, F Pucciariello, T Hogan, S Keogh, T O'Leary, J Manning, B Murphy.

CASTRES OLYMPIQUE: R Teulet; JB Peyras Loustalet, F Tuilagi, L Marticorena, AN Other; Y Delaigue, M Barrau; C Hoeft, R Vigneaux, K Meeuws; R Capo Ortega, L Nallet; J Puricelli, P Volley, F Faure. Replacements: Y Forestier, D Romieu, N Spanghero, G Taussac, AN Other, A Albuoy, AN Other.

Referee: David Pearson (England).

Previous meetings European Cup - Dec 2004: Munster 36 Castres 8. Dec 2004: Castres 19 Munster 12. April 2002: Castres 17 Munster 25. January 2002: Castres 21 Munster 13. September 2001: Munster 28 Castres 23. January 2001: Munster 21 Castres 11. October 2000: Castres 29 Munster 32. November 1995: Castres 19 Munster 12.

Results so far (European Cup 2005-2006): Sale Sharks 27 Munster 13; Castres 29 Dragons 24 Leading points scorers: Munster - Ronan O'Gara 8. Castres - Laurent Marticorena 14.

Leading try scorers: Munster - Frankie Sheahan 1. Castres - Laloaoa Millford 2.

Verdict: Munster to win.