Munster to revel in a real meaty encounter

Now we're getting into the meat of this European Cup. Barring those with 100 percent records, this is a make-or-break weekend - with this huge game at Musgrave Park a pivotal example. At the outset, it seemed Munster had been dealt a tougher hand, in comparison to say Leinster, by starting with back-to-back away games, but the cards have tumbled better for them now. It's like playing the second leg at home.

"It's worked out better for us," agrees Munster captain Mick Galwey. "We've played the likes of Harlequins and Cardiff and, while we know they're good sides, they are beatable."

Mentally then, Munster shouldn't have too many hangups. The first result flattered Cardiff a little. The bigger and noisier the crowd (a key factor) then Munster ought to be quicker out of the blocks. The Cork rugby folk need to arise from their slumber and recall the 1992 defeat of the Wallabies - "One of the greatest days," says Galwey, "the crowd means a lot." Witness the hometown call of a forward pass against Munster which led to a converted Nigel Walker try in Cardiff.

The tackling will surely be better, all the more so with the Shannon back-row playing their third consecutive game together and Killian Keane should benefit from last week's outing in lending a wilier head and greater physical presence for what will be a searching examination.

"There's no secret to the way they play," continues Galwey. "They come at you 100 miles an hour, grind you down and play a very tough, physical game up front. We've got to keep the ball alive and move them around."

That was the key to their gradual improvement at the Arms Park and a further psychological fillip will be the knowledge of Munster's unbeaten European record on home soil. But as Galwey concedes, Cardiff are the best side to come to Munster in this competition.

Nevertheless a heavyweight, lumbering Cardiff have plodded a bit heretofore. But the return of Robert Howley (Munster's tormentor in chief with a hat-trick last season) for his first game, a week head of schedule, since suffering a dislocated shoulder on the Lions tour on June 12th is timely for Cardiff given their previous inexperience at out-half.

Walker, who hails Howley as "a superhuman athlete" and the "best scrum-half in the world" also returns from the hamstring strain sustained in scoring his second try against Munster a fortnight ago, as does experienced centre Mike Hall. Matthew Silva, who couldn't catch a cold never mind a garryowen two weeks ago, has given way to Canadian Bobb Ross, but he too was defensively vulnerable last week.

Underlining their strength in depth, current Welsh skipper Gwyn Jones has been omitted for Owain Williams, another of 13 internationals in the starting XV, at open side.

Cardiff have been a thorn in Irish sides, scoring 22 tries in beating Ulster, Leinster and Munster (twice). For Munster then, this is a tough one. But if Ireland are to have a representative beyond the pool stages, you sense this is the last chance saloon. It should be quite a game.

Munster: D Crotty; J Lacey, C Burke, R Ellison, J Kelly; K Keane, B O'Meara; I Murray, M McDermott, P Clohessy, M Galwey (capt), S Leahy, E Halvey, A Foley, A Quinlan.

Cardiff: B Ross; N Walker, M Hall, L Davies, S Hill; L Jarvis, R Howley; A Lewis, J Humphryes, D Young, AN Other, D Jones, G Kacala, E Lewis, O Williams.

Formguide: Munster - L 40-48 v Harlequins (a), L 23-43 v Cardiff (a), W 17-15 v Bourgoin (h). Cardiff - L 25-26 v Bourgoin (a), W 43-23 v Munster (h), L 21-28 v Harlequins (h).

Previous meetings: 1996 Cardiff 48 Munster 18.

Leading points scorers: Munster - Ronan O'Gara 23. Cardiff - Lee Jarvis 53.

Leading try scorers: Munster - John Lacey 4. Cardiff - Nigel Walker, Steve Williams 2 each.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England).