Road to the Millennium

European Cup Final analysis by Matt Williams.

THE SCRUM BATTLE

Biarritz have a massive pack. Benoit August is almost a caricature of a French hooker; brass neck with a face that only a mother would smile upon but he is immune to pain.

When French teams have a really powerful hooker they tend to generate pressure through him by a subtle shift of footing. It is like scrummaging with three props and it means Jerry Flannery feels the full brunt of August, Petru Balan and Census Johnson. A Frenchman, Romanian and Samoan all trying to inflict pain on the Limerick man.

Flannery will know what to expect, having been exposed to this in Paris during the Six Nations.

That day the Irish frontrow went into contact too high. This is Flannery's job to organise. If Marcus Horan (who is an extra backrower) fails to recover Federico Pucciariello will do just fine. Argentinians were born to scrummage.

If the pressure becomes too intense Munster must collapse the scrum, take a step back and reassess the situation. Flannery must go in on his own terms. He didn't do that in Paris and Ireland were eaten. It led to two or three turnovers and a heavy half-time deficit.

I always use the term terrorist tactics. If your opposition are superior don't take them on in open battle. Sure, didn't a Corkman introduce guerrilla warfare to the 20th century?

Munster know this. They used to annoy the hell out of me in derby matches. They'd run around the scrum, they wouldn't even push. Hell, they would sometimes walk backwards.

If Biarritz get the upper hand watch for the spin. Munster will plead their innocence. Chris White will reset. Biarritz could get frustrated. On their own ball either Anthony Foley or David Wallace will look for a quick pick and go.

The Munster scrum never gets completely dominated anymore. John Hayes has been around long enough but if they can't control their set-piece on Saturday Ronan O'Gara will never get the chance to leave his imprint on proceedings.

Also, Dimitri Yachvili is up there with Matt Dawson at spoiling at the base. Unless the shove is solid, Peter Stringer will feel his breath all day.

Cardiff's fourth final

The good folk of ERC sent us some trivia on the 11th European Cup final to share with the public.

This will be the fourth European Cup final played in Cardiff - but only the second at the Millennium Stadium as the 1996 and 1997 finals were played at the old Cardiff Arms Park.

Munster will become the third team to play in three European Cup finals, joining Toulouse (four finals) and Leicester Tigers (three finals).

Biarritz Olympique are the sixth French club to play in a European Cup final, joining Toulouse, Brive, Colomiers, Stade Français Paris and Perpignan.

English referee Chris White will be the first official to take charge of three finals - in 2003, 2005 and now 2006.

Grass from Netherlands

The European Cup final will be the 11th major rugby game at the Millennium Stadium this season. New grass from the Netherlands was laid a month ago that "has greater resistance to shade than most varieties," read an ERC statement.

"The turf is laid on 7,400, 1 cwt pallets that can be removed to reveal a hard-standing surface that the Millennium Stadium will use to stage the British Speedway Grand Prix next month and then summer concerts involving Take That, The Eagles, Madonna and the Rolling Stones.

"The Millennium Stadium head groundsman Lee Evans walks nine miles every time he cuts or rolls the pitch. Lee will be cutting the pitch seven times this week ahead of the final and walking a mere 63 miles - twice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and once on match day."

Munster anthem

The folk of Connacht want their song back and the John Creedon Show on RTÉ Radio One went to great lengths to help them this week by launching a new Munster anthem.

"Men of Munster (will prevail), a song in honour of the gallant Munster Rugby Team" was scripted by one D Murphy - here's a taster:

From the towering cliffs of Moher To the mighty Shannon's Isle

From the slopes of Carrauntoohil To the sweet Blackwater's side

From the rebel Galtee mountains To the City by the Lee

Stand as one and sing together Onward Munster to victory.

We think the Fields of Athenry is safe for now.