Tipoki Munster's biggest worry ahead of Sale clash

RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP: NEITHER IAN DOWLING nor Rua Tipoki took part in Munster's double training sessions in the University of Limerick yesterday but of the two Dowling (dead leg) is considered to have the better chance of being fit for the European champions' imposing Heineken Cup tie away to Sale Sharks on Sunday, writes Gerry Thornley

"We're still monitoring both players and will continue to do so until Friday, when we have to name our side, to give them both every chance of playing," confirmed Tony McGahan, whose video review of Munster's patchy and ultimately scary 19-17 win over Montauban has not greatly altered his initial perception.

"We're still trying to match a game plan that includes an ability to play rugby from all areas of the pitch with a more traditional kicking and forward-dominated game," he admitted.

"How we mix and match the two is still evolving, both from game to game and intertwined in the same game. But as the games against Glasgow and Montauban showed, there are examples of when we didn't do it."

"I still think we kicked to the corners successfully in the first 20 minutes (last Friday) but it doesn't help you when you make 22 mistakes inside the opposition's 40-metre line, which is what we did against Montauban."

The ensuing failure to capitalise on 13 or 14 line breaks allowed Montauban to stay in the match despite creating next to nothing themselves.

"We forced things a bit," admitted McGahan, "which shows us that we need to have better selection criteria for when these opportunities arise."

Munster have, as ever, done their homework meticulously on Sale since the start of the season, and McGahan agreed with the common view that Sale's bonus-point win away to Clermont Auvergne was the outstanding performance of the opening weekend.

In all probability, Sale are now two points ahead of Munster rather than one, for it will be some achievement for Munster to replicate the Sharks' five-point haul in Clermont Auvergne. Not only that, one would also have to assume Sale will succeed where Munster failed, and garner a bonus-point win when they entertain Montauban.

All of which clearly underlines the challenge facing Munster now, which for McGahan is ironic given Munster are still unbeaten this season and have done little wrong.

"Sale competed very hard in defence, played the game in the right areas and capitalised on Clermont's mistakes - it was a very conclusive performance," he observed.

The events of the weekend, and the nature of Sunday's contest on a small, tight soccer pitch, emphasise Munster's need - as McGahan admits - to be "more tactically astute, and our ball carrying needs to be more accurate".

"It's a tight pitch with a very small in-goal areas, and the ball really skids along, so you need good angles on your kicking game.

"Field position will be very important and (Luke) McAlister has been kicking 60-metre field goals all season, so discipline will have to be very tight."

The challenge facing Connacht in their marquee European Challenge Cup game on Friday night is no less daunting for their sell-out tie at home to high-flying London Irish. While Connacht were marking their record 78th tournament match with a valuable 30-12 away win in Dax (just above Montauban in the Top 14 on points difference) the potent Exiles - heretofore the only side to breach the Sale try-line and what's more with a bonus point - were running in a dozen tries at home to Rovigo.

"It is certainly going to be a big ask for us, but ever since the fixtures were announced we have been looking forward to what really is a glamour match for us," said coach Michael Bradley.

"London Irish have a super squad and are a great side - we will be up against the same team who took them all the way to last season's Heineken Cup semi-finals so we are well aware of the challenge they will present.

"They're a pretty formidable club, with plenty of pace out wide and power up front, and it's going to be a tough gig for us but also one we relish. We are playing very well in our home matches and after a tight game against the Ospreys we have beaten Glasgow Warriors and Leinster in Galway so we cannot wait to play London Irish in front of a full house on Friday night. Our fans have been really looking forward to coming to watch the game and the players to competing against one of the best teams around."

Meanwhile, Bradley will have a new assistant coach to the Ireland A side this season in Niall O'Donovan, and Nigel Carolan has been appointed as assistant coach to the Ireland Under-20 side alongside Allen Clarke.