All set for a Thomond Park classic
‘We’re ready’ – that’s the mantra coming out of Northampton this week as they prepare to take on Munster in a must win Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park on Friday night.
The Saints head to Munster knowing that a win will automatically qualify them for the quarter-finals, and although the Irish province has a formidable record on their home turf Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder says that his team are prepared to meet the challenge head on.
“We had a massive game against Munster in October but we will need to play much better tomorrow [Friday] night,” Mallinder said on Thursday.
“Many of their players are familiar faces from their exploits for Munster, Ireland and the Lions. But when the whistle blows it is just 15 men against 15, and if we play to our potential and stick to our game plan there is no reason why we can’t win.
“The atmosphere in the squad has been very positive all week and there is plenty of belief that we can come home with the points.”
Springbok centre Jean de Villiers, whose Heineken Cup debut came at Franklin’s Gardens in October, has been named in the starting lineup for the big match and says he is expecting a special occasion at Thomond Park.
“Before I came over, I knew the history of Munster and the success they have had in the Heineken Cup,” he mused this week. “Leading up to this game, all the guys are saying, ‘this is the best time to be a Munster player’.
“This is do or die with the whole of Munster supporting you. It is just a great game to be part of. Hopefully I can do my part.”
Munster coach Tony McGahan has named a full-strength team for the clash against the Saints. Marcus Horan is in line for his first action since mid-October after having been named on the bench.
The Teams:
Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O’Gara, 9 Tomas O’Leary, 8 David Wallace, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O’Connell (captain), 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Denis Fogarty, 1 Wian du Preez
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Donnacha Ryan, 20 James Coughlan, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Lifeimi Mafi, 23 Ian Dowling
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dylan Hartley (captain), 1 Soane Tonga’uiha
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Christian Day, 20 Neil Best, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Chris Mayor
Date: Friday, January 22
Venue: Thomond Park
Time: 20.00 (20.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Eric Soulan (France), Bernard Dal Maso (France)
TMO: Jean-Christophe Gastou
