Heineken Cup: Munster v Northampton

by Brendan Cole

Munster can set themselves on what is likely to be a considerably easier path to the semi-finals with a victory of any kind over Northampton this evening. A win will yield a home quarter-final, possibly against the same oppostion.

Munster v Northampton live on RTÉ Radio 1 on all wavelengths and worldwide on RTÉ.ie/sport. Watch extended TV coverage on RTÉ Two at 11.15pm.

The men in red defied the doubters (cough) over two rounds against Perpignan and having performed well against Saints in the opening fixture have every right to be considered favourites for this one.

But, as ever, Munster are a team you can't help but be concerned about and Saints could yet pose a stiffer test than Perpignan ultimately managed, even at Thomond Park. Memories of Leicester's Round Six victory in 2007 inevitably intrude ahead of matches such as this.

Looking at the Northampton XV, the back division looks capable of testing the occasionally leaky Munster midfield defence and should pose a more nuanced threat than the somewhat one-dimensional Perpignan were ultimately able to.

Northampton - quality back division

When on song, Shane Geraghty is as about as good as an attacking out-half as there is in the competition and when Munster centre pair Jean De Villiers and Keith Earls are pulled wide or forced to make decisions, they have been prone to getting exposed; in fairness to Earls, that is particularly true in the case of De Villiers.

Northampton, who have the combination of a battering ram option in inside centre James Downey and Geraghty's excellent passing off both hands, will surely seek to test both players.

Wing Chris Ahston's excellent try scoring form - frequently finishing relatively easy run ins - is no accident: Northampton are good at creating a little space out wide, while full-back Ben Foden is also hitting a rich vein of form and can slip a tackle to devastating effect. Hitting the first carry up the centre is, of course, the key to putting a stop to all that.

In the forwards, Saints have decent lineout options, a couple of hard men, strong carriers and scrummaging strength.

Roger Wilson, formerly of Ulster, starts at number eight with Courtney Lawes at six and Phil Dowson at seven. Lawes - a good lineout operator - is more often seen in the second row, while Dowson is a number eight playing openside. It is basically three big guys, with no energetic openside. The all action Neil Best, another former Ulster player, must make do with a bench spot.

In the second row, Ignacio Ferndanez Lobbe - brother of the more well known Juan Martin - and Juandre Kruger are a familiar and complimentary pairing that can deliver solid set piece. Kruger is one of the hard men that will need quelling while Munster can expect Denis Fogarty's throwing to come under pressure with Northampton having plenty of height both on the deck and in the jumping options.

Scrum a possible Munster weak point

The return of Euan Murray at tighthead prop is also cause for concern and if he gets the run on Wian Du Preez at loosehead - as BJ Botha did for Ulster recently - Munster could find themselves playing with one hand tied behind their back. At hooker, Dylan Hartley is another would be tough guy who must also be handled.

There are openings: arguably, Saints lack a little pace and Munster may be able to target their breakdown to good effect.

But Saints are a solid unit... how will Munster cope!

Where to start.

First, to paraphrase the great golf instructor Harvey Penick, 'Munster are not a team that breaks down into parts any more than a wonderful poem breaks down into words'.

They also revel in taking apart high flying English and French opposition and given the situation, will take the field at full Heineken Cup intensity. If Northampton arrive even slightly off key, it will be a very tough night for them.

There are, of course, individual plus points: Paul Warwick's good form at full-back, Ronan O'Gara's experience and precise game management at out-half, and the physical leadership of key men such as John Hayes, Paul O'Connell and David Wallace.

Intensity is key for Munster

But every team has standout players. With Munster, it's the exceptional work-rate, intensity and bond between the unit that will make this clash a very difficult one for Northampton to stay in let alone win. As a collective, Munster also have that uncanny knack of taking away or minimising whatever the opposition base their self belief on: recall, for example, the sheer irrelevance of the superior Perpignan scrum at Thomond Park.

In that vein, Geraghty in particular may find himself operating with less space and time than he is used to, while Downey's charges up the middle will also be well marked. Foden's ability under the dropping ball will also undoubtedly be tested by Warwick and O'Gara, with Denis Hurley and Doug Howlett both excellent kick chasers. As I said, Northampton will need to be very sharp just to get in the match.

All in all, despite the fact that both teams will probably qualify, this feels like it will be edge of the seat stuff.

Sometimes, you are reduced to saying: 'I'm not sure how, but Munster will do it'.

Prediction: Munster 25-20 Northampton

Munster v Northampton, Heineken Cup Round Six, Thomond Park, 22 January (8pm):

Munster: Paul Warwick, Doug Howlett, Keith Earls, Jean de Villiers, Denis Hurley, Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary, Wian de Preez, Denis Fogarty, John Hayes, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell (capt), Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, David Wallace.

Replacements: Damien Varley, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, James Coughlan, Peter Stringer, Lifemi Mafi, Ian Dowling.

Northampton: Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Jon Clarke, James Downey, Bruce Reihana, Shane Geraghty, Lee Dickson, Soane Tonga'uiha, Dylan Hartley (capt), Euan Murray, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, Juandre Kruger, Courtney Lawes, Phil Dowson, Roger Wilson.

Replacements: Brett Sharman, Alex Waller, Brian Mujati, Christian Day, Neil Best, Alan Dickens, Stephen Myler, Chris Mayor