The Munster team has arrived in Bordeaux this afternoon for their Heineken European Cup semi-final against Toulouse on Saturday, apparently followed by nine planes full of supporters! This will be their toughest assignment so far in the competition, with the unlucky draw that was handed them two weeks ago. Captain Mick Galwey and his squad have trained thoroughly for this fixture and will know the strengths, and weaknesses, of Toulouse both from studying videos and a knowledge of how the French teams play. They beat Stade Francais in the last phase of this competition.
Munster will be trying to emulate the magnificent feats of Ulster, who won the Heineken Cup last year in front of a packed Lansdowne Road, and if anything is to go against the men in red, it will be that they are not playing at Thomond Park, which has proved to be such a fortress in recent years.
Also the European Rugby Cup have decided, in their wisdom, that if Munster reach the final, they will classed as 'away' for that fixture. If Northampton beat Llanelli, the final will be played at Twickenham, If it's a Munster - Llanelli final, it'll be Cardiff, and if it's Toulouse -Llanelli, it'll be played in Marseille
Team in full: D Crotty (Garryowen), J Kelly (Cork Con), M Mullins (Young Munster), J Holland (Midelton), A Horgan (Cork Con), R O'Gara (Cork Con), P Stringer (Shannon), P Clohessy (Young Munster), K Wood (Garryowen), J Hayes (Shannon), M Galway (Shannon) Captain, J Langford (Shannon), E Halvey (Shannon), D Wallace (Garryowen), A Foley (Shannon).
