Champions Cup Preview: Munster v Toulouse
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Munster v Toulouse
KO: Saturday 1st April, 5:45pm
Venue: Thomond Park
Channel: Sky Sports 2
Referee: JP Doyle
Betting: Munster 1/5 v 7/2 Toulouse
Spread: (-9)
Munster, who have won more European Cup games than any other side, welcome the most decorated side in the competition, Toulouse, for a mouthwatering quarter-final clash. The old foes last met in the quarter-finals three years ago, and the hosts will be hoping for a repeat result.
Munster were drawn in Pool 1 alongside Glasgow Warriors, Leicester Tigers and reigning French Top 14 winners Racing 92. The Irish province opened up with an emotional 38-17 win over Glasgow Warriors despite losing Keith Earls early to a red card. A home encounter with Leicester Tigers was next up, Munster ran out comprehensive winners 38-0 winners thanks to the steady boot of Bleyendaal and an outstanding individual effort from CJ Stander. The reverse fixture at Welford Road took place the following weekend, Tigers claimed revenge by notching an 18-16 win in a bruising encounter.
A trip to Paris awaited the Irish province in Round 4, a very dominant performance secured a crucial bonus point victory that sent Munster to the top of the pool. A hard fought win in Glasgow guaranteed Munster’s passage through to the knock-out stages of the competition. The concluding round saw Munster notch a European double over Racing 92, the victory meant Munster will host a home quarter-final at Thomond Park.
Toulouse were drawn in Pool 2 alongside Wasps, Connacht and Zebre. A trip to the Sportsground was first up for the Top 14 outfit as they went down 23-21 to a dogged Connacht side. Toulouse hosted Aviva Premiership side Wasps in R2, the game was plagued with penalties and both sides refused to lie down as they shared the spoils in a 20-20 draw at the Stade Ernest Wallon.
A European double header against Zebre yielded a maximum 10 points to put them in contention for QF place. Wasps gained the upper hand in R5 with a 17-14 leaving Toulouse in third and ground to make up on Wasps and Connacht, who they faced in their final game. In a thrilling contest, Toulouse beat Connacht 19-10 to break Irish hearts and guarantee their presence in the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup.
Team News
Rassie Erasmus will be waiting anxiously on a late fitness test on Conor Murray’s shoulder, while Jack O’Donoghue is a doubt with a hip flexor issue and Andrew Conway is recovering from a neck/left shoulder problem.
But the Munster boss will definitely be able to call on recent South African signing Jean Deysel, whose work permit has come through ahead of the weekend.
Ian Keatley and Francis Saili have surprised Munster with the speed of their recoveries from injury, but Erasmus insisted they wouldn’t take risks with the backline pair.
Toulouse coach Ugo Mola has made five changes to his side that lost to Bordeaux in the Top 14 last weekend.
Match Facts
Munster have won 31 of their last 34 home games in the European Cup and have won seven of eight home quarter-final ties.
Toulouse have lost their last two quarter-final matches (including a 47-23 defeat at Thomond Park in 2014) and the last time they reached the semi-finals in 2011, they lost to Leinster.
Munster and Toulouse have the tournament record number of appearances in the knockout stage with 16 apiece.
Toulouse have lost six of their last seven away games in the Champions Cup, with their one win in this period coming against Zebre in Parma.
Form
Toulouse away form in all competitions this season has been very poor, winning just twice on the road in the Top 14, and the Thomond Park factor is very much a decisive factor on European days like these.
Munster have been in a winning machine in recent times winning 10 of their last 11 games. Currently lying 2nd in the Pro 12 just two points off the summit. Three large European home wins gave Munster the platform to secure their entry into the knock-out stages of the competition.
Prediction
With a monstrous pack and a host of French internationals, Yoann Huget, Gael Fickou, and the legendary Thierry Dusautoir, to name but a few, Toulouse are capable of testing Munster's resolve.
However, the hosts welcome back Peter O' Mahony and CJ Stander in the back row, off the back of an excellent outing over England in the 6 Nations and the advantage of playing at a packed Thomond Park. Munster should have enough to easily secure a semi-final spot.
Previous Results:
5th April 2014 - Munster 47 - 23 Toulouse
24th May 2008 - Munster 16 - 13 Toulouse
26th April 2003 - Toulouse 13 - 12 Munster
