by McCloud

So this Friday the Saints come to Thomond Park, flying high in the Guinness Premiership on a run of 10 unbeaten games. The final clash of the group stages is running to a familiar script: Thomond Park, winner takes all, home quarter final at stake! Just what we need - if we need anything for Munster to go up another gear both on and off the pitch. Northampton have beaten us once this season in the first game of the pool stages. In truth many in Munster would believe that was a game that got away from us. The concession of two easy tries, especially the collective concentration switch off for Shane Geraghty's try, meant Munster were always on the back foot. With both a scrum and line out that were struggling, they never gained the platform to really attack the Saints. Geraghty was full of praise for his forwards after the game, saying that the quality of possession they provided made his job easy. All that may be true, but in the end there was only four points between the teams and if Munster had had more confidence in their own scrum for the final play of the game they could well have come away with more then a losing bonus point. Northampton are a good side with many quality players, a strong pack and dangerous backs such as Foden and Ashton who scored two tries in the first game - it will be important that any garryowens are followed up quickly to prevent the Saints back three from running the ball back. Geraghty when he is on song can be a real danger and controls the game well, after having an armchair ride in the first leg he needs a comprehensive introduction to the Munster forwards to unsettle him and put him under pressure.

Munster after their stuttering start seem to be beginning to peak as the knock out stages of the competion appears. In their away victories against Perpignan and Treviso Munster displayed what we all know they can do, powerful forward play in the Perpignan game and open adventurous running against Treviso. The trick for the coaching staff is to meld those two different approaches so that the players know when which option is on and when it's not. While the first eleven minutes of the Treviso game were a pleasure to watch, attempting the same against Northampton would be full of risk as they will not miss as many tackles as Treviso did. This game for Munster will be all about control, keeping the Saints in their own half and ensuring the ball they have is slowed down thus preventing them establishing their patterns. All the pressure is on Northampton coming into this fixture - to have any real chance of progressing further they really have to win. If Munster can frustrate Northampton at the break down and relentlessly stop them at source, the more mistakes may appear as the pressure builds on them and the greater the likelihood that they will concede penalties. Munster just needs to keep the score board ticking over by taking every opportunity of any points on offer. There is no need to be chasing bonus point tries, as a win will be enough to see Munster through to the knock out stages with a home quarter final. To do this Munster will have to provide another powerful forwards game, they will need to once again work as a unit when carrying the ball, ensure that nobody gets isolated to prevent turnovers or penalties. They will need to arrive at the break down in numbers and drive the Saints back in the tackle. In the last two games in the Heineken cup the Munster scrum has looked more solid and the line out has improved this will need to continue on Friday as Northampton are sure to target the scrum as they may feel confident that they can disrupt Munster in this area.

Listening to the comments from the Saint’s camp over the last few days the players are full of confidence, respectful of Munster but confident they can come to Thomond Park and do what only one other team has done in the Heineken cup. This will be Northampton’s first visit to Thomond Park and it will be important to ensure that they let the full Thomond Park experience both from the team on the field and from the terraces and stands. No let up, intense pressure, right in their face for the full 80 minutes. The Saints may march in but let’s ensure they stagger out after all, there is a home quarter final at stake. It's time to really stand up and fight.

Let the 'full Thomond Park experience' commence. I can't wait. 

kermit wrote: This will be Northampton’s first visit to Thomond Park

First competitive visit.

fogerty wrote: kermit wrote: This will be Northampton’s first visit to Thomond Park First competitive visit.

Good man, very sharp any thoughts on next Friday?

I think - and hope - Saints are in for a real fright. I don't rate their pack as highly as that Leicester side, or the Wasps side that gave us so much trouble in the rain in 08.

Munster are really up for this, it's old school stuff, and as great a side as the Saints have proved themselves, I think experience will play a big part, and they lack that in the key departments.

It'd be nice if Warwick could bring his drop goal radar along, it really, sapped the confidence of the Ospreys last year, and we haven't really seen him do it this year.

rathbaner wrote: I think - and hope - Saints are in for a real fright. I don't rate their pack as highly as that Leicester side, or the Wasps side that gave us so much trouble in the rain in 08.

Couldn't disagree more. I've seen Saints play a few times this year and their pack is awesome. 
Tonga'uiha is probably the best prop in the world at the moment, Hartley and Murray also 1st class. Lobbe and Kruger almost as good as POC and DOC. Lawes should certainly be in the England team and Wilson and Dowson are no slouches.

If anybody thinks this match is already won, think again. I expect Saints will get to the Guinness final this year and should they get through to the HC quarter finals, could well turn up in the final too.

This one could go down to the last minute - - can't wait

I certainly don't share people's optimism on this. We are in for a tough battle if we are to win at all.

Northampton beat Saracens in the LV Cup semi final 31-20

Humpty Dumpty wrote: Northampton beat Saracens in the LV Cup semi final 31-20

And Geraghty made hard work of it with the boot again.

And Saracens were chronic !

Thought the other semi, whilst both teams made errors, it was a fast exciting game.

 

LEINSTER AND Munster have taken up the full quota by adding three players to their Heineken Cup squads ahead of the quarter-final ties against Clermont Auvergne and Northampton, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY 

Munster have added a hooker, Michael Sherry, and a prop, David Ryan, while fullback/outhalf Scott Deasy’s recent good form is recognised ahead of Northampton’s return to Thomond Park on April 10th.

The Saints have added Wallaby lock Daniel Vickerman.

Blackrock teenager Andrew Conway is joined by South African hooker Richardt Strauss and flanker Paul Ryan for Leinster’s match against Clermont on April 9th.

Another interesting inclusion sees Sergio Parisse return from injury for Stade Francais’ match away to Toulouse.

Connacht have called up secondrow David Nolan as they prepare for the Challenge Cup quarter-final against Bourgoin on April 10th.

Wasps have added former England captain Phil Vickery and Toulon have re-registered player-coach Tana Umaga (36).