Munster – It’s in Our Hands

Munster have qualified for the Heineken Cup semi-finals for the last four tournaments – but they must beat Bourgoin at Thomond Park on Saturday to keep that record going.

Munster have qualified for the Heineken Cup semi-finals for the last four tournaments – but they must beat Bourgoin at Thomond Park on Saturday to keep that record going.

“It is a huge weekend for Munster – and for a lot of other sides still in contention to qualify for the quarter-finals,” said coach Alan Gaffney.

“We can qualify as one of the top two seeds; we can qualify as the seventh or eighth seeds – or we can fail to qualify at all.

“It is a real thrill for the tournament and spectators to have qualification so tight in every group but, as a coach, I would have preferred it if Munster had qualified after Round 5!

“We have to win. It is going to be a tough task but it is down to us – we must do what we have to do and not worry about what goes on elsewhere.

“The Heineken Cup is a damn hard competition – especially if you have someone like Gloucester in your group.

“Bourgoin may play a more open game now that they cannot qualify – and they do have pace and ability out wide – but getting your hands on videos of them is virtually impossible, they are obviously not the flavour of the month with the television companies.

“And, while they may be out and may not be as primed as they would have been if they were still in the hunt, they won’t want to come over and lose and we know we will have to play to our potential otherwise it could be a disaster and we are out.

“The Thomond Park crowd will be a huge influence. All the tickets went virtually the moment they went on sale and it will be a full house.”

Munster v Bourgoin Heineken Cup – Round Six Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick. Kick Off: Saturday January 31st at 5pm. TV Coverage: Network 2 & Sky Sports 2.