Table-topping Munster face a tricky trip to Benetton Treviso

TABLE toppers Munster face a tricky Italian job this Saturday when Tony McGahan’s men travel to the Stadio Comunale di Monigo to face plucky Benetton Treviso in a crucial round five Heineken Cup pool match (1.35pm).


Munster currently enjoy a two-point lead over the Northampton Saints at the top of pool one in the competition.
Should both Munster and Northampton win their games this weekend, then the outcome of the pool will depend on the result of their final round clash on Friday, January 22 at Thomond Park (8pm).
Munster’s preparations for this weekend’s game were hampered by the cancellation of their scheduled Magners League meeting with the Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Sunday last.
Munster had included all their match-fit internationals, with the exception of John Hayes, for the clash with the Scarlets.
However, their lack of match fitness, as a result of the postponement, will be a cause for some concern for coach Tony McGahan ahead of the trip to the Stadio Comunalel di Monigo.
Munster’s starting line-up for Saturday’s round five Heineken Cup pool match against Treviso is likely to be very similar to that which faced USAP Perpignan in the previous round at the Stade Aime Giral.
Then, Munster produced their most outstanding display of the season to record a 37-14, bonus point, victory.
The victory leaves Munster at the top of pool one of the Heineken Cup on 15 points, two more than the Northampton Saints.
Treviso have proved formidable opponents on their home ground. The Italian side shocked USAP Perpignan in their opening round fixture in October and Northampton were forced to survive a stern examination before grinding out a narrow victory in their pool match before Christmas.
Munster hooker Jerry Flannery is facing an uphill battle to be involved in either of the province’s remaining two Heineken Cup pool games.
Flannery, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, has already been ruled out of this Saturday’s game.
And despite making good progress with the injury, 31-year-old Flannery is also rated a doubtful starter for Munster’s big final round showdown with the Northampton Saints.
Irish international Flannery has featured in just one of Munster’s four Heineken Cup pool matches this season, the opening round tie away to Northampton in October.
Despite some excellent showings by former London Wasps star Damien Varley for the province this season, it is likely that Denis Fogarty will line out at hooker for Munster in this weekend’s clash.
Fogarty has started three European Cup games for Tony McGahan’s side this season, scoring tries against Treviso and USAP Perpignan.
The recent adverse weather also delayed the planned comeback of prop Marcus Horan, who had been due to feature for Shannon in their AIL clash with St. Mary’s College at Templeville Road.
The postponement of the Division 1A fixture was a setback to Horan’s hopes of being involved in Munster’s crunch tie in Italy this weekend.
The Munster squad trained in Cork this Wednesday and are due to fly out to Italy from Shannon Airport on Friday morning.
Benetton Treviso went down 8-3 to Petrarca Padova in the Italian Super 10 competition last weekend.
Munster will be hoping to claim a maximum five-point haul from their trip to northern Italy. The two-time Heineken Cup winners had to survive an early scare against Treviso at Thomond Park in October before recording a convincing 41-10 victory.
In their last trip to the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in 2004, Munster recovered from a stuttering first half display to earn a 31-20 bonus point victory.

Colm Kinsella