Munster currently occupy the fourth and final play-off spot in the competition with Tony McGahan’s men enjoying a four-point lead over the fifth-placed Blues and sixth-placed Edinburgh.
Should Munster take two points from Sunday’s tie against the Amlin Challenge Cup finalists in Wales then the side, still smarting from their Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Biarritz, will be guaranteed a place in the inaugural Magners League play-offs later this month.
Munster’s 18-12 victory over Connacht last time out ended the province’s five-game losing run away from home in the Magners League.
Difficult
Munster prop Marcus Horan admitted it would be difficult for the players to pick themselves up for the crucial clash in Cardiff this Sunday following their bitterly disappointing Heineken Cup defeat to Biarritz Olympique in San Sebastian.
The Munster squad met in Cork this Wednesday to begin preparations for their clash in Wales after getting a few days off following the Biarritz defeat.
“It is going to be a tough week. There is no two ways about it,” Marcus Horan admitted.
“It is always hard to pick yourself up after a defeat like this, especially when you realise there is a massive job to do against Cardiff for the Magners League.
“From that side of things it is going to be difficult mentally for a lot of us to get ourselves up for it.
“But that is the drive we need and it will be a real show of character, maybe.
“Cardiff will have to keep an eye on the Amlin Challenge Cup final, but they will want to get into the top four in the Magners League.
“That is huge. There is nothing easy at this stage of the season.
“It is a mental test more than anything else.”
Injury concerns
Munster have a number of injury concerns ahead of the trip to Wales.
Lock Mick O’Driscoll picked up an ankle injury in the game with Biarritz while fellow second-row Paul O’Connell has not played competitively since Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Scotland due to a groin injury.
Munster will hope that experienced wingers Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling, who were forced to pull out of the side for the Biarritz game, will be fit to play this weekend.
The in-form Cardiff Blues have won their last six matches in all competitions.
Cardiff’s impressive recent run included a eye-catching 18-15 away win over London Wasps in the semi-final of the Amlin Challenge Cup last weekend.
The last four meetings between the Blues and Munster have been won by the home side on the day.
Munster’s most recent away victory over Cardiff was secured at the Arms Park back in November 2005.
Thirty-something
Marcus Horan was quick to dismiss the notion that the current Munster side might be in decline because of the large number of thirty-somethings in the pack.
“I think a lot of us are playing some great rugby at the moment,” Marcus Horan said
“I think there is a great drive there.
“We have a great mix of young players as well and it is always important to have a blend like that.
“People will always keep saying that a team is aging, no matter which team it is as the years go by.
“It’s an excuse people will use. But the guys are keen.
“We are naturally getting older, but the guys are still keen.”
Paul Warwick
Marcus Horan’s team mate Paul Warwick insisted that Munster would bounce back from their fifth Heineken Cup semi-final defeat.
“There is huge desire and ambition still within the squad,” full-back Paul Warwick said.
“That will never be questioned with the talent we have in our dressing room.
“It is disappointing, but we will want to go one better next season.
“Munster are definitely not a fading force in Europe.
“It was just not our day against Biarritz.
“Our season is not over. We have to put this (the Biarritz defeat) aside and move on.
“The Cardiff game is our only focus now.
“We are in a position whereby if we lose that game our season could be over.
“The game is our sole focus now.”
Colm Kinsella
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