Champions Cup preview: Munster v ASM Clermont

By Brendan Cole

Munster face Clermont in the familiar setting of a critically important European match (Saturday, 5.30pm).

The southern province has an outstanding history in this type of fixture dating back to the dramatic victory over a well-funded Saracens side in 2000.

They also have a track-record of doing the business in these games regardless of previous form. Even so, it is a positive that Anthony Foley's men come into this one after a run of six wins on the bounce.

Starting with their narky win over Leinster at Aviva Stadium at the beginning of October, Munster have played their rugby with real purpose.

In part that is because a common-sense approach has been taken to solving some long-standing problems.

The pecking orders are clearer with Dave Foley staking a claim alongside Paul O'Connell and Ian Keatley the main partner for Conor Murray in the half-backs. Both players have been backed and both have delivered.

Munster also boast a back-row with a vintage feel to it in the shape of Peter O'Mahony, Tommy O'Donnell and CJ Stander. No traditional seven, but tackle-busting carrying and work-rate in spades.

Foley promised a return to some older values and few would argue that he has not been true to his word.

The major area of concern continues to be the centre. The hope was that Andrew Smith would prove to be the type of smart playmaker that Munster have used to gel the play the scrum in the past.

The former ACT Brumbie is injured this week but in any event he had not yet shown that he will have the impact of a Rua Tipoki.

In his absence, Denis Hurley is again pressed into service at number 12 with Pat Howard alongside. Clermont have Wesley Fofana and Aurelien Rougerie. It is a clear area of advantage for the visitors.

Peter O'Mahony: ""There's a little bit more fire in training, and obviously there is an emotional attachment when it comes to European weeks ... guys get a little fired up. But that's always good to see."

Clermont have also developed their team. At out-half, Camille Lopez is getting an increasing amount of game-time ahead of Brock James.

A stout playmaker with a good kicking game and a bit of panache, Lopez looked like he had established himself as the French number one until a poor performance against Argentina.

But outside the dysfunctional French set-up, Munster's problem is that Lopez combines a good kicking game with running quality and can bring the array of talent outside him into the picture more effectively than James.

And what talent there is in the Clermont backline. Nick Abendanon, Napoleoni Nalaga, Noa Nakaitaci and Fofana are outstanding broken-field runners and all have a license to go for it.

That can lead to inconsistency. Clermont blew Saracens off the park for periods of their clash in the last round of matches, but still lost in the end. Munster can expect them to have a purple patch in this match and that will be a major test of character.

Clermont's scrummaging power and bench are also fearsome and with former Leinster coach Jonno Gibbes in charge of the pack, Munster can expect a bit of extra fire and a better organised set-piece. Their own tendency to start slowly is another concern.

But Munster have strengths too and if they can win the arm-wrestle up front and make their key tackles in the open field, that could prove to be just enough.

Clermont are often infected by the traditional French attitude that European victories on the road are nice, but not essential. This one should matter more to Munster.

Champions Cup prediction: Munster 22-17 Clermont

Munster: 15 Felix Jones 14 Gerhard van den Heever 13 Pat Howard 12 Denis Hurley 11 Simon Zebo 10 Ian Keatley 9 Conor Murray 1 Dave Kilcoyne 2 Duncan Casey 3 BJ Botha 4. Paul O'Connell 5 Dave Foley 6 Peter O'Mahony (capt) 7 Tommy O'Donnell 8 CJ Stander

Replacements: 16 Kevin O'Byrne 17 James Cronin 18 Stephen Archer 19 Billy Holland 20 Sean Dougall 21 Duncan Williams 22 JJ Hanrahan 23 Johne Murphy

Clermont: 15 Abendanon,14 Nakaitaci 13 Rougerie 12 Fofana 11 Nalaga 10 Lopez 9 Radosavljevic 1 Domingo 2 Kayser 3 Ric 4 Cudmore 5 Vahaamahina 6 Chouly (capt) 7 Bonnaire8 Lee

Replacements: 16 Ulugia 17 Debaty 18 Zirakashvili 19 Pierre 20 Lapandry 21 Lacrampe 22 James 23 Davies

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