Former Munster and Ireland captain Paul O’Connell has said that he’s concerned about the injured duo of Chris Farrell and Keith Earls ahead of Munster’s Champions Cup quarter-final with Toulon at Thomond Park this afternoon.
Earls and Farrell have both been ruled out of the match with knee injuries with Sammy Arnold set to partner Rory Scannell in the centres, while Alex Wooton will line up alongside Simon Zebo and Andrew Conway in a reinforced back three.
Zebo and Conway were both doubts heading into this weekend but have since recovered from their respective hamstring and knee injuries in time to play.
The return of the Ireland duo should bolster Munster’s attack, but the absence of Earls and Farrell are big losses that will make it tough for the hosts according to O’Connell.
“It certainly helps playing at home from a Munster point of view,” O’Connell told RTE radio.
“I would have played in a quarter-final that we would have lost at home against Ulster so it’s never a done deal.
“I do think it helps the players to perform, the pressure of the home record we have helps them to perform, but they have enough injuries which is going to be quite difficult from them.
“Chris Farrell when he played for Ireland the last time was man-of-the-match and Keith Earls was a lot of people’s pick for player of the tournament, he’s such a clever player.
“Those two guys alone are a big loss so I think it’s going to be very tough for them.
“The only thing I suppose is Toulon winning 49-0 against Clermont last week, might not be the end of the world for Munster that that happened, even though it shows how good they’re capable of being.
“You’d like to think maybe Toulon would come over a little bit complacent and a little bit confident but it’s going to be a very, very difficult game for Munster so it’s going to be very tough.”
Toulon come to Munster fresh off a 49-0 drubbing of Clermont but will face a Munster team that will also be welcoming back Ireland and British & Irish Lions trio Conor Murray, CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony.
Despite the loss of Earls and Farrell, Munster head coach Johann van Graan can’t wait for what will be his first Champions Cup knockout game in European rugby.
“It’s always pressure. I’m relishing the opportunity,” said van Graan.
“I think it’s why we work in rugby – for moments like this. It’s my first one with Munster. I was lucky enough to be part of Super Rugby finals and semi-finals, and a World Cup semi-final and play-off games.
“This is unique. I’m looking forward to it, can’t wait for Saturday. If you can’t enjoy weeks like this, why are you in the game.
“You want it, that’s why you are in the game. You want it, that’s why we train. You want this pressure, and hopefully we can come through it.
“Any side that beats Clermont 49-0 is quality. Just look at the tries they scored, some of their broken field attack, their maul, and their scrum. In some scrums they went just right through the opposition. They have star players everywhere. They put a fantastic game together last Sunday.
“We’ll have to be at our very best to get a result on Saturday. Toulon have fantastic ball carriers – Isa, Vermeulen, Nonu, Bastereau, Fekitoa, Pieterson, Ashton. I could name any guy. We will have to be at our best in all areas to get through this game.”
The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10
RELATED ARTICLES
MORE FROM Sports Joe
MORE FROM Sports Joe
