2010/11's regular-season champions will face the competition holders on Saturday as Munster play host to the Ospreys at a packed Thomond Park.
It is strangely unsurprising that these two have already met on four occasions this season in all competitions, with the tally currently standing at 3-1 in Munster's favour. Rarely do they disappoint on the field, whether it be in the Magners League or Heineken Cup, but it is worth noting that this fixture was almost not on the cards.
For those who didn't catch the Aironi game last week, the Ospreys came very close to not making the play-offs but for a James Hook penalty - by hook or crook and all that. It will be Perpignan who will be blessed with Hook's talents next term and it'll be interesting to follow how the Ospreys cope.
Often the bridesmaids of European club rugby, the glamour region have continued to struggle despite possessing such class as Hook, and the almost defeat in Italy encapsulates what has been another disappointing campaign.
There was little to shout about in the Heineken Cup either as they finished third in a tough pool. However, that hasn't stopped Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett believing that the narrow win at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella was just one of those poor days at the office.
"We didn't do it pretty, we aren't happy with our performance but we got the result and we got ourselves into the semi-final and we can take something from that. We can look forward to this weekend's game now, the boys can focus on that and will work hard to make sure we do ourselves and our fans justice," he told the Ospreys' website.
Very well spun indeed from the Welshman, but will an improved performance be enough to do what Harlequins recently did to Munster in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final?
Speaking of them, it is difficult to sum up Munster's season to be honest as a top-of-the-table finish somewhat masks what has been a disappointment. Granted, they have topped the Magners League table since Round Two and the 2008/09 champions have lost just one fixture in the competition since November. But it is worth noting that it was in fact the Ospreys who were the last outfit to overcome Munster at home in the Magners League.
The formbook is beautifully balanced as you may gather, and with Hook possibly to be playing his last game in black, there is more than a feeling of the stage being set.
"It is all down to what happens on Saturday night, and the 80 minutes at Thomond Park," Director of Coaching, Scott Johnson added on the Ospreys' website.
"We've said all year that we wanted to defend our title, we've finished in the top four and now we're at the business end of the season.
"It's big games like that being involved in professional rugby is all about. It'll be a real test alright, but we know plenty about Munster just like they know plenty about us. I can see it being a real arm wrestle, but it's a really exciting prospect."
Meanwhile, Munster have made nine changes, two of those positional, from the side selected for the 22-6 Magners League success against Connacht last time out.
The positional tweaks see young Danny Barnes wear the 13 shirt this time around as opposed to the 12 of last while with Donncha O'Callaghan restored to the second-row Donnacha Ryan moves to 6 at the expense of international forward Denis Leamy.
Ones to watch:
For Munster: Two scores in his last two games makes winger Doug Howlett even more of a threat than usual. The New Zealand finisher agreed in February to see out the full length of his contract, which means he is staying at Thomond Park for another season. Great news.
For Ospreys: It could be his grand finale as an Osprey and we doubt James Hook will go out with a mediocre performance in Limerick. If he grabs this clash by the scruff of the neck, Munster may be in a spot of bother.
Head-to-head: Predicting a low-scoring affair. Step forward Ronan O'Gara and Dan Biggar.
Prediction: Holders, just. Ospreys by 2!
The teams:
Munster: 15 Felix Jones, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Danny Barnes, 12 Lifeimi Mafi, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 James Coughlan, 7 David Wallace, 6 Donncha Ryan, 5 Paul O'Connell (capt), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Niall Ronan, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Paul Warwick, 23 Simon Zebo.
Ospreys: 15 Richard Fussell, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Nikki Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Cai Griffiths, 19 Jerry Collins, 20 Tom Smith, 21 Marty Holah, 22 Tom Isaacs, 23 Ashley Beck.
Date: Saturday, May 14
Kick-off: 18:30 BST (17:30 GMT)
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Kevin Beggs (Ireland)
Television match officials: Peter Ferguson (Ireland)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
blametheref says...
Felt the Ospreys were awful, it's probably down to so many players leaving, mindset's elsewhere, lack of passion. Players on the way out of a club don't want to get injured as well. Munster did well intheir circumstances right now...If the Munster team of 2 years ago played the Munster team of yesterday they would have hammered them. I still feel there are some problems at Munster to be sorted...But I'm delighted an Irish team will win the ML and I feel Leinster will raise the ML trophy in Thomond Park.....It's possible too that next year Munster could have AB's Cory Jane and Benson Stanley, it's been rumoured they have or are in negotian with some Irish Province.....Interesting!
Posted 12:53 15th May 2011
kije says...
As expected, but very surprised at lack of firepower from Ospreys. Munster should have put more points on them. It's going to be tough against Leinster.
Posted 23:07 14th May 2011
munster1981 says...
well ye were a bit off with the prediction lads. It might have been close if the Ospreys had bothered to show up. They seem to be lacking any real passion this year.
Not going to get carried away with the victory. I reckon Leinster will still beat us in the final but its nice to get a win under the belt after the Harlequins defeat.
Posted 20:35 14th May 2011
ThinkingGame says...
@kent
Completely agree. There's no such thing as a glamour side in rugby, and the Scarlets have been great value this year with that many rookies in the side. Just frustrating as a supporter to have to read about your side being glamour boys, bridesmaids, chokers or underachievers in a preview of a huge match. Perhaps someone can offer an outsiders view and give me a clue where this view of the Ospreys comes from.
Posted 18:12 14th May 2011
blametheref says...
Have a punt on Ospreys at 23/10 with, good odds...But want to see Munster v Leinster final, just don't think it's going to happen!
Posted 12:45 14th May 2011
blametheref says...
Can't see Munster winning this one...something's not right at Munster, the mindset's not right either. I don't think they have the power they had to boss teams in Thomond, and I think Paul O' Connell is not the force he was...This match could be one of the big turning points in Munster rugby if they lose...They need a new coach, new players and a reinvention of the Munster model....I hope Munster win but I can't see it happening.........
Posted 12:06 14th May 2011
Kije says...
Munster will click tonight. After the recent disappointments they will have been working on composure and control, expect a dominate pack, few unforced errors, long periods of pressure and at least two scores clear.
Posted 10:58 14th May 2011
ThinkingGame says...
Glamour region. Right.
Of a nominal first XV, the front row and 12 all came from Neath, 4, 8 and 10 from Swansea, 5, 11 and 13 from collapsed ML regions, 6 and 7 are Kiwis and 14 was bought from Ulster. 15 and 9 grew up in the region but came through playing for the Scarlets. The same as Richie Pugh and Tavis Knoyle came through for the Ospreys before heading to the Scarlets for first team rugby.
The bench would include 3 Neath, 1 Newport, 2 Aberavon and 1 player whose only ever played senior rugby for the Ospreys.
For the record, it would be:
1. D Jones 2. H Bennett 3. A. Jones 4. AW. Jones 5. R. Jones 6. J.Collins 7. M Holah 8. J Thomas 9. M. Phillips 10. D.Biggar 11. N. Walker 12. J. Hook 13. S.Parker 14. T.Bowe 15. L.Byrne
Reps: C. Mitchell, M. Davies, I. Gough, J. Tipuric, R. Webb, A.Bishop, S. Williams
Is there any other side in Europe who have had 21 senior players missing through injury and call ups, with a few more playing sevens or age group, in the last 5 seasons? Are Collins, Holah and Nutbrown 'glamour' players? Nikki Walker?
If it's glamour you want, try the Scarlets, still living on a reputation that's now 30 years old. Or the Blues, with 7 non-Welsh players or more starting every week.
And we'll be fine without Hook. He'll be missed, but this region is good at producing home grown talent, and there's a kid at Swansea called Matt Morgan who's looked a bit special in the LV= Cup this year.
Posted 13:26 13th May 2011
dazzer says...
Ospreys by 2?? Must be a mis-print...Ospreys to beat Munster by the same margin they beat Aironi? In the words of Samuel L Jackson in Coach Carter "you must be outside your mind"
Posted 11:15 13th May 2011