CONQUER CASTRES AND REDS WILL RISE
A MUNSTER defeat by Castres in Stade Pierre Fabre today would not be fatal to their European Cup hopes but it would raise doubts about their designs on landing the trophy for the first time in 11 years.
Conversely, victory in the home of the Top 14 champions would suggest Johann van Graan’s expanded squad has the capacity to exceed last year’s achievement of reaching the semi-finals. This will be fierce. Castres were adamant before and after last weekend’s drab Thomond Park encounter that they had arrived with the intention of causing an upset in Limerick but their performance suggested otherwise.
Christophe Urios’ side barely landed a blow on their way to a 30-5 loss and their subsequent bullishness after denying Munster a four-try bonus strongly suggested they are ready to unleash hell in the return fixture.
Castres are not mathematically out of the running in Pool 2 but, in third place on just five points, they will require three victories (with a trip to Exeter and a home game against Gloucester to come in January) to have any hope of making the knockout stages for just the second time, probably requiring a couple of bonus points in the process.
A prohibitive challenge but that does not mean the home side will be switched off this evening – the levels of niggle and ‘see you next week’ shapes they threw in Thomond point towards a ferocious assault before what is expected to be a full house in their feral home ground.
Urios has suited up accordingly, bulking up his pack considerably in the front and back rows while bringing back the wily, kick-centric Rory Kockott to call the shots from scrum-half.
The French international’s tussle with the equally influential Conor Murray will be fascinating but it is Munster’s forwards who must impose themselves if they are to leave the south of France with the win that would put them well in the frame for a home quarter-final.
The absence of their giant South African Jean Kleyn hurts the visitors in this regard and, with Castres carrying a considerable weight advantage, it is vital Munster do not get dragged into a slog-fest up front, as that will play directly into their opponents’ hands.
Particularly when they have a marked edge in the backline where Joey Carbery returns to the outhalf slot after his late withdrawal last week with a hamstring issue.
Carbery proved in Exeter in round two that he can front up in testing surrounds but, assuming he has the right attacking ball to work with, it is the bit of twinkle he brings that could be the difference today.
The Castres backline is more workmanlike than inspirational – although Scott Spedding’s strongrunning incursions from full-back will need to be closely monitored – and it would be in Munster’s interests to bring the pace and evasion of Andrew Conway and Keith Earls into play as often as possible.
However, given that a fractious undertone is guaranteed, a great deal could depend on referee Wayne Barnes, who has not been Munster’s favourite official over the years.
He is not slow to wield the cards and if the Castres contingent lose the head – a live possibility – they will do time. Consequently, Munster need to maintain the levels of discipline that saw then concede just eight penalties to Castres’ 13 last week and, while Conway’s yellow card arrived too late to make a difference in Thomond, Van Graan’s men will need their full complement throughout today.
There is an old-school feel to this match – not necessarily a good thing from a Munster perspective given their move away from their traditional, attritional style under Van Graan – and it was interesting to hear the words of caution from former Munster No8 James Coughlan this week, who knows Castres and the Stade Pierre Antoine well from this three years with Pau.
‘It’s always difficult going to Castres, they don’t lose many games there, it’s a serious task ahead for Munster,’ said Coughlan.
‘It’s smaller than Thomond. The dressing rooms are small, the crowd are right in on top of you, they’ll be jeering the referee. Castres play with a lot of intelligence, they kick in behind you when you turn over the ball and look for space in the back field.
‘If Munster make as many mistakes as they did in the first half last week, they will be under massive pressure.’
All of which heightens the sense that a Munster win will be seminal one on their long journey back to the summit of the European game. However, they face a Castres side proud of their status as French champions, cranky from last weekend and determined to put in a performance for their supporters.
That could be enough to limit Munster to a losing bonus point.