REDS ESCAPING EUROPEAN HYPE
Munster 20 Toulon 19
PETER O’MAHONY predicts Munster will bounce from their South African bubble into a Champions Cup semi-final clash with Racing 92 in three weeks.
Having clashed in the pool stages – with both winning their home games – the clubs will face off in Bordeaux, most likely on Sunday, April 21.
The Reds are on a high after Saturday’s magnificent one-point victory over Toulon.
And as they fly out this morning for a PRO14 double-header against Southern Kings and Cheetahs, skipper O’mahony believes that being away from home can benefit their hopes of making the final for the first time in a decade.
“It’s intense around Limerick and Cork, all over the province,” O’mahony said, with the team spending 13 nights away ahead of the week of the semi. “You have everyone coming up to wish you well and it’s nice to be able to step back from it, keep your head down and work hard over in South Africa.
“It would’ve been a difficult one to take to be knocked out in Europe, even though they played very well at times.
“It will certainly make the next two weeks more enjoyable. We’ll try to prepare accordingly for the two games and the semi-final as well. “
Racing, the new home of former Munster stalwart Donnacha Ryan, beat Clermont yesterday to secure their place in the last four.
“It’s going to be difficult,” acknowledged O’mahony (below), who played a starring role in the Thomond Park thriller.
“We’re going to be away from home. It will be a neutral ground but in France, playing with one of the most consistent teams in Europe with a lot of pedigree.
“It will be hugely difficult but it’s nice to be able to say we’re there now.
“We need to be in the right frame of mind. That was probably our best performance of the year, certainly defensively.
“And if we want to win the semi-final, it’s going to have to be a step up again.”
There is concern over Simon Zebo, who only lasted 25 minutes on Saturday.
“He’s always a worry, he always takes a lot of knocks,” said Reds supremo Johann van Graan.