OUR LOUD AND PROUD CROWD CAN DRIVE US TOU VICTORY
JOHANN van Graan insists that nothing is impossible for Munster with the backing of their incredible support.
The Reds head to the Aviva on Saturday with the formidable task of taking down reigning champions Toulouse for a place in the semis.
It was a challenge that was beyond them a year ago, when the Red and Blacks came to Thomond Park and staged a final quarter comeback to clinch a 40-33 victory in an electrifying last 16 tie.
But van Graan, who knows defeat will spell the end of his European journey with the province ahead of his summer exit, can sense something in the air as a massive crowd from the province prepares to converge on Lansdowne Road.
“It’s one of those things that you can’t explain if you’re not here,” said the South African. “That feeling of everywhere you go, everyone is just talking about what a great journey it will be on Saturday travelling to Dublin by bus or train, going on the day before or the morning.
“People travelling from all over Europe, Munster people coming to watch this game. It’s what this club is known for. That saying we have, ‘To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible.’ To a lot of people from the outside, this might seem like it is impossible.
“But it is a game of rugby. It’s Munster in Europe versus Toulouse, a team we respect a lot.
“How many occasions have the 16th man pulled us through? That doesn’t win it for the team on the field – we have to play well, to perform well.
“But subconsciously, knowing that we have that support and noise, that sea of red for 80 minutes, that’s why you want to play at home in knockout rugby and that’s what we have on Saturday.”
The province will take encouragement from Ulster coming up just short against Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and company.
But van Graan stressed: “They’re a championship side. When you become champions you have a target on your back and everyone will have targeted them but they’re once again in the quarter-finals of Europe.
“We expect them to perform to the best of their abilities. They have Test players in their tight five and the loose forwards, a French starting 9 and 10 and some incredible backline players.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Conway’s return gives van Graan a headache in terms of selection options.
Conway (inset) has been unavailable since the Six Nations clash with England due to a knee injury.
In his absence in the last round Shane Daly was outstanding against Exeter and, with Conway only returning to full training on Tuesday, the coach has a big decision to make.
“He’s had a phenomenal year,” said van Graan of Conway.
“We are blessed with some very good back three players. That gives us options and that’s a great headache to have.”
Van Graan says the backing of 16th man will be so important against the champs