ERC set the date for Northampton clash
THE ERC have released the details for Munster's eagerly-anticipated Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with the Northampton Saints.
Tony McGahan's Munster will host Northampton on Saturday, April 10 at 5.30pm in Thomond Park - the reigning European champions Leinster will kick-off the Heineken Cup quarter-finals when they entertain ASM Clermont Auvergne on Friday, April 9 (8pm).
The first of two quarter-finals on French soil will launch the Saturday (April 10) sequence of matches when Biarritz Olympique entertain the Ospreys (4pm - local time) while on Sunday (April 11) Toulouse take on Stade Francais at 5.30pm (local time).
Speaking this week Munster coach Tony McGahan has admitted that his respect for the province's Heineken Cup quarter-final opponents has grown in the wake of the sides nail-biting round six pool match at Thomond Park on Friday night last.
McGahan said: "Obviously we have a massive hurdle to cross in the Heineken Cup quarter-final with Northampton before we can thinkin terms of the semis.
"We knew the sort of quality we faced when Northampton visited and, if anything, our respect for them has grown after the way they took us on last Friday.
"In terms of the semis - should we progress - we face a huge task, be it in France or Wales. But Munster have proved over the years they are well able to play away from home in big games. There is a lot of rugby to be played before then both international and league and hopefully we can pick up where we left off."
Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder said the fact that the Guinness Premiership side felt disappointed at losing in Limerick showed how far they had progressed in recent times.
"The Heineken Cup is the toughest competition in club rugby and when you get to the knock-out stages every game is a difficult one," explained Jim Mallinder.
"Either Biarritz or the Ospreys would be very difficult opponents for us in the semi-final in what would be a tremendous occasion.
"It is a great incentive, but there is no point in looking past Munster for the time being, especially because we have first hand experience of playing at Thomond Park and how tough it can be. It is an indication of how far we have come in the past two years that we were disappointed we didn't win at a stadium where Munster have lost just once in European competition. The quarter-final seeding means that we will have the chance to have another go at Munster which will be another massive game."
On Tuesday evening the IRFU released the Ireland A squad which will take on the England Saxons in Bath this weekend.
The squad includes several players who have made a recent return from injury. Marcus Horan, who played in Munster's final Heineken Cup pool game against Northampton, is named among the front-rows.
Denis Hurley has also been included in the squad and is being monitored on his recovery from the leg injury which forced his late withdrawal from Munster's Heineken Cup clash against Northamptoon.
Ireland A v England Saxons, Recreation Groud, Sunday, January 31 at 2pm: Rory Best, Isaac Boss, Tony Buckley, Darren Cave, Ryan Caldwell, Ian Dowling, John Fogarty, Marcus Horan, Ian Humphreys, Denis Hurley, Shane Jennings, Keith Matthews, John Muldoon, Fergus McFadden, Johne Murphy, Mick O'Driscoll, Sean O'Brien, Niall Ronan, Mike Ross, Peter Stringer, Devin Toner & Paddy Wallace.
The quarter-final first-round ties in the Avonmore Milk Munster School's Senior Cup continue today and tomorrow - games begin at 3pm.
In today's quarter-finals Crescent College host CBC at Dooradoyle and Ardscoil Ris entertain PBC at Rosbrien.
Both Limerick sides will be relieved to have home advantage for their respective last eight ties against heavyweight Cork opposition.
Crescent College, under the guidance of former Ireland international scrum-half Tom Tierney and Munster star Eugene McGovern, have a well-balanced side. With six Munster schools' players and nine survivors from last year in their squad, Crescent will be confident of launching a strong bid for honours.
Ardscoil Ris face a major challenge in the opening round in the form of a fancied PBC side. Boosted by home advantage and an impressive backroom team which includes UL-Bohemian centre Martin McPhail and the highly regarded Ben Rowley, Ardscoil Ris should be well prepared for the task.
Munster and Ireland schools' centre Jamie McGarry, who also captains the side, is sure to be a key figure for Ardscoil. Twelve members of last season's squad are available once again and Ardscoil boast a strong front row.
2008 Cup winners Castletroy College face surprise packets Bandon Grammar in Clonakility RFC tomorrow, Thursday. Castletroy completed the double in 2008 and their Junior Cup winning side of that year will form the backbone of this year's Senior squad.
Castletroy have 15 members of last season's Senior Cup squad available once again, including nine members of the side which suffered defeat to eventual winners CBC.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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