Since 2001, in all but one of the current seasons there has
been an away quart final win in the Heineken Cup Munster face a titanic chance
if they’re to prevent Harlequins from making their first semi final appearance
in the competition today.
Munster are seen by many as a perfect embodiment of the
qualities needed to lift this trophy – as they did in 2006 and 20008 - but
under their new coach Rob Penney, they’ve found this season difficult and they
have had the face of a side which is very much in transition approaching this
tie. Usually one of the powerhouses of Irish Rugby, Munster lie a full 20
points off the pace this season in sixth, a full 11 points behind Scarlets who
are the next closest team to the playoffs. It’s testament to their quality that
they’ve made it to the quarter finals yet again – but had Leinster not had the
misfortune of drawing Clermont in the pool stages then it could be very
different and they were helped by being a against a Racing Metro side who were
down to 14 for a significant majority of the game on the last matchday.
Beaten in all three attempts at this stage previously -
including the incredibly controversial bloodgate match four years ago which saw
Leinster edge out Quins on their way to their first title – Harlequins have
arguably never been stronger as a side than during this season, which they
enter as Premiership champions and now confirmed as one of the kingpins of
English rugby. They have lost their last three games in the league following
the LV Cup final but in trips to Saracens – now semi finalists after a bruising
win against Ulster last night – and Gloucester they faced huge tasks and
returning to the Stoop, they are rightful favourites. A 7 point handicap is
fair but of more value may be the 10/11 they can score 25 or more points; they’ve
done so on 10 occasions so far this season in the league and Munster were
opened countless times at Glasgow in an embarrassing 51-24 defeat last week.
Also of interest is the 8/11 double offered by Skybet that both them and Toulon
– who boast an exceptional league and cup record at home – win today.
Advice
2 pts Quins to score 25 or more points (10/11 general)
2 pts Quins-Toulon double (8/11 Skybet)
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