Irish, French set for titanic European rugby union clashes

The European Cup resumes on Saturday after taking a rest while the Six Nations was played out and two Irish giants will bid to repeat the national side's success over France by beating French opponents. Two-time champions Munster get things underway with a mouthwatering home game against four-time winners Toulouse while three-time winners Leinster -- who are waiting to see whether talismanic centre Brian O'Driscoll will be fit -- are away at holders Toulon on Sunday. The other two quarter-finals are on Saturday. Last season's beaten finalists Clermont defend a remarkable run of 74 successive wins at their Marcel-Michelin ground against English outfit and two-time winners Leicester while a third Irish province Ulster, who won the trophy in 1999, host another English side Saracens. Munster -- winners in 2006 and 2008 -- will start as warm favourites against a Toulouse side that has failed to fire this season both domestically and in this competition, which saw them even lose at home to the weakest of the Irish provinces Connacht in the pool stages. However, Munster come into it on the back of a chastening Celtic League defeat to arch rivals Leinster last weekend, a performance their 34-year-old lock Paul O'Connell classed as "really poor". O'Connell, who captained Ireland to the Six Nations trophy which they clinched with an impressive 22-20 win over the French in Paris, discounted Toulouse's inconsistent form. "If you look at Toulouse, the quality of player they have, the size of the men they have, it's an absolutely mammoth task for us," said O'Connell. "It's great to be at home but it's an incredible team with incredible players and incredible talent, it's just a massive uphill task for us. "They struggle at times, but I think they're in some ways a little bit like the French team, they have class across the park." - Freeflowing, attacking style - While Toulouse are struggling even to make the end of season French championship play-offs -- defeat to Toulon last weekend was their 11th of the season -- there have been signs in recent matches the familiar freeflowing attacking style is beginning to click. "We will be going to Limerick to pass the ball. We will be going there to play positive rugby," said head coach Guy Noves. "For several weeks now I have been insisting that they play like that. If we are to win it will be by passing the ball around not by closing down the game, that is for sure." Leinster's task at Toulon is a formidable one especially as former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is set to return although the hosts will be missing a pair of World Cup winning locks in Kiwi Ali Williams and South African Bakkies Botha. Leinster's forwards coach Jono Gibbes was under no illusions about the challenge facing the team. But he said going out at the pool stage last year when they were the holders had strengthened them mentally. "I don't think there is a tougher task than having to go and beat the holders on their own ground," he said. "However, our early elimination last year was such a hammerblow that it has made us a stronger team for it." If Leinster think their away fixture is tough they should spare a thought for Leicester as they try and achieve something the previous 74 visitors to the Marcel-Michelin ground have failed to do -- beat Clermont. However, Leicester coach Richard Cockerill -- who played for both clubs -- said his side had all the motivation they needed to do just that. "You have to look at the game as an opportunity. We have the opportunity to go to Clermont and make history by being the side that breaks that long run of wins for them. "Records are there to be broken, there's always games where you'll be beaten. "We've got to see it in a positive way. We don't go away from home expecting to lose." Source: AFP