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Munster mission

Jenny Dixon
17/10/2008

SHARKS are preparing for a thrilling reunion with European champions Munster at Edgeley Park on Sunday.

The importance of the Heineken Cup in Sharks’ ambition to become a rugby super-power is undeniable.

Even a stunning bonus-point victory against Clermont Auvergne could not distract Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre from his team’s impending clash with Munster.

"To come back [to Clermont] with Sale Sharks and to beat them and score four tries made me very proud of my team," explained Saint-Andre, who was captain of Clermont [previously known as Montferrand] during his nine years with the Top 14 club.

"But we need to stay focused, this is professional sport, you can’t just be happy with what you did, you have to move on.

"That was just our first game, now we must play the Heineken Cup champions. It is a big challenge to play two games of that quality in a row."

David Doherty, Rudi Keil, Mark Cueto and Luke McAlister all scored tries in Sharks’ 32-15 win in France on Saturday.

Centre McAlister added the other 12 points with the boot.

However, a Heineken Cup hangover kicked in for Sharks on Tuesday, with the sobering news of another long-term injury, the fourth so far this season, and the citing of two Sharks players, Rudi Keil and Kristian Ormsby.

Centre Lee Thomas needs an operation to repair a complex dislocation of his shoulder, sustained during the first 15 minutes of the Clermont match. He is likely to be out for three months.

Lock Ormsby has been cited for an alleged punch or dangerous charge and centre Keil for an alleged dangerous tackle, during Saturday’s game.

The outcome of yesterday’s [Thursday] disciplinary panel meeting was not known as the Metro News went to press.

But Sharks can’t allow any set-backs to detract from their Munster mission.

"We are playing the European Champions in one of the toughest groups in the pool stages," added Saint Andre [pictured]. "It’s a big game for both teams, a game with a lot of intensity. But, when you are in the Heineken Cup you want to play these games."

The last time the Irish outfit were at Edgeley Park, in the 2005-06 Heineken Cup, they were defeated 27-13 by ambitious Sale.

However, it did not derail their campaign, Munster went on to win the 2006 tournament.