It's a must win game for Munster and one that coach Alan Gaffney sees as "as tough as anything Munster have ever played in Europe. This is a tight group and we really need to win this one to give ourselves a chance of going through to the next stage. Now we saw Perpignan in action in Kingsholm when I felt they were a little unlucky, so when they beat Gloucester in the return I wasn't the slighest surprised because they are that good. So we're under no illusions about the task that lies ahead, but we're looking forward to it and I think we'll give it a real good go."

"of course it's a blow to lose players of the calibre of Paul and Anthony but then we're lucky to have quality players like Micko and Mossie to call on - Mossie's our leading try scorer (6) and both he and Micko have come on in leaps and bounds this season so i've no worries whatsoever on that score."

Munster Team to Face Perpignan:

J staunton; J Kelly, M Mullins, J Holland, M Lawlor; R O'Gara, P Stringer; M Horan, F Sheahan, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; J Williams capt, A Quinlan, A Foley.

Replacements: J Blaney, M Cahill, M Galwey, D Leamy/E Halvey, M Prendergast, K Keane, C McMahon