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News article – Style D 2109

14th June 2005 By Munster Rugby

News article – Style D 2109

The draw for the 2005/2006 Heineken Cup saw Munster drawn in Pool One with old rivals, Castres Olympique, the Welsh side Newport-Gwent Dragons and Parker Pen title holders Sale Sharks.

The draw for the 2005/2006 Heineken Cup saw Munster drawn in Pool One with old rivals, Castres Olympique, the Welsh side Newport-Gwent Dragons and Parker Pen title holders Sale Sharks.

It is the fifth occasion that Munster and Castres have been drawn in the same Pool and team manager Jerry Holland perhaps understandably referred to them first when assessing his side’s prospects in next year’s competition.

“In Heineken Cup terms Munster players and supporters will be particularly familiar with Castres and need no reminding what a good side they are. When it comes to assessing French sides they are always right up there and always very difficult to beat, home or away.

“Rodney Parade is of course another particularly difficult venue. The Dragons have a marvellously passionate following who generate a great atmosphere on match day. They have amassed an impressive record in Europe that includes wins over Perpignan and Stade Francais at Rodney Parade.

Sale Sharks have the European experience as Parker Pen winners, have five Lions in their squad, two French internationals in Chabal and hooker Sebastien Bruno. They are a much stronger side than when they competed in the Heineken Cup two seasons ago.

“So all in all it s a tough Pool and it will be a great achievement to get out of it.

“Obviously you must try and win all your home games and hope to pick up something on the road. Castres and Dragons will have no fears travelling to Thomond Park because they ve been before and Sale have shown this year and when they played in Ireland before in the Heineken that they have the ability and the mental toughness to win on the road.

“So the challenge that Munster face is to get out of our Pool.”

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