Munster Hope to Give Cardiff The Blues

Table-topping Munster travel to Wales to face Cardiff Blues on Saturday evening hoping to continue their good run of form in the Welsh capital.

Munster have won on their last three visits to Cardiff and will be looking to extend their four game winning streak in the RaboDirect PRO12.

It will be the first time Munster play on Blues’ new artificial 4G pitch that was installed in the summer.

Both sides go into this match on the back of narrow victories over Ospreys but will be missing key men on international duty.

Blues will definitely be without Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton, Owen Williams and Lloyd Williams who have all been named in the Wales squad to face Tonga on Friday night.

Cardiff have played twice in the LV Cup since Munster were last in action, a disappointing 21-16 home defeat to Worcester Warriors was followed up with an impressive 21-13 win at the Liberty Stadium.

Rob Penney’s side haven’t lost in Cardiff since 2010 and in the two meetings between the teams last year it was the side playing away from home that came out on top on both occasions.

Last November a late try from a former Cardiff Blue, Casey Laulala, gave Munster a 24-18 win at the Arms Park. Despite two tries from Tommy O’Donnell, Munster trailed 18-17 with four minutes remaining but Laulala crashed over late on to secure victory.

In the reverse fixture at a near-full Musgrave Park, second half tries from Owen Williams and Robin Copeland condemned Munster to a 17-6 home loss. Two first half penalties from Ronan O’Gara were all the home side could show for a lacklustre performance.

Cardiff finished last season in ninth position, three places below sixth-placed Munster, and currently lie 8th in the RaboDirect PRO12 table with three wins from their first seven games.

Blues have lost only once at home in the PRO12 so far this season – against Zebre in September – and beat defending champions Toulon 19-15 at the Arms Park in the Heineken Cup last month.

Munster’s last defeat in Cardiff came in May 2010 when a late Leigh Halfpenny penalty gave Blues a 13-12 win. Yet even in defeat Munster had achieved their goal as the losing bonus point was enough to claim a place in the league semi-final at the expense of their hosts.

Saturday’s clash kicks off at 6:30pm and will be televised live on RTE and S4C.