Champions Cup – What The Opposition Say

Reaction continues to Munster’s Pool 1 Draw for next season’s Champions Cup with Sale Sharks and Saracens wary of the challenge ahead at Thomond Park.

Having lined out for Sale against Munster in seasons ‘05/06 and ’08/09, winger Mark Cueto has never tasted European success at Thomond Park and is relishing one more challenge at the famous Limerick venue.

"We had two heavy defeats in the return games, but I just loved every minute of playing at Thomond Park. It is probably the best stadium to play at in Europe in terms of atmosphere.”

In what’s likely to be his last season, Cueto is also looking forward to welcoming the province to Salford, and knows only too well the quality that European opposition will bring.

"To be able to bring teams like Munster and Clermont, with their massive European pedigree, to Salford is going to be wonderful for our fans and all these European matches will be great tests for our younger, up and coming players.

"In recent years, playing in the European Cup has been a real step up from the Premiership and, for those who have international ambitions, going to Munster and Clermont and performing well will do their cap chances a power of good.”

Munster are also joined in Pool 1 by Clermont Auvergne and Saracens. All three sides have reached the semi-final stage of European Rugby’s premier competition for the last two consecutive seasons, with Munster running Clermont close in a 16-10 loss in the South of France in 2013.

Earlier in that season’s campaign, Munster and Saracens also faced off, both home and away, with each side winning their respective home ties.

Speaking after yesterday’s draw, Saracen’s Forwards Coach Alex Sanderson acknowledged just how tough it is to get a result at Fortress Thomond,

"We went there in the pool stage two seasons ago and it was unbelievably tough, the support they have is indescribable and probably reflects on the number of points they score at Thomond Park.

"It is one hell of a place to come away from with anything but the losing bonus point. We took one point away in 2013 and it was ultimately the clincher for us qualifying for the quarter-finals.”

Dates, venues and kick-off times for Champions Cup fixtures will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The first round of pool fixtures will take place in October.