Munster’s usual pre match drills may have to take place indoors later today but the game with the Ospreys is set to go ahead at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium in snow covered South west Wales.
In the past Munster have gone into this phase in a must-win mode but today it's the Ospreys who are under all the pressure knowing that anything other than a win and they're out of Europe.
Outside their own small core of support there is not much evidence of much love for this particular regional side. Largely shunned by the hard core Neath supporter and to a lesser degree those from Swansea who make up the other half of the Ospreys nest, they are seen as the glamour boys of the Welsh game with their Stade Francais-esque budget.
Nor are their well paid players reticent about talking down their opponents, Adam Jones declaring to Andy Howell in today's Western Mail, " They will come here and try to spoil the game."
Earlier in the week it was Mike Phillips who bemoaned Munster 'negativity', conveniently forgetting his side had been out-scored three tries to one at Thomond Park Stadium.
This is a game that has all the ingredients to be a cracking game of rugby. Both sides share an enviable home record in the Heineken Cup and both are capable of playing high tempo high class football.
This afternoon all the questions that have to be asked will be asked of the home side. They've been asked of Munster many times before. The answer has always been the same.
Munster: P Warwick; D Howlett, K Earls, S Tuitupou, J Murphy; R O Gara, T OLeary; W du Preez, D Varley, T Buckley, D O Callaghan, M O Driscoll, J Coughlan, D Wallace, D Leamy, capt. Replacements: M Sherry, D Hurley, J Hayes, D Ryan, A Quinlan, P Stringer, L Mafi, D Hurley.
Ospreys: B Davies; N Walker, T Bowe, J Hook, R Fussell; D Biggar, M Phillips; P James, R Hibbard, A Jones, R Jones, A Jones,capt, J Collins, M Holah, J Thomas. Replacements: M Davies, D Jones, C Mitchell, I Gough, J Tipuric, J Nutbrown, S Parker, A Bishop.
Referee: Romain Poite (France).
