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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Exeter look to match emotional charge of Munster in all or nothing Thomond Park encounter

Munster fans at a near if not fully packed Thomond Park this afternoon will expect a performance packed with emotion and heart.

As it happens, that is exactly what Rob Baxter, Exeter's Director of Rugby, expects of his own side as they take a five-point lead to Limerick.

Everyone talks about Munster's proud history in the Heineken Champions Cup. But it can't be forgotten that the Chiefs' conquered Europe in 2020. The Reds haven't done so in 13 years.

“People have been saying Munster will create this and Munster will create that, the reality is we have to create something ourselves,” stated Baxter yesterday.

"I want us to go over there and create a great, emotional performance ourselves.

"I want to see our guys look at each other in the changing rooms, nod their heads, and go out there and create the game we want to win the game.

“We have got a lot of pride and a lot of desire to do well in this competition. It isn’t just about other teams, it’s about us as well.

"We are going to go out there and play to win the game.”

Exeter have made one change for the round of 16 second leg, with Jannes Kirsten coming in at openside in place of Sam Simmonds, whose hip injury is a blow to the visitors.

Simmonds' absence means that Jacques Vermuelen moves to no 8.

Munster were far from fully loaded at Sandy Park because of a spate of late withdrawals to key players, and crucially Johann van Graan welcomes five important figures back to his line-up.

Skipper Peter O'Mahony is drafted in, along with Joey Carbery, Simon Zebo, John Ryan and Josh Wycherly.

The Reds will be energised by their backs to the wall performance seven days ago, when they were totally out-gunned in the breakdown in the first half but rallied.

They will also feel on more solid ground following Tuesday's announcement that forwards coach Graham Rowntree will be their head coach when van Graan departs in the summer.

"It's been widely stated our first half wasn't good enough, particularly the first quarter," said Rowntree of last week's game. "We addressed that.

"That goal line stand at the end of the game, that's what we stand for.

"On the back of that fight it's going to be one hell of a game. It will be another tough one this weekend."

But Baxter added: "We have to go and finish the job.

"I want our lads to go over there and relish being in this environment and testing themselves at the very top end.”

Munster: Haley, Earls, Farrell, de Allende, Zebo, Carbery, Murray; J Wycherley, N Scannell, Ryan, Kleyn, F Wycherley, P O’Mahony (C), Hodnett, O’Donoghue.

Replacements: Barron, Loughman, Archer, Jenkins, Ahern, Casey, Healy, Kendellen.

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