Ospreys wing Tommy Bowe will be hoping to cause some damage against Munster © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: Ospreys 19 - 15 Munster

Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Teams: Ireland | Munster | Ospreys | Wales

After suffering another disappointing Heineken Cup loss to Munster at Thomond Park last weekend the Ospreys have an immediate chance for revenge as they look to close the gap at the top of Pool 3.

In one of this year's nominated 'Pools of Death', the Welsh region are currently four points behind the two-time champions and two off French high-rollers Toulon, with victory this weekend at the Liberty Stadium absolutely pivotal to the success of their campaign.

Munster have been dealt a blow in the build-up with lock Paul O'Connell ruled out by a four-week ban following his red card for striking Ospreys No.8 Jonathan Thomas last weekend.

Ospreys - Player to Watch: Irish hero Tommy Bowe struck a jarring chord with the Munster faithful last weekend by bagging an interception try and similar feats in Swansea will be welcomed by his team-mates and Ospreys fans alike.

Ospreys - Team News: Bowe switches into the centre with Nikki Walker starting on the right wing and Andrew Bishop on the bench. Ryan Jones makes his 100th appearance for the region in the second row while Jonathan Thomas, who signed a new deal this week, continues at No.8.

Munster - Player to Watch: No.8 Denis Leamy has been making up for lost time this season since returning from a long term knee injury. The Tipperary man has been in rampaging form, picking up the man of the match award last week and skippering the side in Paul O'Connell's absence.

Munster - Team News: Just one, enforced, change for the visitors as Paul O'Connell's four week ban sees him replaced by Donnacha Ryan on the bench.

Key Battle: Honours ended just about even between the respective scrums last weekend but both front-rows had words with the officials and grumbles about their opposite numbers. Expect round two to decide a fair chunk of the points this weekend.

Trivia: Munster's 43-9 quarter-final win in 2008-09 remains the Ospreys' heaviest Heineken Cup reversal.

Stats: Last weekend's victory was Munster's fourth over the Ospreys in the Heineken Cup - the Welsh region are still searching for their first in the fixture.

Quote Unquote:

"They wanted to kill the ball, whereas we wanted to play - they just wanted to play the negative stuff. We're confident, still, that we can go out and get the win and stop them getting anything. We'll maybe need to play with a bit more tempo." - Ospreys scrum-half Mike Phillips ramps things up ahead of the re-match.

"Obviously there's little hangovers from what happened in the game. It's very fresh in everyone's mind and it adds a little bit more. Little niggles and stuff and that adds to the occasion. It's just something that we're going to have to take as a one off and go hammer and tongs at it." - Munster captain Denis Leamy agrees that there will be plenty of edge.

Prediction: Munster showed plenty of grit to overcome last weekend but backed by their home crowd, expect the Ospreys to return the favour with a narrow victory of their own.