Scarlets v Munster, Heineken Cup
Flawless Scarlets face last-gasp Munster
ESPNscrum Staff
December 9, 2011
Munster's Ronan O'Gara slots the winning drop-goal, Castres v Munster, Heineken Cup, Stadium Ernest Wallon, Toulouse, France, November 19, 2011
Ronan O'Gara slots his winning drop goal against Castres © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup
Teams: Ireland | Munster | Scarlets | Wales

Munster and the Scarlets put their unbeaten records on the line as they meet on Saturday.

Both sides have won their opening two matches to put them in command of Pool one, with the Scarlets one point ahead thanks to their try bonus point against Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens when they ran in four tries.

Munster's two victories over Saints and Castres both came by virtue of last-ditch Ronan O'Gara drop goals. First the Ireland fly-half kick the stuffing out of Northampton at Thomond Park with an injury-time effort and then he repeated the feat against the French Top 14 side to turn what would have been a draw in France to a victory for the Munster men.

Victory in Wales would put the Irish province, who won the competition in 2006 and 2008, in pole position to progress to the quarter finals having failed to reach the last eight for the first time in 12 years last season.

Scarlets - Player to Watch: Jon Davies is back in the centres after his injury layoff and with the Six Nations around the corner, he will aim to prove to Warren Gatland and his coaching team that he is worthy of a spot in the national side.

Scarlets - Team News: Liam Williams is handed the fullback reins with George North and Sean Lamont alongside him on the wings. Welsh internationals Scott Williams and Jon Davies form the centres with Rhys Priestland and Gareth Davies at half-back. Matthew Rees skippers the side from hooker alongside Iestyn Thomas and Rhys Thomas in the front-row. Sione Timani and Damian Welch start in the second-row with Aaron Shingler, Rob McCusker and Ben Morgan in the back-row.

Munster - Player to Watch: Conor Murray's form has been so impressive that Munster allowed veteran Peter Stringer to join Saracens on loan. The youngster still has plenty of time left in the game and looks primed to shine against the Scarlets.

Munster - Team News: Munster keep the same pack of forwards that they had against Castres in round two but there are four changes in the backline, one of course necessitated by the injury to Doug Howlett with Simon Zebo coming into the side. Will Chambers, who started on the bench against Castres, starts on this occasion, with the player he replaced that day, Danny Barnes named among the replacements. Otherwise the other changes are positional, Johne Murphy donning Howlett's number 14 jersey rather than the 15 he wore in Toulouse and Denis Hurley staying at full back.

Key Battle: It's the master against the apprentice at half-back. Ronan O'Gara is still a proven match-winner, despite being at the relatively old age in half-back terms of 34, while Rhys Priestland has the world at his feet. The match up between the pair should be fascinating.

Trivia: The Scarlets have not reached the last eight of the Heineken Cup since 2007

Stats: Ronan O'Gara is the only player to have passed 1000 points in the Heineken Cup

Quote Unquote:

"We will show Munster a lot of respect, as they have earned it, and you have to respect guys like [Ronan] O'Gara, [Paul] O'Connell and [Donncha] O'Callaghan. But we need to back ourselves and go with the mentality to give it our best shot"
Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland is fully aware of the threats Munster pose

"It is a great thing to achieve, but I don't look upon it as anything big at this stage. When I retire in a few years time I will look back on it as being a significant cap because it is such a fantastic competition."
Munster's Ronan O'Gara on reaching a personal milestone

Prediction: Scarlets to edge the clash with O'Gara missing a late drop-goal

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