Toulon boss Philippe Saint-Andre is plotting Munster's downfall
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The prospect of knocking out the mighty Munster from this year’s competitiion is stoking the home fires in Toulon, writes the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley.
"As with this entire European campaign, Philippe Saint-André has sought to play down Toulon’s ambitions. The way he describes it, arriving at this stage in proceedings as pool leaders in their debut Heineken Cup campaign has almost been an accident. But a bit like their run to the Amlin Challenge Cup final last season, they seem to have a taste for the European stage.
"Perhaps it’s because of their high quotient of big-name foreign players, Toulon have more of a ready-made understanding and desire for the European competitions than other French sides. Admittedly, the 45-18 defeat in Thomond Park put their Euro pedigree into perspective, but the scent of cordite in the air for Sunday’s return meeting at an eagerly sold-out Stade Felix-Mayol could make them more dangerous.
"As is reflected in his team’s rugby, Saint-André is a very pragmatic man. European rugby is important for him and their litany of overseas’ players, as well as the interim future for the club given it will increase their profile and generate money.
"Affectionately known as le Goret (the pig), there would assuredly be a part of Saint-André that would love to avenge three successive defeats with Sale since they beat Munster in the 2005-06 opener, not to mention two defeats with Bourgoin and the meeting last October."
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