Munster are riding the crest of a wave at present following a blistering start to the Magners League, in which they won all five outings with a certain degree of comfort, and Montauban joint coach Laurent Labit has labeled the holders as the “complete team.” Montauban, judged as minnows of the domestic game back home in France, arrive at the breathtaking new €40 million stadium under no illusions about the giant task in hand.

“It’s rather difficult talking about Munster’s strong points – it’s more important to try and find a weakness,” said Labit, whose side currently rest in mid-table in the French Top 14. “They’ve got a fantastic set of forwards who are strong and very physical, particularly at the contact area, where they’ve become world experts at off-loading the ball.”

No French team has ever won at the famed Limerick venue and Labit is hoping his players will gain from the experience of entering the hottest cauldron of them all in the club game. “It’s an amazing honour for us to even be in this tournament. We have only been in the Top 14 for three years and to think we are going to be the first team to play the defending champions in their new ground in this tournament is unbelievable.”

In Munster’s latest win in the Magners League, earned at Thomond Park over Glasgow Warriors (25-17), the outstanding player on show was Peter Stringer, with other quality displays from new kid Keith Earls and both wings Doug Howlett and Anthony Horgan. New Munster coach Tony McGahan’s selection for next weekend’s outing will make for interesting viewing.

Wayne Barnes will officiate at the fixture.

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONTAUBAN

1. Montauban was established in 1905. The club made their first championship appearance in the 1967 season, where they captured their first championship title; defeating CA Bègles 11 points to 3 in Bordeaux. They gained promotion from Pro D2 for the 2006-07 season.

2. Montauban will be the 55th club to play in the tournament - and Stade de Sapiac the 83rd Heineken Cup venue

3. Montauban are one of seven French clubs taking part in the Heineken cup.

4. French international back row forward and Montabuban captain Marc Raynaud is no stranger to the Heineken Cup, three of his 50 European matches coming for ASM Clermont Auvergne in the 2002/03 tournament. His 47 European Challenge Cup matches have been for Narbonne (30), ASM Clermont Auvergne (11) and six for Montauban.

5. Montauban ended last season in seventh place, a respectable position for a newly promoted team. The 2007-08 season saw them consolidate their Top 14 position, again finishing seventh. Because Toulouse advanced to the final of the that year's Heineken Cup, which was farther than any team from England or Italy, this gave Montauban a berth in the 2008-09 Heineken Cup, where they are pooled with the might of the champions Munster.

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