The build-up to the Munster and Wasps game has begun in earnest, as rugby supporters go down on two knees for a ticket.

Unfortunately, the reduced capacity at Thomond Park will also reduce the noise level of the crowd and the Munster fans, as well as the players, will need to give it their all for the 80 minutes. Thomond Park has witnessed many stirring battles down through the years but they don't come any bigger than the meeting of the current holders of the Heineken Cup and the winners of the Cup in 2006.

Munster and Wasps know each other quite well at this stage and they have a healthy respect for each other.

Wasps first came to Thomond Park in 1997 when the Heineken Cup was only in its second year. The English club, having a successful season that year, were favorites to beat the home side but on a wet windy day Munster won by 49-22.

Noel Healy had an outstanding game in the front row for Munster that afternoon as he demolished Wasps prop Will Green, who later went on to play for Leinster.

I spoke to Wasps captain Laurence Dallaglio after the match at the back of the old Thomond Park stand. He was shell-shocked as he looked out on the pitch.

"I just don't know what happened out there today," he said. "We came here to win, as we have been winning all our matches in England this year but Munster played a very cute game in the conditions and destroyed us."

Wasps got their own back on Munster in the semi final of the Heineken Cup in 2004 when they won by 37-32 at Lansdowne Road.

Dallaglio had learned over the years and is now one of the shrewdest back row players who loves to have a word with the ref.

Warren Gatland, the Wasps head coach at that time, also knew all about Munster, and on the day the English team were worthy winners.

Munster lost out by a single point to Wasps in the first Heineken Cup game in Coventry this season but gained a valuable bonus point, as they did against Clermont last Sunday.

Saturday's game couldn't be more delicately poised with the winner going through to the quarter finals.

Anthony Foley, in the Munster back row, has as much know-how as Dallaglio, and it will be a battle of wills between the two.

Limerick man Eoin Reddan will be returning to Thomond Park in Wasps colours.