Toulouse pair relishing battle

French players know they face a major challenge against Irish side

Last updated: 23rd May 2008

William Servat

Servat: Relishing challenge

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Watch the Heineken Cup final live on Sky Sports 3 from 4.30pm on Saturday May 24.

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Toulouse players William Servat and Jean Bouilhou are relishing this Saturday's Heineken Cup final clash with Munster, live on Sky Sports 3 from 4.30pm.

Munster's pack has been much touted in the build-up to the Millennium Stadium game, but hooker Servat and loose forward Bouilhou believe the French can match their Irish opponents up front.

And while the battle among the forwards will be crucial in deciding the final result, Servat also fully respects the quality and power Munster have in the back-line.

The French international hooker told Stade Toulousain Television: "It's going to be a very difficult match.

Big encounter

"Munster have shown, on I don't know how many occasions, that they are a very good side with a very good pack, but they also have some players of recognised quality in their back-line, so we're expecting a very big encounter, that's for sure.

"Just the presence of Ronan O'Gara gives you an idea of the quality they have.

"He's a master in any stadium and I think his place-kicking record is around 90 per cent so we know that any mistake on our part will be very expensive, so we have no margin for error.

"They've also got [Doug] Howlett, not just him but a pair of very powerful centres. So, we know that at the back they've got what it takes."

Confidence

Bouilhou believes that Toulouse's difficult path to the final has given the team the confidence to go on and win the trophy.

"Confidence sure, but assuredness I'm not so sure because our semi-final was very difficult," he said.

"But it's true that after the pool matches we told ourselves we could go quite far in this competition because we had eliminated some big teams.

"So from there, bit by bit, we've built our edifice - I hope on Saturday we can add the last brick."