Northampton v Munster: Teams

Two-time champions Munster began their pursuit of adding another title to their rich history with a trip to Northampton, who return to the competition after a two-year exile.

The Saints managed to deliver silverware following last season's Challenge Cup final victory over Bourgoin at the Twickenham Stoop.

Both sides come into this mouth-watering tie at Franklin's Gardens having lost in their respective leagues last weekend.

Munster will be smarting following their 30-0 whitewash to Irish rivals Leinster and the 2000 champions, who beat the Red Army 9-8 at Twickenham, should expect a backlash from Paul O'Connell and co.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that his players are "excited but not daunted" by the prospect of facing Munster on Saturday.

Franklin's Gardens has been sold out for weeks, and while Mallinder is aware of the likely atmosphere at the Saints' home ground he said that his approach has been the same as every other game.

"We are excited by being in the Heineken Cup," he said.

Memorable

"It is a superb competition in which you test yourselves against the top clubs in Europe, and they don't come much bigger than Munster. They have a tradition of success in the tournament and are bringing a squad full of international and experienced players.

"But we aren't daunted by playing them. We have earned our place in the Heineken Cup and believe we can compete. If we are to progress in Europe we have to win our home games, beginning tomorrow evening.

"Our supporters have been looking forward to this match for a long time. As we found out last season Franklin's Gardens is a special place on big European occasions, and especially under lights. It should be a memorable occasion.

"But we haven't changed our approach, and know that we will have to concentrate and work hard from the first whistle until the last if we are to get a positive result."

The match marks Chris Ashton's 50th appearance in the Saints first team.

Munster lock Donncha O'Callaghan will make his 63rd Heineken Cup appearance and win his 150th competitive Munster cap when Munster take the field.

"Northampton are a smashing side," he said.

"Not unlike us. A proud provincial side. Great support. Great tradition. A good footballing side. And they dont lose too often at Franklin's Gardens. We're coming off a disappointing result last weekend. We know what we have to do. We've worked hard this week and hopefully we'll give a good account of ourselves."

Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Santiago Bonorino, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Chris Mayor.

Munster: 15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Denis Leamy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Alan Quinlan, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Denis Fogarty, 17 Julien Brugnaut, 18 Darragh Hurley, 19 Mick O'Driscoll, 20 Niall Ronan, 21 Donncha Ryan, 22 Peter Stringer, 23 Ian Dowling.