No complacency for Munster's Connacht trip

Munster prepare to take on Connacht at the Sportsground on the back of a convincing European win over Northampton but the excitement and relief of reaching the last four of the Heineken Cup won't distract them from the task in hand.

"We're all obviously left with a very good feeling after the win and the manner of the win," said Munster team manager Shaun Payne.

"But the group of players that we have here have been through this many times over the last couple of years and are experienced enough to know that you can come off a great win like that and then head to the Sportsground and be handed a real beating if you're not careful.

"We still have that nice fuzzy warm feeling at the minute, but we'll be refocused and fully ready to go."

Munster may be 18 points clear of their Irish counterparts in the league standings but Connacht's current form, especially at home in Galway, suggests that Sunday's clash will be a tight one.

Connacht are unbeaten at the Sportsground since September and have just reached the semi-final stages of European competition themselves thanks to a fine win over Borgouin in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Throw in a 12-6 triumph the last time the two sides met in Galway and it's easy to see why complacency won't be an option for Munster.

"It's Connacht at the Sportsground, which is a very close game every year," added Payne.

"Obviously we came a cropper there last year. If you look at their recent form, they have been outstanding, the best I've seen them play since I've been here.

"They were excellent against Leinster and possibly deserved to win that game in the end, and obviously did brilliantly to come through last weekend.

"At the Sportsground they are never, ever a pushover. Add on to that their form and it's a formidable task."