Exeter ready for Munster showdown in European Champions Cup

The Chiefs must storm Munster's Thomond Park fortress on Saturday and claim four more match points than their opponents in pursuit of a quarter-final place.

Exeter looked down and out in Europe just six weeks ago following a Pool Two home defeat against Gloucester.

But they emphatically turned the tables at Kingsholm a week later and then demolished French champions Castres last Sunday.

And if they beat Munster and top the group, it means Exeter will become the first team since top-flight European cup rugby began 24 years ago not to win any of their first three pool games and still secure a last-eight spot.

"Undoubtedly, if we were to win and get through to the quarter-finals, it would probably rank as our best moment in the competition so far," Exeter rugby director Rob Baxter said.

"That's not to say we haven't won some big games in the past, both home and away.

"We go into this weekend's game with things in our hands. We know we have to force that four-point separation of either a 4-0 or 5-1 victory.

"We are very much aware of that and how tough that makes it for us. However, there is still something tangible there for us to go out and fight for."

Baxter has made one enforced change from the side that saw off Castres, with illness ruling out Wales international prop Tomas Francis and Harry Williams deputising.

Munster skipper Peter O'Mahony, meanwhile, has been named to start the 26,000 sell-out clash, despite being forced off injured against Gloucester last time out.

Munster, unbeaten at home in Europe for 11 games and targeting an 18th quarter-final appearance in 21 seasons, showed their quality by crushing Gloucester, and Baxter added: "The guys are fully aware that Munster will provide a huge challenge.

"As we see it, this weekend's game is effectively a last-16 knockout game - and that is not a bad position to be in when it comes to Europe.

"Yes, there have been frustrations with earlier parts of the competition, but now we've given ourselves a genuine shot of progressing in the competition."

Unless Exeter defy the odds, then their Gallagher Premiership title rivals Saracens will be England's sole Champions Cup quarter-finalists for a second successive season.

Five English clubs - Bath, Wasps, Newcastle, Leicester and Gloucester - were eliminated prior to the final round of pool action.

Saracens are already through from Pool Three, and victory over Allianz Park visitors Glasgow on Saturday would secure a home tie, while their Scottish opponents also remain in the shake-up, potentially as a best runner-up.

Captain Brad Barritt returns to action for Saracens after being sidelined by a head injury, and wing Alex Lewington takes over from Sean Maitland, who went off against Lyon last weekend because of a tight hamstring.

Leicester and Gloucester face Ulster and Castres, respectively, with Ulster knowing that a win at Welford Road would confirm a first quarter-final appearance for seven years.

Elsewhere, Champions Cup holders Leinster will finish top of Pool One and claim a home quarter-final if they beat Ricoh Arena hosts Wasps on Sunday.

And Toulouse should also progress by toppling Bath, who welcome back England centre Jonathan Joseph following his recovery from a foot injury.