Few people expected Munster to progress past the Heineken Cup quarter-finals. But a performance replete with guts and elements of old-school Munster rugby saw Paul O’Connell and co shock Harlequins at The Stoop.

But tonight’s challenge will be more gargantuan and far more testing than anything the English Premiership team could muster.

Standing between Munster and a place in the final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium are the standout favourites for the competition.

In Keith Wood’s own words on Monday’s Off The Ball, Clermont’s competitive squad are “efficient, big and bullish” and described their recent victory over Top 14 rivals Toulouse as “pretty relentless”, “wiping the floor” with Toulouse.

Frightening indeed and another major factor to consider is the fact that the team will be aiming to assuage their recent Heineken Cup hurt at the hands of Leinster, who they beat home and away in the pool stages.

Key Players

Wesley Fofana could have been the hero for Clermont in the 2012 Heineken Cup semis had he not had a try ruled out in the dying seconds.

But the France winger has been a key man this season, getting five tries in the competition in a try-hungry side.

Clermont are the joint-top try-scorers in this season’s tournament with 28 – an average of four per game.

The back-line has been prolific this year with physically imposing men like Sitiveni Sivivatu (scorer of two tries against Montpellier in a 39 – 17 drubbing on Saturday), Napolioni Nalaga (runaway top try scorer in this season’s Top 14 with 11 tries) and Aurelien Rougerie all playing decisive roles on the way to the last four, often attacking from inside their own 22 and being a far more versatile unit than Harlequins and many French teams.

'Le Petit General' Morgan Parra has also been virtually unerring with the boot from scrum half with a conversion rate of 89 per cent, making it crucial for Munster not to give away cheap penalties in kickable areas.

But on Monday night’s Off The Ball, Reggie Corrigan suggested that the winning of the game may come in the forward battle, stating that Clermont’s forwards can be “rattled” if Munster can get into their “psyche”, especially important considering the pressure on Clermont’s shoulders, although Wood did cite the fact that Clermont’s front row are incredibly powerful.

Domestic form

While Clermont have won every game in this season’s Heineken Cup, they have also been dominant on home soil.

The team from central France currently sit at the summit of the Top 14 table above fellow European semi-finalists Toulon, racking up 72 tries in 25 games, nine more than their nearest challengers and look set for a semi-final Playoff spot.

Their recent form has been formidable, beating Montpellier 39 – 17 at the weekend, last tasting defeat away to Biarritz in March – although they did earn a losing bonus point in a 32 – 28 loss.

And how do you beat Clermont? Read here

Clermont v Munster is our second live game of the day on Newstalk Sport Saturday. Our commentary team in Montpellier is Dave McIntyre, Keith Wood and Bernard Jackman. Kick off is at 5pm.

Leinster's clash with Biarritz in the Amlin Cup is also live on Newstalk Sport from 2pm. For details on our commentray team for that game, click here

©INPHO/Cathal Noonan