Ronan O'GaraThe defending champions take on the crown pretenders at Thomond Park in the final clash of the 2008/9 quarter-finals on Sunday, 12 April.

The Ospreys were the only other team in the continent to win a cross-border cup last season and they have been looking to build on that EDF Energy Cup success this term.

But two defeats in the Pool stage meant they failed to pick up any momentum in the competition and only qualified at best-runners up in Pool 3 behind Leicester Tigers.

Munster powered through the Pool stage once again and were only denied a perfect record when they were defeated on the road by Clermont Auvergne. 

Their ground may have radically changed over the summer but new coach Tony McGahan picked up where Declan Kidney finished off – by instilling a sense of steely determination to win and pride in the Munster jersey.

Ronan O’Gara became the first man to break the 1000 points barrier in Heineken Cup rugby this season, he may not be paired with long-term partner Peter Stringer at half back, but he can call upon the fresh face of Tomas O’Leary who is a candidate for player of the season so far.

Munster coach Tony McGahan believes all of his injury worries, Skipper Paul O’Connell., Ronan O’Gara and Doug Howlett will be fit to face the Ospreys in Sunday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.