The Munster fans travelled to La Rochelle in big numbers last week and they've gleefully made their way to Bordeaux today.

Will they witness another classic win?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Inpho

Munster centre Alex Nankivell starts today after having his suspension lifted.

Nankivell was handed a two-game suspension following his red card against Connacht last month and while he remained banned for last week's win over La Rochelle, his appeal was upheld on Thursday.

The New Zealand-born centre replaces Sean O'Brien in midfield with Josh Wycherley replacing the injured Jeremy Loughman at loose-head prop in the only other change from the win over La Rochelle.

As mentioned earlier, prolific France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey returns to the Bordeaux XV after missing the last-16 win over Ulster, but former Munster and Ireland fly-half Joey Carbery is not included in the squad as Matthieu Jalibert regains the 10 shirt.

Thaakir Abrahams, Calvin Nash and Andrew Smith form an unchanged back three while Jack Crowley, fresh off signing a contract extension, continues his half-back partnership with Craig Casey.

Wycherley joins Diarmuid Barron and Oli Jager in the front row, while Jean Kleyn and captain Tadhg Beirne continue in the second row.

Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett and Gavin Coombes form the back row, while Mark Donnelly is included as one of the six forward replacements.

Donnelly has not played in the Champions Cup since December 2021, while prop Stephen Archer will earn his 300th Munster cap if called upon.

Bordeaux: J Echegaray; D Penaud, Y Moeffana, J Van Rensburg, L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, M Lucu; J Poirot, M Lamothe, B Tameifuna; A Coleman, C Cazeaux; M Diaby, G Petti, P Samu.

Replacements: C Sa, M Perchaud, S Falatea, P Bochaton, M Gazzotti, B Vergnes-Taillefer, Y Lesgourgues, P Uberti.

Munster: T Abrahams; C Nash, T Farrell, A Nankivell, A Smith; J Crowley, C Casey; J Wycherley, D Barron, O Jager; J Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (capt); P O'Mahony, J Hodnett, G Coombes.

Replacements: N Scannell, M Donnelly, S Archer, F Wycherley, T Ahern, C Murray, S O'Brien, A Kendellen.

Image source, Inpho

After another resounding Leinster win last night, can Munster follow their rivals into the Champions Cup semi-finals?

To do so, Munster must overcome another daunting mission in France. After stunning La Rochelle last weekend, Ian Costello's side are in Bordeaux to face Louis Bielle-Biarrey and co.

Munster have not reached the Champions Cup semi-finals since 2019, and given their immense injury troubles and the departure of head coach Graham Rowntree earlier this season, ending that drought today would represent a remarkable achievement.

But it won't be easy. Bordeaux put 41 points on Ulster last weekend - and that was without France superstar and Six Nations player of the tournament Bielle-Biarrey, whose try-scoring appetite shows no signs of slowing down.

This one should be a cracker.

Image source, Inpho

It's a big day of rugby as we move towards the business end of the the Investec Champions Cup.

Leinster booked their spot in the semi-finals by dismantling Glasgow Warriors in Dublin last night, and now they can sit back and enjoy six other teams battle it out over the weekend.

First up, Munster will look to put in another big performance in France against Bordeaux, who batted past Ulster in the last-16.

Later this evening, Northampton Saints and Castres face off and the winner will face Leinster.

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