These Magners League rival lock horns for the fourth time in Heineken Cup history in Round 3 - but it is the first time they have faced each other in this competition for nearly ten years.

On Saturday, 27 September 1997 Cardiff beat Munster 37-22, that was two weeks after the Welsh team beat them 43-23 at home, and a year after they thrashed the Irish team 48-18.

Click here to listen to Blues flanker Martyn Williams previewing the match

But that is all ancient history. Munster's most recent visit to Cardiff in the Heineken Cup saw them lift the trophy to become champions of Europe.

And they have been in awesome form this season - defeating Leicester Tigers 21-19 in Round 1 and Bourgoin 41-23 in Round 2.

The Blues - for their part - put up an admirable show before going down to the Tigers in Round 2 at the Millennium Stadium. They were hoping for a second win on the bounce after beating Bourgoin in Round 1.

A loss here could spell the end of their Heineken Cup hopes, where as a win for Munster would put one foot in the quarter-finals.