Gustard hunting dream final
April 23 2008
Saracens stalwart Paul Gustard is hunting another mammoth European performance against the might of Munster at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.
The 32-year-old flank, who was in fearsome underdog form against the Ospreys in the Watford quarter-final, has exclusively revealed to Planet Rugby that the 'Men in Black' are plotting another Heineken Cup upset despite their differing domestic results.
On the opposite side of the scrum to the evergreen Richard Hill, Gustard tirelessly hassled and carried for Saracens against the stunned Welsh side, just two weeks after their comprehensive EDF Cup defeat at the Millennium Stadium.
And that unlikely turnaround has contributed to Alan Gaffney's men being in high spirits ahead of the clash with the 2006 competition winners at the weekend.
"The mood in the camp is good and we have a brilliant team spirit and everyone is aware of what a fantastic opportunity and occasion this weekend promises to be," he said.
"We can go into this game with a lot of confidence with our belief coming from many things.
"We know when we provide good clean ball to our back line we have some of the most exciting three-quarters in club rugby. And in Richard Haughton we have probably the best wing in England.
"There are plenty of other sides who would love to be where we are on Sunday, but we have earned that right and if we play to our potential we are a match for any side."
Saracens currently lie in eighth position in the Guinness Premiership having lost both their fixtures since that impressive success over the Ospreys.
And the former Leicester Tiger has pinpointed on-field consistency as the main cause of their dramatic play-off slide.
"Our league form has been indifferent since Christmas but this is a different competition with a massive incentive for both sides," Gustard continued.
"We have played some great rugby this season in all competitions but have failed to achieve the necessary consistency that is required.
"So unfortunately we have fallen away in the league, losing games to sides we should be beating."
Going back to that memorable Vicarage Road victory, Gustard revealed his sarcastic delight at receiving Planet Rugby's man-of-the-match award for his 52-minute performance.
"Haha! Thanks! It was a great game and I was happy with my contribution before I unfortunately had to go off with injury," he joked.
"I know its a cliché but whilst I am very happy for the recognition it was far more important we got the win. The players and coaching staff deserved the result for the season's hard work and for the rugby club itself it was an important milestone in our history.
"However there is no point in being satisfied with reaching the semis as these opportunities don't come around that often in your career. We must now make the final."
The Irish giants return to England with their the majority of their star names boasting fresh legs after being rested in their most recent Magners League win.
And Gustard admits he was a keen observer of Munster's own quarter-final passage, as they soaked up copious amounts of Gloucester attacks to run out 16-3 to the good at the final whistle.
"I watched the game and like most people I was very impressed with the ruthless efficiency Munster had as they went about their work," he said.
"They demonstrated why they have been to so many quarter-finals and why they are such a respected side.
"Gloucester are a pretty handy side themselves but they could not deal with the intensity that Munster brought to the breakdown and in defence.
"We are well aware of the threats that we will encounter on Sunday and must find a way to counteract that.
"Obviously, Munster did exceptionally well to get out their Pool initially, which threw up some cracking matches, but that is all in the past now and this weekend is knockout Cup rugby."
Declan Kidney's side roll into Coventry with what could be construed as an overpowering amount of European experience.
But in Gustard, Saracens possess their own silverware holder as he lifted the illustrious trophy in Tigers' colours against Stade Français back in 2001.
And he is already dreaming of facing another old club in the Heineken Cup final with London Irish taking on the French flair of Toulouse in the weekend's other semi-final.
"Yeah I would take that! Although, I think playing in another final would be an amazing experience whoever it was against," he said.
"It was an awesome experience winning with Leicester against Stade in their own back yard and I'm sure playing against the Irish in a final would offer similar emotions.
"For myself and a lot of the boys at Saracens who have been Premiership regulars for years and skirted around the national side, these games mean so much to us and we are so excited about Sunday."
The Exiles' Twickenham opponents have been struck by a cruel fate of injuries at the eleventh hour, with the devastating Vincent Clerc joining Maleli Kunavore on the sidelines.
And even with a full compliment, Gustard insists he would back his former side to push Toulouse right to the wire in the capital.
"I think London Irish have a great chance. I have a lot of great friends there and a lot of good memories so I will certainly be cheering them on," he said.
"I have played for the Exiles myself against Toulouse on two occasions in the Heineken Cup when we only narrowly lost away from home and were the only team to beat them in Europe that year.
"I am not convinced Toulouse will handle Irish's press defence that well and it almost goes without saying that in Nick Kennedy and Bob Casey they will have the upper hand at lineout time.
"It is going to be an almighty clash but one I think will eventually fall the Exiles' way as home advantage may play its part too!"
By Adam Kyriacou