Evans to keep close eye on O'Gara

The English Premiership side are looking for their third European title after success in the competition back in 2001 and 2004 but former All Black fly-half Evans is only too aware of the challenge that awaits them in Limerick.

"If you can't get up for a game like this then you shouldn't be playing. Not many of us have played there and it is going to be a special occasion," he said.

"We know we are going to have to be at our very best, especially in their back yard. But as long as we go to Thomond Park and believe we can win, then we will be in with a shout."

Evans last came up against O'Gara on the International stage when New Zealand beat Ireland 45 v 7 at Lansdowne Road back in November 2005.

On that day the 30-year-old lined up against six Munster players and helped himself to twenty points in the game. However at Thomond Park this weekend, Evans knows he will have to be at his best to match O'Gara.

"Ronan's record speaks for itself. When you put the numbers up over his career it shows what a great player he has been," he added.

"He has been competing for the Irish No 10 jersey when a lot of people had been writing him off. He is a real fighter and he is Munster.

"As No 10s we are the captains of the ship we dictate where the team goes on the field. With the wealth of experience Ronan has picked up over the years he has become one of the great game organisers.

"The only person who possibly knows Thomond Park better than him is the groundsman, but it would be a close run thing. He knows every blade of grass and is obviously someone we are going to have to look out for at the weekend.

"I'm sure Munster were disappointed at not staying in the Heineken Cup, but this game is up there with the remaining games in that tournament.

"I always knew about the strength of Munster rugby when I was growing up in New Zealand because we were told about how they beat the All Blacks in 1978. Even as a kid I thought they must be pretty special."