Monye backing Evans in shoot-out with O'Gara

Munster's points-machine will go head-to-head with former All Black Nick Evans at Thomond Park in the second semi-final and Quins' international wing Ugo Monye reckons that could prove the battle that decides which team reaches the final in Cardiff next month.

"The battle between Nick Evans and Ronan O'Gara is going to be fantastic. Nick is one of the best players in the world and probably the best player I have ever played with - he does everything so well with a very cool head," said Monye.

Evans scored 20 points for the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road in 2005 in a 45-7 demolition of an Ireland team that included O'Gara among six Munster players. AS repeat of that would put Quins into their third Amlin Challenge Cup final in Cardiff on Friday, 20 May.

"Ronan's record speaks for itself but he has also become one of the game's great organisers," said Evans.

"The only person who possibly knows Thomond Park better than him is the groundsman. Ronan knows every blade of grass - he is a real fighter and he is Munster.

"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."

Munster may have been crowned European champions in 2002006 and 2008 but this is their first campaign in the Challenge Cup that has twice been lifted by Quins.

And Monye, a British & Irish Lion in 2009 who played alongside O'Gara, Keith Earls, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan and David Wallace in South Africa, insists the Londoners will not be intimidated by the Limerick cauldron this weekend.

"We are a young squad but we are confident in our ability. We had a good result at Leeds last weekend and we've won at Northampton, but we're expecting a massively different challenge at Thomond Park," admitted Monye.

"It is one of the most iconic stadiums in European rugby and with a sea of reds shirts and flags it will almost be like playing for the Lions again.

"I love going away from home and being booed. That shows the other side is worried about you. You can't go to a place like Thomond Park and feel intimidated. If you do that you are beaten before you even start.

"We have to embrace the atmosphere, stick together as a group and inspire each other. It is going to be a huge test but everyone in the squad is buzzing. It is a one-off challenge for us.

"We haven't won a trophy for seven years so it would be a great shame to waste the opportunity."

Meanwhile Monye, who has not played for England since he was carried off with his neck in a brace against Scotland a year ago, hopes to push for a World Cup place.

"This is going to be a step up for all of us - this is Heineken Cup rugby, if not international class rugby. I'm really looking forward to my battle with Doug Howlett and I want to get the ball in my hands early on," he said.

"The England coaches will be watching the European games this weekend so that means pulling out a top performance."