“We will learn a lot from that and, hopefully, use that knowledge in the semi-final against Saracens. It will be great to be back at Twickenham but it’s also the occasion that counts.”
Toulon may have to do without Bakkies Botha for the Twickenham showdown. The Springbok lock may be cited after he was accused of using his knee to injure Marcus Ayerza, who suffered a suspected broken collarbone.
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “It looks like Ayerza has broken his clavicle from the knee that Botha put in. I have asked the citing commissioner to look at it.”
It was legal physical punishment that gave Munster a victory over Quins, with lock Paul O’Connell showing why he was chosen to lead the 2009 Lions — and he could get the same honour again in Australia this summer.
Lions coach Gatland saw O’Connell dominate Quins and provide a rallying point for his men.
Quins have struggled of late and Nick Easter knows his side must bounce back quickly if the Premiership champions are to be in the play-offs. The London side are third in the table but just two points above fifth-placed Gloucester with three rounds of the regular season to go.
“We have to regroup now because that is five losses out of the last seven matches and we have a big game coming up with Bath at the weekend,” said the No8.
“It’s not going get any easier and we will have to play well to defend our Premiership title. Teams have been targeting us all season and we have responded well to being champions but, while recent results haven’t gone well, we are still confident.”
Conor O’Shea, the Harlequins director of rugby, is giving the players a two-day break to get over their defeat. He expects a positive response from the team at home against Bath on Saturday. “The lads weren’t allowed to play their game because Munster bossed the second half,” said O’Shea.
“We will be written off after this result, just as Wales were when they lost the opening Six Nations match to Ireland. We cannot allow for everything we have achieved this season to drift away. We will feel sorry for ourselves for 24 hours and then get away for a short time before starting the preparations for Bath.
“We want to finish in the top four to make the play-offs and defend our title. We are hugely disappointed but there isn’t any lack of confidence and all we need to do is get our game going.”
The semi-finals
Clermont Auvergne v Munster (Montpellier, Sat April 27)
