DEAD CALM; Munster skipper O'Connell insists favorites are keeping their feet planted on ground.

Byline: EDWARD NEWMAN 

HIGH-flying Munster may be red-hot favourites ahead of Saturday's all-Ireland Heineken Cup semi-final against Leinster, but Paul O'Connell says there's no fear of over-confidence creeping into their camp.

The champions are playing an extravagant brand of rugby that makes the Reds look close-to unbeatable. They thrashed the self-styled super region of Welsh rugby, Ospreys, 43-9, in the quarterfinal and are the book-makers favourites to not just succeed in Croke Park this weekend but retain their European crown.

Since early January, Munsterhave gone on a nine-game unbeaten run, and only Leinsterstand in their way of a place in a fifth Heineken Cup final.

But an ultra-motivated Munster aren't allowed rest on their laurels, according to O'Connell, who credits head coach Tony McGahan for keeping the players on edge.

"We keep a cap on overconfidence because we know we can be as bad as any side in the Magners League or Heineken Cup on any given day if our heads aren't right. We know that, we've seen it happen this year against Ulstertwice and against Connacht, and Montauban at home.

"We know how bad we can be when the head isn't on. It's something we keep reminding ourselves about and it's something that Dumper keeps reminding us about and he stays on top of us about it.

"We know how good we can be on our day, but on our day there's a lot of hard work goes into it, a lot of concentration, and we never take that for granted either."

Three years ago the same sides met on a seismic occasion in Lansdowne Road, Munster prevailing 30-6. The Reds entered the game as underdogs after Leinster had done a number on Toulousein the quarter-finals, but this season the role of favourites is very much reversed.

"We are in a good place, but it's a one-off game. From an Irish rugby point of view it's winner-takes-all.

"They'll be quietly confident, they have some fabulous players and they'll be confident they can produce a big performance at the weekend."

O'Connell described the Ireland players on the Leinster team "friends for life" but also says they're the ones he'd most hate to lose to.

"I was asked why is it such a big rivalry, and that's why it is: because we know each other so well and because we're friends. When I was growing up, the guy I hated to lose to was my brother.

"And that's the way it is now: because of what we've achieved we'll be friends for life, and those are the guys you hate to lose to most. I'm sure they are saying the same thing.

"There's definitely a different hype. It's more of an intense rivalry, but I think for the players on the pitch, a big game is a big game and they are used to handling the hype."

Asked would he prefer if it wasn't Leinster they were playing, O'Connell said: "I don't think you can say that.

You've got to play who you're against. It does lead to a high pressure week and a tough week because it's a game no one wants to lose, everyone wants to win.

"Not that it would change if it was another team, but the fact you're friends with these guys, it does add an extra bit to the rivalry."

He describes Leinster as "mentally very strong" adding that their performance against Harlequins was "fabulous".

"They had a fabulous performance against Harlequins - I had a lot of respect for the win away from home against a very confident side. Their stuff around the breakdown is top class.

"Normally with teams you target one guy who is very strong around the breakdown - they have five or six, and who are brilliant at slowing down ball, poaching ball, getting penalties. It's something we have to be very aware of."

Meanwhile O'Connell is included an extended 25-man Munster squad, and McGahan reported no injury concerns ahead of the team selection on Friday.

CAPTION(S):

TOGETHER Munster will rely on team spirit HAMMERED Ospreys were steamrolled in quarter-final POLES APART O'Connell Munster great European record