British and Irish Lions

Although a draw or losing bonus point could be enough to secure the reigning European champions a quarter-final place, victory at Thomond Park would guarantee top spot in Pool Five and a home tie.

Only Leicester have previously stormed Munster's imposing Limerick fortress in Heineken Cup combat, winning 13-6 last season.

But Wasps are good enough to emulate that feat, which would keep alive hopes of matching Leicester's achievement in 2002 when Tigers retained the Heineken Cup.

Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan said: "It is a massive game, but this is what Heineken Cup rugby is all about.

"It has been a tough group to play in, but I like to think we have done ourselves justice so far, and we need to do ourselves justice on Saturday.

"When you are playing against any good side it is tactically that you know you have to get it right. We have to look at our game so we put it out there and back ourselves to do it.

"That is the way the Heineken Cup has been this season - produce one result and then get on the next week and produce another.

"We know we have got to win to guarantee going through. We have got to win, and that is the way we play anyway."

Michael Hooper believes the British & Irish Lions' defeat to the Brumbies has given the Qantas Wallabies a boost ahead of Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.

Less than 24 hours after losing their unbeaten record in Canberra, the British & Irish Lions were given a huge boost on arrival in Brisbane when Wales wing George North was declared fit to play in the first Test on Saturday.

Qantas Wallaby wonder scrum half Will Genia is ready to torment the British & Irish Lions and end any hopes of a first Test series win in 16 years this month.