ROUND five of the RaboDirect PRO12 takes place this weekend with only two teams with a 100 per cent wining record left in action. Table toppers Munster travel to Edinburgh, whilst second placed Ospreys host Connacht.Champions Munster, having lost out on a new defensive record last week when Cardiff Blues breached their try-line, will be keen to set another this week if they can extend their run of wins to 15 games.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Edinburgh, Munster back Denis Hurley was happy with the sides form so far.
“Four wins from four is great. I know Tony wants six from six in this part of the season and we will be hoping for another win this weekend. Edinburgh is not an easy place to go. They always seem to be very physical when we play them so it is going to be tough again”.
The Murrayfield stadium is often akin to a ghost town for these games and it is something that Hurley finds weird to deal with.
“It is almost a muted atmosphere there. The stadium might have a few thousand in it, but it feels like a couple of hundred in the vastness of the place. It can be weird to play on the pitch with the running track and no crowd, but you have to focus on what needs to be done”.
Last weekend Munster made it four from four with a hard fought win over Cardiff. Hurley is expecting more of the same this weekend.
“It was a quiet dressing room last weekend after the win as we were all out on our feet. It is not that we are unfit, it is just we defended for most of the game and we won it with hard work and Keat’s (Ian Keatley) boot”.
Munster’s defence work is coming along nicely at this early stage of the season. Cardiff did cross the line for a try, but Munster made the Blues work for every point scored. With Botha, Horan and Nagle all returning to the squad this weekend, Munster are favourites to win in the Scottish capital.
Edinburgh Rugby’s only victory in their last five matches in the RaboDirect PRO12 was 19-14 at home to Connacht in round three. Munster have not lost to a team from Scotland since their visit to Edinburgh on 23 October 2009. Edinburgh have won just one of their last nine clashes with Munster: 12-7 at Murrayfield on 23 October 2009.
The final words go to Hurley who is looking forward to more game time with the squad.
“It is hard sometimes, being a back, to be defending alot. It is alot easier to attack than defend, but it is part of the job and I don’t really mind as long as we are winning. Obviously I would like to have seen more of the ball in the last few games, but that will come. The main thing is, our defensive systems are getting there and we are winning. That is the real objective”.
