MUNSTER face back to back games against Saracens over the next two weekends, with all Munster fans looking for an early Christmas present of two wins.
With Munster currently in second place in the Pool, a loss this weekend does not rule them out completely. However it would seriously damage the Red Army’s chances of making the last eight.
Munster coach Rob Penney did not face this media this week to preview the game of December 8. (Much can be read into that, should you wish to).
The players who did speak this week all praised the new game plan of Rob Penney. One which will face a huge test once more this weekend.
“It’s new. I haven’t spent that much time out on the wing before. Sometimes you feel like you are not working, which was a big concern of mine at the start of the year. Munster is obviously based on a huge work-rate and that was one of the points I made to Rob. I was panicking if I hadn’t hit a ruck in about four or five phases. He said, ‘Bide your time and the ball will come to you’,” commented Mike Sherry, who will line out at hooker this weekend. The Garryowen man will face Schalk Brits, and or John Smit, two South African beasts, who pack down at two for the ‘Sarries’.
“You can see Brits is every where. He’s around the pitch, playing fullback, scrumhalf, outhalf, so he’s excellent in all areas. John Smit brings a huge set-piece game too. He’s built like a prop, he’s played prop at international, scrummaging is a big area for him. Their lineout is the best in the competition so obviously they can both throw the ball,” added Sherry.
Ahead of the game, another Garryowen clubman Conor Murray, has been asking former Saracens player Peter Stringer, for some ‘inside’ information.
“I have had a few chats with Strings on the Saracens game plan and the way they like to play. We are very lucky that he spent some time over there and he knows the lads over there as well. He has given his input this week, stressing a few bits and pieces. While we will look at them we are trying to mostly focus on our own performance”
Good news for Munster fans is that Conor Murray will play this weekend. The scrum half was missing from Munster’s defeat of Glasgow last weekend, but the Irish number nine is back to full health.
Munster however must prepare for this massive two weekends without Paul O’Connell, (back), CJ Stander (hand) and Tommy O’Donnell, (ankle).Stander’s and O’Donnell’s injuries mean that the Munster backrow is going to have a new look to it. Captain this season, Doug Howlett feels that the depth in the squad should see them through.
“The pleasing thing is we have a quality player in James Coughlan coming back along with Peter O’Mahony and Dave O’Callaghan, who’s had some fantastic games this year for us. James is a quality player and is back unexpectedly after being ruled out for three or four months and got through a lot of work last week,” added Howlett.
With no date of return set for O’Connell, it is now possible that O’Connell will miss the rest of 2012 and maybe even some of 2013.
“I haven’t spoken to Paul. I saw him this morning and in terms of his injury the line has been he’ll be ready when he is ready. We have been in this situation for a few weeks now with Paul being missing. He has added a lot during training and meetings,” commented Howlett this week.
Kick off at Thomond Park is 6pm on Saturday 8.Live on Sky Sports.
