WITH ALL the talk this week about contracts, player welfare, coaching changes and player movement between provinces, it would be easy to forget that Munster have to play a rugby match this Saturday night.
Munster face Leicester Tigers on Saturday night at 7.45pm in Thomond Park, knowing that a home win is a must. The home fans, expected to number more than 20,000, will demand a performance from the side that has lost two poor games on the bounce in the Pro12.
Speaking about the distractions of contract talks which are hanging over the squad, in the shape of Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Dave Kilcoyne and Conor Murray, Munster head coach Anthony Foley wished to turn the focus of the week to matters between the whitewash as opposed to goings on inside the boardroom.
“Players have to negotiate their contracts. Some will do it behind closed doors, some will do it in the media and some of them will have no control over what is in the media.
“I’m sure it’s the least of the issues they want this week. It’s something we are not going to talk about in the open anyway. It’s about rugby for us to be honest with you, that’s the most important thing for us,” added the head coach.
One player who spoke to the media this week was Simon Zebo. The Irish winger recently became a father and that has changed his perspective on life, rugby and where he wants to be for the next two to three seasons.
“I think whatever is best for me and my family, at the end of the day. Once everything is known then it will be easier to make my decision, and decide what is best for me.
“At the end of the day, rugby is a business and you can’t get swallowed up. You have to look after yourself, and know what’s best for you and your family. Hopefully everything works out the way I would like it to. We will see what happens,” admitted Zebo.
In terms of injury news, Conor Murray is expected to return from a foot injury, while Mike Sherry could return at hooker. With Francis Saili still a doubt, Foley will name his side at lunch time on Friday for the game which will be live on BT Sport 2.
