Defence Holding Up Well

Two RaboDirect PRO12 games in, eight points harvested, a new record set of 12 consecutive League wins and yet this competitive season to concede a try. It all makes good reading for Munster Forwards coach Anthony Foley.

Speaking today in Limerick of their most recent win the first Munster player to win 200+ caps said. “I think our lineout and scrum went well.”

“We managed to get some quality go-forward ball off them. The execution of some of our plays off that was quite slick. The other area I was pretty happy with was our defence. Particularly our scramble defence. When Glasgow threw everything at us in the last fifteen twenty minutes we held firm. Feels good to come off the pitch without conceding a try.”

Foley assumed responsibility for organising the rear-guard last season at the end of which Munster boasted the best defence ending in style by holding the European Champions tryless in the final.

“It's an important part of the game and something I enjoy coaching.” he says.

“The boys are… … y'know, it's grand listening to me. But they go out, put their bodies on the line and make the tackles. Get onto their feet, get back into the defensive line. And they're doing that pretty well. I suppose defence is about attitude and this bunch of lads at the moment are showing great attitude out on the pitch.””

Foley is acutely aware that this weekend that defence will be severely tested when Scarlets visit Musgrave Park. “”It's a step up on a number of fronts.”

“Scarlets are in our Heineken pool group.  So this is our first encounter, one of four as they say. It's always been a tasty fixture between ourselves and the Scarlets. Both clubs have a massive history. Every time we come across each other it's a tasty affair,” ” he says with a smile.

However, there'll be no thoughts of Heineken Cup on player or management minds this week. ” “We prepare as we prepared for Glasgow and Dragons.”” says Foley.

“”It's four points on offer again this weekend in the RaboDirect.  That's the most important thing and how we get that.”

“Everything will be on the table to get that. I think with this bunch of players we have, that's the most important thing at the moment, to be properly prepared.”

“Not holding anything back for this game and making sure that come Saturday evening we're the ones with four points.”