Captain’s Thoughts Pre Connacht

As he prepares to captain Munster for the fifth consecutive game, we get the thoughts of centre Denis Hurley ahead of this evening’s crucial Guinness PRO12 interprovincial against Connacht at Thomond Park – KO 5:15pm.

Head Coach Anthony Foley named his side to face the western province at lunchtime yesterday and included a number of returning internationals in the starting 15. Their return comes just in time for what Hurley’s knows will be another tight battle on the field of play later today.

“This weekend we have to put out a strong team, we know how strong Connacht are going to be coming down facing us. It is going to be important that we can put in a strong performance against them and hopefully get a good start and get points on the board, from there we can hopefully perform well and get a result. We know it is going to be a tough and physical battle – it always is against Connacht. We just need to make sure that we are on form and ready to play.”

Last January saw Connacht deservedly take the spoils at the Sportground, rendering Munster scoreless in the second-half and overcoming a nine point deficit to eventually run out convincing 24-16 winners – a wrong that Hurley and his team-mates will hope to right this weekend.

“We went up there and lost to them. That was very disappointing for us but it just shows the belief they have in themselves and where their game is going. They are playing better rugby and they are getting a lot of good results on the back of that. We really do respect what they are offering but we have to focus on what we are going to bring to the table on Saturday and the crowd are going to give us a big boost as well for the last round game of the season in Thomond. Hopefully we will put in a big show for it.”

Impressive home wins over Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors, together with a hard fought draw away to Scarlets saw Munster go top of the PRO12 table before an under par performance and heavy loss in Swansea against Ospreys played its part in the province slipping to third. With every point crucial at this stage of the season, the Cork-man knows the importance of a return to form for Munster this evening.

“We have to mix it up. I think against Osprey’s we were disappointed with ourselves, the way we performed because that was probably the type of game where we needed to suck it up a bit and try and go a bit more direct and through the middle of them. We probably didn’t do it often enough and we left them get away from us. We were kicking ourselves after it because it was a good opportunity to put a real stamp on the league from our own point of view. So, I suppose this weekend we have to make sure that whatever type of game plan we go with, that we really back it up, and just make sure the performance is good from ourselves and hopefully the result will follow.”

Munster v Connacht, Guinness PRO12 Round 18, Saturday Match 28th at Thomond Park – KO 5:15pm.

With over 17,000 tickets now sold, Adult tickets start from just €;20 while Juniors can go from just €;7.Purchase tickets online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park or by calling 0818 719 300.

Tickets for this game can also be purchased as part of a 3 Match Pack where you can enjoy all three remaining home round games – against Connacht, Benetton Treviso and Newport-Gwent Dragons (both in Cork) – from just €;50. Start building your 3 Match Pack here.

Event Update
After a fantastic weekend for Irish Rugby, both the Senior and Women's 6 Nations trophies will be on display at Thomond Park on Saturday, with Irish captains Paul O'Connell (6 Nations Player of the Championship) and Niamh Briggs taking to the field at half time as special guests. The trophies will be available for fans to view pre-match in the Guinness Dug Out Bar in the Fanzone Plaza from 3pm to 3.45pm, while Supporters Club members will get exclusive access to the trophies in the MRSC Bar in the West Stand from 4pm to 4.45pm.