In Pics: Semi-Final Preparations

Munster continued preparations for Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 semi-final against Ospreys with the first squad training session of the week at Thomond Park yesterday. See our training gallery and get the pre-match thoughts of second row Donnacha Ryan.

Click here to view our latest Training Gallery.

Although happy with last weekend’s eight try win over Newport-Gwent Dragons at Irish Independent Park, Ryan still identified the need for further improvements against Ospreys this Saturday.

“Certainly in the first half against Dragons we put in a mammoth effort but with the bonus point secured after 25 minutes we may have been a little guilty of taking the foot off the pedal in the second half. There was good and bad things in the game and certainly a lot of things to work on for this weekend.

“Once the news came through that we had secured the home semi-final we were delighted and it’s great for the supporters that they don’t have to make a long away journey”

Like Head Coach Anthony Foley, Ryan has also called on fans to get behind the province in Limerick this weekend.

“It’s the fans that make Thomond Park and we hope they come out in force to support us. Their support will be a great help, but also it’s the familiarity aspect of it that is important and we are really looking forward to playing at home.”

Looking ahead to the job at hand on the field come Saturday the Tipperary native commented,

“They have beaten us twice this season and we got an eye-opener when they beat us at the Liberty Stadium a couple of months ago – we will have our work cut out for us. Understandably they will travel over here with a lot of confidence and we’ll have to be at our very best from the off.

"With the likes of Dan Baker, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric they have a very tough and abrasive pack with a strong line-out and scrum. They will also be massively effective at the breakdown so we’ll have to be on our game up front.”

Join us on the #HomeRun as Munster bid to turn Thomond Park into a #FieldOfDreams this Saturday – KO 2.30pm.

Tickets from just €;20 for Adults and great value Family Terrace Packs from just €;40 are available to purchase online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.

GROUP SPECIAL OFFER – 20 Junior tickets & 5 Adult tickets just €;100.
Should your local youth groups, club or school, etc be interested in availing of this offer, please contact the Munster Rugby Ticket Office on 061-421103 or by emailing tickets@munsterrugby.ie
These tickets are subject to availability so don't delay and are located in the terraces at Thomond Park.