Countdown To Cardiff In Cork

As Munster look to maintain their unbeaten run in the Guinness PRO12, we preview this Saturday’s encounter with Cardiff Blues and get the pre-match stats and thoughts of Munster’s Andrew Conway.

Munster are one of three sides to have made a perfect start to the new PRO12 campaign and have won their last eleven matches at Irish Independent Park. Incidentally it was this weekend’s visitors who last beat the province in Cork – in January 2013.

Cardiff may have started the season with a win and a pair of defeats but they are the league’s top try scorers with 15 – as opposed to 6 for Munster – in the first three rounds. However Anthony Foley’s charges can boast a better defensive record, conceding just 1 try as against 8 for the Welshmen.

Most recently Graham Steadman’s men played out a narrow 36-31 defeat to Connacht in a game that yielded 9 tries and Munster flyer Andrew Conway recognises big challenge that lies in store this weekend. "They put in a massive performance away to Connacht at the Sportsground in the last round and like all Welsh sides they get up hard at you and are very physical. It’s going to be a tough day on Saturday but we are really looking forward to it. For Cardiff, just like us, with their internationals gone it will be a big chance for guys to impress and make their mark.

“We know we need to step it up, we’ve won three out of three but that could well have been one from three – winning two by the skin of our teeth. We’re heading into a 16 week block and that will be massive. First and foremost we need to put in a performance on Saturday.”

On his hopes for the season ahead, Conway added, “Last year was one of mixed fortunes for me. I started strongly but from the mid to end of season I was having trouble with selection. I kept tipping away and developed my relationship with the coaches a bit more and figured out what they wanted from me, rather than going out and doing my own thing so to speak. This season I’ve worked really hard in pre-season and so far the season has gone well enough for me. This year I’m striving to be in contention for selection week in week out and this Saturday will be another chance to impress.

“We always get great crowds in Cork and the whole country is gone rugby mad at the moment with the World Cup so we look forward to another good atmosphere in Irish Independent Park on Saturday.

“Looking at the World Cup provides extra motivation for guys also. That’s the ultimate goal, to play international rugby and in the massive games like we see at the moment. The lads playing in those games are also the lads who once stepped up for their clubs when the internationals were away so you can take inspiration from that.”

Munster v Cardiff Blues, Guinness PRO12 Round 4, Saturday October 17^th at Irish Independent Park – KO 1.30pm.

Adult tickets start from €;15 while all accompanied KIDS GO FREE!

Tickets can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.