In Pics: Preparing For Europe

11th November 2015 By Munster Rugby

Munster trained in their new adidas 2015/16 European Range at UL yesterday in preparation for this Saturday’s Champions Cup opener with Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park. Checkout the new adidas kit in our training gallery and get the pre-match thoughts of Head Coach Anthony Foley.

CLICK HERE to see our Training Gallery.

Foley, who captained his native province to their first European success in 2006, now looks forward to guiding Munster in their 21^st European campaign as Head Coach.

“There’s always been that attraction there for us ever since we ran out in Thomond Park against Swansea all those years ago. It was a thing that captured the imagination and the hearts of the people and hopefully we see that again this weekend.

“Treviso are coming to town, buckets of internationals in their team and they’re playing a very attractive game. We’re embracing the new competition in many respects but also we do understand the old values of the competition.

“Treviso are a side that have turned over teams in the past. They were 10-0 up against Munster in 2009 in Thomond Park. It was my first year out coaching, they do come and play and we saw that last week above in Connacht, they’re a very good side. They have buckets of internationals and they’re all capable of turning over any team in this group. Obviously we’ve the French champions as well who got a good win this weekend against Clermont and Leicester who are in the top half of the Premiership over so we’re in a tough group and we understand that. As I said, you need to look after your job at home, you need to make sure that we’ve got Thomond Park up and running after last year and hopefully get something away from home as well.”

In the absence of injured squad captain, Foley has handed the leadership reigns to last season’s Munster Player of the Year CJ Stander.

“There’s a number of players that can put their hand forward to be captain. I think CJ stands out as the man everyone will follow, he’s in good company there. Obviously Pete is still in and around the squad even though he’s a long-term injury, we’ve Denis and we have the out-halves as well as Billy Holland and Conor Murray. All these guys are good voices around the squad and there’s an abundance of leaders. We need someone that can carry everything and at the moment CJ has the ability to do that.”

With over 16,000 tickets now sold for this weekend’s clash, Foley is looking forward to a strong show of support from the Munster faithful at Thomond Park.

“The fans who have been turning up, they’ve been absolutely brilliant for us. We’ve had a number of tight games this year, particularly the Ulster game at home, and they’ve stuck with the team right to the very last minute. Look, from my point of view, I’ve come through the system from the underage all the way up and there’s an attachment to us and our fans, whether we’re playing at home or away. We feel we need that and hopefully again this weekend we get well supported in Thomond Park and we move on and enjoy it. I suppose it’s hard at times at the start of a season where rugby is readily available across all mediums and with the World Cup so hopefully now there’s a need for Thomond Park and that atmosphere and hopefully we get that.”

Munster v Benetton Treviso, European Champions Cup Pool 4, Saturday November 14th at Thomond Park – KO 5.15pm.

Tickets can be purchased from just €;60 for Families (2 adults & 2 kids), €;20 for Adults and €;10 for Juniors & Students.

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