Fronting Up For Zebre

With a lot on the line for both sides this Good Friday, we preview Munster v Zebre at Thomond Park and get the pre-match thoughts of Head Coach Anthony Foley, centre Francis Saili and back row Jack O’Donoghue.

Currently fifth on the PRO12 table, Munster missed the opportunity to join the top-4 after losing 28-37 away to Cardiff Blues in the rearranged Round 12 fixture last Friday – the first time they had failed to tally a league point from a PRO12 game in 2016.   Previous to that the Munstermen defeated Dragons 26-5 at Thomond Park to end a three game home losing run in the competition.
 
European Cup qualification will again be to the fore for both sides on Friday.  Zebre have lost their last five league encounters and this string of results, coupled with a revival from Treviso, has seen their fellow countrymen close in on the Italian Champions Cup spot.  Just three points now separate the sides.
 
Munster hold a fine record against Zebre – winning seven from seven – but will be extremely mindful of the strides the Italians have made in recent seasons. Back in January just one point separated the sides by the 71 minute mark and it took an Ian Keatley drop-goal to give Munster a modicum of breathing room before the full-time whistle, Foley’s men eventually winning 16-12.
 
This sentiment was echoed by Head Coach Anthony Foley when previewing Friday’s clash in Thomond Park, “I’ve come across Gianluca (Guidi) – Head Coach – on a number of occasions, a lovely man and a great coach.  He has gone into Zebre this year and has implemented a good structure around the team.  They have a very good pack and in the backs they have great internationals in the likes of Luke Burgess from Australia, Kelly Haimona the Italian out-half and of course Mils Muliaina.  That gives them a lot of rugby intellect from 1 to 15.  They work the ball across the pitch and play to their strengths.”
 
Centre Francis Saili said, “The losing bonus point against Cardiff would have been nice but now we need to focus on what’s happening this weekend and Zebre will be a tough side to play against.  Like Dragons, you just don’t know what they will pull out of the bag.
 
“We have a hard block of remaining games and will not leave any stones unturned.  Zebre will be difficult but at the same time we will be at home in Thomond Park and that will be another incentive because it puts a lot more pride on the line when you play in front of your home fans.”
 
Back row Jack O’Donoghue added, “We had a very tough encounter with them over there and they’re coming over here and, like ourselves, we’re both looking for a Champions Cup spot. They’re in a battle with Treviso looking for that Italian spot and I presume their internationals will be back and I think they’re really going to throw everything at us. It will be a good chance for us to front up.  We’re at home and we can show our crowd and show everyone in Munster that we’re going to get back on track.
 
“It’s all about sticking to what we know best and not getting into a loose game like Cardiff because Italian sides love that and they love to counter-attack and run anything from their own 22 and stuff like that so that’s where we need to be calm and composed.
 
“We still have our destiny in our hands so we just have to keep control of our game and what we do.”
 
Munster v Zebre, Guinness PRO12 Round 18, Good Friday, March 25^th at Thomond Park – KO 7pm.

Tickets from €;7 for Juniors, €;15 for adults and €;30 for families can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.

Fanzone and Bars open from 5pm. Click here for Hospitality offers from €;25!
 
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 60^th competition game)
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Helen O’Reilly (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner:  Wayne Sheridan (IRFU)
TMO: John Carvill (IRFU)