Kyriacou Looking Forward to Cork Visit.

He won nine caps for Munster, scored a Heineken Cup try against Bourgoin in Thomond Park and now Andy Kyriacou returns to Cork, this time with his Saracens teammates for Friday’s clash with Munster.

So it won’t just be Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney who will be bumping into a few friends this weekend in Ireland as hooker Kyriacou will also come face-to-face with some of his former team mates having spent six months on loan with Munster last season. Its a visit the likeable Andy is looking forward to.

“I had a fantastic time over in Munster – I loved every minute of it,” he explained. “It was also great experience for me to be able to play in the Magners League and also the Heineken Cup. There was a special atmosphere at the club and playing for a region was very different from what I had been used to in a club environment.  

“Everywhere you went people were interested in the team and what was happening and the players and supporters are a very proud bunch – they want to give everything for Munster. It’s a really tight atmosphere and it was a special time for me – one I will always look back on fondly.” 

Now Kyriacou is back at Saracens and looking to cement a regular place in the matchday squad – starting when Saracens face Wasps in the opening game of the new Guinness Premiership season at Twickenham on Saturday 15th September. 

“We’ve had a good summer and there is a really good atmosphere around the club,” he explained. “We’re all looking forward to the start of the season and also playing in the Heineken Cup. I had a taste of that last season at Munster and it was a fantastic competition for it will be great to be involved against. 

“It’s going to be a tough game on Friday night and Munster will go into the game on the back of a great result against the USA. They are missing a number of guys at the World Cup, but they are still a very good side and I’m sure a lot of the guys will be looking at this time of the year as a good opportunity to show what they can do and earn a first team spot. 

“They are a tough and aggressive side and one thing you can be sure of is that they will be giving it everything. From our perspective, we’ll be looking for a good performance to be ready for the start of the season next week, but facing Munster is a great way to warm-up for the Wasps game – I couldn’t think of a better test.”