Kidney Wary of Llanelli Threat

Munster coach Declan Kidney refuses to take anything for granted ahead of his side’s return clash with Llanelli Scarlets at Thomond Park on Sunday.

Speaking at the media conference in UL yesterday after training Kidney reminded people that, in the nine year’s that Llanelli have played back-to-back matches in the Heineken Cup they have never lost successive games.

“And,” he pointed out, “among the sides they have beaten back-to-back are Sale Sharks, Ulster and last year,Toulouse.”

When someone corrected him saying in fact the Scarlets had played eight back-to-back matches, Kidney response was that Sunday’s game will complete the ninth occasion and right now their record still stands.

Kidney named a 25 strong squad for the game that includes David Wallace who came off in the game at Stradey ‘carrying’ an arm and while the damage is not considered serious, Wallace remains a doubt. He will be required to get through training on Friday unscathed before a final decision on his participation is made.

With that in mind Kidney had added Niall Ronan to the squad along with Federico Pucciariello and centre Barry Murphy.

And while Munster won huge credit for their win Stradey the overriding feeling is that it’s a job half done, ” It was a good result , no doubt about that,” said Anthony Foley, ” but if we dont finish it off on Sunday, what’ll mean in the overall picture.”

“We know that we adapted better to the second half conditions than they did but looking back at the first half we saw exactly what they’re capable of. Anyone who thinks they’ll come over here and roll over is kidding themselves. This one is going to be just as tough as if they were in contention for the next phase.”

When asked if the 1pm kick off, the same as the Clermont game, has much effect on players, Foley quipped, “Well it didn’t effect me too badly the last day ’cause I didn’t get on the pitch until about twenty to two, which was coming nearer to time we normally start.”

Any talk of bonus points was dismissed by coach and players alike, “To talk of a bonus point is being hugely disrespectful to Llanelli,” said Kidney,” while Donncha O’Callaghan was adamant that, “if we have that sort of attitude going out, we’re in big trouble. If we think like that we’ll be chasing a bonus point allright, but it mightn’t be one you guys are talking of.”

Munster: S Payne, B Carney, R Tipoki, B Murphy, K Lewis.L Mafi, I Dowling; R O’Gara, P Warwick, P Stringer, G Hurley, F Pucciariello, T Buckley, M Horan, F Sheahan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll;  D Ryan, D Leamy, D Wallace, J Coughlan, N Ronan, A Foley.