Axel Set For Shark Attack

With just over 48 hours to go, we preview Munster’s opening encounter of the European Champions Cup away to Sale Sharks and we get the thoughts of Head Coach Anthony Foley.

This Saturday sees Munster and Sale go head to head for the fifth time in European rugby’s premier competition. It was the Englishmen who drew first blood with a win at Edgeley Park in 2005, with Munster fighting back and taking the spoils on the last three occasions, most recently at Thomond Park in January ’09.

Both sides will hope to leave the inconsistencies of their respective season starts behind as they embark on a new European campaign this weekend. Sale have won just two from six games in the English Premiership to date with Munster already suffering two home PRO12 defeats at Thomond Park this season.

Coming into Saturday’s fixture, Sharks will look to make amends for a 43-10 away defeat to Premiership toppers Northampton Saints, while Anthony Foley’s men will look to build on the momentum of back to back victories over Leinster and Scarlets in the PRO12.

Speaking after training on Tuesday, Head Coach Anthony Foley remained wary of this weekend’s opposition.

“If you go through the history book you’ll see that Munster were never great before heading into a Heineken Cup game and that’s often the case for other sides.

“Sale are due a due a big performance and that’s what we’re going to get. We’ve watched more than just last weekend’s game (v Saints) and we know they’ve got an ability to turn teams over and score some very impressive tries.

“With the likes of Tom Arscott on the wing, Chris Cusiter at 9, Danny Cipriani at 10 and their entire pack when they get going, Sale can attack from tight quarters and out wide.

"It’s important we look across the board at where they’re at, but one thing’s for sure, it will be a very physical contest.”

Foley also talked about the 1pm kick off and how it will alter preparations on Saturday morning.

“With such an early kick-off it’s important that guys still get the sufficient volume of food on board. It’s a bit different from the norm when we play so early in that they will get up at 7:30 for breakfast with another meal at 9:30am.

“It’s a lot of food to be taking in but they need it because of the exertions of the game. We need to sufficiently fuel the body to be as energetic as possible.”

Sale Sharks v Munster in Pool 1 of the European Champions Cup on Saturday October 18th – KO 1pm with live coverage on Sky Sports 2.