Next Up, The Italian Job

The focus stays on Guinness PRO12 action this week as Munster travel to face Zebre in round 13 this Saturday at the Stadio XXV Aprile – KO 3pm Irish time.

Zebre have now slipped to three successive PRO12 defeats since their 18-10 victory over Edinburgh in Parma in round 9 and last weekend’s narrow 17-15 loss to Benetton Treviso saw them trade places with their Italian rivals at the bottom of the table.

Looking to move back up the table and spurred on by the disappointment of their exploits in Thomond Park in September – when Munster achieved a bonus point win including a hat-trick from Simon Zebo – the Italians will take confidence from previously defeating an Irish province this season, overcoming Ulster 13-6 on home soil in round 4.

Despite lying third on the PRO12 table, Munster’s only victory from the last five fixtures in all competitions was 28-13 at home to Leinster on St Stephens Day, and following on from last weekend’s defeat away to Connacht, will look to achieve a win on the road for the first time since a trip to Newport Gwent Dragons in November.

Traditionally games in Italy have always proven tough physical battles, and Muster back row Dave O’Callaghan expects nothing different this weekend.

“After losing to Connacht last weekend and getting a good win over Leinster the week before we’ve been a bit erratic in terms of performances so we’ll be looking to get that consistency back and win some momentum.

“Zebre is the sole focus for us this week. We’ll be looking to put right the things that didn’t go well against Connacht. We need to get ourselves on the front foot and be clinical in everything we do.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge this weekend against Zebre. We know they’ll be physical but we want to put a marker down and try to win that battle.

“They beat Ulster down there and used their physicality well. They’ll come at us and be exactly like Connacht were at home so we’ll have to be physical and match them from the off.

Zebre v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 13, Saturday January 10th at the Stadio XXV Aprile – KO 3pm Irish time.