Quarter Final Approaches For Munster ‘A’

Munster ‘A’ continue preparations this week for their British & Irish Cup quarter final away to Doncaster Knights at Castle Park on Saturday – KO 2pm.

The fixture will see Doncaster play a B&I Cup quarter final for the second time in their history, while Munster ‘A’ will compete in the knock out stages for the fifth time. The Munstermen’s history in the competition might make for more impressive reading, but in terms of each side’s current campaign, it’s the Englishmen that take the spoils.

The Championship outfit have been the form side of the B&I Cup, securing 29 of a possible 30 championship points in a clean sweep of victories over Bedford Blues, Cornish Pirates and Cross Keys in Pool 4. Only away to Bedford did they fail to pick up a bonus point.

On top of winning their pool with a round to spare, Doncaster are one of only three clubs to complete a clean sweep of wins in the pool stages, along with Bristol and Worcester Warriors.

Unable to boast such consistency in the competition, Munster ‘A’ face another bruising and physical encounter as they head to English shores for the fourth time in this current campaign.

With wins at home and away over Mosely and Nottingham, losses to Worcester in rounds 2 and 5 would ultimately cost Munster top spot in the pool. However, Mick O'Driscoll's charges rallied to secure a bonus point victory over Moseley in round 6, winning them knock-out qualification as one of the top three runners up.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, Munster ‘A’ Assistant Coach Greig Oliver expects another physical affair, “The Championship is a league that’s renowned for its physicality and that’s what we can expect again. It’s not easy to play while trying to deal with such physicality – but that’s going to be the test for our lads.”

Doncaster Knights v Munster A, B&I Cup Quarter Final, Saturday January 24th at Castle Park – KO 2pm.

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