Hurley Takes Centre Stage

We chat with Munster centre Denis Hurley, the man who has led Munster to two impressive home victories and one crucial away draw in the latest block of Guinness PRO12 encounters.

With 23 players unavailable for selection through international duty and injury, it speaks volumes for those that lined out for the province in recent weeks, that Munster now top the PRO12 table. And with club captain Peter O’Mahony currently playing his part in Ireland’s 6 Nations exploits, the honour and duty of captain fell to Denis for the first time against Cardiff Blues, and subsequently against Scarlets and Glasgow Warriors.

Still undefeated as a Munster captain, the centre reflects on what has been a fruitful few weeks for him and his team-mates.

“It’s been an enjoyable block of games so far. We’re now better at finding space on the field and in communicating with one another – we’re that bit crisper in what we do and we have a great belief in one another when we communicate on the field. The trust is there and that breeds confidence. It’s about getting that fine balance between keeping it narrow and going to the wider channels and when we get it right it works very well.”

On his role as captain, Hurley said, “I’m surrounded by lads who have been around the game a long time, Donncha O’Callaghan our most capped player and there’s a couple of other internationals around me in the back line as well so it’s not a difficult task in that sense. These lads know the ins and outs of the game and there’s never any quite moment in the dressing room where everyone is looking at me. Instead it’s a good group work ethic – I give some guidance with others adding their own bits and that’s been great.”

Recent games have afforded the Cork-man the opportunity to forge a centre partnership with the returning Keith Earls who last weekend demonstrated that he’s returning to his exciting and electric best.

“Keith had been itching to get back for a long time and it’s great to see him. You can give him a ball in space and he’s very dangerous and it’s a joy to be playing alongside him because when we’re going forward, making 40 or 50 metre breaks and you have guys running off him, that gives the game great flow makes it really enjoyable for both players and supporters.”

With three done and one to go in the current PRO12 block of games, Denis remains wary of the threat that lies in store at the Liberty Stadium.

“I think it could be the toughest of the four tests. They’ll have a few of their players coming back from the 6 Nations squad and we’ll have one or two coming back as well. Given the fact we’ve gathered some good momentum in this block of games so far, we owe it to ourselves to go over, put in a good performance and hopefully get the result, but it won’t be easy.

“They’re a very physical team with a strong defence so space is going to be limited. It’s about how we adapt to that and try to get in behind them to try and get scores.

“Away at the Liberty is always a tough place to play. First and foremost we need a good start, to match them physically and to do our best to keep on top, but a good start is crucial.”

Ospreys v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 17, Saturday March 7th at the Liberty Stadium – KO 2:40pm.

This game will be televised on Sky Sports while you can also follow the action on Twitter: @munsterrugby #OspVMun