In Pics: Final Preparations

Munster trained in the sun at Thomond Park yesterday as preparations continue for Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 Final against Ospreys. See the action shots and get the pre-match thoughts of Head Coach Anthony Foley as he warns his players to play the opposition and not the occasion.

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Head Coach Anthony Foley met with media after yesterday’s session and with the chance of Munster’s first silverware since 2011 on offer, Foley is looking for his side to dig-deep one last time this season.

“Every final takes a life of its own and we need to make sure we prepare for the opposition and not the occasion. We’re prepared well so far this week and will continue to do so. Hopefully we can get a bright positive performance from the lads. Even after 48 weeks of tough physical rugby we need to summon up one more big performance to give us a chance of winning some silverware.”

This weekend sees both sides well versed in each other’s style of play. With one victory apiece from their previous encounters this season, it was also Warriors who denied Munster a place in last season’s final following a fiercely competitive semi-final at Scotstoun – 16-15 the full time score.

“They are a very dangerous side, they managed to take the momentum from Ulster in the second half last weekend and get the win. For us against them, it has been up and down – they managed to beat us in the semi last year and overturn our good start against them over in Round 10, but then we managed to get one back in Cork the last time out.

“It’s a matter now of understanding where both teams are at. We have been travelling well of late so it’s about maintaining that and getting our set piece working properly to give us a platform to play off. As of today things could not have gone better in training and now it’s about managing the next 48 hours, making sure we are fresh and good to go up in Belfast.”

Foley also fielded question on the possibility of Saturday’s final being Paul O’Connell’s final game in the red of Munster.

“To be honest, and this is how the man himself would want it, we’re not even talking about it. Obviously it is in everybody’s mind but we know what comes first is being on top of our jobs – making sure our set piece, catch/pass and breakdown work is accurate and making sure we don’t take our eye off the ball.

“Glasgow are a super side with ball in hand and will attack from anywhere. They also have great offloading ability and great character within their side – Strauss, Russell, Gray and Kellock to name a few all have serious ability.

“They have a huge rampaging pack that we’ll need to manage but it’s also about us not sitting back, we need to go at them and judging on the contests we’ve had with them over the last number of years it should be a very good game.”

Munster v Glasgow Warriors, Guinness PRO12 Final, Saturday May 30^th at Kingspan Stadium – KO 6.30pm.

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