In Pics: Preparing For Zebre

With yesterday’s inclement weather conditions, Munster moved training to the all-weather surfaces at CIT as Foley’s men continue their build-up to Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 clash away to Zebre – KO 2pm (Irish). Check out the latest training shots and our chat with scrum-half Tomás O’Leary.

CLICK HERE to see yesterday’s training shots.
 
Since re-joining Munster from London Irish this season, 32-year-old O’Leary has made 12 appearances for his native province across all competitions and the Cork-man is hoping he and his teammates can put aside recent poor performances and return to form with the league all to play for.
 
“I’m enjoying being back.  Obviously it’s been a tough couple of months in terms of results but hopefully we’re back on track now and can maintain winning ways. 
 
“You look back at Europe now and it was the Leicester games that got away from us.  We had a great opportunity to win both of those game and had we won either we would have been right in the mix.
 
“While it was frustrating a few weeks, we weren’t that far away, but knock-out qualification is the standard that Munster has set for itself and it was disappointing not to achieve it.
 
“Hopefully things have come back on track and now it’s about focusing on the league, qualifying for Europe next year and targeting a place in the PRO12 play-offs.”
 
An away win this weekend would greatly help such ambitions, but O’Leary knows that achieving such a feat won’t come easy, especially on Italian soil.
 
“With a few lads out and more gone to Irish camp, it gives others a good opportunity but Zebre have improved massively, especially at home, so regardless of who’s playing we will need to hit the ground running this weekend. 
 
“They have a very strong scrum and maul with very good half-backs and we’re looking forward to kick-off on Saturday.”
 
Zebre v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 12, Saturday January 30th at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi – KO 2pm (Irish).