Stander ‘We Know What’s At Stake’

With tickets now sold out for Friday night’s pivotal Guinness PRO12 encounter against Edinburgh in Cork, Munster captain CJ Stander says his side are in ‘final mode’ for what is, to all intents and purposes, a must win game in the race for Champions Cup qualification.

Edinburgh make the journey to Irish Independent Park level on league points with the Munstermen and 13 points adrift of their Scottish counterparts Glasgow Warriors, therefore knowing that a win is also essential to their Champions Cup aspirations.  If either Munster or Edinburgh fall short of their ‘A game’ on Friday, it’s likely the consequence will be non-qualification for top flight European Rugby next season.  Consequently Stander is expecting a titanic battle on Leeside.
 
“Edinburgh are going to come out looking to win the game, so we need to match that attitude. They are ahead of us in the league. We want to be where they are.
 
“Everyone knows what is on the line for us this week and everyone is concentrated on Edinburgh.”
 
Both sides enter this Round 21 contest off the back of defeats – Munster leaving the Sportsground empty handed but Edinburgh at least salvaging a losing bonus point against Leinster in the RDS.  In attempting to restore pride and salvage their season, minds and ambitions within the Munster squad have never been more focused as they head into the final two rounds.
 
“We didn’t have a game this weekend, so all the focus has been on ourselves as we know what’s at stake in the next two games. After the Connacht match, there was obviously disappointment, but the boys came back and they know they have a job to do this Friday night and it has all kicked on from there. Everyone is in training mode from here, almost final mode, as the next two games are finals for us. These games are everything to us for next year.”
 
“The mistakes and the small things that have cost us, need to be fixed. 
 
“It is pressure, but luckily, we know what we need to do. We know where we want to be this year and also next year. When you take things on as a group, you can spread the pressure.”
 
Munster v Edinburgh, Guinness PRO12 Round 21, Friday April 29th at Irish independent Park, Cork – KO 7.35pm.

This game is now sold out and will be televised live on TG4.