B&I Cup Bandon Bound
11th January 2017 By Munster Rugby
With fate firmly in their own hands, Munster A welcome Doncaster Knights to Bandon RFC this Friday night at 7pm as they bid to secure a home quarter final in this season’s British and Irish Cup.
A baptism of fire for Peter Malone’s young charges in Pool 1 saw them suffer a 15-30 defeat to reigning champions London Welsh at Midleton RFC in October, however this result would later be discounted after the English Championship outfit went into liquidation and were subsequently disqualified from the competition.
Given the impact of this on the other clubs in Pool 2 and potentially other clubs in the competition, especially in terms of the final standings, the B&I Cup Organising Committee agreed that the calculation for the best runner up spots would instead be decided on a pro rata basis by taking into account competition points against matches played.
Since then Munster A have done all that could be asked of them, achieving three bonus point wins in a row – home (Ennis RFC) and away to Rotherham Titans before securing a quarter final spot in last Saturday’s clash with Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.
The province now bring the return encounter with Knights to Bandon RFC with a lot to play for. The Munstermen’s ability to secure maximum points in the last three rounds places them at the very top of the competition standings and consequently need a win to secure a home quarter final and a bonus point win to become the top seeds where they would face the 8th placed qualifier in the knock out stages.
Perhaps serving as a good omen for the blend of youth and experience that will take to the field in Bandon this Friday night, the last time Munster A played in the West Cork town they included the likes of Rory and Niall Scannell, Andrew Conway, Billy Holland, Ronan O’Mahony and local favourite Darren Sweetnam, all of whom went on to excel in the red jersey with Holland making his international debut against Canada in November.
Having honed his rugby skills just down the road in Bandon Grammar, Darren Sweetnam will be in attendance on Friday night to meet fans before kick-off.
Meanwhile, the province can today confirm that Munster A will face Saracens Storm in a challenge game at Allianz Park, London on Friday January 20th at 7.30pm.
Munster A v Doncaster Knights, British and Irish Cup, Friday January 13 at Bandon RFC – KO 7pm.
Tickets for Munster A v Doncaster Knights can be purchased online here.
Entry is free for all MRSC and 10 Year ticket holders on production of membership cards or season tickets.
