Pics & Quotes | Cardiff Preparations

The squad gathered at the High Performance Centre in UL yesterday as preparations stepped up for the challenge of Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park this Saturday at 1.30pm. See our training shots and get the pre-match thoughts of Andrew Conway.

Click here to view our latest training gallery.

One of the province’s standout performers in the opening-three wins of the season, Andrew Conway, like the rest of the matchday 23, endured a night to forget in the red jersey as Glasgow laid to rest the demons of four straight losses to Munster with a comprehensive 37-10 drubbing of Erasmus charges.  In dissecting last weekend’s performance, Conway hopes lessons can be learnt.

“A tough day pretty much sums it up, we reviewed it this morning and it didn’t make for pleasant viewing.  We were really poor in a number of different areas, lacked intensity, lacked physicality and lacked accuracy.  Play like that against a team like Glasgow and you are going to get a hiding.

“Glasgow were foaming at the mouth after we beat them four-from-four last season.  We thought we had prepared mentally enough for that, but obviously we didn’t and we’ll have to take a lot of harsh learnings from that and apply them going forward.”

Having stuck to pretty much the same side across the opening four rounds, this weekend may see a change in combinations at different stages in the game with Rassie Erasmus hinting that Munster’s Lions contingent may make a return this weekend.  Yet Conway maintains the bedding-in of returning talent should in no way upset the apple cart.

“I’m sure they are raring to go – when the team are winning you want to be involved and when they are losing you think you can help out and make the necessary impact.  Conor, CJ and Pete will be mad to go, as will Keith Earls who has not played this season either.

“Their transition back into the side should be pretty seamless.  Me for example, this is my fifth season in Munster and I’m used to playing with all those guys.  I know from chasing Conor’s box-kicks for quite a while where he’s looking to go.  It’s an easy out to say that players coming back into the mix will affect the performance this weekend.  Player rotation is part and parcel of professional sport, playing different guys for different games, keeping guys fresh and hungry – that can only benefit you and it’s what all the best sides do.”

Saturday’s game sees somewhat of a battle within a battle as the team, collectively, chase a win, while players, individually, stake their claim for selection in an increasingly competitive squad.

“We undoubtedly have an element of that this weekend, but to be honest we have that every game.  Nobody is guaranteed a spot and every time you go out on the pitch, yes you want to play well for yourself, but more importantly you want to play well for the team – do that and you’re in a good position to be selected for the team.

“Very few played well against Glasgow so anyone who retains their place for Cardiff this weekend know that they have to perform this time around.  You can have an off-day once in a while, but that’s where you draw the line.”

As regards Saturday’s challenge in Limerick, Conway and Munster are awaiting a side brimming with confidence.

“They had a good win against us in Cork last year and that was a really tough game from what I remember.  We lacked physicality, they worked harder and bullied us around the park.  They know that they have come here and beaten us, plus they have just beaten Connacht in Galway and will have no fear of travelling to Thomond Park whatsoever.

“They’ll target nothing short of last year’s result in Cork and having seen how we pitched up last week they’ll be thinking, ‘lets do something similar to Glasgow and be really physical, aggressive, play a bit of ball and see that Munster have’.  That’s what they do and they do it really well.

“But for us, we’re excited to have the chance to right the wrongs of last weekend in Glasgow.”

Munster v Cardiff Tickets

• Adults from €20
• Families from €40
• Juniors from €7

Click here to purchase your Munster v Cardiff Blues tickets.

Munster v Cardiff Hospitality

Enjoy the game in the comfort and privacy of your own Executive Box, complete with dinner, drinks and tickets located directly outside the door.  Box prices from €1,250 (seats 15).

Alternatively, soak up the atmosphere of the Thomond Suite complete with dinner, live band pre & post-match, tickets directly outside the suite and much more.  Prices from €75pp.

Click here for more Munster v Cardiff hospitality information and bookings.

🎟️ 🥂 🇪🇺 Next up @thomondstadium it’s Cardiff, then European is back with Racing 92

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— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 19, 2017