Jones: They Have Talent Across The Field

Munster full-back Felix Jones previews this weekend’s Guinness PRO12 semi-final at home to Ospreys and is understandably wary of the Welshmen as they look to make it three wins on the bounce over the province.

To ship 50 points on any side is a bold statement of intent – Munster doing so against Dragons last weekend – but with four tries also conceded to their visitors, Jones recognises the lessons that need to be learnt ahead of this weekend’s knock-out encounter.

“It’s great to be in the play-offs and to be playing at Thomond Park. Things are very tight and as we saw last weekend there could have been any number of permutations as to who would bag a home semi-final. There’s no doubt that the Champions Cup qualification dimension has added a new focus to the league this season.

“It was a great day down in Cork, a dry ball and a hard pitch set the game up for a lot of good running rugby and although we scored 50 points we let in a number of scores that we weren’t too happy about so during the review in recent days we’ve discussed both the positives and negatives. It’s important we correct the latter heading into this weekend.”

Having done all they could against Dragons on Leeside, and following Warriors’ bonus point win over Ulster, Munster’s semi-final fate rested on whether or not Ospreys’ could also secure a bonus point win away to Connacht. Despite the Welsh outfit securing three tries in the opening 40, the western province emerged a different beast after the interval, rendering Ospreys’ scoreless and helping their provincial counterparts to their first home semi-final since May 2011.

Such a close run-in for top 2 qualification makes Jones acutely aware of the small margins at play in the closing stages of the Guinness PRO12, especially against and in-form Ospreys side.

“There are an impressive side with talent right across the pitch including some world class Welsh internationals. They're a proven side who have already beaten us twice this season and are themselves unlucky not to have a home semi-final, it could very easily have been us travelling over there this weekend. Things will be very tight again at Thomond Park.”

On Ospreys last visit to Limerick saw them secure the spoils on a 14-19 scoreline in September.

“To ship a defeat so early in the season was a tough one to take but that is testament to how good a side Ospreys are. There were no complaints that day, they turned up and were the deserved victors. We have grown since then and we get another chance at them this weekend so it’s important that we turn up and put in the performance that we’re capable of.”

Join the 14,000 plus who have already signed up to cheer on Felix and the lads this Saturday at 2.30pm.
Tickets from just €;20 for Adults and great value Family Terrace Packs from just €;40 are available to purchase online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.

GROUP SPECIAL OFFER – 20 Junior tickets & 5 Adult tickets just €;100.
Should your local youth groups, club or school, etc be interested in availing of this offer, please contact the Munster Rugby Ticket Office on 061-421103 or by emailing tickets@munsterrugby.ie
These tickets are subject to availability so don't delay and are located in the terraces at Thomond Park.