In Pics: Stade Preparations

See our latest training shots in the build-up to Saturday’s Champions Cup return encounter with Stade Francais in Thomond Park. Plus, Head Coach Anthony Foley previews what he hopes will be a much improved performance from the men in red this weekend.

CLICK HERE to see our Training Gallery.
 
In dissecting what went wrong in last Saturday’s 27-7 defeat, Foley highlighted the harsh lessons learnt in Paris and is determined the same mistakes won’t be made again.
 
“When you have a good look at the game, and watch it for the 5^th or 6^th time, you can see the wood from the trees, and what we need to do to change.  You go to Paris, and come up against a team – whether it’s a club side or the national side in the past – you know the importance of the first 20 minutes of the game.  I think we managed that really well.  We had an opportunity with Keats, and we had an opportunity off the tee.  After 30 mins – you’re in the stand thinking that if we can get 3, 6, 9 against them – put them under pressure, turn the crowd against them.  But it didn’t happen.  What happened was the other side managed to get a try, convert it and squeeze out another 3 points, and suddenly things start moving away from you.  We weren’t that far away at times, but then at the end of the game we were miles away.  The last 15 minutes were unacceptable.  We were playing for our lives out there, and for us to fall off and be that loose with the ball is something that’s so important.  We have definitely drawn a lot of conclusions from that and hopefully we won’t see that again going forward.”
 
Despite Saturday’s loss ending Munster’s chances of progression to the knock out stages this season, Foley believes a lot can be taken from the final two rounds of European action and has set some immediate goals before a return to the PRO12.
 
“We need to build confidence, mentality and attitude through the next two pool games, and then we have another trip to Italy which is an important game against Zebre (PRO12).  They’ve been doing quite well this year – they seem to have turned a corner and gotten some momentum into their season.  They’ve a lot of players in the national squad announced recently so they are producing and getting results on the pitch, and producing internationals as well.  It’s a tough place to go, and it has always been a tough place to go.  That’s the light at the end of the tunnel – we need to get through these next two games and build ourselves up again and hopefully get a stronger mentality.”
 
To date, over 17,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off and while Foley is first to admit that on-field performances have not been of the required standard, the Head Coach is hoping supporters will keep faith with his charges as they look to return to form with half of the season still to play.
 
“We need to encourage the fans to come back out.  People follow us because we have certain traits that they can recognise and follow.  I think at the moment we have let that down at times by not having portrayed those traits.  We need to fight to the bitter end, and I think we will do that in this pool.  We will come out on Saturday at 1pm, and the boys will give absolutely everything they have for the jersey.  I would encourage the fans to come and support them.  At times, that is essentially what you need.  In the past, I remember a game in Twickenham in 2000, and we were at a low ebb out on the pitch, and the fans got connected with us, and from there we had great days.  We had a lot of great days but we had some bad days on that route as well, so it’s a matter of maybe reconnecting with the team and the team reconnecting with their fans and really trying to build something for the future.”
 
On the news that incoming Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell has joined the province in a temporary advisory role, Foley added,
 
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down to be honest.  I spoke highly about him last week.  I had a meeting later last week with Garrett (Fitzgerald) and John Kelly (Chairman of Professional Game Board) and Andy’s name came up as a possible person to come in on a consultancy basis.  It was a very short conversation – it was something I jumped at in terms of getting a different voice.  No different to what we got last year when we brought Franco Ascione (Technical Director of the Italian Rugby Federation) to come in, run a few workshops with the coaches, sessions with the academy.  Andy will come in, sit in the background, have a look at how we coach, how we present, the information that we are giving, players have a chat with him…he’s a top man as I said last week.  Hopefully he will develop conversations within the group.  We will get some feedback as a coaching management group and hopefully that will help us going forward.  It’s as much about him getting to know us much as us getting to know him as well and developing a relationship over a couple of days a week.”  

Munster v Stade Francais, European Champions Cup Round 5, Saturday January 16^th at Thomond Park – KO 1pm.

Tickets
The whole family (2 adults & 2 kids) can enjoy this lunchtime kick-off from just €;60, while adult and student tickets start from as little as €;20 and €;10 respectively.

Get your tickets online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.

Tickets for this game can also be purchased as part of a Three Match Pack. Choose this game and any two home PRO12 games. Match Packs start from just €;45 and also save you 10% across the cost of all three tickets. Click here to build yours.

Train
Those travelling from Kent Station, Cork on matchday can choose from the following departure times including 7:00, 8:00, 9:20 and 10:20am. 

Those returning to Cork after the game can choose from the 4:45, 5:45, 6:50, 7:50 and 8:45pm services.

Those travelling from Heuston Station, Dublin can also choose from a variety of departure times including 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00am. 

Those returning to Dublin can choose between the 3:45, 4:45, 5:45, 6:50, 7:50 and 8:45pm services.

Fares start from just €;12.99 each way. To book and for more information please click here.