Magnificent Munster claimed a precious pre-Christmas bonus when bagging a maximum five-point haul from their trip to France yesterday.
The win has propelled Munster into the driving seat in pool one of the Heineken Cup, two points clear of the Northampton Saints.
Munster became only the third team in Heineken Cup history to defeat French champions Perpignan at the Stade Aime Giral when recording a runaway 37-14 victory.
Afterwards Munster flanker David Wallace said that a few words of encouragement from the team’s technical advisor Anthony Foley after the side had scored their third try proved the catalyst for Doug Howlett’s crucial bonus-point clinching touchdown.
David Wallace explained to Sky Sports: “Anthony Foley came on after we scored the third try and as only Axel can, he focused the minds. He told us to just go after the bonus point because we were in a great position.
“The way the game was going it had become a lot looser and it could have gone either way with a pass. It had become almost 7s like.
“But it was our attitude, reacting to the ball first, that probably forced the turnover which led to the fourth try.”
Veteran Wallace said the team had remained confident that such an outstanding display wasn’t so far away despite the lacklustre displays of recent times.
“It was as good an away Munster performance as I can remember. We played well,” Wallace said.
“We have been struggling and stuttering for a bit.
“We knew we were very close, but still had to put the final touches to things. We came down here with a great attitude and managed to maintain it for the full game.
“We knew coming to France that we have to put teams under pressure. We needed to be relentless.
“Up front we wanted to work hard and tire them out. I felt we did that to great effect in the first half.
“They got a bit of momentum back towards the end of the first half, but we came out in the second and kept it going for the full 40 minutes and got the bonus point at the end.
“The breakdown went well for us.
“Overall, I felt it was a one to 15 effort from us. The key for us was to put them under pressure in all areas of the pitch.”
Delighted Munster coach Tony McGahan described the victory as the best away success he had seen during his time with the province.
“It was the best away win of my time as Munster coach. We hope there are a few more in us. I am absolutely delighted for the players,” Tony McGahan told Sky Sports.
“Perpignan is a tough place to come and to leave with a bonus point, it was absolutely outstanding.
“In the dressing room we have been talking about all the values we hold dear at Munster and really the players who have left the legacy for the team this year from this particular game.
“We felt that over the past few weeks it really has been coming together. We have been training very well on the training pitch. Today was certainly an opportunity, backs-against-the-wall, to put it all together. That brings out the best in us.
“The breakdown was key and it always is. They are an excellent side. Once they get a run they can do anything, but we held strong.”
Meanwhile on the club front Garryowen set up an AIB Cup final meeting with Munster rivals Cork Constitution at Dubarry Park, Athlone on January 30 after securing an impressive 16-9 semi-final win over Dolphin at Musgrave Park on Saturday.
COLM KINSELLA
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