Munster’s young guns impressed in last Friday night’s pre-season friendly against a full-strength Leicester Tigers. And, the province’s management team will be hoping that the emerging players can stake a further claim for inclusion in the side to face Aironi Rugby in their opening Magners League fixture of the season at Musgrave Park on Saturday, September 4 when they take on Gloucester in their final pre-season friendly this Friday night (7.30pm).
Speaking at the launch of the new Magners League season at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Tuesday Paul O’Connell said the emergence of the young blood within the squad would serve to freshen things up.
“The young guys have really stepped up to the mark. It is something we need in the squad,” O’Connell said.
“We need some young blood on the pitch playing and we need some young blood around the dressing room as well. It has been a little while coming.
“The British & Irish Cup was good for them last year. Hopefully a few of these guys come in and can step up this season. They will bring a fresh voice and a fresh way of doing things.
“When we won the Magners League two years ago, the main reason we did so was because of the strength in depth in the squad. During the autumn internationals and Six Nations games, I think I am right in saying, we won all our games. That was where we won the competition.
“Hopefully the young guys coming through in the squad can contribute in a similar way this season. Last season we reached two semi-finals.
“There probably always is pressure on us to deliver trophies. I don’t think that is a bad thing. I believe it makes us better. It makes us strive to produce higher standards all the time.
“We probably got to the semi-finals last season not playing the way we wanted to. It was disappointing not to pick up a trophy last season. There will be a big focus to try and win something this season.”
Paul O’Connell is recovering from a long-term groin injury and is not expected to return to competitive action until December. The Lions captain admitted that the prolonged period on the sideline is frustrating.
“I am not a very good spectator. I struggle a bit with it,” Paul O’Connell admitted.
“It is hard when you are captain and the lads are doing all the hard work.
“You end up commenting on things. It is all well and good when you are doing the hard work with them, but when you are sitting on the sidelines watching it is hard. It will be hard, but I have to grin and bear it. I will have plenty to say. I will be opinionated.”
Munster have also been boosted by the return of Denis Leamy, Donnacha Ryan, Ian Dowling and Felix Jones from long-term injuries ahead of the start of the season.
“Last year against Perpignan away in December was probably our best performance of the season and Denis Leamy was outstanding in that game.
“It was a great lift. Then you hear about his injury the following morning and it is so deflating for everyone.
“To have him back and to see how well he played against Leicester on Friday night was a big boost. He is a real talisman for us, a leader. He is a very important ball carrier for us.”
Meanwhile Munster fans were sighing with relief on Tuesday afternoon when news broke that Keith Earls had avoided a serious ankle injury.
Earls picked up an injury in a non-contact situation during rehabiliation work on an existing groin problem, but an X-ray revealed no new break.
The outstanding utility back will undergo further medical examination later in the week to determine the full extent of the damage.
The IRFU have insisted that the injury happened during training with the Munster squad, and not with the Ireland squad, who are currently involved in a 35-man camp in Belfast.
COLM KINSELLA
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