THOMOND PARK HAS hosted many of Munster’s most memorable days, but it’s Musgrave Park in Cork where the southern province will look to save their season in two weekends’ time.
In a way it’s somewhat fitting that Munster host Champions Cup qualification rivals Edinburgh in Cork, with Thomond Park now gradually losing the aura that made it nigh-on impenetrable in the past.
Munster's season is on the line in Musgrave Park in two weekends' time. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
At least Anthony Foley will be able to count on a packed-out stadium on Friday 29 April as Munster attempt to reclaim sixth position in the Guinness Pro12 from the visiting Scots.
Alan Solomons’ Edinburgh squeezed a losing bonus point out of Leinster on Friday night to jump above Munster in the league table, the dispiriting 35-14 defeat to Connacht on Saturday – and the failure to earn even a losing bonus point – merely confirming Munster’s drop to seventh as permanent.
Now outside the automatic qualification spots for next season’s Champions Cup, Munster look a shadow of their former great selves. Former Ulster coach Solomons, however, won’t be taking the route of beating them while they’re down.
Edinburgh travel to Munster in two weekends, before welcoming Cardiff to Murrayfield on the final day of the regular season, hopeful that they can retain sixth position.
I know Munster from my time in Ulster very well,” says Solomons. “You don’t go over there and have an easy game, it’s going to be really tough.
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“Cardiff are a much-improved side too, so though it’s at Murrayfield it’s going to be a tough game. But if we played with the commitment and character we showed [against Leinster], we are certainly in with a shout.
“We’ve got to first deal with Munster and I’ve got a massive amount of respect for Munster, I always have had. All the Irish sides are good, but certainly when I came to Ulster, they were the heartbeat of Irish rugby.
“It’s a critical game. They’re a very good side, our game at home was extremely tight. It’s going to be a tough game, we know that. They’ve got character as well and it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.”
Solomons with Leinster coach Leo Cullen. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Solomons’ belief is that Edinburgh “have to win both” games ahead of them if they are to achieve their goal of making the Champions Cup, with Munster finishing the regular season at home to the Scarlets, who still have top-four ambitions.
Speaking after his side’s defeat to Leinster, Solomons said he was “not massively optimistic” that centre Phil Burleigh would be fit to face Munster after an ankle injury, and the midfielder has since been cited for alleged contact with the eye area of Ben Te’o.
More positively for Edinburgh, Solomons feels Scotland centre Matt Scott may make his return, while rapid wing Dougie Fife will be back from international sevens duty.
Solomons was disappointed that his side gave away too many breakdown penalties, coughed up “some silly turnovers from poor passes and poor kicks” and therefore were forced to defend for long periods against Leinster.
However, he was encouraged by his side’s show of spirit after they were tested by injuries during the 30-23 defeat.
If I look back on the game, the first thing to do is give credit to the players,” said Solomons.
“We had a 6/2 split [on the bench] and we lost both of our centres at half-time. We had guys immediately out of position; [scrum-half] Sam Hidalgo-Clyne having to go out to the wing, Mikey Allen – who is a 13/wing, as you know from his days in Ulster – having to go to inside centre.
“That’s where your D gets a bit hammered and there was a try that came as a result of that. [Wing] Tommy Brown has never really played 13 in his life, he was at 13. I thought the courage and character they showed was terrific. We need to show character and we did.
“The courage and the character of the team came through. The bonus point is critical. We know we’ve got two massive games now.”
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'I've got massive respect for Munster' - Edinburgh target crucial Cork clash
THOMOND PARK HAS hosted many of Munster’s most memorable days, but it’s Musgrave Park in Cork where the southern province will look to save their season in two weekends’ time.
In a way it’s somewhat fitting that Munster host Champions Cup qualification rivals Edinburgh in Cork, with Thomond Park now gradually losing the aura that made it nigh-on impenetrable in the past.
At least Anthony Foley will be able to count on a packed-out stadium on Friday 29 April as Munster attempt to reclaim sixth position in the Guinness Pro12 from the visiting Scots.
Alan Solomons’ Edinburgh squeezed a losing bonus point out of Leinster on Friday night to jump above Munster in the league table, the dispiriting 35-14 defeat to Connacht on Saturday – and the failure to earn even a losing bonus point – merely confirming Munster’s drop to seventh as permanent.
Now outside the automatic qualification spots for next season’s Champions Cup, Munster look a shadow of their former great selves. Former Ulster coach Solomons, however, won’t be taking the route of beating them while they’re down.
Edinburgh travel to Munster in two weekends, before welcoming Cardiff to Murrayfield on the final day of the regular season, hopeful that they can retain sixth position.
“Cardiff are a much-improved side too, so though it’s at Murrayfield it’s going to be a tough game. But if we played with the commitment and character we showed [against Leinster], we are certainly in with a shout.
“We’ve got to first deal with Munster and I’ve got a massive amount of respect for Munster, I always have had. All the Irish sides are good, but certainly when I came to Ulster, they were the heartbeat of Irish rugby.
“It’s a critical game. They’re a very good side, our game at home was extremely tight. It’s going to be a tough game, we know that. They’ve got character as well and it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.”
Solomons’ belief is that Edinburgh “have to win both” games ahead of them if they are to achieve their goal of making the Champions Cup, with Munster finishing the regular season at home to the Scarlets, who still have top-four ambitions.
Speaking after his side’s defeat to Leinster, Solomons said he was “not massively optimistic” that centre Phil Burleigh would be fit to face Munster after an ankle injury, and the midfielder has since been cited for alleged contact with the eye area of Ben Te’o.
More positively for Edinburgh, Solomons feels Scotland centre Matt Scott may make his return, while rapid wing Dougie Fife will be back from international sevens duty.
Solomons was disappointed that his side gave away too many breakdown penalties, coughed up “some silly turnovers from poor passes and poor kicks” and therefore were forced to defend for long periods against Leinster.
However, he was encouraged by his side’s show of spirit after they were tested by injuries during the 30-23 defeat.
“We had a 6/2 split [on the bench] and we lost both of our centres at half-time. We had guys immediately out of position; [scrum-half] Sam Hidalgo-Clyne having to go out to the wing, Mikey Allen – who is a 13/wing, as you know from his days in Ulster – having to go to inside centre.
“That’s where your D gets a bit hammered and there was a try that came as a result of that. [Wing] Tommy Brown has never really played 13 in his life, he was at 13. I thought the courage and character they showed was terrific. We need to show character and we did.
“The courage and the character of the team came through. The bonus point is critical. We know we’ve got two massive games now.”
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Alan Solomons Guinness PRO12 Munster Play-off Edinburgh