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Momentous day in Foley's Munster tenure awaits against Tigers in Thomond

The former number eight needs his players to deliver against Leicester.

LOSE AND IT’S difficult to see Munster going through from Pool 4.

Win against Leicester tomorrow and they will become the number one hope for Ireland to have at least one province in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Anthony Foley Foley's Munster find themselves under European pressure already. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

It’s not over the top to suggest that tomorrow is the biggest day in Anthony Foley’s tenure as Munster head coach so far. With a sense of negativity swirling around the province after consecutive Pro12 defeats to Connacht and the Dragons, Foley needs his players to deliver.

When he’s asked if tomorrow will be season defining, Foley immediately recalls last year’s home pool defeat to Clermont as a means for replying in the affirmative.

“Look, the same game last year was against Clermont at home and we lost that and when we got to round six that was the game that cost us getting out of our group.”

Succinct and telling. Foley understands the weight of this clash against an in-form Leicester side that appears to have benefited hugely from the addition of Aaron Mauger as their coach this season.

The Tigers’ longstanding set-piece strength has been augmented by an increased focus on Canterbury-esque passing and width. Tongan signing Telusa Veainu has been a revelation in the back three, while the injury-enforced absences of Manu Tuilagi and Jean de Villiers haven’t been felt too heavily yet.

“They do have a lot of strings to their bow,” says Foley. “They have a huge pack that will scrummage you, will win their line-out, will maul you if you allow them. And (Ben) Youngs at half back is good, (Owen) Williams, (Tommy) Bell, they put the forwards around the pitch but when they get the ball, they can go through the middle of you.

“If they want to play with width, they can do that too. They have a back three that can cut anyone open. It is important for us to make sure we look after our ball and play in the right areas of the pitch which we haven’t done in the last couple of weeks.”

Anthony Foley Foley needs his players to rebound. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Indeed, Munster have utterly failed to impress in the last fortnight after a relatively satisfying opening stanza to the season.

The defeats to Connacht and the Dragons saw Munster look uncertain in attack, lethargic and unaggressive in defence and generally unmotivated.

Foley reflects upon the postponed Stade Français fixture last month as a hindrance to Munster, disturbing the confidence they had taken from a bonus-point win at home to Treviso in dire conditions the previous week.

The former number eight points to three glaring missed try chances against the Welsh region as potentially having changed the game, while stating his belief that Munster “are not a million miles away.”

Foley’s feeling is that Munster can rebound for a momentous European occasion, as they have done so often in the past.

“I would like to think so,” says Foley. “There was not a lot of talking done (before training this week). Talking was done beforehand. Players and coaches understand what we need to do this week.”

If that understanding doesn’t turn into a performance and a result, Foley could find himself facing some heavy criticism. He knows better than most that the buck stops with the head coach.

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6 Comments
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    Mute Barry Kelleher
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:39 PM

    When will this blatant poor refereeing end.

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    Mute IrishSportives.ie
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:57 PM

    @Barry Kelleher: never. Ref mistakes are part and parcel of the game. Even VAR won’t eliminate mistakes

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:02 PM

    @IrishSportives.ie: Things that are up to interpretation will probably never be fully corrected but both of these decisions would have been overturned.

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:10 PM

    @IrishSportives.ie: Decision wasn’t even a close one as he was clearly off

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    Mute D H
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    Mar 16th 2019, 10:59 PM

    @Barry Kelleher: where was Var?

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:07 PM

    Every game for about three months now Man City have gotten decisions in their favour. Bad ones too, going right back to Kompany cleaning out Salah as the last man but getting a yellow… Offsides, penalties. It’s remarkable.

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    Mute David Weston
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:10 PM

    @James Doyle: poor James

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    Mute James Doyle
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:02 PM

    @David Weston: you get me wrong, man. I’m delighted City have another game in April.

    Just pointing out the reality of this incredible lucky streak they’re on with refs, and keeping in mind the old maxim “it all evens out over a season”.

    There’s some evening out to be had, in that case. And that will be fun.

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:47 PM

    Offside winner and the penalty was never a foul. VAR can’t come soon enough.

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    Mute Willy Motley
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:45 PM

    The more games they play the better for Liverpool

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    Mute Chicken George
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:04 PM

    @Willy Motley: go on….

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Mar 16th 2019, 7:50 PM

    Was a great tackle to win the ball for pen. How could they not see change in flight. Var should be in every stadium

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    Mute Colm Connolly
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:31 PM

    @Yorkie1892: it is in Swanseas stadium but can’t be used as there not in the top division of the game was at the eitihad car would have been used

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Mar 16th 2019, 9:34 PM

    @Colm Connolly: Ridiculous though, they had VAR there last season but they went down a division so the FA won’t have it implemented there.

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    Mute Johnny O Flaherty
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:44 PM

    It’s a shame such a prestigious cup is rigged

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    Mute Succulent Goujons
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    Mar 16th 2019, 8:51 PM

    It was a valiant effort overshadowed by poor refereeing. Bercant Celina has been electric all season. Come you Jacks.

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    Mute Liam O Sullivan
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    Mar 16th 2019, 10:22 PM

    @Succulent Goujons: and Danny James tearing Otamendi and Laporte new ones. Shame they aren’t that motivated more often!

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    Mute Damien Byrne
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    Mar 16th 2019, 11:28 PM

    Selective VAR introduction making a mockery of the FA Cup yet again..

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