MUNSTER SECOND ROW Donncha O’Callaghan has warned his team-mates that a big improvement is needed if they are to get anything from this Sunday’s return fixture with Saracens.
After beating the Premiership side 15 – 9 at Thomond Park, Munster sit level with Mark McCall’s men on 10 points at the top of Pool 1, but with two away trips to come, face an uphill battle to top the group and guarantee a quarter-final place.
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The veteran lock says that Munster will stick to the full-blooded direct style which earned the result last weekend, but must improve each facet to avoid being ‘exposed’.
“There’s little things (to improve). You wouldn’t want to go too far away from what you’re at.” O’Callaghan told TV3′s The 5.30.
“There are areas of the game you can improve on from studying how they play against you. Playing teams back-to-back is a good test of yourselves because they expose all your weaknesses really.”
O’Callaghan attempted to place Munster firmly in the ‘underdog’ bracket by highlighting the threat which Sarries will carry on home turf.
“You look at Vicarage Road as a fortress now and you nearly have a fear of getting hammered out the gate which is a big thing.
“You make mistakes against quality opposition like this and, before you know it, you’re 21 points down before you’re even in the game. So we just have to up our performance.”
O'Callaghan: Munster must improve to avoid being 'beaten out the gate'
MUNSTER SECOND ROW Donncha O’Callaghan has warned his team-mates that a big improvement is needed if they are to get anything from this Sunday’s return fixture with Saracens.
After beating the Premiership side 15 – 9 at Thomond Park, Munster sit level with Mark McCall’s men on 10 points at the top of Pool 1, but with two away trips to come, face an uphill battle to top the group and guarantee a quarter-final place.
The veteran lock says that Munster will stick to the full-blooded direct style which earned the result last weekend, but must improve each facet to avoid being ‘exposed’.
“There’s little things (to improve). You wouldn’t want to go too far away from what you’re at.” O’Callaghan told TV3′s The 5.30.
“There are areas of the game you can improve on from studying how they play against you. Playing teams back-to-back is a good test of yourselves because they expose all your weaknesses really.”
O’Callaghan attempted to place Munster firmly in the ‘underdog’ bracket by highlighting the threat which Sarries will carry on home turf.
“You make mistakes against quality opposition like this and, before you know it, you’re 21 points down before you’re even in the game. So we just have to up our performance.”
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European Rugby Champions Cup Donncha O'Callaghan Munster Pool 1 Saracens vicarage road