MUNSTER HOOKER Mike Sherry refuses to concede his side’s Champions Cup campaign is over despite back-to-back defeats against Pool Four rivals Leicester.
Anthony Foley’s side have five points after three games but, with home and away meetings with Stade Francais as well as a trip to Treviso in January, there is potentially 15 points on offer next month.
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“It’s a big hill to climb but we won’t stop believing until it’s mathematically impossible,” said Sherry. “It’s a big challenge ahead and hopefully we can win the last three games and put our best foot forward.”
Before Sherry and his team-mates target a second European assault in the New Year, there is the small matter of two derbies against Leinster and Ulster in the coming weeks.
That’s the beautiful thing about being a professional rugby player. We have another game against Leinster next week and then Ulster away. Then, it’s three Champions Cup games in a row. We’ll review this on Monday, we’ll try to get over it quickly and learn from what we did and didn’t do. It’s a great opportunity next week at Thomond Park against Leinster. It’s always a big game so we can’t feel too sorry for ourselves.”
Despite a fortnight of disappointment, there is a sense that Munster are developing as an attacking force.
Sherry, in particular, impressed around the park alongside his fellow frontrower James Cronin, who was hugely prominent in open play at Welford Road. Francis Saili is developing into a serious attacking threat in midfield, while CJ Stander continues to lead from the front.
The foundations are there, but this Munster squad must develop a ruthless edge if they want to become a serious contender in Europe again.
“We had to come over here and work hard against a big pack and try to move them around the pitch,” added Sherry. “Again, we did that but we didn’t finish off the points so it’s 90 per cent there. The 10 per cent is the crucial part that wins you matches and we’re not doing it at the moment.”
Sherry insists Munster's Champions Cup dream is still alive
MUNSTER HOOKER Mike Sherry refuses to concede his side’s Champions Cup campaign is over despite back-to-back defeats against Pool Four rivals Leicester.
Anthony Foley’s side have five points after three games but, with home and away meetings with Stade Francais as well as a trip to Treviso in January, there is potentially 15 points on offer next month.
“It’s a big hill to climb but we won’t stop believing until it’s mathematically impossible,” said Sherry. “It’s a big challenge ahead and hopefully we can win the last three games and put our best foot forward.”
Before Sherry and his team-mates target a second European assault in the New Year, there is the small matter of two derbies against Leinster and Ulster in the coming weeks.
Despite a fortnight of disappointment, there is a sense that Munster are developing as an attacking force.
Sherry, in particular, impressed around the park alongside his fellow frontrower James Cronin, who was hugely prominent in open play at Welford Road. Francis Saili is developing into a serious attacking threat in midfield, while CJ Stander continues to lead from the front.
The foundations are there, but this Munster squad must develop a ruthless edge if they want to become a serious contender in Europe again.
“We had to come over here and work hard against a big pack and try to move them around the pitch,” added Sherry. “Again, we did that but we didn’t finish off the points so it’s 90 per cent there. The 10 per cent is the crucial part that wins you matches and we’re not doing it at the moment.”
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Anthony Foley Hope Mike Sherry Munster Leicester Tigers Stade Français Treviso