Foley: It Should Be A Very Tasty Affair
After a disappointing GUINNESS PRO12 defeat to the Scarlets, the Munster squad gathered in UL yesterday to commence preparations for this Friday’s interprovincial derby showdown with Ulster at Thomond Park (kick-off 6pm).
Following on from his late withdrawal from the matchday squad in Llanelli, Tyler Bleyendaal sat out training yesterday afternoon in further resting a tight quad. Head coach Anthony Foley will review the player’s availability as the week continues.
The Munster squad has been boosted by the return of Rugby World Cup representative Simon Zebo, while his Ireland colleague Donnacha Ryan returns to the set-up today.
Foley will make a decision about their return to provincial action later in the week, explaining: “With anything around fellas coming back from a big tournament, off a big disappointment, they are physically in great shape but we need to see mentally where they are at.
“We are going into week three now of a 16-week block. You don’t want to put them in early and suffer the consequences later.”
A number of Munster representatives were among the try scorers in the Munster Senior Cup over the weekend, with Darren Sweetnam and the Academy’s Tomás Quinlan and Liam O’Connor all crossing for Cork Constitution in their 57-6 win over Highfield at Woodleigh Park.
In previewing Friday night’s encounter with the Ulstermen, Foley added: “It was a kick of a ball in it last year. They had a kick to win it in Thomond Park and they managed to kick it from out in the touchline to draw it above in Kingspan so there isn’t much between the sides.
“Both sides have their one or two bangs and knocks, and fellas returning from international duty, it should be a very, very tasty affair in Thomond Park. It will be a game that you need to be at – you need to be live at it because it’s going to be a tasty one.”
Munster v Ulster family terrace packs for €;40 and general tickets can be bought online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices in Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park or by calling 0818 719 300.
With the school mid-term break, Munster Rugby are getting into the spooky spirit of things with a free Halloween Fancy Dress party prior to kick-off in The Dugout Bar and Fanzone Plaza.
The party is free and open to all children under the age of 16 years and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club will be on hand with plenty of prizes up for grabs for best dressed and more.
This is sure to be a great night for all the family, so make sure to get dressed up and join us at The Dugout Bar and Fanzone Plaza for Munster’s own ‘Night of the Living Red’ on October 30!