RASSIE ERASMUS’ MUNSTER look to build on a fine start to their Guinness Pro12 campaign when they face the Cardiff Blues this evening in Musgrave Park [KO 7.35pm, TG4].
The Welsh region have their own reasons to be optimistic for this meeting, after they impressed in a 34-16 win over Edinburgh last weekend.
Attacking steps
Chief among Munster’s aims tonight will be showing more in attack, having been limited to just 40% of the possession against the Scarlets last time out.
Erasmus will want to see more of Munster’s attack. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Ronan O’Mahony and James Cronin scored good tries in Wales, but lineout problems and the testing conditions meant Munster’s passages of attack were restricted.
Munster’s phase-play and set-piece attack was largely direct and narrow against the Scarlets and, with a forecast for rain in Cork, a similar formula would seem likely.
Clever running lines close to the ruck, simple short passes between forwards and aggressive rucking were hallmarks of Cronin’s try and Erasmus will expect that foundation to be maintained.
A little more ball for centres Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin, as well as the dynamic Darren Sweetnam on the wing, would be welcome.
Click Here: soccer jackets
Keatley’s control
With Tyler Bleyendaal sitting this game out with a calf strain – how Munster must be hoping this issue will remedied swiftly – Ian Keatley returns to the 10 short after making a replacement appearance last weekend.
Keatley is back in the 10 shirt. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
The four-times capped Ireland international delivered a solid performance last time out and also had several sharp contributions in the pre-season.
Keatley had a difficult 2015/16 campaign but does appear to be refreshed under the new coaching ticket. At the age of 29, the province needs him to show more control and poise than has been the case at times in the past.
Keatley has always been more than capable of delivering moments of superb skill, but the smallest of errors are magnified in the 10 shirt. If he can find balance and composure in his kicking game, Munster will be in good shape this evening.
CJ’s first charge
Having missed Ireland’s second Test in South Africa [as well as a large portion of the first], CJ Stander makes his Munster return a little earlier than international team-mates Conor Murray and Keith Earls.
Stander is on the Munster bench. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO
A huge fan favourite, his introduction in Musgrave Park is sure to bring one of the biggest cheers of the night.
Stander is likely to captain Munster on occasions this season, but with Peter O’Mahony close to a comeback the George native can focus solely on delivering high-quality performances.
Not that the captaincy meant Stander didn’t; he was remarkably consistent for Munster last season. Erasmus will be glad to get his bruising back row moving towards match fitness again.
Meanwhile, the accurate-throwing Duncan Casey may make his first appearance of the season off the bench, while academy fullback Stephen Fitzgerald is in line to do the same.