MUNSTER AND IRELAND number eight CJ Stander is calling for Munster to ramp up their physicality as he prepares to face his international colleagues in a battle of the back-rows.
Last season Munster fell just short of beating Leinster at the Aviva Stadium as the home side held on for a 16-13 win while Munster’s decision making let them down as they chased the game late on.
But with the chance of facing Ireland teammates Jamie Heaslip and Josh van der Flier on Saturday, Stander is extra keen to impress, with Joe Schmidt set to be an interested onlooker.
“We slipped up the last time we went up there. We weren’t physical enough so that is in the back of our head,” admitted Stander.
Winning against Leinster would be a massive boost going to Paris and Racing, and what you will need to do going over there.
“We know there are a lot of opportunities on the pitch that we can use and don’t use. We know where we want to be.
“(Josh) has always been a good player. He is stepping up to the plate now and he’s getting better and better and learning from having so many good players around him.
“I think that’s going to be a great match-up. Then there’s Jamie (Heaslip). That’s one of the big battles on Saturday.”
Already it’s nip and tuck between the two sides as Munster hold a one-point advantage over Leo Cullen’s side in the Pro12 standings.
Munster are also the top try-scoring Irish province – another accolade they trump Leinster by one point in – but Stander is cognisant that there are far bigger challenges ahead than those presented by Edinburgh and Zebre of late.
“Yeah, we’re creating a lot of opportunities on the pitch in the last few weeks. We don’t need to change a lot, just stick with what we are doing.
“We didn’t create a lot of opportunities last year and when we did, we scored a lot of tries. If opportunities are left on the pitch and you have a lot of them, that’s great but if you are not making the opportunities you need to change a lot of things.
We are not where we want to be under Rassie but we are getting there and I am really looking forward to this year, next year, and the year after.
“Munster’s supporters always expect the best out of the team and players. It’s a good thing because it’s driving and pushing you. If you are not doing good, they are letting you know.
“You know when you have disappointed them and they don’t need to change that. That’s a passion we need. All we need is to fill the stands and get that energy from them.”
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