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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Defensive discipline
Munster’s defence was impressive against the Scarlets, partly because it had so much opportunity to shine.
Jacques Nienaber, the new defence coach, has been wowing all those who have been working with him and the simple, aggressive nature of Munster’s showing in Wales bodes well for bigger challenges ahead.
There were imperfections last time out, of course, and Nienaber will look for a little more width in Munster’s line as they come forward at speed. He will also ask for even more discipline around the tackle area as the southern province look to drop their penalty count.
With Erasmus attempting to bring more out of the attack, Nienaber will be stressing the need for Munster’s defence to provide the most solid of platforms for their performance.
Munster:
15. Andrew Conway
14. Darren Sweetnam
13. Dan Goggin
12. Rory Scannell
11. Ronan O’Mahony
10. Ian Keatley
9. Duncan Williams
1. James Cronin
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Dave Foley
5. Billy Holland (captain)
6. Dave O’Callaghan
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jack O’Donoghue
Replacements:
16. Duncan Casey
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Brian Scott
19. Donnacha Ryan
20. CJ Stander
21. Tomas O’Leary
22. Cian Bohane
23. Stephen Fitzgerald
Cardiff:
15. Dan Fish
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. Cory Allen
12. Rey Lee-Lo
11. Tom James
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Tomos Williams
1. Gethin Jenkins (captain)
2. Kristian Dacey
3. Taufa-ao Filise
4. George Earle
5. Macauley Cook
6. Josh Navidi
7. Ellis Jenkins
8. Nick Williams
Replacements:
16. Matthew Rees
17. Rhys Gill
18. Scott Andrews
19. Josh Turnbull
20. Sam Warburton
21. Lee Williams
22. Steve Shingler
23. Matthew Morgan
- This article was updated at 9.39 to correct Ian Keatley’s number of Ireland caps from one to four.
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