TABLE toppers Munster take on bottom placed Aironi this Sunday in Italy in the Magners League Round 16. Munster’s win over Edinburgh last weekend puts them nine points ahead of Cardiff on the table. However the Blues have a game in hand.
With this season being Aironi’s first in existence, not much is expected from the Italian All Blacks. Munster won the only previous clash between the two sides, 33-17, at Musgrave Park in round one of the new Magners League season.
Speaking ahead of the game this week, Munster manager Shaun Payne was wary of the game this weekend.
“We take nothing for granted. We went over to Treviso and came unstuck by a point there. Aironi gave a good show against Leinster the last time they played out there, and obviously they beat Biarritz at home. I know they haven’t had a success yet in the Magners League but it’s only a matter of time before that happens. We would be hoping to guard against that victory coming against us. We have to respect them.”
With a B&I cup game this week, as well as several players away with Ireland in the Six Nations, Munster’s squad for Sunday will not be known until late in the week. Not ideal preparation for the long trip to Italy.
With Quinlan, Flannery, Hayes, Dowling, Ronan and Jones all expected to miss out, some players who played for Munster ‘A’ the B&I Cup against Bristiol, may have to play again on Sunday.
With ties to come against Newport, Cardiff and Leinter in their next three games, Munster will certainly know more about their position in the league in the coming weeks.
