WITH two wins from as many starts, buoyed Munster entertain Edinburgh in the latest round of the URC at Cork’s Virgin Media Park this Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.
It comes only a week out from the monster interpro derby away to Leinster at Croke Park, and a fortnight ahead of the visit of great rivals Connacht to Limerick.
After a battling opening period with Cardiff at Thomond Park at the weekend (attendance 12,000), the sides retired 5-5 at the interval, with Munster’s try courtesy of Ruadhán Quinn.
Thereafter there was a flurry of tries, with forwards Gavin Coombes and Diarmuid Barron burrowing over for 2023 champions Munster.
There was also a spectacular drop goal late on from Jack Crowley, who also landed another five points from the boot in an awesome performance.
As well documented, Munster are minus the services of some influential figures this season.
“We certainly feel the loss of some pretty iconic players at Munster,” coach Clayton McMillan acknowledged to TG4 on Saturday.
“But there is a real willingness to make this team the current players’ team. There are lots of guys like Jack O’Donoghue, Fineen Wycherley, Diarmuid Barron, Niall Scannell, guys that have been around and have enjoyed the experience from those guys who have moved on.
“They are starting to rub that off on our younger blokes. It’s going to take a bit of time but there’s a real appetite to step forward into the light.”
On the injury front, a raft of players were due back on the training pitch this week, including JJ Hanrahan, Tom Farrell, Michael Milne, John Ryan and Andrew Smith, with Roman Salanoa, Edwin Edgobo and Craig Casey, it is hoped, soon afterwards.
Edinburgh were not in action at the weekend after their home tie with Ulster fell victim of Stormy Amy.