IT’S a busy period for Munster, with imminent important fixtures covering the two main competitions.
There will be no room for failure as the URC and the Investec Championship both enter midseason.
Munster pulled themselves back into contention at the weekend with a bonus point victory at Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but it was far from classical against weakened Gloucester.
It was a far less than eye-catching performance and the home side took 20 minutes to register a score after going down to an early penalty from the opposition.
The Reds will have to be sharper when they travel to Toulon for their next Cup outing early in the New Year.
Munster Coach Clayton McMillan, experiencing his first taste of the competition, appeared to be content with the result on Leeside.
“We had to be patient. There were a few guys that I think put their hand up so that will make their selection easy, but we like to select a team by making little changes. We focus on the game directly in front of us,” he said.
This Saturday, Munster are away to Ospreys in the URC, kick-off 5.30pm.
In Dunraven Brewery Field, the visitors will be heavily expected to come away with a sixth win of the competition.
On this weekend’s assignment, McMillan stated: “Ospreys are a team that’s been steadily getting a few bodies back and they had some good results recently. They will have our full respect.”
Recovered from injury, talented pair Calvin Nash and Fineen Wycherley are both available for selection.
Soon, the spotlight switches to Thomond Park for the sell-out clash with Leinster on St Stephen’s Day. What an occasion that is going to be.
Then it is a trip up north to tackle Ulster in early January.
Also, Munster A v Leinster A in the Interprovincial Series will be streamed live from Rockwell College on Access Munster this Friday (1.30pm).
Busy times ahead.