Munster Rugby v Harlequins Match Programme

them either, so they’ve had a couple of weeks
off and rolled back into it. They are going to
be in very good form, and we are expecting a
massive challenge this weekend. They’ve got
a number of very experienced players across
the backline, and an exciting pack. Obviously,
there’ll be a couple of older heads coming back
to Thomond like Jerry (Flannery), and Jack
Stafford who was an academy player. They are
a quality side. They’ve shown they are there to
compete and we are looking at all aspects of
their play and making sure we know what they
are about.”
On enjoying his rugby at the moment…
“I’m just enjoying playing rugby. It’s good
fun. It’s a good brand of rugby to be playing.
Especially when you’re winning, it’s good fun.
I’m just enjoying each game instead of worrying
about anything else. When I’m in that game, I’m
enjoying it to the max, that’s been working well
for me.”
On the impact some of the up-and-coming
young players in the squad have been having…
“Personally, I don’t think it’s been much of
a surprise. I think being here and training
every single day you see that the young lads
are there, they fill in here and there in games
where they get their opportunity. When the
internationals were at camp, and it was a case
that those guys were gone, and we needed
everyone to step up. It was a massive challenge
that we all embraced. It’s a credit to Munster
on how they feed their academy lads in. When
it came to the stage where we needed them to
step up, they were fantastic. You look at the
likes of Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, they’ve
been unbelievable for us for the past few weeks
– Ben Healy as well. Those young lads – it’s a
credit to them. They’ve been working hard
behind the scenes where no one can see, and
they take their chance when they get it. So it’s
full praise for them.”
"When this week comes around you can just feel
the intensity rises, the buzz rises"
MUNSTER v HARLEQUINS | 13.12.20 | THOMOND PARK
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