Munster Rugby v DHL Stormers Match Programme
United Rugby Championship Round 2 | We hear from Stephen Larkham and Dave Kilcoyne ahead of the game, take a look at the opposition, and review the latest rugby happenings from across the province.
United Rugby Championship Round 2 | We hear from Stephen Larkham and Dave Kilcoyne ahead of the game, take a look at the opposition, and review the latest rugby happenings from across the province.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
DAVE KILCOYNE<br />
On getting back in action…<br />
“It was unbelievable to get back playing, very<br />
fortunate to play in front of the fans. It's been<br />
such a long road since we've had <strong>Munster</strong> fans<br />
back there, it was unreal. I have had a stop start<br />
season since that World Cup and with Covid<br />
and everything so it's great to hit the ground<br />
running.”<br />
On approaching 200 caps for <strong>Munster</strong>…<br />
“Look if I get to hit that number, which I'm sure<br />
I will, I'd be delighted but look I've always said<br />
I wanted to play until 40 that's been one of my<br />
goals, so I'll be looking at that 300 number. The<br />
two-hundred mark is just the midway point.”<br />
On depth in the squad…<br />
“I think we have. You look at Keynan Knox, the<br />
young tight head who came on the weekend<br />
and did very well. We have Diarmuid Barron<br />
another young great prospect coming through.<br />
You obviously have Stephen Archer, John Ryan,<br />
myself, Jeremy Loughman - the list goes on. I<br />
think there’s a very strong group there. You can<br />
always get better as a player, get better as a<br />
squad. We have an incredible forwards coach<br />
in Graham Rowntree who pushes us every day.<br />
He's done it all as a player and coach - club,<br />
international, Lions - and for the front rows<br />
to have hands on work with him…he’s been<br />
incredible for me.”<br />
On the energy within the squad…<br />
“The vibe feels unbelievable in here. Not having<br />
crowds here for 18 months…not just for the<br />
players. I think it gives everyone appreciation.<br />
We did that lap - we’d normally do that in<br />
Champions Cup days - a lap around the stadium<br />
before to build a little bit energy but the energy<br />
was insane on Saturday. I'm the type of player<br />
who feeds off energy and a lot of people really<br />
are in here. I think we have a great group of<br />
lads here at the moment. I read Craig Casey's<br />
interview after the game he just talks about<br />
the buzz around the place. There's a great buzz<br />
amongst the coaches and players. I think the<br />
fans could feel it on Saturday and we felt we fed<br />
off their energy, they fed off ours. Long may it<br />
continue. We've been long enough without it.”<br />
On playing with RG Snyman…<br />
“He brings a huge amount of experience<br />
and he's a world class player. He looks like<br />
something out of the WWE should be fighting<br />
in the Summer Series or something like that.<br />
He's been incredible for us. To have that size<br />
and that power in the row…you just see what<br />
he can do with the ball. That was his first game<br />
in how long, so he probably didn’t get his<br />
hands on the ball as much. But what he can do<br />
with it! That little carry down the touchline with<br />
his one hand off load. He can do things that I<br />
haven't seen too many players able to do. For<br />
us to have him is incredible.”<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
13
Change language