Munster Looking For ‘More Of The Same’

Munster will be looking to go out on their own at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table with a win over the Ospreys at Thomond Park on Saturday (kick-off 7.15pm).

Rob Penney’s side have not beaten Ospreys since May 2011, but the Munster head coach is hoping his charges can continue their recent good form this weekend.

“On the back of a couple of fantastic performances this year with our non-international group if you like, we will looking for more of the same from them,” said Penney.

“They are getting to a stage where they are starting to take a little bit more control of things, let’s hope against the Ospreys that they can turn up and deliver something similar to last week.”

The Ospreys are the only non-Irish team to have beaten Munster at Thomond Park in the league since 2006 and out-half Ian Keatley knows how difficult a task it will be for the hosts on Saturday night.

“There’s been a few encounters with the Ospreys over the years – some of them a little bit before my time – but it is always a really tough challenge against Ospreys,” he admitted.

“It’s going to be a good opportunity before the autumn break to hopefully get a good victory and remain top of the table over this period.”

Meanwhile, Damien Varley made his debut against the Ospreys in 2006 and was a try scorer in this fixture last season which ended 13-all. And the hooker is hopeful that a large Munster crowd will turn out to roar the province to victory.

“We are trying to get a big crowd out in Thomond Park. It’s the last game before we have a little break before the November internationals,” explained Varley.

“While the internationals are gone we would appreciate all the support we can get so hopefully it will be a big crowd at the game.”

Four-time league champions the Ospreys have also lost only once in the RaboDirect PRO12 this season but could be without loosehead prop Duncan Jones who picked up a shoulder injury in last weekend’s comprehensive 40-17 win over the Dragons.

Tickets are on sale for the Munster v Ospreys game online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket offices in Musgrave Park and Thomond Park or by calling Ticketmaster on 0818 719300.

The mobile ticket office at Hassett’s Cross will be open until 7pm today and Friday, and the ticket office will be open from 9am on matchday.

Family packs are available for €;40 for two Adults and two juniors (under 16 years of age).