'Munster have that inner resolve'

NO ONE is in a better position to judge the respective formguides of Munster and Biarritz ahead of the Heineken Cup semi-final than the Ospreys, who lost by a point in the same Estadio Anoeta a fortnight ago before beating Munster on Saturday.

Despite one or two disbelievers amongst their audience, head coach Seán Holley and tighthead Adam Jones were in no doubt as to who will win next Sunday.

Maintaining that the Ospreys had done both Munster and Leinster “a huge favour” in recent weeks, Holley added: “I just think Munster have that inner resolve and determination in tight games that we are learning. They can go to Biarritz and believe they can win.

“Without being too disrespectful, Biarritz were out on their feet by half-time,” he continued. “We ran them a bit ragged, we played a lot of football, we passed the ball a lot and we cut them to pieces. Munster have the players to do that and the game plan to do it. They have the complete game to go there and I don’t see Biarritz applying the amount of pressure on them that we did tonight.

“As a pack we saw our backs cutting them to pieces every time,” said Jones “and Munster have got players like de Villiers and Mafi.

“I can’t see them losing down there, especially with their experience in front, and especially if Paulie (O’Connell) comes back for next week.

“I just think they’ve got too much in their armoury. They’ve got a good pack, and if Rog is on form they’ve got the full team. It’s not 10-man rugby any more. I thought they (Biarritz) were quite limited when we played them. They were quite tired when we were running at them.”

Still there was one doubter as Jones left. “You gotta believe, bud.”

Holley felt that the Ospreys’ first win at Thomond Park would be “a defining moment” for the region, while his counterpart, Tony McGahan, hoped it would spark a response in the coming week. “Tonight showed if you’re not 100 per cent in the game against quality sides, you’re going to come off second best.

“Today was all about attitude at the breakdown and we were second best in that area. And kicking is such an important part of our game that if you’re inaccurate in that it costs you field position. Tonight we were beaten in that area and Biggar controlled the game.”

Maintaining a twin assault at the end of the season on both fronts was difficult, he admitted: “Especially so with a large international contingent. But if you’re good enough, you’ll be able to do it. We still think we can do it in the Magners (but) our more pressing concern is next week.”

Jean de Villiers admitted this was “definitely not the way I wanted to finish it off” at Thomond Park, but looking ahead, said: “If we can step it up a notch at every single breakdown and every single department – the scrums, the lineouts and the kick-offs – if we can step it up just 10 to 15 per cent then hopefully we can be on the other side of the result next week.

“It’s make or break now. Every single game is a final for us.”