Quinlan focused for French test

MUNSTER preparations continue apace as they bid to make it three Heineken Cup final appearances in four seasons.

Alan Gaffney’s side who face French giants Toulouse at Le Stadium de Toulouse on Saturday April 26 undertook an extensive training session in Thomond Park yesterday.

The entire squad, bar Eddie Halvey took part in the session. Halvey’s absence was purely a precautionary measure and he is expected to be back in action when the side train later today.

The squad will enjoy two free days on Saturday and Sunday before returning to their preparations on Easter Monday.

Flanker Alan Quinlan has been down this path before. But his enthusiasm, and that of his colleagues remains undiminished and perhaps unfulfilled without that one piece of elusive silverware. “We didn’t want to go out of the Heineken Cup. We had confidence in our pack and we knew what we had to do,” Quinlan admitted this week.

“One thing this Munster team isn’t lacking is heart, passion and commitment. We always give 110%.

“The reason we play the game is to play games like the one at Leicester and this semi-final in Toulouse. It was a huge battle up front and we’re expecting the same thing in Toulouse.

“As far as Leicester are concerned, we aspire to do what they have done. It was very intense and very physical and we knew if we didn’t perform, we’d be in for a hiding.

However he is cautious about the last four encounter, given the level of optimism sweeping throughout the province after the win against the European Cup champions Leicester a week ago.

“We’ve been in this position before and we mustn’t lose our focus. We’ve got to keep our feet on the ground.

“It was a huge win for us at Leicester, and we must take confidence from it, but there are still two games to go before anyone wins the Heineken Cup.”