Mason expecting no Thomond cheer
Simon Mason is more concerned with getting the support of the Italian club’s coach Craig Green.
Former Irish international Mason (three caps in 1996) does not, however, expect his Irish-based family to make any vocal impact on the expected crowd of 14,000 at Thomond Park tomorrow. Although Mason, formerly of Ulster, has the satisfaction of winning a European Cup medal in 1999 he does not believe Treviso can do much more than gently rock the Munster boat. “We have to be realistic and one of the biggest problems for Italian teams, including ourselves, is the standard of competition at home is not always of the highest quality.
“There are some difficult games, some intense matches, but not enough of them, and that tends to come against us when we venture into Europe.”
Munster, said Mason, have had much more experience of European competition and must also benefit from a pretty competitive Celtic League.
“I think that’s what told against us more than anything else when we lost to Gloucester last week.
“It’s pretty intense week in and week out in the English league and players are better prepared when it comes down to European rugby.”
Mason has done a bit of travelling in the these last few seasons following his departure from Ulster.
Backed up by a degree as a Building Surveyor and a Masters in Sports Science, money wasn’t the major issue in persuading him to move to Stade Francais initially or, indeed, to Treviso.
“I knew the door to playing for Ireland again was closed and I decided to just go with the flow and enjoy the rest of my rugby career as best as possible, and to experience different lifestyles.
“I’m 30 now, married and settled down and rugby has been very good to me. I’ve represented Ireland, won a European Cup medal and things can’t come much better than that.
“My aim now is to help Treviso move forward. It’s a very good club with a lot of high quality players and Italian rugby has improved tremendously over the last couple of years.
“I wouldn’t like to say what might happen in Thomond Park because I know the record Munster have there. Certainly, any time I played with Ulster on the ground it was a pretty unforgiving place with a great atmosphere, and never ended up on a winning team there.” It is a very special ground, an intimidating place but not in the way that other grounds might be. The fans know their rugby and know when they’re needed to lend their support to Munster even though they can still have respect for the opposition when the opposition play well. I am looking forward to getting another opportunity to playing there. The team won't be announced until tomorrow but it’s been hinted I might be in.
“Even after last week, this will be another massive step-up for Treviso. It’s going to be very difficult to cope with the crowd and a very good Munster side. You have to hand it to them for that win in Bourgoin last week.
“It's never easy to win European Cup games away from home and almost impossible to do it in France.”
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