Players know it is they who must make tackles

That’s the spin Munster coach Declan Kidney is putting on Sale’s approach to one of the biggest days in the Sharks’ history as they attempt to put an end to Munster’s unbeaten Heineken Cup record at Thomond Park.

While acknowledging the Thomond Park factor - “we are so appreciative of everything the ground and the supporters do for us that to speak in anything other than those terms would be wrong” - Kidney insisted yesterday that the venue will not score any points in Saturday’s crunch pool climax.

Kidney and his squad were in situ yesterday, and the news of those carrying knocks and bruises is relatively good. Trevor Halstead’s shoulder remains a concern but John Kelly and Jerry Flannery have been given a conditional all-clear. Unfortunately, reserve out-half Jeremy Manning is out of contention having broken his arm but it emerged that Paul Burke, who hasn’t played for three weeks because of an injured knee, could yet take his place on the bench. The picture will be clearer after tomorrow’s session in Cork.

“The players are fully aware they are the ones who must make all the tackles, who have to carry the ball and that’s going to happen inside the walls and that’s what’s going to matter,” said Kidney of the Thomond Park factor.

“We have found in the past if we do give the supporters something to get behind us, they will do that. But we have to do our job right first.

“There have been a few exceptional days this year. The first Castres game stands out, having lost the previous week, as does the first three minutes of Dragons [away]. You have to add last Friday night [in Castres] to that. But we’re lucky we have a knowledgeable group going to the matches and they’re well aware of what we’re up against on Saturday.”

Asked to put himself and his players in the shoes of the Sharks, Kidney insisted: “They know full well what to expect. Just look at the experience they have, six Lions, three or four French internationals, it will be just like any other day out. It’s going to be a great occasion and something that’s great to be part of.”

Skipper Anthony Foley shares Kidney’s view that unless they perform to their full potential on the day, it won’t matter where the game is played.

“It means a lot for every team to play at home but we’re no different. Sure, when it comes to kick-off, the crowd will be right behind us and pushing us to give of our best but we’ve had massive support the whole way. When you see the people who came to France on Friday night, the people who came to Sale and Dragons, it just lifts the side and it’s been built on over a few years.

“Every Munster player loves playing in Thomond Park and Musgrave Park because of the support we get. If I was a Sale player coming here, I don’t think I’d be intimidated, I think I’d look forward to the challenge. There’s a bit of history to be made if they turn us over and they’re looking for a home quarter-final.”

Kidney and his captain are adamant that four points and the guarantee of a place in the knock-out stages is all that concerns them, for now at any rate.

“When we were asked before the Gloucester game a couple of years ago about bonus points and so on, our response was that our only focus was to win the game and it’s going to be the exact same this time,” Foley declared.

“All the permutations don’t bother us. We’re just focusing on getting the process right and winning the game and not getting too far ahead of ourselves and thinking about the result before we even get started.”