Kidney takes heart by stressing the positives

CONTENT in victory, despite a messy, error-strewn performance, Munster coach Declan Kidney was quick to remind everyone afterwards that it was the first time Munster had won all three away pool matches in the Heineken Cup. It was not an insignificant observation.

Bourgoin’s impressive victory against Biarritz in the French championship last week had forewarned Munster. Kidney didn’t deny the drama had unsettled him, but he wasn’t prepared to countenance criticism of his side. “We pushed out the game; we made mistakes, but we made mistakes trying things.

“The guys know where the mistakes were made, they know what they have to do to improve things, but unless you give players latitude to try things then you’re never going to improve as a side.”