Munster like an academy side, goads Vivalda

PERPIGNAN’S young flanker Yohan Vivalda has begun the verbal battle ahead of Sunday’s crunch Heineken Cup Pool 1 rematch with Munster at Stade Aimé Giral by comparing Friday’s performance of the two-time European champions to an “academy team”.

Vivalda marked his 10th appearance at senior level for the Catalans with an early try to stun the capacity 26,000 crowd at Thomond Park and he admitted afterwards he was none too impressed with the Irish heavyweights.

“I didn’t find Munster, who make up half the Irish team, very impressive,” Vivalda told Midi Olympique.

“The Irish weren’t really exceptional. They didn’t try to play the game.

“At times I had the impression I was playing against an academy team.”

However Vivalda, who celebrated his 21st birthday last weeks, believes that the former champions will be an altogether different prospect on Sunday at Perpignan’s Aimé Giral cauldron.

“They will try to do something,” added Vivalda.

“If they win at our place, they’ll be qualified. I think this return match will be tougher.”