McGahan turns his attention to Scarlets clash

RATHER than basking in the glory of an historic Thomond Park victory over Australia, Munster coach Tony McGahan was yesterday assessing how his side will withstand a Magners League barrage from Llanelli Scarlets at Musgrave Park on Sunday (5.35pm).

He admitted: “It will be difficult, but that is the beauty of rugby. You get a performance and a night like this and then you turn back around for Sunday, looking for four points against the Scarlets, a side which has been in great form.

“How the group and everyone manages that, to leave this (great) night where it is, to park up for training on Thursday afternoon, and apply ourselves to a situation where there are four points on board will be important.”

McGahan and his backroom team can claim plenty of credit for the tactical approach on Tuesday night, with their game management, line out strategy and breakdown play the keys to victory.

But McGahan was keen to spread the praise to the likes of Laurie Fisher, Anthony Foley and of course, the players.

He said: “Full credit to Laurie and the work he has done there. I thought our breakdown stuff, on both sides of the ball, and also our defence was well-marshalled and very tight. Anthony Foley has also done a tremendous job with that this year.

“More than anything, I’m delighted for the players. It was all about the 22 guys who played the game. Their display and the effort they put in was tremendous. I don’t know if it surpassed the game with the All Blacks two years ago. But it was a chance to get our own little part of history and our own little place in the museum.”