Early onslaught is key, says Warwick

PAUL WARWICK has stressed the necessity of Munster sprinting from the blocks at Stade Felix Mayol on Sunday afternoon, knowing that anything less could signal the end of an era for the Irish province.

The perennial Heineken Cup quarter, semi-finalists or finalists are in grave danger of failing to make the last eight for the first time since 1998.

Reflecting on Saturday’s shaky 22-20 Magners League victory over Glasgow at Musgrave Park, Warwick admitted it would be disastrous if Munster were to concede so many penalties in the first half of next Sunday’s encounter.

Welsh referee James Jones whistled Munster off the park in the opening spell, awarding Glasgow eleven penalties and Munster just two; consequently, instead of being able to take advantage of territory and possession, the home side found themselves seven points adrift at the break.

Although Warwick was pleased that Munster showed abundant character in coming back to win the game through the boot of Ronan O’Gara, he knows Toulon won’t be as accommodating. “In terms of the Magners League, we’re a fair bit ahead, we set out to win all of our block of games in recent weeks and we did that; granted it (win over Glasgow) wasn’t pretty, but it showed we can win the tight games.

“However, what this game showed was that we have to work with the referee a bit more. Certainly we can’t leave games go to half time to try to solve problems that we might have, especially in Toulon where we certainly can’t afford to be down points at the break. We will have to adjust any problems quickly on the field rather than wait until half time.”

Fear is one of the factors that will drive Munster; in Warwick’s case a Munster defeat might well mean he has played his last Heineken Cup game for the province before his move abroad at the end of the season.

Munster, he said, would undoubtedly use fear of being left on the shelf to their advantage and warned the pessimists not to be so quick in writing his side off.

“We were in desperate need of a victory against Perpignan last season and we went there with a positive approach; we were written off to no end but there is huge belief in this team that we can get results and (here) we will hope to get the job done.

“Last year getting four tries was great but it was just that, a bonus (unexpected); we were going there for a result (win) only, just as we will be doing this week, whether it be ugly like this (Glasgow) or with four tries. We recognise that we have a lot of work to do individually and collectively to get up for the game, it’s a hostile environment just like Perpignan was but we have plenty of belief in our ability to handle that.

“We start this one as underdogs but we’re used to that, we don’t expect anyone to help us out and give us a free ride; it will just come down to the guys in the squad, to the huge talent and self-belief we’ve got.

“This Heineken Cup pool was dubbed the pool of death for good reason, and now we know we have to win in Toulon or we’re out. But right now we are where we need to be, involved in both competitions, and it’s really up to us. The ball is in our court.”