Murphy expects harsh words from O’Connell

JOHNE MURPHY is bracing for some strong words tomorrow as Munster turn their focus towards next weekend’s Heineken Cup pool return fixture against Scarlets.

Munster came away from Wales on Saturday with a crucial away win but wing Murphy, who played a key role in Niall Ronan’s first-half try that paved the way for a 17-14 win, knows there will be a sharp reminder from captain Paul O’Connell that the home leg will not be a cakewalk.

“Paulie spoke after the game and he said we have to have a meeting on Tuesday; just the players because next week is a dangerous one,” Murphy said.

“We have beaten them and we have the security of a home tie but we cannot let that get in our heads next weekend. We have to go out and perform. If we do that then we hopefully have a victory and we just need to keep winning.

“We are three from three, maybe not the prettiest but we like to keep our fans entertained in the last couple of minutes.”

Murphy and his team-mates will not underestimate a dynamic Scarlets backline that has proven, both at the weekend and in the win at Northampton, just how sharp they can be in attack and on the counter.

“They showed what they can do when we gave up the ball, turned it over in the first half. In the second half when Rhys Priestland moved to 15 he hit the line exceptionally well. We held them out.

“Our scramble D (defence) is very good but we need to make sure that we get off the line a bit more next weekend and stop them getting those breaks from inside their own half; they got into our 22 and were camped there for 10minutes. That’s fitness-sapping but our fitness levels showed that we were good. It’s only half-time but we’re in a good position.”

Murphy echoed O’Connell’s comments that Munster cannot afford to keep giving opponents easy starts to matches, Tony McGahan’s side again conceding early and leaving themselves an uphill battle for the rest of the game when Adam Shingler’s try and a Priestland penalty put Scarlets 8-0 up in the first nine minutes.

“We didn’t start off very well. We did exactly what we were trying not to do, that’s give up the ball in our own half by stupid mistakes.

“We messed up in the first 10 minutes and to gave them an eight-point start and still came back and win by three (was a great achievement). It wasn’t the prettiest of games to watch but needs must at this stage.

“We need to keep winning now. The most important thing is that it is only half-time in the tie and we’re only (two) points ahead.”