McGahan not taking Ulster for granted

Tony McGahan was a relieved man yesterday as he watched his stars cruise through a tough training session four days before the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Ulster at Thomond Park.

Paul O’Connell and Donnacha Ryan were put forward for interview — a sure sign they will be playing — while Conor Murray, Denis Hurley and David Wallace took a full part in the workout.

Further good news, said McGahan, was the fact yesterday’s press conference at the iconic stadium was packed. He compared it to the same time last year when Munster were preparing for an away Amlin Cup tie against Brive.

“I remember being at this point preparing for the Brive game and I think there was one photographer here and about two people in a press conference.

“We understand the importance of it. [this game] We certainly don’t take it for granted and we never did. But I think last year’s events have given us a real appreciation for how important and how difficult it is to get back to this stage each year.”

Recognising the Ulster threat, McGahan believes Munster will be all the better for the chastening experience they suffered to Leinster last weekend. But he’s not worried about the scrum or line-out difficulties resurfacing.

“The foundations are there [for a good set piece] and if you look at our ERC pool games when this group was last together over 10 weeks ago, we had some strong formations and the set-piece was part of that. We think this week, with this being our first time back together, the opportunity to go back to that will present itself.”

He is certainly not expecting anything to come easy on Sunday though and described Ulster as a team on the rise.

“We have been immensely impressed with the direction they have taken, especially from where they were a couple of years ago.

“When you look at where they are at this point and see where they have come from and the build up from last year. The commentary this week from their senior players has alluded to that. They are not happy with just making the quarter-finals, they really see this as an opportunity to work their way further.

“I think Brian [McLaughlin] and his coaching staff and certainly David Humphreys at the top of that tree have done a fantastic job at gathering the players, giving the confidence, support and coaching to contribute to what is a really strong package.”

The South African influence has helped Ulster he admits.

“They bring a real confidence to their play, a real hardness and doggedness to their play and a real unshakeable belief.

“When you add your Ferrises and your Paddy Wallaces and Rory Bests and these quality international players to that mix. You suddenly are ballooning that experience and hardness up to about 10 players. When you put some of the guys in with nice experience you are getting a real quality XV and that is what they possess at this point in time.”

Munster squad (v Ulster): Backs: F Jones, J Murphy, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo, D Barnes, D Hurley, S Deasy, R O’Gara, I Keatley, C Murray, T O’Leary, D Williams.

Forwards: W Du Preez, M Horan, D Varley, M Sherry, D Fogarty, BJ Botha, S Archer, J Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell (capt), D Ryan, M O’Driscoll, B Holland, D Wallace, J Coughlan, P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell.