Coughlan predicts big ‘scrap’ at breakdown from Treviso

The relief was palpable, the victory fully deserved and, for James Coughlan, it is time to move on to the next battle.

Italian side Treviso, flush from their RaboDirect Pro12 opening home victory over Ospreys at the weekend, provide Munster with a first chance on Friday at Thomond Park to show that last Saturday’s heroics on the road in Edinburgh was no random victory but the laying of an important foundation stone from which the province can progress under new head coach Rob Penney.

That it was done without Munster’s full complement of Irish internationals, the majority of whom are expected to return on September 14 at Ulster, was even more pleasing but number eight Coughlan disputes the premise that his less experienced teammates who earned that 23-18 Murrayfield victory are merely keeping the red shirts warm for more illustrious players.

“I don’t think there’s a second string,” Coughlan said. “We’ve just got to believe that whoever steps into the jersey is playing for Munster. If we start thinking ‘this guy’s away, that guy’s away’, everybody’s away at some stage, so whoever’s in there has to perform.

It’s up to us to make sure we’re putting our best foot forward. Hopefully, we’ll take it on another step against Treviso.

” It’s our first home game and we’ve set a target that we’re going to beat everyone at home.”

Coughlan is under no illusions that Munster will have to overcome the massive physical challenge posed by Treviso’s giant pack spearheaded by Italian back rowers Alessandro Zanni and Robert Barbieri.

“I had a quick look at Treviso against Ospreys and they were unbelievably physical.”

Coughlan does not buy into the perception that though Treviso may be an extremely tough prospect on their own turf, Franco Smith’s side are somewhat brittle away from home and he cites their 23-12 victory at Ravenhill last October as compelling evidence.

“They went up to Ulster in the lashing rain and beat them up there.

“You know what they’re going to bring, They’ve a fantastic lineout, a very good scrum and they build their game around that set-piece. If that’s the basis of their game it doesn’t matter where you play. I know we’re going to have to be extremely good at our set-piece and all the rest because they’re extremely physical, big, strong men and they love to carry the ball.”

Coughlan is also expecting a real scrap at the breakdown.

“They’re aggressive in everything they do. They’re good tacklers so you have to be on the front foot and if you’re on the front foot, as we saw on Saturday night (in Edinburgh) when James (Downey) and Casey (Laulala) were putting us on the front foot, it’s much easier to get to a breakdown when you’re running forward.

“So we need to be making sure we’re getting over the gain line and then making it easier for ourselves from there.

“You can only do that if you’re winning the physical battles. It’s a confrontational sport and you have to beat the guy that’s in front of you.”