O’Callaghan: Keep the faith

Donncha O’Callaghan called on his colleagues to rally around Rob Penney and his plan to bring Munster back to the Heineken Cup top table.

Two-time champions Munster are close to being knocked out of the tournament and need successive victories over Edinburgh and Racing Metro to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Munster require at least nine points from a possible 10 and such a return wouldn’t even guarantee advancement. Irish and Lions international O’Callaghan admitted things were difficult given a couple of recent setbacks.

“People will go on about the type of game we’re trying to play but you can’t play any game if you’re making silly mistakes like getting bundled into touch and dropping the ball,” said O’Callaghan.

“Things like that won’t lead to good outcomes. That’s a disappointing thing when it’s individual errors, when those numbers are high you’re in trouble because it’s a personal thing on how guys prepared. To be honest it’s grand to be a hurler on the ditch but I take my part in it as well.”

However, this week O’Callaghan will be looking more at the lineout than the scrum. He figures there’s not much potential anymore to attack from the scrum as it has become a lottery.

In advance of Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash against Edinburgh, Munster face into a must-win situation and O’Callaghan, at least, is optimistic.

“I think the lads are hurting, they were hugely disappointed with their performance and I think, because we had the day off on Monday as well, it probably festered for a little bit longer.

“You find that it’s more carrot than stick at the moment and I don’t know how best to put it. You’ve to kind of help guys along and work with them as opposed to coming in and, like I said earlier, it’s grand to be a hurler on the ditch but we hurt as much as everyone.

“At Musgrave I met a guy coming out the door from Tipp and I was thinking I’d probably be at home sitting on my couch before him. He’s made a bigger sacrifice to get to the game and you feel bad for guys like that who come out.

“I know it’s overplayed by us sometimes but it’s really appreciated, and something that’s always led to us going well, that bond with the support.”

But any danger of underestimating Edinburgh should be completely discarded, according to those closely involved — O’Callaghan included.

“No, not at all, not for us, not knowing Brads [Michael Bradley]. He was my first coach at Con, I know him better than anyone.

“There are times when games can lift your season and be a turning point, and we know that they’re quality players who probably haven’t been performing as best as they’d like. So we know they’ll be gunning for a performance and as I said earlier, sometimes when you can play free and the shackles are off and you’re not worried about anything you can just go and play and put in massive performances.

“There’s a bit of drive for them and knowing Brads [so well] I know exactly what he’ll be saying in the dressing room, I know exactly how much he’ll want that win.”

Bradley may want it but there’s no doubt which side needs it most.