Quesada warns Harlequins to be wary of Munster’s DNA

Racing Metro coach Gonzalo Quesada has warned Harlequins to underestimate Munster at their peril in April’s Heineken Cup quarter-final.

The former Argentinean international hailed Rob Penney’s side for a “very impressive” performance at Thomond Park yesterday to clinch the last qualifying spots from under the noses of champions Leinster.

Quesada admits that Conor O’Shea’s Premiership outfit will be favourites but insisted “Munster’s DNA is that spirit of being capable of going anywhere and giving a fight”.

Quesada said: “With respect to my team today, Harlequins will provide quite different opposition on their ground.

“They’re playing interesting rugby this year, they have matured in their game, this style of game they play has been built for a while. They play with confidence and at home it will be a tough game for Munster.

“However, they cannot afford to discount them either. Munster’s DNA is that spirit of being capable of going anywhere and giving a fight. I’m sure Munster will give a big fight to Harlequins in London and if they are as realistic as they were today, maybe with Ronan O’Gara coming back and Paul O’Connell — they are two big institutions of rugby — I’m definitely sure they have a chance in London.”

Quesada was gracious in defeat, full of praise for the manner in which Munster dismantled his somewhat experimental side shattered following the early dismissal of flanker Antoine Battut.

The number six was picked out instantly by referee Wayne Barnes for allegedly aiming a knee on the head of a Munster player at ruck time but the Racing coach felt it was a harsh call.

“I saw the images. It is true it was a strange movement but he touches nothing.

“I didn’t see a foot on the head. I watched it 100 times. Maybe where Mr Barnes was he imagined a head or something. Some minutes later he was told number nine red had punched someone, the linesman called him to tell him that, and nothing happened. It was quite strange.

“He (Battut) was quite surprised. He did not feel he did anything wrong.”

Yet, Quesada accepted that even with Battut it would have been an uphill struggle for his side given Munster’s resources. “Munster were better prepared to win. They had the better team, a better game and I don’t think they needed an extra man to beat us. They were realistic and took advantage of every opportunity.

“They were good at the breakdown, in keeping the ball alive, they were efficient, intelligent and patient enough not to kick the ball, knowing they could drag us little by little to making a mistake or conceding a penalty.

“That showed intelligence as they were not actually dominating us totally in scrum or line outs or from first phase mauls. They understood that patience would pay and it did.”