Jones: Fear of failure will drive Munster

Felix Jones has banished thoughts of not making it out of the group phase of the Heineken Cup.

It has only happened once in 15 attempts and on Saturday that fear of failure will drive Munster on when they tackle Gloucester at Kingsholm.

“I think in Munster not to qualify for the quarters is always going to be seen as unforgivable,” he said. “After the Edinburgh game we knew we had to fight to get ourselves into this position so it’s very hard to look upon these games as a whole, we look on them individually as they come so that’s what we’re doing this weekend.”

True, Munster have had to rely on the rugby gods a few times this season, but, despite the narrow defeat by Ulster last weekend, their current form is good, having won nine of their last ten matches. .

This time, though, Jones would like a straight-forward win . However, if it goes down to the wire this group have shown the resolve to win tight games.

“We’re not actually trying to put ourselves in a position to do that,” he said. “Obviously we’re trying to win games before it comes to the last minute.

“However, that was the situation we were in in a few games and we found at Ravenhill that we were in a position to win it with about three or four minutes to go. As it happened, they managed to hold us off. They got back down the field and took away the bonus point with the penalty.

“We had massive belief at the time that we were going to do it, just like in the previous weeks. We’re not going out to try and do it that way but there is belief that when we’re in the situation we can actually do it.”

The breakdown will, as ever, be a crucial area and Jones is in no doubt the Gloucester backroom staff have noted what happened at Ravenhill.

“As I said, I think we probably got caught on turnover ball a few times. If I was Gloucester watching the video I would say they will have massive emphasis on that, especially considering the speed they have in their back three. They have some very dangerous players so that would be a huge area.”

Another worry for Jones is that domestic league form does not always stand up when it comes to the Heineken Cup.

“This competition brings out the best in teams. Often in most desperate situations some teams produce incredible performances. Their domestic season isn’t necessarily a reflection of how they will perform in Heineken Cup.

“Take the example of Edinburgh a year or two ago when they got to the semi-finals and their domestic season wasn’t that great at all. The competition can make teams play at a higher intensity.”

Maybe that’s why there has been an extra bit of intensity this week in Munster training. Not only are they in H Cup mode, they’re also coming off the back of a defeat in the RaboDirect to an Irish province.

“I think generally when you come off the back off a loss that generally guys want to put things right what they might have done wrong,” he said. “Although training in Heineken Cup week requires a level up on intensity, Tuesday probably reflected that a little bit.

“Ulster caught us on turnover ball a few times and they were quicker to flood into the holes than we were to plug them, so, yeah, it was a tough one to take.”