O’Callaghan’s cup caution
Munster got out of jail in Limerick last Friday night to go top of the Guinness Pro12 with a 21-20 victory over the northern province but with French powerhouse Clermont following the northerners into Thomond Park this weekend for the first of a home and away Champions Cup pool double header, veteran lock O’Callaghan took little comfort from the league win.
The side he captained coughed up four soft penalties in the first 20 minutes and saw their set-piece come under intense pressure from the Ulster pack with fly-half Ian Humphreys turning the visitors’ dominance into a 12-0 lead.
Though Munster rallied with 21 unanswered points over the following 52 minutes, the return of some sloppy play and poor discipline saw Anthony Foley’s side hang on by their fingernails for the win and had a single costly missed conversion by Humphreys at the death to be grateful for. The poor opening quarter, though, was seized on by O’Callaghan as thoughts turned towards Saturday’s resumption of a so far unbeaten European campaign.
“It’s going to be something we have to look at, myself included,” O’Callaghan said of Ulster’s early dominance. “We did an awful lot of work on that ref and small little things like side entry, first penalty. But it was just not good enough when you do that much work and when you’re prepped that well by the coaches. We need to improve. I know we’ve got Thomond (factor) but that might not be enough if you’ve a slow start like that.”
The Munster forward was not looking forward to today’s scheduled review of Friday’s performance, although he was able to point out a couple of positives despite his impeded view of the game from the second row.
“I thought there were individuals who really stood up. I thought Duncan Williams was really good.
“There were areas of it that you would be happy with, maybe the breakdown, but, I’ll be honest, when you’re in the role you need to watch the game again.
“I’m not sitting on the fence but I had my head between two arses for the day and I didn’t get to see too much. I need to watch the match again. I’m not taking away from it but I know there will be improvements and things to work on. It’s nice to reflect on the nice bits but I bet you they won’t be in our review all that much.”
Munster will today assess the knocks and bumps from Friday night that left debutant Pat Howard with a cut over his eye that needed stitches following his first-half substitution.
The South African centre’s replacement, Andrew Smith finished the game nursing a bang to a knee, while back row Robin Copeland was substituted in the second half after hurting his knee following an awkward tackle.
Foley will also wait on Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray’s continuing response to a delayed concussion he developed following the win over Australia.
Murray is not considered a doubt by Munster but will have to complete the required return to play protocols.
Should Murray fail to be passed fit, O’Callaghan said he had the utmost faith in Duncan Williams repeating his impressive performance at scrum-half against Ulster on the European stage.
“For us he’s a kind of scrum-half that bosses his pack around the place and I think in this set-up that goes really well. We look for a bit of direction and you certainly get it off him. He’s someone that will sit on top of you and expect high standards. The main thing for Duncan is he has the respect of the lads and I think everyone would, you know, there’d be no fear if he came in, and that’s the best thing you can have as a player. That’s all you want.
The lads respect you and would look forward to going out with you.”
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