Marcos Ayerza: ‘Munster will be a wounded lion’

Marcos Ayerza has developed a taste for Irish blood.

Wearing the white and blue of Argentina, the prop was an integral part of his country’s World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland back in October.

Wearing the green of Leicester Ayerza was also a key man as his club side stormed Thomond Park in such devastating style on Saturday night.

So, ahead of the return game at Welford Road this weekend, do the Irish bring out the best in Ayerza?

“Oh yeah,” he laughs. “I have been so lucky to play against so many strong Irish teams, and they are some of the best rugby players to come up against.

“I enjoy those tough, physical, combative games against the Irish sides and I know it’s going to be another one this weekend. That quarter-final with Argentina is one of the greatest games I played in my career and will stay with me forever. Then to beat Munster like we did last weekend was a huge win for this club. To be tested by a great Munster side at Thomond Park, a traditional venue in this competition, that result was unique.” Yet there are few who do not expect Leicester to follow that win up with another victory at Welford Road.

If they do make it four wins from four then Ayerza feels Munster will be on the verge of elimination, which would be a huge blow to Anthony Foley’s side.

But it won’t be easy. From his long experiences of playing against Irish sides, 32-year-old Ayerza knows a wounded Munster is a dangerous animal.

“Munster will be a wounded lion coming at us,” he adds. “They will want revenge, 100 per cent.

“They haven’t been knocked out at the Pool Stage many times. They know that if they do lose at Welford Road it will be very hard for them to qualify.

“They will look to get their revenge and we have to up our intensity, and belief. We have to have a great game. An emotional Munster, wounded and coming to Welford Road to put things right, means it will be a cracking game and an intense physical battle. The forwards will be massive, the scrum will be massive and every inch will be precious. It will be a big battle and game and another head-on occasion.” It will be the type of game where the leaders and big characters make themselves known. For Leicester last weekend that meant the Youngs brothers, Vereniki Goneva and Telusa Veainu.

Do Munster have the same leaders without the likes of Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara to steady the ship? “Munster have made big changes but you need big players to step up and make names for themselves,” says Ayerza.

“They are a really good, really quick pack. Leaders such as Paul O’Connell are always hard to replace but I think Munster is Munster and their traditions are there.

“To be dominant and have the driving maul, be physical and go for the tackle area – those traditions. We know Munster will be a very different beast at 5.15 on Sunday at Welford Road.”