Warwick: We are improving

Munster full-back Paul Warwick believes the two-time Heineken Cup champions remain “a work in progress” after securing a 41-10 comeback victory over Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park this afternoon.

Warwick bagged his side’s opening try and the man-of-the-match accolade as Munster recovered from a sluggish start to put the brave but limited Italians in their place.

Afterwards, the 28-year-old Warwick said he was happy Munster are heading in the right direction after recording a much-needed win in the wake of back-to-back defeats against Leinster and Northampton Saints.

Munster recovered from a shocking start, conceding two tries to Brendan Williams and Andy Vilk, to lead 12-10 at the break.

The home side cut loose in the second period as Treviso tired and the game finished with South African centre Jean de Villiers grabbing his first try for the Irish province late on.

Warwick said: “We are certainly improving. It is a slow process, obviously.

“In terms of that game we knew that if we were doing the right things at the 60-minute mark we could wear them down.

“People were talking about a shock result at half-time and things like that, but we did not have any sense of panic.

“We knew Treviso would pose a good threat to us across the field and they really stuck it to us. They took the opportunities and capitalised on a lot of our mistakes.

“When they got 10 points up, there was no panic. We felt that if we concentrated on our own game and were a bit more direct that we had been we could wear them down.”

The Australian added: “Today’s performance was a step in the right direction. There are facets of the game which were good and areas which need a lot of improvement.

“We’re confident we are heading in the right direction but are still a work in progress.

“I’m delighted to contribute. By no means will I get carried away with myself. There are areas of my game which need work.

“The win and the bonus point which puts us top of the group are more important than the man-of-the-match award, although it is nice to pick it up.”

Munster coach Tony McGahan said he was pleased the side were top of Pool One, with Perpignan and Northampton trailing them.

However, he warned that Munster faced two hugely difficult fixtures against the French champions when the Heineken Cup resumes in December.

“To be sitting last in the pool coming into this game and to have six points now, we are happy with that,” he conceded.

“But we realise that, come December, Perpignan in back-to-back games is going to be a difficult situation.

“We have put ourselves in as good a position as we could have given where we came from in the past two weeks.”