Munster aware it's no gimme as they head to Italy

Munster are expecting a physical, fast paced game against Zebre.

READY FOR BATTLE: Munster Coach Andi Kyriacou is expecting a physical fast paced battle against Zebre. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Munster take their fledgling URC campaign to northern Italy on Saturday afternoon with a rookie fly-half, a makeshift midfield and a wariness of their hosts’ ability to pounce on the slightest error. Yet they will take the field against Zebre Parma with faith in their personnel and confidence that the lessons of their helter-skelter opening-round win over Connacht have been learned.

As entertaining as the 35-33 round-one victory over their interprovinical rivals was for the neutrals at Thomond Park last Saturday, there were aspects of Munster’s performance in that 10-try thriller which provided lots of material for this week’s work-ons as far as the coaching ticket was concerned.