Andrew Smith and Thaakir Abrahams could transform Munster for Bulls battle says Ian Costello

Munster must also counter the third-placed Bulls’ physicality and pace.

Head of Rugby Operations & Interim Head Coach Ian Costello during a Munster training session. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

Munster will go into a crunch URC clash with the Bulls in Limerick on Saturday evening with renewed hope that the addition of some backline X-factor and top-end pace can help fire them into the end of season play-offs.

The addition of on-loan Connacht wing Andrew Smith and a return from injury for Thaakir Abrahams at full-back has brought fireworks for Munster in the Champions Cup these past two weeks.

Abraham’s intuitive, lightning-quick counter-attack at La Rochelle in the Round of 16 teed up an opening try for Craig Casey that laid the foundations for a famous victory over Ronan O’Gara’s side while three tries in the last two matches from Smith have showcased the speed and skills that made him an Ireland Sevens player.

Munster will need every ounce of gas they can garner at Thomond Park as they look to rebound from last Saturday’s European quarter-final loss at Bordeaux against a Bulls side with plenty of pace to spped themselves.

Interim head coach Ian Costello believes having Smith and Abrahams could be transformational for his play-off-chasing team.

“Certainly if you look at Mike and his attacking framework, he’s a world-class attack coach and he’s got a very distinct framework and we play with a very clear identity and we work hard for a lot of scores,” Costello said.

“So that kind of pace means we can finish things a little bit earlier. I think it complements his framework and having that extra bit of x-factor, if you back to the Lions game when (Abrahams) got two tries out of nothing.

"We’re a possession-based team, that’s what hurt us on Saturday, our possession was 36 per cent in the first half, (but) those kind of guys that can finish it off or when they’ve got half-chances can take them, I think that’s what it adds to what is a really strong foundation or framework.”

Munster, though, must also counter the third-placed Bulls’ physicality and pace.

“They’ve an awful lot of speed, and you’ve seen our team as well, as we’ve got people back from injuries, our team is a lot quicker now. That’s something we intentionally recruited for to add to some quality that we had already.

“They’re very quick, they hurt you on transition but their physicality, if you don’t meet their power game I think you’re going to be second fiddle to everything else. So we have to match or even exceed their power game.

“And their kicking game is probably the other area. They’ve got three very good kickers in the backline and that creates a lot of unstructured and broken play. We managed that well, it’s been a real strength of ours, but it probably will start and end with the physical battle.”

Munster have decided not to risk Ireland wing Calvin Nash and No.8 Gavin Coombes after they sustained ankle knocks last time out while flanker John Hodnett (toe) and hooker Diarmuid Barron (shoulder/arm) are also ruled out following the quarter-final.

The enforced back-row reshuffle sees Tom Ahern and Alex Kendellen move from replacements last week to the blindside flank and No.8 respectively with Peter O’Mahony switching from number six to seven. Sean O’Brien also comes off the bench to start in place of Nash while Niall Scannell steps up to start at hooker.

Hooker Lee Barron is set for a Munster debut off the bench following his loan move from Leinster alongside Michael Milne, ahead of their permanent summer moves south while there also comebacks from injury for wing Diarmuid Kilgallen and back-rower Jack O’Donoghue, both of whom are named on the bench.

MUNSTER: T Abrahams; S O’Brien, T Farrell, A Nankivell, A Smith; J Crowley, C Casey; J Wycherley, N Scannell, O Jager; J Kleyn, T Beirne - captain; T Ahern, P O’Mahony, A Kendellen.

Replacements: L Barron, M Donnelly, S Archer, F Wycherley, J O’Donoghue, C Murray, D Kilgallen, R Quinn.

BULLS: D Williams; S de Klerk, D Kriel, H Vorster, C Moodie; J Goosen, E Papier; J Wessels, A van der Merwe, W Louw; C Wiese, R Nortje – captain; M Coetzee, J Kirsten, C Hanekom Replacements: J Grobbelaar, S Matanzima, M Smith, JF van Heerden, N Carr, Z Burger, K Johannes, S Jacobs.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy).