Codling: Stormers ‘an embryo’ of Springboks as Munster face URC summit clash

Alex Codling says top-of-the-table visitors the Stormers mirror many of South Africa’s strengths as unbeaten Munster prepare for a URC acid test at Thomond Park, with Ireland stars and key reinforcements pushing to return.

Munster forwards Alex Codling: "Let's treat this as a massive opportunity and challenge for us, because ultimately that's why you play." Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Munster have been warned to expect a Springboks-like challenge when they welcome Cape Town’s Stormers to Thomond Park on Saturday for a top-of-the-table URC clash.

Two days after Ireland were pummelled into submission by South Africa at Aviva Stadium in a 24-13 defeat to the world champions, Munster forwards coach Alex Codling outlined the similarities between Rassie Erasmus’s all-conquering Test team and the franchise currently at the top of the table, equal with Munster on five wins from five and 23 points but ahead on points difference heading into Saturday evening’s round six meeting.

“You look at the Stormers this week, they're an embryo of the South African team,” Codling said.

"They go after pressure points. They've had 34 turnovers in five games on the ground. Their kicking game is strong. They've had, on average, 12 entries (to the opposition 22) a game, scored four tries. They've got 95% ball winning. They've got the number one scrum. They've averaged 31 points for, six points against.

“So these are all microcosms of the South African team. So for us, in a sense, how we prepare the boys this week is really important that they know what's coming, but let's treat this as a massive opportunity and challenge for us, because ultimately that's why you play."

Munster welcomed back their five Ireland squad members to training at their High Performance Centre at the University of Limerick with McMillan’s assistant saying the availability for selection of captain Tadhg Beirne, fly-half Jack Crowley, scrum-half Craig Casey, centre Tom Farrell and lock/flanker Tom Ahern would be assessed on an individual, case-by-case basis.

Seven players have also returned to full training after spells on the sidelines with Thaakir Abrahams, Diarmuid Barron, Conor Bartley, Mike Haley, John Hodnett, Alex Kendellen and Niall Scannell all back in the selection mix, while a decision will be made on the availability of lock Edwin Edogbo following the concussion he sustained in Munster’s bonus-point derby win over Leinster at Croke Park last month.

Asked for his sense of where the Munster squad was heading into an important 10-game block starting this weekend and encompassing four Champions Cup pool matches across December and January, as well as derbies against Leinster and Ulster, Codling said: “We've used 47 players in six games (including the win over Argentina XV), so it's a lot.

“But I'll give Clayton a massive pat on the back for that because I think often as coaches you tend to go to the tried and trusted all the time but actually when you play in a season like this at the back end of the year when you want to be red hot you can actually be really tired.

"So, there's 47 players who've played in six games in front of some great crowds. We're obviously pleased to have five from five and obviously the Argentina game was a great game but obviously we're not happy in terms of we know there's massive growth in this group. And we also know we've performed really well away from home.

"We haven't been to those levels at home but we've found a way so that in a sense is really positive. But you play the Stormers this week who are the leaders we know now we've got to take that next step forward and it happens in four days. Otherwise the log changes."

Codling said the international players would not be exposed if they were not ready to return.

“It's managed. They've got criteria in terms of what they can do when they come back. So then it's just up to really around Clayton and the players really, just in terms of working how much they play.

“Obviously, like everything, you have the conversation with the players, they'll tell you where they're at and then we've obviously got a big block of 10 games and they’ll manage that but ultimately, the players are always at the centre of this.

“That's the biggest thing. We look after the players… and they feel valued and cared for. That's the biggest thing, because the game, as you saw on Saturday, is relentless.”