Munster's Gavin Coombes on tetchy Connacht rivalry: 'I think they despise us as much as we despise them'

Gavin Coombes at Munster training in UL. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

The Sportsground may have morphed into Dexcom Stadium and the rain not be actually lashing come kick-off time on Saturday night but for Gavin Coombes the rivalry between Munster and Connacht has never diminished.

For all the familiarity between the squads, each featuring players from the other’s province and boasting fellow Ireland campmates, Galway’s hosting of these URC play-off rivals seems bound to reignite what has become a tetchy derby, particularly when played out west.

Munster back-rower Coombes has not known any different from his decade of making the annual trip and though this will be his team’s first match played in front of Connacht’s impressive 6,555-capacity stand, the No.8 from West Cork is expecting the same hostility he had come to experience in the days of the old Clan Terrace it has now replaced.

“I think there's an edge when we play any Irish team but particularly going up there I think,” Coombes said of the west v south interpro. “They've got a hostile crowd. I think they despise us as much as we despise them.

“No team wants to let the other team win so I think that's a huge contributing factor. A lot of lads know a lot of lads in their group and likewise so you always want to get one over your mates in other squads and things like that.

“It's definitely a huge game for us and a huge rivalry.” 

Coombes’s recollections of playing in front of the old Clan Terrace lean towards the sensory rather than of actual incidents.

“My memories of it are it's usually lashing rain so I didn't particularly like playing there. For a small stadium the crowd makes a huge noise and it's always a good game to be involved in. I'm sure the new stadium will be even better.” 

Gavin Coombes and Michael Foy. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

He added: “I think the crowd's going to be up for it. When they opened up the Dexcom (in January) you saw the noise and the atmosphere they created for that game against Leinster. So we know that's going to be a big factor.

“Connacht, they're playing well, and we'll expect that they're not going to be any different. And, you know, they're definitely going to be a challenge for us. But all we can do is focus on ourselves.” 

The fact that both sides are fighting to reach the URC quarter-finals at the end of the month adds even more potency to the contest. In a compacted table, nine teams are battling for a top-eight finish and with two rounds to play only the current top two, Stormers and Glasgow Warriors, have secured their play-off berths. Munster, with back-to-back wins over Benetton, away, and Ulster, lie in fifth place on 51 points, just two off a coveted top-four spot which would guarantee a much-needed home draw for the quarters. Connacht, meanwhile, sit in ninth on 44 points but within touching distance of Ulster in eighth and Bulls in seventh and Stuart Lancaster’s side are looking to continue a run of form that saw them win five in a row, including at those Bulls last month, before a loss in Johannesburg to the Lions last time out.

“They've done well in South Africa and played well over the last few months,” Coombes said. “They're going to have confidence coming into this game. And they have a lot to play for. So I can expect them to be at their best, definitely.” 

While Connacht may be driven by desperation, Munster’s motivations appear to be different. During a month of potential distractions due to off-field developments and inconsistent form on the pitch, they were written off as title contenders, yet Coombes and company have turned their season around with those two bonus-point wins in a row and they are ready to silence the doubters yet again.

“I've been in Munster 10 years now and I don't think the narrative has ever changed. No one likes to give us a chance really when it comes down to pressure situations and it's about us as a collective. We're so tight and connected as a group that belief inside this building is huge.

“The belief that our coaches have in us and the fans as well. Anywhere we go, no matter how it results are going, we always have fans supporting us and travelling there. We know that they want the best for us and they believe in us and I think that gives us huge confidence as well.

“No one likes to be written off or told they can't do something. So yeah, definitely huge (motivation) but it's something we're used to at this stage.

“So that's outside noise to us. It's about what we can do and what we can prepare and how we prepare and ultimately what we deliver on the day.”