Young braced for tough Thomond task

CARDIFF BLUES coach Dai Young has pointed out that his team need to be sharper in taking opportunities if they are to back up their 38-6 victory over the Glasgow Warriors against Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday night. Despite the thumping win he was frustrated it took a last-minute try to guarantee the bonus point.

The Blues’ success ended a two-game losing sequence, but Young knows his side travel to a venue where they have never won in the league. Cardiff’s two victories over Munster were achieved at Musgrave Park.

“Munster is always a tough place to go play but from our point of view we enjoy going there,” Young said.

“Our players certainly get up for it; it’s not easy to get the win but we always feel that we’ve performed.”

He dismissed Munster’s defeat against the Dragons last time out, which ended a five-match winning streak, as an aberration.

“They will be hurting from the Dragons loss, but I imagine they will brush that under the carpet as they were missing a lot of players and didn’t play very well. No team goes throughout the season unbeaten and one thing Munster don’t do is lose many at home.

“It was a blip, but they’ve been there before, will look at where they went wrong and will be determined to put it right.

“The Blues players who were involved in the internationals just want to get back and play as soon as possible. We are pleased to have them back, and aim to use as many as we can. It’s important that we pick up the results and get better as we go along. At the moment we are nowhere near where we were playing at the end of last season.”

Young will confirm his team tomorrow lunch-time.

Munster coach Tony McGahan will announce his squad today and is expected to be able to call on most of his international contingent and Paul O’Connell, who came through half a match for Young Munster against Shannon last Friday.