Foley frustrated as snow scuppers Munster plans
Munster forwards coach Anthony Foley has been left frustrated by the poor weather conditions in Italy that has meant that Munster's game against Aironi - and a week-long training camp - has been postponed
Colm Kinsella talks to Munster’s Anthony Foley after their RaboDirect PRO12 game against Aironi - and a week-long training camp - had to be postponed because of severe snow in Italy.
MUNSTER’s plan to hold a week-long training camp in Italy have had to be shelved with the postponement of the province’s RaboDirect PRO12 tie with Aironi which had been scheduled to take place on Sunday.
Snow and plummeting temperatures in Italy forced the postponement of the clash which had been due to go ahead at the Stadio Zaffanella.
The Munster squad was due to spend a week in Parma between the Aironi fixture and the RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Benetton Treviso which is due to take place at the Stadio di Monigo on Saturday, February 18.
However, the cold snap sweeping Italy has forced Munster to abandon plans to hold that training camp.
Munster’s forwards coach Anthony Foley admitted the development was unfortunate. The training camp would have provided an ideal opportunity for squad members to bond.
“The fact the match is off is an inconvenience more than anything else,” Foley said.
“We had planned to go over there for a week and now obviously we can’t because we would have no place to train because they are getting hit with horrendous snow and freezing temperatures at the moment.
“That is unfortunate.
“You are talking about taking a group of players away for a week on a kind of a mini tour. Within tours, there is good bonding, good ‘get to know you’ time, there is an element of togetherness which comes out of going away together for a week.
“It may sound a bit simple, but there is that togetherness where 20-odd guys away can pull a bit tighter together. Unfortunately, that won’t be happening now. But we have been around long enough in the game to know these are possibilities. Games can get called off and you have to make sure you get a plan in place and are ready for when it is played.
“Now our focus switches to Treviso on Saturday week. We have to make sure we are properly prepared for that game.”
Munster are awaiting confirmation from the PRO12 organisers on when the postponed Aironi clash will be re-fixed. The next free weekend in the Munster calendar is March 9-11.
The postponement of the Aironi tie means a number of squad members returning from injury, including full-back Felix Jones and hooker Mike Sherry, will get game-time with their clubs in the AIL this weekend. Jones is due to play for Shannon in their derby clash with Young Munster on Friday night at Thomond Park, while hooker Sherry will again feature for Garryowen in their home tie with Lansdowne.
Former Munster number eight Foley said the return of both players was like adding two new players to the squad.
Foley explained: “Felix (Jones) has made a very good recovery. He is one of these guys we need to get game-time into, get him fit for the run-in to the rest of the season.
“With anyone coming back from injury, it is not 80 minutes you put him through, so I believe the plan is 40 or 50 minutes.
“Mike Sherry has had a very disrupted season with going to the World Cup, not playing any time, coming back, playing a club game and getting injured.
“He is only just back in it now with two club appearances. Hopefully he will get another 80 minutes under his belt on Saturday.
“It is like adding two new players to be honest with you.
“People outside the squad see us being without our Six Nations players during these weeks, but guys in the squad see it as an opportunity to throw their hat in the ring.
“They are very ambitious about doing that.
“We will get ready for Treviso, the Dragons and Cardiff and await news on when the Aironi game is refixed.
“You don’t want to be travelling to Italy mid-week to play a game so we will see what happens.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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