Mike Prendergast says 'tough conditions' to test Munster Rugby in South Africa

MUNSTER Rugby's attack coach Mike Prendergast knows the challenge that faces his side this Saturday, not only against their opponents Vodacom Bulls but also against the South African conditions of heat and altitude.

Speaking at the Munster press conference today, Wednesday, Mike went on to say: "Conditions will be challenging over the next two weeks here in South Africa. We spoke as a collective between staff and players about having a plan, we have to be clever in how we play in both half's and not play in to the teams hands.

"Everyone seems to be in good health and the timing of coming away has been great for this group. When you get two weeks to go away as a group and spend time with each other as coaches and players it's always a positive thing."

Prendergast also touched on the talk around center Antoine Frisch' possible departure from the province to play with his home country France next season.

Mike stated: "Being perfectly honest I still read a bit of French media after coaching over there for so long and I see it in the media over, but as far as we know Antoine will be with us next season again. The pro he is he has managed to put all of that aside, despite what he might be hearing and seeing and he is fully focused on us for the foreseeable." 

Munster Rugby landed in the country early Tuesday morning and have a two week stint there while playing against the Vodacom Bulls this weekend and the Emirate Lions the following weekend in the URC to try and solidify their quarter-final spot in the competition.

The Bulls pose a serious threat to Munster this Saturday and Prendergast touched on the South African' teams ability stating: "Athletically you have to look at them, they have power up front and serious speed then out wide and that's what makes them such a dangerous side.

"We have to be very smart with how we play and mind the ball when we have it. They like to get you into an unstructured game, it suits their speed and a lot of their tries come from turnovers and loose kicks, they just have that ability to use their speed and find those spaces, so we need to mind the ball well this weekend."

Munster face Vodacom Bulls this Saturday, April 20 at at Loftus Versfeld at 4:05pm Irish Time.