'The next two games are crucial for us' says Munster Rugby's Shane Daly

"THE next two weeks are crucial for us these are massive games anyways every year, regardless of where you are in the table. These are the games you want to win more than any others, it's the bragging rights over the other provinces really."

This was Munster winger Shane Daly's thoughts as his side gear up for a hectic Christmas period as they face two inter-pro derbies against Ulster and Leinster. The Munster team have been deemed the 'walking wounded' at the moment after a battering loss against Castres, which not only lost them points on the Investec Champions Cup table, but also cost them a number of players.

In a worrying squad update this week Munster announced that both Craig Casey and Thaakir Abrahams will go for surgeries this week, with the two backs set for a long period on the sidelines. Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Peter O’Mahony, Liam Coombes, Jean Kleyn and Conor Murray are all out for this Friday's clash as well. 

Speaking about Friday nights game against Ulster Daly went on to say: "Everyone knows how important these games are, it's the interprovincial rivalries where a lot of us are friends, but when it comes to the game days there are no friends involved. It is all about putting Munster back to the top of the bragging rights and that's what we are pushing to do every time we step out onto the pitch."

TG4 will be showing Munster and Ulster's clash live on TV this Friday night with the province playing their second inter-pro derby on December 27 against Leinster in Thomond Park.