O'Donoghue looking to finish opening URC block in positive fashion

MUNSTER back rower Jack O’Donoghue believes that a strong set piece will be crucial if they are to beat the Sharks at Thomond Park on Saturday.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed a good start to the season and will be hoping to have a big impact as they look to get back on track after losing to Leinster.

“I think you've seen huge improvements from where we were last season in terms of our set-piece,” O’Donoghue said when speaking to media this week. “It's given us a platform.

“It's become a real weapon for us and that's something that we want to capitalise on and continue to grow.

“Big game this weekend against the Sharks, another big physical team to finish out the block.”

O’Donoghue praised the character shown by his teammates in getting that bonus-point in defeat against Leinster and added that it is something that will be needed again at Thomond Park versus the Sharks.

“We faced the Bulls last time we were back there (at Thomond Park) and they came with a similar game plan in terms of size, physicality, power, set-piece.

“But I think where the Sharks differ a bit is the quality of their backs and their back-three players especially. Beating fellas one-on-one, setting a fella inside the phone box almost.

“They just have this incredible off-flow game that once they get on top they try to stay on top and to keep the play alive.

“So that's something that we're going to have to neutralise but it's certainly going to be a big challenge for the forwards up front I feel.”

Munster have had to use a large number of players in the opening block of the URC and in their solitary Champions Cup game against Racing 92.

O’Donoghue praised head coach Clayton McMillan for the way he has used the squad to date, saying that it has added a ‘freshness’ heading into games.

The Waterford man also gave an insight into some different pre-season preparation that he believes has helped some of the younger players settle into the senior setup.

“I think there's comfort but there's also confidence in the way we're playing and I think a better understanding.

“So knowing exactly what we're doing in certain areas of the field. Not just having that onus on our 9 and 10 to kind of boss us or dictate us. That there's a greater understanding from the group and in fairness that's something that Clayton installed early on in pre-season.

“We did educational days, not just on the field but also in the classroom that you speak about the game as a whole. So your loose head prop knows exactly if we're inside the 40 what his role is.

“It just means people are moving to position a lot quicker and it's going to be easier for our 9s and 10s to pull the trigger when they see opportunities that present themselves.

“I think you're seeing snippets of that, you're seeing where we're making line breaks and giving ourselves opportunities and then I suppose the challenge then is to just convert more 22 into it,” concluded O’Donoghue.