RUGBY:WITH GLASGOW done and dusted, attention now turns to Sunday's do-or-die fixture against Toulon and Donncha O'Callaghan recognises the need for Munster to "change hats".
The towering secondrow earned himself the man-of-the- match award with a superb lineout performance against the travelling Scots, but he’ll not have much time to dwell on it as he sets his sights on a win at the Stade Mayol.
“A win always puts you in good form,” he said after the final whistle. “There were a lot of things which went well, but our coaches will be really harsh. They will go through the things we need to improve.
“It’s a change of hat now. Europe is what it has always been about. It’s a massive week, a cup final week, and we’re playing for our lives. We knew when this pool was made that it would come down to one or two games, and this is it, two games to go and it’s all on the line. This is where you test yourself. This is where you want to be.”
Reflecting on the game he had just played, O’Callaghan expressed considerable satisfaction with not just the result, but with the performance as well.
After a frustrating first half when Munster conceded 11 penalties to Glasgow’s two, he was pleased with the manner in which his side tightened up their discipline en route to a second-half comeback.
“Our discipline improved hugely with fellas just being smart and clearing over the ball,” he explained.
“The referee pinged us three or four times for coming in the side, which is a legitimate penalty. It’s frustrating, but they are the rules.
“To be fair, Dumper (Tony McGahan) highlighted it at half-time and there was a bit of fear factor there that you would get the hair-dryer treatment off him afterwards if you came in for more.”
Munster now sit comfortably
at the top of the table with a nine-point lead over the Scarlets, a point not lost on O’Callaghan, even if he accepts the need to improve further ahead of Toulon.
“People will say we’re not playing well, but tables will reflect what we are doing. I think people can be overly harsh. There is a huge standard expected of this team, and the players take that on board.
“But we need to really up it. This is what we love. It’s the last two weeks, with everything on the line. We’re reared on it. Bring it on!”
Remaining Fixtures
Sun, Jan 16th – London Irish v Ospreys, Madejski Stadium, 3pm; Toulon v Munster, Stade Félix Mayol, 3pm (Irish-time).
Sat, Jan 22nd – Munster v London Irish, Thomond Park, 3.30pm; Ospreys v Toulon,Liberty Stadium, 3.30pm.
