Munster hold no fear for Priestland

Rugby: Scarlets ace Rhys Priestland believes his side will need to match the same highs as their performance against Northampton…

Rugby:Scarlets ace Rhys Priestland believes his side will need to match the same highs as their performance against Northampton when they host Munster on Saturday.

Priestland and company have given themselves every opportunity of reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals following Pool One wins against Saints and Castres.

Their bonus-point success at Franklin's Gardens, a triumph inspired by fly-half Priestland's tactical control, means back-to-back appointments with the two-time champions have taken on considerable importance.

"Our young guys have no fear and we want to give it our best shot," Priestland said. "You need that against Munster, as you can get distracted by their pedigree.

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"We will show Munster a lot of respect, as they have earned it, and you have to respect guys like (Ronan) O'Gara, (Paul) O'Connell and (Donncha) O'Callaghan. But we need to back ourselves and go with the mentality to give it our best shot.

"It is going to take a performance of a similar standing to what we did in Northampton. We didn't create much ourselves, but we put the pressure on them."

Late O'Gara drop-goals edged Munster home against Northampton and Castres, and Priestland added: "Munster haven't pulled away in games, but they know how to win.

"People may get tired of hearing it, but O'Gara and O'Connell give their boys so much confidence that they can turn to those players."