Anthony Foley praised his players for holding their nerve to claim what could prove a priceless bonus-point 27-19 win over Edinburgh in Cork on Friday night. Their destiny is now firmly in their own hands and a victory against the Scarlets at Thomond Park next Saturday will ensure qualification for next season's European Champions Cup.
Were Leinster to beat Ulster in Belfast today, it would even keep Munster’s faint play-off hopes alive, although at least their primary concern, namely the premier European rugby competition they have adorned with some distinction for 21 seasons, is back within their own control.
“We scored some lovely tries and at times we managed it quite well,” said Foley. “I’m happy for the lads. You’re worried about them getting down and not looking to play the pass.
“We let them back into the game after we had big moments and that really took the sting out of those moments. They came out in the second half with intent to hold on to the ball and we struggled to get primary possession.
“We had to rectify that in the second half. There were times when our own mistakes at lineouts cost us and we were a bit frustrated with the lack of possession in the second half, but in fairness to the lads they got a foothold in the game, built a bit of pressure through the maul and that got us back into the game. From there the fourth try was something that we hadn’t planned for all week to be honest. We were just focused on winning the game.
“We were only a point up late on and we were planning for a tight game, it was a good contest. They liked the scrum contest, we wanted the lineout contest.
"We have been caught a few times at being too adventurous, even at the start of the game when Rory Scannell tried to flick out the ball to Andrew Conway and he could have been away. You try to encourage them to make decisions. Once they have the willingness to show up and fight for each other, they can do something.
“There were crucial moments when the crowd got behind us and you could see the players lift up, The home advantage is about the crowd contributing in a crucial game and you saw the value of it as we got the try in the final few minutes.”
As for last Monday's announcement that Rassie Erasmus would be next season's hands-on director of rugby, Foley maintained: "What happened during the week didn't come into our changing room. It happens outside. (In) March it was announced there would be a director of rugby and fair play for it happening so quickly and getting a person like Johan Erasmus in."
