LISTEN: Laura Guest looking for Munster to bounce back against Ulster

Laura Guest didn’t get off to the best start as Munster Women’s head coach last weekend when her side were defeated 19-15 by Connacht at the Sportsground in their opening fixture of this years Women’s Interprovincial Series.

Munster let a 10-0 half time lead slip in Galway following a below par second half performance and that, combined with a much improved Connacht side in the second 40, resulted in a disappointing day at the office for Guest.

Speaking to Sporting Limerick the former Interprovincial winning captain admitted that while it wasn’t the start she would have been hoping for, she did take some solace in the fact that her side were able to claim a losing bonus point in the end, which could count for a lot come Saturday week.

“Far from the start we would have liked but we were under no illusions how tough Connacht would be. We didn’t maybe have the greatest start to the second half and took a bit to recover but as you say the team showed good character and did get that bonus point for losing so that was a crucial point.

“It’s been a difficult week, trying to get ourselves back up from a disappointing loss but obviously it’s important to move on quickly because Ulster will pose their own threat.”

After that defeat, Siobhan Fleming and her side now have to win their remaining games and push for try bonus points in both, if they are going to be in with any sort of a chance for the series.

Next up is Ulster in Dooradoyle on Saturday at 2:30pm and with only two changes to the side that were beaten in round one, the home side will be looking to put in last week’s first half performance for the full 80 this time around.

The loss to Connacht was a hard one to take, conceded Guest, but she feels that the hurt, coupled with learning from some of the mistakes made in Galway will improve her side for their first home game of the series on Saturday.

“It was important to move away from the disappointing feeling and try and actually learn something from the defeat. That was the challenge. While having a look and learning a lot in defeat you still can focus on hurting on the defeat. Hopefully we’ve taken the necessary steps to fix the things we control and hopefully we won’t find ourselves in that position this weekend.”

This round two fixture is vital for both side’s after Ulster’s heavy 10-34 defeat to Leinster last week meaning both will be desperate for the four or five points to keep them in contention for the Series come December 16.

Guest, involved in the Grand Slam winning side of 2014, understands the importance a good crowd plays in these fixtures and is hopeful of a strong Munster contingent in Garryowen on Saturday.

“Ulster are always dangerous anyway. I think one of the bigger differences between ourselves and Connacht last week was that the crowd really got in behind Connacht and I’d love a good crowd in Garryowen this week because we’re going to need that extra support. Ulster as you say are a very confident side and they will want to bounce back from that defeat to Leinster”

If you are knocking around Limerick on Saturday, what better way to get your rugby weekend off to a great start that heading along to Dooradoyle to support the team.

You can listen to the interview in full on the link below.