Tommy O’Donnell expecting tough physical game from Cardiff

Munster will turn their attention to Cardiff Blues this weekend as the province faces into a crucial October including derby games against Leinster and Connacht book ending European game against Castres and Racing 92.

The Saturday lunchtime kick off will also offer Rassie Erasmus’ team a chance to put right what was a below par performance against Glasgow  and get back to winning ways.

Speaking at the weekly press briefing this week, back row Tommy O’Donnell says Erasmus let the players know that the Glasgow performance was not up to standard.

“He didn’t hold back. He definitely told a few truths, a few truths that needed to be told from a physicality point of view and from a bit of smarts and where we play on the field and how we play.

“Holding onto the ball in key areas. I think a number of times throughout the game we finally got the ball back we gave it away very quickly so holding onto the ball when you’re away from home is key and something that we need to do.”

Munster’s lineout issues were also highlighted by a ruthless Glasgow pack. In what was a poor performance, the Munster pack only took 77\% of their own ball and managed to steal a solitary Glasgow throw. O’Donnell says the faltering line out stopped them from establishing attacking platforms.

“Lineout is a place where we normally used to being on top and used to dominating so it was frustrating from a forwards point of view to not be winning your lineout ball and not being able to go forward on your maul as well”

Cardiff come into the game having a mixed week. Their first win of the season against Connacht at the Sportsground last weekend was followed up later in the week by the news that head coach Danny Wilson would be leaving at the end of the season.

Despite his announcement, Wilson says he is fully committed to the blues for the rest of the season and will be looking to get a second consecutive away win at Thomond Park on Saturday.

“This was obviously a very difficult decision to make and I am very grateful to Cardiff Blues for the opportunities they have given to me,” he said.

“I will be fully committed to Cardiff Blues for the remainder of my time here and am now solely focused on this weekend’s match with Munster.”

Despite Cardiff’s poor start to the season, O’Donnell believes the victory over Connacht could kickstart their season and that they have not been as poor as the table would indicate.

“It was a good win for them , they left it late, but they’re a good physical team, they hung in there for the whole game and really frustrated Connacht and denied them at the end. They had a good game the week before they were narrowly beaten by Glasgow so they’re obviously a quality side building year on year.”

Last year the Blues stunned Munster in the second game of the season with a 24-23 smash and grab raid at Irish Independent Park. While Munster have had a good record agains the Blues O’Donnell is taking nothing for granted.

“I suppose we would have a good record. I think they won last year in Irish Independent park, upset us, second game of the season. They have a lot of old heads in the team, they’re a seasoned veteran team. If you leave them hang in there for the 80 minutes they’re well capable of taking it off you at the end”

Munster will be well aware that there are some huge challenges over the next month in both domestic and European action and while the start to the season has been generally positive there are plenty of areas to work on.

Saturday’s game with Cardiff will be offer a chance to right some of the deficiencies of their last outing but regardless of that, O’Donnell believes there won’t be much between the sides.

“It will be [close]. Its what we’re expecting. They ‘re a veteran team, they’re a team that know how to grind out games and know how to win. We won’t know until they unfold on Saturday but yeah I’m expecting a tough physical game”