Hanrahan braced for Farrell challenge

JJ Hanrahan has been in excellent form so far this season and is not letting that missed drop goal attempt against Racing 92 deter his thoughts from the challenge that is at hand against Saracens in the Champions Cup on Saturday at Thomond Park.

The Kerry native was up before the media ahead of Munster’s game against the current champions at the High Performance Centre at the University of Limerick earlier this week and told the assembled press that his focus is purely on Saturday ahead of back to back games against the English heavyweights.

“We were in a similar position last year. It was different with the draw away rather than at home, but the points are still in the same position as they were last year. We know it cane be done, but it is two big weeks. Nothing has changed for us. We have to beat Saracens at home. It’s a massive weekend, but we just have to focus week on week.”

“Each game comes with different challenges. We have got to play the game we are in at that time. Both sides (Racing and Saracens) have massive packs and are international quality throughout the front eight and it’s the same with their backlines. Some of them are as big as the forwards so it is going to be a physical confrontation and it will be a massive part of the game.”

Munster are going through a bit of an injury crisis at out half heading into the Saracens game with Hanrahan the only fit senior 10.

Academy out-half Ben Healy made his competitive debut in the Pro14 loss to Edinburgh in Cork last Friday. With injuries to Joey Carbery and Tyler Bleyendaal, Hanrahan is key to Munster’s game plan.

His direct opposition on Saturday will be England’s Owen Farrell, a player in the prime of his career. Farrell was a leading force in England’s run to the World Cup Final and Hanrahan knows that the Saracens out half will be a tough nut to crack when they face each other at Thomond Park, but he is relishing the challenge.

“There is massive excitement. You are talking about one of the best players in the world. To come up against him, you always want to challenge yourself and embrace those opportunities and challenges. I have come across him before when I was at Northampton and at underage. He is a player that I have huge respect for and I admire his talent. It’s a huge opportunity.

“We didn’t have too many good outcomes against him (at Northampton). The good thing about going away and being in the English Premiership is that you have come across the English sides before and you have an idea of what to expect.”