Ahern and Munster focused on “our own performance” on return to the Aviva for Leinster URC clash

It’s back to the aviva for Munster as they take on Leinster in the final round of the URC this Saturday night at 7.15pm. 

Munster return to the Aviva, just two weeks after their European heartache to Toulouse and face Leinster in the final round of the URC regular season.

Both Munster and Leinster have already qualified for the quarter finals, but for Munster a win secures them second place as they are even on points with the Sharks and the Stormers with Ulster close behind them, and home advantage on the line. 

Looking ahead to the game, Thomas Ahern gave his thoughts on the recent going-ons in Munster rugby.

Munster will look to rectify the result of the last match-up as the game was in their hands at stages last time out. 

Ahern felt that there was too many mistakes against the Irish powerhouse and felt that ultimately they decided the result of the game. 

“We can only control what we can control. Last time in Thomond Park we gave a lot of mistakes giving them some easy access into the game, but I think we need to look after our own performance this week.”

Munster’s confidence should still be oozing despite the result of the last game after challenging the dominant French side for 100 minutes and forcing Toulouse out of their comfort zone.

The opposite of this is that the result would’ve really hurt with the game virtually in the palm of their hands.

“Bizarre circumstances how that game ended, I think all the group were bitterly disappointed because we went toe to toe for 120 mins and it was a tough way to lose a game.”

Munster’s support all season has been immense. The crowd seems alight every time the men in red step on the field. 

On the pitch it’s visible of the lift the players get when the Munster support get truely behind their team. 

“It’s unbelievable like it’s something when you’re a child growing up going to European matches in Thomond Park and experiencing the Atmosphere but like when you’re on the pitch it’s something completely surreal. Like up in the Aviva in extra time when they started singing that song it was like an outer body sort of experience, it was just unbelievable.”

Check out the full interview with Ahern and Head Coach Johann van Graan below