Munster winger Liam Coombes braced for Benetton battle

Munster take on Benetton Rugby this Friday evening at Thomond Park (18:00 KO).

Munster have already qualified for the PRO14 final where they will take on Leinster at the RDS on the 27th of March.

However, Friday will afford a whole host of young talent the chance to put up their hands for selection.

The likes of Jack Crowley, Alex Kendellen and Thomas Ahern impressed against Scarlets last weekend and now this week could prove another useful audition for the province’s fringe players.

Winger Liam Coombes is one such promising player hoping to make an impact whenever selected and the Cork man says Munster will give Benetton the full respect that they deserve.

“They’ve been quite unlucky this year”, said the 23 year-old winger.

“They obviously haven’t got a win yet this season but there have been a lot of small moments at the end of games that have cost them.

“Of course against us it was a drop-goal, against Connacht it was a last play try from a maul and the last time we played them in Thomond Park it was a late penalty from JJ at the half-way line as well that won it.

“They’ve had a lot of disruptions this season with Covid and a lot of players away in the Italian set-up but I think it’s a really big challenge this weekend and we’re really focused on it.”