“You have to expect anything” | Oli Jager wary of Scarlets threat ahead of URC meeting

Friday night’s opponents Scarlets come into the clash having lost their last two URC games, and they have lost their last six games in all competitions.

Munster prop Oli Jager has been speaking to the media ahead of his side’s URC clash away to Scarlets on Friday night, kick off 7.45pm.

The reigning champions have lost four of their nine games in the competition so far this year, and have lost the last two URC ties back to back.

However, there has been some joy in the Champions Cup, as the Red Army picked up a famous win away to Toulon, and spirits are high in the camp at the moment.

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Jager, who is just returning from a head injury, says that his side were unlucky to lose the games they did, and that “it may have been the rub of the green”.

“All those games that we did end up losing, they were all really tight, we were always within a couple of points, it may have been the rub of the green. The way we’ve been playing we have full confidence in what we can do. We’ve been sticking to the basics, going back to what we as Munster are”.

Friday night’s opponents Scarlets come into the clash having lost their last two URC games, and they are winless in their last six games in all competitions.

Despite their poor form, Jager is not underestimating the Welsh side, claiming that his teammates will “have to expect anything”.

“Scarlets are a great outfit themselves as well, they love the free flowing game. You have to expect anything from what they’re playing, so we’re doing a deep dive into what they do and I’m sure they’re doing the same for us. We’re going over trusting ourselves, playing our game and trying to be the best we can”.

Jager himself has been a part of the Ireland training camp for the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, an experience he says has been “unreal”.

The 28-year-old joined Munster in 2023, and has never played for Ireland at Senior level, but was named in Andy Farrell’s training squad in January.

He has helped the side prepare for their victories over France and Italy, as well as travelling to a warm weather camp in Portugal.

He was released from international duty for the clash with Scarlets.

“It’s been an awesome experience, I think when you throw yourself into the squad with such high profile players, the standard is so high with both Munster and Ireland, these last couple of months has improved my game immensely. I’m just loving being in the mix for the moment and we’ll see how things go”.

“Unreal to be part of that squad and in the mix of it, seeing how they train, the intensity that they’re at. It was good to get to see all the boys and get to meet new people, stuff like that. Had a really good time helping them prepare for the games on the weekends and Portugal was obviously lovely with the sun! It was intense, but enjoyable”.

Graham Rowntree has named a strong side for Friday’s outing, with Jager joined by Jeremy Loughman and Conor Murray in returning to the starting XV from international duty.

20-year-old academy player Ruadhan Quinn is in line for his first ever URC start, while Alex Kendellen is set to captain the side.

There will be live coverage of the game on TG4.