RUGBY
LEINSTER V MUNSTER
AVIVA, SATURDAY 5.30PM
RED FOR DANGER
Fogarty warns of attacking threat
BY DAIRE WALSH
LEINSTER scrum coach John Fogarty has highlighted the attacking threat posed by rivals Munster ahead of their meeting this weekend.
Anthony Foley’s exciting side have claimed 14 tries in their last three Pro12 encounters.
But after their 7-6 loss to table-toppers Connacht, Fogarty is hopeful that the Blues can use the ball effectively in Saturday’s Aviva Stadium clash.
“Munster are fourth at the moment and doing really well,” admitted Fogarty. “It’s going to be a physical match and we will be turning up at that game very sure about what we need to do.
“From the Connacht game to the Munster game we need to be sure about how we use the ball.
“There were a few kicks that were disappointing, we need to use the ball well and if we get three or four opportunities we must take them.
“We are looking for a home semi-final but we can’t get too disappointed with last week’s game and not too excited about this week’s.
“We need a level head and to be clear about what we need to be good at.”
On the injury front Leinster have concerns about Luke Fitzgerald and Cian Healy who were both withdrawn from the action at the Sportsground.
The Blues management will monitor their progress throughout the week while Rob Kearney is also edging towards a return to the field of play.
Fogarty added: “It was a very physical game. Luke got a stinger and Cian hyperextended his back. We’re just having a look at them through the week but it’s early yet.
“Rob is making really good progress so he will be close enough. But again, it literally goes week-to-week, nearly day-to-day. They want to assess and make decisions.”
After completing 80 minutes in Galway on the right wing, the experienced Fergus McFadden is once again in the frame for selection and he admits their most recent defeat has put the pressure on them to secure a top four finish.
He said: “Losing any interpro, at any stage of the season, is tough and in the circumstances this was even harder.
“It puts the pressure back on us in the fight towards the end of the season to stay in the top four.”