Munster V Sale Sharks (37-14) 16th January 2009
Magnificent Munster back on track.

Great performance, what was said and done in the week coming into this game that lead to such an improvement in performance?
The Osprey game last week was a very important performance for us and we knew we just had to focus on fine tuning the set pieces. We were looking for consistency we didn't want to be back at the performance level before the Osprey game. We knew we had to have a big scrum and that we had to be putting phases together stretching them all the time so that our backs always had space to hit.

There has been a lot of talk about "Fortress Thomond" losing its status and about things not being right in the dressing room, must be good to put that all behind you?
There has been a lot said in the media about that but really the players don't believe it. "Fortress" Thomond comes about because of performances; the players on the field make Thomond what it is. When the players step up we keep the "fortress" mentality alive.

Great try, was it a prepared move to leave you out on the wing?
When the game plan is working well the forwards can come off the corners. I try and keep good width and hold it throughout the phases. We have many patterns and when you get 4/5 phases structured together we all know where we should be throughout the entire pattern, it is my job to pull them wide and hopefully a few more gaps open up that we can take advantage of. Sometimes when it breaks down that's not possible and we just need to fill in the gaps.

You were very clinical on how many players you committed to the breakdown, how does that work?
We try to keep as few as possible in the breakdown, carry the ball into contact and keep as many as possible out available to continue the play. In defence we try and slow them down again using as few as possible so that when they come up with the ball they are faced with a wall of red jerseys. Richie McCaw is great at this he slows down the ball when he's defending and the opposition rarely get good ball out of the breakdown.

Do you feel your yellow card was justified?
Yes, it was just instinct that made me stick out my leg, I knew as soon as I came in on Jones that I should have stayed out. I was just disappointed with myself that I didn't read the situation better. It is always disappointing when you land yourself in the "Sin Bin" you feel like you have let the team down and you know there are others players out there who now have to do your job.

You seemed delighted when you scored your try?
It was such a big game for us. After Ulster we knew we basically faced three finals in a row. I had been holding my breath for 2 days before the game it felt good to let it out.

What's the game plan now for the Montauban game?
We had been a bit all over the place in the weeks coming up to the Ulster game and we don't want to go back there. We need to keep the consistency now and stay focused on the job in hand. We are very focused on each game and try not to look too far ahead. If we stay consistent and put in the performances we are capable of we should gain momentum game by game.

Jerry Flannery in conversation with USN