Munster ‘A’ Coach Anthony Foley: “The B&I Cup games are a win-win as far as I’m concerned, and, come the end of the season, it would be great if we found ourselves in the shake-up for honours.”
Tries from Duncan Williams, James Coughlan, Tom Gleeson and Ian Nagle secured a bonus point gaining, 20-13 victory away to Coventry at the Butts Stadium.
The visitors had two tries to their name by the 15th minute through Williams and Coughlan.
While Coventry found their footing thereafter, pinning Munster back for the remainder of the half, they only had a penalty to show for their exertions by half-time, by which time Gleeson had added another Munster try.
Minutes into the second half, the towering Nagle, who featured so well in Munster’s pre-season friendlies, crashed over the whitewash to secure the bonus point.
But to their credit, Coventry plugged away and scored two tries, the second at the death, to pick up a losing bonus.
Prior to last week’s match, Munster ‘A’ Coach Anthony Foley told The Munster Express that senior clubs had nothing to fear from the new cup competition.
“First of all, the B&I Cup isn’t interfering with the club season and while there’s no denying that there is an issue about player fatigue, something that we’re acutely aware of, our players will stand only to benefit from more games against fellow professionals,” said Foley.
“Having this tournament also gives us something to aim for; we’re not going to be scratching around looking for matches against the provinces, wondering when the next game is going to come along.”
Foley, the province’s record appearance and try scorer, added: “The benefits for the players are many. It gives them more game time, more match practice and that for me is the best way for players to improve and for coaches to see if and how players are improving.
“Training only takes you so far, so these additional games are a win-win as far as I’m concerned, and, come the end of the season, it would be great if we found ourselves in the shake-up for honours.
“And that’s what this game is all about; results are what we’re all ultimately measured by.”
Munster ‘A’ are back in B&I Cup action this Friday when they take on Bristol in Nenagh at 7.30pm before the competition goes into a hiatus until mid-February.
