Munster to put smiles back on faces

Editor

Munster head coach Anthony Foley admits his team had “a very dark few days” after losing to Saracens but wants to bounce back against Sale.

The 33-10 defeat at Allianz Park saw the Irish province have a poor day at the office, with the result seeing them crash out in the European pool stages.

On Sunday they will host Sale Sharks in Limerick though and Foley wants to give their fans something to cheer as they bow out of the competition.

“It’s been a long few days. A very long few days. A very dark few days,” the Munster head coach told the Irish Examiner ahead of the game.

“We’re all gutted, shattered, whatever word you want to use. We need to deal with that ourselves.

“It’s hard – people will question you. People will ask why it is happening because they don’t expect it.

“We let ourselves down – we don’t need anybody telling us that. We’re all clued in enough to understand that and where we are.”

He added: “It’s not easy but it does motivate you to get to the better days. It drives you to make sure these days don’t come back again. When we lift trophies, those will be the moments we know we have earned it.

“I also think the people that have supported us throughout our careers and have looked after us are the ones probably getting hurt.

“If anything it will drive us Sunday to get a smile on the faces of people that really care about us. That will be the real motivation.”