Kilcoyne relishing Ulster clash

Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne insists his side’s focus is on this weekend’s fixture with Ulster, despite having a European semi-final approaching.

The Champions Cup game with Saracens will take place on Saturday, May 22 at the Aviva Stadium as Munster’s campaign hits a key period.

Before that though they take on Ulster in the PRO12 and loosehead prop Kilcoyne has revealed that’s what is driving Munster at the moment.

“There’s an incredible buzz around the place at the moment, but that won’t take away from the task at hand, playing Ulster this weekend. They’re on quite a run of form at present, undefeated in their last seven games,” the powerful ball-carrier explained to the Limerick Leader.

“I know they drew with Cardiff Blues recently, but they’re still on a roll. They’re a hungry side, we’re a hungry side, both chasing things – we are chasing a home semi-final, they are chasing a top four spot, so any time two hungry sides play each other it is a good spectacle.”

Munster won at Ulster earlier in the season and have been in strong form since the turn of the year, with Kilcoyne pleased with the team.

“We often refer back to that game. Ulster is one of the hardest places to get a win and I think that was a changing point in our season,” he said.

“I think lads built real confidence from it and I think it propelled us into the position we are in today. To dig out the win was amazing for us and it really built belief in the squad – it was definitely a changing point for us.”