Simon Zebo hails ‘vital’ Munster cog but issues stark warning about ‘sticky team’
Simon Zebo previews the Munster v Castres Investec Champions Cup clash.
Simon Zebo has warned Castres they will be against an entire province in Limerick on their mission to knock Munster out of the Investec Champions Cup.
Club legend Zebo knows all about needing a bonus-point win from the final pool match to qualify for the Champions Cup knock-out stages – and the significance of Thomond Park in that quest.
13 years after his hat-trick of tries helped Munster take maximum points against Racing 92 in a do-or-die clash and advance at the expense of arch-rivals Leinster, the former Ireland wing will watch his old team try to repeat the feat against Castres.
All to play for
Munster lie fourth in Pool 2 with all six teams still able to qualify. Defeat to the French outfit and they are out of the tournament, win and they are into the Round of 16, perhaps even with home advantage.
For a province defined by its exploits in this competition, this is a serious matter. According to Zebo, the responsibility is felt not only by the 23 players, but every one of the supporters.
“There is nothing quite like Thomond Park on a European night,” he says. “The consistency of the fans from minute one to 80 is incredible. Whether it’s a high ball or a knock-on, a scrum or being held up in a tackle, the fans live it with you as players.
“They feel every single emotion you go through. There’s times where as a player you try to big each other up on the pitch and celebrate the little wins that might be unseen. But everything is seen at Thomond Park.
“That’s because Munster is very much the people’s team. The fans are so in-tune with the game and the values the club prides itself on.”
Zebo continues: “I don’t know quite how to articulate it other than to say when you are out there you feel properly connected to those supporting you. It’s quite unique: players and fans on the same page.
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“Even if a little scrap breaks out, they’re all roaring as if they’re your buddies.
“It’s a crazy level of passion and just so special to play in.
“I hate facing high balls in most places, but when there’s a high ball going up in Thomond Park and the crowd are willing you on, there’s nothing like it.”
Racing 92 could not cope with it in 2013, nor Gloucester in 2003. The Cherry and Whites needed only to avoid defeat by 27 points to qualify in place of Munster. They were crushed 33-6.
Now is the turn of the class of 2025, led by Tadhg Beirne, player of the series for the victorious British and Irish Lions in Australia and talisman for the Red Army.
“Every attack coach will preview him to the whole team before every single game,” says Zebo. “There will be a montage of blue scrum caps and ‘how do we stop him getting our ball’?
“The value and importance of Tadhg, you can’t emphasise it enough. He’s a special rugby player. The quality and the consistency of his performances over the last number of years have been top drawer.
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“He’s a vital cog, one for his leadership, because he’s grown into a leader, he’s a voice that carries weight behind it. People listen to him when he speaks.
“Two, for the quality he delivers on the field: his work rate, his engine, his turnovers. He’s just so valuable. Vital both to Munster and Ireland.”
Dangerous Castres
History suggests Munster, on hallowed home ground, will hold up their end of the deal. But they would be foolish to assume anything. Last season Castres took a second team to Saracens on this very weekend and knocked the three-time champions out of the tournament.
“Castres are a very sticky team to play against,” says Zebo, who spent three years in the Top 14 with Racing. “I’ve been in those French teams where all the odds are stacked against you and you’re going there with such a freedom to play.
“If that offloading game starts to stick and the team is relaxed and in the mood, there’s very little you can do to stop them.
“So Munster definitely need to be on their toes. Castres definitely will be written off but with the talent they have in their squad, they’re a very dangerous opposition.”
Simon Zebo is part of the Premier Sports team bringing a packed weekend of international rugby action as the EPCR knock-out stages are decided with 15 blockbuster fixtures live on Premier Sports. See Bayonne host Leinster followed by Munster v Castres on Saturday night (Premier Sports 1 from 5.15pm). Premier Sports is the home of Investec Champions Cup rugby across the UK and Ireland. Visit premiersports.com to join in from just £11.99 a month.
