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John Mitchell wants Wasps to take Munster rookies 'deep'

(Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Wasps are planning to pile on the agony for Munster who have endured the most disruptive build up to any match in their Heineken Cup history thanks to the impact of COVID-19 quarantine regulations.

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Munster’s abortive trip to South Africa forced them to register 22 players to their Champions Cup squad during the week, all of whom are under the age of 21 and have primarily played for their various clubs in the All-Ireland League this season as their normal starters have been isolating.

Wasps, who have struggled all season with injuries to key players, are in no mood to go easy on Munster who they still believe will pose a formidable challenge at the Coventry Building Society Arena and intend to try and expose match fitness issued caused by the quarantine.

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All Black & Bristol Bear John Afoa joins the panel | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 13

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      All Black & Bristol Bear John Afoa joins the panel | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 13

      John Mitchell, the Wasps attack coach, is setting his team up to stretch Munster, like Wasps twice winners of the Cup, to the limit in the final quarter and makes no excuses for trying to exploit the current situation. Mitchell said: “If some of their guys haven’t played for six or seven weeks then it is up to us to take them as deep as we can in the game and make sure we are in the contest. We need to create the pressure that questions fitness in the last quarter.

      “If we can definitely take them deep (in the game) there may be opportunities and it will ask questions of them. You focus on their DNA and where their heart comes from and energy. Clearly, they attack in a particular way and we have focussed on areas that we believe offer opportunities.

      “Munster pride their whole year on European rugby and have huge history in the tournament and we are not fooled for a moment that they won’t be coming with a strong side full of internationals. They also have Cozzy (Ian Costello former Wasps defence coach) and I am sure he will have slipped in a bit of knowledge there. It will be a humdinger and full on and I don’t see how we can be favourites.

      “To me, our injuries are an easy excuse at the end of the day and the challenge is to become cohesive as a team and young guys are getting opportunities. They rip into their work and fear nothing. Europe for us is very important and we have a rich history in this competition like Munster and we want to progress as far as we can. These knock out matches can go down to the wire.”

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      R
      RedWarrior 2 hours ago
      The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

      So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

      Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

      Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

      1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

      2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

      3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

      4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


      One last thing missing from English analysis

      How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


      Food for thought old boy!!!!

      30 Go to comments
      LONG READ
      LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'It's about time England started shaping their own narrative and got the job done.' Mick Cleary: 'It's about time England started shaping their own narrative and got the job done.'
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