THAT MUNSTER’S CLASH with Sale on Saturday in the Champions Cup kicks off at 13.00 poses a challenge in itself, regardless of the opposition.
The earliest starting time Anthony Foley’s side have had so far in this campaign has been 18.30, meaning almost a full day to fuel up food-wise, as well as the chance to top up on regular sleeping hours with a pre-game nap if individual players so wish.
Munster had a 13.35 kick-off in the opening day Heineken Cup defeat to Edinburgh last season, while they lost to Racing Métro at the same time in round one of the competition’s pool stages the year before that.
There were, obviously, many factors that contributed to those defeats, but Foley says Munster have learned lessons on the sleep and nutrition fronts too.
With the early kick-off, we’ve got to take into account our sleep in the week of the game, how we eat on the morning of the game,” says Foley.
Essentially, Munster have been putting in practice runs with their food and sleep patterns in the build-up to this game, rehearsing those strategies just as they will their kicking plan and their shape in attack.
“It’s just important that they get used to the volume of food that they have to take before they play at 13.00. It’s unusual that they’ll get their breakfast at 7.00 and then another meal around 9.30, so it’s a lot of food to be taken in.
“The important thing is that they need it, because of the exertions that come into the game. Without it, it would look like a lethargic performance. With it, it looks energetic. We want to have an energetic performance, so we have to look after our preparation.”
“In fairness to these guys, they do everything they can for their performance. One of the things would be just getting ready for the 13.00 kick-off and making sure we’re prepared for that.”
How times have changed, even from Foley’s own playing days. With a chuckle, the former No. 8 recalls a time when the province’s head coach, Declan Kidney, was forced to take matters into his own hands before an afternoon start.
When I was a player, I remember Deccy going around banging on doors to get fellas out of bed to have breakfast, because we’d an early kick-off,” laughs Foley.
Not that all Foley’s memories this week have been mixed with humour. The 40-year-old was part of the Munster team that travelled to take on Sale in 2005 and headed home after a 27-13 defeat.
Another loss on the first day of a European campaign, although that one was an evening kick-off.
“I can remember that very well. It was on the scoreboard and physically in the game [that Munster were beaten]. That’s where my experience, and the experience of one or two others within the squad, can get across to the boys where we’re going.”
Of comfort for those who believe in omens and such? Munster went on to win the Heineken Cup that same season.
