Munster’s Tom Ahern has echoed concerns articulated by head coach Graham Rowntree regarding the team’s defensive performance in the aftermath of their recent triumph over Glasgow Warriors. Despite clinching a 40-29 victory, the team conceded five tries, all stemming from lineout mauls. Ahern, who earned the title of player of the match, voiced his discontent with the defensive shortcomings, underscoring the team’s pride in their maul defence, scrum, and set-piece.
As the team gears up for the forthcoming Champions Cup clash with Bayonne at Thomond Park, Ahern acknowledges the imperative need for substantial enhancements in their defensive strategy, particularly in curtailing Bayonne’s formidable maul. In the lead-up to the challenge, Ahern emphasizes the necessity of fortifying the defense to produce a more resilient performance.
Reflecting on his transition from second row player to blindside flanker, Ahern attributes his smooth adaptation to the guidance and support offered by his seasoned teammates. Despite the positional shift, Ahern expresses contentment with the versatility it has brought to his game, highlighting the gratifying experience of scoring two tries in the team’s recent triumph.
The article concludes by extending an invitation to viewers to tune in to the upcoming Munster v Bayonne match in the Champions Cup, stressing the various platforms through which they can access live coverage and updates, including RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, the RTE.ie/sport live blog, the RTÉ News app, and RTÉ Radio 1 for commentary.