IT COOMBES ON STRONG
Gavin says Reds’ glorious past in Europe serves as a massive inspiration for current squad who are eager to claim a piece of history for themselves
GAVIN COOMBES’ dream is for this Munster team to be counted among the province’s greats by conquering Europe.
Winning the URC title last year is one thing but coming into work at the Reds’ HPC at UL, Coombes is inspired by the photos on the walls of the Heineken Cup winning sides of 2006 and ‘08.
On a week like this, when Munster must go to Premiership pace-setters Northampton Saints and win to keep that dream alive for this season, the ever-present 26-year-old feels those feats of the past are a benefit and not a burden.
“This competition has a huge heritage in the club and there’s probably a different buzz in the squad this week too,” he said. “You show up on Sunday or you’re watching on the couch the following week. There’s huge excitement for us, we’re buzzing to get out there.
“For me, it’s hugely inspiring.
“I wouldn’t have played with any of the guys involved (in those previous triumphs) and I don’t think any of the lads in the squad really feel the pressure of what was done in the past.
“It’s nothing to do with us. We’ve had to park that. We want to build our own legacy, be the lads on the wall.
“Last year was a good building block, but the crown jewel is Europe.
“If you can win Europe in this club, you’ll be remembered for the rest of your life.”
The Skibbereen man watched one of Munster’s final victories at a family communion, the other in his cousin Liam’s house. Now both of them are Reds.
“Seeing the success they had probably was what really ignited my dream of becoming a professional rugby player. “This is what I wanted to do, playing for Munster and winning trophies.”
He loved that feeling last season when Graham Rowntree’s (inset) side went unbeaten in five away games to claim their first silverware since 2012.
“If you could bottle what we had... that was incredible, that run of away games, and especially the final,” he said.
“The confidence that gave us was unbelievable.
“We’ve been down this road before and know what we need to do if we want to win on Sunday. It gives us huge belief.”
As with the Champions Cup, the versatile No.8 believes he has unfinished business at Test level, having only won two Ireland caps.
“There’s a lot more in me to achieve and probably rugby-wise a lot more in me,” he said.
“I feel like my game has gone up another level but it’s about making sure that I don’t rest on my laurels.
“I want to become the best version I can be of myself and obviously I want to add to those two caps.”