Costello back to face Munster

MUNSTER ‘A’ will be looking for back-to-back wins in the B&I Cup when they welcome Ian Costello’s Nottingham to Irish Independent Park this evening.

Last weekend Munster claimed a comfortable 24-6 win over Ospreys Select at St Helen’s in Round One of the competition. Munster trailed 6-3 at the interval but they kept their opponents scoreless in the second half.

Kevin O’Byrne, Gavin Coombes and John Poland all touched down, while JJ Hanrahan and Bill Johnston also scored from the kicking tee.

But despite their big win Munster are just second in Group 1 after that result. Elsewhere, Bedford Blues beat Nottingham 38-26 and Costello says his side will need to be better.

“It’s a game we will be looking forward to. Bedford’s challenge was massive in its own right and they would be one of the best attacking sides in the league. And Munster are the current champions. We know it’s a very difficult group,” said Costello.

There is a big ex-Munster contingent at the English Championship club with Jordan Coughlan, Gearóid Lyons, Shane Buckley and Rory Burke all plying their trade at Nottingham now.

“We have a five-day turnaround which is a challenge and that’s why we had to rotate a number of players against Bedford, and we will rotate players again for this week.

“But we don’t get trips like that too often and it’s one that we are really looking forward to. To pit yourself against the current champions. It’s challenge that we are really relishing, similar to the Leinster ‘A’ challenge last year.

“The boys will be really up for it, especially to bounce back from a poor performance in the opening game.”