Anniversary of Foley’s death can give Munster energy to topple Castres’ big guns

MUNSTER coach Rassie Erasmus wants his men to mark the first anniversary of Anthony Foley’s death with a win in France.

This weekend last year their opening European game against Racing 92 in Paris was called off when it emerged that Foley had died overnight.

And Erasmus says the players will use the memory of ‘Axel’ in a positive fashion.

“The boys have incorporated Axel into a lot of things,” said Erasmus. “It’s all positive vibes, not negatives or sadness around it. It’s nice to talk about him and good to laugh about the things he said.

“We’re just going to try and use that energy.”

Erasmus has made five changes to his side after Munster secured a late losing bonus point in defeat to Leinster last weekend as Simon Zebo, Darren Sweetnam, Rory Scannell, Stephen Archer and exLeinster lock Mark Flanagan come in.

Erasmus added: “They are a team that looks like they can topple big teams on their day and then sometimes they struggle against average teams but playing in Europe at home in their first game, they will be up for it.

“They beat Clermont a

few weeks back, that’s the kind of team they are.

“They’re big, massive guys and you can see they like the physical side of things – they maul well and they scrum well. It’s going to be real test for us, we’re coming off a loss and we’d like to rectify that.”

CJ Stander starts in the back row for Munster and has urged his side to remain disciplined.

“They are a tough, tough challenge, it doesn’t look like they lose a lot of games down there. We know that playing in Europe you can’t give easy penalties away. You can’t live with them if you’re giving away seven easy penalties in a game so we need to make sure we’re on the right side of the ref and be comfortable living with their physicality.

“We will have to bring the intensity for a big match because if we can’t bring the physicality it’s going to be a long evening.”

Castres coach Christophe Urios has recalled influential scrumhalf Rory Kockott to partner Benjamin Urdapilleta at half-back.

Uruguayan second row Rodrigo Capo Ortega returns to captain the side with Yannick Caballero and Steve Mafi also coming into the back row to partner Maama Vaipulu.

Winger Taylor Paris and centre Afusipa Taumoepeau also come in.