6 days Ago By Vincent Whelan
RONAN O’Gara isn’t the only former Munster star making La Rochelle home these days.Former international ace Anna Caplice similarly calls the south-western French city home at the moment.@bananacapliceShe plays for the club’s women’s team[/caption]@bananacapliceShe outlined the places most worth checking out in what is a city crammed with scenic sights[/caption]@bananacapliceThis classic courtyard is a hub of activity[/caption]On top of everything else, it’s right on the coastAnd she’s helpfully shared a Do’s and Don’ts video aimed at any Reds supporters flying over for Saturday’s do-or-die Champions Cup battle between the two sides.
Among her top tips are to sample oysters and white whine at the market as well as paying a visit to Rue de Saint Nicholas which will serve as the dedicated Munster fanzone for this weekend.The video went down a treat with followers preparing to fly to France in the hope of seeing it turn out to be more of an occasion for Les Rouges as opposed to one to rue.Ken Fitzgerald hailed: “This is brilliant Anna well done.
Every club should do this for visiting fans. “The weekend away is so much more than just the rugby.”The Irish province go into the tie with more optimism than would have been expected when the draw for the last-16 was made.
Ronan O’Gara’s side have not won in eight having compiled a miserable record of played eight, drawn one and lost seven since January.Meanwhile they go into this weekend on the back of a morale-boosting win at McHale Park despite playing with 14 men for the bulk of the URC interpro with Connacht.The latest soundings around Jack Crowley’s contract talks are also quite encouraging.
He has insisted that his future has not yet been fully resolved but is adamant the uncertainty will not affect his performances. It was reported at the start of the week that Crowley had turned down a lucrative offer from Leicester Tigers to remain with Munster, despite not being given a central IRFU contract.But the out-half said things were not done and dusted, although it is still the most likely outcome that he prolongs his stay with his native province.
Crowley said: “It’s still ongoing. The team behind me are looking after that and hopefully will be sorted, yeah.“When it comes down to decision making, it brings you back to your beliefs, your principles, your values.
AFPO’Gara’s charges are languishing in 10th place in the Top 14 table[/caption]“They’re all things that would drive my decision-making in all areas of my life, it’s something I hope to continue going forward, post rugby, as well.”Crowley had emerged as Ireland’s first-choice out-half following Johnny Sexton’s retirement but found himself supplanted by Sam Prendergast for the last two November Internationals and first four fixtures in the Six Nations.He was back in the starting XV for the final Championship game against Italy.
And, in his first game since Rome, the 25-year-old impressed for Munster against Connacht last weekend and he has no doubt that his contractual situation will not prove a distraction.He said: “The most important thing is performances.“That’s always been the case with me and it’s something certainly you always want to give to the team and give 100 per cent when you’re out there.
“It’s unbelievably important that you are there and fully committed and then off the back of that, these things are part of the professional sport that we’re in and as you go through it more, you learn to deal with it and understand that it’s all part of it.”.
