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Bradley eyeing Munster scalp

Tuesday 25th March 2008

Possible Upset: Bradley is confident home advantage can boost Connacht's chances

Connacht coach Michael Bradley is wary of the threat which in-form Munster will pose at the Sportsground on Friday.

Yet he is confident that his side can overcome the former Heineken Cup winners, in a match that has witnessed some very tight contests over recent seasons.

Declan Kidney's side were in red-hot form against most recent opponents Ulster, running out 42-6 winners at Musgrave Park, as they continue to climb the Magners League table.

However, so far this season Connacht supporters have come out in record numbers and Bradley is well aware of the advantage his side will have in front of their home support.

"Connacht always look forward to the home derby matches in particular because the Sportsground sells out and the crowd get behind the team, which seems to raise our performances in those matches," he said.

"Obviously we have to do that with Munster on a bit of a charge at the moment in trying to catch Leinster at the top of the Magners League."

Munster may be forgiven for having one eye on their eagerly-anticipated European showdown with Gloucester at Kingsholm next weekend.

However, Bradley is just as keen to address Munster's strength's upfront with the likes of Paul O'Connell and Alan Quinlan in their midst.

"Munster tend to play a forward orientated game which will represent a different challenge to what Edinburgh did last week," he added.

"Our first job is to contend with their power upfront, once that's done I'm quite confident with home advantage and the closeness of previous games, if we create enough opportunities we'll have a good chance of winning the game."