CARD' TARGET

Munster start well but coach Lawler knows battling Blues must be feared

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

MUNSTER are backs-to-the-wall specialists but they haven't cornered the market.

History has shown that the Reds fight for their lives when all seems lost they have produced a series of remarkable results to prove it.

But what Saturday's Thomond Park opponents Cardiff and the other Welsh clubs are going through is something Munster have never had to experience.

The Blues are in survival mode after WRU chiefs announced plans to axe two of their four URC outfits.

They also lost head coach Matt Sherratt six days before the start of their new URC campaign, with Corniel van Zyl replacing him on an interim basis after Sherratt took an assistant coaching role with Wales.

But Cardiff's aim is to thrive in the chaos and they opened up with a 33-20 victory at home to the Lions last weekend before heading to Limerick on Saturday.

"We know how dangerous Cardiff are," said Munster's Mossy Lawler.

"They put us away last year so they are coming to Thomond Park full of confidence.