Monday 11 December 2017 12:54, UK
Alan Quinlan says Munster deserve massive credit for the way they have their transformed their fortunes over the past 12 months.
The Irish province qualified for the Champions Cup quarter-finals thanks to a 14-12 victory over Glasgow Warriors, which is in stark contrast to their performance in round five of last season’s tournament.
Last January Munster crashed to a 27-7 loss against 14-man Stade Francais in Paris, a display which Quinlan described at the time as “embarrassing, disgraceful and humiliating”.
However, the former Munster flanker was beaming with pride after they secured their place in the Champions Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2014.
Quinlan told Sky Sports: “You go back 12 months ago, I stood in the studio and had a real crack off Munster – the way the organisation was going, the way they were playing. I questioned their desire.
“It was an opinion, some people agreed with and I’m sure the players didn’t. I separated myself from being the former player and being close to some of those guys.
We lost a true friend in Anthony Foley in October; that affected everybody. The players had to carry that emotion and go out and play. I’ve nothing but respect for them.
“They deserve massive credit for the way they’ve turned this around. They haven’t been in the quarter-finals for the last two years.
“I still stand over most of what I said, it was very emotional after the Stade game for me. They’ve been fantastic this year.
“We lost a true friend in Anthony Foley in October; that affected everybody. They had to carry that emotion and go out and play. I’ve nothing but respect for them. I’m really proud.
“As I said it was my team. They weren’t perfect against Glasgow but it’s a massive turnaround and they deserve massive credit. The sad part is Anthony isn’t here to see this.
“It wasn’t perfect rugby but it was full of passion, heart, commitment – everything I associated with Munster. I was far from perfect as a player but they’re the kind of values we want in a Munster jersey.
“These guys have shown great determination and desire to get back on track.”
Munster can clinch a home quarter-final with victory over Racing 92 at Thomond Park on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 5.15pm.
