If there ever was an opportunity to make a statement, the Emirates Lions know it will be this weekend in Limerick as they gear up to face a Munster side very much in transition.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen’s side have done exceptionally well this season, are currently fourth on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship table, knowing that they can do themselves a massive favour if they score an upset at Thomond Park this weekend.
Traditionally Munster would be massive favourites against a young Lions side, but the shock departure of coach Graham Rowntree before the international break has shaken things up in the team, and Head of Rugby Operations Ian Costello has taken over the coaching of the side since Rowntree’s sudden departure, which still hasn’t been fully explained.
Then, in the middle of the international season, forwards coach Andy Kyriacou has also departed, saying he needed to be closer to his young family, something that was perhaps not unexpected, but still surprising after the first phase of a long season.
That has left Munster searching for a replacement coach and assistant coach in the time most non-international players and coaches were enjoying a few weeks off.
And while they have not found a new coach, they appointed journeyman coach Alex Codling - the former Newcastle Falcons coach and current Irish Women’s forwards coach as a forwards consultant to help them through this period while they are searching for a replacement.
SENSE OF UNEASE
But all of this has left a sense of unease among Munster fans, something the Lions, who had no Springboks in the Autumn Internationals squad and all who had a full rest period in this time, ready to exploit.
The Lions should head to Limerick at almost full strength, and know if they can hit the ground running, they can exploit the change in coaching structures to a degree that they could pull off a surprise victory.
While most of their wins have come in South Africa this year, the Lions did keep the scoreline down against Leinster, although they did disappoint with the fact they played with very little enterprise and adventure and looked like a team who would be happy with a limited loss in Dublin.
This week they need to show more resolve and show they are worthy of the top four spot that they believe they can get to by the end of the season. A win in Ireland will be a massive boost for the side and should they get their game plan right, there is no reason why that can’t happen.
Thomond Park is an imposing ground, but not somewhere the Lions won’t be used to playing. The late kickoff means conditions won’t favour their game plan either, but with a strong setpiece and some clever play they can surprise.
Add to this Munster have had injury issues, and had to sign two short term prop replacements - including the Sharks’ Dian Bleuer - to help them out of an injury hole, and there is another part of the game the Lions can potentially exploit.
It is also not clear yet how many of the Irish internationals will be available for the clash, as some may well be rested by Munster on orders from the Irish Rugby Union, which could tip the scales a bit more towards the visitors.
Either way, what will happen on Saturday night will be mostly up to which Lions team, and what game plan they adapt, as they notch up another away fixture before their EPCR Challenge Cup begins.