Champagne Moments 17 Jan

Again, we would like to thank Shaun Payne for taking time to answer some questions from Supporters. The cancellation of the Ulster match and the lack of a competitive match seemed to leave you as a group a bit "ring rusty" – what impact do you think this had? Well you know no matter what trainng you do there is no substitute for game time and yes we could have done with that game against Ulster. It would have been physical and ideal preparation for the Clermont match. You might be remember that a few of us didn’t play against Connacht so it was almost a month since we’d had a game. What was the mood like in the camp after the match on Sunday? Well put it this way Initially disappointed but if we hadn’t taken something (a point) we would have been shattered. We gave ourselves something of a mountain to climb with that first half performance and then worked our socks off. At least we’ve given ourselves a clear idea of what we need to do and that point means a huge amount in those terms. The bonus point was vital – how will you approach the game on Saturday? I know it sounds cliched but the very same way we approach any game. There will be no difference except I think the early part of the week will be a little easier as guys allow their bodies to recover but then we’ll train Wednesday and Thursday and there’ll be nothing different done in the lead up to this one Doug Howlett made an impressive debut – how has he settled in to the group? I think I was asked this last week ? He seems to have settled in well. What magic wand did Declan wave at half-time you were like a different team in the second half- it must have been some speech – what did he say? Look a lot of people said things but mainly we knew we had to get our hands on the ball and keep possession. We didn’t do that in the first half and we might have been gone by half time except for the defensive effort. We knew a similar effort just wouldn’t do and we knew we had to get points on the board early. Do you think the change back to Saturday evening will have any impact? Well it certanly wont bother them (London Wasps). You could play them at six o’clock in the morning and they’d produce a performance. In terms of the crowd, yes I think its suits everyone better to be playing later in the day rather than say the one o’clocks we’ve had. I hope it will energise the crowd because we need our 16th man like never before. Don’t laugh but any spare ticket for Saturday? (have to ask anyway) Now sorry, but that is funny. The previous Champagne Moments can be viewed HERE Questions posed by Tony Cusack Filed by Darren Desmond 170108