Champagne Moments 31 Jan

Again, we would like to thank Shaun Payne for taking time to answer some questions from Supporters. How easy is it preparing to play against Edinburgh given that they have lost as many players as we have to the 6 nations and ‘A’ international matches? Its no easier or harder than preparing for any game. Its a huge game for us because we need to maintain our push momentum in that competition while they have been stringing together a good sequence – wins over Leicester and Leinster in Europe – and they will be itching to make up for their defeat in Murrayfield last year. The squad now has three weeks before a competitive game, will there be a shift in emphasis in training (more weights or skills work or more rest)? We had last week off and this week and next we have just one full squad session then its back to the routine two squad sessions a week. Edinburgh is now coached by Andy Robinson who has been a very successful coach with Bath, England as forwards coach and now with the obviously improving Edinburgh – excluding DK, which coaches you have worked with have impressed you most? Thankfully, I haven’t worked with that many but Alan Gaffney along with Declan would be right up there with the best of them in my opinion Do you regard the fact that both Ulster and Leinster failed to qualify for the quarters of the Heineken Cup as an indication that the national side will struggle in the 6 Nations? No I wouldn’t, if anything it might even make those players more determined to do well for Ireland. Any idea when the Ulster game in Ravenhill might be? (The sooner they announce the date, the sooner we can book hotels and transport for the match.) I have no idea at this stage, sorry Any update on injury to John O’Sullivan? John is back training and is ahead of schedule for a return. Again cant be certain but he could be in contention for a run in the Edinburgh game. The previous Champagne Moments can be viewed HERE Questions posed by Eamonn Keane Filed by Darren Desmond 31 Jan 2008