Plymouth Albion keen to bounce back in British and Irish Cup
NAT SAUMI says his Plymouth Albion team are determined to bounce back from last week's heavy defeat at Bedford when they take on defending champions Munster in the British & Irish Cup tomorrow at Brickfields (3pm).
Albion were outscored eight tries to two at Goldington Road as Bedford ran out 55-17 winners.
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According to Saumi, the players were hurt by that loss and want to take their frustrations out on Munster's second string.
It meant the Albion coach rethinking his selection for tomorrow's cup game.
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Saumi has opted not to experiment too much, as he was considering doing. Sam Matavesi is the only player who starts this weekend who has not yet featured in the Championship this season.
"I was trying to rest some of them, but, having talked to the skipper, they want to put the record straight," said Saumi.
"We are back at home they want to give the supporters something and get back to form.
"I also made up my mind (on the team) because we are playing against the defending champions, so it will be tough.
"It will be a good, hard game at home.
"We are trying to play well at home and keep Brickfields as a really difficult place for away teams to come and play and that's why we have gone for a strong team."
Saumi said it had not been hard to pick his team up after last week's disappointment at Bedford.
"After Saturday we had a meeting and then we had another on the Monday, but as I said to them it is water under the bridge – it is finished – they have to look forward and trying to come back and put things right this week," he said.
"You have to use very wise words for the players just to get them back up again.
"But they have trained well and are ready to go."
Munster's first team are in Heineken Cup action in France against Racing Metro 92, but Saumi still believes the Irish side will field a strong side at Brickfields.
"They are one of the top clubs in Europe and we have all seen how youngsters have gone through their academy team into their first team," said Saumi. "Their system works and they will come this week with a strong team.
"But our focus is just on us and trying to get where we want to be. That is the only thing we are concentrating on this week.
"Whatever team they come up with, we just have to be ready to give them a good game.
"Like I said, they are the defending champions, but we will be ready for them."
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