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James Botham: The area of the game URC rivals Munster are 'very good at'
By Simon Thomas
James Botham says Cardiff will have to produce their best performance of the season to come out on top in their huge clash with play-off rivals Munster.
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The Arms Park is set to be packed for the all-important meeting between sixth and seventh in the BKT URC table with just a point separating the two teams.
“It’s nice to be playing for something,” said Wales flanker Botham.
“It’s the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve been in the top eight at this stage of the season and I’ve been here since 2016. So it’s going to be a huge game.”
Looking at Munster, he said: “They are very good at the contact area. They hold up and slow ball down, which kind of suits their game.
“But they have got threats all across the board really.
“So it will be a case of us having to play the best we have played all season to get the five points.”
This will be Cardiff’s last home game of the campaign, with two fixtures out in South Africa to come in the final two rounds.
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“The fans have been great all season,” said Botham.
“To give ourselves the best shot of the play-offs and also to finish on a high for the fans would be massive.
“As I say, I’ve been here nearly ten years now and it means everything. To have a chance of getting any sort of silverware would be amazing.
“So I can’t wait for the game and it will be interesting to see how it pans out.”
Echoing Botham, head coach Matt Sherratt added: “It has to be our best performance this season and I have said this to the players.
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“It’s a game with a lot riding on it, in a league that’s incredibly tight and against a brilliant team full of internationals with massive history.
“Them being a point behind us in the table has probably sharpened their senses.”
Munster assistant coach Mossy Lawler commented: “We’re seventh in the table, we’ve three games left and two of them are at home. So, from our point of view, it’s what we can control. If we win our games, we stay in the top eight.”
The visitors have made seven changes from their narrow 16-13 home defeat to the Bulls in Round 15 with Gavin Coombes, Mike Haley, Calvin Nash and Craig Casey returning from injury/illness, while loosehead prop Michael Milne makes his debut after joining from Leinster on loan.
As for Cardiff, they welcome back second row Josh McNally who was away playing for the RAF against the Navy last weekend. He will be looking to celebrate having just signed a contract extension.
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