Murray: We need a big week in training to beat France
Munster and Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray knows Ireland will need a massive step-up in performance as they prepare to take on France in the Six Nations this week.
After a less than convincing win against Italy in Rome at the weekend, Ireland get set to welcome the French to Dublin.
The squad trained at Carton House today having arrived back to Dublin yesterday.
The defending Six Nations champions did very little to cause Italy any major problems in the first half of that game.
We expected a tough battle as all week prior to the game players and coaches were warning that Italy will always give 100% in their first game, which to their credit, they did for around an hour.
Murray says it was frustrating, considering the time the squad have had together over the last few months, but also pointed out that win number one is vital.
“The most important thing was that when I was there two years ago we lost, so we got the win and we are off to a winning start.” Murray said.
“We have France this weekend which is a huge challenge and we have a few areas to improve so that’s our set-up for the week.”
“We need a big week in training and get those little things right that didn’t go too well at the weekend and kick on, which I think we can.”
After the win in Rome, coach Joe Schmidt admitted that had things been different and Ireland had played England in the opening weekend, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Stuart Lancaster’s side produced a second half masterclass to beat Warren Gatland’s side in Cardiff.
Murray today admitted that this year’s World Cup hosts have set the standard for this Championship and has challenged his team-mates to step up to the mark.
“That was the standard set for the Championship and it was a really high standard of a game,” he said.
“The Italy game will not be good enough to beat France this weekend – We have to up it in a couple of areas and take on this week and train really well.”
“We have been in camp for a couple of weeks and over Christmas and in the new year so we are frustrated the way things worked out in the end.”
“We won and managed to get the job done and France did probably the same so I imagine they’re in camp this week with the same mind-set and trying to fix a few areas.”
