Barry Coughlan

Munster A skipper Billy Holland believes several of the side selected for tomorrow’s British and Irish Cup final against Cross Keys at Musgrave Park (5.30 pm) can make serious claims for elevation to RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup rugby in the near future.

It is the biggest test of character yet for a Munster side that has overcome several daunting challenges to advance to the decider when they had been all but written off following defeat in their opening fixture to Cornish Pirates.

An unimpressive display, albeit one that yielded a narrow victory, against Ayr in the second match of the campaign appeared to suggest they would struggle to make the knock out stages.

But they did and shocked both Ulster and Leinster in the quarter and semi-finals respectively in Belfast and Dublin to earn a place in the final for the second time in three years.

It has been a source of great satisfaction for the experienced Holland, who figures the platform is now there for several young players to stake a claim for more regular exposure at the top.

“It’s an opportunity, no doubt,” said Holland, “The whole thing about the A team is to put yourself in the shop window, everyone wants to be on the senior team. It does a few things, it gives younger guys a developmental platform and for guys like myself it gives me game-time and a chance to show to the coaches why you think you should be playing.

“I have 47 caps and when I play for the A’s it is to try to get myself back into the senior team, although this Friday is slightly different in that you want to win silverware, especially because of the tough few weeks we (in Munster) have had, we badly want silverware of any shape or form.

“We started poorly and scraped through from our group but we have built nicely since; we played relatively well in Ravenhill and very well in the semi-final.”

That semi-final win over Leinster was as satisfying as any of Holland’s most memorable experiences in a red jersey, although he did single out the win away to Moseley as “special.”

“We had to get a bonus point win and had to win by 25 points, so that was a real challenge. Since we lost the first game at home to Cornish Pirates we were chasing, every game has been like a cup final and the boys have responded brilliantly.

“In the Leinster game we had to dig deep and show great character; it was typical Munster, I suppose, backs to the wall and we responded by coming out fighting.”

Holland described criticism of the Munster Academy as unfair, stressing, “it keeps churning guys out, that can’t be by chance, there’s something going right somewhere.”

Which is not to say he is taking tomorrow’s challenge lightly against a Mark Ring coached Cross Keys, whom Holland said were in the final on merit, if only for the fact they beat Cornish Pirates, who in turn beat Munster in Clonmel this season.

“They’re also in the final of the Welsh domestic competition, and they’re a real dogged big team with some pace in the back line. They have four guys who are getting regular game-time with the Dragons, they look like a real good cup team, seem to have a knack of winning close games so that’s another massive challenge.

“However, while any final can be decided by a bounce of the ball, I’m happy with the guys around me; there is a genuine core of talent, some very good players, and hopefully we can perform on the night.”