CORNISH Pirates high performance manager Chris Stirling summed up the mood in the camp in the build-up to Sunday's cup final.

He said: "There's a lot of excitement and that can manifest itself on the training park with a lack of accuracy and sometimes frustration. Also, a lack of tolerance with people who may switch off in training, because the boys are hammering into each other at the moment."

Stirling explained his message to the squad in the week ahead of the game. He said: "You don't get the opportunity to play in finals and play for trophies every day. This will be the biggest game some of these guys have played in, and in some cases will play in, and there are some guys who have played at a high level of professional rugby who have never had this opportunity."

He continued: "My message is that to win big games you have got to go out and play. If you are conservative you will lose. You have to go out and grab the game and be prepared to take risks. We have to play the game to our strengths, which are tempo, width and having the guts to attack from anywhere."

"Regardless of the result, the only thing I will be asking the players is that they can come off the park and hold their heads up, look each other in the eyes and honestly say that as a team and as individuals, they gave it everything they had."

Pleasure

With a big crowd expected for the match, Stirling added: "It is really easy to climb on the bandwagon and jump up and down when things are going well, but when we are in a patch and are struggling, and that will happen on Sunday, that is when we need the fans to dig deep and really lift us."

He continued: "It is such a pleasure to play rugby for the Cornish supporters and I want to thank them for their support home and away. They want us to do well so much, and that puts a real drive behind the team.

Pirates' skipper Gavin Cattle said: "We have had a week off but we aren't approaching this game any differently. We have got a few evening training sessions this week and I think then it will click in that we have got an evening cup final on Sunday. It's nervous times, but it is also good times to be in as well."

So what would his last words be before the team leaves the dressing room on Sunday? Cattle explained: "That is something you say on instinct really and I'm actually in no doubt that when it comes to the time I won't have to say anything; the feeling will already be there which has happened this season when we have had big games. There won't be massive words of wisdom because the boys will be focused on their own jobs. It will just be about aggression and not getting too carried away really."

Cattle's previous experiences of playing Munster have not been too happy, but he knows what to expect from the Irish side. He explained: "Unfortunately I have lost against Munster every time I have played them. They have a basic game plan but are very thorough, aggressive and dogged. They play keep ball rugby, so we need to get hold of the ball and make the best use of it."

And his message to the Pirates' fans is: "Get behind us!" he said. Cattle continued: "When they do, it really spurs us on and gives that extra bit of fitness you are looking for. Down here the fans are awesome and I hope the ground will be packed out so we can do them proud."

Lock Ben Gulliver added: "A few of us have taken a look at Munster and they are very physical up front. They are not a young team by any means and are quite cute with the Ref too. It's going to be pretty hectic around the breakdown area but if we focus and get things right we will come out the other side okay.

"To win would be awesome. This is my first final since I was a colt and there aren't many boys in the squad who have won a lot so it's huge for us all."