Alex Kendellen: Sharks defeat to help in eye of Stormers

Alex Kendellen says Munster's loss to the Sharks will stand to them as they attempt to upset URC defending champions Stormers today (5.15pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

The Reds crashed out of the Heineken Champions Cup with a 50-35 defeat in Durban two weeks ago and faded badly at the start of the second half as the South Africans ran in five tries in just 23 minutes.

Now Graham Rowntree's men are back in the southern hemisphere for a double-header looking to book their play-off place as well as a spot in next season's Champions Cup.

Just two points, from today's match and next weekend's meeting with the Sharks, will ensure a quarter-final place, while they'll likely need a top-seven finish in the table to dine at Europe's top table next season.

"Yeah, definitely, that will stand to us a lot I think," said the 22-year-old back rower when asked about going through the defeat in King's Park.

"We knew they were going to be physical and I think we matched that with them in the first half, just being three points down at half-time. I think it's just sorting out that third quarter is where we went wrong and it’s up to us now as players to put it right this week.

"We know exactly what it’s going to take. It takes everything to beat a South African side down here and we’re looking forward to it.

"We’re looking forward to putting those wrongs right that we faced against the Sharks.

"The Stormers are a great side. They’re reigning champions for a reason.

"They’ve a big pack that can maul and we’re going to try to deny that access. Look, it’s really just about getting out there, starting well and we’re just really looking forward to it now."

URC ROUND 17: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

John Dobson's side are currently second in the table and