Munster and Lions captain Paul O'Connell insists that last weekend's crushing defeat by Leinster will spur his team on for their first Heineken Cup clash.
The men in red were beaten 30-0 at Dublin's RDS on Saturday in a match which saw John Hayes sent off after appearing to stamp on the face of opposing prop Cian Healy.
O'Connell believes the team's thrashing will encourage them to fight harder when they take on Northampton on Saturday, saying: "Everything needs to improve from last weekend. I think if it does, we have a good chance at the weekend."
He added: "I think it will be a big motivation for us having had such a disappointing performance last Saturday.
"We did none of our basics well and that's the most important thing you do."
At the Dublin launch of the Heineken Cup's 15th season, the Lions skipper admitted Munster had a difficult challenge ahead against fellow Pool One teams Perpignan, Treviso and Northampton.
"Going away to Northampton and going away to Perpignan are going to be incredibly tough games, so we're going to be concentrating on getting out of our group first and foremost," he added.
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i think it just shows where munsters priorities are this year.they only have to finish top four for the magniers to qualify for the playoffs.they want the heineken cup back.
WE CAN, WE WILL, WE MUST LEARN FROM THE DEFEAT OF LEINSTER. WE ARE ONE DETERMINED TEAM TO RAISE OUR GAME FOR NEXT WEEK-END. GOOD ON YOU PAUL, I BELIEVE THE TEAM WILL PRODUCE AGAINST NORTHHAMTON. THE HEINKEN CUP IS YOURS FOR THE TAKING AND LEINSTER WILL KNOW TWO IN A ROW ARE HARD COME BY.
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