RUGBY UNION | STEPHEN ARCHER INTERVIEW

Stephen Archer: I’d like to be remembered as the fella anyone can talk to

The revitalised prop tells Peter O’Reilly he is determind to end Munster’s URC drought

Of the present Munster squad, only Earls has been around longer than Archer
Of the present Munster squad, only Earls has been around longer than Archer
RYAN BYRNE/INPHO/SHUTTERSTOCK
The Sunday Times

Stephen Archer was on the bus home from Dublin when he saw the clip of the Stormers celebrating Munster’s victory over Leinster. The result guaranteed the United Rugby Championship holders another final in Cape Town and meant they had avoided a long-haul flight to Dublin to play the tournament favourites. No wonder they were so ecstatic.

Yet something in their communal bliss was disrespectful to Munster, surely? “It obviously means a lot to them to be playing at home,” Archer says with a diplomatic grin.

The 35-year-old prop is excited about returning to the spot where Munster effectively saved their season five weeks ago. He is just concerned about the pitch at DHL Stadium, which appeared to have deteriorated when Connacht played there last Saturday.