Munster must avoid reverting to type

The Magners League has now become a victim of the Munster- Leinster success

IT’S HARD to believe that Munster having won the Magners League at a canter, miles ahead on the table on points differential and 13 full league points ahead of Leinster, are not favourites in their cauldron that is Thomond Park. Tony McGahan says it’s all about attitude and intensity. Certainly that was the case against Harlequins where they struggled. I fancy they won’t make that mistake tomorrow.

However, tomorrow is much more than attitude and intensity, as those special Munster qualities are taken as given. What the impatient crowd are looking for is not just a win over their old rivals but one with style. There’s much at stake but the uncomfortable knowledge that Munster can keep Leinster on an even keel is high amongst them.

Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United have long been linked to the Munster template. As his team has aged and form faded they have continued to win but crucially they have managed to edge Liverpool on league titles. Leinster, with a first double, are in danger of leaving them behind in their own ground. Compare tomorrow’s finalists, Munster, Leinster, Man Utd and Barcelona?

Is it unfair to benchmark Munster who are in transition with the best team in Europe? That unfortunately is the space this Munster team now occupy and it is there we must look. Tony McGahan’s selection is all important. Many moons ago Ferguson dropped his starting goalkeeper and United legend for the FA Cup final.

Much tut tutting followed but United won and the rest as they say is history. Regardless of the blend between young and old it is the style that I’ll be watching. Unfortunately the old Munster guard aren’t able to play the Leinster way. That’s no problem as there’s enough space for the Munster brand. What is it and can each individual contribute?

The fundamental difference between tomorrows teams (aside from God-given traits) is the disjoint between Munster backs and forwards and the consummate ease with which all 15 Leinster jerseys seamlessly blend. When the circumstances are right, as they are for much of the Magners League, Munster have the freedom to express themselves beautifully. But when real cup pressure arrives they revert to type, front five players rumbling around the fringe when pacey backs are primed.

Leinster, facing a massive battle at half-time last week, reverted to their type which was an all-encompassing 15-man game where jersey numbers are almost irrelevant.

Munster appear to struggle with the skills (confidence) required to stick with their evolving game and when under pressure will revert to very simple fringe attacks.

This is all the more galling considering the talent spread throughout the side. One player stands out in the red and blue jersey to highlight my point. Mike Ross in Leinster has, coming from a low base, progressed steadily all season, certainly from the player I saw in the Sportsground last October.

Thirty-year-old James Coughlan is another who has exploded on the scene in totally deserving his Munster Player of the Year, but therein lies the Munster conundrum. What is he doing that all the Lions and internationals are not doing?

The Magners League has now become a victim of the Munster- Leinster success similar to the Scottish Premiership League between Rangers and Celtic. A half-filled Thomond Park for the semi-final which will be bursting tomorrow because of the opposition. So many teams in the league are simply not capable of beating either Munster or Leinster who played 44 games regular season; losing nine. Two of them came playing each other!

The new Magners League formation benefits Connacht and Ulster in particular as they rebuild but I feel the league has tricked Munster. The contrast between the ferocity of European opposition arriving into Thomond Park versus Glasgow Warriors has been a mental struggle for Munster.

There are many subplots tomorrow but as Magners bow out of the league it does beg the question where is this crucially important tournament heading. Connacht for one have benefited enormously from the extra games available and now enter the holy land.

But as stated in this article way back in April 2010, you can’t fire a canon out of a canoe and the IRFU have some rearranging of the chairs to do and in a Rugby World Cup season.

The IRFU can’t take all the heat as Connacht’s approach to the carnival that is coming should be two fold. The players will revel in the opportunity but need massive support (IRFU). The branch will be tested too.

Will they think outside the box and head to Pearce Stadium, Athlone or even Thomond Park where the Fields of Athenry are already in full voice. If they don’t get 20,000 per match they have failed. How many marched on Lansdowne Road in January 2003?

In the middle of all the emotion of last weekend I’m reminded how life does go on and for many the half-time turnaround by Leinster is exactly what they are praying for.

For those who are unaware, Paul Darbyshire, originally from Wigan, the head of strength and conditioning for Munster rugby for the past 4 seasons, was last September diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Paul had long been the standard bearer within the Munster team.

Paul (39) is married to Lyndsay and has four children, Ella (13), Georgia (11), Jack (7) and Harry born last October. For the Leinster match on April 2nd 2011 Jack had the honour of leading Munster out as team mascot and proved the lucky charm as they managed to reverse a five-game losing streak!

Theres a Rugby Charity Cycle Ride from Musgrave Park, Cork, to Warrignton, England, to raise money for Paul and Motor Neurone Disease (Ireland) and is taking place on 19th-23rd June 2011. Shaun and Michelle Payne and their Killaloe friends’ Munster Leg will be from Musgrave Park to Thomond Park on June 19th. For information or to take part in the cycle or simply get involved in this great cause, visit the main charity home page a mycharity.ie.

liamtoland@yahoo.com

“The fundamental difference between tomorrows teams (aside from God-given traits) is the disjoint between Munster backs and forwards and the consummate ease with which all 15 Leinster jerseys seamlessly blend