Breathing space gives Munster time to develop attacking game
A lack of composure cost the westerners dearly after competing magnificently against the odds at a highly charged Kingsholm. Instead of celebrating a historic win in the competition, Eric Elwood’s men were left to contemplate a record 10th successive defeat for the province. Their efforts deserve so much more than that.
Wins for Leinster and for Ulster over Aironi in northern Italy on Saturday put the pressure on Munster to make it a table-topping treble for the Irish over the weekend as they entertained a Scarlets outfit determined to show their stunning bonus point win at Franklin’s Gardens over Northampton in round two was no aberration.
Once again the nerves were left jangling as Munster entered the final minutes with the contest still to be decided.
A six-point win will read statistically as their most decisive pool win of the season but it came after a rocky final quarter when, for once in this campaign, the use of the bench failed to ignite a team that never hit the heights.
I have repeatedly made the point this season that if this Munster side is not at fever pitch then they are vulnerable. Once again a very slow start enabled the Scarlets gain a foothold in the game, aided by some very lax Munster defence which the visitors were quick to exploit. Had they been more clinical, or had George North been on hand, then Munster would have been in trouble. Their line speed in defence throughout the game was uncharacteristically poor, inviting the Scarlets to boss the gain line as the hosts stood back and offered them space.
The fact that Scarlets lost to Munster for the 14th consecutive occasion highlights poor mental preparation by the Welsh outfit. On a number of occasions this week, I heard the same mantra being preached by the Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies, admitting that Thomond Park is a very difficult place to come and win. I think that attitude is imprinted in the mindset of this group of Scarlets players at this stage. If you travel to Limerick without belief, you may as well stay on the bus.
Munster benefited from that psychological advantage to win a game without ever extending themselves. Their set piece was sluggish to begin with but once BJ Botha imposed himself at tight head, the penalties started to flow. It took 25 minutes for Munster to generate any semblance of continuity, and once again that was facilitated by being more direct through a series of well executed pick and go’s. That said they were still vulnerable off Scarlet lineouts due to a breakdown in communication in defending the inside channel off Ronan O’Gara. Jonathan Davies recognised this and continuously created problems before Munster addressed the issue at the half time break.
It didn’t help that the chances Munster did create — like the one in the Scarlets 22 when a quick offload by Lifeimi Mafi to Niall Ronan, who ran a sumptuous line, would have seen him under the posts unopposed — were not put away. The Scarlets were undone eventually by Munster’s trademark lineout maul, which produced a try for James Coughlan after Jon Edwards had seen yellow.
However, Munster failed to kick on from there and nearly paid a very high price.
The fact that they are now five points ahead of the Scarlets in the pool — who remain as their only credible challengers — with four wins from four is a testament to their resilience and composure under pressure. Up to this point there has been an over-reliance on O’Gara and Paul O’Connell to get them over the line but on this occasion it was great to see that inspiration coming from one of the babes of the team in man of the match Conor Murray. Content to do the basics when he first came into the side, he is now taking on more and more responsibility. His scramble defence is superb and now he has the confidence to go for the break that was always part of his armoury.
With Castres next up in Thomond Park in January, Munster are now in a position to have a quarter-final slot in the bag even before travelling to meet Northampton in their final pool game. By that stage they should be qualified and fighting for that vital home advantage in the last eight. The break from the tournament will do them good as all four encounters have been a dogfight to the death. With a bit of breathing space and the pressure off for a few weeks it also affords them time to develop their attacking game which threatens to break out but disappears just as quickly. In order to be a threat in the knockout stages that is the next step Munster need to take.
For the moment, as the only side in the tournament with a 100% record after Toulouse lost at home to Harlequins, they have delivered more than anyone dared to dream at the outset of this campaign.
