McGahan’s race against time
With just three sides in the tournament a 66% return with Munster and Leinster progressing is a tremendous achievement. By way of comparison the French with seven representatives at the starting line have posted a return of just 14% and that by the skin of their teeth with Toulouse scraping through in eighth position.
Of all the French teams Clermont Auvergne are unluckiest.
I have seen them in action on the four occasions in which they faced Munster. With the exception of the champions they have been the strongest team in the tournament. Two wins from their four encounters with Munster and the manner in which they pushed them all the way in Thomond Park in December suggests that if they were in any other pool they would be seriously challenging for honours.
Whatever about the danger Toulouse could ultimately present to Munster’s crown, I’m sure Tony McGahan is delighted to see the back of the Michelin men.
Yesterday’s semi-final draw at least guarantees that only one Irish side will progress to the final with Munster and Leinster set to meet at the penultimate stage should both emerge from their respective quarter-finals.
There will be much speculation over the coming weeks as to where that game would be staged but it is unthinkable that in these challenging economic times it could be taken out of Ireland.
The prospect will also be an unwelcome distraction to both teams as they prepare for the games against the Ospreys and Harlequins but hopefully a ‘what if’ situation will be addressed by the authorities in the coming weeks.
Leinster may be attracting a lot of adverse comment about their recent lack of form but they now have 12 weeks to get their act together. Under the circumstances their away quarter-final against Harlequins is about as good as they could have hoped for. With the quality of player at their disposal it should not be difficult to turn things around. A potential semi-final against Munster will offer some carrot as a victory against their arch rivals would quickly eradicate the shortcomings of the last few years. There is a lot of rugby to be played however before that situation presents itself.
From Munster’s point of view, I’m sure McGahan would be more than happy if the quarter-finals were taking place over the next fortnight.
Having found it difficult to regain their early season form after the distractions of the autumn internationals, Munster have re-discovered their hunger and clinical edge. With just three weeks between the last championship clash against Wales in Cardiff and the much awaited game against the Ospreys, McGahan will once again be in a race against time. In the circumstances the clash in the Magners league against Leinster on the weekend before the quarter-finals should prove beneficial to both. A hard competitive game with a bit of an edge is ideal preparation for the do or die challenge that a Heineken Cup quarter-final offers.
With so many players from both sides challenging for places on the Lions tour to South Africa, Munster’s game against the Ospreys could almost pose as a final trial.
Of the current Ospreys back line six can have serious aspirations of travelling with Mike Phillips, James Hook, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams, Lee Byrne and Tommy Bowe all in the running. One could also add the name of young centre Andrew Bishop who has impressed lately and will challenge for a starting position in the Welsh side.
The clash at half back where the in form Tomás O’Leary and Ronan O’Gara will face Phillips and Hook should be great. The lack of appreciation for O’Gara from across the water never ceases to amaze me. On Sky Sports’ enjoyable Rugby Club programme recently I was baffled to see respected panellists Stuart Barnes, Dewi Morris and Will Greenwood each select their Lions test side with a different choice at No. 10 in Danny Cipriani, James Hook and Stephen Jones. Given that all three pundits are former Lions backs with an intimate knowledge of how important a controlling influence is at out half I was amazed that none had opted for O’Gara. Should Munster win a third Heineken Cup maybe he will get the recognition his consistent performances warrant.
With all the relevant decisions surrounding the Heineken Cup now put to bed, the players must quickly change the mind set to the demands of the 6 Nations and the different challenges that international rugby presents. For the top players the treadmill never stops.
