Munster’s kicking solution may be right under their nose...
Ulster have displayed great resilience in recent weeks in coping with the loss of Iain Henderson, Dan Touhy, Chris Henry, Darran Cave, Tommy Bowe and Jared Payne and still account for Toulouse on successive weeks. In adversity Les Kiss has unearthed a very potent new midfield combination in Stuart McCloskey and a rejuvenated Luke Marshall. They created havoc against their illustrious French opponents and will also have caught the attention of Joe Schmidt.
Ulster’s problem, however, is that Europe’s form side this season, Saracens, unbeaten in domestic and European competition are certain to top Pool 1 leaving Ulster fighting for that runners up slot and a quarter-final on the road. Munster and Leinster would gladly accept that position right now.
It has been a miserable few weeks for Leinster. With so many of the national squad on duty under Leo Cullen’s watch, it must be of huge concern for Schmidt that they can’t buy a win at present. It doesn’t help that they have been pitched in one of the toughest pools ever assembled in European competition but Cullen must use his final two games in that tournament as a springboard to better things in the Guinness Pro12.
Leinster found themselves in that horrendous pool as a direct consequence of finishing fifth in the Pro12 last season. They will now look to propel themselves to the summit this time out in order to give themselves a fighting chance back in Europe next season. One of the key changes effected by the new EPCR board for the revamped Champions Cup is that seedlings for the annual pool draw are based solely in your finishing position across the three domestic leagues.
That has changed the Pro12 for the better. Past history in Europe, a passport for top seeding for Munster and Leinster in the days of the Heineken Cup, is no longer a factor. That makes it very easy for Cullen and his management team to prioritise where Leinster’s focus will be for the remaining five months of the season.
With Munster looking to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat in competitive action and Leinster desperate for a win, the Pro12 clash of the age old rivals in Thomond Park next Sunday has become a must win for both sides. As a consequence I sincerely hope that the importance of the game is reflected in the selection of both sides.
This festive contest has been denuded of the top internationals in recent seasons due to demands of the national management. With both sides looking to get back to winning ways in search of a confidence boost, Schmidt may be better served by letting all his front liners have a real crack at each other.
Given that a number of players who featured in the World Cup are struggling for form at present and places on the Irish side to face Wales in the opening game of the Six Nations in just over six weeks time are up for grabs, it would make the festive derbies even more competitive. That would also help in attracting a full house to Thomond Park, creating an atmosphere more in keeping with the venue.
ight now there are a number of vacancies in that Irish side with injury to key personnel taking its toll. Ironically enough Paul O’Connell is the only Irish player to retire from the international fold since the tournament but unfortunately Tommy Bowe, Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony will play no part in the Six Nations. In addition Jared Payne has played no rugby since the Romania game and Robbie Henshaw is also crocked at present.
The worrying trend that has seen O’Connell, his obvious successor in the second row in Henderson and now Mike Ross — in addition to Cian Healy and Richardt Strauss last season — all pick up serious hamstring injuries must be a source of worry for the Irish medical staff. That is not the type of injury one associates with front five forwards.
That said a number of players are putting their hands up at present and deserve inclusion in Schmidt’s squad when it is announced in a few weeks. Chief amongst them is Rhys Ruddock, outstanding in the two games against Toulon. He has been bedevilled with injury in recent seasons but is now fully fit for the first time in ages and playing inspired rugby. He has put his hands up for O’Mahony’s vacant No 6 jersey but faces serious competition from CJ Stander who has become Irish-eligible since the World Cup.
Stander also poses a threat to Jamie Heaslip and it would be great to see those two going head-to-head at the weekend. Jordi Murphy was an ever present in last season’s Six Nations match day squad but has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks.
James Cronin featured off the bench in Ireland’s opener against Italy last February but fell out of favour with Schmidt due to issues surrounding his fitness and ability to absorb all the nuances of the Irish game plan. He is another to knuckle down and come back stronger. He was magnificent against Leicester last Sunday and has that belligerent doggedness that made Peter Clohessy such a great competitor. Cronin deserves another chance.
That is why it would be great to see packed teams going at it in those Pro12 derbies over the next two weekends. Munster are doing a lot of things well at present but one of the issues that has become a constant thorn in their quest to convert hard-earned periods of dominance into points on the board is Ian Keatley’s inconsistency from the boot.
He missed vital kicks during two such periods at Welford Road and opted to go to the corner for a line out on another occasion in the first half rather than take a shot at goal. When Munster were penalised from the ensuing phase, the psychological edge immediately flipped in favour of the hosts.
Munster need to broaden their options on the kicking front and may well have the answer under their nose. Conor Murray has the makings of an excellent place kicker and could take pressure off Keatley.
He has a bit of a track record here, admittedly at AIL level, but has the temperament to grow into the role. I remember a conversation with Neil Jenkins on the 2013 Lions tour and, as the Lions kicking coach, he saw a huge future for Murray — who spent a bit of time practicing with the main kickers on that tour — if he choose to pursue it.
If I was Anthony Foley, I would be having a quiet chat with Murray in an effort to light that fire once again.
As Ronan O’Gara proved over the years in Munster colours, turning pressure into points from the boot goes a long way towards winning key matches, even when you are not playing well. Munster need to recapture that ability.
Happy Christmas to one and all.
