Munster Rugby must think outside the box

Munster Rugby should think outside of the box when seeking a successor to Rob Penney as head coach. An outstanding candidate, should he be pursued, is a Munsterman who has experience as a coach at a high level in an environment outside of the confines of Ireland, namely Conor O’Shea of Harlequins.

The advantage to Munster of attracting a candidate such as he, as a rugby coach, puts a huge emphasis on the development of skills.

A major reason why Munster Rugby, up until the arrival of Rob Penney, historically employed a very limited style of play was because there had long been a skills deficit as a result of the way that rugby has been taught within the province. This meant that, for multiple decades, Munster rugby players had not the confidence to play anything other than a restricted, one-dimensional game. Munster needs to continue to inculcate the advanced skills (begun under Penney) required in order for Ireland to take on the best in the world. This goal will not be achieved if Munster Rugby, in a post-Penney era, goes back into its shell.