Ronan O’Gara: Munster are a hard watch at the moment

In Munster v Ulster, there was plenty to be critical about but I would be venturing into Pat Spillane on Ulster football territory if I did so

The URC clash between Munster and Ulster was tough viewing for Ronan O'Gara, watching from France with Finn Russell and Racing 92 playing Clermont Auvergne on the other channel. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

At this moment, I have no confirmation that La Rochelle’s Champions Cup game at home to Bath on Saturday is going ahead. It looks likely to proceed but who knows? This week’s attempts by EPRC to bring order to the Covid chaos and to provide some semblance of a pathway to the knock-out phase of the tournament will be flushed down the pooper if we have another round affected with cancellations.

These last-minute doubts and postponements are an absolute buzz killer for players and coaches, We have lost fixtures against Bath and Toulon the day before kick-off. It leaves you shattered. You don’t get that emotional release that a game brings to your week. The Top 14 is a long, eleven-month campaign and players (plus coaches) need to vent that emotional energy at the weekend. Some things don’t change - players want games, not training.