Donal Lenihan: Failings laid bare as Euro exit deepens Munster pain

Munster are fast running out of scapegoats.

Munster's Craig Casey leaves the field at Sandy Park on Saturday. INPHO/Dan Sheridan

It’s now official. Munster rugby is in crisis mode. Saturday’s defeat to Exeter, their 10th in the last 14 games, not only sees Munster as the first Irish province to exit Champions/Challenge Cup rugby this season, but it places even further pressure on the side to finish in the top eight of the URC.

For an organisation already looking to direct a handful of staff towards the exit door, a failure to qualify for next season’s Champions Cup would be catastrophic.