Leinster options, Munster problems – both run deep
THE elimination of French semi-finalists Toulouse and Perpignan over the weekend was good news for ERC as Leinster and Northampton fans will flock to Cardiff on May 21 in their droves. That takes care of the finances for another year.
However, of equal importance is the fact that despite Leinster’s outstanding form and consistency this season, Northampton will pose a real threat to their title aspirations and will guarantee a final rich in quality, colour and passion. The one issue for Northampton is how they balance their commitments on the domestic front over the next few weeks as question marks remain over the depth of their squad.
Throughout the season they’ve had to rely on practically the same starting 15 to produce results on the big day. The vulnerability of their squad was manifestly evident during the Six Nations when deprived of the services of Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley and Tom Wood, while Courtney Lawes was also an absentee due to injury. The net result? They lost six Aviva Premiership games on the trot.
Contrast that with Leinster. Despite losing over twice as many players to Ireland during the course of the Six Nations, they still occupy second place in the Magners League thanks to their reserve strength. That quality manifested itself in the strength of Leinster’s bench on Saturday with the facility to introduce international class replacements in Shane Jennings, Heinke van der Merwe, Isaac Boss, Fergus McFadden and Stan Wright.
In addition, factor in the impact made this season by Devin Toner, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Eoin O’Malley and Dave Kearney — only one of whom made the bench on Saturday (Toner) — and you get a clear understanding of why Leinster are striving for silverware on two fronts.
Yet despite their squad limitations, Northampton are only 80 minutes away from becoming the first side in the history of the Heineken Cup to remain unbeaten throughout the tournament’s nine-game schedule. When you consider that the likes of Toulouse, Wasps, Munster and Leicester Tigers have never managed that feat, you begin to recognise just how difficult an assignment that is.
Northampton coach Jim Mallinder has some interesting selection dilemmas now. Should his Saints beat the Premiership’s bottom side, Leeds Carnegie, next Saturday, they face the demanding prospect of meeting either Leicester or Saracens away in the semi-final of the Premiership on the weekend prior to the Heineken Cup final. Leinster face similar demands in the Magners League but are better placed to cope. Joe Schmidt has rotated his squad brilliantly this season and despite changing personnel, Leinster still manage to adhere to the same game plan and playing philosophy.
MUNSTER’S defeat to Harlequins on Saturday was far more disappointing for the manner of their performance than the result itself. Winning the Amlin Challenge Cup was vital for a number of reasons and to go down in such an abject manner was very worrying. The fact that an average Stade Francais side accounted for Clermont Auvergne, who fielded an under-strength team in the other semi-final, meant that this trophy was there for the taking. Saturday’s result just confirmed what we knew already — a period of change and restructure for Munster is now at hand.
This has been coming for some time as the heroes of the last decade reach the point where their bodies begin to rebel and the mileage on the clock becomes a predominant issue. Despite the doom and gloom there is reason for hope. Munster’s facile 14-point lead at the head of the Magners League table also tells a story. To build a lead of that margin, especially when missing many of your international stars for long periods of competition, requires quality in reserve.
The next generation can only prove themselves at this level when given the opportunity to do so. This season alone, Munster have travelled away to Ulster and to the Scarlets and recorded magnificent wins against opposition sprinkled with internationals. Munster also beat an Australian side packed with individuals who are flying in the Super XV at present. Tony McGahan has given a lot of game time to the younger brigade and they have not let him down.
Those wins will not be enough in themselves to propel Munster back in contention for Heineken Cup honours and some pain will have to be endured in the short term. To aid the rebuilding process Munster need to recruit wisely over the summer period and after the World Cup with the midfield area requiring serious surgery — the void left after the retirement of Rua Tipoki has never been adequately filled.
The recruitment of Jean de Villiers looked an astute signing at the time but never quite worked out. The fact that he opted to return home to South Africa with a year of his contract to run left Munster in a difficult position as all of the game’s best midfield practitioners are tied up until after the World Cup. Hence the acquisition of Sam Tuitupou on a 12-month deal. The fact that he has now been released offers a clear indication that Munster will sign a proven No 12 of Test quality after the World Cup.
In addition, they need to supplement their back row resources with a ball-carrying line-out option with a Test pedigree at number six and/or number eight. BJ Botha has already been signed to fill the troublesome tight head slot and young Stephen Archer, who has made big strides of late, needs to align himself with Botha over the next two years and learn all he can from the multi-capped Springbok.
We then come to the more demanding prospect of filling the void left by Ronan O’Gara when he finally hangs up his boots in two years’ time. Connacht’s Ian Keatley has been afforded the chance to stake a claim for the role over that period but has big boots to fill. At least we will have a fair idea as to whether he is up to the task as he should enjoy a lot of game time at the start of next season while O’Gara is on RWC duty.
It is worth remembering that it took Jonny Sexton a while to establish his credentials in the shadow of Felipe Contepomi and one can only speculate what would have happened if the Argentina star had not got injured in that Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster at Croke Park. Sexton was sprung from the bench, seizing the moment and went on to play an outstanding role in the final against Leicester.
Keatley has accumulated serious game time in the Magners League and Amlin Challenge Cup at this stage of his career but the jury is still out as to whether he can take the next step in the heated cauldron of the Heineken Cup. That is just one of many questions Munster must address over the course of the next 12 months.
