Duncan Casey: Munster restore some faith with win that could define the season

If Stephen Archer wants to play on with Munster for another year, there should be a contract there for the 36-year-old. He is as valuable to this team as he has ever been.

Munster’s John Hodnett scores a try and celebrates with Gavin Coombes and Tom Farrell. Picture: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Regrettably, I watched the final quarter of Sale’s 40-point drubbing at the hands of Stormers on Saturday. I then followed this up by keeping a cursory eye on Bordeaux annihilating Exeter 69-17 in Sandy Park. It was a bad start to my weekend of rugby, one that left me with the bleakest outlook for the European Cup I’ve ever had.

How did a competition that was once so captivating decline to the point where scores like these are becoming routine? Of the 36 games played so far in this year’s competition, 16 have had winning margins of 20 points or more, and another three had gaps of 18 or 19. That means half the matches we have seen have not been the least bit competitive.