Video analysis helps keep Munster one step ahead

ONE of the more memorable aspects of Munster’s victory over Leicester in the Heineken Cup quarter-final was the impressive manner in which they prepared for the game.

They seemed to be ready for just about anything the Tigers could throw at them and much of the credit for this has been lavished on the backroom team led by coaches Alan Gaffney, Brian Hickey and Paul McCarthy and video analyst George Murray.

The amount of time spent on filming, editing and cutting the tapes of countless matches is incredible but Gaffney is a huge believer in the process. He knew Wicklowman Murray from his days with Leinster and brought him on board this season.

Indeed, testament to Murray's work was the damage done to the Leicester lineout by Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell. O'Connell later revealed that video analysis of last year's final allowed them to plan a concerted attack on the Leicester set piece.

Professional sport can be a cut throat business so you might have expected Murray to have endured some hassle on his visits to foreign parts to film Munster's next opposition in action. He insists, however, there has never been a problem.

Having watched Murray and Gaffney work painstakingly on the videos, it is a little easier to understand the dedication that has helped to make this Munster side so successful. Murray outlines what the process entails.

"Basically, we analyse the opposition. We go through all the tapes to get as much as we can on their set plays and back plays. We'll go through it three or four times and take out their individual players and analyse how they perform.

"Then we go through that with our players before training and train around what we think the opposition has been playing like over the last couple of matches. Every player gets a video on his part in each match. Then they come in and they'll give the feedback on their game and Alan will help them along with it.

"Players can take the videos home with them and see how they're progressing throughout the season. It's updated after every match."

Doubtless, most teams indulge in this process but without the effectiveness of Munster.