Munster-bred forwards born winners

IN the end, Munster’s victory was far more comprehensive than anyone dared contemplate.

It is rare for contests of this nature to live up to pre-match hype, but in terms of colour, atmosphere and excitement Sunday’s semi-final clash was a special day for Irish rugby.

The late injury deliberations over Peter Stringer and Tomás O’Leary proved somewhat of a distraction within the Munster camp.

Indeed such was the level of uncertainty surrounding the occupancy of the number 9 jersey that four scrum-halves participated in the warm-up, the injured duo along with Mike Prendergast and Frank Murphy.

But crisis situations such as this help focus the mind even more.

There was no doubt that when the two sides left the field after their pre-match routine, Munster had far more purpose about them. When Stringer was finally declared fit the psychological boost was enormous.

One wonders what was going through the minds of the Leinster players in their warm-up, surrounded by a sea of red in their home town.

If the Leinster supporters turned up to be entertained, Munster’s faithful following were there to participate. The difference between the two was striking.

If the gulf in class between the respective forward units proved the ultimate difference between the sides, Munster’s backs also played their part. Despite the fractured nature of his preparation, Ronan O’Gara’s performance was equal to the very best we have witnessed from him over the years.

He understood the significance of his battle with Felipe Contepomi and shouldered the responsibility, giving his team a vital edge in that department.

Beside him Trevor Halstead was assured and led by example despite enjoying only his first season in the Heineken Cup.

When John Kelly was forced to retire after only 11 minutes, Halstead was another to rise to the challenge. It has been a difficult season in many respects for Anthony Horgan and was therefore even more gratifying to see him perform so well against Leinster’s best back on the day, Denis Hickie.

After the game I was asked by countless Leinster supporters where Munster derive their unbridled passion up front. To me the answer is quite simple. Seven of Munster’s forwards on Sunday were born and bred in the province. Only for Marcus Horan’s unfortunate calf injury that would be eight.

Leinster started the game with four overseas players. Cameron Jowitt is playing for Leinster almost by accident given that he arrived in Ireland initially on a backpacking trek.

Bryce Williams had already signed a contract for Bourgoin next season and will therefore have spent less than 12 months in Dublin. As a consequence, it can hardly mean as much to those players as Munster’s starting eight.

The collective will of Anthony’s Foley’s men suffocated Leinster in the end and makes Munster an incredibly difficult team to play against.

The physical nature with which they compete at the breakdown also has a draining effect on the opposition. With slow ball, Leinster’s backs were at an immediate disadvantage. Declan Kidney’s decision to crowd the midfield area with David Wallace also frustrated Brian O’Driscoll and Gordan D’Arcy.

This is an age old Munster ploy. I can recall many a clash against Shannon and Young Munster in the 1980’s/90’s when Cork Con’s attacking potential behind the scrum was frustrated by the presence of Colm Tucker or Ger Earls in midfield. In a game that is constantly evolving some things don’t change.

While all Munster followers can bask in reflected glory, thoughts will soon turn to a challenge of all together different proportions against Biarritz on May 20th.

Once again Paul O’Connell hit the crucial note when declaring that destiny in itself will produce no silverware for Munster. Unfortunately another performance of epic proportions is required.

This Biarritz side will prove an intensely difficult challenge. Any side which tops the highly competitive French championship deserves immense respect.

For whatever reason, Biarritz have been below par in the quarter and semi-final clashes against both Sale and Bath. Yet, they still emerged comfortable winners.

The question on everyone’s mind is with a backline containing the talents of Damien Traille, Nicholas Brusque, Philippe Bidabe and the massive Fijian winger Sireli Bobo, why Biarritz are playing such a narrow conservative game.

Having lost at the semi-final stage of the Heineken Cup in the last two seasons, I suspect the fear of losing was the overriding factor in those two games. If so they may well be tempted to play a more expansive game in the final. Either way the result is far from the foregone conclusion many seem to think.

In the meantime, Munster have three away matches against the Borders, Ospreys and Llanelli between now and the final.

Ironically, Munster could win the Heineken Cup and yet be seeded as Ireland’s third side in the competition next season. If the IRFU stick to the decision that the Celtic League is the sole arbiter for seeding then this crazy scenario could possibly arise. That in itself would prove a driving force for Munster in the coming weeks.

From a Leinster perspective, the manner of Sunday’s defeat has cast a shadow over an otherwise excellent season. Right now the Celtic League provides their only opportunity for silverware. Michael Cheika faces a difficult task in picking up the pieces for their clash against the Ospreys at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

On the evidence of last weekend, they badly need to invest in new blood up front for next season. Ironically, former Munster players Stephen Keogh and Trevor Hogan are amongst the new arrivals. Their front row also needs remedial action.

What a difference a week makes.