Upfront on forwards’ failure

MUNSTER put on a brave face after last week’s Heineken Cup debacle at Kingsholm, but behind the scenes there was much soul-searching.

After the match, many front-liners put up the hands and admitted their respective failings on the day.

Amongst that self-critical group was one of the rising stars of Irish rugby, Donnacha O’Callaghan, who believed he had to shoulder some of the blame for the disappointing outcome.

In advance of today’s return fixture against Gloucester at Thomond Park (5pm), O’Callaghan commented: “A lot of things went wrong for us in that game but most of the blame must lie with us forwards.

“In rugby, the forwards are expected to set the tone and dictate the manner in which you want to play. I don’t think we came anywhere near scratch in that respect.

“The line out went wrong, but there were other aspects of our game that we weren’t too happy about. We didn’t really make it easy for the rest of the team to perform.”

O’Callaghan admitted a little shock at their inability to dominate.

“I suppose we have become used to at least competing favourably with the opposition. We were a bit shocked with failing to do that and never seemed to recover. When the forwards aren’t in the game, then it’s really very hard for the backs to be in it. I think the fault was on our side for the defeat. We have to hold our hands up, admit we didn’t perform.

Apart from Munster’s forward problems, one of the principal targets for criticism last weekend was Ronan O’Gara.

O’Callaghan jumped to the out half’s defence. “Every out half likes to have quality ball. Some are better capable of using it than others. I think in fairness to Ronan, we didn’t actually give him much to work with, didn’t give him any real opportunity to take possession on the front foot and go at the opposition.

“Ronan has proved himself capable of doing a job in other games when we were being driven back and I think the amount of flack he copped last week was unfair.

“Things certainly didn’t go according to plan for him last week but it wasn’t his fault. The problem for a guy like Ronan is that maybe too much is expected of him. This was a team failure, not down to any particular individual. As a team of 15 or even 22, we under-performed and our aim is now to put our challenge back on track by producing a much better performance.

“This Munster team lives by taking collective responsibility and, as a team, we have taken responsibility for the defeat, as we would do for any defeat.

“Inevitably, some people will finger one or more players but the fact is that the team did not play anywhere near potential.

“I heard talk this week that Ronan didn’t come up to scratch, or that Frankie Sheahan’s throwing in wasn’t great. I don’t believe they should be held to account as individuals.

“These guys have produced the goods over and over during the last few years. Basically, we all let ourselves down and everyone has to accept responsibility.”

But O’Callaghan has no intention of dwelling on the defeat.

“This is another week, a great opportunity to set the record straight. In it’s own way, there will be additional pressure because we don’t have to do what we had to do against Gloucester last season.

“But we are certainly looking forward to having another crack at them so soon. Far from being despondent, we’re actually happy to meet them in back-to-back matches.

“The big feeling within the camp last week was that we under-performed. We know we are much more capable than that. We’ve lost matches before after giving it 100%. We don’t mind that once we know we have given it everything.

“That game was different. We spoke amongst ourselves afterwards, asked one another if we could have done more and the resounding answer was yes. That’s what disappointed the fans so much and it’s what disappointed us more than anyone.

“As a squad, we take one match at a time. We take the view that the next game could be our last in terms of qualification for the knock-out stages. Nothing will change in Limerick but I am confident that we can swing everything around this weekend.

“We have no set goals, no score deadlines to meet. We’ve got to look at performance, at stringing phases of play together and I know that we can do that. If we do it, there is no reason why we can’t win.”

Kingsholm try scorer Anthony Horgan feels the same. “Last week we had to grab at straws. We had no possession and the only good thing was that we defended so well in the circumstances. Gloucester played very well, put us under pressure but, hopefully, we can turn the tables.”

Captain Jim Williams recalls the same fixture last season, when Munster backs were so firmly against the wall: “It’s always pleasing to know that you can play that well and pull off such a huge result.

“We would like to think we can play at that level again and I believe we can. It’s going to be a different set-up, a different style of game.

“We want to control the circumstances so that we can play at a different level, and I am confident that we can produce the type of display that will be good enough to win the game. There are no particular goals other than winning the match and keeping our challenge for the Heineken Cup open.”