‘Raw’ Ryan deserves his chance

WITH a cloud still hanging over the participation of the French clubs in next season’s Heineken Cup, the possibility remains that this year’s competition could be the last truly representative one for some time.

That, in itself, makes it even more important.

While one hopes that the current stance adopted by Serge Blanco and the French championship teams will change, the likelihood is that in a season dominated by the World Cup, something will have to give for the French to remain on board.

Of more immediate concern to both Munster and Leinster is the challenge that awaits them this weekend away to Llanelli Scarlets and Wasps respectively.

From a Munster perspective, Friday night’s game represents the biggest test since last year’s final against Biarritz. At the moment, Llanelli are where Munster were two seasons ago. Consistent performers throughout the Heineken Cup, they have endured much pain in this tournament, particularly with two injury time semi-final defeats to eventual winners Northampton and Leicester, with both defeating Munster in the finals of 2000 and 2002.

While Llanelli have the utmost respect for Munster, they will harbour no inhibitions. With regular contact through the Magners League, they have conquered Munster on many occasions, most recently at Stradey Park last November.

For them, hosting the current champions provides a massive challenge. The fact that they sacrificed a financial killing by refusing to move the game to Swansea or Cardiff was a declaration of intent, more so given that they were close to liquidation last year.

They have also controlled the ticket distribution so tightly that there will be no repeat of the situation in Munster’s pool game against Cardiff at the Arms Park last December when Munster’s supporters secured tickets by all sorts of means to dominate the terraces.

The key to victory rests solely on the mental state of the returning international players. Having endured a roller-coaster ride in the Six Nations championship, once again the likes of Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, John Hayes, Gordon D’Arcy and Shane Horgan are being asked to go to the well in search of inspiring performances.

Recognising this Declan Kidney, wisely in my opinion, choose to rest all his returning internationals last weekend against Ulster. By way of contrast, Michael Cheika, no doubt with views on winning the Magners League, played all his stars.

Under the circumstances the biggest winners over the weekend were Munster whose victory in Belfast was incredible given the presence of 13 internationals on the Ulster side. Despite the late withdrawal of Barry Murphy and Chris Wyatt, Munster’s “squaddies” produced the goods. The psychological boost has been significant.

It was also noteworthy given that the Munster squad have had to endure so many injuries of late. At this stage at least five of last year’s Heineken Cup final team are out of contention; Paul O’Connell, John Kelly, Anthony Foley, Anthony Horgan and Shaun Payne are unlikely to play any role.

On the plus side the most significant development has been the return in recent weeks of Trevor Halstead who was injured for the pool games against Leicester and Bourgoin. He was badly missed. His try-scoring performance against Ulster was both welcome and encouraging.

Llanelli’s only doubt surrounds the availability of Welsh captain Stephen Jones, although he was included in a side announced yesterday. He intends to play with a protective cast on his damaged wrist which is not ideal particularly from a tackling situation.

Llanelli, like Munster showed excellent form in scoring five tries against the Dragons last weekend. They are a quality side and play an expansive style of rugby with quality game breakers and finishers in Dafydd James, Mark Jones and Regan King. Dwayne Peel was also back to his best after a somewhat disappointing Six Nations by his standard.

Under new coach Phil Davies they have developed a high tempo, off-loading game which compliments their strengths, a key area of which is the back row of captain Simon Easterby and Welsh internationals Alix Popham and Gavin Thomas. Their battle with Alan Quinlan, Denis Leamy and David Wallace will be crucial. The form of both Leamy and Wallace throughout the Six Nations was outstanding and if they succeed in denying Llanelli quick ball at the breakdown then Munster will be on the road to victory.

Munster’s edge in the second row is compromised by the significant absence of Paul O’Connell, and the doubts over his obvious replacement Mick O’Driscoll.

In the latter’s absence, Munster have Chris Wyatt and Donnacha Ryan waiting in the wings. Ryan was outstanding in Munster’s victory in Ravenhill and I hope he is afforded the opportunity of starting on Friday. What he lacks in experience he will more than make up for with infectious enthusiasm and raw commitment.

IN many respects Llanelli are a mirror image of Munster in that they match their honesty and work ethic. Given the quality of Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer at half back, if Jones is less than 100% fit it may prove the difference between the sides. It is that tight a call.

Leinster will have their work cut out against a Wasps side whose form has been inconsistent throughout the season. On their day, they are a match for any team in Europe and with a forward pack containing French captain Raphael Ibanez, his English counterpart Phil Vickery, Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw and a back-row trio pruned from Joe Worsley, Lawrence Dallaglio, James Haskell, Jonny O’Connor and Tom Rees. It says everything about their strength when Dallaglio isn’t guaranteed to start. Leinster are sure to get a stern examination.

The return to action of Malcolm O’Kelly is crucial for Leinster as they will need all his experience and ball-winning ability to succeed in this one. However, he is short of game time of late.

In the absence of Brian O’Driscoll, it is imperative Felipe Contepomi, D’Arcy and Horgan impose their considerable presence on proceedings. Leinster have the personnel, even without O’Driscoll, to breach the famed Wasps blitz defence. The question mark is whether the front five have the ability to withstand the assault on their set piece to produce the right quality ball.

Wasps will have noted that Gloucester caused them all kinds of problems up front in their last pool game in January. I have a suspicion that Ian McGeechan’s side may just shade this one.