Playing catch-up already

FOR some time now, Michael Cheika and Tony McGahan had feared that their opening Heineken Cup encounters against London Irish and Northampton respectively were fraught with danger, given the lack of collective game time accumulated by their respective first choice teams compared to their English counterparts.

From that point of view it was not unexpected that Ulster would provide the highlight of Ireland’s opening challenge in this season’s tournament with a morale boosting and well deserved victory over Bath by 26-12. Key players for Munster and Leinster are being asked to produce high octane rugby with precious little field time accumulated.

Not everyone has the unique facility of Brian O’Driscoll to produce exceptional performances after long periods of inactivity. He can go from first gear to overdrive without even drawing breath. A Lions tour always comes with a price. On this occasion with the long term welfare of the Irish contingent in mind, the delayed return to competitive action of so many forced the country’s top two to engage quality opposition withone hand tied behind their backs. Unfortunately it showed.

When the Northampton players, ecstatic after such a hard-fought victory in a gruelling contest, went on a lap of honour to an electric ovation from the excellent Franklin’s Gardens’ supporters, I couldn’t help letting my mind drift to Thomond Park for the return fixture at the conclusion of this pool next January. Munster will be in far better shape when that contest comes around and the key for Paul O’Connell’s men now is to still be in contention when it does.

From that standpoint despite the defeat, Munster can take solace on two fronts. Firstly the incredible defeat of the reigning French champions Perpignan by Italian minnows Benetton Treviso has dealt a shocking blow to the Catalan side before the tournament has even taken off and offered a bit of breathing space to Munster.

Secondly Munster’s amazing fight back from 14 points in arrears five minutes into the second half to come within a point with minutes left on the clock says everything about their traditional will to win and fighting spirit. Technical improvements will come as the side gets a few more games under its belt. Desire is one of those intangible elements. Despite all the miles on the clock and the individual and collective honours accumulated by this squad, the fact that Munster still possess that competitive edge augurs well for the remaining games in this pool. In the circumstances securing a losing bonus point and, of equal importance, denying the Saints the opportunity of capturing a four try bonus point (they had three scored before 45 minutes) could yet prove significant.

The most amazing aspect for me was the pressure that Munster applied in the final quarter given that Paul O’Connell, David Wallace, Jerry Flannery, Tomás O’Leary and Ronan O’Gara have seen so little recentaction. Yet all played significant parts in Munster’s fight back at a time when one expected they would be out on their feet. At that stage, it became a question of mind over matter, with their deep reservoir of experience driving Munster on when physically, they should have been wilting. However, Munster were deficient in so many areas in the opening half-hour that it was a miracle they finished with a fighting chance of victory.

Benetton Treviso, who failed to register even a losing bonus point in last year’s competition, will now travel to Thomond Park next Saturday in high spirits.

Before then Munster must address deficiencies in a number of crucialareas including their defensive organisation, the receipt of kick-offs and their discipline in conceding penalties at vital times. On the penalty front it was notable both in the RDS on Friday night and in Northampton on Saturday that the application of the laws by the respective French referees at the breakdown was different to what Munster and Leinster havebecome used to in the opening rounds of the Magners League. That needs to be addressed quickly by those in authority.

Right from the kick off Denis Leamy was pummelled and leftexposed by the hang time of Shane Geraghty’s inch perfect restarts. It became a recurring theme. While Leamy’s hands and aerial skills were exemplary, he was afforded precious little protection from his fellow forwards. This resulted in theconcession of unnecessary penalties straight after Munster had registered hard-earned points. There must be far greater protection for the receiver both in the air and on the ground.

With Jean de Villiers fitting into a new defensive system and trying to build a relationship with O’Garainside and Lifeimi Mafi outside, the communication in defence is not all what it should be at present. It proved costly on a number of occasions and was penalised to the full when Geraghty set up Chris Ashton for that crucial try in the second half. In comparison with Leinster, Munster’s line speed in defence is poor.

Munster have been down this road on so many occasions that the challenge ahead will be familiar. Their record in tournament openers on English soil is not good – one victory in six contests to be precise. In the past this has led to several memorable New Year showdowns in round six in Limerick. With a hugely demanding trip to the Stade Aime Giral to face Perpignan on the Sunday before Christmas, this pool will go to the wire once more.

Munster will have serious regrets at conceding 17 points around the ten minutes either side of half time, especially the schoolboy error of turning their backs on a penalty just before the break which allowed Geraghty to scamper over line for a try that proved the difference at the death.

Overall there was a distinct improvement from the disastrous display at the RDS and something to build on.

The problem for McGahan is that just when his players will have returned to first name terms in a few weeks, they will disappear once again to compete in the Autumn international series.