Munster must find momentum

MUNSTER’S error-ridden performances against Leinster and Northampton over the last couple of weeks and Benetton Treviso’s sensational victory over French champions Perpignan mean there should be little danger of complacency in the home camp ahead of this afternoon’s Heineken Cup clash at Thomond Park.

As manager Shaun Payne commented during the week: “What do we have to be complacent about?”

Indeed. For 80 minutes, they were pushed and bullied around the RDS by Leinster and there wasn’t a whole lot of improvement for the first 50 or so in Northampton. They did pick it up in the end but have still some distance to travel. And if they again fall foul of the referee, this time the little-known Frenchman Jerome Garces, their task will be all the greater.

These days, you raise the subject of a bonus point with the management and players at your peril. All too clearly, they remember a totally understandable comment by Tony McGahan prior to last year’s match against Montauban being taken completely out of context and they don’t want a repeat.

What the coach essentially stated at the time was that there was reason to hope for an extra point, but only if the team played to its full potential. It manifestly failed to do just that and were lucky to even scrape a late 19-17 victory. A similar scenario presents itself this afternoon. Once a team is drawn in the same pool as an Italian side, it becomes almost an imperative to emerge from the home game with five points.

McGahan, Payne and skipper Paul O’Connell won’t be drawn into that minefield on this occasion but the reality is that nothing less should suffice.

Last week’s developments suggest that Treviso are a much better side than many had anticipated, and Munster have been inundating them with compliments all week, cleverly using the Italian’s win over the French champions to underline the point.

O’Connell was particularly lavish in his praise of their South African second-row Cornelius Van Zyl, who certainly showed his worth against Perpignan last week. However, he has been playing Munster at their own game and last night reacted to those comments.

“It’s nice to get compliments like that from players,” said the 6’7”, 17 stone 6lb giant. “Maybe he’s also had some reports from Jean de Villiers about my form for the Cheetahs a few years back. But I think this represents recognition for all of us.

“However, Munster also have a great line-out and it’s definitely going to be a battle up front. The win against Perpignan was an exceptional and emotional occasion. Naturally we were all happy and couldn’t believe it and now I hope it will increase our self-confidence.”

Jerry Flannery’s injury setback could prove a big blow for Munster given his almost telepathic relationship with O’Connell when throwing into the lineout. It’s a skill that Denis Fogarty has yet to master and if his darts aren’t on the money, Van Zyl is clearly the type who could take advantage.

Furthermore, Italy have invariably paraded powerful scrummaging units and their all international front-row of Michele Rizzo, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet could also capitalise not only on the absence of Flannery but also the suspended John Hayes. The onus is on Fogarty and Tony Buckley to step up to the plate if Munster are to enjoy solid set-piece possession, something that certainly hasn’t been forthcoming in recent weeks.

Treviso coach Franco Smith was good enough to represent South Africa at out-half and centre on a dozen occasions in the late 1990s and according to Shaun Payne, who knows him well from their days with the Sharks, “he’s not the sort of guy who’ll come over here just expecting to make up the numbers. He is very thorough and will not accept defeat lying down.”

Smith played at out-half for 58 minutes when the sides last met at Thomond Park. They lost 51-0 that December day in 2003 and so he has good reason to respect Munster. On top of that, he readily acknowledged their defeat of Perpignan “means we can no longer take advantage of the slightest element of surprise”.

That is a very good reason why Munster must come out with all guns blazing. If they wander around in the same haphazard fashion as they did at the RDS and Franklins Gardens, and once again fail to satisfy the referee at the breakdown, Thomond Park will be a cold place this afternoon.!

As expected, the only change from the side that lost to Northampton is Fogarty for Flannery at hooker while this time round there is a 5-3 forwards-backs split on the bench. Denis Hurley, 24th man last week, comes in for Donncha Ryan.