Talk time over, Munster must deliver

OCTOBER may only just be ending, but the time for turning talk into action has already arrived for Munster.

Talk to any member of the squad and management over the past few weeks, and they will unequivocally declare that everything is fine and dandy in the camp and there is no substance whatsoever to rumours of rifts or even disquiet.

They tell you that all that is required is to cut out the many unforced errors that have afflicted almost all of their performances so far this year, and to take their chances when they come.

But that must start becoming a reality with the visit of high-flying Ulster to Thomond Park for this evening’s Magners League clash. Anything other than a win over the table toppers will set tongues wagging with ever greater fervency.

Even with a full-strength side, Munster would have their work cut out to clip Ulster’s wings. Yesterday, however, their task was made all the more formidable when it emerged that the knock Darragh Hurley took to his shoulder in last week’s defeat by Edinburgh would keep him out of the game. Frenchman Julien Brugnaut therefore moves to his favourite loose head position, with the number three jersey being handed to 21 year-old academy member Stephen Archer.

And that in turn paves the way for a call-up for Dave Kilcoyne, a sub-academy player who did well in a recent A game against Leinster and has been lining out with UL/Bohemian in the AIB League. With Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Dave Ryan and now Hurley all ruled out, the scrum is an area that Ulster are certain to target.

With Doug Howlett again an absentee because of a hamstring problem, the only other change from the side that played so poorly at Murrayfield sees Alan Quinlan return in the back-row in place of Niall Ronan. As expected, Lion Stephen Ferris and skipper Paddy Wallace are back for Ulster, while Ed O’Donoghue comes into the second row for the injured Dan Tuohy.

Ulster have been buoyed by some fine recent results, chiefly last week’s defeat of Leinster, but they are also fully aware that a wounded Munster is a very dangerous animal, especially at Thomond Park. Their international centre Andrew Trimble last night was quick to acknowledge that stark reality.

“There is a great buzz about the Ulster camp at the moment and it would be great to get another big result in Limerick but that is easier said than done,” he said.

“We are fully aware of how difficult that will be particularly when Munster will be looking to come back strongly from a couple of defeats. Everyone knows how dangerous they can be, particularly at Thomond Park, and they will also want to put the record straight after our victory there last season.”

Trimble, of course, was referring to Ulster’s shock 37-11 victory in the corresponding game last season. It was a stinging reverse but also a salutary lesson for Munster, who reacted so well that they went on to capture the title.

There is a certain similarity to this evening’s clash given that Munster realise only too well that they are once again in dire need of a spirit-lifting experience. Another defeat of any size could have massive consequences for a squad heading into a five-week break immediately afterwards and with their confidence dented still further.

That’s just what will happen unless the side steps up appreciably on what they have been producing over the past month or so. Skipper Paul O’Connell will call for a massive response. In the normal course of events, you would expect it to be forthcoming, but so disappointing has been the team’s form of late that you must doubt whether they are capable of producing the desired response.

The problems, of course, are exacerbated by the front-row predicament and scrum time could prove very testing indeed. Interestingly, though, it was far from the worst area last week and it will be fascinating to see if this time the Munster team as a whole can lift their performance over the full 80 minutes and respond to those who have been writing them off of late.

To do so, the shocking number of turnovers, handling errors and set piece deficiencies need to be eradicated, and they must quickly get to grips with referee Alain Rolland’s interpretation of the breakdown laws and take their chances when they come their way. Tick all those boxes, and Munster can set off on their break with a decidedly unpleasant monkey lifted from their backs.