Time for Munster to silence doubters

WITHIN seconds of the final whistle at Thomond Park on Friday, I received a text from one of Munster’s keenest supporters now living in Atlanta, Georgia.

It read: “Remember the great days and there were many. Rebuild now.”

It was a nice sentiment and loyally expressed, although the message was loud and clear – this Munster team was great in its day but it was now past its sell-by date. A time for change had arrived.

Some will agree with those sentiments, others will argue that they are premature.

Only the most ardent members of the Red Army could claim that all is well with the current side. Apart from a decent performance against Ulster in the Magners League, the season has been marked by a succession of poor performances.

Paul O’Connell was correct after the Perpignan game when claiming the three French team’s tries were “freaky”.

But it also begged the question: what were Munster doing that made them all look so ridiculously soft? In each case, the scorers hardly had a hand lain on them as the defenders stood off. The manner in which all were marked absent must have sent shivers down the spine of coach Tony McGahan and his management team. Those responsible for Munster’s defensive strategy have serious questions to answer and if they cannot find a remedy before Sunday’s second meeting of the sides at Stade Aime Giral, the consequences could be dire.

Perpignan have ground to make up in Heineken Cup Pool One but a bonus-point win at the weekend would re-energise their challenge. Whereas Munster looked upon their tries as flukes, Perpignan applauded them as outstanding pieces of opportunism and they could hardly be blamed for that opinion.

And that’s not the only reason why the French champions felt hard done by. They were unhappy with English referee Wayne Barnes who penalised them 17 times against five for Munster. You have to wonder how Munster would have reacted had the roles been reversed? Dave Pearson will be in charge on Sunday and it is unlikely the hosts will run up such a penalty count, not least because this is regarded as one of the most hostile venues in France.

And yet, I believe Munster are capable of pulling off another famous victory in the south of France. Indeed, elimination of the dreadful defensive lapses that led to the three tries on Friday might be crucial given that Perpignan created precious little in the 80 minutes.

Disappointingly much the same could be said about Munster. They won because of the excellence of Ronan O’Gara’s kicking but it is unrealistic to believe that could happen a second time. Perhaps they will come up with something new on the training ground to help in that direction.

As for changes in personnel, it is a certainty that there will be a starting place on Sunday for Jean De Villiers. While he hasn’t set the world alight since his arrival in September, he was good enough to hold down a regular starting place for the all-conquering Springboks throughout their triumphant 2009 campaign. It may be a case that his best had yet to be seen.

Instead, McGahan opted for Lifeimi Mafi, a terrific centre at his best and a man who played some great rugby in his first two years with the province. But he has failed to reproduce that form in recent times. De Villiers should start alongside Keith Earls on Sunday with Mafi on the bench from where he has the potential to make an impact as a substitute.

Otherwise, it is unlikely Munster will make any other changes. A case could be made for the restoration of Ian Dowling on the left wing and consideration given to Felix Jones at full-back but it would be harsh justice on Denis Hurley and Paul Warwick should either be dropped. Hurley did nothing wrong in the first game and was only deprived of a late try by the eagle eye of touch judge Robin Goodliffe. Warwick had a patchy outing but has been so good all season it is impossible to see him omitted.

Be that as it may, it was another sloppy Munster display and the long-term absence of Jerry Flannery is a major blow and a disaster for this most unfortunate of players. Furthermore, considering the manner in which Ulster accounted for Stade Francais, how Leinster took a bonus point at Llanelli and Connacht’s superb victory in the Amlin Challenge cup at Worcester, Munster are in danger of becoming the poor relations of Irish rugby.

That thought alone should spur them to something very special in the Stade Aime Giral on Sunday.