Quiet men propelling Munster

The team may be in transition but the squad still contains considerable strength in depth with the likes of Springboks BJ Botha and Wian du Preez along with Irish internationals Donncha O’Callaghan and Denis Leamy.

James Coughlan remains one of the most under-rated back-row forwards in the game while rookies Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony are on the fast track to major honours.

And yet, no praise is too high for those who seldom command the headlines or enjoy the media spotlight.

They are the back three of Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy and Simon Zebo, hooker Damien Varley and flanker Niall Ronan. They were outstanding at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday and even if the big guns come back from injuries, there is no guarantee that Tony McGahan will favour them over the men who have stepped up to the plate in their absence.

Ronan is one such example. Since his arrival from Leinster four years ago, he has been a very valuable member of the squad, reliable, committed, not lacking in skill but somehow always regarded as back-up to David Wallace and the many other outstanding back-row talent at Munster’s disposal. With Wallace out of the reckoning, McGahan placed his faith in Ronan and the Meath man’s performance away to both Castres and Scarlets capped by his vital try on Saturday has justified the coach’s stance.

Varley would also have been expecting to play a subsidiary role when he signed up a couple of years ago. But injury to the luckless Jerry Flannery opened the door for him and how he has taken his chance. He has overtaken Denis Fogarty to establish himself as the number one number two, and has plenty every minute of the Heineken Cup ties.

Like Ronan and Varley at Leinster and Wasps, Johne Murphy became surplus to requirements at Leicester but he has made a major contribution to Munster whether chosen either on the right or left wing, the centre or full-back. Accordingly, he has been used in a utility role and has performed superbly. Denis Hurley and Simon Zebo are, of course, home grown players and products of the Munster system. The former has a Heineken Cup medal in his locker while Zebo is regarded as a huge prospect for the future. On current form, neither will be easily displaced.

O’Connell stressed on Saturday night that the Scarlets will be thirsting for revenge after what they regard as a defeat that they could and should have avoided when they come to Thomond Park on Sunday. Beating the Scarlets at Parc Y Scarlets doesn’t guarantee anything and with Castres back in contention after defeating Northampton, there is still plenty to play for in Pool One of this marvellous competition.

There was a time when Leinster would have raised the white flag on falling behind away from home against Bath with the clock against them. They proved at the Recreation Ground on Sunday that those days are long gone and full marks to Jonny Sexton for keeping his nerve and landing the goals that gave them victory. Connacht are probably further away than ever from that coveted first Heineken Cup win having failed to do the business against a very poor Gloucester outfit while Ulster must improve if they are to emerge from the extremely competitive pool four.