MUNSTER v LEINSTER: Five questions from the weekend

As the dust settles on the latest Munster v Leinster clash, Simon Lewis takes some time out to tease out the key questions.

Are Munster back on track?

Steady on now. They may have ended a three-game losing run but there is still a massive challenge in Europe ahead if they are to get out of their pool of death while the competition for Pro12 play-off berths is as intense as ver. That said, a first league double over Leinster is certainly a great way to sign off for 2014 and the way Duncan Casey, Dave O’Callaghan and Ronan O’Mahony have stepped up is encouraging.

Should Leinster be worried or was this defeat just a blip?

That Leinster have not fired on all cylinders for a while should be a concern for the boys in blue. They were outmuscled by Harlequins at The Stoop, only scraping home at the Aviva a fortnight ago, and outgunned by Munster for the second time in three months last weekend, managing just one late consolation try. The disconnect in the decision-making positions between nine, 10 and 12 needs the urgent attention of Matt O’Connor, who must also find a way to best accommodate Ian Madigan for a still world-class backline to spark back to life.

Don’t forget Connacht

It is no longer a question of Connacht keeping the “big three” provinces honest at pertinent points in the campaign, Pat Lam’s side are in the mix for European qualification. Just nine points separate Munster in third place and Connacht in sixth with Ulster and Leinster sandwiched between them in the race for the four play-off spots. The westerners welcome Munster to Galway on New Year’s Day having gone close at the RDS and Ravenhill in their last two outings.

Were supporters short-changed?

Of the 18 Munster and Leinster players who featured in Ireland’s 23 against Australia in the final November Test, only four featured in Friday’s marquee interpro fixture, much to the disappointment of the 25,600 sell-out crowd. Yet there was little wrong with the spectacle they were served — a compelling encounter that proved whoever fills the red and blue jerseys will deliver value for money.

Just waiting for the cavalryto arrive?

Aside from the Irish frontliners who were rested under the IRFU’s player welfare programme and who are due back next weekend, there are plenty of reasons for Anthony Foley and Matt O’Connor to approach the New Year with optimism. If all goes to plan, Foley will welcome back long-term injury casualties Donnacha Ryan, Dave Kilcoyne, James Cronin and Keith Earls as well as being boosted by new signing Tyler Bleyendaal, who is due to arrive in Munster at the end of January. Leinster will be hoping to have key forwards Sean O’Brien, Cian Healy and Marty Moore back for selection.