Simon Zebo: Munster looked 'unorganised' against Leinster

Tempers flare between both sides during the URC clash between Munster and Leinster. Picture: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Simon Zebo said Leinster's victory over Munster at Thomond Park was "difficult to watch" at times.

"Munster were just too inaccurate around the line-out, around set-piece," the former Munster back told Premier Sports.

"When we got into the Leinster half, just not good enough. Too many errors and, just looked unorganised at times, which is disappointing.

"To be fair, there's a lot of crucial players that Munster were missing too. Craig Casey, Peter O'Mahony, Taakhir Abrahams, Alex Nankivell, and Jack Crowley, of course.

"Physicality was very telling watching the game here. One instance, where Luke McGrath scored his try, just piercing through the middle. It's just way too easy.

"Ross Byrne was carrying the ball there at one stage and carried through the two centres that we had on the field. He burst through the tackle of the two guys and got an offload away. That's just never a good look. He's a good player as well, don't get me wrong, but ball-carrying isn't his strong point.

"Lots to work on from Munster. Disappointing to concede nearly 30 points at home to your biggest rivals."

Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris added that Munster looked they lacked a plan to counteract Leinster's strengths. 

"I said before the game that it felt like Munster had to have a plan, something that negated the line speed of Leinster, to get them in the right areas, whether that be the cross-field kicks by Billy Burns, whether it be punching holes up the guts, mauling," said Ferris.

"They needed to have some sort of plan, but it looked like they didn't have any plan. Nothing really clicked for them whatsoever. The line-out in the first half, it sucks so much life out of you when you can't just get going at all on set-piece.

"They'll be bitterly disappointed. It just felt like they didn't really fire a shot. It's definitely not lack of planning. During the week, they will have come up with a certain plan to get the players to execute. That just didn't happen for whatever reasons. The quality of Leinster showed. They were knocking them back in defence time and time again. They turned them over numerous times. They got after their line-outs.

"Leinster looked a different class when it came to physicality and size. They just looked like they had another gear."

Though, it was a dry night in Limerick, Leinster head coach Leo Cullen thought the conditions were difficult. 

"We started the game pretty well," said Cullen.

"Munster are in it. They are stretching us. We scrambled well defensively. To keep them scoreless in the first half was really pleasing. We had a couple of big D sets where we lose Tommy O'Brien to the bin, but we managed that period quite well where we end up playing the other end of the field. 

"We got a couple of good tries. Luke (McGrath) and then Sam (Prendergast). We managed that period well, which was pleasing.

"At the start of second half, Munster came out all guns blazing. A couple of penalties where we end up close to our try line again for a period eventually to get over. After that, I thought the bench guys came on and just steadied the ship and were in for a couple of good tries.

"The conditions, even though it's dry out there, but the pitch, you can see it's quite dewy. The pitch is churning up a little bit. It wasn't that easy to play for either team. It was a good old-fashioned derby game, wasn't it? I'm pleased with how our guys managed the conditions on the day."

Ian Costello, Munster's interim head coach, was asked to reflect on the loss afterwards, and whether the hefty 21-point loss might have been unkind on his side given the actual run of play.

"I was having a think about that. Two things. One, in terms of the effort and some of the aspects of our performance were really strong. It's disappointing that the game got away on us but when you play a side like Leinster, of that quality, that's what happens if you're inaccurate in any areas.

"They had five chances five metres out from the line, they took four. We had four quick taps and a five-metre metre lineout and converted one. And our scrum was under pressure as well. If you're off in any area against Leinster, unfortunately you can be on the end of a scoreline like that.

"But it's pretty frustrating based on some of the positive elements of our performance, unfortunately."