Munster rugby talking points: Injuries and drop in standards a huge concern
Jack Crowley of Munster reacts at the final whistle of the Champions Cup Pool 3 match between Castres Olympique and Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre in Castres, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Munster make a pre-Christmas dash to Ravenhill Stadium in Belfast on Friday night looking to reignite their stuttering season with a vital URC win on the road. Here we examine the main talking points in the build-up to this crucial tie in Munster’s season.
It seems that when previewing every Munster game these days the first matter to get out of the way is the latest injury crisis, and this week is no different. In fact, if anything it has gotten worse this week, due to the casualty list that has emerged from the Castres game last Friday.
In a costly first half loose head Dian Bleuler was lost early to a head injury, and Craig Casey suffered a serious-looking knee injury after half an hour that will likely see him miss a number of months.
The second half was not much better, as winger Thaakir Abrahams had his shoulder dislocated after a reckless no-arms tackle, and will also be out for a significant spell, while Diarmuid Barron, with a head knock, and Peter O’Mahony, with a calf contusion, also found themselves on the treatment table.
Even off the Castres pitch there was negative news, as it was announced that lock Jean Kleyn’s injury woes continue, with him having to visit a specialist after suffering a thigh injury last week, while the unlucky Liam Coombes underwent surgery last week after recently sustaining a chest muscle injury while on AIL duty with Garryowen.
In contrast, Ulster have not one single player ruled out this weekend, with just a few players being monitored to ensure they have dusted off their respective knocks. Their form may not be great at present, but Munster would kill for that type of squad profile right now, as currently they have 17 players either out or extremely doubtful for this Friday.
Form may come and go, with Ian Costello’s side struggling in that regard right now, but the one area that Munster should be able to control is their own standards, and they will not be happy with how this facet of their game is faring right now.
They travelled to the intimidating surrounds of the Stade Pierre-Fabre last weekend in the Champions Cup, which is a venue that you know is going to involve a scrap if you are going to get a result, yet right from the kick-off Munster’s standards were off.
The first tackle of the game was missed, allowing Castres an easy exit. A soft penalty was soon conceded, with far too many to follow, and Jack Crowley also missed an early penalty to touch. Everything seemed sloppy, and if you are sloppy in Castres then you can expect to be found out, and that is exactly what happened, with a late penalty from out-half Louis le Brun consigning Munster to defeat.
Get these aspects of their game right, and Munster will become better.
This match is a meeting of 10th place Ulster hosting 11th place Munster on Friday evening with both sides badly needing to pick up points over the festive season.
Both have tricky ties just after Christmas, with Ulster travelling to Galway to face Connacht, while Munster welcome Leinster to Thomond Park, so the pressure will be very much on Friday night’s loser going into their second interprovincial tie over the Christmas period.
Lose two games at this time of year and that league table is going to have an ugly look about it, as prospective play-off spots and Champions Cup qualification will be very much in jeopardy with another couple of reversals.
Between managing the latest injury crisis and conducting the necessary squad rotation required at this time of year, Munster are unlikely to have their strongest hand available in Belfast, but one feels that their season may hinge on getting something from this one.
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