Win or bust for Munster in URC playoff race
Munster's Tadhg Beirne on the move. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie
Munster officially enter must-win territory when they face Cardiff at the Arms Park in the Welsh capital this Friday in a crucial URC tie that could well decide whether their season is deemed a success or a failure.
It’s a season that has had everything from a Munster perspective, with a lot of lows following the few highs that keep us all coming back.
There was the case of the head coach departing early in the campaign, which has never been fully explained. There has been the usual never-ending injury crisis.
Great wins on the road in Europe mixed up with some underwhelming displays. Dodgy refereeing calls ensuring Munster play lengthy parts of a game with 14 men when they should never have been down a man.
And here we are with Munster precariously hanging onto the playoff berths in seventh spot, and almost as importantly one of the Champions Cup qualification spots for next season, with them travelling to Wales knowing that a defeat will probably see them drop out of both should they come up short this weekend.
Munster will only have two more games left in their league campaign after this weekend, with two home games to come against Ulster and Benetton in May.
There is not much scope to make up ground if they find themselves playing catch-up now.
It would not be a Munster match without a front-row crisis. Oli Jager is definitely out after failing his HIA last Saturday, while Stephen Archer’s shoulder injury, that he also picked up in the physical encounter against the Bulls, is being assessed this week, meaning John Ryan is the only available experienced tight head.
The recently arrived duo from Leinster, Michael Milne and Lee Barron, are certainly needed at present, although it is a great opportunity for the likes of Mark Donnelly and Kieran Ryan to get some valuable game-time.
Gavin Coombes and Calvin Nash are available again after missing last weekend’s frustrating defeat to the Bulls, and Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony, who were both late cry-offs for that game could also be fit again, while it remains to be seen if John Hodnett and Diarmuid Barron are in the running.
The more players back the merrier. If Munster were in a healthier position in the league table then interim head coach Ian Costello might consider resting the likes of Jack Crowley and Tadhg Beirne, but with no safety net they probably do not have that luxury now.
Munster enjoyed two high-profile wins recently against Connacht and La Rochelle, but the fact is that those two victories are Munster’s only two triumphs in their last six competitive fixtures.
Their opponents this weekend have an identical record in their last six games and Cardiff happen to be one position ahead of Munster in the table with 41 points to Munster’s 40, so they would seem evenly matched on paper. With so few games remaining this season the winner this weekend is likely to finish the season ahead.
Ultimately, the formula for Munster is a simple one. Win all three remaining games and the playoff and Champions Cup places will be secure.
Win two and they might be OK. Win only one or none and their season is over.
Given the mood around Munster only three weeks ago after winning away in La Rochelle it would be some comedown for their season to just peter out. Munster must ensure that this does not happen this Friday.
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