David Corkery on rugby: Leinster failed yet again but Munster have their own troubles

Welcome to the magnificent, unpredictable, and all too often earth-shattering world of sport.

For those who are victorious, there is no greater feeling in the world. When the battle is over and the fruits of your labour can be enjoyed.

However, for those who suffer defeat, the weight of failure can carry with it a massive amount of relentless pain which can linger like a bad smell.

Old news now, but I can tell you that the ramifications of Leinster’s cataclysmic Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton Saints will be reverberating around the boardrooms of the IRFU for some time to come.

I say the IRFU boardrooms and not Leinster’s because it is imperative to understand that nothing happens in any of the provinces unless it is first sanctioned there.

I will be flabbergasted if heads don’t roll because the Leinster squad that imploded last weekend was hand-picked and meticulously designed with one goal and one goal only: to win the European Champions Cup. 

Now that this goal is no longer attainable this year, someone will have to be held accountable.

Packed to the brim with world-class internationals, it was suggested by some that the English premiership side would be better off staying at home rather than travelling to Dublin and facing what was, in essence, Ireland’s national team.

Apart from the Northampton coaching team and players, I don’t think there is a rugby enthusiast on the planet who would have given them a snowball’s chance in hell of winning, but win it they did and in doing so they have caused a lot of key decision-makers in the IRFU to be sleeping with one eye open.

Even if Leinster go on to win the URC, their season will still be viewed as a failure, and this is why I say the knives will be out.

LOSS AFTER LOSS

Just remember that Leinster’s Champions Cup efforts over the last five years reads as follows: 2021, semi-final loss to Stade Rochelais; 2022, final loss to Stade Rochelais; 2023, final loss to Stade Rochelais; 2024, final loss to Stade Toulouse; 2025, semi-final loss to Northampton Saints.

If there is one consolation for Leinster it would be that their top-flight participation in next year’s competition is already reserved. The same cannot be said for Munster, Ulster, and Connacht.

As it stands the eight highest-ranked clubs based on their final finishing positions after the pool games are completed in the URC are offered a position.

The French Top 14 teams and the Gallagher Premiership sides are also offered eight slots each, but right now Munster are ninth, Ulster 12th, and Connacht 14th.

Realistically, the men from the west would need a mini miracle to qualify, but for Munster and Ulster, a lot will depend on who walks off Thomond Park tonight having scored the most points.

Both sides have one more game to play after this one, but unless they register a win tonight, that final game might well be nothing more than a waste of good oxygen.

Apart from the moral, historical, and pride factors of not feasting at the top table with Europe’s elite, there are also the monitory implications to be considered. Sponsors, prime-time TV appearances, and even the fan base would all need to be factored in, and with running costs and players’ wages all rising, not playing in the Champions Cup would be a disaster for any of the Irish provinces.

Both Ulster and Munster were boosted by the return of so many big names to their training centres earlier in the week.

Ulster can again call on skipper Iain Henderson and with Baloucoune, Hume, Lowry, Moore, O’Toole, and Eric O’Sullivan also back in training, the Ulster men will not be trembling at the knees when they arrive at the gates of Thomond Park.

Munster can call on no less than eight extra players for this do-or-die game. Peter O’Mahony is one and it will more than likely be the last time he will get to lace up his boots in anger and take to the hallowed surface of Thomond Park where he fought so many battles over his lengthy career.

If there was ever a game that Munster needed to rekindle the spirits of 2006 and 2008 this would be it, because European Cup rugby without Munster is akin to Brazil not qualifying for the World Cup.

It’s sad to say, but this is all about survival now.