David Corkery: Munster and Ulster both following the same path trying to reclaim their glory days

A quarter of a century might have come and gone since Ulster became the first Irish side to hold aloft the European Cup, however, judging by their performances since that famous day, it will probably take another quatre of a century before they get to do it again.

Admittingly, I know that Munster are not that far behind the northerners when it comes to having to reorganising their trophy cabinet in order to make additional space, but I do think both sides are starting to move in the right direction.

Judging from how the French juggernauts like Toulouse, Toulon and Bordeaux Bègles are playing and how the English sides are getting their act together, I can’t see Munster or Ulster realistically challenging on finals day for a good few years, but at least this time both provinces seem to have their green shoots rooted in a richer kind of soil. 

I would also suggest that Leinster are now in the same boat and this dose not bode well for our national team either.

When you look at what Toulouse did to La Rochelle last weekend I would actually fear for the safety of some of the poorer teams in the URC if they were to meet. 

Thankfully, the French sides don’t compete in the URC, but if you are looking for a barometer for the kind of squad you will need to amass in order to feast at the top table in Europe, just look at the kind of rugby that is been played in the French TOP 14 league and the quality of the squads they have at their disposal.

I fully realise that the blazers in the IRFU play a major role in determining what kind of squad all four of our provinces can assemble and that the Irish men’s national side will always take priority over any of them. 

However, what they can’t influence is the kind of fight that any of the provinces can look to foster in their centres of excellence.

What has impressed me most about Munster and Ulster this season has been their newly found ability to stay in the fight. 

Even when the odds are firmly stacked against them, a new kind of dogged and stubbornness has emerged and whilst the depth and quality within their squads will not be able to sustain the kind of physical damage the body of the modern rugby player has to take, the effort is there in abundance.

I think it is objective to suggest that Munster are in need of some serious quality upfront, especially in the front row, but considering the cards that Clayton McMillan has been dealt, the normal service of Munster effectively fighting at a level well above their weight has thankfully returned.

Last weekend as Munster were going head to head with Leinster, Ulster were doing something similar against Connacht and despite a late flourish from the westerners, Ulster returned home with the points in the bag.

The level of commitment that was on display in Galway wasn’t quite the same as to that in Thomond Park, but it wasn’t that far off it either and I’d be staggered if both sides don’t look to exert much of the rivalry that has historically existed between them during this game.

The Six Nations is only around the corner and places on Andy Farrells squad could well be up for grabs.

Ulster who lie in fifth position on the URC table on 27 points, just three points adrift of Munster in second will be licking their lips at welcoming the men from the south to the newly named Affidea stadium.

Bursting out of the traps and assuming a solid half-time lead on the score board has been a trait that Ulster coach Richie Murphy seems to have infused in his players and this is something Munster will have spoken about at lengths in the build-up to this game.

If this Ulster side does have a glaring weakness it is their inability to remain focused for the entire eighty minutes and especially in the second period of the game where they have squandered half-time leads to Leinster, Cardiff and South Africa’s Emirate Lions.

I guess the intensity that once existed for any side who travelled to play against Ulster in Belfast has subdued considerably, but what Munster can’t allow to happen is for the hosts to gain authority up front because this will give the home supporters all the fuel they will need in order to reignite their all too often over exuberance.

As sure as night follows day Ulster will go after the Munster scrum and considering what Tadgh Beirne said in his post-match comments after last week’s game, you can be guaranteed that Munster’s back three will be in for a very busy day at the office in dealing with an aerial bombardment of snow gathering kicks.

This is yet another one of those games that Munster should win, but despite the recent improvements I don’t think there is anyone out there that would bet their last euro on them to do so. 

That level of confidence is still a long way off.

Playing Ulster in Ulster is no joke, but McMillan and co must start winning these types of games as if they were second nature to them.