Tony Ward has stated that Munster would gain much from beating London Irish in the Heineken Cup this weekend, thereby qualifying for the Amlin Challenge Cup and giving the province a chance to blood new players.
Munster's chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup were ended on Sunday, when the province lost 32-16 to Toulon in Stade Mayol. However, if Tony McGahan's men beat London Irish this Saturday they will qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup as a best runner-up.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Ward said: ‘There is still a possibility of a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup, which I know is the lesser by a long way of the European competitions. But, there is a wider picture here.
‘Tony McGahan clearly has to think ahead and if Munster can qualify as one of the best runners-up - that is the other three, other than the two that get into the Heineken Cup - then there is the opportunity to blood young players in Europe in the Amlin Challenge games.
‘And I think that’s a huge incentive in planning ahead for next season. So, there is a lot gained from beating London Irish on Saturday, for sure.’
When asked if Munster boss Tony McGahan should blood new talent or stick with the old guard against London Irish, Ward commented: ‘Well, I don’t think he can panic in such a short period of time, ie coming up to this weekend.
‘I think common sense has to prevail here as well and winning is paramount. Therefore if there is to be any change then it will be as a result of injury, or the natural course of events, if he feels that players aren’t playing up to scratch. So I think it’s got to be normal selection for [the match against] London Irish.
‘But looking beyond that to the Magners League, where bear in mind Munster are still on top, nine points ahead, so there is a huge pressure involved, it’s not as if they are out that race. That’s the opportunity to blood younger players and also even more important, in my view, in Europe in the Amlin Challenge.’
Speaking about Munster’s young talent, Ward added: Those players are undoubtedly there. They have to be blooded, but it’s got to be a gradual transition, much like Joe Schmidt has done at Leinster.’
When pressed on whether blooding players in the Magners League might cost Munster the title, Ward responded: ‘I don’t think so; I think there is enough quality there. To put names on them…Ian Nagle...I thought here’s a guy who’s ready to step in to the mainstream. To be involved at the highest level.
‘I know Munster are very strong in that area [second row], with Mick O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan, but he for me typifies the type of player who now needs to be blooded.
‘Duncan Williams, Billy Holland, Peter O’Mahony, James Coughlan has since come through. But there is a conveyor belt of talent there. I don’t think that there’s need for total panic, but what’s the expression? You know, Munster must not throw the baby out with the bathwater.’
Munster meet London Irish in Thomond Park this Saturday, kick-off is 3.30pm
