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Confident Munster must strike for silverware

Updated / Tuesday, 14 May 2024 16:31
Jonny Holland: 'It's clear Munster are enjoying themselves. They're playing with confidence and squeezing the life out of teams in defence.'
Jonny Holland: 'It's clear Munster are enjoying themselves. They're playing with confidence and squeezing the life out of teams in defence.'

Munster's emphatic win over Connacht last Saturday swung on a few key moments, but the confidence in the squad is evident for all to see. Graham Rowntree’s men must harness that to strike for silverware.

On the other hand, the 42-17 defeat could be a hammer blow to Connacht’s Champions Cup qualification hopes.

What turned out to be a crushing defeat was decided by a couple of moments that shifted the momentum of the game.

The hosts had to be patient at Thomond Park, with their dominance only reflected on the scoreboard when RG Snyman crossed the whitewash from a tap-penalty after Shamus Hurley-Langton was sent to the bin following a cynical slap down close to the line.

A lineout error handed Munster the opportunity to exit their own 22 and through the pace of Calvin Nash, the visitors found themselves 14 points down by time there was numerical parity.

A couple of Jack Carty pinpoint passes gave Connacht two first-phase tries of their own, but the game was over by the time they fired their second shot, Munster having secured a bonus point at that stage.

In truth, Munster’s defence suffocated Connacht for most of the game, while their relentless attack ensured that Pete Wilkins’ side were constantly on the back foot; with 25 minutes on the clock they had already made 81 tackles and missed 12.

It’s unsustainable for the defence to keep turning up like that and Munster looked far too comfortable considering Connacht had to target this game to climb the table for Champions Cup qualification and a proper run at the play-offs.

Gavin Coombes' first involvement was to pressure Bundee Aki into an error, resulting in Munster’s third try through player of the match Alex Nankivell. It was against the run of play at the start of the second half and was essentially the moment that swung the game.

The introduction of Conor Murray sprung Munster’s backline into life, with the scrum-half crossing for the bonus point much to the team’s delight, in particular Simon Zebo.

It’s clear Munster are enjoying themselves. They’re playing with confidence and squeezing the life out of teams in defence.

They have back-ups in most positions now that will feel they have a right to start. Now is the time to strike for more silverware, because with the potential losses of Antoine Frisch, Joey Carbery and RG Snyman moving on, along with other rumoured retirements, their squad may not be as deep next season.

Connacht will now be hoping that Munster, among others, will do them a favour in their quest to secure all-important Champions Cup qualification.

Not only does it guarantee a bigger boost in revenue, but Champions Cup rugby has a massive impact on squad morale, as well as the province's ability to retain and recruit to bolster their squad going forward.

Connacht face the uphill challenge of welcoming the Stormers to the Sportsground on Saturday (live on RTÉ2), who are still in the running for a top-four position.

Benetton and Edinburgh are both ahead of Connacht in the race for seventh spot, though the Italians have to go to the Bulls, so there is still hope.

If Connacht look after their own results, they should still push close for qualification, while timing and luck could also be on their side.

Leinster may have one eye elsewhere, with the Champions Cup final a week after the interprovincial game in round 18 of the league. Benetton and Edinburgh have to play each other as well, meaning someone has to drop points.

There are far too many variables left in just two rounds of rugby to predict with confidence where Connacht will end up, but getting a positive result at home against the Stormers next time out is the first priority.

Watch Connacht v Stormers in the URC on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow live score updates on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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