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TOM SAVAGE
Still a few ahead of Elite
TOM SAVAGE, Three Red Kings website editor
Gavin Coombes of Munster and Adam Beard of Ospreys competed in a line at Thomond Park last month. Image: INPHO / Dan Sheridan
Given December 1 as a starting point, what are your expectations for next year and where is Munster Rugby as it stands with regards to those ambitions?
Fo Munster, the short-term expectations are simple: get into the European Cup knockouts, win all of their European home games, score at least five points on the road, beat Leinster at Thomond Park and score an away win during the interpros. Sounds easy when written, right? Munster is capable of producing that kind of performance over the medium term, but there is an element of doubt as to how rubber will take on the road against Clermont.
Munster’s PRO14 form has been quite good and while the strength of some of his recent opponents might be questioned, Munster’s two best wins of the season to date came against the strong Scarlets / Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues before all of will separate for the extended test window. .
Anything longer term depends on the luck of the rebound with injury and the possible return of guys like Snyman, Carbery and others before the end of the season. That said, it’s reasonable to expect Munster to at least make it to a European semi-final and reach the PRO14 final this season. The quality is there, the youngsters have improved in a tangible way and there seems to be a growing confidence among the group of players that they have a style of play that is well suited to anyone.
What is the key barrier to Munster taking the next step and returning to compete consistently with the European elite?
Munster is a few key forwards from being an elite challenger at the European level. This is a game of size and power and while Munster has some very promising young players who seem to be the answer to that question, we have to see it against players like Leinster and Clermont, hands down. I think players like Coombes and Wycherley are very close to making that breakthrough, but more will be needed: Hodnett’s Achilles injury was a disease for him so close to Europe, Thomas Ahern looks like he could be a very special athlete and that is Before you start looking talents like Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Roman Salanoa, and later Scott Buckley, Alex Kendellan and others.
If Munster can get those young forwards out and develop their potential, they will be very close. The rider’s future looks incredibly bright with Craig Casey, Ben Healy and Jack Crowley standing out, but it is the group that will decide Munster’s level in the medium and long term in Europe.
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