It’s been a frustrating couple of months for Leinster supporters, watching on as high-class players deliver poor performances. The deepest frustration has been that we all know Leinster are capable of so much more than they showed in the Bath, Wasps and Toulon defeats.
O'Brien was man of the match in Limerick. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Leo Cullen has been waiting for his big leaders to step up, and that finally happened at Thomond Park this evening. Sean O’Brien returned from injury superbly, while Jamie Heaslip was excellent alongside him in the back row.
With Johnny Sexton given the weekend off, Ian Madigan was brilliant at out-half, while South African international Zane Kirchner gave his best display in recent memory at fullback.
In the front row, Sean Cronin was more aggressive than he has been in some time, while Devin Toner was solid in the engine room. When Leinster’s undoubtedly excellent players turn up in strong form, they are a hugely dangerous, efficient team.
Cullen will hope the standard set this evening continues all the way to a Pro12 final victory in 2016.
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Munster wasteful
Munster dominated the possession stakes – their share was greater than 60% – but they were once again totally wasteful in their use of the ball. Again, the build-up play was sharp at times but they coughed the ball up in the opposition 22.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
It’s becoming a major issue for Munster, and although they did burst over for a try through Robin Copeland, they dropped passes and failed to hit rucks more often. Even the maul, previously so dangerous, is becoming impotent for Munster.
Their protestations that they are close to ripping a team apart are likely to continue, and can possibly be justified in the thinking behind their attack, but the Munster players are failing to deliver on the ideas.
Munster’s halfback problems
With Ian Keatley removed from the firing line after his poor recent form and Conor Murray missing out due to a hip injury, Tomás O’Leary and Tyler Bleyendaal were called on to provide direction for Munster in the halfback positions.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Unfortunately, their performances provided precisely the opposite. O’Leary’s passing was slow and inaccurate, while his decision-making was also ponderous, often stymieing promising attack from Munster.
Bleyendaal, meanwhile, didn’t appear to be fully match fit. He appeared to be heavily reluctant to kick the ball or carry into contact, instead preferring to meander laterally before hitting his forwards or sending the ball wide.
The Kiwi is a hugely talented player and deserves time, of course, but Ian Madigan opposite him was altogether more composed. The Leinster man strutted around Thomond Park, fixing defenders, passing well, and kicking superbly from both hand and tee.
At scrum-half, Eoin Reddan provided crisp, accurate service to ensure that Leinster were totally dominant in the halfback battle.
Garry Ringrose
The youngest player on the pitch, but easily one of the most composed and impressive. 20-year-old Garry Ringrose has been battling hard for a start in Leinster’s 13 shirt in a game of this importance and he delivered superbly when finally given the chance.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
His calm on the ball was startling, although that sense of ease and comfort did not affect the former Blackrock College man’s impact. His burst of pace outside Dave Foley, the swerve back inside Jack O’Donoghue and the coolness to find Isa Nacewa with a simple pass for Leinster’s first try was reminiscent of Ireland’s greatest centre ever.
There was one sharp, accurate offload from Ringrose, as well as several further intelligent touches. Defensively, the youngster did his job without any fuss. A special player.
Earls concern
It was truly worrying to see Keith Earls treated for some minutes in the first-half after he sustained a blow to the head. The injury occurred as the Limerick man made a dashing half break and offloaded to Francis Saili, Luke Fitzgerald doing just enough to haul Earls down.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The game was halted and a hush fell on Thomond Park, as Munster’s medical team carefully treated Earls. Fitzgerald came across to check on his friend’s health, a nice touch from a player who knows all about injury problems.
The hope is that this is not another damaging concussion for Earls, who has suffered heavily in that department in recent times. The whole Irish rugby community will have their fingers crossed for the Munster wing.
Cian Healy limping off near the end provides another injury worry for Joe Schmidt.
Munster's halfback woes, Ringrose, and more Thomond Park talking points
MUNSTER WERE BEATEN 24-7 by Leinster at Thomond Park.
Read our full match report here.
Internationals turn up for Leinster
It’s been a frustrating couple of months for Leinster supporters, watching on as high-class players deliver poor performances. The deepest frustration has been that we all know Leinster are capable of so much more than they showed in the Bath, Wasps and Toulon defeats.
Leo Cullen has been waiting for his big leaders to step up, and that finally happened at Thomond Park this evening. Sean O’Brien returned from injury superbly, while Jamie Heaslip was excellent alongside him in the back row.
With Johnny Sexton given the weekend off, Ian Madigan was brilliant at out-half, while South African international Zane Kirchner gave his best display in recent memory at fullback.
In the front row, Sean Cronin was more aggressive than he has been in some time, while Devin Toner was solid in the engine room. When Leinster’s undoubtedly excellent players turn up in strong form, they are a hugely dangerous, efficient team.
Cullen will hope the standard set this evening continues all the way to a Pro12 final victory in 2016.
Munster wasteful
Munster dominated the possession stakes – their share was greater than 60% – but they were once again totally wasteful in their use of the ball. Again, the build-up play was sharp at times but they coughed the ball up in the opposition 22.
It’s becoming a major issue for Munster, and although they did burst over for a try through Robin Copeland, they dropped passes and failed to hit rucks more often. Even the maul, previously so dangerous, is becoming impotent for Munster.
Their protestations that they are close to ripping a team apart are likely to continue, and can possibly be justified in the thinking behind their attack, but the Munster players are failing to deliver on the ideas.
Munster’s halfback problems
With Ian Keatley removed from the firing line after his poor recent form and Conor Murray missing out due to a hip injury, Tomás O’Leary and Tyler Bleyendaal were called on to provide direction for Munster in the halfback positions.
Unfortunately, their performances provided precisely the opposite. O’Leary’s passing was slow and inaccurate, while his decision-making was also ponderous, often stymieing promising attack from Munster.
Bleyendaal, meanwhile, didn’t appear to be fully match fit. He appeared to be heavily reluctant to kick the ball or carry into contact, instead preferring to meander laterally before hitting his forwards or sending the ball wide.
The Kiwi is a hugely talented player and deserves time, of course, but Ian Madigan opposite him was altogether more composed. The Leinster man strutted around Thomond Park, fixing defenders, passing well, and kicking superbly from both hand and tee.
At scrum-half, Eoin Reddan provided crisp, accurate service to ensure that Leinster were totally dominant in the halfback battle.
Garry Ringrose
The youngest player on the pitch, but easily one of the most composed and impressive. 20-year-old Garry Ringrose has been battling hard for a start in Leinster’s 13 shirt in a game of this importance and he delivered superbly when finally given the chance.
His calm on the ball was startling, although that sense of ease and comfort did not affect the former Blackrock College man’s impact. His burst of pace outside Dave Foley, the swerve back inside Jack O’Donoghue and the coolness to find Isa Nacewa with a simple pass for Leinster’s first try was reminiscent of Ireland’s greatest centre ever.
There was one sharp, accurate offload from Ringrose, as well as several further intelligent touches. Defensively, the youngster did his job without any fuss. A special player.
Earls concern
It was truly worrying to see Keith Earls treated for some minutes in the first-half after he sustained a blow to the head. The injury occurred as the Limerick man made a dashing half break and offloaded to Francis Saili, Luke Fitzgerald doing just enough to haul Earls down.
The game was halted and a hush fell on Thomond Park, as Munster’s medical team carefully treated Earls. Fitzgerald came across to check on his friend’s health, a nice touch from a player who knows all about injury problems.
The hope is that this is not another damaging concussion for Earls, who has suffered heavily in that department in recent times. The whole Irish rugby community will have their fingers crossed for the Munster wing.
Cian Healy limping off near the end provides another injury worry for Joe Schmidt.
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bright future Guinness PRO12 Leinster Munster