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.
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.