Murray Kinsella reports from Allianz Park
THERE WAS AT least one Irishman who enjoyed proceedings at Allianz Park this afternoon as Saracens swept Munster aside to reaffirm their status as Champions Cup contenders.
Mark McCall won 13 caps for Ireland as a player, before moving into the coaching world with the Ireland U21s and Ireland A. The Down man led Ulster to a Celtic League title in 2006, before eventually taking his skills to Saracens in 2009.
2011 saw McCall guide the club to a Premiership title in his role as director of rugby, since when they have emerged as one of Europe’s leading sides. If they can deliver more performances like today’s, they have every chance of winning silverware again this season.
“Probably not beforehand,” said McCall post-match when asked if Saracens had expected such dominance over Munster.
“We know a performance like that is in us, and we talked during the week about delivering a big performance playing against a team who have a history of raising their game and raising their level for games like this.
We wanted to be that team today, and we needed a performance like that. I think that’s going to give the team great belief as to what we’re capable of. Despite a small sense of frustration we didn’t get the fourth try today, I thought it was a really good performance against a good team.”
The 33-10 victory over Anthony Foley’s side at Allianz Park moves Saracens back into contention to top Pool 1 and advance into the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup as pool winners.
The only thing that stands between them and that lofty position is a meeting with Clermont at Stade Marcel-Michelin next weekend.
“I suppose we’re now in a position when we go to Clermont that if we win, we’ll win this pool,” said McCall. “So that’s what our intention is going to be.”
More immediately, the Ulsterman reflected on a highly satisfying performance from his charges against a poor Munster, with number eight Billy Vunipola leading the charge on numerous occasions.
McCall shared the praise among his squad, however, after they ran three tries past Munster.
“Billy was phenomenal today, a force of nature in attack and defence, everything,” said McCall.
I thought we had outstanding performances right throughout the group today. Chris Ashton was outstanding for us, not just his two tries which were good, but some of his kicking game in the first 20 minutes of the game.
“Across the board, we had some top performances.
“I think everybody knows we’ve stuttered a bit this year. It was great to have Brad Barritt produce 60 minutes like that, having not played a minute in two months. It’s amazing really, and when you get big personalities like that back you’re led brilliantly.”
Munster problems began the day that the “Suits” decided not to give Rob Penney an extended contract. They compounded that problem by turning to A Foley. He was a very good player for Munster, alas he is not a very good coach. Now the “Suits” have a dilemma on their hands and one hopes they have they courage to take action swiftly. It is imperative to get the squad back on track and to shore up financial sponsorship. To dither could be catastrophic in terms of the next decade of Munster rugby. Informed sources suggest Kidney is already warming up on the touch line. I hope so.
Murray, you may not reply, but would love to hear your opinion on what Munster need to do going forward. Where the weaknesses are and what needs to be done to dine at the top table again.
I think the first suit that should take a walk is Fitzgerald, then we can look at foley and the rest.
Does anyone else feel that this new tournament has lost the appeal that the Heineken cup had. I’ll tell you one thing, money talks!!
Still a great tournament. Just because Munster lost doesn’t devalue it in the slightest. When we win it again (and we will at some stage, hopefully not too far away) it will be every bit as good as 06 and 08. After today’s defeat though it’s hard to be optimistic, but good times will come our way again. Just a matter of when.
Think its better then before, much tighter groups.
surprised that there’s no mention of McCall being a one time Ulster coach , particularly from Murray , the best observer of rugby I’ve seen in a good while I think however that Foley should be given a bit more time , Kidney isn’t the answer ,doubt he is interested. The JJ issue is similar to Leinster with Sexton , stuff like this will happen from time to time
It says above that he led Ulster to the Celtic league in 2006…
Well I’m home now after a long day of watching rugby and consuming a gallon of beer and when I wake up tomorrow my hangover will only be plagued by the nightmare that was that Munster performance .
A major sea change needs to take place to save this season.
The Munster team left the dressing room 5 mins early to run drills.Is that the best way to analysis and prepare
For the next 40mins of make or break rugby ?
Munster went from having one of the best scurms and lineouts in the pro12 and competitive in European Cup to a disaster today and average this session.
Munster where frustrating a lot of time under Penney/pennyball but you could see the development and set peace was a solid foundation of the team .
It’s too early to look for management heads but they have some job to do ture around this season.
I would daisagee above re waeker tournamnet its been great at times and one thing there will be no soft knockout matches. Munster has been strong in some games and lost in others, i feel gor ulster in their spiral. But when the bar is raised the irish teams will hopefully rise to it, but dare i say it if they dont its going to be bleak
I was thrilled enough meself
The new champions cup is much better than last year tougher groups better games and actually has made pro12 more competitive- only downfall is the shite bt coverage- as for Munster I think few simple things need to be assessed-1 coach quality 2- calibre of player 3- quality of opposition 4- player retention/ recruitment 5 how to attract the I’m a Munster supporters but if I’m asked my opinions on Cathal Sheridan I don’t have an answer supporter
Them type of supporters are already attracted! but they are also attracted to every other province!
When Joel moves on to the All Blacks set up Id love to see him take the hot seat