THEY COULDN’T, COULD they? After a weekend in which Munster delivered a major boost to their Champions Cup ambitions by toppling Saracens at Thomond Park, the province will now head to Northampton Saints with a shot at booking a home game in the round of 16.
It’s still a tall order against a Northampton side that will be hurting following their surprise 45-35 loss away to Stade Francais, but Munster will make the trip to Franklin’s Gardens knowing their fate is in their own hands.
The weekend’s results ensured things remain tight at the top of Pool 3, with second-placed Munster (10 points) now just a point off the Saints, who are already guaranteed their place in the knockouts. Saracens are also on 10 points (only behind Munster on points difference) and will be expected to add to their total when they host Castres (9 points) on Sunday afternoon, by which time Mark McCall’s men will already know exactly what they need to do. The other Pool 3 games sees the Bulls (0 points) host Stade (5 points) at 1pm on Saturday.
The top four in each pool advance and so Munster are sitting pretty ahead of the final weekend of group-stage action.
“I suppose it puts it in our hands to a certain degree,” said interim head coach Ian Costello.
“We’ve got to assume Saracens will get five, I think that would be likely for their last game, at home. So we’ve got to go, first of all, go and try and win the game at Northampton and then there’s a good chance that gives us a home round of 16, or it will. So if we top the group the seeding can be important as well.”
Munster will bounce into the week after a massive finish helped them over the line against Saracens. Following a poor, error-filled start to the contest, Munster looked more connected across the second half and the energy sprung from their bench was key to the two quick-fire tries in the 59th and 64th minutes that changed the complexion of the game.
After battling hard to get their noses in front Munster then dug in to defend their lead and hold a frustrated Saracens side tryless.
It felt like the type of night that could lift a whole season. It’s been a rocky road for Munster over the last few months but internally, the province have felt they were on the right track. Winning a game they easily could have lost will bolster that belief.
“I think what’s really important, I said it inside (the dressing room) as well, was our prep this week. Our prep has been building really nicely and I can’t say enough about how hard, and I’ve said it repeatedly and it’s probably sounded hollow, in our building it has been very different. We’ve been prepping really well, there’s been real tightness, real connection and alignment and the character, fight and work rate stuff has been there as a really solid foundation and there was bit more accuracy tonight.
“We have to carry that through into Northampton. They are lethal. I think if you watch Northampton they can score anywhere at any time and they can change a scoreboard so quickly. We just have to make sure that our next seven days, we had 10 days to prep for that game which was huge, the next seven days have to be on point and we have to arrive again with the right mindset and really fresh to give ourselves a chance of topping that group.
I don’t think it will be 6-3 at Northampton. I don’t think there will be a lack of tries so the team that wins will have to score a few tries as well.”
Munster and Northampton are well acquainted at this stage, with the Saints getting the better of the province home and away last season. Yet the defending Premiership champions have struggled for form across the current campaign and sit eighth in their domestic table, having lost five of their 10 games.
However before the Stade game Northampton were tracking nicely, winning four of their five previous fixtures across the Premiership and Champions Cup. If Munster are to take back-to-back English scalps, they will need to stamp out the errors and be clinical in the opposition 22.
“I think Sarries play a different type of game (to Northampton) and they’ve got some very good individuals but it’s their physicality that adds up and that momentum they can get on top of you,” said Costello.
They can get at you through your set-piece and through the air. Northampton is a whole different threat altogether. They have unbelievable speed, probably the best passing team that I’ve seen and they’re just starting to hit a bit of form.
“We have had some good battles over there. We will take a lot of confidence from keeping them (Saracens) scoreless but we have to be realistic and know that it is a whole different threat.”
Munster could be strengthened by the return of Peter O’Mahony. Costello said the flanker was ‘touch and go’ for the Saracens game but could be fit for the round four tie.
Costello also confirmed Munster will not be in a position to extend Dian Bleuler’s contract. The South African loosehead joined the province on a short-term deal from the Sharks in November and has impressed in the Munster jersey, receiving a massive ovation when replaced after his impactful, try-scoring performance against Saracens. The 25-year-old will be available for Northampton but will soon be heading back to the Sharks.
“He’s here for a set period and there isn’t any scope to extend beyond that,” Costello explained.
“That is the agreement that we went in with at the start. The IRFU through David Humphreys were unbelievably accommodating at the start in terms of facilitating that process but we always knew there was an end date which we will share with everybody in the next week. He will be here next week, he will be playing against Northampton.”
Thank you IRFU, just as Munster start to build some momentum, they pull a leg out from under the chair. They should at least leave us hold on to Bleuler until the end of the season. Kilcoyn has all but retired now and Milne doesn’t join until summer. Unlike Slimani who’s clearly preventing Clarkson from getting game time, Bleuler is blocking no one currently. Very shortsighted by Humphries.
@Michael Corkery: Except of course that Slimani is NOT blocking Clarkson. Clarkson has been invested in over the last couple of years and is generally getting the nod ahead of Slimani this season, he has featured in most URC games and featured in the 2 Heineken Cup games before Xmas. This culminated in being capped in November. Clarkson got injured around Xmas so has missed a couple of games but of course you are giving oxygen to the false narrative that the irfu and Leinster and everyone else is to blame for any perceived Munster woes! If Slimani hadn’t signed for the year, Leinster would have been left with 2 senior TH props, one of which Furlong who only made his 2nd appearance yesterday. That’s about the half the amount of senior THs that Munster have. Quit the Slimani nonsense.
@Carmine Lorenzo. the reality is Slimani was in the match squad 23 yesterday and Clarkson wasn’t. That was valuable game time missed by a budding Irish intl. I don’t blame Leinster – Slimani is exactly the player you want when you’re packing down against huge French packs in France. It’s definitely double standards though by the IRFU if they don’t allow Bleuler stay at least to the seasons end. Munster’s injury crisis merited some leeway which we didn’t get. It looks really bad in the current context
@Michael Corkery: You’re missing the point. Do you think it was viable to come into this season without Slimani? Furlong had played a half of rugby before yesterday and generally misses more than he plays these days. Do you think Leinster could survive with just Furlong and Clarkson as senior tightheads? Munster have 4 of them by my count! Clarkson has also been invested in, heavily, going back 2-3 years and it’s paying off now. The same can’t be said of other provinces. Focusing on just yesterday and not taking into account the broader facts of all the game time Clarkson has had this season just completely nullifies your point.
@Carmine Lorenzo: again, I’m not criticizing Leinster/ Slimani. I’m criticizing IRFU in relation to Bleuler and not allowing us keep him. Our need at LH is even more acute than Leinster’s at TH.
@Michael Corkery: ok. So what is the state of play with the Munster LH props? Who is and isn’t fit? I think the Humphreys ruling was made diktat after Slimani was signed unless I’m mistaken. So they are likely trying to be seen as enforcing this. They have already bent the rules a bit by allowing Bleuler and might be trying to save face. If Munster have no fit LH props, then yes I’d agree dispensation should be made as a medical joker. I just don’t see how this is a comparable case to Slimani, who was signed based on a numberical need in the TH position vs injury enforced.
@Carmine Lorenzo: when Bleuler was replaced v Saracens, it was John Ryan , a tighthead who replaced him. We have 0 fit LH if Bleuler leaves. It must be the Sharks want him back because the IRFU surely wouldn’t be that stupid/vindictive against one of their own provinces. This could do with being clarified. Even when we get our injured lads back, only Loughman is a viable alternative and you need 3 at least to cover eventualities
@Michael Corkery: or if wanting double standards from the IRFU how about Ulster not even being allowed a NIQ injury cover prop, Munster were lucky to have him even short term. Ulster have 1 senior TH, 1 development one and 2 IQ ones they had to pick up from the championship. Though I dont know what value of a complete blanket ban is going to have, Barrett and O’Connor from the championship are never going to be internationals no matter how much gametime they get so why not allow a NIQ to keep the team competative, same goes for LH at Munster.
@Michael Corkery: They have set their rules on front-row signings and are enforcing it. Bleuler signed as a medical joker due to a rash of injuries at prop. There’s nothing we can do about it. Once our own guys come back from injury, we have to get on with it, and be intentional about preparing the academy props for the rigours of scrummaging in the professional game. The only other thing Munster can do at this point is look to buy back Cronin from Leicester. Not exactly a young fella but experienced and seems to have a better injury profile than Kilcoyne who is surely looking at retirement.
@Kingshu: the blanket ban is silly if there’s nothing else happening to address the weakness, and I haven’t seen anything announced to that effect. If that’s the approach, then we’re all stick and no carrot. Seems like they’re hoping young props can just be played into form, but you’re putting a lot of eggs in one basket with that strategy. As Munster have learned through Knox, Salanoa, and Wycherley, young props’ development can be significantly delayed for a variety of reasons, or sometimes they simply don’t make the grade in pro rugby. It’s hard to plan for those things, and that’s where front row signings can fill the gaps. Denying provinces the ability to sign props when they’ve made clear efforts to develop IQ talent is counterproductive and unhelpfully punitive.
Like it’s crazy! The difference a half decent prop has made to our team in such a short period. I understand the logic behind not being able to sign NIQ props for the benefit of Irish rugby. But eventually you have to see what logical. Munster have not and do not have any decent props coming through. Surely. What’s best for Irish rugby is that the other 14 players on the pitch are actually competing in European rugby when they have a prop that can hold up a scrum. It’s just blows my mind
@Beyondthepale: there’s currently talk of an NIQ LH being signed alongside Milne. Then there’s talk of Barron moving south plus PSTD joining for the latter half of next season. There’s plenty of work being done (and allowed) to address the issues. But this would potentially mean a pack of Milne, Barron, Jager, Beirne, Kleyn, PSTD, Kendellan, Coombes this time next year. That’s a Munster pack with just 2 Munsters players in it. That’s just nuts. At what point do you start pointing the finger at Munster development pathways and not at the IRFU for not bailing Munster out?
@John Molloy: as brilliant a player PSDT is , he’s absolutely not needed. We have healthy competition in the BR. If that’s allowed but being blocked from signing Bleuler, I’m scratching my head.
@John Molloy: I think you’re also omitting Ahern, E’O’Connell, Edogbo X 2, Hodnett, Gleason, R Quinn and others. The academy is producing players but unfortunately not front rowers of sufficient quality. The players mentioned above will suffer if not given a proper scrum platform.
@John Molloy: that’s hypothetical and certainly not a first 15. Leinster current first 15 if fit would have 5 signings in it. I’ve no problem with that, just pointing out the myths you entertain. You clearly haven’t a clue what you’re talking about as we were moaning about our development pathways for years!! It’s been delivering lately though but front row remains an issue
@Michael Corkery: Agreed, I would not be a fan of Munster signing PSDT. It would mean Quinn, S Edogbo, Gleeson etc,. would lose game time. A bit like Barrett at Leinster, it doesn’t make sense. Front row is where they need to invest and be allowed to invest. Munster men propped up the Irish front row for years, along with propping up other provinces, Sean Cronin and Mike Ross for example. There is a drought at the moment that needs to be addressed but if the IRFU continue to block NIQ front rows, it is going to send the provinces backwards for a long time before they go forward again.
@Beyondthepale: it’s an absolutely brainless rule. If a prop isn’t up to the level of champions cup rugby or hasn’t the potential to reach that level, then what’s the point of the rule? What about his colleagues in the front row getting mangled as a result of his limitations? How does that affect them and in turn the rest of the team? I’m not having a go at leinster but they are the only province that can deal with such an obstacle
@John Molloy: An embarrassing cherry-pick there John. You’re conveniently ignoring the rake of other excellent forwards who could just as easily be in the pack next year and who *were* developed by the province – Edogbo x 2, Gleeson, Hodnett, Ahern, O’Connell, Quinn. Not to mention the fact that Beirne has been largely developed by Scarlets and Munster, as was Kleyn largely turned into a test-standard lock by Munster (and was IQ until very recently). Munster could *easily* put out a pack with home-grown hookers, second rows, and back rows. Props are much harder to find and develop, even more so for provinces with smaller populations and fewer resources for the age grade and grassroots games. You’re acting like Munster are the only team with this issue. They are not.
Leinster signed Slimani just before the ban on signing NIQ props was announced. Total coincidence of course!! Munster have four LHP’s (Loughman, Kilcoyne, Wycherley and Donnelly) but they’re all injured. It doesn’t make sense not to extend Bleuler contract until at least two of these injuries clear up.
@Jim Fitzhenry: Absolute crazy situation to be in. Agree at least keep him until you have 2 injury free candidates to play. I understand the ban on NIQ props but that only really makes sense if we have an abundance of LH props across the country, which we don’t. IRFU need to be to pragmatic at times and not dogmatic!
@Jim Fitzhenry: Your tinfoil hat is in good condition I see Jim.
Hopefully they can sign another medical joker at LH. Bleuler has been brilliant. Munster lost that game in Castres because the scrum started giving up penalties as soon as Bleuler went off injured. It’s a shame he can’t stay for the season or longer. Surely the IRFU can understand the benefit of having an accomplished scrummager not only for his performances but also to mentor the other front rowers? Munster are a much better team with him on the field.
I have read that the Sharks want him back…
Building a trophy winning momentum, is challenging. Timing is key. Winning your first 11 games is arguably a disadvantage. Get the timing right and you can be the most successful Irish province since the pandemic. Before Christmas stay in the hunt. Keep the top 4 within range in the URC. In the Investech home wins and a losing BP away, you are in the knockout. Throw in an away win and you have a home quarter while avoiding Toulouse and Bayonne.
@Cormac McCarthy: The 6 nations period is nicely set up this year. Dragons, Scarlets and Edinburgh, not gimme’s, but ideal to reintegrate some of the injured players.
After 6 nations Glasgow, Connacht, Battle hardened for the Investech knockouts. Followed by the Bulls at home. Those weeks will define the season. Time the run and we can maintain our position as the most successful province since the pandemic.
@Cormac McCarthy: Why on earth are you using the pandemic as some sort of significant timing benchmark for rugby? Absolutely irrelevant.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Because it rules out trophies won by the other provinces, its why I like the cuttoff being up to 2006, when Ulster were clearly the most successfull team in Ireland, 2007-2025 is irrelevant
@Kingshu: Hahahahahaha of course! This is another in a list of immature, head scratching posts from this contributor. I was there for the Colomiers game with my dad. Simon Mason earned his crust that day. They were the days when an Irish person could support another Irish province in good spirits!
@Kingshu: lol might be some truth in what you say. But it is also easy to argue that the pandemic had a profound impact on sport and post pandemic the world is a very different place politically, economically etc.
@Carmine Lorenzo: @Carmine Lorenzo: thanks for your question see reply to Kingshu . Glad to hear my posts lead to some reflection, the world would be a very boring place if we all agreed on everything. Though I am not sure how my post on a Munster article about momentum can be interpreted as not supporting other provinces.
@Cormac McCarthy: I’ll restate that the pandemic is a completely irrelevant benchmark related to sport imo.
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