DAYS LATER, THE confusion surrounding the late penalty which saw Toulon’s Marius Domon kick a game-winning three points against Munster at the Stade Felix Mayol is still yet to be cleared up.
With five minutes remaining and Munster leading by a point after a stirring second-half fightback, referee Karl Dickson awarded a controversial penalty to Toulon, the decision going against Munster for “taking the space.”
On first viewing, it was unclear whether the decision was against Munster centre Tom Farrell or flanker Jack O’Donoghue. On repeated viewing, it didn’t get any clearer. Even speaking to members of the Munster camp post-game in Toulon, there was confusion around why, and against who, the call had been made.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday, defence coach Denis Leamy confirmed the province are still awaiting clarification, with Leamy himself among those who remain confused by the decision.
“We’re waiting on clarification,” Leamy said. “I’d imagine there’ll be conversations between Karl Dickson and Tony Spreadbury (EPCR’s head of match officials) and Clayton McMillan, and we’ll just wait for that.
A number of the players have asked me as well in terms of what is the story, and look, hands up, I don’t know what the penalty was for.
“So we’re just waiting for clarification and obviously Karl Dickson is a world-class referee, and I’m sure he’ll be able to indicate as to what the penalty is for.”
Leamy added that getting clarification will be important for a number of reasons.
“We as coaches put an awful lot of time and effort into the tackle area, and it’s important that we understand where the referees are coming from. So yeah, clarification is hugely important so we can continue to try and show good pictures.”
Overall, Munster understand that one call wasn’t where the game was won and lost, with their discipline on the day a costly issue in a 27-25 defeat. The province conceded a total of 14 penalties and shipped 14 points while Tadhg Beirne was in the sinbin, with Alex Nankivell also picking up a second-half yellow card.
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“We spoke a lot about it this morning. It’s something that we have to be better at. It’s not acceptable at this level, and that said, I thought some of our play and some of our defence was heroic the other day, incredibly proud of the boys, but it’s just having calm heads in those moments is really important.
Munster defence coach Denis Leamy. Tom O’Hanlon / INPHO
Tom O’Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO
“And look, you’re always going to have to live on the edge in the south of France, that’s just the way it is, it’s been like that for 30 years, but there were pictures the other day where we just could be an awful lot better.
“Tadhg’s sinbin and obviously Alex Nankivell’s one come to mind where we just can be far better there. So the boys are well aware of that, they’re experienced players, you don’t have to tell them more than once and I expect that we’ll have higher standards going forward.”
Some of those discipline issues will have made for a tough watch on review, but Leamy took great heart in how the players fronted up in defensive. While condeding 27 points was a disappointment, Munster did well to frustrate their hosts for large periods of the game, including a scrappy first-half which ended 7-6 to Toulon and a frantic endgame where Jack Crowley and Ruadhan Quinn combined to save a losing bonus point.
“I think the pressure, whatever way it was created and some of it was through our own indiscipline, you know, the territory stats were something like 70% to 30%, so we lived in our own half for most of the game,” Leamy said.
“I think the possession stats were something like 35%-65%, so the nature of the game is we ended up with an awful lot of pressure on us, but I thought the boys moved really well, I thought our contact area was really good, by and large we shut down their edges, one or two balls bouncing in the backfield that we just need to have a little bit of a look at, but I couldn’t be more proud of the boys really.
“I thought they were fantastic from a defensive point of view and in attack as well. Our scrum was brilliant as well, but we scored three excellent tries, which was so pleasing. It’s just a pity we didn’t get down there more because in the second half on that right hand side we had them in all sorts of bother, you’re just hoping to get one more chance there. Brian Gleeson gets poached right at the end, but if we can move that ball off the next phase, all things would suggest that we could have stressed them there at least.”
However there is disappointment at the loss of Jean Kleyn, whose summer transfer to Gloucester has now been confirmed. The 42 understands Kleyn turned down a contract extension at Munster in favour of a longer-term three-year deal with the English club, ending his 10-year spell at Thomond Park.
“I think we obviously would have liked JK to stay, but JK has to do what’s best for his family and for his future. I think that’s where it’s landed now,” Leamy said.
Munster lock Jean Kleyn will join Gloucester this summer. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“Unfortunately, the evolution of squads, players have great careers, but eventually there comes a time when these decisions have to be made. JK has been an incredible servant to Munster over the last 10 years. I think when he arrived first, he was an unknown, but he’s gone on to become a household name.
“He won a World Cup with South Africa. I think his legacy in the jersey is very clear for people to see. He’s left the jersey in a much better place. He’s been a phenomenal player for Munster.”
Kleyn’s departure will open up an NIQ slot in the Munster squad, meaning the province could potentially look at getting an NIQ player on board in a different position, or seek a direct NIQ replacement for Kleyn.
“I think that’s definitely an option, whether it’s something that Ian Costello and Clayton McMillan will look at. I’m not entirely sure as they’ll look after that, but certainly it allows flexibility around that space.”
Leamy added that the province are in decent shape in terms of young locks coming through in the squad.
“I think there’s been a lot of development over the last couple of years through the integrated model.
“You’re looking at Evan O’Connell now, who’s in a position to come through. You’ve got Edwin (Edogbo), you’ve got Tom Ahern, you’ve obviously still got Tadhg Beirne and Fineen Wycherley. There’s obviously a place there. It depends on what direction Cossie and Clayton want to go, I guess.”
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'I don't know what it was for' - Munster awaiting clarification on Toulon penalty
DAYS LATER, THE confusion surrounding the late penalty which saw Toulon’s Marius Domon kick a game-winning three points against Munster at the Stade Felix Mayol is still yet to be cleared up.
With five minutes remaining and Munster leading by a point after a stirring second-half fightback, referee Karl Dickson awarded a controversial penalty to Toulon, the decision going against Munster for “taking the space.”
On first viewing, it was unclear whether the decision was against Munster centre Tom Farrell or flanker Jack O’Donoghue. On repeated viewing, it didn’t get any clearer. Even speaking to members of the Munster camp post-game in Toulon, there was confusion around why, and against who, the call had been made.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday, defence coach Denis Leamy confirmed the province are still awaiting clarification, with Leamy himself among those who remain confused by the decision.
“We’re waiting on clarification,” Leamy said. “I’d imagine there’ll be conversations between Karl Dickson and Tony Spreadbury (EPCR’s head of match officials) and Clayton McMillan, and we’ll just wait for that.
“So we’re just waiting for clarification and obviously Karl Dickson is a world-class referee, and I’m sure he’ll be able to indicate as to what the penalty is for.”
Leamy added that getting clarification will be important for a number of reasons.
“We as coaches put an awful lot of time and effort into the tackle area, and it’s important that we understand where the referees are coming from. So yeah, clarification is hugely important so we can continue to try and show good pictures.”
Overall, Munster understand that one call wasn’t where the game was won and lost, with their discipline on the day a costly issue in a 27-25 defeat. The province conceded a total of 14 penalties and shipped 14 points while Tadhg Beirne was in the sinbin, with Alex Nankivell also picking up a second-half yellow card.
“We spoke a lot about it this morning. It’s something that we have to be better at. It’s not acceptable at this level, and that said, I thought some of our play and some of our defence was heroic the other day, incredibly proud of the boys, but it’s just having calm heads in those moments is really important.
“And look, you’re always going to have to live on the edge in the south of France, that’s just the way it is, it’s been like that for 30 years, but there were pictures the other day where we just could be an awful lot better.
“Tadhg’s sinbin and obviously Alex Nankivell’s one come to mind where we just can be far better there. So the boys are well aware of that, they’re experienced players, you don’t have to tell them more than once and I expect that we’ll have higher standards going forward.”
Some of those discipline issues will have made for a tough watch on review, but Leamy took great heart in how the players fronted up in defensive. While condeding 27 points was a disappointment, Munster did well to frustrate their hosts for large periods of the game, including a scrappy first-half which ended 7-6 to Toulon and a frantic endgame where Jack Crowley and Ruadhan Quinn combined to save a losing bonus point.
“I think the pressure, whatever way it was created and some of it was through our own indiscipline, you know, the territory stats were something like 70% to 30%, so we lived in our own half for most of the game,” Leamy said.
“I think the possession stats were something like 35%-65%, so the nature of the game is we ended up with an awful lot of pressure on us, but I thought the boys moved really well, I thought our contact area was really good, by and large we shut down their edges, one or two balls bouncing in the backfield that we just need to have a little bit of a look at, but I couldn’t be more proud of the boys really.
“I thought they were fantastic from a defensive point of view and in attack as well. Our scrum was brilliant as well, but we scored three excellent tries, which was so pleasing. It’s just a pity we didn’t get down there more because in the second half on that right hand side we had them in all sorts of bother, you’re just hoping to get one more chance there. Brian Gleeson gets poached right at the end, but if we can move that ball off the next phase, all things would suggest that we could have stressed them there at least.”
This week the focus switches to Saturday’s home meeting with Castres [KO 5.30pm], and Tuesday brought mixed news from the Munster camp. There was a positive update on Craig Casey, whose shoulder injury is not believed to be as bad as initially feared.
However there is disappointment at the loss of Jean Kleyn, whose summer transfer to Gloucester has now been confirmed. The 42 understands Kleyn turned down a contract extension at Munster in favour of a longer-term three-year deal with the English club, ending his 10-year spell at Thomond Park.
“I think we obviously would have liked JK to stay, but JK has to do what’s best for his family and for his future. I think that’s where it’s landed now,” Leamy said.
“Unfortunately, the evolution of squads, players have great careers, but eventually there comes a time when these decisions have to be made. JK has been an incredible servant to Munster over the last 10 years. I think when he arrived first, he was an unknown, but he’s gone on to become a household name.
“He won a World Cup with South Africa. I think his legacy in the jersey is very clear for people to see. He’s left the jersey in a much better place. He’s been a phenomenal player for Munster.”
Kleyn’s departure will open up an NIQ slot in the Munster squad, meaning the province could potentially look at getting an NIQ player on board in a different position, or seek a direct NIQ replacement for Kleyn.
“I think that’s definitely an option, whether it’s something that Ian Costello and Clayton McMillan will look at. I’m not entirely sure as they’ll look after that, but certainly it allows flexibility around that space.”
Leamy added that the province are in decent shape in terms of young locks coming through in the squad.
“I think there’s been a lot of development over the last couple of years through the integrated model.
“You’re looking at Evan O’Connell now, who’s in a position to come through. You’ve got Edwin (Edogbo), you’ve got Tom Ahern, you’ve obviously still got Tadhg Beirne and Fineen Wycherley. There’s obviously a place there. It depends on what direction Cossie and Clayton want to go, I guess.”
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Champions Cup craig casey decision Denis Leamy Jean Kleyn Munster