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Virtually every thread in which Irish posters make their thoughts known comes back to what's going on in Munster rugby. Instead of hijacking a load of other topics, it makes sense to have a giant Munster-centric thread in which to air thoughts on all things Thomond/Musgrave Park based. So to get the ball rolling.............
Munster failed to make the last 8 of the Heineken Cup for the first time since the 100 Years' War (or thereabouts). What's needed to get them back to the heights they once reached?
In my opinion Munster have relied upon the same core group of players for too long. Tony McGahan has tried to change things up since he took the head coaching gig but he must now speed up the process or risk losing his job. What I think needs to be changed:
1. New assistant coaches
On a macro level, Tony McGahan has overseen Munster win a Magners League, qualify for three semi finals (1 ML and 2 HC) and currently sit well clear at the summit of the ML in 2 1/2 years as the head coach. He's also rebuilt the academy which has lead to a B&I Cup final appearance. Delve deeper and there are problems. The scrum is appallingly bad- what does Paul McCarthy bring to the table as supposed scrum guru? Laurie Fisher has seen the pack go from top drawer to run of the mill. Jason Holland hasn't got the backs playing with any flair. I believe all three of the coaches I've named should be replaced.
2. Better recruitment
Look at Munster's NIQs. Paul Warwick and Doug Howlett have been good value for money and add to the Munster HC team. Sam Tuitupou, Lifeimi Mafi and Wian Du Preez have shown nothing more than competence at ML level. That's not good enough.
Compare Munster's NIQs with Ulster's haul of Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Simon Danielli and BJ Botha. All 5 are major contributors in Ulster's charge to the HC quarter final. Leinster have Stan Wright, Heinke van der Merwe, Nathan Hines and Isa Nacewa all playing at a high level in the HC. Why haven't Munster recruited a higher calibre of player in line with the other two provinces? Munster must look to overhaul their scouting department to ensure a better return from players brought in from outside the province.
3. Promote young players
Picking Niall Ronan, Billy Holland (at times) and James Coughlan may help get results in the ML in the short term but they'll never be top quality players. Why haven't Paddy Butler, Peter O'Mahony and Tommy O'Donnell been given more opportunities when the backrow is clearly in need of an overhaul? They have the potential to replace Alan Quinlan and David Wallace but need to be given game time. Likewise where's the sense in playing Mick O'Driscoll ahead of Ian Nagle and Dave Foley?
4. Cut the chaff from the squad
Munster don't have a tighthead worth his salt. Tony Buckle has supposedly attracted interest from Castres- bye, bye I say. Save the money on his and John Hayes' wages by employing a new scrum coach and proper tighthead who can hold up the scrum. Take a look at the Munster squad. There are plenty more there who don't add anything to the setup and are merely blocking younger players getting an opportunity.
Munster failed to make the last 8 of the Heineken Cup for the first time since the 100 Years' War (or thereabouts). What's needed to get them back to the heights they once reached?
In my opinion Munster have relied upon the same core group of players for too long. Tony McGahan has tried to change things up since he took the head coaching gig but he must now speed up the process or risk losing his job. What I think needs to be changed:
1. New assistant coaches
On a macro level, Tony McGahan has overseen Munster win a Magners League, qualify for three semi finals (1 ML and 2 HC) and currently sit well clear at the summit of the ML in 2 1/2 years as the head coach. He's also rebuilt the academy which has lead to a B&I Cup final appearance. Delve deeper and there are problems. The scrum is appallingly bad- what does Paul McCarthy bring to the table as supposed scrum guru? Laurie Fisher has seen the pack go from top drawer to run of the mill. Jason Holland hasn't got the backs playing with any flair. I believe all three of the coaches I've named should be replaced.
2. Better recruitment
Look at Munster's NIQs. Paul Warwick and Doug Howlett have been good value for money and add to the Munster HC team. Sam Tuitupou, Lifeimi Mafi and Wian Du Preez have shown nothing more than competence at ML level. That's not good enough.
Compare Munster's NIQs with Ulster's haul of Ruan Pienaar, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Simon Danielli and BJ Botha. All 5 are major contributors in Ulster's charge to the HC quarter final. Leinster have Stan Wright, Heinke van der Merwe, Nathan Hines and Isa Nacewa all playing at a high level in the HC. Why haven't Munster recruited a higher calibre of player in line with the other two provinces? Munster must look to overhaul their scouting department to ensure a better return from players brought in from outside the province.
3. Promote young players
Picking Niall Ronan, Billy Holland (at times) and James Coughlan may help get results in the ML in the short term but they'll never be top quality players. Why haven't Paddy Butler, Peter O'Mahony and Tommy O'Donnell been given more opportunities when the backrow is clearly in need of an overhaul? They have the potential to replace Alan Quinlan and David Wallace but need to be given game time. Likewise where's the sense in playing Mick O'Driscoll ahead of Ian Nagle and Dave Foley?
4. Cut the chaff from the squad
Munster don't have a tighthead worth his salt. Tony Buckle has supposedly attracted interest from Castres- bye, bye I say. Save the money on his and John Hayes' wages by employing a new scrum coach and proper tighthead who can hold up the scrum. Take a look at the Munster squad. There are plenty more there who don't add anything to the setup and are merely blocking younger players getting an opportunity.