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"No major signings" and "promoting from within". Are Munster making a serious mistake?
One of the above links mentions that both Stringer and Warwick are staying so halfbacks won't be a problem. The only confirmed departure at 9 or 10 is Mike Prendergast but Duncan Williams is more than ready to step up. Felix Jones is the only addition to the squad thus far and he'll push hard for the number 15 shirt.
Out wide they're losing two wingers in Horgan and Carney. Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling are good starting wingers while Ciaran O'Boyle has looked impressive in limited action. That's only three wingers in the squad though which leaves them woefully short. Nobody in their academy looks remotely close to stepping up.
In the centre Munster will be down to just three senior players - Earls, Mafi and Murphy. Scott Deasy has come on in leaps and bounds this season and could be ready to step up in limited action while Tom Gleeson has been around a while without breaking through.
In the backrow Munster should be okay. O'Sullivan is no major loss since he's constantly injured and they have Holland, O'Donnell and O'Mahoney developing nicely.
The loss of Melbourne from the 2nd row is easily covered by their 4 internationals and Dave Foley, their impressive academy member.
It's in the front row where Munster could have major problems if they don't recruit. Horan and Hayes are well into their 30s and neither have adequate backup. Hurley has gone stale and probably needs a change of scenery. Buckley has regressed. Tim Ryan is very raw. With Sheahan and Essex on the way out, they're down to two hookers, one of whom is an international and will miss a lot of games.
In my opinion, given the squad departures, unless Munster add an experienced versatile prop, a backup hooker, a big hitting centre and a speedy winger who they can coach up to standard, they'll be living dangerously next season.
In short Tipoki, Horgan, Puciariello, Carney, Prendergast, Sheahan, Melbourne, Essex, O'Sullivan and Lewis are on the way out. That's roughly 1/4 of their entire squad. Obviously that's a serious chunk of the wage bill jettisoned so you'd expect to see Munster add a top quality player or two. Then you read this:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
"No major signings" and "promoting from within". Are Munster making a serious mistake?
One of the above links mentions that both Stringer and Warwick are staying so halfbacks won't be a problem. The only confirmed departure at 9 or 10 is Mike Prendergast but Duncan Williams is more than ready to step up. Felix Jones is the only addition to the squad thus far and he'll push hard for the number 15 shirt.
Out wide they're losing two wingers in Horgan and Carney. Doug Howlett and Ian Dowling are good starting wingers while Ciaran O'Boyle has looked impressive in limited action. That's only three wingers in the squad though which leaves them woefully short. Nobody in their academy looks remotely close to stepping up.
In the centre Munster will be down to just three senior players - Earls, Mafi and Murphy. Scott Deasy has come on in leaps and bounds this season and could be ready to step up in limited action while Tom Gleeson has been around a while without breaking through.
In the backrow Munster should be okay. O'Sullivan is no major loss since he's constantly injured and they have Holland, O'Donnell and O'Mahoney developing nicely.
The loss of Melbourne from the 2nd row is easily covered by their 4 internationals and Dave Foley, their impressive academy member.
It's in the front row where Munster could have major problems if they don't recruit. Horan and Hayes are well into their 30s and neither have adequate backup. Hurley has gone stale and probably needs a change of scenery. Buckley has regressed. Tim Ryan is very raw. With Sheahan and Essex on the way out, they're down to two hookers, one of whom is an international and will miss a lot of games.
In my opinion, given the squad departures, unless Munster add an experienced versatile prop, a backup hooker, a big hitting centre and a speedy winger who they can coach up to standard, they'll be living dangerously next season.
