Munster v Leinster

Yeah there was that stuff. And then there was this stuff.

There undoubtedly has been a narrative getting peddled that Leinster are quality cheaters who bring the violence against the nice guys of Munster. Now I get the “nice guys” but isn’t meant as a compliment, but painting the issue as Munster being a bit too soft compared to Leinster isn’t exactly cutting edge analysis. Also, the ref was actually pretty good I thought. And I was saying that even when Leinster were behind coming up to half time.

Munster have numerous issues across the park, and some of those were exposed on Saturday. The starting front row is decidedly average. The second row without Beirne (and Snyman, but can we count him given his lack of availability?) is poor. The back row is a step down from most top sides. The half backs are grand, but not great. The centres are overrated IMO. I don’t think DDA has delivered on even half of what should have been expected from a big marquee signing. The back 3 has talent but there’s no depth there, and that was very obvious the other day. But instead of saying that there’s a gulf in talent and certain positions are issues that desperately need resolution, we get….

Munster will fall short most of the time because their players and coaches aren’t at the quality of Leinster. Not because of any violence.

Upon rewatch a significant and historic issue for Munster once again reared its head.

Munsters tight 5 and bigger ball carriers first instinct is never to move the ball. For the flack that Jenkins got with 2 soft turnovers at least he tried to get his hands free.

Loughman is a decent baller as is Coombes obviously and Tadgh Beirne stands head and shoulders above them both. But Munster can easily be isolated in attack when teams target those who they know wont pass.

On 50 minutes. Kendellen makes probably Munster best play of the game. He gives a huge hit on Doris driving him back and gets straight up to his feet and starts to counter ruck and gets an excellent turnover. He is greatly assisted by a strong involvement from Fineen (who comes completely in the side FWIW....)

Ball goes to Jenkins who immediately ships on to Scannell and he wastes a chance that I'd be expecting 15 year olds to exploit on turnover in the oppo red zone. An early pass there and it's a 4 on 2 and Pete and Cloete are SCREAMING for it. Scannell runs sideways into 2 Leinster players, doesn't put his head up once, doesn't look for the offload. Nothing. Absolutely abysmal play here. But it shows a lack of willingness to move the ball.

Jenkins picks and goes and tries to keep momentum and free his arm for an offload but it is a soft turnover from him too (as well as a very smart bit of play in the tackle by Ross Byrne)

It's just genuinely maddening to see the best bit of play by Munster immediately followed up by the worst bit in the space of 5 seconds.

At that stage it's 19-12 and a well coached team with genuine killer instinct puts 7 or at least 3 in these situations and get the ball back with a total momentum shift. It's moments like this games swing on.

They were going on as if Leinster were four-in-a-row European Cup champions rather than league champions. Leinster haven't won the European Cup since 2018, and they've only won it once in the last decade. How can they possibly be considered the best club side in the world?