Kleyn can power Munster to victory
Unknown quantity Kleyn a key figure as Munster bid to lay down law in Kingsholm
THIS is it. We have reached the point in the season where Munster either announce themselves as a squad capable of emulating the glories of the province’s storied past or else slide towards another campaign of ‘might haves’ and ‘maybes’.
It tends to happen in January. Before Christmas, wobbles and waywardness are not fatal but, once the year turns, the shutters on windows of opportunity start to descend and there is no scope for stumbling.
All season, we have been waiting for Johann van Graan’s remodelled outfit to find their sense of identity. Are they a modern, multifaceted team who like to fling it about, do they adhere to the more traditional Munster model of route-one pragmatism or are they a bit of both? Four months and 17 games in and the answer is unclear.
There have been compelling routs of lesser teams in the Pro14 but also dispiriting defeats away to Glasgow and Cardiff whilst, in Europe, their form has summed up the prevailing uncertainty unconvincing in victory at home to Gloucester and Castres, superbly focused when grabbing a draw in Exeter and then cowed by French ferocity away to Castres.
After last season’s brace of semi-final defeats, captain Peter O’Mahony spoke powerfully about being ‘sick of learning lessons’ in a side that has not claimed any silverware since 2011’s league title.
However, ahead of tonight’s seminal Champions Cup showdown with Gloucester in Kingsholm, there is encouraging evidence of Munster starting to absorb their many lessons to the point of making the declaration they need to properly progress.
The victory over Leinster a couple of weeks ago was critical. Being bullied in Castres was a serious jolt to the system for a province that prides itself on physical dominance and when a fully weaponised Leinster tried to rough them up in Limerick, Munster muscled up impressively. That was followed up by a superbly conceived win in Galway over an excellent Connacht side, allowing them to roll into tonight’s clash with rejuvenated self-belief.
Gloucester have been having a rough time of it over the same period, an embarrassing home loss to flaky Sale followed up by a stuffing in Leicester which has caused a cloud of trepidation to mushroom over Kingsholm. Danny Cipriani’s recovery from injury has been seized upon as a reason for hope – and there is no question Gloucester are a more potent attacking force with the errant England out-half in their side – while feral local support will ensure an inspirational atmosphere to lift the home players in one of the great rugby grounds.
It is essential, therefore, that Munster quell that enthusiasm early – and they have the personnel to do it.
Cipriani versus Joey Carbery is the marquee match-up but Munster’s success could well come down to the impact of their giant South African Jean Kleyn.
The 6ft 8in second row adheres to the South African ‘enforcer’ template patented by the likes of Bakkies Botha and he was badly missed when it got ugly in Castres. Kleyn will have some serious heft and hardness around him (fit-again openside Tommy O’Donnell is ideally suited to the specific requirements tonight) but he needs to be the figurehead – the fact he is up against fellow South African and former Munster second row Gerbrandt Grobler adds to the intrigue.
Grobler left Ireland on the back of the negative reaction to Munster showcasing a player who had served a two-year suspension for doping, and he represents a considerable threat this evening.
Gloucester, especially with Cipriani on board, will seek to move the ball wide as their attacking gambit of choice, and if Munster’s defence can apply the pressure the way it has in recent weeks that will present opportunities.
There is generally joy to be had in getting after Cipriani directly and likewise Gloucester captain and No8 Ben Morgan, who will seek to carry frequently to create the best attacking platforms, needs to be press-ganged by the Munster backrow.
When you compare the respective line ups, there is a notable disparity in quality weighted heavily in Munster’s favour.
Names like Tom Hudson, Mark Atkinson, Henry Walker and Callum Braley should not invoke fear in Munster ranks, whereas names like Conor Murray, Carbery, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway, CJ Stander and Peter O’Mahony should rattle their hosts.
Kleyn is less well known but perhaps not after tonight.
There is a seam of international, Grand Slam-winning ability running through the visitors and now is the perfect time to click. We may not be sure where exactly Van Graan’s men are at in terms of style or substance but this is an opportunity to show they can acquire the quality that set the great Munster sides apart – the aura of impregnability.