ALL IN OUR HANDS
O’MAHONY URGES MUNSTER TO STAKE CLAIM FOR EURO GLORY
MUNSTER will need to deliver their best performance in three years to overcome the challenge of Saracens this afternoon, says Peter O’Mahony.
Johann van Graan’s men will be appearing in their third consecutive European Champions Cup semifinal, having fallen at this stage in the previous two seasons.
And O’Mahony has challenged his side to step up against the English giants and secure a place in the final for the first time since 2008.
‘It’s going to take the best game of our season so far, probably this group’s time together over the last few years,’ said the Munster captain.
‘Certainly, since Johann has come in, I have no doubt that this is going to be the biggest one, the toughest one. We’ll probably have to dig a bit deeper than usual but hopefully, we can do so.’
The visitors will be without Keith Earls for the clash at the Ricoh Arena with Tyler Bleyendaal deputising for the injured Joey Carbery at out-half.
COVENTRY is a fitting venue for today’s eagerlyanticipated European clash.
Munster and Saracens met at the Ricoh Arena way back in 2008. Declan Kidney was in his second stint as head coach at the Reds while Alan Gaffney, a former supremo at Munster, was running the show at Saracens.
The Londoners were still finding their identity as a club back then. Backed by millionaire tycoon Nigel Wray, Saracens were never short on cash but they lacked a culture and team spirit.
In many ways, they envied what Munster had. The province were at their peak then with a forward unit that was feared across Europe. Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Quinlan, Wallace and Leamy was a pack without equal at that time.
Ronan O’Gara was playmakerin-chief and he could call upon the wondrous talents of Lifeimi Mafi, Rua Tipoki and Doug Howlett outside him.
They scraped home 18-16 against Saracens that day. Munster would go on to claim their second Heineken Cup in three years with another hard-fought win over Toulouse in the final at a heaving Millennium Stadium (where else?).
The trajectories of both clubs have gone in vastly different directors ever since.
Munster have failed to reach a final since while Saracens have reached three of them, claiming back-to-back European titles in 2016 and 2017. Munster have a solitary domestic trophy to their name in the past 11 years, a Pro12 triumph in 2011. Saracens have won four Premiership titles in the same period.
So, what changed after that meeting in the West Midlands 11 years ago? You can trace a lot of Saracens’ success to a soft-spoken former Ulster and Ireland centre from Bangor. Mark McCall arrived at Saracens in 2011 as head coach under Brendan Venter.
Within 24 months, he was the club’s director of rugby and has been in charge ever since. Munster, on the other hand, have been through five head coaches since Kidney left his post in 2009.
McCall has given the club direction and identity. For a team with little or no local fanbase and a stadium in the middle of nowhere (Allianz Park is buried next to a motorway in north London), McCall has fostered a strong team spirit within the Saracens ranks.
Several times in the season, he will whisk the first-team squad away for an old-school teambonding trip.
Octoberfest and Barcelona have been recent jaunts.
Their trademark blitz defence with the added heat of Billy Vunipola’s ill-timed and ill-judged interjection into the Israel Folau saga. Vunipola waded into the controversy by defending Folau’s views last week. The England No8 got a ‘formal warning’ from Saracens and the RFU this week.
None of those external factors will concern Munster, however. Johann van Graan and his squad know they are facing an almighty challenge. A glance through the Saracens matchday squad reveals the scale of the task facing the visitors.
Bulk suppliers to the English pack, they have Jamie George, the Vunipola brothers, Maro Itoje and George Kruis on board. Michael Rhodes is another quality operator on the blindside flank. They can also call upon former Springbok Schalk Burger and giant Wallaby lock Will Skelton on the bench.
But Munster have the artillery to cope. They have a front row who are all in top form. Dave Kilcoyne is having the season of his life while Niall Scannell and John Ryan have made massive strides.
Jean Kleyn’s presence is a massive fillip after fears he would miss out with a knee injury.
Alongside the indomitable South African is Tadhg Beirne, the limpet-like lock who has been winning turnovers for fun all season. Beirne and Peter O’Mahony’s ability to slow down opposition ball will be crucial today.
Much of Saracens’ game-plan revolves around their ability to recycle possession quickly allowing Owen Farrell to execute their rugby league-style attacking patterns.
If Munster can stop the Vunipolas on the gainline and make a mess of the breakdown, they have every chance of causing an upset.
There is also the psychological factor to consider. It is not a tangible thing but Munster have a proven record of getting mentally primed for these one-off encounters in Europe.
This is their third consecutive European semi-final and you get the sense they are tired of falling at this hurdle.
Their attack is still a work in progress, but they have all the foundations for a big knockout game.
With a strong set-piece, organised defence and a crew of experienced leaders among their ranks, they can make life very difficult for the Londoners.
There is further cause for optimism in the wide channels. Conor Murray is looking sharper with every passing week and is due a big game.
Along with O’Mahony and Stander, Murray will be keen to set the record straight against the English contingent after that first-round humiliation in the Six Nations.
Joey Carbery is a huge loss, but Tyler Blyendaal should be primed for this.
The New Zealander looks back to his best and he has the tactical acumen to put Munster in the right places.
They will miss Keith Earls, the hero of Murrayfield, but Mike Haley, Darren Sweetnam and Andrew Conway are a back three laced with pace and aerial ability.
Crucially, they have Chris Farrell in midfield to punch some holes and give the likes of Stander and Kilcoyne a target.
It’s been 11 long years for Munster but the road to redemption can begin today.