A RED RENAISSANCE
Dominant Kingsholm display is latest sign of a Munster revival
T HIS is familiar territory for Munster — a top-flight English team coming to Thomond Park looking to derail their European campaign.
Many have arrived in Limerick fancying their chances, but few have left with anything tangible. Think of Saracens in 2000, Gloucester in 2003, Sale Sharks in 2006 and 2008, and Northampton in 2011.
In 24 years dining at Europe’s top table, Munster have only lost twice to an English visitor on their home turf. Leicester Tigers were the victors on both occasions in 2007 and 2015. A win at Thomond Park is a prized scalp.
That’s the scale of the challenge facing Exeter Chiefs this evening. Rob Baxter’s men need to secure a rare win and deny Munster any points in the process to secure top spot in Pool 2.
Munster always front up for the big days in Europe. Now, they are playing with a style and confidence that has not been evident for a long time. If the wins over Leinster and Connacht were promising, then last Friday night’s demolition job at Kingsholm was a sure-fire sign of a revival.
There was an accuracy and ferocity at the breakdown that overwhelmed a stunned Gloucester side. From the moment the visitors won an early scrum penalty and a fired-up Peter O’Mahony (his default setting) screamed in the faces of the Gloucester forwards, you felt the force was with Munster.
They battered Gloucester into submission across 80 minutes and there was verve and enterprise, too. Joey Carbery’s opening try was the direct result of bulldozing runs from CJ Stander and Chris Farrell, but there were moments of class as well. That deft chip — off his weaker left foot — to tee up Andrew Conway for his try was the sign of an out-half playing with confidence and realising that he belongs on the big stage.
More pertinently, Carbery has nailed 17 successive kicks in front of the posts. The former Leinster starlet’s attacking instincts have always been glaringly apparent, but the basics of gamemanagement and goalkicking are the areas where he needs to evolve. Last Friday’s man-of-the-match display was hugely promising in that regard. You could imagine Joe Schmidt sitting in his den with a wry smile on his face as Carbery tore Gloucester to shreds. Those were the nights that Schmidt would have pictured when he was trying to convince the No10 to leave the Leinster juggernaut and take a punt at a rival province.
Ireland’s head coach will be hoping for another performance of composure and class from Carbery today. Johnny Sexton’s continued absence through a knee injury and Ross Byrne’s omission has opened the door for Carbery next month. He looks odds on to start at outhalf against England in the opening game of the Six Nations on February 2. On current form, Carbery is full value for that promotion.
Understandably, Johann van Graan has made just one change to the side that stormed Kingsholm. John Ryan’s elevation to starting tighthead ahead of Stephen Archer is perhaps a nod to a renowned Exeter scrum. Ryan is regarded as one of the finest scrummaging technicians on this island. Schmidt and Greg Feek seem to agree on that point with the Corkman winning 16 caps under the current national coaching ticket.
O’Mahony’s selection is the biggest boost to Munster’s cause today. Rated as ‘50/50’ by Van Graan earlier this week, the province’s spiritual leader has recovered from a ‘popped rib’ and is on board to get the job done and secure a record 18th appearance in the knockout stages in Europe. He may not be 100 per cent but O’Mahony will be ably assisted by Tadhg Beirne, Jean Kleyn and Stander. That trio have been outstanding in recent weeks.
Exeter will be no pushovers though. They are four points clear in the Premiership and Baxter is sending out all his big hitters for this one.
Munster gave a masterclass in retaining possession at Kingsholm with Rory Scannell’s try just before half-time the a result of 20-plus phases. No one holds onto the ball better than the Chiefs, though. They have averaged just under 22 minutes in possession per game, the most of any side in Europe.
And they have the artillery up front to continue in that vein at Thomond Park. Tough customers like hooker Jack Yeandle, lock Jonny Hill — a tourist with England to South Africa last summer
— and flanker Don Armand will ensure plenty of feistiness at the breakdown.
The visitors possess plenty of class out wide as well. Ollie Devoto offers a physical presence in midfield and was recalled to the England setup by Eddie Jones earlier this week. Like Chris Farrell, he is fond of an offload.
Lining up with Devoto will be Henry Slade, a classy operator and very much in the Garry Ringrose mould of gliding centres.
Further out is Jack Nowell. Jones caused shockwaves this week by suggesting the Cornishman could be deployed at openside flanker for the Six Nations. Nowell certainly causes plenty of damage around the fringes of ruck.
Today, he is operating in the familiar position of full-back. He can expect plenty of early box kicks courtesy of Conor Murray. The Thomond faithful will be baying for blood when those kicks land on their intended targets.
Those factors should prove telling as the evening progresses.
Familiarity breeds contempt and that’s just the way Munster like it.