Reds bring back their big hitters
CONSISTENCY is the key component to any great team. The ability to back up big performances week on week, or bounce back from setbacks quickly. It’s the reason why Leinster have enjoyed such dominance in this competition in recent years. Munster and Connacht are still on their respective journeys in that regard. The Reds are further down that road than their provincial rivals from the west, as both sides seek to back up landmark performances ahead of their meeting at the Sportsground this evening. It’s what great teams which consistently challenge for silverware do. December was shaping up to be a cruel month for Connacht. Sobering losses to Racing 92 and Bristol put paid to their European hopes for another season, while a 32-19 home defeat against an understrength Ulster was a hammer blow to their Pro14 hopes as Munster increased their lead at the summit of Conference B. A trip to the RDS was next on the agenda and Leinster, despite being shorn of a host of frontliners due to Covid-19 and IRFU player management, looked a bridge too far for Andy Friend’s side. Jack Carty and Co had other ideas, however, delivering a stunning display in Dublin, ending a 26-game unbeaten run for the Blues in the league and becoming the first Irish province to taste victory in the capital in six years for good measure. That bonus-point victory breathed fresh life into their league challenge. Munster arrive in Galway with an eight-point lead in the conference. Win here and they are virtually guaranteed their place in the Grand Final in March. A victory for the hosts and it will get very interesting in the coming months. The question is: can Connacht front up again after their heroics last weekend? It was almost a month ago, but Munster are also looking to back up one of their greatest-ever days in Europe. This is the first time the heroes of Clermont are back together en masse since that 39-31 triumph at Stade Marcel Michelin in December.
The St Stephen’s Day meeting with Leinster was postponed while Johann van Graan sent a scratch outfit up to Belfast last weekend, meaning Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and the rest of the big guns have been keeping a low profile p since their exploits on French soil. And Van Graan has rolled out all the frontliners for this one. It will be another night to show that the evolution of their attacking game plan is continuing under the watchful eye of Stephen Larkham. Connacht should ensure that this game is played at a furious pace. Given Bundee Aki’s absence due to a knee injury, Tom Daly’s form at inside centre is a welcome boost. Ultimately, Friend will look to Caolin Blade and Carty to guide Connacht home. The half backs were outstanding against Leinster and another big showing here will put their pair firmly on Andy Farrell’s radar. Carty was pilloried for a belowpar performance against Ulster. A week later, he delivered a 25point tour de force against Leinster on their home turf. Again, it’s all about consistency. con Blowing hot ho and cold will get you y nowhere at Test level. l There’s a reason why solid customers like Dan Biggar become b international in stalwarts st while mavericks mav like Danny Cipriani Cipria fade into the background. Carty is falling between two stools at the moment. Certainly, he won’t be afforded the same time and space against this Munster outfit. And the feeling remains that Munster, for all their talk of expanding their attack, have the heavyweights to grind this one out.