Dogged Castres out to flip script in Thomond
SO, we know how this goes, right? Munster and Castres slug it out in the first 20 minutes with the emphasis on direct attrition before the home side wear down their opponents to establish a decent lead and, after the break, cut apart opponents mentally checking in for their flight home from Shannon.
That is the traditional script for Munster’s home European Cup assignments against the French and, with their injury issues clearing up and Johann van Graan able to pick close to a full-strength team, it is reasonable to expect things to play out that way at Thomond Park this afternoon.
Except this is not a traditional Munster operation under Van Graan and, possibly for the first time in the province’s rugby history, the strength of the team is in the backline rather than the muscle up front.
From Conor Murray to Mike Haley at full-back, Munster have an array of attacking talent that would measure up to any in Europe and a template that allows freedom of expression.
The forwards, while not at the level of the great Munster pack of the mid-2000s, have the capacity to dominate through the presence of Niall Scannell, Tadhg Beirne, Chris Cloete and captain Peter O’Mahony.
A year on from Rassie Erasmus doing a runner back to South Africa, Munster are in a good place under the impressive Van Graan, with two-time European Cup winner Ronan O’Gara claiming this week that they have the ability to return to the summit of European club rugby this season.
If things click today, the results could be spectacular.
However, a number of prevailing factors temper such optimism. Firstly, there is hard evidence to suggest Castres are not the mugs away from home we have been accustomed to over the years.
Their performance in securing a bonus point at Gloucester displayed a level of steel that bodes well for today – backed up by their excellent 14-man victory at home to the highly-rated Exeter in their second pool outing.
And, even though they lost at home to Top14 whipping boys Agen last weekend, that has been put down to their focus on today’s assignment.
One of the great rugby cliches is, ‘You never know which French team will show up’, but there is a sense that Castres, for once, mean business on the road and that spells danger for Munster.
Firstly, the Top14 champions have a game plan ideally suited to away-day muggings – an aggressive pack providing the means for
‘MUNSTER ARE STRONGER IN BACKS THAN FORWARDS FOR FIRST TIME
an intelligent kicking game to open up scoring opportunities.
Secondly, they have the motivation of getting Munster on their own patch next weekend with something to play for and have been vocal in their assertion that, having secured domestic honours last season, they are targeting a place in the knockout stages for the first time since 2002.
And, thirdly, there is the increased emphasis on fitness – a critical factor in their late run to Top14 glory last season and a focus that has reduced the second-half fade-away factor that crippled their past aspirations.
So, Munster talking up their opponents during the week was more than just the usual prematch spiel.
The Sunday lunchtime scheduling does not help. Munster have habitually struggled to get going with early kick-offs and, though Thomond will be close to capacity today, the supporters tend to be equally muted.
A huge onus falls on the all-international tight five where Munster will miss the heft of second row Jean Kleyn but are boosted by the superb form of Beirne, one of Ireland’s best performers through the November series despite not getting frontline exposure.
They will have a significant task getting on top of their French counterparts, not least at scrum time where the South African pair of Jody Jenneker and Danie Kotze will be on a mission to cause maximum disruption.
CJ Stander’s workrate is always at a high level but the Munster and Ireland No8 could do with rediscovering the ground-eating carries that create opportunities behind but have been missing for some time now.
However, if the pack can establish dominance, five points are on offer because of the backline potency on show today. Understandably, there is great excitement about Joey Carbery and Conor Murray being paired together for the first time. This is the day for Carbery to produce an O’Gara-esque display of dominance and control adorned with the athleticism that set him apart from the majority of 10s. After an encouraging showing in the drawn game at Exeter, Carbery needs to go up another level. That requires assured decisionmaking, playmaking execution and accuracy off the kicking tee. Having Murray inside him to take on some of the direction burden will be a huge help, as will the presence of quasi-out-half Rory Scannell outside. If the half-backs find their groove, the likes of Chris Farrell, Keith Earls and Andrew Conway can do serious damage. A lot at stake then, for Munster. If the above elements come together, five points should be secured. However, there is a feeling Castres are not going to assume their designated Sunday roast role and, though Munster should win, it is set up to be a lot tougher than many expect.