Munster’s Biggest Challenge

Munster face Edinburgh in Irish Independent Park this Saturday in what is being billed as one of the Club’s biggest games as the winner will take an advantage in the final fixture of the regular season. This season has been particularly challenging for all involved in the organisation. Munster have lost a number of games at home and this hasn’t helped in the quest for a top 4 finish or Champions Cup rugby.

The blame for these failures has been squarely put at the door of Anthony Foley but others like Garrett Fitzgerald and also a couple of the players haven’t performed to the best of their abilities. Munster have lost a lot of the sparkle that has accompanied the team in the last 18 years or so. The impact of the result of this weekend’s game will have far reaching consequences that will last for the next few years.

Lose on Saturday and there will be no Champions Cup rugby next season for Munster and although they may still qualify for the Challenge Cup that won’t dampen the disappointment that will surround the lack of Champions Cup rugby for Munster next season.

Some may even say a season away from Europe’s top table may benefit Munster in the long run. Most people will disagree and say that’s nonsense but you have to hit rock bottom before you can begin your climb back to where you once were with hard work and sacrifice. Two things that may have been lacking in the past two seasons.

Moving back to Saturday down in Cork where Munster will hope to put very poor season to bed by winning against Edinburgh in turn will give them the opportunity to gain qualification for the Champions Cup. A number of players will have to stand up and be counted over the final two weeks of the season if Munster are to find a way to victory.

Munster need to turn the clock back to the old style of play of “Boot Bite and Bollock” for the next two weeks. Players like CJ Stander, Conor Murray, James Cronin and Donnacha Ryan will need to lead Munster to the promise land. Both Edinburgh and Scarlets will of course be driven on by the fact that they can with wins in there last two games will put them ahead of Munster.

The time is now for Munster to finally used there famous motto as a motivational tool, the next two weeks aren’t about performance they are simply about results. The equation is simple two home games against the teams above and below Munster. We have always heard about the fighting spirit that Munster is famous for.

 Never truer has that famous motto of “The Brave and Faithful, Nothing Is Impossible “. Not to overstate it but Munster are playing for their short and long term future. Simply put, The Time Is Now…

By

Cian Mc Gibney

25/04/2016