RUGBY ANALYST:It will be interesting to see how Munster's new style will suit Paul O'Connell in Paris
SITTING HIGH in the Aviva stand last Saturday I was once again sucked into the available space on the pitch, or lack thereof. With but three minutes and 40 seconds on the clock Leinster had an attacking scrum in the Munster corner. When Eoin Reddan put the ball in an almighty shove came from the Munster scrum forcing a skilled pop between the legs from number eight Jamie Heaslip. As the ball exited there was no space available; Munster on their try line were primed for an offensive defence.
Just as Reddan reclaimed the ball from Heaslip, Jonathan Sexton slid outfield behind his inside centre Fergus McFadden on a pivot run. For most, especially the on-rushing defence, the expectation was McFadden to decoy with Sexton to receive, unleashing the outside backs; but McFadden received. However, Reddan followed his own pass to McFadden presumably to take the ball back.
The first wave of Munster defence, Conor Murray and Seán Dougall with Peter O’Mahony not far behind, arrived hungry for contact on McFadden expecting Reddan to loop open. They were focused on McFadden but ready for a flier wide. Time is at a premium here and either way there’s nothing but dead space in tight with all the Munster troops behind.
Why dead space? With so much traffic this close to the line the move is all about the loop, fixing defenders as Reddan receives before finding Sexton and width. But along comes Leinster’s blindside winger, Andrew Conway, from behind the scrum into the tiniest of gaps. In the briefest of moments the try line beckoned as his aggressive diagonal run behind Dougall fixed on McFadden and skidding away from O’Mahony who was unlikely to find him in the spare feet available.
Why no score? Conway’s captain Heaslip got in the way forcing him to check ever so slightly sending him into the bear that is Donncha O’Callaghan; move over, opportunity lost! Up popped Shane Jennings, who had a mighty match, antagonising one minute and carrying the next. From that ruck Reddan found the excellent Richardt Strauss who slipped over.
I labour the point because the three attacks were contained within the five metres and the posts. Leinster have over the weeks prioritised the space that doesn’t exist, especially where defences are traditionally stronger. To contrast this Munster are looking for space that is much wider than traditionally sought. Munster’s number two and eight spend much time on the left wing with the number three and others on the right. O’Gara has been taking the ball much wider with massive distance to his next receiver, skipping wide of defenders into his primed carriers, with both Mike Sherry and O’Mahony adding real value to the ball.
How will this suit Paul O’Connell in Paris as Racing Metro are not playing well, but are huge up front? Impressively Munster stuck to their guns until the end last week and resisted drifting back to days of yore. That said a traditional drop goal would have claimed a bonus point but they ignored it. This tells me Munster are totally committed to this new style. Again how will first-start O’Connell fit in?
Much of what they did was impressive; their kick-offs especially but for the new game to continue then Rob Penney may have a serious quandary on his hands. Tomorrow’s selected midfield and fullback may be part of the answer. Give it time or change it? Injury to Keith Earls delays that decision, as does Ian Keatley’s selection at fullback. Munster’s starting halfbacks are brilliant players but I’ll be very excited to see how their style suits Penney’s game. Keatley has improved in all aspects of his game and came on for a full quarter last week where he had no issues in defence or in confidently carrying. If he can control the tempo – especially as Munster are kicking far less – then his stock will continue to rise. Donnacha Ryan is to play a crucial role at six in a very exciting Munster selection.
For Brian O’Driscoll’s try McFadden chose to bash through the tackle, for Strauss’s try he passed. Both options resulted in a try within three phases. Both options got Leinster to the gain line very quickly, as McFadden created varied trouble for the defence.
Add to that Reddan’s role. For the first his pace, well-known breaking threat and sliding run forced the defenders to follow him leaving space to be exploited for Conway. For the second his speed to the breakdown and speed of pass to find Sexton was crucial. This speed of pass rules out the guessing game for his outside backs as they time their run. Would O’Driscoll have scored if Reddan wasn’t at nine?
How much can Leinster learn from Exeter’s demolition of Harlequins last weekend? Exeter, like Connacht before them, scored five tries and will target aggressive contact throughout but they can play. Fullback Luke Arscott can return loose kicks and cut defences; watch him. Their props Carl Rimmer and Brett Sturgess work their socks off and chase everything indicating a real work ethic in the side. Exeter do have an offloading game and wait till you see Sireli Naqelevuki in full flight. Nevertheless, this weekend; four Irish wins!
PS: While little brother Anthony Foley is lording it up in Paris, big sis Orla and co will be attempting the unique three-peak challenge this weekend in the picturesque surrounds of Killaloe and Ballina in aid of the Daughters of Charity and the Clarisford Sports Ground Project – www.boru3peaks.com. Clarisford is the brain child of Irish rugby legend Keith Wood who with fellow committee member Anthony will no doubt be enjoying a Parisian frappuccino!
