Munster remain focused

Connacht v Munster:IRISH RUGBY finds itself in a vacuum. Nothing else really matters to Leinster and Munster players and supporters besides May 2nd. Every morning they wake up and wedged in the back of their minds is that date. Croke Park. Leinster versus Munster.

Until then everything else is a curtain raiser. Something to pass the time.

Now, professional rugby players cannot function like this. They need to be focused on short term, manageable targets.

It’s almost like the 12-step programme. One day at a time – before you fall off the wagon. On May 2nd. At 5.30pm. In Croke Park.

The Leinster players had to deal with Edinburgh in a cavernous Murrayfield last night. Well, really, most of them were at home recuperating.

Munster coach Tony McGahan should have little trouble motivating his troops this evening considering Connacht turned them over, 12-6, at the Sportsground on December 28th.

Rua Tipoki remains a genuine concern ahead of May 2nd, on a par with Leinster’s expensive import CJ van der Linde, while Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Donncha O’Callaghan, Alan Qunlan and captain Paul O’Connell are rested at least until the Llanelli Scarlets come to Musgrave Park for the final tune-up (ahead of May 2nd naturally) next Friday.

McGahan is keeping players he feels need ticking over involved but the Munster reserves are a team to be feared. Just ask the New Zealand dirt-trackers.

Tony Buckley is provided with an opportunity to rebuild his oft interrupted, and initially expected to be international breakthrough season, at tighthead prop.

Keith Earls is named at inside centre (certainly worth a look, what with the wealth of riches at 13) to facilitate Barry Murphy’s return to outside centre. Lifeimi Mafi is held on a lease along with Grand Slammers Ronan O’Gara, Tomás O’Leary, Marcus Horan and David Wallace just in case Connacht catch the Magners League leaders snoozing.

Paul Warwick slips into the outhalf role to partner Peter Stringer, who is having a remarkably resilient season.

Connacht are on the usual patchy run, hoping for a moment of inspiration to catapult them into top-tier European competition. They seemed destined to fail with the Dragons six points clear of them with a game in hand. They are a further eight points adrift of Ulster. The distant cousin of other the provinces remains in static mode.

The development of players continues to be encouraged and has reaped dividends this season with outhalf Ian Keatly progressing along with others like Fionn Carr and Seán Cronin but an imported centre pairing tells its own tale. Troy Nathan and Niva Ta’auso can make an impact.

For sure, John Muldoon’s Connacht pack have enough about them to force the Munster eight to roll up their sleeves but question marks about Andrew Browne or Michael Swift at lock and Ray Ofisa or Colm Rigney at number eight is hardly ideal preparation.

It bodes for a dodgy lineout at the very least.

Tonight’s derby matters but not as much as May 2nd in Croke Park. Bloods versus Crips. One step at a time.

MUNSTER: D Hurley; D Howlett, B Murphy, K Earls, I Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; F Pucciariello, D Fogarty, T Buckley; M O’Driscoll (capt), D Ryan; N Williams, N Ronan, D Leamy. Replacements: M Essex, M Horan, B Holland, D Wallace, T O’Leary, R O’Gara, L Mafi.

CONNACHT: G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta’auso, T Nathan, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Loughney; A Browne/M Swift, A Farley; J Muldoon (capt), J O’Connor, C Rigney/R Ofisa. Replacements: A Flavin, B McGovern, M Swift/D Gannon, C Rigney/D Nolan, C O’Loughlin, A Dunne, M Deane.

Referee: James Jones (WRU).

Verdict: Home win.