The Munster legend says it won’t get any easier for Anthony Foley and his beleaguered troops
Alan Quinlan is still trying to get his head around Munster’s 33-10 shellacking at the hands of Saracens. The two-time European Cup champions were eliminated ahead of the competition’s knock-out stages, on Saturday, for only the second time in 17 years. The most disappointing aspect of the loss, Quinlan tells us, was Munster’s failure to once land a glove on the Premiership side.
‘The European Cup has been the foundation of Munster’s season for so long so to be out after round five (of pool matches) is a painful blow. The damage was done in the home defeat to Clermont. The competition is getting harder and harder. To be in a pool with last season’s finalist (Saracens), semi-finalist (Clermont) and Sale, who have given every team a real match, was always going to be tough. Saying that, Munster did not adapt and play well after their opening two wins.’
While Clermont may be able to lavishly assemble a squad, with the likes of Jonathan Davies, Fritz Lee and Jamie Cudmore augmenting their French talents, Saracens’ squad is well stacked with South African and Scottish talents. ‘Munster’s exit has nothing to do with money,’ argues Quinlan. ‘They were just so poor on the day. Saracens are not a team of superstars although they have greater depth.
‘Munster were completely outclassed and, when it came to physicality, outmatched. They were bullied and boxed off the field. They didn’t fire a shot. Other guys need to stand up and perform. Those lads really have to look at themselves as many of them were off the pace and completely overshadowed by their opposite numbers. There is far too much reliance on Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray.’
Quinlan feels Foley will need to improve the depth and quality of his Munster squad ahead of a hopeful re-entry into the competition next season. ‘I’m sure Joe Schmidt won’t be too pleased with Munster and Ulster going out so soon,’ he adds. ‘The Champions Cup holds players to a higher standard and the fact that only Leinster are left is of no benefit to the Irish team during a World Cup year.’
Quinlan was speaking at the launch of the SEAT Munster Schools Cup, on Monday. Although his playing brief, growing up in Clanwilliam, Tipperary, was mainly GAA, he often attended schools rugby matches and admits he was envious of the large crowds, and fanfare, the games attracted. ‘It is a great competition and an excellent platform for a player hoping to break into the Munster set-up,’ he says.
Current schools rugby graduates in the Munster squad include, Paul O’Connell (Ardscoil Rís), Peter O’Mahony and Simon Zebo (PBC, Cork), Conor Murray, Keith Earls and Donnacha Ryan (St. Munchin’s), Duncan Casey (Glenstal Abbey), Donncha O’Callaghan and Billy Holland (CBC, Cork) and Dave O’Callaghan (Midleton College).
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