Biarritz v Munster Betting

Damien Traille

Paul Warwick did travel and is playing...

Munster being favourites , and by all accounts having been well backed to do the business , looks like one of the worst calls of the season . Know its hindsight , but deserves a comment if only for the future .

Front 5 completely out scrummaged , and the previous days match Toulouse vs Leinster proved just how vital that is to a winning platform .

Munster and Leinster both need to regroup , maybe take a bit of time to develope better scrummaging packs . You cant win matches with slow ball , the weekend proved that . Leinster , despite good backs and an above average display by substitute out half were completely out played , as were Munster . Munster pack was heavier than Biarritz I think , but were pushed around .

The best days are over for a while I suspect , thanks for the trip to both teams , they have done us proud over the last 5 years or more . But I reckon they have not got the ammo any more . Think they will be doing a bit of shopping ( Euro permitting , but unattractive to Aussies for instance ) in the close sesaon .

There will probably be another season of this. Remember we've had two teams in the semi's for the past two years which is pretty hard.

Both teams won't be able to bring in new players until after RWC where there will be retirements and foreign signings. At least Leinster are getting a new coach (whilst Cheika was amazing) he'll bring a new broom that might be required to bring through a few more players.

Personally I don't rate McGahan, whilst they played brilliant last year their forwards have fallen to pieces.

It was talked about during the World Cup fiasco and it should be talked about again, just look at the number of times these players, not young now, have been asked to do it and/or their age. It's not surprising Munster have run out of steam. When their success over the years has relied so much on relentless physicality. If there's a bit of staleness there it filters through the whole team like an infection.

Leinster got the breaks last year, Northampton obviously, avoided teams of the strength of Toulouse and won it...this year, didn't play too badly in Toulouse but weren't at their best, made 2 very stupid mistakes that might have been game changers and got beat well in the end. Sometimes there isn't anything wrong, as such.

Leinster last season reminded me of England plus Martin Johnson . Rocky Elsom was unbelievable last year , when he left , the team never looked the part again .

think we are falling into the trap of being too critical when losing and too content when winning. Leinster and Munster were both unfortunate to get away semi draws. If the French were drawn away, at least one Irish province would be in the final for the 4th year in a row - hardly a crisis. Despite the basics going astray (Scrum and lineout) - Munster led this game going into the final quarter - hardly a crisis. Munster and Leinster normally solid on their own throw - just had bad days at the office - admittedly the scrum is becoming a serious issue, but has been for the past 4-5 years and didnt stop them winning 3 from last 4 HCs and a Slam. Ageing squads need to be addressed for sure, but it aint all over yet!

Well said Jolly.