Two birds, One Stone

Published for wordinsport

Two seemingly unconnected stories passed by the rugby world this week.

The first was Munster's capture of Robin Copeland. Wexford born Copeland has been outstanding for Cardiff this season, winning 2 Man of the Match awards in 4 Heineken Cup games, as well as several in the Pro 12. At times, he's been the shining light in some rudderless displays from the Blues. There have been calls for Copeland to be called into the Irish set up, and the general consensus is that Munster have signed a very good Irish player.

But his capture has sparked a small bit of unrest. Munster weren't exactly in need of another backrow player, specifically one that plays either blindside or No.8. A combination of Peter O'Mahony and James Coughlan is keeping the wonderful CJ Stander out of the side, with the young, but bright talent of Paddy Butler also pushing hard for selection when he's not injured. Add in Copeland, and it's a case of 5 into 2 doesn't go.

Most of this frustration was because there are places where Munster could do with strengthening. An extra body covering Conor Murray and Cathal Sheridan would be useful, or even backing up Ian Keatley and JJ Hanrahan. As seen with Murray's lay off, one injury here stretches Munster's resources a bit too much. The same can be said in the centres, where behind Downey and Laulala, there isn't a whole lot of cover. Ivan Dineen is making the step up, and both Hanrahan and Earls can cover, but are needed elsewhere. Both Downey and Laulala are out of contract at the end of the season, which makes the need for a centre all the more pressing.

The second news story was that of Richie Vernon. For those who haven't seen it, Richie Vernon, the 20 time capped Scottish backrower is moving to outside centre for what appears to be the rest of his career. He's been unable to regain his place in the Glasgow team in the back row, and with his pace and power, Gregor Townsend has seen his potential in the centres to revitalise his career.

Why could these stories be connected? Simple; CJ Stander is the answer to Munster's centre needs. This would help ease the selection dilemmas in Munster's back row, and could finally get Stander onto the Munster first XV. There's no doubting the pace and power that Stander possesses, and he certainly doesn't have a passing game that is worse than James Downey's. It would be the only area of his game that would need work, but it's not a huge improvement needed.

It seems a crazy idea, but Vernon's isn't the first case of this, with Leinster's Jordan Coughlan another promising backrower that was moved to 12 a year ago. Joe Schmidt foresaw the overload of backrow talent coming through at Leinster with Ruddock, Ryan, Jordi Murphy, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan, and decided that Coughlan had the skills to move to 12 and provide some needed cover.

Rob Penney, you can take this idea. You're welcome.

End Of Season Review

Connacht

Connacht look like they are finally coming of age. After a second successive season in the Heineken Cup, they performed admirably with 3 wins, including a fantastic win over Biarritz. Domestically, they finished in 8th position, their best position ever, which is about where they should be finishing. With a ever improving squad, with plenty of young talent that keep getting better, the likes of Robbie Henshaw, Tiernan O'Halloran and Kieran Marmion will want to improve on 8th and start challenging for qualification from the pool stages.

Leinster

Possibly not the best season by their elevated standards over the last few years, but any season that ends with two trophies has to be considered as positive. Being put in Clermont's pool in the Heineken Cup meant that qualifying was always going to be a challenge, and a midseason dip didn't help matters. But as all good teams do, they carved out wins, and ended up at the business end of the season with two finals, winning both and using a large number of their squad. Joe may have left for higher honours, and other key players like Johnny Sexton, Isa Nacewa and Heinke van der Merwe may be leaving, but with the likes of Brian O'Driscoll and Leo Cullen signed on, and Mike McCarthy and Matt O'Connor incoming, Leinster will look to continue their trophy winning form and building on some exciting talent in Jordi Murphy, Jack McGrath and Luke McGrath.

Munster

A team in transition will sum up their year. Fans seems disenchanted with new coach Rob Penney's plan for the team in the initial part of the year. However, fortunes turned with a historic win over Harlequins in the Stoop, and despite being out of contention in the Rabo Pro 12 for the first time in years, there are plenty of optimism going forward. Conor Murray finally stepped up to the challenge, and with players now buying into the plan, and Paul O'Connell maintaining fitness, Munster won't be too far away the top 4 next season. The departures of Ronan O'Gara and Doug Howlett will hurt them, but with Simon Zebo, Peter O'Mahony and Murray growing in stature, players like Ian Keatley and CJ Stander have big seasons ahead of them.

Ulster

What seemed like a great season in the making suffered a devastating dip after Christmas. A remarkable  run of victories in difficult circumstances at the start of the year was something to behold, but the rails came off with their first loss of the season vs Northampton in Round 4 of the Heineken Cup. That's their first loss in December! A large number of talented youngsters appeared this season, with Niall Annett, Peter Nelson, Stuart Olding, Chris Cochrane, Ricky Andrew and Michael Allen impressing. The likes of Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson have had good seasons, and will look to kick on and firmly establish themselves in the Irish setup. The final loss last weekend will strengthen them, and will be in a strong position for larger honours next year. Watch out, we could be set for a period of Northern dominance.

Irish based Team of the Season

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2nd choice: Tom Court

There were some strong contenders, with Cian Healy and Jack McGrath impressing in bits this year. Callum Black was an able replacement for Ulster, and Denis Buckley showed he has promise, but a huge breakout year for Dave Kilcoyne, where he cemented himself as Ireland's 2nd choice no.1, and looks set to drive Cian Healy to improve year on year to keep his position. Tom Court had a great year after being written off after the fiasco against England in the previous year's 6 Nations.


2. Rory Best
2nd choice: Mike Sherry

Now that he's rightly in the Lions set up, we can look back at how good Rory Best was this year. One of Ireland's best performers in the 6 Nations, Best was awesome around the park, making turnovers, driving the strong Ulster scrum and being a leader in any team he played in. The Lions will be stronger for his inclusion. Mike Sherry has now established himself as Munster no.1, and seems to have usurped Sean Cronin as third in line to Best's Ireland jersey. Harris Wright had a strong season, and Strauss was decent but was injured for too much of the season.

3. John Afoa
2nd choice: Nathan White

John Afoa was a rock for Ulster this year. An extremely fierce scrummager, who offers plenty around the park too, Afoa is one of Europe's premier tightheads. Mike Ross looked tired all season, and BJ Botha has had better seasons.

4. Mike McCarthy
2nd choice: Michael Swift

McCarthy more than proved that he wasn't a token Connacht selection in the Irish setup with an impressive performance in the 6 Nations. His partnership with his second row partner Michael Swift was one of the reasons for Connacht's good season.

5. Donnacha Ryan
2nd choice: Dan Tuohy

Donnacha Ryan has come of age. He grew in stature this season in the absence of Paul O'Connell even though he seemed to fade a little bit when the great man returned. Such was Ryan's great season that he was being spoken as being unlucky to have missed out on Lions selection in some areas.

6. Iain Henderson
2nd choice: Robbie Diack

Much has been made of the talent of Iain Henderson. However it took him until midway through this season to show me his devastating ball-carrying abilities that lift teams. A future beckons on the international stage, perhaps at second row, but for now he had a great season at blindside. Needs to continue to improve next season and work even harder.

7. Tommy O'Donnell
2nd choice: Chris Henry

How Tommy O'Donnell is still uncapped for Ireland I'll never know. Probably my player of the season, O'Donnell stood up and fronted up like no other Munster player this season. Now Ireland's best openside, Schmidt could do worse than build his backrow around him next season.

8. Nick Williams
2nd choice: Peter O'Mahony

The IRUPA player of the year was devastating this year, showing a bigger workrate and ball carrying devastation than was seen during his time at Munster. Jamie Heaslip only contended in the last few weeks, while O'Mahony got better as the campaign went on.

9. Kieran Marmion
2nd choice: Conor Murray

The only player to start every game of the Rabo Pro12, Marmion has had a hugely successful breakout year, directly after graduating from the under 20s. His selection on the US tour is just reward for a fine season where he displayed maturity beyond his 21 years.

10. Ian Madigan
2nd choice: Jonathan Sexton

Whatever about Marmion's breakout year, Madigan rose to crazy heights this year. Firmly establishing himself as backup outhalf on the national stage after starring in Leinster's run in, and cementing his position as first choice once Sexton leaves. Sexton himself didn't have a bad season, and the national team missed him more than anyone once he was ruled out of the 6 Nations.

11. Simon Zebo
2nd choice: Isa Nacewa

Zebo is another to have a "breakout" year of sorts. Although he was established in the Munster set up, he's gone on to national prominence and his bit of skill against Wales was revered throughout the world

12. Luke Marshall
2nd choice: Dave McSharry

What a player Luke Marshall is. For more on my thoughts about him, check out my article that came out the day he was named in the side to play Scotland. If it wasn't for all of the concussions, young Luke might have been the bolter everyone wanted for the Lions. He is someone who has it all, and needs to be managed carefully next season.

13. Darren Cave
2nd choice: Brian O'Driscoll

Cave enjoyed a wonderful season in Ulster, and seems to enjoy playing outside Olding or Marshall and with running off the magicians that are Pienaar and Payne. Contenders in outside centre were hard to come by, and O'Driscoll gets in on his limited gametime.


14. Andrew Trimble
2nd choice: Craig Gilroy

For someone who scored as many tries, and important tries, for their province as Andrew Trimble did this season, it's baffling that he ends the season as low down on the international pecking order as he did. Trimble was one of Ulster's best performers, and with Gilroy and Bowe performing well when injured, Trimble has stepped up to the challenge to keep his spot in the Ulster XV.

15. Jared Payne
2nd choice: Robbie Henshaw

What can you say about Jared Payne? He is just a magician. He is one of the reasons why Ulster were so much better than last year. He's one of the reasons why the difference between Leinster and Ulster was reduced by 24 points in a year. He will be a huge asset to Ireland when he qualifies. Robbie Henshaw had a great breakthrough year too directly out of school. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Breakdown:
Connacht 2+4;
Leinster 1+3;
Munster 4+3;
Ulster 8+5;

Review of the provinces weekend

First weekend that all Irish Provinces win. Ever. That's something all Irish Rugby fans should be proud of.

Connacht just scraped through on Friday against Zebre, in what was a really boring match. It was hard to concentrate on it, and with Quins and Biarritz with slight relevance to the permutations.

However, from what I did see, Henshaw performed with confidence that one gets with their first call up to the national squad, and O'Hallorhan continued his great form. He can't be too far away.

Ulster also looked lethargic, but should be boosted by winning for the first time in France, especially with so many key players out; Nick Williams, Johann Muller, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Tommy Bowe and Jared Payne. I can't help get the feeling that while that depth is impressive, if anything were to happen to Ruan Pienaar, they would really struggle.

Looking forward to the Heineken quarters for them, they have a great chance away to Saracens in the quarters and possibly hosting Toulon who were so bad against Montpeiller on Saturday or Leicester, who they've beaten before. A second final in a row is a likely possibility. Hopefully too, as I've tickets this year.

Munster looked a different team in the space of a week. It looked like they had the 13 changes. They went from being absolutely awful against a worse Edinburgh "team", to looking like world beaters today. People like Simon Zebo and Conor Murray finally stepped up. They showed that Penney's plan can work, and they looked dangerous at all times.

The have the potential for a great team with a core of young players stepping up, with Kilcoyne, Sherry, Ryan, O'Mahony, O'Donnell, Murray, Keatley and Zebo showing well today. They all need to be more consistent, which is the next challenge for these guys. And they have Stander, Butler and JJ Hanrahan in particular to come through. The future could be bright, but need more consistency. 

I've always thought the difference between a good player and a great player isn't how they are at the top of their game, it's what they are like when not on form. Conor Murray is a good player, who when playing badly, nearly becomes a liability. But someone like Zebo, or Heaslip, who has been getting a lot of criticism, still affects the games in a positive way when they are playing badly. Munster need their good young players to develop into these great players.

As for their European hopes, Quins aren't the toughest side left in the competition, but they have improved since Munsters last meeting with them. It'll be extremely tough, but not impossible. What is impossible, is for this Munster side to get a result against Clermont, in Clermont in the semi's were they to get there.

As for Leinster, It's a case of what could have been. From the lack of bonus points in their first two games, to not capitalising away to Clermont when the games was their. Hopefully they'll go for the Amlin, mostly because I also have tickets to that.

As for their match, they got the 4 tries, but it should have been more. It was like last week, in that they weren't as clinical as they needed to be, even coming away with the 4 tries. And the defence wasn't what it should have been, with Exeter still in the game themselves. 

I don't  know if that's a great team playing badly, or a bad team playing well for Leinster. They looked dangerous again, but rusty. And switched off too much to allow Exeter a chance to win the game with 5 minutes remaining.

Munster vs Edinburgh

First off, Scottish Rugby is in a bad way.

From losing to Tonga, a sacked coach, some awful play and performances by their teams, and atrocious following at games.

For all intents and purposes, this was a Munster home game in a different venue. Barely over 6,000 at a Heineken Cup game is a bit of a disgrace, no wonder the English and French sides are throwing their toys out of the pram.

I digress, to the game.

Rob Penney has brought his style to Munster. And it's not working to well. There is nothing wrong with his philosophy, in fact it's probably the best way to play. One thing that Penney hasn't seen is that some of this players are not good enough.

One of the reasons Munster (of old) played the way they did was to hide some of the deficiencies of some of the forwards in attack. But, Munster (of old) were able to play wide and fast if they wanted.

Of the current crop; Murray, Coughlan, Jones and Downey can't play that way. And they aren't the only ones. But when the spine of your team aren't capable of playing your philosophy, things are not going to go well.

One of the things about watching Leinster on Saturday versus this Munster team was even though Leinster went for the bonus from the start, and Munster were right to try and win the game first, Leinster always looked dangerous and capable of scoring tries, this Munster side don't.

They rarely make ground, and too often were going backwards with ball in hand. Even some short neat kicks along the touchline a la Nacewa would at least get them going forward.

Bottom line, the philosophy isn't working with the current crop, but when some injuries come back, it might work. Penney needs to find something that will get Munster performing and beating teams. If they play like they did on Sunday next week, they won't even win never mind a bonus point to get them through.

This doesn't get away from the fact that there were some good and bad performances.

Good first; Tommy O'Donnell is quite a find. He MUST be in at least the extended squad for the 6 nations. He's young, and a very good backrower. Need to see more of him at the breakdown, but so far so good.

Dave Kilcoyne is coming on leaps and bounds to, contributing to a far superior scrum.

Donnacha O'Callaghan isn't going away quietly, making oodles of effective tackles and being a general nuisance.

And bad;

Ronan O'Gara what a brain-fart.

Conor Murray is so slow from the breakdown which doesn't help trying to play a more expansive game. How many steps do you need to take before you pass the ball away?

Keith Earls is a one-trick pony that defenses everywhere have figured out a long time ago. He is boring and unpredictable and not good enough. He needs to be discarded to give him a kick up the arse and hopefully he'll improve like Trimble and Bowe did.

Damien Varley is one of the biggest idiots on a rugby pitch; stop giving away cheap penalties that will cost your side.

Felix Jones; this might be due to his injuries, but I expect more from him. He's labelled as a talent, but from yesterday it's hard to see why. He made no impression on a game that was crying out for a bit of spark.

Peter O'Mahony officially won man of the match for his carries, but I expect more from him everywhere. None of the carries were particularly memorable, nor was much of his performance.

Munster youngsters with a big 2013 ahead of them

From: Munster young guns to watch in 2013
JJ Hanrahan

Former Ireland Schools and U-20 international Hanrahan completed two years with the Munster Rugby Academy before securing a Development contract for the 2012/13 season.

Last June, Hanrahan played an impressive role at out-half for the Ireland U-20 side that finished fifth in the Junior World Cup in South Africa and was nominated for Junior Player of the Year.

He first played for the Munster senior side against La Rochelle in the opening pre-season game in August 2011, and made his RaboDirect PRO12 debut against Newport Gwent Dragons in Thomond Park last September.

The youngest player in the senior squad, marked his first full start for the senior side by bagging two tries in their PRO12 victory over Zebre in October at Thomond Park.

Hanrahan, who can play inside centre as well as out-half, made his Heineken Cup debut against Edinburgh in October.

SHANE BUCKLEY

One of four Munster players in the Irish U-20 side that featured in the Junior World Cup in South Africa last June, back-row forward Buckley also featured in the 2011 JWC in Italy after playing in the U-20 Six Nations earlier that year.

Twenty-year-old Buckley also featured for a Munster Development side that defeated Russian professional outfit Enesei STM 34-24 in April of last year.

The Garryowen flanker has impressed for the Munster ‘A’ side in the British and Irish Cup.

Buckley, who will not turn 21 until April, will be hoping to build on the steady progress he made in 2012.

Now in his second year in the Munster Academy, Buckley has the potential to become a regular in the senior side in the seasons ahead.

CATHAL SHERIDAN

ALTHOUGH he is yet to make his debut for the senior side, 24-year-old scrum-half from Co Sligo has been impressing with the Munster A side in recent seasons and has captained that team on a couple of occasions this season.

Sheridan represented Connacht at U-19 level before moving to Limerick where he plays with UL-Bohs.

A product of the Munster Academy, Sheridan is on a development contract this season. He has featured in all of Munster As British and Irish Cup games this term and has also played with the Ireland Club side.

While Sheridan is some way down the pecking order at present, he could well elevate himself to a more prominent position through 2013.

BRIAN HAYES

NOW in his final year of the academy, Hayes made his senior debut as a replacement in Munster’s pre-season game against Sale Sharks in August 2009 as an 18-year-old.

Since then, the imposing lock has represented the Munster A side on a number of occasions and was part of the B&I Cup winning side of 2012.

At the start of the season, Hayes started against La Rochelle in Munster’s opening pre-season game and came on as a replacement against Bristol. Still only 22 years of age, Hayes looks set to have a bright future in the Munster engine room and given the age profile of the squad’s second rows is likely to enjoy more gametime in the senior side in the seasons ahead.

JACK O’DONOGHUE

The youngest member of the Munster Academy, O’Donoghue, who now plays his club rugby with UL-Bohemian, turns 19 on Tuesday next.

The Waterford-born number captained the Ireland U-18 Club side in games with France and England last April, and previously led Waterpark youths to an Avonmore SuperMilk Munster youth title in 2011.

O’Donoghue has already featured for the Munster ‘A’ side in the British and Irish Cup this season and impressed for UL-Bohs’ in their recent ODM Munster Senior Cup final clash with Cork Con. O’Donoghue is an exciting prospect and an accomplished ball carrier, who boasts an impressive workrate.

DARREN MORONEY

A STRING of impressive displays from the 22-year-old for UL-Bohs in the AIL and for the Munster A side resulted in Moroney being included in the Munster Academy this season.

Winger Moroney shot to prominence in 2008 when helping Castletroy College claim an historic first Munster Schools Senior Cup success.

The exciting finisher made his British & Irish Cup debut as a replacement against Neath in November 2011 and has added to his haul of appearances for Ian Costello’s side over the past 12 months.

Competition for places in the senior backline remains keen, but Moroney is a player who could well earn a debut for Rob Penney in the near future.

ALAN COTTER

THE 26-year-old former St Munchin’s College star joined the Munster Rugby Academy at the start of the 2010/11 season and after completing his second year earned a Development contract for the current season.

Cotter had loan spells with Aviva Premiership giants London Irish and Bath before Christmas where he gained invaluable playing time.

The Young Munster clubman, who is from Garryowen, began his rugby career with Richmond. He has featured for the Munster A side in recent times, making four appearances in the British and Irish Cup, and will be hoping to move up the pecking order of Munster’s tighthead props during 2013.

BRIAN HAUGH

THE Young Munster scrum-half is in his first year in the Munster Academy.

Haugh, who turns 20 next week, enjoyed an impressive run with Rockwell College at Schools Cup level.

The Clare native has impressed with Young Munster in the All-Ireland League in recent seasons, proving a very reliable goal-kicker. He has also represented Munster at U-18 and U-20 level. Given the strong level of competition for game time at scrum half with Munster, it may be some time before Haugh makes a major impact at senior level, but he boasts all the attributes needed to succeed.

A quick look to the future

Ravens squad announced

An interesting team selection.

I want to point out, that Annett is already captain of the Ravens, which bodes well for the future, I think he is a super player.

Heaney has come on a lot, and Olding looks a prospect too. McIlroy and Scholes in the back three are both exciting prospects, and Ali Birch was amazing a few weeks ago against Munster scoring a try.

Update: Lost 8-14.

Munster A team

Great to see Stander and Dougall coming back from injury. I would like to see people like Scott Deasy, Danny Barnes, Ivan Dineen, Ian Nagle and JJ Hanrahan push for a spot on the first XV soon.

Leinster A team

Good to see Kearney back too. Maybe now I'll get to see what everyone else is fussing about over him.

I haven't seen Jordan Coughlan play since the attempt to move him into inside centre, hopefully he is developing hands and coming good. He was a great back rower, which is handy at 12, and it's good vision from Schmidt to see that there aren't too many 12's coming through, and a buttload of 6's.

Noel Reid seems immense at this level, but needs to start cutting out the mistakes when given the chance. It's a big year for him with his contract up at the end of the year.

At loosehead, it's interesting to see Jack McGrath as the captain over someone with more experience. Hopefully he'll be a leader and challenge Healy soon.  Good to keep an eye on Marshall, Flanagan, and Gilsenan in the pack too.

On the bench, I think Luke McGrath is a super talent, as we will see in the U-20's 6 nations this year, and Cathal Marsh is a bag of tricks, but needs more solidity. Apart from that, Jack Conan impressed me at 20's level, and van der Flier and James Tracy have been mentioned favourably to me.

Munster vs Ulster Review

Final score 24-10.

Despite the score there was some good performances from both sides.

Paddy Butler and Tommy O'Donnell (man of the match) were everywhere, smashing into the breakdown, making big tackles. O'Donnell showed me that that one performance against Glasgow wasn't a once-off.

A lot of the young "tyros" from Ulster put in some great performances too. Chris Cochrane showed some promise from the start, but I was most impressed with Stuart Olding, Niall Annett, Ali Birch and Michael Heaney from the bench.

Annett was the under 20's captain for the last two years, hit every line-out jumper, and the scrum improved immeasurably when he cam on. That may be because of Tom Court's appearance too, but Annett showed me a lot more than I was expecting at this stage and he needs to be considered as the back up to Rory Best and getting more chances.

Stuart Olding came on and showed some good touches. He has a great pass off both hands, took his conversion well, and kicking out of hand was very impressive. I'd like to see more of him. He looked better than Niall O'Connor, but it's a bit soon to call for more.

Michael Heaney was awesome. He seems like a younger Paul Marshall. He was energetic, a livewire and upped the tempo. The consolation Ulster try was made by his break, step and awesome over the shoulder offload. I'd love to see more of him, but with Marshall and Pienaar ahead of him it may not happen.

First I'd seen of Ali Birch, a 24 year old Irish blindside flanker, but it was hard not to notice him. Made one great break after a brilliant dummy, showed strength and pace to get away and hold up and wait for support, He took the try really well too.

But one player who stood out for me in the end was Luke Marshall. Admittedly, in the beginning I saw a lot of errors, some inexperienced giving away of penalties, and he was caught out badly for a O'Mahony break when Marshall was sinbinned.

But, he redeemed himself with some huge hits, constantly tackling much bigger players and putting them backwards, I counted a number of turnovers from him too. He also stood up and took responsibility, with some great kicks to the corners, strong carrying and showed he has a bit of a step too.

Future doesn't look so bleak, but these lads need some chances.