After a turbulent few months, Munster Rugby is starting to show signs of stability, with the recent appointment of New Zealander Chris Boyd as a performance consultant being the latest positive news. Boyd, known for his success at Northampton Saints, has joined Munster in an advisory role that could have a significant impact, similar to Graham Henry’s brief stint with Leinster in 2016.
While the coaching situation at Thomond Park is still being worked out, the province has managed to secure key figures like Mike Prendergast and Denis Leamy for the next couple of years, bringing much-needed stability. Additionally, the team’s injury woes are beginning to ease, offering hope for better performances in the upcoming fixtures.
This weekend, Munster faces Stade Francais in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, and they’ll be looking to improve on their recent European form. Although they have performed well in the URC over the past two seasons, their Champions Cup results have been disappointing. It’s been five years since Munster reached the semi-finals, and in the last two seasons, they’ve failed to reach the quarter-finals. Last year, despite securing a top seeding through their URC victory, Munster failed to capitalize on their position, with only one win in a tough group, a victory away to Toulon.
Jack Crowley, speaking to RTÉ Sport this week, acknowledged the importance of reaching the knockout stages. “It’s something that’s strong in the Munster tradition… you want to be playing at that level,” he said, reflecting on the significance of European rugby to the team and its supporters.
For Munster to break their quarter-final drought this season, a strong start is crucial. They need to target a high seeding in the group stages and not simply settle for qualification. Thomond Park will be key to this effort, as they failed to win there in last season’s competition.
Stade Francais, like Munster, has faced coaching turmoil this season. After sacking head coach Karim Ghezal, the club has appointed Paul Gustard as interim head coach. However, Stade’s focus seems split, with several key players, including out-half Louis Carbonel and captain Paul Gabrillagues, rested for this match.
Munster head coach Ian Costello, fresh off a hard-fought 17-10 win over the Lions in the URC, believes the experience of facing a team like Stade Francais will benefit Munster as they prepare for this Champions Cup opener. “They are not unlike the Lions,” Costello said. “They come alive around transition, and we’ve been focusing on improving that aspect of our game.”
With a crucial away trip to Castres next week, Munster will be eager to secure a strong performance and start their European campaign on the right note.
