We Need to Talk About Munster.

We really do.

What is to be done?

I was always under the idea that Rob Penney wasn't a bad coach at all, at the end of the day.

VinceWLB wrote:I was always under the idea that Rob Penney wasn't a bad coach at all, at the end of the day.

He was offered a one year extension but declined it. I think they felt that performances, at the time weren't good enough to commit to him long term. It turned out to be the wrong decision.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:I was always under the idea that Rob Penney wasn't a bad coach at all, at the end of the day.

He was offered a one year extension but declined it. I think they felt that performances, at the time weren't good enough to commit to him long term. It turned out to be the wrong decision.

Indeed, only now they are realising what they lost.

I think Munster could do worse than appointing Matt O'Connor as i think his style of play would go hand in hand with Munster's. It would have to be for next season though as i think he is with the Queensland Reds for the 2016 Super rugby season.

It's only a matter of time before Foley resign imo.

Foley should be given until the end of the season to turn things around. Knee jerk reactions won't serve them well, and they're not going to get anyone in to replace him at short notice. Maybe even not long term. It's hard to get quality coaches to commit to the provinces. That being the case, provinces should tread carefully when they need to change the coaching set-up and act only when a successor has been identified.

Don Alfonso wrote:We really do.

What is to be done?

Get a consistently functioning 10.

Keatley was not the reason Munster lost but hardly inspires and those missed kicks in the first half had an impact. There is some very good young talent coming through the ranks so the club is fine, just going through a bad spell.

VinceWLB wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:I was always under the idea that Rob Penney wasn't a bad coach at all, at the end of the day.

He was offered a one year extension but declined it. I think they felt that performances, at the time weren't good enough to commit to him long term. It turned out to be the wrong decision.

Indeed, only now they are realising what they lost.

I think Munster could do worse than appointing Matt O'Connor as i think his style of play would go hand in hand with Munster's. It would have to be for next season though as i think he is with the Queensland Reds for the 2016 Super rugby season.

It's only a matter of time before Foley resign imo.

Couldn't disagree more. He should be nowhere near a head coaching role especially in Ireland. He may be a backline coach but I've only ever heard Leicester fans complain about him tbh and Leinster were woeful in both forwards and backs during his reign here.

Might be worth changing the title to "We need to talk about all the provinces" cos it ain't just Munster.

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Might be worth changing the title to "We need to talk about all the provinces" cos it ain't just Munster.

Nope, Ulster is fine

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Might be worth changing the title to "We need to talk about all the provinces" cos it ain't just Munster.

Nederlands?

Ten + years. Down in Maastricht. Back since 03.

Is that Gibbo?

Cyril wrote:Is that Gibbo?

Nah Cooky lives in Amsterdam.

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Ten + years. Down in Maastricht. Back since 03.

cool beans, i am still here. Live up north myself

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Might be worth changing the title to "We need to talk about all the provinces" cos it ain't just Munster.

What can be done to halt results like yesterday?

I predicted a slump like this 18 months ago on here but was roundly told I was dreaming.

Slumps can happen to every team. Munster have lost a talisman and have injuries to some key players. That said, there is some very good young talent coming through in Munster (and other provinces) so i don't expect the slump to last for years.

I would not get rid of Foley but its glaringly obvious (and has been for some time) that Munster need a consistent 10 so he must address this sooner rather than later.

Munchkin wrote:

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Might be worth changing the title to "We need to talk about all the provinces" cos it ain't just Munster.

Nope, Ulster is fine

really?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Munchkin wrote:

Geen sport voor watjes wrote:Might be worth changing the title to "We need to talk about all the provinces" cos it ain't just Munster.

Nope, Ulster is fine

really?

And Connacht.

Leinster are top of the league.


so........err

Munster?

Sounds like Foley is ready to step down.

That was desperate bad against Stad. Take out a gutsy defensive display at Ravenhill and its of the back of a terrible run of performances.

I feel for Stander, who is a man apart, some of those local lads need to take a look at themselves as they are a disgrace to the jersey at the minute.

Keatley is being scapegoated, not entirely unfairly, but there are some very poor performers across the board.

The quotes from Foley over the weekend. Sounded like a defeated man. And not just from the match but the attitude of the players and their inability to do during a game what they practice at during the week.

He didn't sound like a fella that wanted to stay in the role too much longer.

You get the sense that Connacht aren't going to be the lowest province this season. I worried for a while that Leinster would be the team to falter, but now it looks like Munster.

It was too soon for Foley to get the head coach role (similar to Leo being too quickly promoted as well).

Could they get Jonno Gibbes? His style would match a Munster identity.

Would Munster take EOS back into the fold?

If it was 2 seasons time then I'd reckon ROG would be nailed on for the role. If there was a quality 10 in the academy or coming out of the schools he could mentor him through.

I think what Saturday showed is that the players, bar Stander, aren't going to fight for Foley - they look to have just thrown in the towel.

If that's the case he's done and he knows it.

rumours this morning that Andy Farrell is to take up an interim role at Munster

Hopefully to replace Foley but I doubt it.

No, he won't. Apparently Farrell's not allowed to take up a role with another international side until after April, due to his RFU contract. I assume whatever deal they did to pay him off early didn't change that. But he can work at club/provincial level.

He might do one day a week at Munster once his new deal starts with Ireland, but no more than that.

Foley might not be around too much longer after the end of this season. He sounds like he might move aside himself if he can't turn it around.

Don't want him at Munster or Ireland...

http://www.todayfm.com/player/podcasts/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show/The_Ian_Dempsey_Breakfast_Show/47341/0/gift_munster_rugby_crisis

eirebilly wrote:Don't want him at Munster or Ireland...

Farrell or Ian Dempsey?

Farrell Rodders, we have become the laughing of Irish and European rugby.

Munster confirm that Farrell joins in an advisory role with immediate effect.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:It was too soon for Foley to get the head coach role (similar to Leo being too quickly promoted as well).

Could they get Jonno Gibbes? His style would match a Munster identity.

Would Munster take EOS back into the fold?

If it was 2 seasons time then I'd reckon ROG would be nailed on for the role. If there was a quality 10 in the academy or coming out of the schools he could mentor him through.

Bandwagon, why would Gibbes - or any other overseas coach - take over At Munster while he has to operate under the IRFU strait jacket. Leinster, with far more resources and money, couldn't attract any high profile coach and had to appoint Leo. Right now, Ireland isn't an attractive place fir an overseas coach with ambition.

Well look here's the thing. The Irish sides are in a position where they are struggling to attract the top coaches, so the recruitment of Farrell has to be seen as a major coup by the IRFU.

If he is tied up from getting involved with Ireland then it makes sense to use him.

Munster and the IRFU have made a mess with Foley but they need to make the best of it.

Farrell will certainly bring a pragmatic approach and an aggressive defence. Don't expect much in the way of flair though.

Farrell will do some good for Munster give him chance

Interesting appointment. Is he going to base himself in Munster?

He'll get to know the Munster internationals and maybe, hypothetically of course, mention how they might deal with certain players from other countries.

He is already at training with Munster today. Hopefully that will lift the team for the rest of the season. it seems he has an overall brief to assess and advise on everything, though I'm not sure how much he can do if it's only 1 day a week between two training bases 2 hours apart!

Saw somewhere that he is moving his family to ireland so he is showing some commitment to Ireland. I'm beginning to think he is an excellent appointment now - apart from his skill set, he is a strong personality and great motivator who has done it all now and something to prove.

Sin é wrote:He is already at training with Munster today. Hopefully that will lift the team for the rest of the season. it seems he has an overall brief to assess and advise on everything, though I'm not sure how much he can do if it's only 1 day a week between two training bases 2 hours apart!

Saw somewhere that he is moving his family to ireland so he is showing some commitment to Ireland. I'm beginning to think he is an excellent appointment now - apart from his skill set, he is a strong personality and great motivator who has done it all now and something to prove.

Not sure I read this in the way in which it was intended!

should have read - apart from his good technical skill set, he is a strong personality ...... Etc. etc.

Are you really happy with Farrell being involved with Munster Sin é? I am not...

eirebilly wrote:Are you really happy with Farrell being involved with Munster Sin é? I am not...

Surely Munster need all the help they can get at the moment

nathan wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Are you really happy with Farrell being involved with Munster Sin é? I am not...

Surely Munster need all the help they can get at the moment

Yeah but is Farrell good help?

He is an experienced head who will come in and calm things down a bit. It's good that he has no previous connections to Irish rugby and will probably take no cowpat from anyone.

I see him as a poisoned challis myself...

eirebilly wrote:I see him as a poisoned challis myself...

I wouldn't believe everything you read in the papers. He was never as good as they said in the beginning and never as bad as they said at the end.

A different head looking at the issues At Munster might highlight them and come up with resolutions.

I think this is a good appointment for Munster.

Interesting to see how the players react to this when they welcome Stade.

eirebilly wrote:I see him as a poisoned challis myself...

Foley is the poisoned challis. Farrell can bring some defensive expertise at least and he'll be gone in 4 months. We're stuck with Foley which is incredible given the demolition job he is doing to Munster.

VinceWLB wrote:I think this is a good appointment for Munster.

Interesting to see how the players react to this when they welcome Stade.

He is only going to be working with the coaching staff for now (2 days a week) and will not be at the games.

profitius wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I see him as a poisoned challis myself...

Foley is the poisoned challis. Farrell can bring some defensive expertise at least and he'll be gone in 4 months. We're stuck with Foley which is incredible given the demolition job he is doing to Munster.

If he was the poisoned challis you think he is, he would have signed the 1 year contract extension which is still on offer from the IRFU.

Farrell will not be working directly with the players.

Don't Farrell's perceived strengths fit Munster's traditional ones?

Challis?

Chalice.