Leinster’s opening day win at home to Leicester has proved a false dawn and even before the Christmas break they now appear resigned to elimination. It means once again Munster look to be the solitary flag-bearers for Irish rugby in Europe’s premier club competition.

However, their progression to the knock-out stages is far from guaranteed. Given the depth of talent emanating from within the provinces it is a sad state of affairs and it is a problem that requires immediate attention. 

An away trip to Clermont Auvergne on the second Sunday in January is quickly followed up six days later with a home tie against Wasps.
It’s an unenviable finale for the province and could prove their undoing given the quality of the opposition. Munster will require a minimum of five points from these remaining two games if they hope to advance to the quarter-finals, a feat which may prove to be a step too far.

IRFU wish-list

For the coming twelve months, the IRFU wish-list will be a short one. Revive the fortunes of the national side and pray that Declan Kidney’s side can somehow reproduce the heroics of 2006.

The level of interest surrounding rugby in Ireland is at an all-time high. It’s imperative that the powers that be maximise this potential, while simultaneously seeking to actively right the wrongs that currently exist within the sport.

For too long the game has relied on the talents of too few. Many of the game’s top players appear either jaded or disinterested. The pressures and disappointments from the World Cup appear to have inflicted a physical and, more importantly, mental blow to those involved.

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