Emmet Moloney writes for the 'The Irish Farmers Journal' and is a former sports columnist with 'The Kerryman'.

After a wonderful November for Irish rugby, the nuts and bolts of the European season returns this weekend, and Munster and Leinster have work to do, Emmet Moloney writes...

Munster are a great team to follow. You are guaranteed drama and countless games that all mean something. This Friday night, once again, Munster are at a crossroads in their season. They meet Perpignan at 8pm and Thomond will be rocking.

It needs to be, too, because Munster are in need of a lift. Having lost their first game, they are now top of the group thanks to a 41-10 win over Treviso and the fact that they captured a bonus point against Northampton and prevented the English side from scoring four tries.

Those last two events are typical of how Munster structure their Heineken Cup campaign. So many times, they have looked in huge trouble as regards their group but always manage to gain that crucial try or late penalty that secures one extra point. Come the end of the group stages, the Men in Red get through by that point or that try. Remember, veteran players like Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace have never missed out on the quarter-finals. You have to go back to 1997/’98 to find the last time Munster failed to get out of their group. They are used to getting the job done and inevitably they get it done.

But Friday has trickery to it. The French crowd aren’t out of things yet; indeed they are second to Munster. A bonus-point loss wouldn’t be the end of them as they have Munster back in France on Sunday week. Meanwhile, Northampton will be playing the Italians Treviso home and away. It is not inconceivable, indeed it is likely, that the English garner two bonus-point victories. That would have them on 14 points while Munster and Perpignan are tearing strips off each other.

So, victory on Friday night is crucial and a win that knocks the French out of the running (i.e., a bonus-point win for the home side), would make our journey to France the Sunday before Christmas a little more pleasant. While everyone thinks that the draw was kind to Munster, the arranging of the fixtures has not been. The back-to-back games do not suit. The team that loses the first of these games inevitably has a decent revenge mission on its mind.

This is a job Munster have done better than most but no-one beats Perpignan handy – home or away. Facing into the last two games of the group after Christmas, Munster might have to win both, scoring at least four tries in each. Unless, of course, they surprise us (okay, me) by winning their next two games in style.

Munster have troubles. We can all see that. At out-half, Ronan O’Gara is struggling and behind the scrum the potency just isn’t there. Opposing sides have easily dealt with Mafi’s straight running and our back three don’t possess the attacking threat needed at this level. And this despite the likes of Doug Howlett and Keith Earls being in attendance.

Munster need a breakout evening. The forward-dominated game where they eventually carve out the openings is not working this season. Teams once beaten with comfort are staying with Munster and relying on O’Gara’s boot is not that safe an option these past few weeks.

All Munster fans are O’Gara fans and we must all be worried now. His loss of form has begun to affect his kicking from the ground and this could be fatal. Watching O’Gara against the Ospreys last Saturday was almost painful.
Clearly he is trying to snap out of this spell, but, as most players do, he is probably trying too hard. He made a couple of attempted breaks by himself and was swallowed up and loses the ball far too easily in contact. Physically, this is not his game but in his eagerness to be the Ronan O’Gara of old, the one who runs the game, he took too much on. Opposing backs, and especially forwards, love to see him coming on his own because they know he can be turned.

Tony McGahon has been confirmed for a further two years in charge of the province last week and in O’Gara he faces a real challenge. He has to cope with the temptation to put Paul Warwick at number 10. Some coaches would do that and Declan Kidney might be one.

But O’Gara’s troubles relate to the Lions and the summer. He played well against Australia when it really mattered. Friday night is Thomond, full to capacity (perhaps, more about that later) and that means a home crowd who will protect and encourage their hero.

This crowd will want O’Gara to succeed and I have seen and heard Thomond crowds carry men through matches. They can do that. They will be there for him, he just needs a break early in the game to go his way. As he goes, Munster go. We’ll win but it will be a struggle.

LEINSTER
Leinster’s defence of the title could end on Saturday when they travel to play the Scarlets in Llanelli. It’s win or bust for the champions and without Jonny Sexton they have a hole at out-half. At full strength, Scarlets would still be formidable opposition for Leinster, who, unlike Munster, have a back three capable of turning the game. Funnily enough, Sexton’s injury will probably see Rob Kearney played at full-back, his rightful and best position. With him there, Leinster have added options in attack and they have to score tries on Saturday.

Always vulnerable away from home, they are in trouble, but I suspect a giant effort from the champions. Ignore their heavy loss last weekend. They could turn over the Welsh.

Speaking of turnover, some friends of mine have paid €67 per ticket to go and see Munster this Friday night in Thomond Park. Munster have built their brand on the back of the connection that exists between their fans and the players. Times are tough and all that, but the connection separates Munster from everyone else. They can’t ever lose that. Charging €67 a throw will jeopardise it.

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