Brian O’Driscoll On What Munster Are Lacking Following Yesterday’s Loss
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Firepower.
Former Ireland and Leinster centre Brian O’Driscoll reckons Munster need to add more ‘firepower’ to their squad following yesterday’s defeat to Racing 92 in Bordeaux.
The loss was Munster’s sixth European semi-final defeat in-a-row, and leaves the southern province heartbroken and out of Europe at the second last hurdle once again.
“They’ll reflect on it and think, ‘We came off second best, we didn’t deserve it, we played against a better team’,” O’Driscoll told BT Sport.
“They have to go back an re-evaluate where it is going wrong at this level and if they need another little bit of firepower.
“I think they are lacking in one or two positions and when their big players don’t fire, when Murray was quiet in the first half and Stander was not at his best, I think they really struggle.”
O’Driscoll also told Off The Ball this morning that he reckons Munster may need a new outhalf if they are to take that next step and win some silverware.
“On the basis of yesterday, I don’t think Ian Keatley had his greatest game. Tyler Bleyendaal is gone and had another neck surgery as far as I know and two neck surgeries for any professional athlete… I’d be concerned about that as to whether he’s going to come back into the game or not.
“Keatley has been solid this season, better than other years but is that enough to go and win Europe? I’m not entirely sure.
“When Ian Madigan was leaving, Munster supporters were shouting from the rooftops, ‘We’ll gladly take him, why is he leaving?’
“Whether there is a spot for him to come back into one of the provincial team, I know he’s on big money in Bristol and whether the IRFU are willing to pony up remains to be seen.
“There are plenty of good outhalves to go around, I just don’t know whether we’re willing to hand ours over.”
