Graham Rowntree departs Munster - Joe Molloy and Cian Tracey react

[@fredcarr7275]

How long should Munster continue to remain an average team? After 12 years, its time for a deep rethink. Merely replacing the Coach will not suffice. The club needs a major and fundamental recalibration if it is to return to its glory days of being a top European team.

[@FR-je9bw]

What right has it to return to being a top team?

[@eoinmiller5620]

No need to self reflect when you can just deflect and blame Leinster.

[@barryryan14]

How can they do that?

[@barryryan14]

​@eoinmiller5620 it's not Leinsters fault and denying Leinsters obvious ans huge advantages over the other 3 province's is also ignorance.

[@FR-je9bw]

@barryryan14 True, Leinster's century old commitment to open and flowing rugby has been a great foundation on which to build. That and the monopoly on passion and toughness that Southside schools seem to instil!

[@tomf1dublin1]

Cian makes more sense than anyone on the possible reasons behind GR departure. BTW - great email

[@richy3084]

Crazy decision, maybe Rowntree had enough

[@michaelvdunne]

Most stupid thing Munster have ever done.

[@andrewobrien2604]

Nah, signing Billy Burns

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Along with keeping faith with Johan Van Graan and letting go four good 10s; Carbery, Healy, Hanrahan and Flanneryand replacing them with Burns.

[@DM-rp9ik]

I take no joy in saying this but Irish rugby would be absolutely fucked without Leinster.

[@eoinmiller5620]

You're welcome

[@DM-rp9ik]

@eoinmiller5620 I'm from Leinster the others are just such a mess right now it's just not good for the game in Ireland

[@eoinmiller5620]

@DM-rp9ik the issue though isn't an imaginary IRFU bias. It's mismanagement at the provincial level. Ulster and Munster have poor talent identification and player pathways that they refuse to fix. Instead just blaming Leinster. They constantly try and undermine IRFU policy by looking to fix issues with big signings to pave over those same cracks in player dev. Connacht meanwhile have practically leap frogged the other two and are probably the second best development program in the country. They're just victims of size and lack of time

[@richard-king-]

I mean, it’s probably not on Rowntree even if his methods were causing some injuries above normal. What has the academy produced in 10 years? 3 regular internationals in Casey, Crowley and Nash and not a lot else of note. Sure there are guys like Gleeson coming through now, but that’s shocking. It’s the least productive academy in the country and while emulating Leinster is a bit fanciful, Munster should be juking it out with Ulster for 2nd.

[@eoinmiller5620]

Firstly I'll say that I wholeheartedly belive Rowntree and the other coaching staff are responsible for the amount of injuries over the last 3 seasons. But to add to your point, the prospects who should be taking the next step up are injured and missing key development time. Players like Ahern, Edogbo, Kendellen, Gleeson, Patterson, have all been stifled. They haven't developed a center internally in years, never mind the front row issues. We're at the point that Connacht have leap frogged both Munster and Ulster in terms of player pathways.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Of the three you mention, I wonder if any will be able to hold a place in the Irish team. Nash has been a stand-in for Hansen. Casey makes most of his appearances off the bench and even there he often loses out to the veteran Murray. Crowley had a good first season as replacement to Sexton. But if form and kicking ability are considered he will,surely drop to third choice behind Frawley and Prendergast.

[@deirdreryan5674]

Munster don’t have the schools systems

[@eoinmiller5620]

@deirdreryan5674 they have the clubs though.

[@DM-rp9ik]

For whatever reason the players just aren't at the level of the group in 2000 to 2010. They were probably a one-off. The next group where talented but not enough of them to have a serious impact. Murray O'Mahony Earls Zebo but after that, it seems bare enough with a lot of pretenders who just don't seem to have the talent. A lot of hope for Edogbo Glesson Ahern and Quinn, but they need to start showing they can hack it at the top. And the age-old problem that the front row and centre positions just never produce potential world class players never have don't see that changing.

[@PaddleWithPaddy]

People calling for Jones. He has never been a head coach. Walked out on Munster before although I don't blame him with JVG. Walked out on England. Was rather lucky to walk into an established SA environment. Not sure Munster should take a punt on him and it is definitely a punt.

[@liamkelleher3793]

Also have to remember that Munster attack was absolutely diabolical when he was the attack coach. South Africa attack was not exactly better. I think a lot of fans were happy to see someone else come in

[@cormacfinan4706]

Jones was SA defence coach, not attack ☝️

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

SA here. Munster have an awesome team--they are not that far off Leinster. Irish rugby impresses continuously

[@smgill9612]

Leamy - defence has more holes then a sieve Prendergast - consistently inconsistent attack The boss….passionate……good luck with next gig! Feels like the time when IRFU shafted Gatland….

[@richardcondon8738]

It may seem harsh but the signs have been there a while: loosing away to Zebre for the first time ever was abysmal, very lucky to beat Connacht in the first game of the season, Munster skills / handling has gotten worse over the past 2 seasons, defensively they have been shockingly poor (yes Denis Leamy is defence coach but Rowntree is the Head Coach & has to take responsibility for the good & d bad), loosing to Leinster conceded 3 tries in 20 minutes has left alot of question marks over team preparation going into the game. Attack was very blunt in all the games so far this season. I will thank Graham Rowntree for bringing Munster silverware in the form of the URC in his first season but it was time for him to go. Wishing Graham Rowntree all the best. Munster ABÚ!

[@kookvision9295]

Idiotic to let him go at this point, especially given they hung onto JVG until thomond was essentially empty. Munster up top seem absolutely clueless. I think GR's record flattered him with the win and top of table. Munster looked average enough over that period IMO but got some results. I would expect the upper management in Munster to recognise this and make a strategic transition. But they seem incapable of this this has gone on for years. Their solution will be to sign another big name centre.

[@fionnmckool]

The excuse is always munsters injury list. The dont have the players.

[@deirdreryan5674]

As a Munster fan who goes to all their games as well as supporting the other provinces-totally agree with Shane’s email.

[@PaulWhelan-yb9uf]

What's with Cian's earring? I'm 47 so maybe i'm off the boil, is that in now?

[@MegaTkls]

Yeah all the really cool people are wearing them now

[@PaulWhelan-yb9uf]

@MegaTkls never thought of Cian as really cool but decent journalist yeah. Strange he's doing something like that in his mid 30s

[@JohnSmith-wo2fz]

@@PaulWhelan-yb9uf He's identifying as a women now too. Says it makes him feel special and unique just like his earring.

[@MegaTkls]

@@JohnSmith-wo2fz yeah he’s definitely identifying as a female. He’s posted it everywhere online.

[@ronaldomadrebien7045]

Wouldn’t surprise me if Edinburgh show an interest?

[@28copland]

Munster need a major revamp, a group to invest directly in schools rugby, gaa dominates in munster esp since limerick hurlers doing so well, surely more games in Cork there's a reason connaught don't play there games in sligo and leinster don't play in kilkenny, the rugby experience in limerick closed due to lack of footfall, pairc ui caoimh for big games for Income and that's a start

[@tonymurphy9795]

What the hell is behind this? Terrible start to the season but since he's been here he's won of the three URC titles on offer and topped the table in another.

[@deirdreryan5674]

Really sad about this ridiculous decision mid season

[@Earscoop]

Munster strength and conditioning is pathetic, half the team looks like they've never seen a rugby pitch

[@FR-je9bw]

@Earscoop POM has had 20 years to add muscle and still can't knock the skin off custard

[@KewKew-do3kq]

Fell out with pom

[@FR-je9bw]

POM is full time on Instagram these days. The Missus has notions

[@PaddleWithPaddy]

Gearing up for retirement, trying to get gardening endorsements 👀

[@FR-je9bw]

@@PaddleWithPaddy Hard to say who will be first to make an appearance on Dancing on Ice. Him, Gaillimh, or The Claw. Could be a Munster Xmas Special in it.

[@JohnSmith-wo2fz]

POM should have been put out to pasture last year.

[@BMC-hl2uh]

This is not good news. How many poor starts has Munster had to a start to the season. A good email.

[@Richie-j5p]

To me it seems Munster have been living of the free pints from their Heineken cups and fully expected the talents the big names the success to come to them rather than going out pulling up their sleeves doing the hard work and using the success as the catalyst. How many games have I seen at Thomond Park ( on TV mind you ) that were nowhere a big crowd never mind a sell out !! Munster Rugby need a full reset and to go away and find their identity again and decide who and what they want to be!

[@sc1837]

What are you on about... Munster over performed in the early pro era because of their competitive club rugby setup. Since then schools have been shown to generate talent much better. they have fallen way behind Leinster as they cannot just magic up a competitive schools system. That being said coming from a connacht fan this is a bit rich. Should Munster just give up their identity and get in as many mercenaries as possible like connacht.

[@straights]

And yet Leo Cullen continues to blunder along and get new contracts winning absolutely nothing with 90% of the best team in the world., yet they can't beat the Bulls, can't beat Saracens, can't beat Toulouse and can only beat la Rochelle when it doesn't matter.

[@eoinmiller5620]

Complaining about leinster losing a final that none of the other provinces can even reach isn't the flex you think it is. At least Leinster haven't copped a loss to Zebre...

[@fionnmckool]

Get over it!

[@grahamshaw3802]

Won plenty

[@MrIanito]

We won the URC! Slow start too that season…. WTAF. ☘️

[@patmc5474]

Maybe it's a personal issue.

[@FR-je9bw]

Munster is more of a Soccer Club than a Rugby Club. Sacking decent Managers in a fit of pique, booing their own players, not turning up.to Thomond in any kind of numbers when on a losing run. A Sugar Daddy in JP who has lost intetest. Cobwebs in the Museuem. Axel's Ghost haunting them like The Phantom of The Opera in a Scrum Cap!

[@FR-je9bw]

Word is they hope to escape their financial mire by launching a new Theatrical production starring Quinny as Oliver Twist heading up to the Big Smoke with the begging bowl out to plead for more Leinster Academy players. "Shure l wasn't intending to blind ya, Leo". Premiering at the La Rochelle filum Festival.

[@neillnevin2567]

@@FR-je9bw you’re bit of a fucking clown are you?

[@riancleary2574]

JVG was an awful coach for Munster. Shocked to see Bath playing well as I don't rate Van Grann as a coach at all

[@crusa5]

Why are they having so many injuries all of the time ?

[@wayneheavey2321]

Noel McNamara forwards coach at Bordeaux??

[@getridofneocons]

cian really ?a huge night against a south African experimental team of juniors and not one world cup player in that selection was hardly a great win for Munster

[@FR-je9bw]

@getridofneocons The young Boks were Roided to the eyeballs and all the Munster lads had were Spuds.

[@stevebarnes8368]

It was a “feel good” win that got their morale up. I certainly understand your point. This was one of perception over reality for Munster

[@poo2764]

Wake up the writing was on the wall 4 out of 6 losses and lucky at that. Munsters ageing team leaves me to say no forward thinkig! A shock did you stick your finger in the socket? 6'9" South Africa went to Leinnster and has played out of his skin, so why did he not play like this for Munster, no he was not injured all the time this year. Munster playing this new season looked flat footed nothing in the tank. That is what I seen from Munster this season. They looked like not instered in the setup no stand up and fight. Old players 30 to 36 year olds? so something had to give and it has. So lets see some farward thinking. younger strong big players neededs to be blooded and lets move forward. Munster now and for ever. Felix Jones bring him on, we need someone with forward thinking instead of going backwards! It is not ask rocket science ask LEO.

[@DerekChaplin-mu1gc]

Maybe the home coming of Felix Jones??

[@FR-je9bw]

@DerekChaplin-mu1gc He has come home, has bought a house in Dublin

[@JohnSmith-wo2fz]

Nice earring Snowflake.

[@الأميرالسلطان-و3ح]

❤❤❤🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@bengormley2517]

Best thing for Munster:...go out beat the All Blacks

[@FR-je9bw]

@bengormley2517 Please God No. Don't want another 50 years of all that 1978 nonsense.

[@fionnmckool]

Means nothing beating all blacks selection (b team)

[@TheDude-mi1sg]

Munster rugby is toxic with a sense of entitlement matched with poor backgroud staff like costello etc. These guys were never good enough. Casey is definitely not a good enough scrum half either, not nearly good enough for whats needed. Two centres are poor two, so many bad players on that team especially in the backs and front five.

[@cathalos1]

Piss poor attempt at rage baiting man 🫢

[@bernardtynan1725]

Casey seems good enough for Andy Farrell

[@TheDude-mi1sg]

@@cathalos1 nonsense, the rugby is shit for years, maybe you know these people and thats why you talk the shit you do. Stop defending and just get out

[@TheDude-mi1sg]

@@bernardtynan1725 Casey cant run, cant tackle, pass is ok and box kick is average. His attitude is very good but he will never be good enough for top level rugby. Munster and Ireland need better or they will suffer for years.

[@amantedellopera1681]

Bang on the money,munster fans just cant accept reality,and blame leinster for all their woes.

[@redmondo42]

If there's one thing Munster do well, it's beating a cobbled-together international touring side at home. A win against the All Blacks XV could get that feel-good factor back in town

[@MegaTkls]

😂😂

[@grahamshaw3802]

Good at sing songs

[@barthettema3727]

Almost as crazy as England calling a 6/2 split!!!!! What does Matt Williams have to say about that unsportsmanlike display by Borthwick????? Please ask him what he thinks I’d love to see him choke on his words he was spewing last year this time about Rassie

[@eoinmiller5620]

Jfc shut up

[@paulhealy123]

Fekitoa, Healy, Snyman, Frisch, Carberry, Zebo etc etc. Flood gates have been open for some time! Where's the investment!! All the money is in Leinster, no hope! No big name coach would touch the job

[@a88senna]

All players ye couldn't get the best out of, shows Munster haven't gotten a clue, don't know why Leinster are being brought into it.

[@brendanlaird4620]

Nenagh Bar...'sake!