MUNSTER rugby take on Treviso this weekend in what could possibly be the defining match of their season. (Deferred coverage on TG4 on Sunday at 17.15)Currently lying in sixth spot. Munster are five points off the playoff spots. With seven games to go, three of which are against sides above them in the table, the task facing Munster is beginning to look like a tall order.
Rob Penney’s charges were poor in all quarters last week as they slumped to an 18-10 loss at the Scarlets.
The loss once more brought the expansive gameplan, currently being used, into question.
Munster once more struggled to break the gainline and seem, with every passing game, to be easier and easier to defend against.
With this weekend being a Six Nations weekend, Munster will be without the services once more of their Irish stars. Ronan O’Gara and Donncha O’Callaghan who played against the Scarlets last weekend have returned to Ireland camp. Backrowers Tommy O’Donnell and James Coughlan have also been called into the camp.
The on-form O’Donnell has taken the place of the injured Chris Henry, while Coughlan is expected to put pressure on Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip for a starting spot against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Should O’Donnell or Coughlan not be required against the Scots, both would join up with Munster for the Italian clash.
The Munster team for this weekend will be announced closer to the game itself, but the changes from last weekend will more than likely be minimal.
Ian Keatley will return to 10, where he put in a man of the match performance against Edinburgh in Cork. JJ Hanrahan, who has impressed in the last two games, should remain at inside centre, while Casey Laulala could pressure Ivan Dineen for the 13 jersey.
Shannon’s Luke O’Dea is also back in contention, while Felix Jones and Doug Howlett are both expected to miss this weekend.
Newly contracted Damien Varley should return to the match day 22. The Garryowen hooker missed out last weekend having failed to recover from a dead leg. Munster’s next home game is against the Ospreys on March 2.
