Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

Donald Trumped wrote: »

While delighted for Ronan O'Gara in his new head coach role at La Rochelle, one must feel that this is a huge missed opportunity for Munster rugby to accommodate ROG in this new coaching ticket that's been assembled in the Southern province.

I would have loved to have seen Munster replace JVG with Ronan as head coach. However for now, the powers that be in Munster rugby feel that JVG is a safer bet than the Munster legend. Time will tell but to me that calculation could be a huge mistake going forward. Hopefully ROG will return to coaching in Ireland at some stage.

Meanwhile any word on the latest regarding the new Munster rugby coaching ticket for next season? Are we still on course for JVG, Rowntree, Larkham and Ferriera come the opening matches in the Pro14 in late September of this year?

bennyl10 wrote: »

4 semis in 2 years

doesn't really get much better than that

Donald Trumped wrote: »

While delighted for Ronan O'Gara in his new head coach role at La Rochelle, one must feel that this is a huge missed opportunity for Munster rugby to accommodate ROG in this new coaching ticket that's been assembled in the Southern province.

I would have loved to have seen Munster replace JVG with Ronan as head coach. However for now, the powers that be in Munster rugby feel that JVG is a safer bet than the Munster legend. Time will tell but to me that calculation could be a huge mistake going forward. Hopefully ROG will return to coaching in Ireland at some stage.

Meanwhile any word on the latest regarding the new Munster rugby coaching ticket for next season? Are we still on course for JVG, Rowntree, Larkham and Ferriera come the opening matches in the Pro14 in late September of this year?

thomond2006 wrote: »

Dave O'Callaghan's two year contract with Biarritz was confirmed by the club. I hope it works out and he can stay injury free.

PMC83 wrote: »

It does though- getting to a final. Then winning one. Munsters issue is that last hurdle or two, and thus far JVG isn't showing us anything different in regards as to how they may get past it. Agree stability is important, but if they don't reach a final next year or at least look like they should have, then questions will need to be asked

The Munster Branch Annual General Meeting took place at Tralee RFC on Wednesday night with club representatives from around the province in attendance.
Mike Keane was elected Munster Rugby President with more details here.

The financial accounts for year ending June 30, 2018 showed a cash-flow deficit of €920K which was in line with the figures forecasted at last year’s AGM.

The current financial projections for year ending 30th June 2019 estimate a similar cash-flow deficit of €995K for the season.

In presenting the financial update at tonight’s AGM, Munster Rugby Treasurer, Tom Kinirons, discussed the key points.

While the projected cash-flow deficit remains broadly in line with the prior year, there were some significant variances which required explaining.

Player costs increased due to an increase in the squad size and also due to player wage inflation.

As agreed with the IRFU a number of years ago, the exceptional grant support to Munster from the IRFU decreased slightly on the prior season. Tom was keen to express his thanks to the IRFU for the additional grant funding over the past number of years and their excellent on-going support.

Munster benefited from earning a home Champions Cup quarter-final in the previous two seasons so there was a reduction in income in the current season as we qualified for an away Champions Cup quarter-final.

In a huge positive, gate income increased by 12% in the current season with increases in both our Champions Cup and PRO14 ticket sales.

The Ireland U20s played both of their home 6 Nations games at Irish Independent Park and the fantastic attendances resulted in a further positive to our revenue numbers.

Munster’s Commercial revenue stream continues to exceed expectations with increased income from sponsorship and from Commercial dinners abroad. The newly-laid artificial surface in IIP has been a major success with a 200% uplift in additional revenue generated through six summer concerts and rental of the artificial pitch.

In line with the increased gate income for Champions Cup and PRO14 games, ticket sales increased to over 207,000 tickets (excluding knockouts) throughout the campaign. In total sales, this represents an increase of 2% with actual individual sales growing by approximately 12%. This was due to the impact of 10-Year Ticket sales with an additional 1,500 tickets available to sell for each game.

Attendances grew by 15% this season which was a huge increase, and reiterates the loyalty of our fantastic supporters.

There were seven sell-out fixtures at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park during the season. All four games at Irish Independent Park sold out for the first time ever with the Ireland v France U20s 6 Nations match in Cork also at capacity. There were two sell-out attendances at Thomond Park with additional seating also installed for both games.

The province has invested in major upgrade works at Irish Independent Park which has enabled the uplift in revenue above. The installation of a modified 3G pitch surface by Tralee-based company PST Sport has proved to be a major success. As mentioned earlier, the Ireland U20s played both of their home 6 Nations games at the venue. There are six concerts taking place in June and the pitch is in constant demand from various teams across multiple sports in the local area. The new artificial pitch has allowed for a significant increase in games played on a consistent basis, assisting the province’s efforts of growing the game at grassroots level.

Additionally, Munster Rugby have been granted planning permission by Cork City Council for the construction of an indoor training facility at Irish Independent Park. See more here.

As part of the province’s continued long-term investment to promote the game among younger supporters, Munster once again allocated 5,000 reduced priced Junior tickets to every Thomond Park game over the season.

troyzer wrote: »

Yeah, Leinster weren't hammered by Saracens.

Neither were Munster to be fair, just beaten well. But it's not right to say those two games are equivalent.

Munster are also looking to fill a senior coach vacancy, with former Australian backs coach Stephen Larkham and current Wales attack coach Rob Howley heavily linked, while there is also a search ongoing for a skills coach.

yerrahbah wrote: »

Still need a backs coach.

If we get in an experienced backs coach, I'll be happy with the coaching ticket.

phog wrote: »

It's still not confirmed by SH media so it cannot be taken as true

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Because they're all in mourning at losing the person they all thought was being held in the background as Cheika's successor

Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson says Stephen Larkham's move to Irish club Munster will only help his long-term ambition to be Wallabies coach.

Subject to receiving a visa, Larkham will join the Irish province as a senior coach for three seasons starting in August and ending in June 2022, the Pro14 club confirmed overnight.

Larkham will work under coach Johann van Graan and alongside forwards coach Graham Rowntree and defence coach JP Ferreira at his new club.

Johnson said in a statement on Saturday afternoon that Larkham's move would be a positive one for his career.

"Stephen departs with Rugby Australia's full blessing and we wish him every success with Munster," he said.

"Stephen made the decision to join Munster in full consultation with us and we will remain in close contact with him during his time in Ireland.

"We believe the experience Stephen will gain from a senior role internationally will grow his coaching capabilities significantly and we are very keen for him to remain part of the Australian Rugby coaching system.

"He has made it clear that his ultimate goal is to coach the Wallabies and the next three years will give him a solid platform to achieve his coaching ambitions."

The former Wallabies attack coach parted ways with the national team in February due to philosophical differences with coach Michael Cheika.

At that time, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle kept the door open for Larkham to return to the Wallabies fold in the future.

While there was a school of thought that Larkham could throw his hat in the ring to return to the national setup, this move all but quashes that possibility in the immediate future.

Larkham has been in a national coaching advisory role for the past four months, working with the Junior Wallabies, Wallaroos, Sevens and Super Rugby sides.

He had been Wallabies attack coach for three seasons prior to that.


“I am very excited and honoured to be joining Munster Rugby," Larkham said in a statement.

“A big part of my decision lies in the values of the club and the importance they place on community. I have come from a very similar environment and know how effective and enjoyable that can be.

“I have had a number of conversations with Johann and I’m very excited to be working with him, as our views on rugby are very similar.

“I’m also looking forward to meeting and working with not only the other coaches in Graham and JP but also the very talented group of players that Munster have.”


Munster Rugby Acting CEO Philip Quinn said: “We are very pleased to add Stephen to our coaching team and look forward to welcoming him to the province in August.

“Stephen’s values are very closely aligned with those of Munster and huge credit must go to the Professional Game Board and Johann for their work in bringing him to the province.

“Stephen is a very successful coach who had offers from other clubs so we are delighted that he has decided to join Munster.

“We now have a four-man coaching team with head coach Johann van Graan supported by senior coach Stephen, forwards coach Graham Rowntree and defence coach JP Ferreira.

“It has been our intention to recruit one more member for our coaching ticket and we will evaluate our needs prior to progressing with that process.”

Larkham's Wallabies replacement is set to be named as early as next week, with a number of Super Rugby candidates in the mix for that role.