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Brian O'Driscoll identifies what Munster need to join elite bracket

On Saturday, Munster will be looking to book their place in the Guinness Pro14 Playoff semi-final...



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Brian O'Driscoll identifies what Munster need to join elite bracket


On Saturday, Munster will be looking to book their place in the Guinness Pro14 Playoff semi-finals .

The Heineken Champions Cup semi-finalists take on Italy's Benetton Treviso, who have shown vast progress to reach that stage.

And should they overcome Benetton, they will set up a derby with Leinster.

Connacht and Ulster are also in action in a head-to-head in Belfast with the carrot of a semi against Glasgow Warriors.

Ahead of the quarter-final weekend, Ireland and Leinster legend Brian O'Driscoll joined us to preview the action.

Tight Five

But he also shared his thoughts on what Munster need to improve to join the select top tier of European clubs.

"I look at Munster over the course of the last three seasons, I think they were very lucky to get into the Champions Cup semi-final three years ago. They were worthy of it last year, albeit they got torn apart by Racing," said BOD.

"And they were probably quite fortunate to find their way in there again this time round.

"I don't think it's solely an attack game or defensive game [that needs improving]. I think a bit of player responsibility to up the performance and up the standard across board. They've definitely got some world class players but do they have enough of them to compete for honours consistently and get into the finals? I think they're just falling short of that."

The ex-Ireland captain also identified the specific part of the squad Munster need to improve most.

"The tight five is where where games are won and lost," he said, pointing to Saracens' international class tight five.

"I think if you look at the Munster tight five, I just feel, even with the addition of Tadhg Beirne, as though teams think they can get after them there when it comes to the business end of the season. "

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Benetton Treviso Brian O'Driscoll Connacht Glasgow Warriors Leinster Munster Off The Ball Pro14 Rugby Ulster