Andy Dunne believes Munster will be able to compete with Leinster providing they address a number of issues in the off-season.
Leinster edged past their rivals at the RDS on Saturday afternoon to book their place in the Pro14 final and remain on course for a double.
But former Leinster outhalf Dunne insists Munster are not too far off their all-conquering opponents and can expect to challenge for silverware with a couple of tweaks.
“You looked around the field and you saw [Simon] Zebo who’s leaving Munster at the end of the season with his head in his hands,” Dunne told OTB.
“And it was an image that will stick with me for a while in terms of the difference between Leinster and Munster. Leinster were able to bring James Tracy, Cian Healy and Andrew Porter off the bench.
“Sean Cronin had been very significant in one of those scrums where they pushed Munster off the ball and within five minutes of Healy and Porter being on they essentially deconstructed Munster’s scrum.
“Ciaran Parker came off the bench for Munster and to me you’re just looking at a greater strength and depth [with Leinster]. Leinster probably had four of five of their starters from the Champions Cup final on the pitch by full time.
“They’ve greater depth and a greater level of talent. I would say Munster are sick of being valiant losers but I think there are key issues that Munster management need to look at, which I’m sure they’ll be doing in the off-season.
“They’re really not far off. They’re lacking a 10, depth in the front five and I wouldn’t worry about a whole lot else because they’ve been excellent.
“Obviously they’ll be losing Zebo which is going to be a hit. But that’s more like losing the polish on your car in the sense that he’s adding a bit of shine, verve and swagger to ball when they get it.
“Their greater challenge is sorting out their lack of depth in their front five and a 10. And quite simply, if they do that they can be a very competitive side because they’ve got two world class operators in the back row and probably the best scrum-half in world rugby.”
Written by James Hopper
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