Healy looks Larkham-esque as Munster show ‘more ambition and intent’

SIX TRIES, EIGHT linebreaks, 15 offloads, 22 defenders beaten, 14src passes completed, and a pleasing bonus-point win.

Munster fans were left happy at Thomond Park yesterday as Johann van Graan’s side showed some exciting intent in attack, as Eoin Toolan and Murray Kinsella discussed on today’s edition of The42 Rugby Weekly Extra – an analysis podcast available to members of The42 every Monday.

As Eoin pointed out, much of the positive play was down to Munster’s work at the breakdown, where they recycled the ball in less than three seconds nearly 8src% of the time.

Eoin: “It started at the breakdown, I thought they were accurate in that area, providing lightning-quick ball and facilitating a little bit more space in the middle and on the edge of the field.

“There was ambition there. It was clear for everyone to see the willingness of the ball-carrier to look for space and then try to promote the ball, whether it was off the ground or through contact. They’ve got the profile of players to do it – Coombes, Beirne, O’Donoghue, really athletic guys with good mobility.

“I thought Jeremy Loughman and Diarmuid Barron in the front row were really impressive and noticeable around the field. That dynamism that Munster have potentially lacked in seasons gone by at hooker in particular… even when Scott Buckley came on it was noticeable that there’s a little more mobility.

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