 |
| Getty Images |
Showing posts with label MunsterRugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MunsterRugby. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Critical Erasmus Year for Munster Rugby
It was a bleak message from Philip Browne, CEO of the Irish Rugby Football Union in terms of Munster Rugby’s finances. The war chest a long way from a number of years ago were the region was in its full splendour. It was made even starker when the head of Irish rugby said there were no more bail outs should the region be unable to meet its obligations as they stand now. Indeed, the Honorary Treasurer, Tom Grace, explained matters further;
“One of our provinces is experiencing financial difficulty and one of the main reasons for this is poor match results,” said IRFU honorary treasurer Tom Grace. “It is no secret that the increased revenues available to French and English clubs are having a serious inflationary impact on player remuneration.”
“There was no repayment received this year in respect of the Munster loan which relates to Thomond Park,” said Grace. “A €200,000 payment was due last April with €4.2 million due in April 2017 and €500,000 to be paid every year until 2026 with a final lump sum of €761,778 expected in 2027.” A stark message it has to be said. But perhaps no greater motivation than having the financial nitty-gritty aired publicly to alert all involved that the cub is currently on life support.
What remains clear is that Munster face a challenge and marginally improved by securing Champions Cup place for the new season. Albeit a group with Racing 92, this year’s losing finalists, Leicester Tigers, semi-finalists in May and Glasgow, the losing semi-finalists to Connacht in the Guinness Pro 12 last season. A sobering set of fixtures that wouldn’t lighten the heart of the Munster Rugby CEO when making the budget forecast for the season. And along way from the natural order in the days when they ruled Europe in 2006.
But some fixed costs can’t be reduced and that pressure increased with the arrival of Rassie Erasmus; the return of Darren O’Shea and the new signing Jean Kleyn on a three-year contract. The 22-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Stormers and represented Western Province on 22 occasions. Kleyn will re-join his former Defence Coach Jacques Nienaber who has also been recruited by Munster this year. U few heavy bills there no doubt on the back of a very poor season that saw Thomond Park filled very rarely.
Critical to any operation is that the current costs are met of operating income, and the investment rationalised by equalling gate income accordingly. Or financial support from sponsorship programmes or other revenue streams. But not only does Munster Rugby need to manage their operational costs but also have to accrue for the payment of €220k due to the IRFU. Along with another €4.25m due to the IRFU next April. All to be achieved through rugby income given there are no further grants or payments to be accessed. A very tough task and one that - looking on from the outside - spells danger.
Or could create an environment that will only add further pressure on Erasmus and company to deliver much needed silverware this season in the Champions Cup. However, the stark reality is that no bonuses are earned until quarterfinal and semi-finals Unlike the UEFA Champions League where reaching knockout stage delivers €1.5m. Or as Dundalk FC have seen on reaching the play-off’s was worth 7m this season – and a place in the Europa League. Even having just failed to get into the Champions League proper.
The IRFU are the central purse holders for rugby in Ireland and in the past have benefited from a disproportionate distribution of income given the nation’s size, a positive perhaps from the International Rugby Board [IRB] settling in Dublin. The financial bonus despite that the Irish TV market contributes only €5 million per annum to the central pot (c.€3m to the Six Nations pot and c.€2 million to the ERC pot). The figure shows the other TV markets contribute much more. Yet the IRFU therefore receives €16 million each year from the central pot (c.€11m from Six Nations and c.€5m from ERC). This constitutes about 24% of the IRFU's total annual turnover.
The latter though changes somewhat with the establishment of new European Rugby Champions Cup, now based in Switzerland. Really the love child in effect of Premiership Rugby and the Ligue Nacional de Rugby in France. In effect addressing those imbalances prevalent with the Heineken Cup and the ERC [ European Rugby Cup]. The losers in the revamp have been the Irish clubs as the other nations became fatigued with Ireland’s domination of the Heineken - winning it five times in seven years. Coupled with a Grand Slam in 2009. But to the victors go the spoils. Or so it was.
But from 2012 the unrest saw the English clubs agree a TV deal with new upstart, BT Sport, that, and that opened the way for an alternative broadcast route for English and French rugby and staged a breakaway in 2014. The changes impacted Irish rugby at a number of levels and coincided with a loss of dominance in the competition by both Leinster and Munster. A trend though which has now seen no Irish team reach the final since 2012 with French and English clubs now dominating that fixture. The current Champions Saracens being losing finalist on previous occasions.
Now the Premiership announced the salary cap would be raised from £5.5 million to £6.5 million in the 2016-17 season and £7 million the following year. Accounting for two marquee players who would be excluded from the cap along with home-grown player credits, compensation for missing England players and a fund to cover long-term injured players, some clubs will be able to spend upwards of £9 million. That has led to a spate of eye-catching signings. Bath, who are interested in South Africa scrum half Fourie Du Preez, have recruited Wales pair Luke Charteris and Taulupe Faletau; Leicester have snapped up the Australia centre Matt Toomua; and, perhaps most strikingly of all, Northampton have persuaded Louis Picamoles, the France No 8, to leave Top 14 Toulouse. However, not every club spends up to – and in certain cases nowhere near – that salary cap.
There are fears that while the increased spending power will narrow the gap with French clubs, the Premiership will come to be divided between the haves and have‑nots. Given that Leicester, Northampton and Saracens have qualified for the play-offs for the past six seasons, that divide is already partly established. But for a league that prides itself on its competitiveness the idea of a two tier game - such as exists in the football Premier League -will be deeply uncomfortable. Saracens are unlikely to be perturbed, especially since they boast Europe’s only perfect record this season. The signing of Schalke Burger only making them more formidable. But then that was exactly what Munster did in their heyday.
In terms of income the distribution of EPCR’s revenues will be made on the basis of an equal three-way split to the Top 14, Premiership Rugby and Prowl teams. But for the second year in succession, Munster failed to emerge from the pool stages and former player Alan Quinlan was forthright in his analysis on their as final game this season in the tournament:
“Embarrassing, humiliating, disgraceful, these are words that spring to mind,” he told Sky Sports viewers. “Munster have no divine right to win these games…It’s embarrassing. This whole organisation needs to be dissected.”
“Guys falling off tackles, no desire, no shape, it’s very distressing to watch. Borderline disgraceful, disgraceful might be a bit too strong. When guys are falling off tackles and walking around, it’s frustrating and a real worry...There’s no attack whatsoever.”
So Rassie Erasmus has a big job ahead. With the players in the squad he can win games. Or more accurately, he must win games. Then winning could get them closer to silverware so that by April the club are better placed to address the payments that come due. If not, then the burden of expanding Thomond Park and the investment in the club may prove their biggest opponent. In that sense Philip Browne’s words are only stark but understandable.
But perhaps inevitable and prophetic.
OSMedia -All rights reserved
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Munster Defeat by Fourteen Stade
The Stade Français wing Josaia Raisuqe was sent off but that did not stop the French Champions inflicting a 27-7 defeat on Munster in Paris.
Raisuqe was sent off by the World Cup final referee, Nigel Owens, on the stroke of half-time for gouging the Munster captain, CJ Stander, as the pair wrestled for the ball.
Yet despite playing for 40 minutes with just 14 men, it was the hosts who ran out comfortable winners at Stade Jean-Bouin. And such was their dominance that only a try by Conor Murray five minutes from time prevented Munster suffering their first shut-out in 21 years of European rugby.
Paul Williams, Sekou Macalou and Hugo Bonneval all crossed as Stade halved Leicester’s lead at the top of Pool Four to four points.
Anthony Foley’s side are now all but out of the Champions Cup barring a miracle run of results after suffering three pool defeats in a row for the first time.
Munster were dealt a series of early blows with the loss of two players in the opening eight minutes and a third before half-time. BJ Botha, their tighthead prop, failed to recover after he was injured in a tackle in the opening minute. The full-back Andrew Conway then followed moments later after he came off worse from a collision with Stade’s talismanic captain, Sergio Parisse.
It only got worse for Munster as Ian Keatley narrowly missed out on a try after Julien Arias was caught ball-watching, before missing the posts with his first penalty attempt.
Francis Saili saved a certain try with a finger-tip tackle to deny Waisea Nayacalevu after the Stade centre benefited from Simon Zebo’s ill-judged pass.
Moments later and Nayacalevu made the burst that produced the game’s first try. Parisse provided support but Williams picked his angle between forwards Dave Kilcoyne and Dave Foley to score under the posts on 32 minutes. Morné Steyn converted and added a penalty for a 10-0 lead.
Munster then lost Tommy O’Donnell despite the flanker initially returning from a head injury assessment.
But Stade were reduced to 14 men when Raisuqe was shown by television replays on the stadium’s giant screens to put his hands in the face of Stander as they wrestled for the ball after Owen had blown his whistle.
The chorus of boos and whistles were deafening as Keatley kicked and missed his penalty and the noise only intensified as Welsh referee Owens walked off at half-time
Steyn added a second penalty before Munster saw Rory Scannell’s try ruled out for a forward pass. Stade flanker Macalou then tore clear for a try before full-back Bonneval beat Zebo to score a third.
Zebo and Scannell combined for Murray’s consolation try late on but the game had already been lost.
Sunday, 3 January 2016
Keatley Points Munster to Win
Munster ended a run of five straight defeats as Ian Keatley's nine points proved enough to see off in-form Ulster in the Pro12 game at Kingspan Stadium.
A Keatley penalty edged Munster ahead and the visitors defended bravely to stay in touch after a Louis Ludik try had helped Ulster move 7-3 up.
Munster had more possession after the break and a Keatley penalty and drop goal put them ahead by the 61st minute.
Paddy Jackson's two late penalty misses left Munster celebrating a vital win.
Defeat would have represented Munster's worst ever losing run. And the game was also a personal triumph for man-of-the-match Keatley after his recent struggles in the red jersey.
The fly-half was booed by a small group of Munster fans after missing a number of kicks in last month's European defeat by Leicester and the verbal abuse generated a wave of sympathy for the Ireland fly-half.
Keatley kicked Munster into a ninth-minute lead as they turned early possession into points.
Ulster regrouped to take control and Ludik's 24th-minute try helped them move ahead, although the score was controversial with referee Gary Conway appearing to miss offside and knock-on infringements in the build-up.
As Ulster continued to press, Andrew Trimble, making his 200th appearance for the Irish province, was denied a try as the ball bounced off his leg into touch following a clever Stuart McCloskey grubber kick.
But with back row forwards Tommy O'Donnell and Jack O'Donoghue particularly prominent, Munster held out until the break and then summoned up a big effort after half-time.
Despite playing the game in Ulster's half, Munster's attack continued to lack a cutting edge but crucially their pressure was finally rewarded by Keatley's smart 58th-minute drop goal.
A line-out infringement allowed Keatley to kick Munster ahead on 61 minutes as mistakes began to hinder the Ulster effort.
Spurred on by the vocal New Year crowd, Ulster produced late pressure with the first of Jackson's two late penalty chances from near the left touchline falling inches short before he was off target with another difficult kick in the final minute.
Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss: "We gave them enough opportunity to hang in there and our error-rate was too high. It's a disappointed dressing-room.
"Another three or five points would have been ideal before half-time. We probably just weren't clinical enough and probably didn't work hard enough to create pressure."
Munster fly-half Ian Keatley: "That win was huge for us. We were on a bad losing streak.
"A lot of things that we have been talking about, we haven't been doing but we executed tonight.
"It's a fortress to come here and we're delighted to get the ball rolling again."
TEAMS
Ulster: L Ludik; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, R Scholes; P Jackson, R Pienaar; K McCall, R Best (capt), W Herbst; L Stevenson, F van der Merwe; R Diack, C Henry, N Williams.
Replacements: R Herring for Williams 71, C Black for McCall 64, R Lutton for Herbst 35, A O'Connor for Stevenson 52, R Wilson for Diack 52, P Marshall for Pienaar 71, S Arnold for L Marshall 54.
Not used: I Humphreys
Munster: L Amorosino; R O'Mahony, Fr Saili, R Scannell, G van der Heever; I Keatley, T O'Leary; D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; B Holland, M Chisholm; J O'Donoghue, T O'Donnell, CJ Stander (capt).
Replacements: N Scannell for Sherry 54, J Ryan for Botha 71, R Copeland for O'Donnell 56, D Williams for O'Leary 57, Denis Hurley for R Scannell 56.
Not used: M Sagario, S Buckley, T Bleyendaal
Referee: Gary Conway (Ireland).
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Toulon v Munster - Preview
 |
| Getty Images |
Jonny Wilkinson will be fit to captain Toulon in their Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster in Marseille on Sunday.
Wilkinson has recovered from a hamstring problem, while winger Bryan Habana (thigh) is also fit.
Munster, in a record 11th Heineken Cup semi, will be without second-row Donnacha Ryan, who has a foot injury.
Sean Dougall joins CJ Stander and James Coughlan in the back row, while hooker Damien Varley captains the side.
JJ Hanrahan returns from a groin injury to be named amongst the replacements, while Casey Laulala's recovery from a broken hand means that Rob Penney names not only the same front five from the quarter-final win over Toulouse, but also the same backline.
Varley leads the side in the absence of injured skipper Peter O'Mahony, with Ireland captain Paul O'Connell left to concentrate on coping with the defending champions' giant pack, in which ex-All Blacks prop Carl Hayman starts at tight-head with Italy's Martin Castrogiovanni on the bench.
A powerful, all-international backline also includes former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, and France centre Mathieu Bastareaud.
Munster have twice lifted the Heineken Cup and victory in the south of France would put them through to a fifth final in Cardiff on 24 May.
"The tradition and history is there and it's what the club is renowned for," said centre James Downey.
"The players come into the club knowing that and every foreigner that comes over, that's how they know about Munster, from the Heineken Cup."
Toulon lifted the trophy for the first time in Dublin last season and saw off Munster's Irish counterparts Leinster in the quarter-finals but, despite their recent success, coach Bernard Laporte was forced to reiterate his side's commitment to Europe's top club competition.
"Everybody's very serious and very focused," he said. "Every single player wants to play - there are no small injuries anymore. For a coach, it's just happiness. I love it. The guys are so into the game. Before I even speak, they are already listening."
Toulon: 15. Delon Armitage; 14. Drew Mitchell, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Bryan Habana; 10. Jonny Wilkinson (c), 9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde; 1. Xavier Chiocci, 2. Craig Burden, 3. Carl Hayman, 4. Danie Rossouw, 5. Jocelino Suta, 6. Juan Smith, 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe, 8. Steffon Armitage.
Replacements: 16. Jean-Charles Orioli, 17. Alexandre Menini, 18. Martin Castrogiovanni, 19. Virgile Bruni, 20. David Smith, 21. Maxime Mermoz, 22. Michael Claassens, 23. Konstantine Mikautadze.
Munster: 15. Felix Jones; 14. Keith Earls, 13. Casey Laulala, 12. James Downey, 11. Simon Zebo; 10. Ian Keatley, 9. Conor Murray; 1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Damien Varley (c), 3. BJ Botha, 4. Dave Foley, 5. Paul O'Connell, 6. CJ Stander, 7. Sean Dougall, 8. James Coughlan.
Replacements: 16. Duncan Casey, 17. James Cronin, 18. John Ryan, 19. Donncha O'Callaghan, 20. Tommy O'Donnell, 21. Duncan Williams, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. Denis Hurley.
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Munster v Toulouse - Preview
Munster have been boosted by the return of captain Peter O'Mahony for Saturday's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Toulouse at Thomond Park.
The flanker has recovered from a hamstring injury and replaces CJ Stander while James Downey is back at centre in the only other change.
A foot injury rules out lock Donnacha Ryan, who missed Ireland's Six Nations campaign because of a knee problem.
Louis Picamoles has been declared fit to start at number eight for Toulouse.
But former All Black Luke McAlister, another injury doubt, has been named among the replacements, along with France flanker Yannic Nyanga, while Thierry Dustautoir remains absent after missing the Six Nations because of a biceps injury.
O'Mahony was named in the squad to face Leinster in last weekend's Pro 12 defeat in Dublin but was a last minute withdrawal because of a hamstring twinge.
After successfully following a modified training schedule this week, the talismanic back-rower is included in Rob Penney's starting XV.
John Ryan takes the place of James Cronin, who is sidelined with an ankle sprain, on the replacements bench.
Alan Cotter and Gerhard van den Heeverare are both named in their first match-day Heineken Cup squad.
Dave Foley is selected ahead of Donncha O'Callaghan to join Paul O'Connell in the second row.
O'Connell believes the four-times competition winners will not be intimidated by the renowned Thomond Park atmosphere in Saturday's game.
It will be the first time the French giants have played at the Limerick venue.
"It's amazing that it's the first time they've come here but they've been to plenty of hostile grounds in the past so I don't think it will be a big deal for them," added the Ireland captain.
O'Connell says the Irish province will be facing a "mammoth task" against Guy Noves's team.
Munster: F Jones; K Earls, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo, I Keatley, C Murray, D Kilcoyne, D Varley, BJ Botha, D Foley, P O'Connell, P O'Mahony (capt), T O'Donnell, J Coughlan.
Replacements: D Casey, J Ryan, A Cotter, D O'Callaghan, CJ Stander, D Williams, JJ Hanrahan, G van den Heever.
Toulouse: M Médard; Y Huget, F Fritz, G Fickou, H Gear; L Beauxis, J Vermaak; G Steenkamp, C Tolofua, Y Montes, Y Maestri, P Albacete (c), Y Camara, J Tekori, L Picamoles
Replacements: J Bregvadze, C Baille, S Ferreira, R Millo-Chluski, G Galan, J-M Doussain, L McAlister, Y Nyanga.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Heineken Door Still Open
 |
| Getty Images |
The "door is still open" for Europe's top clubs to help find a solution to the row over the Heineken Cup's future, says the competition's organiser.
English and French clubs will quit the tournament next year in favour of the proposed Rugby Champions Cup.
European Rugby Cup (ERC), which has run the Heineken Cup since it began in 1995, wants to reopen talks with clubs.
"The future is best served by doing what we have all been doing for 18 years," said ERC chief Derek McGrath.
"ERC wishes to encourage everybody back to the table. There is a lot of activity to try to find solutions.
"We have stated many times that we absolutely believe that we will only find agreement when we have the full engagement of all the parties around the table. We haven't had that yet.
"We haven't had engagement and we haven't had negotiation, which is critical to find progress."
English Premiership and French Top 14 clubs are serving a notice period to leave ERC-run competitions and will not attend talks planned by the organising body next month.
They believe the Heineken Cup structure favours teams from the Pro12, which is made up of sides from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy.
Only the top six in England and France are guaranteed a place in the Heineken Cup, whereas at least 10 Celtic League outfits - including both Scottish, both Italian and a minimum of three sides each from Wales and Ireland - have certain entry into the competition.
With the Pro12 having no relegation, it is argued teams can rest players for league matches to keep them fresh for Europe, while Premiership and Top 14 teams have to fight hard just to qualify.
The English and French clubs are also unhappy with the way revenues are split between the three leagues and want to keep a greater share.
Pro12 clubs will be allowed to join the potential new tournament, but the Welsh, Scottish and Irish Rugby Unions want "full approval" of the International Rugby Board (IRB) for their clubs to take part.
Despite the English and French clubs' insistence on forming a breakaway competition, ERC chief executive McGrath insists there is still time to reach an agreement for all of Europe's top clubs to continue playing in the Heineken Cup.
"All parties bear a responsibility to find those solutions," he added at Monday's English and French launch of this season's Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions in Cardiff.
"Walking away is not respecting the obligations to those, in particular, who are not sitting at the table - the fans, the players, the sponsors - who have a significant interest in the future of the competitions.
"I sincerely believe it is in everyone's best interests to come to the meeting."
Saturday, 27 October 2012
JJ Makes Munster Splash
JJ Hanrahan marked his first Munster start with two tries and a man-of-the-match display in the Pro12 victory over Zebre at Thomond Park.
An uninspiring first half produced just six points, with Ian Keatley and Zebre's Daniel Halangahu striking a single penalty apiece.
Munster improved in the second half and surged clear through tries from Hanrahan (2) and Felix Jones.
Luke O'Dea dotted down for a 76th-minute bonus-point score.
It was a penalty-riddled start to proceedings in Limerick.
The Italians settled quickly, although their captain Gonzalo Garcia skewed a penalty from his own half well wide.
Munster took a quarter of an hour to get within striking distance and Keatley drew his first penalty attempt wide in the 18th minute.
Munster number eight Paddy Butler was guilty of obstruction off the back of a scrum but Halangahu was unable to convert the resulting kick from the left.
Zebre, with their heavy pack putting their weight about, went off their feet at a central ruck in the 26th minute, allowing Keatley to kick the hosts ahead.
However, both sides struggled to retain possession and build attacks with referee Neil Hennessy eager to keep on top of a messy breakdown and scrum.
Halangahu had the final say before half-time, splitting the posts with his first successful kick after the Italians put pressure on in the scrum.
Five-and-a-half minutes into the second half, Munster finally unlocked the Zebre defence.
Hanrahan backed himself, darting through a gap on the right and getting past Luca Martinelli near the line for a well-taken try.
Keatley converted and just before the hour mark, Jones jinked past four defenders on a eye-catching surge to the whitewash which will have pleased watching Ireland boss Declan Kidney.
With Rob Kearney sidelined through injury, the fit-again Jones looks set to earn a call-up in the coming days for Ireland's November internationals.
The full-back's 56th-minute try was converted by Keatley who supplied the assist and the extras for Hanrahan's second, as the Kerry youngster gobbled up a teasing grubber from the number 10.
With Zebre tiring and Munster finding holes out wide, O'Dea and Jones threatened again before Laulala drew a couple of defenders and passed for O'Dea to finish off the night's scoring in the right corner.
Munster: Jones, O'Dea, Laulala, Hanrahan, Zebo, Keatley, Williams, Kilcoyne, Sherry, Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, D. Ryan, Dave O'Callaghan, P. O'Mahony, Butler.
Replacements: Murphy for Zebo (64), Murray for Williams (57), Holland for Ryan (66), O'Donnell for Butler (64).
Not Used: Varley, Horan, Botha, Hurley.
Zebre: Trevisan, Odiete, Garcia, Halangahu, Pratichetti, Chiesa, Martinelli, Perugini, Manici, Redolfini, Caffini, Sole, Ferrarini, Cristiano, van Schalkwyk.
Replacements: Orquera for Odiete (61), Sarto for Garcia (52), Tebaldi for Chiesa (57), Aguero for Perugini (41), Giazzon for Manici (52), Ryan for Redolfini (52), Cazzola for Caffini (58), Belardo for Cristiano (66).
Att: 18,000
Ref: Neil Hennessy (Wales).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)