I was thinking last night how the make-up of next seasons Munster team could be constructed is going to be vastly different to let's say the one that last won the HEC in 08.
The team in 08 had 11 Munster born players along with Ian Dowling, Tipoki, Mafi and Howlett. The entire bench was Munster born bar Paul Warwick.
Next seasons strongest starting team could look something like this..
1. Milne (Leinster)
2. Barron (Leinster)
3. ? (Possible NZ if rumours are true)
4. Kleyn (SA)
5. Beirne (Leinster)
6. Ahern (Munster)
7. Hodnett (Munster)
8. Coombes (Munster)
9. Casey (Munster)
10. Crowley (Munster)
11. Kilgallen/O'Brien/Smith (all Leinster)
12. Tom Farrell (Leinster)
13. Nanks (NZ)
14. Nash (Munster)
15. Abrahams (SA)
So possibly as little as 6 of the starting team could be Munster born players. Less than half.
That's a big shift for a team that in its hay day prided itself on its gaa-esque, "from the parish" and "local" identity.
The reality is though, given how the game is structured in Ireland now and the advantages that Leinster have and the sheer volume of players they are producing, transferring the best of their rest to Munster and the other Province's is the only viable way to try and stay competitive.
It is still quite sad though and just highlights how lucky we were with that generation of players in the 00's and how we might never see the likes again.
I won't lie, it does bother me but it's also a reality I've accepted and I've had to shift my attitude accordingly.
So I'm curious to know from other Munster fans on here, does this shift in identity bother you? Would ye just be happy as long as Munster are winning irregardless of the make-up of the team?
.
