Barry I would call it the worst season we have ever had, granted it is probably the worst squad we have ever had.Take out the first 5 games and we are basically on a 50/50 win rate for the past 6 months. That is not a good season. OK those games also count obviously, but you would hope/expect that a team improves as the year goes on and not get worse which has happened so far in our case.
Failure to reach the last 16 of Europe when there are only 24 teams is pretty pathetic when you consider at least 4/5 teams just dial it in.
The biggest indictment is, we have become a which "Munster will show up" team, capable of beating anyone on their day but also capable of being utterly abject.
It is still conceivable we could win the URC if they put 3 good games together in the knockout stages but they still need a major overhaul of players to compete on a sustainable level.
All I think Mcmillian can do with the current squad is to try and get a level of consistency in performances but so far we have not come near to that. Whatever about the current behind the scenes debacle I would have thought to give him the benefit of the doubt next year would be the year when the real judgement is made on his ability.
I do think in the northern hemisphere there is a tendency to put New Zealand players and coaches on a pedestal whereas I think teams have always got more bang for their buck with Saffers or Aussies.
C
I don't think that we played that badly.
The timing of the trip to SA was very unfortunate - directly after 6N so 4 International couldn't travel. Then the travel chaos and to cap it all - a plane technical fault caused 24 hr delay.
They bounced back v well for Sharks and would IMO taken 5 pts but for a blatant cop out on red card by Scottish TMO.
The timing of the Exeter game rendered that a non event.
We were denied a home victory v Leinster due to a shocking reffing display by a rookie Norrie Ref.
A complete implosion by Butler at OH cost us an away win v Glasgow. Wood nearly rescued this one.
We were very unlucky in the CC.
It's almost impossible to compete without THs - Bartley and Foxe were injured so we had Ryan & Alaalatoa - not at the level needed.
JJ was a poor signing also. Kleyn missed most of the season too.
The only poor performances were Ulster away and 2nd half of Stormers at home.
(The CC away to Bath was a shocker)
With 2 good signings - we'll have a squad to do well in URC. We don't have the resources to compete at URC and knock out CC.
We also have a big issue with the implosion of Limerick Rugby at every level. West Cork produces more players.
I was at TP and SPUC last week end. It was a glaring illustration that Limerick supports hurling, not Rugby.
We now have 3 or 4 home games p a. No other franchise has this disadvantage. We now have a white elephant/albatros.
I think we must lower our expectations.
