Munster have been 'architects of their own difficulties', former club captain claims
Munster still have a chance at silverware this season despite their European exit in the Champions Cup last eight against Bordeaux.
The URC is a tournament they will bid to make the last eight of with a win in the final regular season round this weekend as Benetton Treviso come to Cork. Munster face Benetton Treviso in a crucial URC finale on Friday evening. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
That Virgin Media Park clash will dictate whether or not Munster can progress and attempt to reclaim the trophy they won in great style under Graham Rowntree in 2023.
The English coach left in shock fashion in October of last year and Munster will bid to steady the ship and regroup next season under incoming head coach Clayton McMillan, and Wood believes this weekend is pivotal in terms of its implications for next year.
Munster could be playing second-tier Challenge Cup rugby on the continent next season under McMillan if they fail to win against Treviso, and Wood fired the forewarning. Munster previously claimed URC success in 2023. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
'At times Munster have been the architects of their own difficulties this year,' Wood told Genting Casino. 'But it comes down to an incredibly exciting final game.
'Eight teams going for the play offs and a place in the Campions Cup makes for the most exciting last weekend possible. It's a huge weekend for the URC.
'It's all about momentum. It's also about the here and now. If they win at the weekend, they qualify for the European Cup. If they don't, they're in the Challenge Cup. This is a big deal.
'Yes, it's about momentum, but it's also about the future. Munster showed how to do it the hard way two years ago to win the title without having the pedigree from times past.
'It comes down to fatigue at the end of the year and the injury profile of the squad.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Teenage swimmer, 18, ‘proud to be Irish' after becoming latest world champion following sensational gold medal
'It's been a long season, but to end it like that, it's just so cool' SHORTT ODDS Teenage swimmer, 18, 'proud to be Irish' after becoming latest world champion following sensational gold medal JOHN SHORTT declared "I'm so proud to be Irish" after becoming Ireland's latest swimming world champion. The 18-year-old won gold in the 100m backstroke at the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Romania. 2 John Shortt won gold at the World Aquatics Junior Championships Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription 2 He said he was proud to be Irish after the race Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription The Galway teenager's time of 53.86 saw him beat neutral athlete Georgii Iakovlev in 53.94, and the USA's Gavin Keogh in 54.06. Shortt, who won European gold earlier this summer, finished just shy of his own Irish junior record of 53.80 that he set in Tuesday's semi-final. He said: 'It feels pretty good, just so much pride at the minute, getting up there, singing my national anthem, on a World stage now, not just a European stage. 'I'm just so proud to be Irish and proud to be here. It's been a long season, but to end it like that, it's just so cool. "The meets not finished, but I'm just saying, the last 100 back of the season, we've ended on a positive note so, I'm very happy with that.' Shortt becomes only the second Irish swimmer to win a World junior gold medal. He joins Mona McSharry, who won her title in 2017 before going on to win a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. And the Galway man credited his coach John Szaranek for getting him through Tuesday's semi-final and Wednesday's finale. He added: 'The race went really well. "I was just holding on for dear life towards the end, but we got the hand on the wall first and that's really all that matters. Daniel Wiffen reveals 'crazy' interaction with fans after Olympic gold medal "The strategy, that my amazing coach put in to place, was we had to be out with the guys. "They were out so much quicker than me last night and you know they were beating me to the first 50m. "As long as I went with them, I knew I had a chance to come back quicker than they did. "That's exactly what happened, so [it was] all part of my brilliant coach's strategy!'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
'There are areas we can hurt them' - Stephen Bradley aiming to sink Azores islanders
On one of the nine volcanic Azores islands, Shamrock Rovers will aim to cause a Conference League tremor. Stephen Bradley's side have the European pedigree of two league phase involvements over the past two years but they're up against a side that finished fifth in last season's Primeira Liga. Both Rovers and Santa Clara have come through the qualifying series via the main route but the identical league phase ticket dangling for Shelbourne against Linfield is there for the taking. Recovering from a first-leg deficit to dismantle Kosovan outfit FK Ballkani last week 4-1 on aggregate is another portent for the Hoops to take into the tie. They've trekked all the way to the 1,500km coast, into typically continental temperatures, for this first leg at the 12,500-capacity Estadio de Sao Miguel. 'You have to look at both the European and the domestic games, to see what differences there are in those games, why they've won certain games and lost others,' said Bradley who dispatched his former goalkeeper Alan Mannus to watch his opponents in action against Larne last week. 'It's fine margins. You look at their league defeat on Sunday (against Moreirense) and Santa Clara had chances to win the game. 'Yet their style doesn't change. They have a very clear way and identity of playing. At the top end of the pitch, they have speed and are good. So whichever way you look at it, it's a tough game. 'They are a dangerous attacking team but there are areas we feel where we can go and hurt them also. It's a tough game, but one we're very much looking forward to.' Bradley has again left Ireland international Jack Byrne behind. Despite enjoying several years of success together, that relationship imploded following a row ahead of the recent league game against Derry City. Corkman Matt Healy has taken the mantle as chief architect in midfield, with Aaron McEneff flanking and Graham Burke further in attack supporting the in-form Rory Gaffney. Just one injury absence, albeit in bizarre circumstances, to report. 'Connor Malley hurt his knee against Ballkani when he set up Rory Gaffney for the second goal,' explained Bradley. 'It's a strange one. He kicked the ground when he passed the ball so that will put him out for a couple of weeks. It's a pity as Connor was really getting up to speed since joining from Sligo recently.'
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Arsenal set to hijack Tottenham's move for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze
Arsenal are set to hijack north London rivals Tottenham's pursuit of Eberechi Eze as they await news on Kai Havertz' knee injury. As late as Tuesday Spurs appeared to be in the driving seat for the forward, with talks progressing over a deal for the 27-year-old. However, the PA news agency understands the Gunners are now exploring a move, with reports suggesting the England international prefers a switch to Mikel Arteta's side. Arsenal could be set to beat north London rivals Tottenham in the race to sign Eberechi Eze (John Walton/PA) Their interest has accelerated after Havertz was forced off in Sunday's victory over Manchester United, although sources insist it is still too early to give a prognosis on the Germany international. Eze, whose £68million release clause expired on Friday, played 84 minutes of the weekend draw at Chelsea and trained on Wednesday ahead of Palace's Conference League play-off at home to Fredrikstad, with head coach Oliver Glasner insisting he and captain Marc Guehi, a target for Liverpool, would start the European tie. 'Before Chelsea I think many of you were surprised that Marc and Ebs started and played almost the whole game,' he said. Eze is set to start the Europa Conference League play-off on Thursday (John Walton/PA) 'Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours. But again, they are committed.' Eze was released by Arsenal as a 13-year-old.
