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WNR: Does changing Munster's attack coaching make sense?

After Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery rejected new contracts at Munster, Wednesday Night Rugby dis...



Rugby

WNR: Does changing Munster's attack coaching make sense?

After Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery rejected new contracts at Munster, Wednesday Night Rugby discussed whether the change in the coaching setup might benefit them.

Former Leinster player Liam Toland spoke to us about the situation in Limerick, where it has been confirmed that two of their coaches are leaving at a crucial time of the season.

"There are a lot of building blocks as to where Munster, Leinster have got to. Clearly, management of the professional team is an enormously important one.

"Preseason, in the modern era, is split up into two. Your players who were part of the Irish squad and who need a rest; who are never quite hitting the entire preseason. Then you have the rest of your squad.

"I know Dan McFarland came in late - it does happen and teams can be successful - but it's best to have your coaching team sorted early.

"How ruthless is Johann van Graan? Is he driving it?"

Toland also wanted to know the chronology of events regarding the departure of the two coaches, as it is indicative of the state of affairs at the province currently.

"I don't know if the two coaches came in and said 'we think we need to move on...' but it could be that Johann van Graan saying that he wants to make changes, and that he could not say how they changes are going to be, but that they need to start looking around - that could have been the case, too."

Ruaidhri O'Connor also joined us in studio, and gave an insight into the situation at Munster behind the scenes.

"If Johann van Graan gets this right, then this could be a great moment in the history of Munster; that he turns this adversity into opportunity.

"If it was a ruthless decision to move on from Flannery and Jones, then we would have heard about in December, and they would have thanked him and said 'good luck'.

"There certainly hasn't been any sense on the market that they have been out looking to get another forwards coach. It has been very clear that they wanted to add another man in - to compliment what they already had."

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