Live

Repeat: Off The Ball

10:00 PM-12:00 AM

Repeat: Off The Ball
Advertisement
Rugby

'The more depressing defeat of the weekend was Munster'

Keith Wood believes Munster and Leinster can still make it out of their Champions Cup groups desp...



 'The more depressing defe...
Rugby

'The more depressing defeat of the weekend was Munster'

Keith Wood believes Munster and Leinster can still make it out of their Champions Cup groups despite the setback of defeats at the weekend.

The former Ireland captain and the Irish Times' Gerry Thornley joined us on Wednesday Night Rugby and Wood was still cautiously positive about both provinces' chances.

"I still think it's possible for [Munster] and I still think the same for Leinster. It's possible for all but unbelievably hard. When you see the quality of some of the play that was on last week from some of the teams against the Irish teams, this is not a foregone conclusion in any way, shape or form," said Wood.

He also felt that Munster's defeat to Clermont was the most disheartening of the two, which Gerry agreed with.

"For me, the more depressing defeat of the weekend was Munster because of the nature of the defeat," Gerry said, adding that he would like to see touch judges having more influence, given the offside issues in that game. 

Gerry also analysed Munster's issues at centre and the sense of impregnability which has been lost at Thomond Park.

Sean Cronin talks with Jimmy Gopperth ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

He and Keith also touched on the future of JJ Hanrahan with his Munster future reportedly on the line.

Keith believes Hanrahan gets "boxed out of games a lot" and mused whether the Northampton link is a case of "shadow-boxing". 

Gerry also feels that Hanrahan's face "does not seem to fit" as much this season in comparison to the previous campaign, although Keith said he does not like that phrase.

But Gerry also feels Hanrahan would be "better served" by staying put at Munster.

Meanwhile, Keith thinks Leinster have been "off the mark all season" as they look to bounce back from defeat to Harlequins.

But Gerry believes Leinster will put in a big performance in the return match at the Aviva this weekend.

The lads also discussed the issue of doping in rugby.

"I can tell you that for every single contract that you have in professional rugby, there is the most prohibitive and frightening articles in relation to doping and unless it's gone to the point of being so unbelievably undetectable and open, then I can't see that being the case at all," said Keith.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Rugby