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Shock Munster departures generate mixed emotions among fans
Munster made the surprising announcement on Tuesday evening that forwards coach Jerry Flannery and backs coach Felix Jones will leave the province at the end of the season.
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Both have been associated with Munster for a long time, having played for the club for the bulk of their careers, but have rejected new contracts offered to them to stay alongside head coach Johann van Graan.
Having made the PRO14 semi-final last weekend with a victory over Benetton, the timing of this announcement is bizarre as they are preparing for a May 18 clash away to fierce rivals Leinster.
Moreover, this decision has bewildered many fans on Twitter, particularly the departure of Flannery.
It seems clear that Flannery is highly regarded amongst Munster fans, who believe the pack has grown year on year since he took on his role in 2014.
The men in red have always been renowned for having a belligerent pack, and Flannery has upheld that status during his time as a coach.
Munster Rugby and the IRFU can confirm that Forwards Coach Jerry Flannery and Backline & Attack Coach Felix Jones will depart the province at the end of the season.
Full details > > https://t.co/W9hxvb3MsI#SUAF ? pic.twitter.com/2QZEEU847t
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 7, 2019
Conversely, the departure of Jones seems like a relief to many fans, who have witnessed their side grow toothless and blunt in attack over the past few years.
The precision and creativity of Leinster’s backs only highlights how little progress Munster have made in this department, and many feel that this departure is necessary to close the gap on their rivals.
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Despite making the Champions Cup and PRO14 semi-finals this season, the loss to Saracens in Europe exposed their deficiencies and the consensus is that changes must be made for Munster to join the European elite again.
With that being said, Flannery’s departure has still surprised many. This is what the Munster fans have said:
Best of luck to them both, great servants to Munster as players and coaches but we do now need something new to drive attack and creativity.
— Mcelsay (@mcelsay) May 7, 2019
Good luck to them n the future, wud of liked Jerry to stay but Jones needed 2go imo toothless n attack new voice needed
— ??ny (@TonyKB777) May 7, 2019
Best of luck to both. Have being calling for a change in our attack coach alright but think Fla has done a very good job and would have been happy for him to stay.
— John Fitz (@germanfitz88) May 7, 2019
Flannery is a bit of a shock, Jones I saw coming to be fair, he got a lot of slack, a lot of it fair, for how blunt the attack was of late. Could be an interesting summer.
— David O'Sullivan (@david13os) May 7, 2019
Tbh, I'm not too shocked to hear that Felix is going, but surprised to hear that it's both of them! A big upheaval yet again…
— Susan G (@SuGriff) May 7, 2019
I’m conflicted! Two great servants, but a change needed for sure, we’re falling further behind to Leinster each season. Best of luck boys @jerryflannery @FelixJones15 https://t.co/yEi8kNCBHV
— Donnacha O'Riordan (@donnacha_o) May 7, 2019
Saw Felix potentially, Jerry is a big surprise though @RuaidhriOC
— Eoin Byrne (@EoinB93) May 7, 2019
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Surprised by Flannery leaving, less so Jones. https://t.co/g7nsXvPb1m
— Colin McBride (@colin_a_mcbride) May 7, 2019
Felix not a huge surprise, Flannery is https://t.co/DdITJXmSaW
— John O'Donovan (@j_goddy) May 7, 2019
Meanwhile, this announcement has left Munster fans speculating what is next for the club, with Wales attack coach Rob Howley expected to join the province after the World Cup. Many believe that Flannery and Jones will team up with former Munster coach Declan Kidney at London Irish.
This has also opened the door for the slim possibility of the return of Munster legends Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara, although that seems more of a pipe dream.
READ: The RugbyPass take on what has been going on at Munster
With Munster losing two assistant coaches today, it's worth reflecting on this RugbyPass piece published in the wake of their semi-final loss to Saracens https://t.co/dD7IdvaXCw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 7, 2019
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments