SQUEAKY SCRUM TIME

Munster, Connacht and Ulster fight for play-off spots

- DEREK FOLEY

MUNSTER's erratic performances have many likely causes — and possible explanations.

Last season's URC champions started the season slowly and, in a surprising twist, parted company with coach Graham Rowntree at the end of October.

This was followed by Andy Farrell signalling a loss of faith in the Reds as only Jack Crowley and Tadhg Beirne started against New Zealand and Argentina.

Farrell then started just Beirne and Craig Casey against Fiji, bringing in the likes of Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Jacob Stockdale, Gus McCarthy and Cormac Izuchukwu for the ‘soft’ game.

By the fourth game, against Australia, Munster were reduced to one starting player, Leinster academy-trained Beirne; Connacht had three on the side.

Ian Costello and Mike Pren-dergast took the reins amid worries about falling gate receipts and the quality of the academy. The imminent retirements of Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony was soon in play.

Wins at bottom-feeders Dragons and Scarlets were followed by debilitating home and away losses to Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively, a win at Connacht and, latterly, a home defeat to Bulls.

Three losses in their last four has seen them drop to seventh —a bonus point against Bulls had prevented a drop to eighth.