Stephen Larkham argues criticism of Munster style of play ‘misinformed’

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The outside noise around Munster’s brand of rugby may increase in volume but, as always, Stephen Larkham breathed calm when questioned by the media on Wednesday, saying much of the critics were misinformed.

Since the dazzling bonus points win over Wasps when a dozen members of the match squad, including five from the starting line-up, made their debuts, Munster have managed to score five tries in the next four games .

Between a few characteristic tussles with Castes there was a 10-8 loss to Connacht and a 14-man comeback victory at home to Ulster, but that was in stark contrast to the relatively free and offense that won Connacht, Leinster and Ulster attacking bonus points in their matches last weekend.

“I think we have to be realistic when we look at our game and know that we are not the team that hits the most in our games. I know we’ve been criticized for kicking too much in the past, but the stats just don’t add up,” Larkham said.

“We think we have a very balanced game. We are playing a game that we want to play. We believe that when there is an opportunity on the table, we would like to think that we are going to take that opportunity. I think we have a very solid game and I think we are improving.

“I’ve spoken to you a few times this season, and I think we’ve definitely improved and we’re still improving. We’re looking for improvement every week. Some weeks the game doesn’t play out because of the conditions or the weather. umpire, or different circumstances. But we certainly have enough variety in our game.

“I could probably add to those specific questions, but when you say in general that we don’t have the best game, I think that’s misinformed.”

Addressing the last four games specifically, Larkham said: “If you look at our previous four games, some of the runs in those four games haven’t been great and we put our hands up and said we have to be better.

“I would say that in other games the referee made questionable decisions that made it very difficult for us to have any luck. And then recently we had some really good runs and some really good performances. Maybe the scoreline doesn’t reflect how well we’ve played in the last two games, I think.

Munster halfback Jack Crowley takes a break during the Heineken Champions Cup game against Castres at Stade Pierre-Fabre. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Jack Crowley’s full Champions Cup debut at Castres last Friday would have been invaluable in the 22-year-old’s progression after being deprived of so much rugby for the past two years. He landed all four of his kicks on goal and showed his innate ability to attack the winning line.

“It’s a natural part of his game. His basic skills in five-eights, kicking, passing, game control – they were top notch at the weekend,” said the multi-decorated Larkham, himself one of the best runners the game has ever seen.

“He’s always had that natural element in his game, that natural instinct to carry the ball and carry it well. It’s not something we have to necessarily encourage.

While Joey Carbery has made good progress since the fractured elbow he suffered at the end of that victory over the Wasps, he is still not back to full training, despite being ruled out last week. Ben Healy is available again, thus leaving Van Graan and Larkham. with a decision of ’10’.

“All of this will come out on Friday,” Larkham said. “I think that he [Crowley] had a very good performance and there is no doubt about it. There are a number of young No. 10s here pushing for the starting position and they are all training and pushing extremely well.

It is likely that Healy will be restored.

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