Perfect time for Red's rising
THE Ireland squad's brainstorm session in Enfield a year ago is now regarded as a seminal event in the history of Irish rugby - a Magna Carta moment that proved to be a launch pad for 12 months of unprecedented achievement.
Ireland, adjusting to a fresh coaching regime, had just toiled through a difficult November series while a Munster second/third string had produced a wonderfully combative and skilful performance which very nearly caught out a shell-shocked All Blacks side at Thomond Park.
And in that Co Meath retreat, Leinster full-back Rob Kearney brought up the awkward issue of the Munster players transferring their legendary, long-established spirit to the green jersey.
After some initial bristling, Kearney's concept was embraced and the upshot was a 10-match unbeaten run in 2009, incorporating a first Grand Slam in 61 years and victory over world champions, Tri Nations title-holders and Lions conquerors South Africa.
reverse
Now, after a heady November, the focus has switched back to the provinces and as Munster face into Friday's critical clash with Perpignan at Thomond Park, it is possible to do an 'Enfield flip' and look for a reverse transferral from green to red.
Munster had seven members of the squad that downed South Africa in their 22 for last weekend's Magners League trip to Ospreys but, while their Irish contingent helped them achieve periods of dominance, the league champions were ultimately undone by two yellow cards and missed penalties.
Not the ideal preparation for the visit of the Top 14 champions but Friday's encounter in front of a packed, vociferous Thomond crowd -- rather than a two-thirds empty Liberty Stadium -- is just the sort of occasion to stoke the fires.
Too much has been made of Munster's inconsistent early-season form. Yes, they have lost four from eight Magners League matches and have more teams above than below in sixth position.
But they are still only three points behind table-toppers Glasgow and, with the top-four play-off system in place this season, that hardly constitutes a crisis.
Similarly in Europe, Munster may have lost their opener at Northampton and struggled initially at home to Treviso, but they are still in control of their European affairs at the summit of Pool 1.
This season has been an adjustment for the two-time European champions as, for the first time, they came into it playing second fiddle to Leinster.
Though Michael Cheika's men have had their hiccups also, there is a swagger and self-assurance about them this campaign, founded on their Heineken Cup glory last May and accentuated by the emergence of youngsters such as Jonathan Sexton and Cian Healy alongside their established stars.
However, the potency that resides in the Munster ranks was amply demonstrated last month when Ireland's performances were bedrocked by hard-edged southern experience.
Jerry Flannery and John Hayes went into the series woefully short of match time but battled away magnificently, helping hugely in the development of Cian Healy alongside them.
Second-rows Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan dominated both the Australian and Springboks second-row partnerships, while David Wallace faced down two of the game's premier exponents of open-side play.
Tomas O'Leary (who made the BBC's British and Irish team of the month) was an excellent, physical conduit between backs and forwards while Keith Earls, brimming with self-belief since the Lions tour, had a superb November in the unfortunate absence of Luke Fitzgerald.
Which leaves the pivotal figure of Ronan O'Gara. Sexton's emergence last month placed unaccustomed pressure on the Munster out-half, while last Saturday's missed kicks against the Ospreys did not help the situation.
However, when a rusty Ireland side were still finding their way after an eight-month lay-off, O'Gara's was the central contribution as Declan Kidney's men fought back to earn a draw against a talented, battle-hardened and motivated Wallabies outfit.
Friday is the perfect time for the various pieces of Munster's jigsaw to fall into place. Perpignan are just the type of opponents to stoke the fires of team and supporters -- a big, bruising French side arriving to dole out some punishment to the Paddies, a scenario that has always brought the best out of Munster dating back to the time of Peter Clohessy and Mick Galwey.
Perpignan go into the match on the back of a comprehensive 29-3 win over Montpellier and, after ending a 54-year wait to be crowned domestic champions, they see Europe as the next, natural challenge.
They also see Munster as vulnerable -- even in their famous Limerick fortress -- and rested some of their main men last weekend in preparation for a full-frontal assault at Thomond Park.
Munster will need to secure their set-piece ball, control their discipline, match their opponents at the breakdown, click in midfield and take their scoring opportunities.
That may sound like a lot but it is nothing this side has not achieved before against Europe's finest, with the spine of the team showing they can do it against the world's finest.
It has been a stuttering start to the season by Munster -- nobody can dispute that -- but they are still in the mix in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup, and Friday night's encounter is just the type of contest to inspire a return to form.
No better time to kick on. . .
- Hugh Farrelly
Irish Independent
