Former Leinster and Scotland coach Matt Williams believes "small margins" are costing Munster from reaching past heights.
Munster were comfortably beaten 16-6 by Leinster in the PRO14 final, held in the RDS last Saturday.
Williams did stress however that not enough credit had been handed to current Leinster coach Leo Cullen, for harnessing such unrivalled success. Not to mention the conveyor belt of local talent coming through the ranks. Saturday's outing was Leinster's fourth PRO14 championship in a row.
"He just keeps producing winning teams." said Williams. "You have got to give him and Leinster credit for building a culture that delivers. They have a habit of winning."
“We are obsessed with bringing in foreign coaches in Ireland. Addicted almost. But when it’s one of our own that is excelling, we do the opposite. We give the credit to someone else. But Leo does not go looking for it either, which I admire about him.”
Williams on Munster
Soul searching may be the key for Munster's regaining confidence according to Williams. This was their sixth defeat in a row to Leinster. Williams however, didn't seem as concerned as Alan Quinlan was on OTB AM on Monday. In fact, it seems Munster could take a tip out of Leinster's play book.
"It has been a tough time [for Munster]. But you got to use as fuel for the fire," said Williams.
"Leinster used those hard times and those battles as fuel to get better over the years. I can guarantee you, that in the week running up to last week’s game, Leo was using those stories to not allow those standards to drop."
"Munster have just got to go away and think. The players have to take the responsibility for what they have done. The coaches have to think ‘ok this way of playing is not working against the better sides' .
"The difference between top and fifth in Europe is millimetres. That’s just how close they are. They have to keep fighting and keep going. But it’s not an easy journey they’re on."
While Munster feel down and out now, taking a step back to analyse where those extra percentages to their game lie will be key to bouncing back with vengeance.
Munster host Toulouse this Saturday in their European Championship last-16 clash. Meanwhile, Toulon travel to Dublin to face Leinster on Friday at the RDS.
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