Former Leinster coach Matty Williams believes Munster need to stop living in the past, start their own brand of rugby and 'stop talking and start acting.'
Matty spoke to OTB AM following Munster's loss to Leinster in the Pro 14 semi-final at the RDS on Saturday afternoon. He believes that Munster have traded on past glory for too long and it is time for the setup to accept responsibility for their current position.
"We also have to put it in perspective: two semi-finals is not a disaster, it's not Ulster. But [Munster] are hanging in there. For me, the starting point for Munster and for any team is honesty. It is for them, and the whole organisation to get together and say 'where are we?' and to stop talking up the passion. Passion only gets you so far.
"This current side can't be living on the coat-tails of past generations. They have got to establish their own brand - and they need to stop talking about it and start acting it."
There are few better-placed to assess the province's side given Matt's experience as Leinster coach against Munster sides that were, by his own admission, savage opponents.
"When you played against Munster, they were ruthless. They would metaphorically put their foot on your throat. This was really tough rugby. That challenge that Munster generation set down for Leinster has created what Leinster is today, because Leinster rose to that challenge.
"That Munster group have to get back to their mentality. They turned up on Saturday and they were good, they were competitive. But the final score flattered them in the last minute. They have to go back and get that ruthlessness - that doggedness.
"They have enough talent there but they are not ruthless on themselves. Passing the ball into touch time and time again. In the two semi-finals, I reckon there might have been twelve, maybe fifteen, passes that did not find the person next to them. If you that once or twice in a game, it's not good. But to have that number in two semi finals then you've got real, real problems."
Matt was also keen to turn his attention to one of the Munstermen's opponents, who he believes should be on his way to them next season. Joey Carbery has recently been linked with a move to Ulster, but there may be a better fit.
"If I was Munster, I'd be offering him a bit of West Clare to come down because they need him! If I take my Leinster hat off, Joey Carbery needs to start and play.
"If he got a good offer, he should go. As much as that would break Leinster's heart - and I know Joey Carbery's heart at Leinster - it would be a very, very good move for him and a very, very good move for Munster."
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