Brian O'Driscoll believes the decreased quality of foreign players is hampering Munster's cause in comparison to bygone years.
The Ireland legend was guest presenting on Off The Ball tonight and gave his insight on the importance of having the right quality players.
"Comparatively to the great Munster teams - with the greatest respect to the team in the last two years and the team this year - I don't think they're anywhere close to that great Munster team that we saw for seven, eight, nine years throughout the 2000s," said Brian, who added that he was "surprised by the manner of the defeat" against Saracens.
"In the past Munster had brilliant signings where they'd quality players who bought into that Munster ethos. The Rua Tipokis, the John Langfords, the Dougie Howletts and when you look at a teamsheet, they were the first guys on the team. Whereas now, you look at the names that are overseas players and BJ Botha hasn't had his greatest season, Pat Howard and Andrew Smith in the centre ... CJ Stander has come in and he's been good in parts throughout the season, but nothing on the names that I talked about before. So they're trying to marry their academy with these overseas guys but the calibre of overseas player definitely isn't as good as it was in previous years."
Listen back to the full interview via the podcast:
Speaking about the carrots used to attract overseas players, Brian gave an example from his own career when he had a meeting with Leicester Tigers' Director of Rugby Dean Richards, who trumpeted the lustre of silverware.
Brian also feels Munster are missing second row Donncha Ryan in particular.
"They've missed Donnacha Ryan enormously this year. I know Dave Foley has stepped up to the plate in some games and gotten some caps for Ireland but Donnacha Ryan brings Munster to Munster," said Brian, who also recalled just how difficult to play against his former Ireland colleague Jerry Flannery, who is now part of the coaching ticket at Munster.
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