The Munster captain tells GAVIN CUMMISKEYthat some commentators knocking Munster were ill-informed even when they were inside the camp

TONY McGAHAN nodded in agreement at the suggestion that the epic rugby year that was 2009 is partly to blame for the stuttering start to the present campaign. The taxing endeavours of Munster men in green and that different red hue has led to a chronic injury list and a dip in form.

But the worm finally began to turn on Saturday night in Thomond Park.

The stinger for McGahan is that, just as the team rediscovered their familiar, dogged stride to out-muscle an Ulster pack, including the beast that is Stephen Ferris, they lose every Irish-born front-liner, and a few reserves, to international squad training in UL this morning. See you in a month fellas.

Paul O’Connell took the opportunity to put a full stop to the notion of internal rifts, before delivering a stern rebuke to unnamed former players who stirred this all up in print and on the airwaves.

“A lot of it is uninformed comment,” said the Munster captain. “I mean, some of the ex-players who are writing were barely informed when they were playing with us, not to mention when they’re outside doing whatever they’re doing now.

“We’re our own harshest critics. We know where we are as a team. We know where we can be. We know how good we can be. How bad we can be. Sure it’s been a sluggish start and there will be other days when we’ll have to look at ourselves. But I think we’re going in the right direction now and tonight was a good performance.”

McGahan doesn’t seem the most forthcoming coach, but his vast knowledge of this game is instantly recognisable. Interestingly, he too had no problem elaborating on the alleged internal crisis.

“We can’t control what’s being put out there. The disappointing thing from Munster and the players and the whole organisation is that some former players out there making ill-informed remarks which are as far removed from the squad as they are. It’s disappointing. We don’t take any notice of it because luckily we don’t have people like that in our organisation. We criticise ourselves, we’re our harshest critics. We don’t need anyone to tell us if we’ve played badly. We certainly knew we were below standards.

“We weren’t a bad side and we’re not a great side tonight. We turn up every day, we live in the environment. We know what works and what doesn’t.

“We know that there’s great support out there, from the people on the street and who we talk to. We’re not going to let a small minority put cracks in what is an excellent organisation.”

The organisation’s captain was quick to compliment fifth-choice tighthead prop Stephen Archer for an honest, if flawed, shift.

“We could have signed a prop on a short-term contract but it’s great to see young local guys coming through who want to play for Munster.”

However, realism has set in, and McGahan confirmed they are actively in the market for a prop.

“We’re still in negotiations with the IRFU regarding signing a prop,” McGahan confirmed.

How they stand

PWDLFABPts

Leinster 750214584222

Glasgow 7412140110119

Ulster 7402140123319

Munster 7403113110319

Edinburgh 6402141106218

Ospreys 7313124105317

Dragons 630396103113

Scarlets 7205116140311

Cardiff 7205100135210

Connacht 72059519419