As we nervously enter the more difficult games of the 2015 six nations, we down south are concerned about our beloved Munster. We have been slipping for a while, and this season has firmly put us back on our box. Put quite simply, Munster are finished and will be struggle for the forseeable future.

There are a number of reasons for our demise, and most are well documented. One is the dearth of talent available in the province. Especially up and coming. With the exceptions of Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, we aren't producing players of the required standard. An overhaul of the underage coaching, and structure is needed. It is now that Munster should be reaping the rewards of the Heineken cup successes of 2006 and 2008. The kids attracted to the sport by those 2 triumphs should theoretically be now knocking on the door, and making starting spots their own. The players we are producing are of the standard of decent Rabo Direct League standard, but being found out on the European stage. Which, let's be honest, is where Munster want to be playing their rugby. Mike Sherry and Cillian Sheridan do look decent players, but injury is hampering them, particularly Sherry. 2nd row seems to be throwing up a range of decent players, who inevitably fade away. Ian Nagle and Billy Holland for example. We're not producing decent backs, and this includes Keith Earls. He never gave the performances that the rave reviews merited. In this particular area, our recruitment drive has been appalling. But to be fair the expensive foreign imports weren't exactly keeping top class talent out of the team.

Which brings us to the next problem: money. There is none, and it is unlikely that there will be for a while to come. Upgrading Thomond Park has cost a pretty penny, and is still being paid off. Which would beg the question of whether it was necessary to bring the capacity up to 28,000? Bearing in mind that you would only be guaranteed at most, 5 full houses per season, with only home European games (including a home quarter-final) and the Leinster tie putting bums on seats. Bar the diehards, who is going to see, for example, Glasgow at home on a winters night? Certainly not full house material. All the time whilst the renovation was being paid off, the team was in nosedive arrested by the odd decent European performance. This gave people the impression that all was ok, and business as normal. After-all Munster never did well domestically while vying for European honours. Not even in the glory days. What money was there was wasted, and now the coffers are empty when replacements are badly needed. And all the while the rumours of relocating European games to Cork refuse to go away.

Recruitment has been woeful. Think Conway, Downey, Cullen, Dougal, Laulala, Tuitupou, Wyatt, Nick Williams. Need I go on? And now Tomas O'Leary is to return? Why? He wasn't good enough before, why is now? Having said that, Duncan Williams is beyond bad so re-enforcement was needed there. But O'Leary? His return coupled with JJ Hanrahan's imminent exit confirms that cash just isn't there. Exit an exciting game player, and enter a stale, one-dimensional former player. CJ Stander is currently a typical Munster player. Excellent in the Rabo, but unable to make the grade at European level. The jury is out on Copeland simply because he hasn't had a decent run-out as of yet. Yes, Ivan Dineen was promising against Sale, but again the bottom line is that Sale were terrible. Roughly about Rabo standard, which proves the earlier point.

One issue that hasn't been raised in the media as of yet, and is a dangerous topic due to his legendary status: Anthony Foley. Has he really proven his worth as a coach? The brutal facts would suggest No. To be blunt, he seemed the safe, cheap option at the time. Foley wouldn't ruffle any feathers, and his fee wouldn't be a problem. He has made some curious decisions regarding substitutes or lack of at times. The Hanrahan/Keatley issue is worrisome. From what I can gather, gametime was Hanrahan's major gripe. He wanted starts at number 10, and wasn't getting them. When you see Keatley's struggles at out-half this season, then you can imagine Hanrahan's frustration grow. The decision to allow Hanrahan leave and retain Keatley serves to highlight Foley's style as a coach. Out goes the dynamic, game changer, who is capable of producing a spark when needed, and the steady out-half is retained. This ties in nicely with the current game plan of ball retention and mauling scores. 'Up the jumper' was the term for it in the old days. However, that tactic has had it's day as plan A. It is still necessary at times to slow the game, and allow regrouping but not as a primary tactic. Also, box kicking from your scrum-half is not suiting the current team. It serves to immediately give possession away, and put pressure on an already overworked pack. I want Foley to succeed, due to his previous glory days for Munster. However, I'm losing faith with each passing game. The 'we play better when bitter' approach is also old school, and has been overused at this stage. What happens when the opposition don't wind you up?

Where to from here? It doesn't bode well. We need a hooker, a prop, a back-row, and out-half and up to four backs. Where are these players coming from, or more to the point where will the money for these players come from? The money is elsewhere, and one hopes that likes of Murray and Zebo don't have their heads turned by it. Maybe a call to Jim 'Seamus' Williams isn't a bad idea, with Mr Kidney coming in as his assistant. Or the other way around? Just a thought.