Munster's bid to retain their URC title has been revived in recent weeks with the victory against Connacht their seventh on the bounce in the competition.
Injuries had blighted the province for the majority of the campaign, but even when close to full strength they failed to find their form in an apparent hangover from their title success last summer.
That form left them too much to do in Europe, losing in the last 16 to an impressive Northampton Saints while off-the-field dealings had been a further source of disappointment.
Both RG Snyman and Antoine Frisch are set to depart at the end of the season, while the futures of Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray were subject to weeks of speculation before they signed on the dotted line.
Nevertheless, the URC has been Munster's sole focus and they have surged up to third in the table, just two points adrift of leaders Glasgow Warriors.
The wheels from Calvin Nash for the 2nd Munster try 😳 #MUNvCON #SUAF 🔴pic.twitter.com/WzWFlO7cOo
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) May 11, 2024
Graham Rowntree's side followed up an impressive brace of wins away to the Bulls and the Lions in South Africa with that 47-12 demolition of Connacht last Sunday and one aspect of their play has been key to their fine form.
Bernard Jackman likens Munster to Ireland after latest win
Munster's attacking philosophy has developed dramatically in a short space of time since Mike Prendergast came in as attack coach at the beginning of last season.
Naturally, that change of philosophy had teething issues as the club stepped away from the box-kick laden approach employed under Johann van Graan.
One common cricitism of Van Graan's philosophy was that it failed to utilise talented wings like Keith Earls and Andrew Conway, with both men often finding themselves on the periphery out wide.
However, Jackman has noted how involved Munster's wings - Calvin Nash and Shane Daly - have become in attack, likening their use to how Ireland boss Andy Farrell has employed James Lowe and Mack Hansen in attack.
Speaking on RTE's Against the Head, Jackman made the comparison after both Nash and Daly crossed the whitewash last weekend.
Obviously it is their second season under Mike Prendergast and they all look so comfortable," he said.
"It is very like how Ireland play with the wingers being very much involved; just the skillset and the ambition to move the ball.
"There is a real nice balance to how they play now. They don't overplay and they conserve their energy."
‘There is a real nice balance to their attack’ - @bernardjackman and @LenihanDonal are impressed by the variety in Munster’s play #rterugby #AgainstTheHead pic.twitter.com/12FssRbmAk
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 13, 2024
Fellow pundit Donal Lenihan expanded on Jackman's remarks regarding their evolution, noting how they have stopped overplaying the ball by adding variety to their attack.
The trip to South Africa - because they were playing altitude and were going to be sucking diesel - they had to find a way to slow down the game.
"So their kicking game became more important. Conor Murray and Jack Crowley were outstanding. So they didn't pass quite as much and they got massive results out of that.
"There is a variety to their game now and a better mix because earlier in the season they were guilty of playing too much rugby. They were going right and left across the field, stressing themselves but not stressing the opposition defence.
"They actually have a better mix to their game now."
Munster face a tricky trip to Edinburgh on Friday before they look to cement a home quarter-final against Ulster in their final game of the league phase.
Safe to say they will be eyeing up full points in both fixtures with their attack currently in full flow.
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