Munster and Ireland rugby legend Paul O'Connell has admitted that Munster "without a shadow of a doubt are the fourth team in the country now" and that fans will have to "have realistic expectations" as to what they expect from the side in the coming season.
Munster's first home game of the new Pro12 season ended in a disappointing loss to Cardiff Blues at Irish Independent Park. But speaking to Brian O'Driscoll and Ger Gilroy on Newstalk earlier in the day, O'Connell outlined that he was optimistic about the future of the province he led for many years - especially with the recent development of the Munster High Performance Centre which will house the senior team, academy and North Munster Domestic Game operations.
It’s a beautiful facility. I think it’s going to be very good for them. But the big thing has to be about strengthening the squad as well, and producing good players out of the academy, getting the recruitment right.
Hopefully things like the facilities will supplement that as well...(Munster) can really build here from a solid base.
O'Connell opined that the retention of Anthony Foley as head coach would make him "all the better" as a coach into the future with the province, but he insisted that he was content with his own current role engaging in "a little bit of mentoring, a little bit of advising" with younger players at the club.
When pressed by O'Driscoll that the appointment of himself and Ronan O'Gara would be a "Roy of the Rovers" management ticket for Munster fans, O'Connell stated that while he was "devastated to retire", he had been glad to "take a break from the game", saying that he enjoyed the aftermath of his retirement.
I don’t know whether it’s something that hits you further down the line and you start struggling, but I really enjoyed it. I think I retired at 35, I was happy enough to be retiring. I’d been battling injuries for a while and I didn’t have any 'what if's really, I’d given it all I could.
I’d been lucky enough to go to World Cups and Lions tours and things like that. You look at young Johnny Holland retiring at 24, or Felix (Jones) retiring at 28 - it’s probably tougher in that situation, but for me I have to say it wasn’t the end of the world.
O'Connell, who during his career was infamous for his detailed dissection of opponents' line-outs, did admit that "not being able to watch games in real detail" was a "struggle" - but said he didn't miss "having your whole mood for the week decided on a game" or the "ups and downs of the weekend".
Interesting insights from O'Connell, who while one of the most prominent Irish sportspeople is also one of the most private. O'Driscoll, meanwhile, has proved something of a revelation as a radio host. The most interesting point he made during the interview was that, following his career, "a little bit of me wanted to be missed, and you're torn between the team going well and the person that's replaced you not having the game of their lives".
While it's certainly not the same without the likes of O'Driscoll, O'Connell and O'Gara on the pitch, the prospect of the latter duo combining their knowledge as a coaching team is a mouthwatering prospect.
You can listen to the full 'Off the Ball' show below.
