Munster sauntered to victory against Racing in Paris this afternoon: running in four tries to win 32-7. For Munster, it was a troubling return to the city in which the great Anthony Foley passed away, with Ronan O'Gara and Racing paying tribute to Foley's memory before kick-off.
No 10 Legend in North 8 Legend's jersey... Munster Abú #racvmun pic.twitter.com/mIIpmUgtyu
— Liam Toland (@LiamToland7) January 7, 2017
On the field, however, Munster paid tribute to their late coach by delivering a ruthlessly clinical performance, with Man of the Match CJ Stander running in one of Munster's four tries. As good as Munster were, a much-changed Racing side proved to be most hospitable hosts, and - given that they are the French champions - proved to be extremely poor opposition.
Afterward, a dejected Ronan O'Gara fronted up to the Sky cameras, and delivered a cutting and brutally honest post-match interview to Sky Sports. O'Gara praised Munster highly, but was fiercely critical of his own side. O'Gara said that Racing's preparation wasn't good enough, saying that "we are lacking detail in our game, and probably not fit enough".
He agreed that Racing are suffering a hangover from last season, going on to say that they lack subtlety in their game plan, having been schooled up front and in the kicking game by their Irish opponents. Most intriguingly, O'Gara questioned Racing's recruitment policy, citing the youth in the Munster team as the counter-point to his own squad.
When asked if he's looking forward to the return to Thomond Park with Racing, here's what he had to say:
The scary thing from our point of view is that we have to go to Thomond Park. That could be...on today's performance, beyond embarrassing.
After that? Not at all.
Watch the interview in full below:
Ronan O'Gara interview
Given the ongoing farce surrounding Johan Goosen, all is not well at Racing.
