Bernard Jackman: Munster lineout issues extend beyond hooker

Bernard Jackman believes Munster's lineout issues are a result of more than just poor throwing, after their set-piece was dismantled by Connacht at the Sportsground on New Year's Day.

The province's lineout has blown hot and cold so far this season, with their success rate of 81% ranking 13th out of 16 teams in the URC.

What had been a mild concern earlier in the season has now been exposed as a major flaw, with Graham Rowntree's side picked apart by a Connacht pack whose lineout defence has been the best in the league over the last season and a half.

Munster won just 10 of their 16 throws in Monday's defeat at the Sportsground, but that retention rate of 62.5% could have been even lower, with three of Munster's 'successful' lineouts falling back on their side having initially been disrupted.

While the lineout problem has come to a head in recent weeks, a lengthy injury list can be partly blamed, with three hookers, and seven second/back rows currently out injured, which has caused serious disruption to their teamsheet.

When lineouts go wrong, the hookers always end up being the face of the problem, but Bernard Jackman says Munster's lineout problems run throughout the side, from the throwing, to the play-calling, to the jumping and lifting, and even as far down as the coaching.

"It's not just Buckley's fault or any of the hookers," he told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

"There's a serious lack of confidence in that Munster lineout, a serious lack of smarts..."