Win, lose or lose again, Munster Rugby need their fans to pay them back this season

And to think we wondered why Munster didn't get Bundee Aki or Charles Piutau in.

Munster laid their dire financial state bare in their June AGM. Last night, at the IRFU's Annual Council Meeting, further worrying details emerged. As we stand, Munster owe their union €9.4 million. Thomond Park is proving a millstone around their necks as the province's results have suffered and the rest of the country emerges from the recession slower than Dublin. Earlier this year, Munster were unable to pay the union €200,000 as part of the bulk loan they got to revamp Thomond Park. Next year, they owe €4.2m so the chances of them making that are fat. It's no wonder there have been no marqueé overseas signings. Added to the €4.2m, a further €500,000 is to be paid every year until 2027. Asked if he could see those payments being kept up with, IRFU chief executive Philip Browne admitted, "Probably not." The big problem for Munster - and they have many - is gate receipts. Only once last season - Leinster's visit on December 27 - was Thomond Park a 25,600 sell-out. The only other time Munster welcomed more than 20,000 fans was the Champions Cup game against Leicester Tigers. Getting humbled in Europe did not help matters at all. The province would project earnings on the basis of reaching the knockout stages of the European Cup each season. The fact that they fell well short last season is estimated at costing them €2m. People are quick to complain about performances on the pitch but what about off the pitch? Where are the Munster fans that roared them to glory in 2006 and 2008? That took up more than 60,000 seats at the Millennium Stadium? We are a nation of bandwagon fans. There is no denying it. If anyone contests that, just check out the interest our oft-ignored boxers receive during the Rio Olympics. Look how we become instant experts. There is hardly a sinner left on Munster's bandwagon. This team have delivered for the fans ever since 2000/01 when they finally began to believe they could contest with the best. Their fans went on the journey with them, choked down the heartache and basked in the glory when it finally arrived. As the second generation of Munster greats - Paul O'Connell, Marcus Horan, Ronan O'Gara, Doug Howlett, David Wallace and more - exited, one by costly one, the team played above themselves. Somehow they willed themselves to semi-finals in 2013 and 2014. A 2015 PRO12 final. The fans were there. Two years later and the fans are staying away in droves. Money is tight but this is supposed to be their team and their team needs them. For all those moments when their men played through the pain barrier, when they hit a ruck and dragged themselves off the blades of grass to pile into another, when they got smashed and asked for more. They need their fans to give them something in return - some faith. God, it's tough now but how about we get through this together.

Stand Up And Fight

By trying to appease fanbases in Cork and Limerick, Munster have chipped away at their identity. While Connacht have embraced the five counties in their province, Munster have wrung their hands about two and all but ignored the other four. Hundreds of thousands have been blown on doubling up on training bases in Cork and Limerick but thankfully that issues has been addressed and a flag planted at U.L. Another area Munster are guilty of is something that affects every province is the ring of steel that often exists in terms of the media. Ulster and Connacht are the most open to media requests but the traditional powerhouses of Munster and Leinster often stick to their rigid schedule - Player X, Y and Z this week, A, B and C the next week. The provinces should be getting out and letting the fans know they are just like them. They hurt on a Monday but are hopeful come Tuesday. They are human beings. Of course, the press will look for stories and seek to find interesting angles but they are also a conduit to the public. Munster is in desperate need of a next generation to step up. They need players with heart and players with skill. They need lads unafraid to speak their mind in the press and to each other. There are reasons to be optimistic next season, if you can ignore the financial elephant in the room. Munster are in a doghouse of a Champions Cup group but, providing they stay in the hunt, they should have three big games to look forward to. Hopefully they can get them all played on Saturday at 5pm. Rassie Erasmus is the new man in charge and captain Peter O'Mahony should be back. Rory Scannell and Johnny Holland look good, a few Munster players did well in the Ireland U20 team that did well in the World Championships and there is no World Cup to disrupt the start of the season. Salli, Earls, Zebo, O'Mahony, Stander, Foley, O'Donoghue, O'Donnell, Kilcoyne, Murray, Ryan. If Erasmus can keep most of his main men fit and find some gems - of the van der Flier, Ringrose or Dillane ilk - they should be a competitive unit. Munster won't be the best team in the Guinness PRO12 or Champions Cup next season but that has never stopped them before. They just need support. A lot of it. Tell a friend. Bring a cousin. Bring your mum.