Munster v Ospreys Team Selection

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:04 pm

Munster:
01 Marcus Horan
02 Damien Varley
03 BJ Botha
04 Donncha O'Callaghan
05 Donnacha Ryan
06 Denis Leamy
07 Niall Ronan
08 Peter O'Mahony (captain)
09 Tomas O'Leary
10 Ian Keatley
11 Simon Zebo
12 Danny Barnes
13 Will Chambers
14 Doug Howlett
15 Denis Hurley

Replacements:
16 Denis Fogarty
17 Wian du Preez
18 Stephen Archer
19 Paul O'Connell
20 James Coughlan
21 Conor Murray
22 Ronan O'Gara
23 Johne Murphy

Ospreys:
01 Duncan Jones
02 Richard Hibbard
03 Aaron Jarvis
04 Ian Gough
05 Jonathan Thomas
06 Tom Smith (Capt)
07 James King
08 Joe Bearman
09 Rhys Webb
10 Matthew Morgan
11 Richard Fussell
12 Ashley Beck
13 Andew Bishop
14 Tommy Bowe
15 Barry Davies

Replacements:
16 Mefin Davies
17 Cai Griffiths
18 Joe Rees
19 George Stowers
20 Sam Lewis
21 Tom Isaacs
22 Sonny Parker
23 Hanno Dirksen

Really pleased with this selection. A great mix of front liners and backup players.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:15 pm

Team ABOVE...!

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:16 pm

Yeah looks good, interesting seeing POM as captain again this time over Leamy, like it a lot.

Would prefer him at 7 though. Glad Barnes is still getting game time

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:17 pm

when's it on telly?

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:21 pm

It will be tough to win in Swansea but I think Musnter can do it.

Pete its on RTE at 18.30, Saturday

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:25 pm

The following players were unavailable because of international duty:

Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Dan Biggar, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric and Shane Williams are all with the Wales squad for the Wales v Australia game

Tom Habberfield, Will Price and Tom Prydie are with Wales Sevens

Eli Walker is playing in the Help For Heroes match at Twickenham

The following players were not considered because of injury:

James Goode - Back

Kahn Fotuali'i - Rib

Adam Jones - Calf

Ben John - Groin

Alun Wyn Jones - Foot

Gareth Owen - ACL

Nikki Walker - ACL

Paul James - Thumb

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:26 pm

red_stag wrote:It will be tough to win in Swansea but I think Musnter can do it.

Pete its on RTE at 18.30, Saturday

And S4C in Wales SUNDAY at 16:15

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:26 pm

What a ridiculous international game. I think Ospreys are missing a chance for a tough test of their team ahead of a Sarries back to back - not their fault mind you.

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:31 pm

maestegmafia wrote:
red_stag wrote:It will be tough to win in Swansea but I think Musnter can do it.

Pete its on RTE at 18.30, Saturday
And S4C in Wales SUNDAY at 16:15

Are you sure? Dragons v Warriors is on Sunday at 16.30 on S4C

Headscratch

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:47 pm

The S4C website says

http://www.s4c.co.uk/rygbi/rabodirectpro12-en/?lang=en

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:47 pm

Johnathan Humphreys wrote:Any game against Munster is a tough one and this weekend will be no different. We've been involved in some really tight games against them over the years and there generally doesn't tend to be more than one score in it. We're expecting them to come over fully loaded with their internationals and they'll definitely be targeting this one so we're going to have to be at our best. There's no doubt about that.

"We've got a good record in the PRO12 this season, we've only lost the one game, but we're not kidding ourselves about where we are. We know that we've got to continue improving our game, working hard and find that clinical edge.

"That's not to take anything away from this group of players who have done so well. They've worked hard, they are playing for the cause and they've been getting results. This will be the toughest test for them yet, no doubt about it given the circumstances of the game, but they have shown already that they are prepared to front up and wear the shirt with pride. They are going to have to do that again on Saturday night, and hopefully, they'll be able to send our supporters home happy.

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:53 pm

Fair comments overall I would say.

by MMC Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:57 pm

01 Marcus Horan
02 Damien Varley
03 BJ Botha
04 Donncha O'Callaghan
05 Donnacha Ryan
06 Denis Leamy
07 Niall Ronan
08 Peter O'Mahony (captain)
09 Tomas O'Leary
10 Ian Keatley
11 Simon Zebo
12 Danny Barnes
13 Will Chambers
14 Doug Howlett
15 Denis Hurley

Replacements:
16 Denis Fogarty
17 Wian du Preez
18 Stephen Archer
19 Paul O'Connell
20 James Coughlan
21 Conor Murray
22 Ronan O'Gara
23 Johne Murphy

Interesting selection.
The backline looks superb, I must say. It's too bad that O'Dea picked up an injury late on as I'd nearly have him ahead of Howlett, who doesn't really need a warm-up game going into the HCup.

Murphy in the 23 jersey is the right call and I reckon it's a straight fight between him and Zebo for the 11 jersey next weekend. Hurley is the strongest fullback we have available IMO.

I'd imagine the halfbacks will get 60 minutes, giving our starting guys a 20 minute run-out ahead of the Scarlets.

The pack is where it gets a bit weird.

Firstly, why not start Archer? If we want to see where he's come since last season then why not start him against a prop of the calibre of Duncan Jones? Also, why risk BJB for 60 odd minutes of the game. Archer is one injury away from being our no.1 THP let's not forget.

The second row looks unbalanced to me with two 4s there, although Ryan is talented enough to do a job there. I wouldn't have risked POC either so I can understand McGahan's selection there.

Backrow looks good, depending on how POM adjusts to playing no.8. Judging on what we've seen of him so far I'd say it's well within his capabilities. Leamy at 6 is a very positive selection also. And while I've never been Ronan's number 1 fan I have to admit that he's the best option we have at 7 and has justified his selection there in recent weeks.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:58 pm

I agree and it is a great test for a young Ospreys team, missing many first choices.

This is the kind of clash though that makes the Rabo a great league...

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 12:59 pm

I'd be inclined to keep this 23 next week (different order though)

by MMC Fri 02 Dec 2011, 1:11 pm

I agree Stag.

One thing that's really pleased me in recent weeks is the battle between Horan and Du Preez. Both are playing some very good rugby.

O'Leary too is stepping up well to Murray's challenge and could even start against the Scarlets depending on what we see tomorrow.

The two Donn(a)cha's are another example. Pretty much right throughout the side there's genuine competition for places. And it's not that any two players are equally bad options, they're starting to play quite well.

When you consider that Earls is expected back in the next week or 2, Sherry too, Felix in the new year and Wally some time after that we could be in a worse position. I'd still question whether this may be a season too soon to win any major trophies but McGahan is slowly but surely building this side into one that will compete at the business-end for a few seasons to come. Kudos to him for that (and I've long been a detractor of his).

by Smirnoffpriest Fri 02 Dec 2011, 1:14 pm

Think that link for the S4C website is out of date (or the S4C website is as ever out of date) because it's got Ospreys Vs Ulster and Scarlets vs Leinster - yup just checked the date and it's from Sept 23rd.

Awesome

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 1:18 pm

MMC,

It is very very very hard to call Munsters best XV now. Our depth has been amazing this year. When Felix Jones, Keith Earls, Mike Sherry, Jerry Flannery, David Wallace get back from injury it will be a big boost.

Its been a very promising start to the year.

by Thomond Fri 02 Dec 2011, 1:27 pm

I'm loving this team.

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 1:35 pm

BTW MMC - I don't see any problems with out pack selection. I think every position is the right call.

by Breadvan Fri 02 Dec 2011, 2:08 pm

Going to be a tough one for this Ospreys team ( furious

to the WRU!) Shame Dirksen isn't starting, the guys a beast. Looking forward to it tho..

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 02 Dec 2011, 2:19 pm

For the injuries you guys have it's a good team, apart from Ronan in my view. I really think he is quite poor. Glad to see last week TOL's service sped up considerably, and I really, really, REALLLLLLYYYYY dislike the guy as a scrumhalf

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 2:22 pm

I hate Niall Ronan

I wish we'd just buy a backrow.

O'Leary isn't as bad as is made out. By the end of the season he is as likely to starting for Ireland as to be 2nd choice for Munster.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 02 Dec 2011, 2:25 pm

I think he is very bad. Granted I just said I am impressed with how he played last week and will keep an eye out this week.

I think his physicallity is overrated and not that useful for a scrumhalf. I think his basic skills (of a scrumhalf) are very poor.

I'd love if he continued to improve and put his hand up again for selection though

by MMC Fri 02 Dec 2011, 2:53 pm

I wouldn't say any of them are the wrong calls, maybe moreso that I just don't agree with all of them. I can see the merit in each one though. The only one I'd question would be risking BJB ahead of a crunch HCup game. To be honest though, I'd only be splitting hairs.

On Ronan, he annoys me at times. I'm forever in a state of panic when I see him passing the ball as most of them look like intercept passes! I don't hate the guy, I just don't think he's good enough. Would have loved to have seen Willem Alberts sign up with us but ho hum.

On TOL, I think he's much improved in the last few games. It makes me wonder how often we've seen him play while genuinely fit last season. I'd say not very often.

Pete, I agree that physicality is quite a way down on my list of priorities of what makes a good scrumhalf. In fairness to Conor Murray, yes he makes mistakes but he learns exceptionally quickly from them. His potential is there for all to see. A consistent run of games and the experience that that brings will do him the world of good.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 02 Dec 2011, 2:56 pm

I agree MMC, and more than that he has the big game temperement. That is something you can't train and for someone so young to possess that attribute is remarkable and very valuable.
Coupled to that is he is really well rounded as a player. He has a good pass, he makes good decisions, he can make a break, he makes tackles, his box kicking is very good, a very complete player

PS: This is re: Conor Murray

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 3:27 pm

Its on S4C 18:10 on Saturday

by ME-109 Fri 02 Dec 2011, 3:31 pm

Good selection, interesting to see POM at 8 but as destructive and capable from there as other positions. Clearly having a look at POM, Ronan, Leamy as a combination. Would be tough call on Coughlan if that is the picked backrow.

Really looking forward to seeing zebo, you tend to forget he is only 21 so plenty to come from him...a good game and he could be starting next week. Barnes at 12 is also an interesting if correct selection.

TOL is improving with every game. His passing has been very good and he box kicks less. Not sure if physicality is his only trait, in 09 his overall game was excellent and his speed off the mark is somethign else. If he keeps this up he will be possibly starting for Munster if not Ireland. He will make the Ireland squad at least.

by MMC Fri 02 Dec 2011, 3:40 pm

DOD,
I don't think Coughlan has had a good season. I know there was talk of him having some sort of illness for the Northampton game but he hasn't been anywhere near as prominent as he was last season.

He might being suffering from Jamie Heaslip syndrome though, where he was doing more of the "unseen" work while letting them Sean O'Briens and Peter O'Mahonys of the world take the plaudits.

Either way, based on this season alone I'd have Leamy and POM ahead of him at 6/8 on current evidence.

by ME-109 Fri 02 Dec 2011, 3:47 pm

Fair enough...he hasnt been as good this year for sure....

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:03 pm

BJ Botha is definitly the right call. We crushed Edinburgh's scrum last week. With Botha on we can crush the Ospreys one (I hope).

Bear in mind we have Roman "I like guessing games" Poite for the Scarlets match.

If he is going to make up his mind about which scrum is better before k/o let him see its the Munster one Very Happy

by MMC Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:13 pm

red_stag wrote:BJ Botha is definitly the right call. We crushed Edinburgh's scrum last week. With Botha on we can crush the Ospreys one (I hope).

Bear in mind we have Roman "I like guessing games" Poite for the Scarlets match.

If he is going to make up his mind about which scrum is better before k/o let him see its the Munster one

I saw that point made on MFans earlier alright. Makes a lot of sense. When Sherry comes back our scrum will only get stronger too. For me he's the 2nd best scrummaging hooker in the country, after Best. Just in time for Northampton in MK. Smile

by debaters1 Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:18 pm

I defended TOL when he was being attacked last season because he could do a certain job that was integral to both Munster & Ireland, namely a sweeper defender to cut out breaks through the first up defence and allow the scramble to, well, scramle. However, his basic SH job(s) got worse and worse and Deccie & Dumper pulled the trigger, and rightly so.

Then this season starts and it is more of the same from TOL, pure shoite. The, as if something clicked somewhere, he is (wrongly) thrown on for 20 mins against Leinster. And somehow while not being flawless, is no longer the accident waiting to happen. And then two more assured cameos in the HC and he is looking like his 2009 self again. Literally out of nowhere too. Excellent to see, and great knowing the older player has some form should Murray take a knock or has an off day. I think Murray will still be the starting 9 come the 6 Nations but having 4 actual options for Deccie to choose from is just excellent.

His experiance with Keatley at 10 could be useful and while it'll never really happen (ROG not being picked for the HC) a wonder performance from Keatley could put pressure on ROG for the starting shirt against Scarlets. Not likely, but you never know, and even a gamebreaking option to have as either a replacement for ROG or being brought in at 12. Options, options!!!! I am giddy that Munster (and Ireland!) have options!!!

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:31 pm

MMC wrote:I saw that point made on MFans earlier alright. Makes a lot of sense.

Seriously? Im only taking the pish.

by Morgannwg Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:32 pm

I would expect Munster to unload their bench at some point. No doubt they will be going all out for the win when Ospreys are without some of their big names to avenge the defeat at Thomond. Considering that, this isn't really a bad Ospreys team and one that could do a job on Munster. I perhaps would have started Dirsken and Parker though. Beck and Bishop have been an extremely ineffective midfield, Beck and Parker look threatening together though.

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:35 pm

They definitely will Morgan. O'Gara, O'Connell, Murray etc need game time ahead of next weekends HEC.

How will Jarvis and D.Jones fare in the scrum

by Morgannwg Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:36 pm

red_stag wrote:BJ Botha is definitly the right call. We crushed Edinburgh's scrum last week. With Botha on we can crush the Ospreys one (I hope).

I wouldn't bank on that. This front row crushed Biarritz' scrum. Jarvis has a big future ahead of him and isn't far off overtaking Mitchell in the tighthead pecking order. Saying that; James, Hibbard and Mitchell have also crushed Munsters scrums in the past, not too long ago though! I think how the ref interprets it will be more of a factor to the outcome.

by bluestonevedder Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:38 pm

some good youngsters in that Ospreys team. Sam Lewis on the bench is a real prospect. Was at university with him, and he played fantastically at the Welsh Varsity game. Best of luck to him too. Nice guy, and a hard worker.

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:41 pm

Morgan, cheers for info on Jarvis.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:42 pm

Ospreys have beaten all the other Irish teams at home this year

Ospreys 27 - 3 Leinster

Ospreys 32 - 14 Ulster

Ospreys 26 - 21 Connacht

As well they have beaten Munster and Connacht Away

Munster 13 - 17 Ospreys

Connacht 6 - 17 Ospreys

It would put them in great stead to be on the road to getting a full house

by Morgannwg Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:47 pm

No probs stag. I was actually suprised Jarvis didn't get called up for the Australia game when Adam Jones got injured because everyone knows Scott Andrews can't scrummage. steam

. Cai Griffiths on the bench has been a decent player, but only at this level. The squad isn't looking bad at all.

by Morgannwg Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:49 pm

maestegmafia wrote:

It would put them in great stead to be on the road to getting a full house

Would that be the first time one of us has achieved a full house against Irelands Provinces?

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:52 pm

Morgannwg wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:

It would put them in great stead to be on the road to getting a full house

Would that be the first time one of us has achieved a full house against Irelands Provinces?

I think it would, not positive but pretty sure.

home and Away over the mighty Munster would be a huge start though this weekend.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 4:55 pm

Morgannwg wrote:
red_stag wrote:BJ Botha is definitly the right call. We crushed Edinburgh's scrum last week. With Botha on we can crush the Ospreys one (I hope).

I wouldn't bank on that. This front row crushed Biarritz' scrum. Jarvis has a big future ahead of him and isn't far off overtaking Mitchell in the tighthead pecking order. Saying that; James, Hibbard and Mitchell have also crushed Munsters scrums in the past, not too long ago though! I think how the ref interprets it will be more of a factor to the outcome.

I thought Jarvis was English but it turns out one of his Grand Parents are Welsh... Yes he is a good prospect.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 5:02 pm

While on the subject, I think both those Ospreys Front rows are pretty decent. Not as good as Adam Jones and Paul James who took Munster apart in the HEC, (no offence Munster fans but they did), last year.

Cai Griffiths and Joe Rees are pretty useful, Jarvis and Duncan Jones have both had a great start to the year. Mefin Davies is still a very good hooker and Hibbard has kept Bennet out of the side for a few seasons now.

by red_stag Fri 02 Dec 2011, 5:05 pm

I would go as far to say that the scrums in the HEC were almost entirely the reason O's won such was their dominance. However we have learnt a LOT from that. In long run it will stand to us.

by Thomond Fri 02 Dec 2011, 5:06 pm

TOL's service in the last few games has been better than Murray in my opinion. A quicker pass with no step.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 5:23 pm

Aye and O'Leary will have fun with Webb a very talented young Osprey prospect. Tom Issacs on the bench as cover is quick but I dont think has shown the skill to challenge Webb. We are missing the samoan scrum half, Kahn Fotuali'i, through rib injury he picked up against Treviso.

Though i agree with many fans that he hadn't lit up the pitch as much as we hoped anyway.

Im not sure if you have heard about Matthew Morgan the diminutive imp at Flyhalf, but he is something special and has a hell of an ability to kick goals.

Pretty bloody cold over here lads so if your coming, I know a lot of you often do, then wrap up warm, and I recommend the steak slice at the Liberty, its brilliant.

by Morgannwg Fri 02 Dec 2011, 5:24 pm

Yeah fairplay lads it's freezing, but that doesn't stop the girls wearing mini-skirts and shorts when out on the town.

by maestegmafia Fri 02 Dec 2011, 5:30 pm

That is true...! And there are a few good pubs around for a pint. Not sure where the trendies and hotties hang out. Im a bit past all that...!

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