Keith Earls and the number 13

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So Munster have named Keith Earls at outside centre against Treviso. This is now Earls' third match in a row where he has played 13 and looks set to continue this against Castres and Northampton. Given his past experience here for Munster, Ireland and Lions is he a certainty to play there against Wales?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Thomond wrote:He wouldn't be my first choice but give the kid a shot anyway. I hate all this talk of the next RWC. It's 3 years away FFS. Australia built their team in 1.5/2 seasons. It doesn't take as long as people think.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the RWC yet?

Indeed. I'd play the best 13. Which isn't Earls.

red_stag wrote:

Thomond wrote:He wouldn't be my first choice but give the kid a shot anyway. I hate all this talk of the next RWC. It's 3 years away FFS. Australia built their team in 1.5/2 seasons. It doesn't take as long as people think.

Agree with this entirely. Every single word of it.

Yep, me too. I think it's stupid now to be thinking of 2015. Around 2013/2014 we'll start thinking about it.

After the Lions. The Lions quite simply is going to disrupt our plans. September 2013, Kidney gets his thinking cap on about the RWC. In the meantime chillax about it.

Sean O'Brien and Conor Murray both did fine in RWC2011 despite debuts in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

By contrast our completely settled team floundered in the 2007 RWC

Here is the problem with a D'Arcy-Earls partnership. I will list them:

1) Zero creativity
2) Average defence
3) A great finisher who needs space - space he won't get especially with D'Arcy inside him
4) The back three will never see the ball
5) Handling issues
6) Both small - no big direct runner to match the opposition

If this is the partnership, I will literally tear my hair out. In no way will D'Arcy and Earls form a good centre partnership. How anyone thinks they can is beyond me honestly.

Who said D'Arcy gets picked? Earls has very good hands, I would question his decsion making at times in the centrew but his hands aren't an issue. Alos Ealrs is creative he just creates his own opportunities.

Thomond wrote:He wouldn't be my first choice but give the kid a shot anyway. I hate all this talk of the next RWC. It's 3 years away FFS. Australia built their team in 1.5/2 seasons. It doesn't take as long as people think.

No one mentioned the RWC? But since you did its probably worth mentioning that Australia lost to us, scraped past the boks and were beaten comfortably by NZ.

Back to Earls. He's not the best 13 now and he won't be in 3 seasons either.

Thomond wrote:Who said D'Arcy gets picked? Earls has very good hands, I would question his decsion making at times in the centrew but his hands aren't an issue. Alos Ealrs is creative he just creates his own opportunities.

Can you so me any examples of Earls showing good hands or creativity. When has he created opportunities against a structured and organised defence at 13?

Thomond wrote:Who said D'Arcy gets picked? Earls has very good hands, I would question his decsion making at times in the centrew but his hands aren't an issue. Alos Ealrs is creative he just creates his own opportunities.

Creating his own opportunities, yes I agree with that. He is talented. However, once again that is a fantastic trait to have in the back 3. In the centres you want to be able to create space for others. Earls hasn't had the best hands in the past honestly, he can be quite a nervy player at times. D'Arcy is likely to be our starting 12. If it is McFadden, the problems are still there really, as McFadden is also not a creative player. He will make things more solid however.

Rodders they got further than us and that's all that matters, you seem to be calling them a poor side but I would have taken 3rd in the world. Wales built a side in a season. Cave/O'Malley/Earls/Griffen would be my preference but somone new is in there so it's a good thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdkuVKAm15c

Note what position he is playing. So far, if we are all being honest, you have to say our best back 3 partnership was against England last year.

11) Trimble
14) Bowe
15) Earls

Like I said, if anyone should move inside, it should be Fitz.

9) Murray
10) Sexton
11) Trimble
12) McFadden
13) Fitzgerald
14) Bowe
15) Earls

I would be happy to see that team. Creative, solid, and very dangerous.

Thomond wrote:Rodders they got further than us and that's all that matters, you seem to be calling them a poor side but I would have taken 3rd in the world. Wales built a side in a season. Cave/O'Malley/Earls/Griffen would be my preference but somone new is in there so it's a good thing.

But there is going to be someone new anyway, it isn't like the coach has finally decided to blood a new centre. BOD is injured. His replacement should have been blooded before now.

Note how old it is. He has come on a lot since then. It's not a bad team yet you say Eals/D'Arcy or McFadden would be weak definsviely and McFadden and Fitz won't? I would like to see Fitz at 12 if he goes in the centres with Cave.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Feckless Rogue wrote:The fact is nobody knows who the best replacement for BOD should be. If Deccie goes with Earls in the Six Nations then so be it. Start him there in all 5 games. By the end we'll know if he's risen to the challenge or not.

If he does, happy days. If he doesn't, we try someone else in the summer. I'd like this midfield in the 6 Nations against Wales.

10. Sexton
12. McFadden
13. Earls

A completely different trio to the ones who faced them in the World Cup. We don't have anyone with the power of Roberts. But these three have loads of pace. The three of them are very fast. Let's see what trouble they can cause the Welsh midfield.

I'd actually be happy with that,in fairness I don't hate the idea of Earls at 13 but I just don't think it's going to be where he's best long term.I suppose the thing I'm fearful of is the D'Arcy/Earls combo,it's defensively average and creatively weak.Earls isn't going to get a chance to show off his finishing at 13 because D'Arcy won't create anything for him and our wingers will be inside 2 centres who don't create anything so things just get worse.

Won't Sexton be creating stuff

So the main issue then is the creativity of the 12. What about Paddy Wallace.

In the England game where Earls started at centre, he was one of the few backs to beat a defender (3 times). O'Gara was the other one (x 2).

And Rory, Earls threw double the number of passes that his opposite number, Tualigi, made, so he isn't the worst centre for passing!

Are England supporters complaining about how poor Tualigi is at passing?

It is just an example of him creating opportunities for himself, which Rodders asked for. I said D'Arcy/Earls are weak defensively. I said McFadden would add more solidity. Fitzgerald is known to be very solid, his defence is fantastic. I would much rather see Fitz at 13 than Earls. If people prefer Fitz on the wing, take out Trimble and add in Cave.

Also that may be an old video, and Earls have come along since then. His finishing is even better. His distribution? Eh, not so much.

I would have said Mafi created that opportunity.

Thomond wrote:Rodders they got further than us and that's all that matters, you seem to be calling them a poor side but I would have taken 3rd in the world. Wales built a side in a season. Cave/O'Malley/Earls/Griffen would be my preference but somone new is in there so it's a good thing.

I'm not calling them poor but they certainly didn't provide the template for world cup success and most of the winning sides have been together for 6-8 seasons and not two.

Wales had young players but also a nucleus of experienced ones like Jenkins, Jones, AW Jones, Roberts, Charteris, Phillips, Williams etc. in key positions. They certainly didn't build their team overnight.

England have been complaining about their centre partnership for years. Tuilagi is their bright hope at 13 but they have yet to find a 12. Earls may have thrown more passes, but what does that mean really? Stick me in an international game and I can throw dozens of passes. It is basics. Creating opportunities for other players is different. I do agree that Wallace starting 12 would be a good option for more creativity.

Sin é wrote:
So the main issue then is the creativity of the 12. What about Paddy Wallace.

The dummy and the kick? Pretty sure Earls did all that himself. Mafi created a bigger gap for him. Like a 12 should. Earls finished it.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Thomond wrote:Rodders they got further than us and that's all that matters, you seem to be calling them a poor side but I would have taken 3rd in the world. Wales built a side in a season. Cave/O'Malley/Earls/Griffen would be my preference but somone new is in there so it's a good thing.

But there is going to be someone new anyway, it isn't like the coach has finally decided to blood a new centre. BOD is injured. His replacement should have been blooded before now.

A replacement might have got a bit more gametime if Kidney wasn't concentrating on blooding a new outhalf.

Then the captaincy - Paul O'Connell injury was a problem. I'm not convinced sending out a crowd of greenhorns with Cullen as captain (inexperienced internationally as well) would have been a good thing to do.

That is ridiculous Sin. You can blood in two new players at the same time, it isn't rocket science. Or maybe ROG should have been starting this whole time instead and Ireland would be world champions by now with the best centres ever and everything would have been golden. Hmm..

Sin é wrote:
Won't Sexton be creating stuff

So the main issue then is the creativity of the 12. What about Paddy Wallace.

In the England game where Earls started at centre, he was one of the few backs to beat a defender (3 times). O'Gara was the other one (x 2).

And Rory, Earls threw double the number of passes that his opposite number, Tualigi, made, so he isn't the worst centre for passing!

Are England supporters complaining about how poor Tualigi is at passing?

Yeah Sexton will be creating stuff,just how many chances can our OH create in a game especially when the opposition know that whichever centre gets it is unlikely to pass so defending is easy.I'd like to see Paddy Wallace if he hadn't been out with injury for so long,I would have liked to see him get more chances over the last few years but Kidney has stuck with an underperforming D'Arcy.

Also beating a defender on it's own is fine but did anything come from it,you have criticised our backrow fro not offloading against Wales on another thread well how many offloads has Earls made?

Again throwing passes is easy although he still doesn't do it enough but are they good ones that's the real question?

Most England supporters feel that Tuilagi is by far the best 13 available to them at this moment in time,most/some/a lot? I don't really know the numbers Irish supporters feel that Earls is not.

Sin you are obsessed with Jonny Sexton....the lady doth protest too much I think. I bet you have a poster off him on your wall....

Cave is the answer at 13. A natural born 13, great awareness of what is going on around him, good hands, reads the game, good defence.

The question is who to partner him with. I think it should be McFadden because of his pace and quick feet.

Sexton, McFadden and Cave would be a partnership made in heaven and would take us through to the next RWC or at least until Madigan, Spence and O'Malley are ready.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That is ridiculous Sin. You can blood in two new players at the same time, it isn't rocket science. Or maybe ROG should have been starting this whole time instead and Ireland would be world champions by now with the best centres ever and everything would have been golden. Hmm..

Of course you can - just not a greenhorn OH and your captain who happens to organise the defence.

I'm surprised at an Ulster supporter not realising that. Isn't bringing through the young guns the raison d'etre for all the saffers in key positions in Ulster?

Sin é wrote:
I'm surprised at an Ulster supporter not realising that. Isn't bringing through the young guns the raison d'etre for all the saffers in key positions in Ulster?

I thought the 'raison d'etre for all the saffers' was to help us win silverware the way Howlett, Tipoki, Williams, Mafi, De Villiers etc. did for Munster.

Sin é wrote: Isn't bringing through the young guns the raison d'etre for all the saffers in key positions in Ulster?

Now you're just wumming,primarily the saffers are there because they improve Ulster as a team.The fact that young players can learn from them is a great bonus but it's not the main purpose of having them at all.
Is BJ Botha at Munster just to bring through the young TH props or is it mainly because your scrum needed strengthening?

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Won't Sexton be creating stuff

So the main issue then is the creativity of the 12. What about Paddy Wallace.

In the England game where Earls started at centre, he was one of the few backs to beat a defender (3 times). O'Gara was the other one (x 2).

And Rory, Earls threw double the number of passes that his opposite number, Tualigi, made, so he isn't the worst centre for passing!

Are England supporters complaining about how poor Tualigi is at passing?

Yeah Sexton will be creating stuff,just how many chances can our OH create in a game especially when the opposition know that whichever centre gets it is unlikely to pass so defending is easy.I'd like to see Paddy Wallace if he hadn't been out with injury for so long,I would have liked to see him get more chances over the last few years but Kidney has stuck with an underperforming D'Arcy.

Also beating a defender on it's own is fine but did anything come from it,you have criticised our backrow fro not offloading against Wales on another thread well how many offloads has Earls made?

Again throwing passes is easy although he still doesn't do it enough but are they good ones that's the real question?

Most England supporters feel that Tuilagi is by far the best 13 available to them at this moment in time,most/some/a lot? I don't really know the numbers Irish supporters feel that Earls is not.

So, the main issue seems to be with the inside centre position. Tuilagi is lucky he isn't trying to fill in for Brian O'Driscoll. No one is ever going to be as good as him.

As for the offloading - Geordan Murphy is the only back who offloaded (probably because he hasn't really got the legs anymore).
For the record, Leamy was the best for offloads that day (2), Flannery & Ferris 1 each. Thats the sum total. England were worse though. The Hask managed 1.

There is a fair few Irish supporters who think the No 13 jersey should be retired - no one will ever be good enough. They need to cop on to themselves.

If Pienaar can do half the job improving Marshall that Botha has done with Archer, then... erm... actually, forget it.

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:
I'm surprised at an Ulster supporter not realising that. Isn't bringing through the young guns the raison d'etre for all the saffers in key positions in Ulster?

I thought the 'raison d'etre for all the saffers' was to help us win silverware the way Howlett, Tipoki, Williams, Mafi, De Villiers etc. did for Munster.

I know why we had/have them. Munster won their first HC in '06 with none of those listed. We won nothing with Williams - but we kept him as a coach for our first win.

We won nothing with De Villiers.

But we did win with Halstead, Payne, Howlett, Mafi and Tipoki whats your point.

Sin é wrote:
So, the main issue seems to be with the inside centre position. Tuilagi is lucky he isn't trying to fill in for Brian O'Driscoll. No one is ever going to be as good as him.

As for the offloading - Geordan Murphy is the only back who offloaded (probably because he hasn't really got the legs anymore).
For the record, Leamy was the best for offloads that day (2), Flannery & Ferris 1 each. Thats the sum total. England were worse though. The Hask managed 1.

There is a fair few Irish supporters who think the No 13 jersey should be retired - no one will ever be good enough. They need to cop on to themselves.

Yes the main issue is the 12 shirt but unfortunately Steddie Deccie won't make a change there so there's nothing to debate.
I don't agree with that there are plenty of players that will be good enough I just don't think Earls is one of them.He does however have the potential to be a legend at wing.

I don't see where we have greenhorn players- Sexton and Earls are now experienced international players. Then we have D'Arcy and Wallace, and O'Gara in the mix. Lots of experience there to allow us to bring in a Cave or a McFadden if needed.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote: Isn't bringing through the young guns the raison d'etre for all the saffers in key positions in Ulster?

Now you're just wumming,primarily the saffers are there because they improve Ulster as a team.The fact that young players can learn from them is a great bonus but it's not the main purpose of having them at all.
Is BJ Botha at Munster just to bring through the young TH props or is it mainly because your scrum needed strengthening?

So Ulster are trying to buy silver? Disappointed to hear that. That not going to help the national squad - no wonder Wigglesworth (an Ulster man I think) is up in arms.

The main reason BJ is here is because we needed a tighthead with a big scrummaging reputation to kills the fact that Munster are known for having a poor scrum. John Afoa is probably a better TH than BJ, but he wouldn't have done for Munster because he doesn't have as good a scrummaging reputation as BJ.

Notch wrote:I don't see where we have greenhorn players- Sexton and Earls are now experienced international players. Then we have D'Arcy and Wallace, and O'Gara in the mix. Lots of experience there to allow us to bring in a Cave or a McFadden if needed.

Agreed. Let's be adventurous and not predictable. And only coming to this thread now, I'm glad to find you all in agreement on Earls at 13...........................................................................!

Sin é wrote:
So Ulster are trying to buy silver? Disappointed to hear that. That not going to help the national squad - no wonder Wigglesworth (an Ulster man I think) is up in arms.

The main reason BJ is here is because we needed a tighthead with a big scrummaging reputation to kills the fact that Munster are known for having a poor scrum. John Afoa is probably a better TH than BJ, but he wouldn't have done for Munster because he doesn't have as good a scrummaging reputation as BJ.

Are you trying to say that Ulster employing foreign players is buying silver yet with Munster it's okay?

Notch wrote:I don't see where we have greenhorn players- Sexton and Earls are now experienced international players. Then we have D'Arcy and Wallace, and O'Gara in the mix. Lots of experience there to allow us to bring in a Cave or a McFadden if needed.

Now maybe, but not back a year ago. I was responding to Rory's comment that someone should have been blooded into the 13 jersey before now. My point was that with Sexton being new and needing and getting plenty of gametime, and POC being out injured, a year ago wasn't the best time to drop your captain so as to blood in his replacement.

That is happening now.

Sin é wrote:
Now maybe, but not back a year ago. I was responding to Rory's comment that someone should have been blooded into the 13 jersey before now. My point was that with Sexton being new and needing and getting plenty of gametime, and POC being out injured, a year ago wasn't the best time to drop your captain so as to blood in his replacement.

That is happening now.

The sad thing is we didn't need to drop our captain as he was still playing up to an acceptable standard,we needed to drop D'Arcy and it still hasn't happened.

Sin é wrote:

Notch wrote:I don't see where we have greenhorn players- Sexton and Earls are now experienced international players. Then we have D'Arcy and Wallace, and O'Gara in the mix. Lots of experience there to allow us to bring in a Cave or a McFadden if needed.

Now maybe, but not back a year ago. I was responding to Rory's comment that someone should have been blooded into the 13 jersey before now. My point was that with Sexton being new and needing and getting plenty of gametime, and POC being out injured, a year ago wasn't the best time to drop your captain so as to blood in his replacement.

That is happening now.

Good reasoning Sin é.. I agree. But, it isn't exactly a coacing choice to try out a replacement now either. It's a necessity. And if O'Driscoll was fit would the experiment be about to be tried out now either? I don't think so. And being honest, if O'Driscoll was really fit and therefore able to do his thing, hand up in the air, I'd be against replacing him. That's why, as I've said it before, sometimes injuries are what coaches are subconsiously crying out for. It puts a 'must' in the 'should' box.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:
So Ulster are trying to buy silver? Disappointed to hear that. That not going to help the national squad - no wonder Wigglesworth (an Ulster man I think) is up in arms.

The main reason BJ is here is because we needed a tighthead with a big scrummaging reputation to kills the fact that Munster are known for having a poor scrum. John Afoa is probably a better TH than BJ, but he wouldn't have done for Munster because he doesn't have as good a scrummaging reputation as BJ.

Are you trying to say that Ulster employing foreign players is buying silver yet with Munster it's okay?

Look, I was under the impression that one of the main reason why Ulster had so many top players in key positions (TH, Lock, SH) was to help bring through a group of promising young players.

I've just been told that no, they are here to win silverwear.

I prefer the 'bring through the young ones reason'.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:
So Ulster are trying to buy silver? Disappointed to hear that. That not going to help the national squad - no wonder Wigglesworth (an Ulster man I think) is up in arms.

The main reason BJ is here is because we needed a tighthead with a big scrummaging reputation to kills the fact that Munster are known for having a poor scrum. John Afoa is probably a better TH than BJ, but he wouldn't have done for Munster because he doesn't have as good a scrummaging reputation as BJ.

Are you trying to say that Ulster employing foreign players is buying silver yet with Munster it's okay?

Sin wouldn't do that!

Sin é wrote:
Look, I was under the impression that one of the main reason why Ulster had so many top players in key positions (TH, Lock, SH) was to help bring through a group of promising young players.

I've just been told that no, they are here to win silverwear.

I prefer the 'bring through the young ones reason'.

I tell you what Sin. To clear up the confusion ask yourself why Munster have Howlett, Mafi, Chambers and Botha on the payroll and the answer as to why Ulster have the 'saffers' is probably not too different

Sin é wrote:

Look, I was under the impression that one of the main reason why Ulster had so many top players in key positions (TH, Lock, SH) was to help bring through a group of promising young players.

I've just been told that no, they are here to win silverwear.

I prefer the 'bring through the young ones reason'.

Well I'd say you're deliberately trying to wind people up.You aren't stupid so you must understand that a player is there first and foremost to 'play' and they wouldn't bring in a foreign player unless they felt he was better than what they already had available in Ireland.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Now maybe, but not back a year ago. I was responding to Rory's comment that someone should have been blooded into the 13 jersey before now. My point was that with Sexton being new and needing and getting plenty of gametime, and POC being out injured, a year ago wasn't the best time to drop your captain so as to blood in his replacement.

That is happening now.

The sad thing is we didn't need to drop our captain as he was still playing up to an acceptable standard,we needed to drop D'Arcy and it still hasn't happened.

And replace him with who? Bear in mind that Sexton had to get used to O'Leary/Murray on the other side of him. With Luke & Kearney injured, Sexton was having to get used to a whole different group of players and be up to speed in a couple of weeks in preparation for a world cup.

Sexton will create things and keep the opposition defence guessing. And place kick perfectly. Earls will also pose a threat that the Welsh will have to keep an eye on. I'd prefer McFadden or Wallace to D'arcy at 12. The problem with the midfield in the World Cup is that Wales knew what they were going to do and could concentrate on stopping SOB and Ferris. And I'm sure we'll have done our own bit of detailed analysis on the Welsh after the disappointment of the last result.

We have the players to pose far more difficulty to the Welsh defence than we did that day. Heaslip is playing better now than he was then. Our back row will redeem themselves with a ferocious top class display that we know they're capable of. We'll get parity in the scrum and our lineout will dominate. Our younger, quicker midfield will get the ball they need from a dominant forward display, inspired by POC, and will put Wales to the sword. The Lansdowne roar will return with a vengeance and Welsh will be sent home dazed and confused, wondering what hit them.

You heard it here first folks. You can all bow and acknowledge my superior rugby prediction capabilities after the match.

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Now maybe, but not back a year ago. I was responding to Rory's comment that someone should have been blooded into the 13 jersey before now. My point was that with Sexton being new and needing and getting plenty of gametime, and POC being out injured, a year ago wasn't the best time to drop your captain so as to blood in his replacement.

That is happening now.

The sad thing is we didn't need to drop our captain as he was still playing up to an acceptable standard,we needed to drop D'Arcy and it still hasn't happened.

And replace him with who? Bear in mind that Sexton had to get used to O'Leary/Murray on the other side of him. With Luke & Kearney injured, Sexton was having to get used to a whole different group of players and be up to speed in a couple of weeks in preparation for a world cup.

Last season I would have picked Paddy Wallace.

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Look, I was under the impression that one of the main reason why Ulster had so many top players in key positions (TH, Lock, SH) was to help bring through a group of promising young players.

I've just been told that no, they are here to win silverwear.

I prefer the 'bring through the young ones reason'.

I tell you what Sin. To clear up the confusion ask yourself why Munster have Howlett, Mafi, Chambers and Botha on the payroll and the answer as to why Ulster have the 'saffers' is probably not too different

Howlett - because he is a great, great player. Its also excellent that when our key players are away on international duty that he is around to help guide the young ones and make sure we are competitive in the league. He has done his job well. The young ones have stepped up to the plate now that he is injured.

Mafi isn't exactly world class and has been with us since he was a kid. He also doesn't get international callups.
Chambers is a temporary signing - world cup cover.
Botha is with us for 2 years because we just lost John Hayes (through retirement) and Tony Buckley, our other TH because the IRFU were messing him around with his contract and didn't match what he was offered elsewhere. Mind you, its worked out well for us.

I was pleased Munster went for BJ because he is regarded as being a good coaching prop.

Sin é wrote:

Howlett - because he is a great, great player. Its also excellent that when our key players are away on international duty that he is around to help guide the young ones and make sure we are competitive in the league. He has done his job well. The young ones have stepped up to the plate now that he is injured.

Mafi isn't exactly world class and has been with us since he was a kid. He also doesn't get international callups.
Chambers is a temporary signing - world cup cover.
Botha is with us for 2 years because we just lost John Hayes (through retirement) and Tony Buckley, our other TH because the IRFU were messing him around with his contract and didn't match what he was offered elsewhere. Mind you, its worked out well for us.

I was pleased Munster went for BJ because he is regarded as being a good coaching prop.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

They are there because Munster need them in order to compete at the level they want to,anything extra is a bonus.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Now maybe, but not back a year ago. I was responding to Rory's comment that someone should have been blooded into the 13 jersey before now. My point was that with Sexton being new and needing and getting plenty of gametime, and POC being out injured, a year ago wasn't the best time to drop your captain so as to blood in his replacement.

That is happening now.

The sad thing is we didn't need to drop our captain as he was still playing up to an acceptable standard,we needed to drop D'Arcy and it still hasn't happened.

And replace him with who? Bear in mind that Sexton had to get used to O'Leary/Murray on the other side of him. With Luke & Kearney injured, Sexton was having to get used to a whole different group of players and be up to speed in a couple of weeks in preparation for a world cup.

Last season I would have picked Paddy Wallace.

So the lineout would have been O'Leary, Sexton, Trimble, Wallace, BOD, Bowe, Earls?

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Howlett - because he is a great, great player. Its also excellent that when our key players are away on international duty that he is around to help guide the young ones and make sure we are competitive in the league. He has done his job well. The young ones have stepped up to the plate now that he is injured.

Mafi isn't exactly world class and has been with us since he was a kid. He also doesn't get international callups.
Chambers is a temporary signing - world cup cover.
Botha is with us for 2 years because we just lost John Hayes (through retirement) and Tony Buckley, our other TH because the IRFU were messing him around with his contract and didn't match what he was offered elsewhere. Mind you, its worked out well for us.

I was pleased Munster went for BJ because he is regarded as being a good coaching prop.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?

They are there because Munster need them in order to compete at the level they want to,anything extra is a bonus.

Well, that is your opinion. I have mine which I have explained. I don't understand why you have a problem with it - but I'm not too bothered one way or the other.

From what I've watched, Munster would really struggle to score tries without Howlett , epsecially when their internationals are missing