Munster v Leinster

First topic message reminder :

Here we go again.

Travelling in hope but not expectation. Would be great to win this one, but I would settle for a LBP and no (more) injuries.

Apparently there is hope on Mike Ross and Jamie Hagan. No word on White. They usually release an injury update on Mondays at lunchtime.

Don't fancy facing DuPreeyahhh and Botha with Jack McGrath at th. It was a credit to him as a first year LOOSE head prop that he did not get injured in those scrums against some serious experience and power

wales606 wrote:Fed up of watching the Blues

Figured I might aswell start supporting Leinster.

Welcome aboard!

Was that the Blues starting team against Glasgow tonight?

Golden wrote:

wales606 wrote:Fed up of watching the Blues

Figured I might aswell start supporting Leinster.

Welcome aboard!

Was that the Blues starting team against Glasgow tonight?

Starting backline, very weak forward pack - we had a Hooker playing at 8 for a bit.

Wont make a difference next week though, even if Gethin, TRT, Filise, Tito, Paterson, Warburton, Rush and Pretorious were all fit - which they wont be.

Predicted score

Leinster 81 - 3 Blues (maybe 6 if Halfpenny gets a chance behind halfway)

Glasgow looking brilliant. They will trouble anyone left in the playoffs.
Really hope they make it. 1 loss in 15. Thats Championship form.

wales606 wrote:

Golden wrote:

wales606 wrote:Fed up of watching the Blues

Figured I might aswell start supporting Leinster.

Welcome aboard!

Was that the Blues starting team against Glasgow tonight?

Starting backline, very weak forward pack - we had a Hooker playing at 8 for a bit.

Wont make a difference next week though, even if Gethin, TRT, Filise, Tito, Paterson, Warburton, Rush and Pretorious were all fit - which they wont be.

Predicted score

Leinster 81 - 3 Blues (maybe 6 if Halfpenny gets a chance behind halfway)

Thats some injury list alright. Are they all ruled out for next week?

Golden wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Golden wrote:

wales606 wrote:Fed up of watching the Blues

Figured I might aswell start supporting Leinster.

Welcome aboard!

Was that the Blues starting team against Glasgow tonight?

Starting backline, very weak forward pack - we had a Hooker playing at 8 for a bit.

Wont make a difference next week though, even if Gethin, TRT, Filise, Tito, Paterson, Warburton, Rush and Pretorious were all fit - which they wont be.

Predicted score

Leinster 81 - 3 Blues (maybe 6 if Halfpenny gets a chance behind halfway)

Thats some injury list alright. Are they all ruled out for next week?

Warburton and Pretorious are out

Tito, TRT and Filse have been out for a while, if they are back they will be very rusty

Gethin and Paterson are recent injuries - I really hope they are fit.


If we have to play the pack that started tonight we will be crucified - We had a second row starting in the backrow, and a Hooker covering the backrow (I don't know who was covering the second row in the end)

Gibson wrote:Glasgow looking brilliant. They will trouble anyone left in the playoffs.
Really hope they make it. 1 loss in 15. Thats Championship form.

Would be nice to have Scotland represented alright but I wouldnt fancy drawing them in the playoffs even at in the RDS although i suppose there is no easy games at that stage in the competition.

Nice day for a sledging.

Can't wait for this one! To be honest, I'm supporting both teams, I don't mind who wins. Hopefully it will be a great game!

(and hopefully Leinster will win)

Good man Rory. There will be no lack of committment and fire on show, that's for sure bud. It comes with the territory and the history of it all.

This one, never, ever, fails to get the heart racing.

Added to that, there are Irish Tour places up for grabs all over it. So many one-on-ones, which makes it even more intriguing.

Great win last night btw. Hope 1F is ok.

Its Leinster's win unless Munster resort to their usual cheating tactics.

Aha, but we have learned to cheat at a higher level. Watch Jennings.

Ah Gibson, I didn't know you were a fellow Leinster fan. I would'nt have given you that speech on communism if I new. Respect bretheren.

Gibson wrote:Aha, but we have learned to cheat at a higher level. Watch Jennings.

Last visit to Thomond Park Jenno broke his arm

And poor Shaggy hasn't played since

drsambo1928 wrote:Its Leinster's win unless Munster resort to their usual cheating tactics.

Its a Leinster win because we are missing POC, Ryan & Murray.

Gibson wrote:Good man Rory. There will be no lack of committment and fire on show, that's for sure bud. It comes with the territory and the history of it all.

This one, never, ever, fails to get the heart racing.

Added to that, there are Irish Tour places up for grabs all over it. So many one-on-ones, which makes it even more intriguing.

Great win last night btw. Hope 1F is ok.

Cheers Gibbo! I hope so too, he walked off the pitch and looked okay to me, I thought it was precautionary but I am now hearing otherwise.. will be a massive loss both in the physical and mental form for Ulster, so all we can do is hope the big man makes it!

Lets also hope that Kidney is watching these games closely, there is much untamed talent to be plucked from these provinces!

Sin é wrote:

drsambo1928 wrote:Its Leinster's win unless Munster resort to their usual cheating tactics.

Its a Leinster win because we are missing POC, Ryan & Murray.

Sin - it is never that easy with Munster. Don't be so defeatist man!

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Lets also hope that Kidney is watching these games closely, there is much untamed talent to be plucked from these provinces!

I listended to Les Kiss on the Ruggamatrix podcast (on the 6Ns) and he said that they had brought in about 50 players from the provinces to train during the 6Ns with a view to having a look at them for the NZ tour.

Hope Ferris is alright and will make it to Thomond Park. It will be a travesty if he survived the 6Ns without injury and ended up getting injured against Aironi.

But Munster could slime their way, Heineken cup style, to a slimey, disgusting and awful win against the supreme Leinster. Mind you, I fear Munster's assault on the Heineken cup. They have an easier route and could easily make the final.

Ya know, I miss the days when Quinny and Jenno used torment the bejaysus out of each other. It was a brilliant side-show. I could never take my eyes off em. 2 down and durty cheatin feicers. Id bet those two have a great laugh over scoops.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Sin é wrote:

drsambo1928 wrote:Its Leinster's win unless Munster resort to their usual cheating tactics.

Its a Leinster win because we are missing POC, Ryan & Murray.

Sin - it is never that easy with Munster. Don't be so defeatist man!

Very small margins are there. Losing to the Os last weekend will have hurt Leinster. I expect them to be well up for this. Both teams are under pressure now to win it and get home semis, so need to win all their games from now on.

Indeed, Quinlan was scum and thankfully is retired. But there is a slight part of me that hates him and the the other part despises him. Thank God he is gone. And why isnt Sean O'Brien playing.

drsambo - hate, despise - what did Quinny ever do to you?

drsambo1928 wrote:But Munster could slime their way, Heineken cup style, to a slimey, disgusting and awful win against the supreme Leinster. Mind you, I fear Munster's assault on the Heineken cup. They have an easier route and could easily make the final.

They may have to meet Toulouse, Doc. But yeah, I fancy Munster to make Twickers. I already have my ticket for the Final, so I hope we make it too.
I promised a couple of young Munster refs, Id wear Red if they make it and we dont.. Jeeezuz.. The pain of it. In fairness, they wore the Blue at the 2 we won. Soooo.

I'll be cheering Sarries on next week, thats for sure. I think they can beat ASM. Good as they are, they dont travel well.

Anyway, lets get thro this one 1st. With NO injuries for both teams.

Ah Quinny was the master of the dork orts. I respected him for that. Sure Jenno was and is, as bad. Both are pseudo-hated by the opposition fans. But, in that, is a lot of hidden respect.

He's a bloody great observer/commentator of the game. As will Shaggy be. Both smert dudes who've been there and know their onions.

Quinlan didn't pay for his doctors appointment. I am a doctor after all. I also will be cheering on Saracens but I really fear a Clermont win and as much as I love the boys in blue, going to Clermont reminds me of Tolouse in 2010. But back to this match, why no Sean O'Brien.

They are easing them in gently, Doc. Joe is the master at using his full squad wisely & timely. SOB will be a huge impact-sub. As will Leo. As will McFadden, Healy and Boss. Maybe throw Madigan in there for good measure, to give Jonny a rest at 60 mins, for next week. So many options. Schmidt has built it all up nicely. I trust him.

I think this game will be won by our bench in the last 20. I hope so anyway.

But as you know, Munster are a different beast at TP and against us. There will be nowt in it.

Quinny didnt pay his bill? Classic.

drsambo1928 wrote:Quinlan didn't pay for his doctors appointment. I am a doctor after all. I also will be cheering on Saracens but I really fear a Clermont win and as much as I love the boys in blue, going to Clermont reminds me of Tolouse in 2010. But back to this match, why no Sean O'Brien.

He must have been annoyed when he found out you were a bluemagic:) fan?

I'd say McLaughlin is there because he is a lineout option - can't expect a shortarse like Thorn to be able to compete in the lineout

If Ulster can nearly do it in Clermont (the game won't be in Clermont, will it?) Bluemagic surely can?

Ulster nearly did it. But they didn't do it. Thats the important part. Leinster nearly did it last year but didn't do it.

Praying for a saracens win. Do not fancy heading back down to clermont where getting a losing BP was considered huge last year. God bless you Dom ryan.

I agree the two benches could well be the difference.

Some of the key battles for the game and Irish positions:

Varley vs Cronin for 2nd choice hooker, Varley will have to do a lot to get it though.

Toner vs DOC for 4th choice lock, think Tuohy will be third. Grunt versus height and a bit of mobility.

POM vs Heaslip could be for a spot in the backrow. Big game for both today. Collisions are going to cause small earthquakes, watch out Limerick.

Sexton vs ROG, the old game vs the new, kicking 10 vs running 10.

Darcy vs Earls, hopefully neither will be in the Irish centre but this game could determine a lot of who partners BOD in NZ.

Fitz vs Zebo, Fitz needs to find form to fight off the likes of the very impressive Zebo who still has a fair bit of growing to do in terms of turning into a complete player but Kearney Jr, Conway, Gilroy are all there too

Lots of mini battles for places will happen no doubt.

I hope Bod thanks that ignorant monsoon Marcus Horan for injuring for 4 months.

Sin é wrote:

drsambo1928 wrote:Quinlan didn't pay for his doctors appointment. I am a doctor after all. I also will be cheering on Saracens but I really fear a Clermont win and as much as I love the boys in blue, going to Clermont reminds me of Tolouse in 2010. But back to this match, why no Sean O'Brien.

He must have been annoyed when he found out you were a bluemagic:) fan?

I'd say McLaughlin is there because he is a lineout option - can't expect a shortarse like Thorn to be able to compete in the lineout

If Ulster can nearly do it in Clermont (the game won't be in Clermont, will it?) Bluemagic surely can?

It will be in Bordeaux, Sin. Have an ASM mate who lives just 90 mins from there. May just have to go down there. Again. We had the beating of them last time, but they are some opposition in their own stadium. Being in Bordeaux may help us. IF, we and they, make it that is. Their own ground is madness. Fans are magnificent.

Playing Clermont other then in the Aviva or the RDS is daunting.

hugo124 wrote:I hope Bod thanks that ignorant monsoon Marcus Horan for injuring for 4 months.

That shoulder had been a problem for yonks though, Hugo. Needed to get it properly sorted.

If Kidney picks Horan for NZ, I'll go ballistic.

I agree with Hugo, Horan is an ignorant monsoon and should stop playing no team needs him.

should be a good game and occasion tonight alright.

big game for both sides. dont fancy going into HC quarter on the back of 2 straight defeats. its great preparation for next week for both sides no doubt about it.

horan to nz. jesus no. we have to move forward and try younger lads even with our limited resources in the front row. healy,court,ross,one from archer/hagan/ulster lad

saracens v quins a decent game fyi for those not in front of a tele worth a watch

They should just bring young props like Hagan to act as replacemennts to Healy and Ross. I think Court had a chance and threw it away. Although he is a much better loose head then tight head.

Good call Dave. That should be a cracker and will fill in the time.

drsambo1928 wrote:They should just bring young props like Hagan to act as replacemennts to Healy and Ross. I think Court had a chance and threw it away. Although he is a much better loose head then tight head.

Court never had a chance as a tight-head, because he is a loose-head. Hagan got injured lask weekend unfortunately.

Props that are young and up and comingshould go. Some will fail and others will relish it and move into another gear.

Court's a decent enough Loosehead. Wasnt fair to expect him to stem that tide at TH. Even Ross had problems before he went off injured.

We need to get another TH onboard fast. He'll have to learn on the job.

Or. How bout this bad boy?
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/is-this-man-the-answer-to-irelands-tighthead-problem-3066740.html

One player to keep an eye on is Macklin for Ulster - both he and McAllister I think will have a part to play for Ireland in the future, and definitely for Ulster. Both are still very young, but they are also getting a fair bit of game-time for Ulster, which can only be good.

In fairness, Court didn't do great last year against England when Healy went off but was not bad against the All Blacks and South Africa in the November tests. And yeah, why not give Andress a go, whats the harm, we need someone to replace Ross.

not playing regular rugby which is a pity. I suppose if he can scrummage he has to be an option

any first choice irish tight heads anywhere in the world??

Theres a guy called Ruairadh Murphy who plays with the Brumbies in Australia. Not sure if he is loose or tight but could be an option.

He is a loose-head, I would say we are pretty okay for loose-heads. Healy and McAllister are the future there.

Gibson wrote:
If Kidney picks Horan for NZ, I'll go ballistic.

You go ballistic at Deccie? Nah, that wont happen

drsambo1928 wrote:Theres a guy called Ruairadh Murphy who plays with the Brumbies in Australia. Not sure if he is loose or tight but could be an option.

Think he was to start for the Brumbies (who are going great) this weekend. Also very interesting is that the Brumbies forward's coach is one Laurie Fischer who was ran out of Limerick He obviously learned something when he was up here.


Great interview in the Irish Times today with BJ Botha about the development of props. Talks about the psychological damage you can do to a young prop if he is thrown in too soon and gets beaten up.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0331/1224314167501.html

One of two interviews with BJ this weekend. Seems to have settled in very well in Munster which is good because I think his family were non too pleased about being uprooted from Belfast.

Edit: Just checked. Murphy did start for the Brumbies (at home) who lost to the Sharks - 26-29.

All roysh Billy mate? Ah, just want to see some new blood. Not old blood like.

This is a great game Sarries v Quins. Huge crowd.

I know it sounds extrtemely harsh but exposing the younger props can determine those that have a mental edge and can survive at test level. It is harsh and I feel a bit bad for saying it but I think exposure is the way to develop them into great props.

Also I think Murphy is trying to play for Australia. I think