Munster v Ulster - Sat 5th May, Thomond Park (kick off 7.30pm)

First topic message reminder :

Ulster match day squad to face Munster, Saturday 5th May 2012, Thomond Park (kick-off 7.30pm)
(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, I Whitten, C Cochrane; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): P McAllister, N Brady (c), D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, T Court, M McComish, A Birch, B McIlroy, I Humphreys, C Gilroy

Munster team announced.

01 Wian du Preez
02 Mike Sherry
04 BJ Botha
04 Mick O'Driscoll
05 Paul O'Connell (c)
06 Donnacha Ryan
07 Tommy O'Donnell
08 Peter O'Mahony
09 Conor Murray
10 Ian Keatley
11 Simon Zebo
12 Lifeimi Mafi
13 Ivan Dineen
14 Johne Murphy
15 Felix Jones

Subs: Varley, Kilcoyne, Archer, O'Callaghan, Butler, O'Leary, Deasy, Earls

That is really unfortunate. I was looking forward to seeing Leamy return as well.. is he definitely not recovering?

Its not great but Coughlan has been outstanding for us over the last two seasons. With POM playing well and DOCv2 coming along nicely I think we will be fine (add in Butler, TOD and young O'Hara).

In terms of the PRO12 losing MOD is a big blow in terms of leadership but would hope to see DOC stand up as the next leader for that area.

I also think there is enough raw talent coming through from the A side and Academy for Penney to work with and given his reputation and history I expect that we will be competitive on all fronts again next season.

Now for a bit of retribution on Sat evening

Leamy's still a young man and has to think about his long term health, to have hip problems at such a young age is a serious business.

It was a hip injury that marked the beginning of the end for Roy Keane if I remember correctly.

Munster still have plenty of good backrowers so I wouldn't be too concerned.

Coughlan and Ronan are two of the most underrated players around and POM is one of the most exciting talents in the country - then you have guys like O'Callaghan jr and Donnacha Ryan who can play blindside.

Laulaua and Downey will add more carrying ability to the side as well.

POM wil be required to play some games at 7 because Ireland are short at 7.
Wilson will be in with a shout for 8 because Ireland are short at 8
i.e. Heaslip breaks a leg - who goes on tour who can play at 8 ?

Ball carrying is needed. I think in recent season our inability to get over the gain line consistently has hurt us.

I agree Rodders Im hopeful that we will see more from Laulala and Downey. Also Mike Sherry is a good ball carrying hooker.

geoff998rugby wrote:i.e. Heaslip breaks a leg - who goes on tour who can play at 8 ?

I'd imagine that Coughlan, Jennings or Henry would and O'Brien or O'Mahoney would start at 8?

I'm not saying thats right or wrong but thats what I would expect.

red_stag wrote:Ball carrying is needed. I think in recent season our inability to get over the gain line consistently has hurt us.

I agree Rodders Im hopeful that we will see more from Laulala and Downey. Also Mike Sherry is a good ball carrying hooker.

Stag I think two big ball carrying centres will do wonders for Munster. They just need to get back to basics a bit rather than trying to play rugby on the back foot.

It sounds negative but it isn't - just send Downey and Laulua up the middle, recycle and build from there. Predictable but it works.

geoff998rugby wrote:POM wil be required to play some games at 7 because Ireland are short at 7.
Wilson will be in with a shout for 8 because Ireland are short at 8
i.e. Heaslip breaks a leg - who goes on tour who can play at 8 ?

O'Mahony, where he has been playing for Munster recently. Why couldn't he play 8?

Thats one player you need two 8's on tour and one really must be experienced. After Heaslip who fits the bill other than Wilson - I can only think of Coughlan

I would throw Henry in there Geoff, though he hasn't played there for a bit.

I like the idea of

6: Ferris
7: SOB
8: POM

with POM and SOB interchanging re: duties and such. That has a tasty balance to it when you add in Ryan at lock.

Henry is now only considered a 6/7 by Ulster.
There is no way you can consider him an 8 for Ireland.

As I say there isn't much behind Heaslip so an old hand like Wilson, who has been there, seen it, done it has to come into the frame.

When are the teams announced?

Whats the feeling Geoff, have we thrown in the Rabo towel?

I'd like to see a similar strength team as against Leinster, a fair few of the first team minus the likes of Ferris and Best.

I hope we give this one a real go because we still are in with a shout of 4th and we will still have a week to recover if in all likelyhood we lose this game.

I think the teams announced. Mentioned on radio there. Jackson and trimble starting. They didnt go into the full team yet

clivemcl wrote:I think the teams announced. Mentioned on radio there. Jackson and trimble starting. They didnt go into the full team yet

(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, I Whitten, C Cochrane; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): P McAllister, N Brady (c), D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, T Court, M McComish, A Birch, B McIlroy, I Humphreys, C Gilroy

c'mon big ian

Muller, Pienaer, Ferris all carrying injuries.
Stronger than I expected to be honest

decent enough team there. Will be nice to see my crush D'arcy again ! Its been too long!

Macklin is playing in a crunch play off match for Belfast Harlequins that is why Court covers TH

Maybe it's Callum Black covering TH as he can play both sides? Has Cronin gone?

Munster team announced.

01 Wian du Preez
02 Mike Sherry
04 BJ Botha
04 Mick O'Driscoll
05 Paul O'Connell (c)
06 Donnacha Ryan
07 Tommy O'Donnell
08 Peter O'Mahony
09 Conor Murray
10 Ian Keatley
11 Simon Zebo
12 Lifeimi Mafi
13 Ivan Dineen
14 Johne Murphy
15 Felix Jones

Subs: Varley, Kilcoyne, Archer, O'Callaghan, Butler, O'Leary, Deasy, Earls

Am interested to see how Dineen does. The couple of cameos he has had have been impressive....good strong runner with a head for the try line.

DOD wrote:Am interested to see how Dineen does. The couple of cameos he has had have been impressive....good strong runner with a head for the try line.

Agree I dont understand (unless it is through injury) why he does not feature more.

Apologies for the delay, but I had to work today
The OP has been revised to show the two team selections.

Ulster by 12 .

red_stag wrote:

DOD wrote:Am interested to see how Dineen does. The couple of cameos he has had have been impressive....good strong runner with a head for the try line.

Agree I dont understand (unless it is through injury) why he does not feature more.

Maybe there is a renewed vigour from some of the A team players with McGahan going....

DOD wrote:

red_stag wrote:

DOD wrote:Am interested to see how Dineen does. The couple of cameos he has had have been impressive....good strong runner with a head for the try line.

Agree I dont understand (unless it is through injury) why he does not feature more.

Maybe there is a renewed vigour from some of the A team players with McGahan going....

And buoyed by the B&I Cup win

There are a number of players coming into form (Dineen, Deasy etc.)...would be good if they keep it going rather than fall away which seems to happen quite a lot.

Did people not know that about Leamy? I thought it was common knowledge for a while now.