Edinburgh V Munster Build up thread

[RDW]

First topic message reminder :

Edinburgh team

15 Greig Tonks



14 Lee Jones
13 Nick De Luca

12 Ben Atiga
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

9 Richie Rees



1 John Yapp
2 Ross Ford

3 Willem Nel

4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Sean Cox

6 David Denton
7 Ross Rennie

8 Stuart McInally



Substitutes :
16 Andy Titterrell
17 Allan Jacobsen
18 Geoff Cross

19 Perry Parker
20 Dimitri Basilaia
21 Chris Leck
22 Gregor Hunter
23 John Houston

Munster Team Named:

01 Wian du Preez
02 Damien Varley
03 BJ Botha
04 Donncha O'Callaghan
05 Billy Holland
06 Paddy Butler
07 Sean Dougall
08 James Coughlan
09 Duncan Williams
10 Ian Keatley
11 Luke O'Dea
12 James Downey
13 Casey Laulala
14 Doug Howlett (capt.)
15 Denis Hurley

16 Mike Sherry
17 Marcus Horan
18 Stephen Archer
19 Dave Foley
20 Barry O'Mahony
21 Peter Stringer
22 Scott Deasy
23 Ivan Dineen

[red_stag]

Edinburgh Team expected for 12:00 on Friday.

[funnyExiledScot]

It's the centres and Howlett that bother me most, and the prospect of BJ Botha giving John Yapp a hard time.

Still, not a bad time to have to play Munster, hopefully Bradley can capitalise.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Where is hanrahan?

[red_stag]

Ian Keatley has been preferred in preseason and Scott Deasy has also done quite well too when he got his chance.

He also needs a rest period due to spending the summer playing U20 Rugby World Cup.

[RDW]

Has DoC had any rugby in pre season?

[LeinsterFan4life]

Did hanrahan get any gametime in preseason?

[red_stag]

Has DoC had any rugby in pre season?

No he hasn't

[RDW]

Hopefully he's a bit off the pace then! Decent Munster team but still hopeful that we can get the win - if we have any aspirations this season we really should be ensuring that we do!

[funnyExiledScot]

Both Gilchrist and Cox have had full pre-seasons so hopefully they can properly stoke the Eidnburgh boiler room. They were an effective combination in the HC last year so it may be an area where Edinburgh can gain the upper hand.

I'm not a huge fan of Keatley. Good enough club player I guess but more than a hint of the pedestrian about him.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Expecting a tough touch match on Saturday. Won't be there sadly since I'll be staying over in Glasgow since my 10K charity run will be the next day.

http://www.justgiving.com/Graham-Gulvin0

feel free to sponsor me if you haven't already

[red_stag]

Did hanrahan get any gametime in preseason?

He got one match for the Munster A team.

[tigertattie]

I'm just glad its a sat evening game. means I'll be able to wander up and watch it!

As we all know, I am the differance between Edinburgh winning and loosing!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Did hanrahan get any gametime in preseason?

He got one match for the Munster A team.

That is pretty disappointing.

[Thomond]

JJ will be on a similar schedule to the internationals as most of the U-20s have been, they have only been availalble for a game or 2.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Farrell has started every game for Ulster so far, except for one, if I am not mistaken. Plus he is starting in the opening Pro 12 game.

[RDW]

Edinburgh team announced:

15 Greig Tonks



14 Lee Jones
13 Nick De Luca

12 Ben Atiga
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN

9 Richie Rees



1 John Yapp
2 Ross Ford

3 Willem Nel

4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Sean Cox

6 David Denton
7 Ross Rennie

8 Stuart McInally



Substitutes :
16 Andy Titterrell
17 Allan Jacobsen
18 Geoff Cross

19 Perry Parker
20 Dimitri Basilaia
21 Chris Leck
22 Gregor Hunter
23 John Houston

Few surprises in there! Strong team though.

[RDW]

I like the look of that team - big front 5, dynamic backrow, decent backline and for once a subs bench that actually will make an impact!

[red_stag]

I think Edinburgh to win but Munster to get the losing bonus.

[reallybored]

Surprised that Ford, Rennie and Denton are all starting but they add real quality to the team.

The pack looks good, would have possibly preferred Denton at 8 but sure they'll be inter-changing throughout the game. Back line is very exciting assuming Atiga can handle the pace, shame Brown picked up a strain.

Bench is a bit mixed, strength up front but not convinced by the back replacements.

Very excited, especially to see Nel, Gilchrist, Rees and Atiga in action.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Happy to see a team like that. I just hope Dozer, Ford, Rennie and the rest of the incoming Scotland tourists are fit for the match.

Much more optimistic about that team.

This is an important game to win.

Munster are always a tough nut to crack even without their superstars but a win here and dare I say a possible BP will set us up for the rest of the season and get us off to a good start.

As said already a Formidable tight 5 and a dynamic and powerful backrow, good halfbacks and with the Exception of Atiga who has been commented on at not being fit a pretty capable looking backline.

Much happier to see the team like that.

[RDW]

Tim Visser said in his blog that, although they haven't had a massive pre-season, he didn't let himself go and feels in great shape. These guys don't go from International class athletes to slobs in 4 weeks so hopefully they will all be up to the pace.

[reallybored]

It's not so much that they won't be in good shape right now but will they be in 10 months time? Ford, Rennie and Denton all have a chance of making the Lions tour and will have to play a lot of rugby before then.

What are your predictions now the teams have been announced?

[RDW]

They will be well looked after throughout the season - starting a week or two early won't make much of a difference in terms of their condition at the end of the season if they are given rest breaks in the middle.

Same prediction - 27-17 Edinburgh!

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm more confident now I've seen that team. Slightly suprised that McInally starts ahead of Basilia, and Roddy Grant is unlucky to miss out, but clearly Bradley wants to get his top players up to speed ASAP.

I think Edinburgh will edge this now I've seen the teams.

[profitius]

You'd have to fancy Edinburgh for this.

For the neutrals it should be good viewing too. We're guaranteed plenty of tries and theres even plenty of big names on show for Munster which will make it a competitive game.

[red_stag]

Profitius,

I hope our inexperienced backline can deliver throughout the year.

- Peter O'Mahony: 22 Years Old.

- CJ Stander: 22 Years Old.

- Sean Dougall: 22 Years Old.

- Paddy Butler: 22 Years Old.

- Dave O'Callaghan: 22 Years Old.

- Tommy O'Donnell: 25 Years Old. However he has only really 1 season of proper exposure.

- Barry O'Mahony: 27 Years Old. Has never played a professional game of rugby. Was just offered a contract this year based on AIL form.

- Niall Ronan: Experienced but has never been a first choice player.

- James Coughlan: Experienced but not international class.

Thats 9 senior backrows with 11 caps between them and an average age of 24. How they do throughout the season will decide our fate.

[profitius]

Big season for Butler, stag. He looked one of the best players on the Ireland U20 teams a few seasons back. If he can translate that to Pro 12 rugby this season he'll have a bright future.

DOC2 is the one who will make a breakthrough this season, IMO. Himself, Stander and POM could make a fine backrow but a lot depends on injuries. Being young has its advantages. Penney is trying to change Munsters way of playing and you know what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks!

[red_stag]

I am not worried overall Profitius. But just it'll take some time. At the moment its where we are vulnerable. In time it can be a weapon.

[GLove39]

10-10 at half time. Munster lucky to go in with the scores level.
Edinburgh looking good, MacVisser's with 2 tries, the second one was an amazing break out from their own line

[profitius]

10-10 at half time. Munster lucky to go in with the scores level.
Edinburgh looking good, MacVisser's with 2 tries, the second one was an amazing break out from their own line

I thought Edinburgh were lucky to go in level. Munster will win if the game pattern stays the same.

[valjester]

10-10 at half time. Munster lucky to go in with the scores level.
Edinburgh looking good, MacVisser's with 2 tries, the second one was an amazing break out from their own line

I thought Edinburgh were lucky to go in level. Munster will win if the game pattern stays the same.

Edinburgh started better but Munster have looked much better as the game has gone on. The second Edinburgh try came about after some poor play by Munster. Munster won't win this game if Williams doesn't get the hook soon.

[funnyExiledScot]

I agree. Munster had all the play, we really picked their pocket for what was an excellent breakaway score.

Ref has been baffling!

[valjester]

I agree. Munster had all the play, we really picked their pocket for what was an excellent breakaway score.

Ref has been baffling!

Not really, he is just a bit sh**e. Edinburgh are getting away with murder when attacking because he is only reffing the defending side, Munster have yet to figure this out though.

[funnyExiledScot]

Ross rennie, what were you thinking??

[GLove39]

Okay maybe getting a bit carried away! The sight of MacVisser in flight does that to me!

[valjester]

Why go for the points now, especially after turning down the previous opportunities. Keep the pressure on and stick to your convictions ffs.

[Thomond]

Lads you don't want to turn into the Welsh with the ref bashing. Both sides could have one or two grievances I think, won't ahve much of an impact long term in my opinion. Edinburgh had dominance according to RTE (missed 1st half) but didn't use it at all. Pleased with the Munster effort was expecting a ten point loss or so, things might change but reasonably positives from the sounds of things.

[valjester]

Lads you don't want to turn into the Welsh with the ref bashing. Both sides could have one or two grievances I think, won't ahve much of an impact long term in my opinion. Edinburgh had dominance according to RTE (missed 1st half) but didn't use it at all. Pleased with the Munster effort was expecting a ten point loss or so, things might change but reasonably positives from the sounds of things.

I don't think anyone is whinging about is decisions, he is just a bit useless but we've accepted that.

[GLove39]

Ohhh, dear Edinbrgh sliced open and Munster go 20-13 up

[valjester]

It appears the rest of the Munster team have realised just how bad Williams is and have decided to try and ignore him.

LOD in under the posts, good offload in their as well.

[Captain Charisma]

Is that some backplay i spotted!

Luke O Dea is better if not equal to Zebo??/

[funnyExiledScot]

Great offload from downey for the try.

Need basilia to have some impact, on the ropes slightly.

[valjester]

Is that some backplay i spotted!

Luke O Dea is better if not equal to Zebo??/

Doesn't have the raw out and out speed but is a better all round footballer, his preferred position is fullback.

[Thomond]

LOD is certainly a very unheralded player. Not Zebo good yet on the wing, Zebo can make guys like miss in a way most Munster or indeed even a fair few Irish backs can, Zebo has more to work on, very very good prospect and player is O'Dea more rounded than Zebo. A simple but still very good try. Downey's offloading has surprised me. I thought it would be poor led to 2 tries!

[GLove39]

Munster really dominate this half, Edinburgh stuck in their own half with time running out

[MBTGOG]

Keatley is growing in confidence here.

Thomond,

Offloading is one of Downey's stronger assets. I'm glad it is something that Munster want to utilise.

[Thomond]

I don't watch the Prem Musnty and it hadn't made me too excited from HC viewing. Good start for him though. Hope Munster push on for the bonus.


That could have been a binning in my opinion, will take the points, should be going for a try I think though.....

[valjester]

I love watching forwards flyhacking, especially when they are trying to smack the opposition as much as the ball.

[funnyExiledScot]

Keatley has played pretty smartly. He's figured out that edinburgh don't have a sweeper in defence.

We are running out of ideas.

[valjester]

Stringer on, only about 73 mins too late, but I'll take it.

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