Scarlets V Munster PYS Sat

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:42 am

Preview: Scarlets v Munster

Scarlets have won their last two fixtures at Parc y Scarlets, over Leicester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and Connacht in the RaboDirect PRO12.

Munster have won five of their last six contests in all competitions. The Munstermen have won their last two away games in the RaboDirect PRO12, but have not won three in a row on the road in the same season in the tournament since 2010/11.
Scarlets beat Munster 13-6 at Musgrave Park in round nine, and have not completed a league double over the Munstermen since 2003/04.

At Parc y Scarlets , 6.30pm Live on S4C/RTE Sport
Referee: Dudley Phillips (IRFU, 31st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Neil Hennessy, Simon Rees (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Russell Howell (WRU)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)

SCARLETS -
Gareth Owen,
Liam Williams,
Gareth Maule,
Adam Warren,
Andy Fenby,
Owen Williams,
Aled Davies,

Phil John,
Emyr Phillips
Jacobie Adriaanse
George Earle
Johan Synman
Rob McCusker (capt)
Josh Turnbull
Kieran Murphy.

Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Aled Thomas 23 Nick Reynolds.

MUNSTER -

I Keatley;
D Hurley,
I Dineen,
JJ Hanrahan,
J Murphy;
R O’Gara,
D Williams;

W du Preez,
M Sherry,
BJ Botha;
D O’Callaghan,
I Nagle;
CJ Stander,
T O’Donnell,
P Butler.

Replacements: D Varley, J Ryan, S Archer, B Holland, S Dougall, C Sheridan, D Barnes, C Laulala.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:46 am

Should be a good game, and one that will have a real impact on who is likely to miss out on the play off spots.

I think the Scarlets will most likely feild a side looking along the lines of -:

Owen, Li Williams, Maule, Warren, Fenby, O Williams, A Davies;
Rh Jones, Phillips, Lee, Snyman, Earle, McCusker, Turnbull, Murphy

Simon Easterby has praised the work of our young halfbacks, and said that they are ready for the challenge. I must be honest I hope Aled Davies resists box kicking though.

I have a feeling that this is going to be close, but the win we had out in Munster early on in the season may be enough for us to finally get our first win against Munster at PYS (fingers crossed)

by Taffineastbourne Fri Feb 15, 2013 9:51 am

Got a feeling that this should be in the Club Rugby domain!

by RubyGuby Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:18 am

This is a season definer for the Scarlets - Win and they have a good shout at the play offs. Lose and its the end of their season thumbsup

Dragons can also do them a big favour

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:25 am

Yeah the Dragons could really help us out, and to be honest I wouldn't be too suprised if they did beat Glasgow, as the Dragons are a decent side, and have a few wins under their belts lately.

by **Biltong** Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:27 am

moved.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:27 am

Biltong wrote:moved.

Cheers.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:43 am

Munster: I Keatley; D Hurley, I Dineen, JJ Hanrahan, J Murphy; R O’Gara, D Williams; W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; D O’Callaghan, I Nagle; CJ Stander, T O’Donnell, P Butler. Replacements: D Varley, J Ryan, S Archer, B Holland, S Dougall, C Sheridan, D Barnes, C Laulala.

A fair few international players back in the squad for Munster, and a few of the young promising stars too. Somewhat less confident now.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:51 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:
A fair few international players back in the squad for Munster.

Name 2? That's a shocking Munster team.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:51 am

15 Gareth Owen, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Adam Warren, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Emyr Phillips 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 4 George Earle, 5 Johan Synman, 6 Rob McCusker (capt), 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 Kieran Murphy.

Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Aled Thomas 23 Nick Reynolds.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:52 am

If the Scarlets don't win this, I'll beshocked

by RubyGuby Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:08 pm

2 poor scratch teams seems to devalue such a crucial match thumbsup

by **profitius** Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:24 pm

The worry for Munster is ROG and Williams at 9 and 10. ROG is easily Munsters 3rd best 10 now and Williams struggles to pass the ball accurately. The pack looks strong.

Whats the weather forecast for the match?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:46 pm

Yeah the pack is decent. But the only International player returned is ROG as far as I can see...... Not sure whether that is an advantage unless the line out is on top

And the backline is odd. no pace on the wings. 2 Centres on the bench. and you already mentioned the halfbacks.

Surely Stringer is a better SH than Williams, even at this stage.

by BlueMuff Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:33 pm

Great to see JJ start again. Dont know why we persist with Williams he has no future.

Overall pack looks decent, strong front row, and decent back row.

Hard one to call but given how little any of these players will have played together would have to go with Scarlets even though its a vital game for us to win to keep qualification hopes alive.

by ScarletSpiderman Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:36 pm

RubyGuby wrote:2 poor scratch teams seems to devalue such a crucial match

To be fair that Scarlets pack is more or less first choice (bar hooker, and Shingler) and the backs ain't too shabby. I think Owen Williams (on his current form) will be pushing Priestland next season, and partners Aled Davies well. In the centre Adam Warren deserves a run of games, and Gareth Maule has been an ever pressent in the match day squad. Fenby and Sanjay are first choice IMO, and Gareth Owen, again, should be pushing when the internationals return.

by LeinsterFan4life Fri Feb 15, 2013 2:51 pm

Is Penny finally realising that JJ is a great player?

That Munster back 3 is awful. I can now see why Conway is moving to Munster as he actually will be able to get a lot of gametime. Is jones injured?

Edit: ROG starting confirms he will be starting at 10 for Ireland.

by Morgannwg Fri Feb 15, 2013 3:05 pm

RubyGuby wrote:2 poor scratch teams seems to devalue such a crucial match

Neither looks like a poor team to me. I think both teams have some decent depth.

Glad Ball is on the bench as Scarlets will need a bit of muscle to come onto the field. I may have started with Gareth Davies though.

by RubyGuby Fri Feb 15, 2013 3:20 pm

I'm happy to disagree here lads - crucial match and both sides missing so much quality thumbsup

by Sin é Fri Feb 15, 2013 3:49 pm

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Is Penny finally realising that JJ is a great player?

That Munster back 3 is awful. I can now see why Conway is moving to Munster as he actually will be able to get a lot of gametime. Is jones injured?

Edit: ROG starting confirms he will be starting at 10 for Ireland.

Jones is injured*, as is Howlett.

BTQ, Jones & Varley have just signed new 2 year contract extensions.

I'd imagine Penney is checking out his wing options for the HCup QF now that Zebo looks likely to miss it.

edit: *he has some sort of a small op to correct something - not injured for once!

by red_stag Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:04 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Yeah the pack is decent. But the only International player returned is ROG as far as I can see...... Not sure whether that is an advantage unless the line out is on top

And the backline is odd. no pace on the wings. 2 Centres on the bench. and you already mentioned the halfbacks.

Surely Stringer is a better SH than Williams, even at this stage.

Peter Stringer is at Bath. It isn't our best team but its a squad capable of winning.

Denis Hurley and Johne Murphy were both starting all last year in Heineken Cup when we won every single one of our pool stage games. O'Gara isn't exciting but is good enough to do well in a Rabo game. Keatley is a decent player. The centres actually compliment each other well.

No denying Duncan Williams lacks the quality. In the pack whats the big issue. Du Peez, Sherry, Botha is a good front row. Nagle and O'Callaghan are a nice pairing in the engine room with the backrow being quite strong.

We're missing a lot of quality but I'd be very disappointed if we lost this one.

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:22 pm

I knew Stringer was at Bath. What I don't know is why? Anyway.
I was just so surprised by the backs inc the bench, that I did not focus on what is a decent pack.

I don't see much impact on the bench though, bar Laulala and he can blow hot and cold. I would expect Scarlets to have too much for that side at home.
With the added motivation that they have a handy run in after they play Leinster next week and if they win this they could make the top 4, but lose it.........

Edit: I will go further and say that whoever loses this game won't make the playoffs. I don't normally do bold predictions, but there you go. Smile

by LeinsterFan4life Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:12 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:I knew Stringer was at Bath. What I don't know is why? Anyway.
I was just so surprised by the backs inc the bench, that I did not focus on what is a decent pack.

I don't see much impact on the bench though, bar Laulala and he can blow hot and cold. I would expect Scarlets to have too much for that side at home.
With the added motivation that they have a handy run in after they play Leinster next week and if they win this they could make the top 4, but lose it.........

Edit: I will go further and say that whoever loses this game won't make the playoffs. I don't normally do bold predictions, but there you go.

Stringer has been apparently outstanding for Bath. I was just on the Bath forums there and they have a topic posted just for him with nothing but praise for him. They want him signed up now on a 2 year deal! Why would Munster let him go, given how bad their dept is at SH??

by Glas a du Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:49 pm

Dudley Phillips reffing Munster. This league is Poopie.

by ME-109 Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:17 am

Seems to be a couple of stray blue rinses around...a shocking Munster team no less...stick to the cupcakes love Whistle

by Glas a du Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:20 am

That just makes it worse Rolling Eyes

by red_stag Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:21 am

I suspect that Stringer's short term loans are allowed for a few reasons:

- He can earn a lot more money and Munster want to allow him that before going.

- It forces us to develop new scrumhalves rather than playing a very old player (turns 36 this year)

Stringer is head and shoulders above likes of Williams and Sheridan but for now it seems to suit both him and us to let him have short spells in the UK.

He would never move permanently as he would lose his tax rebate.

by **Notch** Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:33 am

Sadly, it didn't happen for the Dragons lads. I was also hoping they'd get stuck into Glasgow but Glasgow are in scintillating form right now.

I do think Scarlets can win. This Munster side is very beatable. Actually, it's ironic. Because I think Munster have a cracking tight five out, very good back row, exciting young centre there in Hanrahan and a serviceable back three. The halfbacks are filling no-one with confidence but the old Munster, with the old O'Gara bossing things, would look great on paper with a team like that. Very well set up for a game like this. I don't know with the way they approach the game now, it's a different proposition.

by **Notch** Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:44 am

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Is Penny finally realising that JJ is a great player?

Spoiler:

by maestegmafia Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:05 pm

This game has a lot of sway on the table, could temporarily put either side in the top four.

Both teams have put out good sides.

Can't wait.

by Glas a du Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:30 pm

I can

by Artful_Dodger Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:25 pm

Have to say I think if Scarlets lose this one their playoff challenge is over.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:30 pm

Artful_Dodger wrote:Have to say I think if Scarlets lose this one their playoff challenge is over.

No fear of that happening, look at the Munster 9-10 combo, calling it appalling doesn't do it justice.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:33 pm

Jesus ROG has lost a lot of distance.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:36 pm

Rog turned over on his first attempt at running the ball, fortunately Munster had pen advantage.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:37 pm

Rog misses from right in front. 0/2 kicking so far.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:44 pm

Keatley does well to make the tackle, but concedes penalty for not releasing.

Williams put Scarlets 3-0 up.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:48 pm

The Munster halfbacks are so bad, Williams fumbles the ball from a lineout, Scarlets pile in and get the penalty.

Scarlets Williams attempts kick at goal but falls short.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:50 pm

Botha gives away a silly penalty, ref told him to take his hands of the ball but Botha ignored him.

Williams makes it 6-0 to the Scarlets.

by Artful_Dodger Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:56 pm

Why the hell did Dineen not give that...?

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:58 pm

Artful_Dodger wrote:Why the hell did Dineen not give that...?

I think Williams decision to go left to where there was only one man was even worse.

Rog is going to kill us next weekend, he is playing like a drain, and still kicking poorly to the back three, Hogg, Maitland and Visser will kill us next weekend.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:00 pm

Munster win a scrum penalty right in front, surely Rog will slot this.

by ME-109 Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:00 pm

Don't the scarlets supporters understand the laws of the game...or didn't they get their giros last week

by Artful_Dodger Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:03 pm

Munster upping the gears a bit now.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:04 pm

DOD wrote:Don't the scarlets supporters understand the laws of the game...or didn't they get their giros last week

The ref is getting a couple of calls wrong but for the most part he is doing well. The crowd are acting rediculous.

by BlueMuff Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:04 pm

Val we know you dont like Rog we dont need a running critique

by ME-109 Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:04 pm

Oh jebus val ROG is fine the kicking is coming from others put your specs on at least

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:05 pm

Artful_Dodger wrote:Munster upping the gears a bit now.

Forwards doing quite well there, Sherry, The TOD, and Stander busting tackles, and JJ doing what ROG finds impossible taking contact on three occasions and not being turned over, instead providing quick ball.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:06 pm

I'll keep criticising ROG if he keeps playing so badly.

by valjester Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:12 pm

Is Botha really worth Munster paying so much to keep him for next season? He has been quite poor this season.

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