Munster 2013/14

by **profitius** Tue 14 May 2013, 1:30 pm

First topic message reminder :

Some news of players leaving Munster.

Doug Howlett has announced his retirement.

Other departures from the current squad - besides Peter Stringer who remains with Bath, Marcus Horan who announced his retirement recently, Sean Scanlon (Rotherham Titans) and Sean Henry (Connacht) - include Wian du Preez who returns to his native South Africa, Scott Deasy and Christy Condon.

BJ Botha will continue on with Munster having signed a two year contract extension while Danny Barnes has not been re-contracted but is understood to have negotiated an opportunity to play abroad and news of that will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

by Sin é Tue 25 Feb 2014, 6:15 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:On the "left off" "left down" thing all the Limerick lads do it too. POC Fla etc. I think Quinny does too.

Just part of the rich tapestry of the regional variations in Hyberno-English.

Have you ever noticed that nordies use "whenever" a lot when they just mean "when"

I would use "whenever" for events that happen regularly. eg. "Whenever you go to Ravenhill it is always raining"

They seem to use it in circumstances that may only happen once. eg. "See whenever you got married"

anyway....

I just love watching Munster fans, (who have spent years slagging off Jamie Heaslip because he..... "wears headphones" "has nice hair" "shook his finger once when scoring a try" "has fancy boots" "wears fashionable clothes") squirming when they have to defend "The Zeebmeister" because he......."wears headphones" "has nice hair" "shook his finger once when scoring a try" "has fancy boots" "wears fashionable clothes"

They must go home and take it out on their missuses after a hard day at the Zeebdefending.

FWIW I like both players, but that's cool because I'm a dub,

Ah, here now, even a Dub must have been embarrassed with Heislip showing his knickers to the cameras when getting his Lions jersey. Its like what a rebellious teenager would do and his is about 30.

by ME-109 Tue 25 Feb 2014, 8:09 pm

The Zeebmeister....I'm embarrassed for you Jen...

by GunsGerms Tue 25 Feb 2014, 9:36 pm

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:On the "left off" "left down" thing all the Limerick lads do it too. POC Fla etc. I think Quinny does too.

Just part of the rich tapestry of the regional variations in Hyberno-English.

Interesting Im not the only person that picked up on it.

by GunsGerms Tue 25 Feb 2014, 9:42 pm

Sin é wrote:
Ah, here now, even a Dub must have been embarrassed with Heislip showing his knickers to the cameras when getting his Lions jersey. Its like what a rebellious teenager would do and his is about 30.

His knickers? WTF? Was he wearing a thong Sine?

by Sin é Tue 25 Feb 2014, 9:55 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
Sin é wrote:
Ah, here now, even a Dub must have been embarrassed with Heislip showing his knickers to the cameras when getting his Lions jersey. Its like what a rebellious teenager would do and his is about 30.

His knickers? WTF? Was he wearing a thong Sine?

No. Blue. Knickers. Shocked

http://www.thescore.ie/lions-jersey-presentation-test-australia-960666-Jun2013/

by ME-109 Tue 25 Feb 2014, 10:03 pm

You da man Jaimie...

by Jenifer McLadyboy Tue 25 Feb 2014, 11:55 pm

Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:
Sin é wrote:
Ah, here now, even a Dub must have been embarrassed with Heislip showing his knickers to the cameras when getting his Lions jersey. Its like what a rebellious teenager would do and his is about 30.

His knickers? WTF? Was he wearing a thong Sine?

No. Blue. Knickers.

http://www.thescore.ie/lions-jersey-presentation-test-australia-960666-Jun2013/

Jaysus man yer obsessed with Jamie's cacks. Not the first time you have been obsessing over them either. God love yah. Not into mens cacks meself. But like, each to his own and all.

I love the zeebenstien defense you are preparing there. "Jamie is 30" "zeebramovich is only a lad" nice. Thinking a few moves ahead. Like it.

I can picture yourself and aul ken dod going home and crying into yer book of rebel songs and asking god if he can swap zeeberino for Sean o'brien. Laugh

by **rodders** Wed 26 Feb 2014, 9:38 am

Sin é wrote:The point I'm making in a situation a few years down the road, all things equal except the kicking from the tee, JJ will get the gig because as you say yourself, as with Ulster, Ireland will always want their best kicker taking the kicks.

Lots of players get all their kicks in practice situation or low pressure games, but it has happened so often that when the pressure is on, people have failed.

When JJ assumes his rightful position of outside centre he is welcome to take the place kicks whilst general Paddy, the finest distributing outside half since Ollie Campbell* runs the show at 10.

*I'm actually too young to remember Ollie but he sounds like a fella who could pass the ball.

by GunsGerms Wed 26 Feb 2014, 9:40 am

rodders wrote:
Sin é wrote:The point I'm making in a situation a few years down the road, all things equal except the kicking from the tee, JJ will get the gig because as you say yourself, as with Ulster, Ireland will always want their best kicker taking the kicks.

Lots of players get all their kicks in practice situation or low pressure games, but it has happened so often that when the pressure is on, people have failed.

When JJ assumes his rightful position of outside centre he is welcome to take the place kicks whilst general Paddy, the finest distributing outside half since Ollie Campbell* runs the show at 10.

*I'm actually too young to remember Ollie but he sounds like a fella who could pass the ball.

It would actually be good if JJ turned out to be a class centre. I think multiple kickers is something we have been missing in Ireland teams.

What I like about him is he makes good decisions, he has good composure and very good skill. At 6 foot he will probably be able to bulk up even more to a good size for a modern centre too. Obviously right now he is a really good OH so whatever way he develops he is an exciting prospect.

by Sin é Wed 26 Feb 2014, 2:08 pm

rodders wrote:
Sin é wrote:The point I'm making in a situation a few years down the road, all things equal except the kicking from the tee, JJ will get the gig because as you say yourself, as with Ulster, Ireland will always want their best kicker taking the kicks.

Lots of players get all their kicks in practice situation or low pressure games, but it has happened so often that when the pressure is on, people have failed.

When JJ assumes his rightful position of outside centre he is welcome to take the place kicks whilst general Paddy, the finest distributing outside half since Ollie Campbell* runs the show at 10.

*I'm actually too young to remember Ollie but he sounds like a fella who could pass the ball.

Paddy needs to learn to run the show for Ulster first. Wink

by **rodders** Wed 26 Feb 2014, 2:13 pm

He does run the show, he just delegates responsibility to Ruan to run it for him... Wink

by Sin é Wed 26 Feb 2014, 3:27 pm

rodders wrote:He does run the show, he just delegates responsibility to Ruan to run it for him...

He is some operator, all right. He obviously has a bit of work to do with Conor Murray for Ireland Smile

by Sin é Wed 26 Feb 2014, 3:31 pm

Munster/Thomond Park are hosting the world club 7s in the summer.

Nice little cash maker. Between The Boss and that, we should be able to pay off our debts this year. A home Pro 12 semi & final would also help.

World Club 7s Coming To Limerick

The World Club 7s comes to Ireland for the first time this summer (August) with seven players on 12 teams from five continents competing in one very big party.
On the 9th & 10th of August, Limerick will host some of the biggest names in club and provincial rugby from both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Confirmed teams for the Limerick World Club 7s Festival include Saracens, New South Wales Waratahs, Stade Français, Moscow, Auckland, New York, Vancouver, South Africa's Blue Bulls and Western Province, and Munster Rugby.

The inaugural Limerick World Club 7s Festival is taking place at Thomond Park the weekend before this year's World Club 7s event in Twickenham with many of the same teams taking part in both, meaning that travelling fans will get four days of superb 7s in one week!

"Thomond Park Stadium is delighted to play its part in hosting Limerick World Club 7s this August," says John Cantwell, Stadium Director of Thomond Park Stadium, "and this top class event will provide an exciting additional must-see experience to our calendar of events at Thomond Park and will also deliver significant economic and social benefits to Limerick and the region.

"This tournament has the potential to become one of the leading international 7s rugby competitions in the world on an annual basis and to further endorse Limerick and the region as a hotbed of rugby and a centre of sporting excellence."

As well as the legendary facilities at Thomond Park, visitors to Limerick World Club 7s are invited to enjoy the events happening throughout Limerick, as this is a citywide festival, not just a rugby tournament.

Limerick City and County Manager Conn Murray is very pleased to welcome the inaugural Limerick World Club 7s Festival to the city. "We are looking forward to welcoming visitors and guests from all over the country and further afield this year, and for the next four years, and to showcasing everything about our vibrant and welcoming city."

This calibre of club 7s has never been seen on this island before. 7s tournaments are loved all over the world for their cosmopolitan international flair and sense of entertainment and fun.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/17828.php#.Uw4IX165cnU

by MunsterMac Wed 26 Feb 2014, 4:28 pm

Feck, feck, feck!!

I'm on holidays then!!

That sounds like a great event especially as by then we'll be starved of rugby for over 2 months.

by gleesonisgod Wed 26 Feb 2014, 5:05 pm

Stander
POM
Copeland
Zebo
Earls
Conway
VDH

That's a serious 7's team on paper.

by Sin é Wed 26 Feb 2014, 5:53 pm

Munster going for a Welsh Grand Slam this weekend.

Munster face Scarlets on Saturday looking for the victory that would complete a clean sweep over the Welsh regions this season in the PRO12 - a feat that has never been accomplished by any side before.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/17817.php#.Uw4p8l65cnU

by ME-109 Wed 26 Feb 2014, 6:28 pm

Sin é wrote:Munster going for a Welsh Grand Slam this weekend.

Munster face Scarlets on Saturday looking for the victory that would complete a clean sweep over the Welsh regions this season in the PRO12 - a feat that has never been accomplished by any side before.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/17817.php#.Uw4p8l65cnU

The proverbial banana skin...

by LeinsterFan4life Wed 26 Feb 2014, 9:28 pm

Thomand park is hosting the club international 7s tournament this year. Hopefully it will help get the IRFU to put a team on the circuit.

by The Boss Wed 26 Feb 2014, 9:52 pm

Sin é wrote:Munster/Thomond Park are hosting the world club 7s in the summer.

Nice little cash maker. Between The Boss and that, we should be able to pay off our debts this year. A home Pro 12 semi & final would also help.

World Club 7s Coming To Limerick

The World Club 7s comes to Ireland for the first time this summer (August) with seven players on 12 teams from five continents competing in one very big party.
On the 9th & 10th of August, Limerick will host some of the biggest names in club and provincial rugby from both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Confirmed teams for the Limerick World Club 7s Festival include Saracens, New South Wales Waratahs, Stade Français, Moscow, Auckland, New York, Vancouver, South Africa's Blue Bulls and Western Province, and Munster Rugby.

The inaugural Limerick World Club 7s Festival is taking place at Thomond Park the weekend before this year's World Club 7s event in Twickenham with many of the same teams taking part in both, meaning that travelling fans will get four days of superb 7s in one week!

"Thomond Park Stadium is delighted to play its part in hosting Limerick World Club 7s this August," says John Cantwell, Stadium Director of Thomond Park Stadium, "and this top class event will provide an exciting additional must-see experience to our calendar of events at Thomond Park and will also deliver significant economic and social benefits to Limerick and the region.

"This tournament has the potential to become one of the leading international 7s rugby competitions in the world on an annual basis and to further endorse Limerick and the region as a hotbed of rugby and a centre of sporting excellence."

As well as the legendary facilities at Thomond Park, visitors to Limerick World Club 7s are invited to enjoy the events happening throughout Limerick, as this is a citywide festival, not just a rugby tournament.

Limerick City and County Manager Conn Murray is very pleased to welcome the inaugural Limerick World Club 7s Festival to the city. "We are looking forward to welcoming visitors and guests from all over the country and further afield this year, and for the next four years, and to showcasing everything about our vibrant and welcoming city."

This calibre of club 7s has never been seen on this island before. 7s tournaments are loved all over the world for their cosmopolitan international flair and sense of entertainment and fun.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/17828.php#.Uw4IX165cnU

You'll not be cashing in on my name, Sin.

by BlueMuff Thu 27 Feb 2014, 10:27 am

Great to hear the soundbites coming from some of the Munster players such as D Ryan, Zebo, Killer, DOC and Coughlan to a lessor extent.

All saying that their only focus is playing well for Munster with important games against Osperys (last week) and Scarlets this. There must be a real determined mood building up within the camp with everybody pulling for each other.

by ME-109 Thu 27 Feb 2014, 1:54 pm

There definitely appears to be a siege mentality a bit like 99-01/02...I like it. Could be on the cusp of something big this year.

by KiaRose Sat 01 Mar 2014, 7:21 pm

Watching Scarlets v Munster on S4/C with English commentary. This is quite weird as the sound is coming through about a second ahead of the picture. Thus that penalty that Keatley kicked we could hear the thus of the kick as Keat;ey was running up to take it!!

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 7:41 pm

It is official.This ref is worse than anything that has come out of Scotland.Watching with the sound down and I thought he was Italian so I made allowances.He seems to have speed read the Laws without ever having played the game.Totally useless.

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 7:44 pm

I actually think the ref is having a good game, the most controversial decision was probably the TMO not checking the grounding for the Scarlets try when he had the chance- because it looked like James Coughlan might have just got in to hold it up!

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 7:45 pm

There's a deserved try for one of the best players on the pitch! Who should be featuring in the Six Nations.

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 7:53 pm

[quote="Notch"]I actually think the ref is having a good game, the most controversial decision was probably the TMO not checking the grounding for the Scarlets try when he had the chance- because it looked like James Coughlan might have just got in to hold it up![/quote
The offside decision when the ball ricocheted off a Scarlets player to Mcusker and the penalty against Davies when competing for the kick off were simply wrong.

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 7:56 pm

The first example you give was the right call by the ref, the second one you highlight was a very harsh call.

It's been a cracking game. Just sit back and enjoy it Taff!

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:02 pm

Aw harsh call on Munster- should have had the penalty for hands on the floor. Munster putting some good phases together though.

by glamorganalun Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:02 pm

Very good game munster unlucky with knock on ref having a good game great last move by munster.

by BlueMuff Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:02 pm

Harsh notch that's a disgraceful call

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:04 pm

Yeah, the TMO has made a few dodgy calls but if Munster can't win it from here they won't be able to use it as an excuse. The try was dodgy and not to give the penalty there was very strange!

by glamorganalun Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:06 pm

Lots of forward passes breaking the gainline but same for both sides

by Gretgael1 Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:08 pm

The ref is having a bad game. Every breakdown in the first half the scarlets would not try and win the ball, just go past it and block off the support, every time. TMO is a bloody disgrace as well.

by glamorganalun Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:10 pm

Never see that as a grounding

by Gretgael1 Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:11 pm

Side entry a yard from the line and just a penalty Headscratch

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:13 pm

Notch wrote:The first example you give was the right call by the ref, the second one you highlight was a very harsh call.

It's been a cracking game. Just sit back and enjoy it Taff!

First call by a sympathetic ref would have been accidental offside-scrum only.
Whilst typing he seems to have had another moment with that yellow.Oh dear.

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:14 pm

Taff, he kicked a guy in the face!

by Gretgael1 Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:16 pm

justice!

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:18 pm

Notch,if you rate this ref,God help you.

by glamorganalun Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:18 pm

Crime pays, 4 did nothing 7 retaliated.

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:21 pm

Taffineastbourne wrote:Notch,if you rate this ref,God help you.

This has been an excellent game. Can't believe that Munster have been so wasteful in the second half- can't believe Scarlets were so wasteful in the first!

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:21 pm

Notch wrote:Taff, he kicked a guy in the face!

With absolutely no intent!

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:23 pm

Taffineastbourne wrote:
Notch wrote:Taff, he kicked a guy in the face!
With absolutely no intent!

His intent was to illegally kick the ball out of the Munster players hands! Come on mun Smile

by glamorganalun Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:24 pm

Scarlets need to keep it up the jumper

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:26 pm

Notch wrote:
Taffineastbourne wrote:
Notch wrote:Taff, he kicked a guy in the face!
With absolutely no intent!

His intent was to illegally kick the ball out of the Munster players hands! Come on mun

He was not yellow carded but merely warned for that.Card for the accidental contact with face.Wrong.

by **Notch** Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:27 pm

Aye, okay Taff! Smile

Think Scarlets will close it out now- missed chance for Munster in the second half for sure, but the half-time score was very flattering to them. It's been a wonderful game of rugby.

by VinceWLB Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:31 pm

You would think Scarlet had just won the Heineken cup! great game though. 2 hours long lol.

by glamorganalun Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:31 pm

Great game and fair result well played both teams

by Gretgael1 Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:34 pm

For a neutral maybe, absolutely frustrating for those involved. Really fed up with it. Ref and TMO were shocking, Munster still should have won with the chances they had.

Same with the Embra and O's game last night, really fed up with the bad refs making a mockery of the game. Irish refs are so poor, really really bad.

by Taffineastbourne Sat 01 Mar 2014, 8:35 pm

Great game as a neutral.DAvies is NOT ready to come back for Wales despite what Robert Jones might say in commentary.His defence was tentative at best though his distribution was good.It is only England so I would not rush him b back.

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