Munster 2013/14

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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.

If you really want to prove me wrong go conduct a rugby census in Wicklow. for all you know this lad might have grown up in cork or have parents from Munster. Who cares though?

I have a friend from down the road in D6 who is a Dub but supports Munster. He is a gaelgower and primerally a GAA fun and somehow believes that that means he should support Munster. What a plank!! Whatever that young lads reasons I cant stand people who support teams for some sort of fantastical ideological reasons. The only thing that should matter in my opinion is the game itself.

Its like the hoards of dumbass Irish Celtic fans that spend a fortune every year going to Celtic games somehow believing they are supporting an Irish team when really its just the Catholic v Protestant bigotery they identify with.

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to highlight how dumb they are.

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to illustrate how dumb they are.

Gentlemen we have a winner in the 'Ironic statement of the year' category.

MunsterMac wrote:

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to illustrate how dumb they are.

Gentlemen we have a winner in the 'Ironic statement of the year' category.

Please explain. Clearly I have upset a Celtic fan.

Guns is clearly a glutton for punishment....

Anyhow. Regardless of next weekends game I watched the SF, Toulouse game at the weekend....Toulouse came back from 27-3 down at one stage to draw...their bench was scary and they look in rude health. I dont know how people are saying the Top 14 is all biff/bosh but this was a cracking game...

GunsGerms wrote:If you really want to prove me wrong go conduct a rugby census in Wicklow. for all you know this lad might have grown up in cork or have parents from Munster. Who cares though?

I have a friend from down the road in D6 who is a Dub but supports Munster. He is a gaelgower and primerally a GAA fun and somehow believes that that means he should support Munster. What a plank!! Whatever that young lads reasons I cant stand people who support teams for some sort of fantastical ideological reasons. The only thing that should matter in my opinion is the game itself.

Its like the hoards of dumbass Irish Celtic fans that spend a fortune every year going to Celtic games somehow believing they are supporting an Irish team when really its just the Catholic v Protestant bigotery they identify with.

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to highlight how dumb they are.

That is just mad, Ted     

I know, you would think that living in Leinster if you had any interest in rugby you would gravitate to the best team in Europe particularly since they are on your doorstep. Supporting a team for ideological reasons is just silly. Nothing to do with sport.

Sin é wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:If you really want to prove me wrong go conduct a rugby census in Wicklow. for all you know this lad might have grown up in cork or have parents from Munster. Who cares though?

I have a friend from down the road in D6 who is a Dub but supports Munster. He is a gaelgower and primerally a GAA fun and somehow believes that that means he should support Munster. What a plank!! Whatever that young lads reasons I cant stand people who support teams for some sort of fantastical ideological reasons. The only thing that should matter in my opinion is the game itself.

Its like the hoards of dumbass Irish Celtic fans that spend a fortune every year going to Celtic games somehow believing they are supporting an Irish team when really its just the Catholic v Protestant bigotery they identify with.

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to highlight how dumb they are.

That is just mad, Ted     

There will be some very disappointed Jesuits out in Clongowes...goes to show that an expensive education doesnt always get the right results..  

GunsGerms wrote:I know, you would think that living in Leinster if you had any interest in rugby you would gravitate to the best team in Europe particularly since they are on your doorstep. Supporting a team for ideological reasons is just silly. Nothing to do with sport.

Guns, I used to go to a lot of Leinster games down in Donnybrook (a friend's house mate played for Leinster). They used to be good to look at back then. Not so much now.

ME-109 wrote:

Sin é wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:If you really want to prove me wrong go conduct a rugby census in Wicklow. for all you know this lad might have grown up in cork or have parents from Munster. Who cares though?

I have a friend from down the road in D6 who is a Dub but supports Munster. He is a gaelgower and primerally a GAA fun and somehow believes that that means he should support Munster. What a plank!! Whatever that young lads reasons I cant stand people who support teams for some sort of fantastical ideological reasons. The only thing that should matter in my opinion is the game itself.

Its like the hoards of dumbass Irish Celtic fans that spend a fortune every year going to Celtic games somehow believing they are supporting an Irish team when really its just the Catholic v Protestant bigotery they identify with.

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to highlight how dumb they are.

That is just mad, Ted     

There will be some very disappointed Jesuits out in Clongowes...goes to show that an expensive education doesnt always get the right results..  

I know a catholic priest who supports rangers for the same reasons I claim to. To highlight the stupidity of it all.

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Sin é wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:If you really want to prove me wrong go conduct a rugby census in Wicklow. for all you know this lad might have grown up in cork or have parents from Munster. Who cares though?

I have a friend from down the road in D6 who is a Dub but supports Munster. He is a gaelgower and primerally a GAA fun and somehow believes that that means he should support Munster. What a plank!! Whatever that young lads reasons I cant stand people who support teams for some sort of fantastical ideological reasons. The only thing that should matter in my opinion is the game itself.

Its like the hoards of dumbass Irish Celtic fans that spend a fortune every year going to Celtic games somehow believing they are supporting an Irish team when really its just the Catholic v Protestant bigotery they identify with.

I usuallly tell them I support Rangers to to highlight how dumb they are.

That is just mad, Ted     

There will be some very disappointed Jesuits out in Clongowes...goes to show that an expensive education doesnt always get the right results..  

I know a catholic priest who supports rangers for the same reasons I claim to. To highlight the stupidity of it all.

I bet the priest isn't a J though!

Gas that Clongowes have a Munster head coach though. You'd think they would have some Leinster born fellows to teach them how to play the Leinster way   

Clongowes is full of Munster students and even some Munster teachers. It doesnt matter where you are from. Jordan Couglan, Brian Carney and Eoin Reddan all from Munster all attended Clongowes albeit only a year for Reddan.

Simon Coveney also went to Clongowes.

Not a J but dont see what difference that makes.

Anyway.........

The likely team for Leinster?

My stab

15 - Jones
14 - Earls
13 - Laulala
12 - Downey
11 - Zebo
10 - Keatley
9 - Murray
8 - Coughlan
7 - TOD
6 - POM
5 - POC
4 - Ryan
3 - Botha
2 - Varley
1 - Kilcoyne

Not sure what the story is with TOD at the moment. Is he still injured?

MunsterMac wrote:Anyway.........

The likely team for Leinster?

My stab

15 - Jones
14 - Earls
13 - Laulala
12 - Downey
11 - Earls
10 - Keatley
9 - Murray
8 - Coughlan
7 - TOD
6 - POM
5 - POC
4 - Ryan
3 - Botha
2 - Varley
1 - Kilcoyne

Not sure what the story is with TOD at the moment. Is he still injured?

Earls - so good you have him in twice

Is that because he is twice as good as Zebo?

MunsterMac wrote:Anyway.........

The likely team for Leinster?

My stab

15 - Jones
14 - Earls
13 - Laulala
12 - Downey
11 - Earls
10 - Keatley
9 - Murray
8 - Coughlan
7 - TOD
6 - POM
5 - POC
4 - Ryan
3 - Botha
2 - Varley
1 - Kilcoyne

Not sure what the story is with TOD at the moment. Is he still injured?

The TOD injury was only an excuse. He got a bit of a stinger while playing for Munster, but was back in training with Munster the following Tuesday, never to make a 6Ns squad again.

Sorry.

Distracted by trying to do a bit of work at the same time.

Shame on me.

The TOD injury was only an excuse. He got a bit of a stinger while playing for Munster, but was back in training with Munster the following Tuesday, never to make a 6Ns squad again.

Yes but that was weeks ago and he wasn't even on the bench on Saturday.

Surely it couldn't be that Schmidt was telling the truth   

Really only 3 decisions for starting team in my view:

1. Earls or J Murphy - JM has played very well in all HC matches this year and having his best season since joining but was very quiet against Treviso. Earls just back from long injury but was decent on Sat

Verdict - very harsh on Murphy but it has to be Earls

2. James Cronin or Killer - this is a real tight decision. Both players are good in open play and both hit rucks hard. However Cronin has a real edge in the scrum and proved this again on Sat when we started going backwards when Killer was introduced.

Verdict - Cronin (albeit Penney will go for Killer).

3. BJ or Archer - Archer having his best season for Munster and has gotten the nod over BJ for HC matches. BJ has been pinged alot in last 2 years in scrum.

Verdict - BJ (but I suspect Archer will get picked).

We will need all four props firing on all cylinders for both games. Would like to see Killer and Botha start and bring on Cronin and Archer in the second half.

Toulouse have Toulon next weekend and McAllister went off injured in the game against SF last weekend. They were very impressive in the comeback against SF full of running and they have some very impressive ball carriers in the pack....

McAllister is out for the Toulon game but not clear if he will miss the Munster game.

MunsterMac wrote:

The TOD injury was only an excuse. He got a bit of a stinger while playing for Munster, but was back in training with Munster the following Tuesday, never to make a 6Ns squad again.

Yes but that was weeks ago and he wasn't even on the bench on Saturday.

Dougal benched last time (1 March), while Tommy started. He needed the gametime.

I think you have to remember that there have been no Rabo games for the last 3 weeks, so a few players would need gametime as well. Particularly Dougal who is coming back from an injury.

Sin é wrote:

MunsterMac wrote:

The TOD injury was only an excuse. He got a bit of a stinger while playing for Munster, but was back in training with Munster the following Tuesday, never to make a 6Ns squad again.

Yes but that was weeks ago and he wasn't even on the bench on Saturday.

Dougal benched last time (1 March), while Tommy started. He needed the gametime.

I think you have to remember that there have been no Rabo games for the last 3 weeks, so a few players would need gametime as well. Particularly Dougal who is coming back from an injury.

Thats it, and they wont get game time in the next 2 weeks either with the ladies and Toulouse so this was the only chance they had. Same with JJ.

BlueMuff wrote:

Sin é wrote:

MunsterMac wrote:

The TOD injury was only an excuse. He got a bit of a stinger while playing for Munster, but was back in training with Munster the following Tuesday, never to make a 6Ns squad again.

Yes but that was weeks ago and he wasn't even on the bench on Saturday.

Dougal benched last time (1 March), while Tommy started. He needed the gametime.

I think you have to remember that there have been no Rabo games for the last 3 weeks, so a few players would need gametime as well. Particularly Dougal who is coming back from an injury.

Thats it, and they wont get game time in the next 2 weeks either with the ladies and Toulouse so this was the only chance they had. Same with JJ.

Leinster didn't have the same gametime issues because all their fringe players were getting a game in Paris.   

Anyone think Duncan Casey should get a start this weekend? I would put him better than Varley at the moment.

ME-109 wrote:Anyone think Duncan Casey should get a start this weekend? I would put him better than Varley at the moment.

Actually thought he was injured but yes - I have him in the same bracket as Cronin at the moment i.e. slightly better at core job than the incumbent.

Varleys throwing can be really hit and miss and he is just average in the scrum. Casey is throwing very well and a big block of a man in the scrum.

ME-109 wrote:Anyone think Duncan Casey should get a start this weekend? I would put him better than Varley at the moment.

Varley was very lucky not to get sent off for telling the ref to shut the F-up v Treviso.

BlueMuff wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Anyone think Duncan Casey should get a start this weekend? I would put him better than Varley at the moment.

Actually thought he was injured but yes - I have him in the same bracket as Cronin at the moment i.e. slightly better at core job than the incumbent.

Varleys throwing can be really hit and miss and he is just average in the scrum. Casey is throwing very well and a big block of a man in the scrum.

Plus he can give away really stupid penalties.

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Anyone think Duncan Casey should get a start this weekend? I would put him better than Varley at the moment.

Varley was very lucky not to get sent off for telling the ref to shut the F-up v Treviso.

Voice of an angel though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzM6e2P9OHw

I prefer this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evqLrqLh8Us

Impressive.

The two of you should put him forward for the Eurovision

He's not bad you have to admit. Better than Tommy Bowe.

Varley was playing very well ( including darts) before the injury so I think Penny will start him to try and get him back up to speed before the big one.

Hmmm...if these threads are anything to go by, the clash of the Titans is going to be a classic damp squib.  The banter is top class here.......................................... could fry an egg on the solemn silence.................................... the din of crickets is beautiful.

From Munster website:

"Donnacha Ryan underwent a scan yesterday and will visit a specialist later today after hurting his right foot on Saturday night."

In other news musgrave park to be renamed Irish independent news park! No problem with this as long as they got a good price

BlueMuff wrote:In other news musgrave park to be renamed Irish independent news park! No problem with this as long as they got a good price

Hopefully...bet the Examiner is spitting over that one...

It looks like Munster's heavy weight commercial committee is delivering. The Chairman of Independent News & Media (Buckley who ousted Tony O'Reilly  as chair ) is on the board. Two birds with one stone - sponsoring Munster would annoy O'Reilly!

Sin é wrote:It looks like Munster's heavy weight commercial committee is delivering. The Chairman of Independent News & Media (Buckley who ousted Tony O'Reilly  as chair ) is on the board. Two birds with one stone - sponsoring Munster would annoy O'Reilly!

Nah, Sin...totally the wrong angle there  

What it means is that Munster just sold its hard Western soul to an elitist Dublin 4 Rag (certainly the Sunday edition with all it's Dub celebs falling all over themselves out of Dub eateries and bistros - don't you know!!! - to either sleep with each other or interview each other after the deeds of delinquence and dubious dalliances)

Hopefully we get some decent games down here now...

Anyone know what the story is with POM...was it just a precaution? We will be toast without him next weekend.

Dear ME, as in egocentral, you're toast with or without the much over-hyped, gobby, POM.

I actually used to enjoy watching Munster play, but your offensive, inane, pathetic posting has ensured i will rejoice at your loss.

Did someone leave a door open in here? I could have sworn there was a bleating sound just then. Sounds like it came from some no hopers...you can always tell its the whiff of the green eyed monster when your own team have to settle for the LD Vans trophy or something like that.

Really looking forward to the game this weekend. Got a good feeling that Munster will take this.

POM and Varley are apparently ok. D Ryan is not, Archer has a big problem so J Ryan on the bench. Will need BJ for the full 80 I feel. I thought Felix Jones was particularly bad last weekend. A back three of Earls/Heever and Zebo at Full back would be nice...

I think Toulouse will try to strangle the life out of us as they did to Saracens and like the semi in 2003.

Feel more confident knowing that POM should be ok for the match.

Heres the team I would love to see. Only changes in the backs but close to how we finished on Sat. Cronin is pushing Killer hard but he did well on Sat happy to see him start.

15. Zeebs
14. Keith Earls
13. Casey Laulala
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. VD Heever
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Damien Varley
3. BJ Botha
4. Dave Foley
5. Paul O' Connell
6. Peter O'Mahony (c)
7. Tommy O'Donnell
8. James Coughlan

I think it would be too big a risk to throw VD Heever into a match like this especially as he has shown no more than a few glimpses of his potential up to now.

Johne Murphy for me at 11.

I thought VD Heever was pretty good any time I have seen him. Mind you Jones wasnt any worse than Zeebs or Earls on Saturday.

Everyone looking for Murphy at 11? Whoever plays wing will have a tough job marking Huget, Clerc or Gear.

MunsterMac wrote:I think it would be too big a risk to throw VD Heever into a match like this especially as he has shown no more than a few glimpses of his potential up to now.

Johne Murphy for me at 11.

Murphys form of late hasnt been great but in his defense a number of games have been in the centre where we are complete rubbish. Earls and Zebo were great last Sat and made ground constantly. Zeebs was by far the best back on show and constantly got over the gain line (went around Jaimie like he wasnt there at one stage). Our main problem are centres who cannot pass. Watching Casey crab across the field is annoying. Heever looks up to it for me.

Felix Jones has just got worse as the season has gone on and he screwed up on a couple of occasions last sat. Its a pity Earls has been injured for so long as it would definitely have been worth a look at him again in the centre.

Its probably going to come down to the forwards for this one...

Zeebs was still at fault for O'Driscoll's try. Will he be too much of a defensive liablility against the likes of Huget, Clerc, Poitrenau?