Munster 2014/2015

Munster Senior Squad 14/15

Hooker: Duncan Casey, Niall Scannell, Mike Sherry, Damien Varley

Prop: Stephen Archer, BJ Botha, Alan Cotter, James Cronin, Martin Kelly, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan

Lock: Dave Foley, Billy Holland, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha Ryan

Back Row: Shane Buckley*, Paddy Butler, Robin Copeland, Sean Dougall, Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, Barry O'Mahoney, Peter O'Mahoney, CJ Stander

Scrum Half: Conor Murray, Cathal Sheridan, Duncan Williams

Out Half: JJ Hanrahan, Jonny Holland*, Ian Keatley, Tyler Bleyendaal

Centre: Cian Bohane, Ivan Dineen, Keith Earls, Andrew Smith

Wing: Andrew Conway, Johne Murphy, Luke O'Dea, Ronan O'Mahoney, Gerhard van den Heever, Simon Zebo

Full Back: Denis Hurley, Felix Jones

*Promoted from academy

Player Movement 14/15

In: Tyler Bleyendaal (Crusaders), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues), Martin Kelly (Dublin University), Andrew Smith (Brumbies)
Out: James Coughlan (Pau), James Downey (Glasgow Warriors), Casey Laulala (Racing Metro), Quentin MacDonald (Chiefs, NZ), Ian Nagle (TBC), Niall Ronan (Retired)

Academy Squad 14/15

Max Abbot (Year 1), Rory Burke (Year 2), Niall Horan (Year 2) Brian Scott (Year 1), John Madigan (Year 2), Sean McCarthy (Year 2), Darragh Moloney (Year 1), Ryan Murphy (Year 3), Jack O'Donoghue (Year 3)
Jack Cullen (Year 2), Ryan Foley (Year 1), Jamie Glynn (Year 1), Gearoid Lyons (Year 2), Dan Goggin (Year 1), Rory Scannell (Year 2), Greg O'Shea (Year 2), Alex Wootton (Year 2), Stephen Fitzgerald (Year 1), David Johnston (Year 2), Darren Sweetnam (Year 3)

Coaching Staff 14/15

Head Coach: Anthony Foley
Team Manager: Niall O'Donovan
Scrum Coach: Jerry Flannery
Backs Coach: Brian Walsh
Assistant Coach: Ian Costello
Technical Advisor: Mick O'Driscoll

Rugby Champions Cup Pool 14/15

Saracens, Munster, Clermont, Sale Sharks

Guinness Pro 12 Opening Fixtures

Edinburgh (H)
Treviso (A)
Zebre (H)
Ospreys (H)
Leinster (A)

That really is a fierce RCC pool, three teams who will believe that they can win on the road.

I hope that Jack O'Donoghue lad gets a run of games in the Pro12, he seems like a great prospect.

I thought I would let the opening post be neutral and it'd be better to have my (uniformed) opinions in the comments.

Right from the off, there will be a lot to analyse and discuss. There is a new coaching team, the first Munster and Irish man in the top seat since 2008. Actually, as I was inputting the coaching team in the opening post, I was encouraged by a totally indigenous coaching staff but particularly to see Walsh and Costello, showing that the AIB can be a pathway in the coaching ranks.

It is the brand of rugby though that these men will employ that will be of most interest. I personally have appreciated the attempts to bring more oxygen into the game from the previous regimes and especially a team that looks comfortable keeping the ball off the ground, offloading. But under Penney, there was tendency to go East-to-West to quickly and a player like Downey was wasted for large portions of his time at Munster.

The mention of Downey is a nice segue into what I think could possibly be the biggest area of concern and that is the centres. Downey is a loss, but Laulala much more so. Andrew Smith has been brought in on a year contract, but I can only see that as stop gap. Though from what I saw of him at the Brumbies, he runs good straight hard lines. There's the possibility that one of the stand-offs could be moved into the 12 slot but I'm not totally convinced of that option. Because of the paucity of choice, I can see Earls shifting back inside and well, really that has been the issue of his career, never being allowed to settle into one position. I see in the academy, Rory Scannell and Dan Goggin are there. I know they aren't really up for this level yet but are there high hopes for either of them in the future?

The pack looks in good nick from where I am looking. It is so encouraging to see good quality depth coming through in the loosehead prop position and I am intrigued to see this Martin Kelly come under the tutelage of Flannery and Botha at tighthead. There are some high raps on this lad.

Robin Copeland could be a real coup of a signing if he can transfer his form from the Blues. He is a dynamic player who I think will really add to the backrow. But looking further down the line, maybe this could be a year where we see a couple of appearances from Jack O'Donoghue, who looks like he could be a real player at pro level.

I do have some more thoughts but honestly, I am just tired of typing at this point. Anyways, I look forward to hearing others thoughts on this upcoming season.

Bleyendaal has played quite a bit at 12 and so should offer another option in the centre. He's a very good prospect at 23 years young and I think could become a fan favourite fairly quickly. I wonder if Foley will get criticused for playing a NIQ at 10. I would think that he will come under some pressure not to do that and we may see the Kiwi at 12 a fair bit.

As a Glasgow fan, I have to say that I was delighted we got Downey. He's exactly what we need as a squad man and I think that he will slot in very well with Bennett and Dunbar for us. He's also about twice the size of Peter Horne and some games we will need that sort of strength.

Goes without saying that its a monster Munster pack as usual. How long can O'Connell keep staving off the years?

I'm happy enough to see Downey and Lualala leave. Neither impressed too much. Lualala was alright but for one reason or another, things didn't go well for Downey.

Scannell and Goggin are 2 good prospects. They'll be pro 12 level at least. Can Bohane is also there but I have never seen him play. 12 looks to be sorted with Bleyendaal, Keatley and Hanrahan all capable of playing there.

They recruited well. With the exception of Nagle all the players leaving are getting on a bit. Copeland offers something different to Coughlan and could be an excellent signing. Bleyendaal is class, completely different to Downey and should link well and help Hanrahan and Keatley. Martin Kelly could be another good signing. Big man and highly rated from the AIL and is 24 which is young for a tight head. No better coach than Botha to learn from.


The coaching team will make the biggest differences. The media say that Munster will go back playing a cautious forward oriented game under Foley but there's no evidence for that. Penney is a loss but the coaching team they have now could be stronger overall. They're all intelligent men so hopefully with the new players coming on board Munster can step things up a bit. I think they'll continue down the road they were going under Penney but put their own stamp on the team.

Worth reading this interview with Ian Costelloe in thescore.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/ian-costello-munster-assitant-coach-1567344-Jul2014/

Interesting development - Ian Nagle is quitting rugby to go on management graduate programme in Washington DC.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18777.php#.U8e7oqjfYnU

Downey is a loss, but Laulala much more so

I don't agree. He was just as likely to play a hospital pass as produce a moment of genius and to be honest I'm glad to see the back of him.

For me he epitomized everything that was wrong with Munster for the last few years: bags of potential but rarely a match winning / turning end product and usually took the wrong option or just tried something mad.

My wishes for the coming season would be that:

Mike Sherry, Donncha Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell & Luke O'Dea have a largely injury free season,

that CJ Stander and JJ finally show the world what they are capable of and

that someone 'accidentally' locks Duncan Williams into a toilet on the away trip to Zebre / Treviso and he doesn't make it home till next June.

Sin é wrote:Interesting development - Ian Nagle is quitting rugby to go on management graduate programme in Washington DC.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18777.php#.U8e7oqjfYnU

His heart isn't in it. Excellent athlete but probably not suited to being a rugby player.

Munster Race is on this week. It was a brilliant success last year. Individual teams have sponsors this year.

By popular demand the Munster Race returns this week with the squad hitting the road on a two-day tour of the province on Wednesday.
Last year's inaugural race saw the Munster squad hit the 6 counties on a team building exercise that quickly became an extremely successful and popular community engagement initiative.

With social media going into overdrive and a frenzy of updates from the squad as they toured around the province, supporters got the chance to meet their Munster heroes up close in their local surroundings, and we're doing it all again this summer!

So look out for roaming Munster players as they make their way through local towns around the province this Wednesday and Thursday.

Make sure to stop the players for a selfie or autograph, or get them to do a random task as they make their way to Dingle where the squad will all gather on Thursday at 5pm. They will then host an open training session in Rugbaí Corca Duibhne on Friday morning at 10.30am.

Like last year the groups have been assigned challenges for along the way with Munster Rugby sponsors also setting tasks for each of the groups. It won't be all fun and games with the squad required to do their assigned gym session also on Wednesday, so who knows? - you could have 7 Munster players joining you as you sweat it out in the gym this week!

Stay up-to-date with everything happening on the Munster Race by following the hashtag #MunRace14 or follow our live blog on the Munster Rugby website from Wednesday.


Find details of groups and general routes below:

Group 1: Shane Buckley, Ivan Dineen, Denis Hurley, Barry O'Mahony, Johne Murphy, Conor Murray, Damien Varley

Drop-off: Doolin, Co. Clare
Sponsor Challenge: SEAT
General route: Clare-Limerick-Kerry

Group 2: Alan Cotter, Dave Foley, Ian Keatley, Dave O'Callaghan, John Ryan, Gerhard van den Heever, Simon Zebo

Drop-off: Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Sponsor Challenge: Coca Cola
General route: Tipperary-Limerick-Cork-Kerry

Group 3: Andrew Conway, Sean Dougall, Dave Kilcoyne, Luke O'Dea, Tommy O'Donnell, Niall Scannell, Duncan Williams

Drop-off: Waterford City
Sponsor Challenge: Bank of Ireland
General route: Waterford-Cork-Kerry

Group 4: Paddy Butler, JJ Hanrahan, Billy Holland, Martin Kelly, Donncha O'Callaghan, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Sherry

Drop-off: Cork City
Sponsor Challenge: Timberland
General route: Cork-Kerry

Group 5: BJ Botha, Keith Earls, Johnny Holland, Felix Jones, Kevin O'Byrne, Ronan O'Mahony, Felix Jones

Drop-off: Killaloe, Co. Clare
Sponsor Challenge: Life Style Sports
General route: Clare-Limerick-Kerry

Group 6: Stephen Archer, Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, Robin Copeland, James Cronin, Paul O'Connell, Cathal Sheridan, CJ Stander

Drop-off: Bandon, Co. Cork
Sponsor Challenge: Irish Independent
General route: Cork-Ring of Kerry

#MunRace14

Sin é wrote:Munster Race is on this week. It was a brilliant success last year. Individual teams have sponsors this year.

By popular demand the Munster Race returns this week with the squad hitting the road on a two-day tour of the province on Wednesday.
Last year's inaugural race saw the Munster squad hit the 6 counties on a team building exercise that quickly became an extremely successful and popular community engagement initiative.

With social media going into overdrive and a frenzy of updates from the squad as they toured around the province, supporters got the chance to meet their Munster heroes up close in their local surroundings, and we're doing it all again this summer!

So look out for roaming Munster players as they make their way through local towns around the province this Wednesday and Thursday.

Make sure to stop the players for a selfie or autograph, or get them to do a random task as they make their way to Dingle where the squad will all gather on Thursday at 5pm. They will then host an open training session in Rugbaí Corca Duibhne on Friday morning at 10.30am.

Like last year the groups have been assigned challenges for along the way with Munster Rugby sponsors also setting tasks for each of the groups. It won't be all fun and games with the squad required to do their assigned gym session also on Wednesday, so who knows? - you could have 7 Munster players joining you as you sweat it out in the gym this week!

Stay up-to-date with everything happening on the Munster Race by following the hashtag #MunRace14 or follow our live blog on the Munster Rugby website from Wednesday.


Find details of groups and general routes below:

Group 1: Shane Buckley, Ivan Dineen, Denis Hurley, Barry O'Mahony, Johne Murphy, Conor Murray, Damien Varley

Drop-off: Doolin, Co. Clare
Sponsor Challenge: SEAT
General route: Clare-Limerick-Kerry

Group 2: Alan Cotter, Dave Foley, Ian Keatley, Dave O'Callaghan, John Ryan, Gerhard van den Heever, Simon Zebo

Drop-off: Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Sponsor Challenge: Coca Cola
General route: Tipperary-Limerick-Cork-Kerry

Group 3: Andrew Conway, Sean Dougall, Dave Kilcoyne, Luke O'Dea, Tommy O'Donnell, Niall Scannell, Duncan Williams

Drop-off: Waterford City
Sponsor Challenge: Bank of Ireland
General route: Waterford-Cork-Kerry

Group 4: Paddy Butler, JJ Hanrahan, Billy Holland, Martin Kelly, Donncha O'Callaghan, Peter O'Mahony, Mike Sherry

Drop-off: Cork City
Sponsor Challenge: Timberland
General route: Cork-Kerry

Group 5: BJ Botha, Keith Earls, Johnny Holland, Felix Jones, Kevin O'Byrne, Ronan O'Mahony, Felix Jones

Drop-off: Killaloe, Co. Clare
Sponsor Challenge: Life Style Sports
General route: Clare-Limerick-Kerry

Group 6: Stephen Archer, Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, Robin Copeland, James Cronin, Paul O'Connell, Cathal Sheridan, CJ Stander

Drop-off: Bandon, Co. Cork
Sponsor Challenge: Irish Independent
General route: Cork-Ring of Kerry

#MunRace14

Have to say that is an excellent idea/event on so many levels.

It really works well. Must say the Munster PR/communications has stepped up a lot so far this season. Something new on the website every day - great blog on preseason by Duncan Casey (god knows how he is managing his Support Palestine activism as well as preseason).

Activity can be followed here:

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/munsterrace.php

Some great photos here ....

Damian Varley getting a kick up the arse at Fr Ted's house.

Donnacha Ryan driving a pony and trap in Moyross. Hard to tell (Donnacha is wearing a red singlet) who is the rugby player and who is the 'local'! Donnacha fits right in!

You wouldn't catch the Leinster boys out doing this in Tallaght.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18825.php#.U9jtBajfYmI

Anyone know what time Munster are playing today in the world club sevens?

They are on at the moment (Setanta Ireland).

Looks like Munster will mix up their style of play more this season. The main problem last season was the failure to get to grips with the Penney style. Foley said they'll keep some things and introduce some other things. They're not saying much though so we'll have to wait and see how Munster play.

It sounds like the Limerick 7s was a success despite the weather and poor enough attendence (which was due to a number of things). Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Maybe next year Leinster and Ulster could be added which would really help the attendence.

Munster Race 2014
Video of Group 1's trip around the Province.

http://vimeo.com/103179414

Its pretty good.

Anyone got the low down on which players will be available and when depending on whether they played for Ireland / Emerging Ireland during the summer?

Confirmed yesterday that Keith Earls, Mike Sherry, Peter O’Mahony, Donnacha Ryan, Damien Varley, Gerhardt van den Heever and Niall Scannell are all out for varying periods due to injury.

Just heard Foley on the radio. He said Munster will play with 2 10s this season ie a 2nd 5/8. Looks like Hanrahan and Keatley will play both 10 and 12, Bleyendaal will be a 12 and Johnny Holland will be a 10.

Munster team to face London Irish on Friday night:

Johne Murphy; Ronan O'Mahony, Andrew Smith, Cian Bohane, Darren Sweetnam, Johnny Holland, Cathal Sheridan; John Ryan, Kevin O'Byrne, Stephen Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan Capt., Billy Holland, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, Robin Copeland. 

Replacements: Ger Slattery, Duncan Casey, Alan Cotter, BJ Botha, Sean McCarthy, John Madigan, Shane Buckley, Barry O'Mahony, Duncan Williams, David Johnston, Ivan Dineen, Rory Scannell.

That match is currently on. Heres the twitter feed https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby

Will it ever end?

Now they're injured before they even get to Munster!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/tyler-bleyendaals-serious-neck-injury-adds-to-munsters-woes-30575158.html

Injury update.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/19015.php#.VBB9LcJdWiB

Feel really sorry for Bohane.

He has "ruptured both his anterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner" and will be out for 6 to 9 months.

Yikes Munster could really struggle during the international windows this year.Losing so many of the players that would normally take up the slack when the internationals are away will really make it tough going.

So the season is just starting and Munster have the following injured. POM, Sherry, Bleyendaal, Bohane, Earls, Hanrahan, Varley, Niall Scannell, Dave O'Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan? and a few players with knocks.

When is PoM back,will he make the November internationals?

It was reported a while back that he was hoping to make his comeback either at home to Ospreys on September 27th, or the following week against Leinster at Aviva Stadium.

I see where Copeland had his passport stolen from his car yesterday and was afraid he might not be able to make the trip to Italy.

Passport Office seem to have sorted him out since.

Munster's season really has started in an odd fashion to say the least!

That's good at least,he should have another big season this year after having his shoulder sorted and then getting a full preseason.

Munster: Felix Jones - capt, Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, Billy Holland; CJ Stander, Tommy O'Donnell, Robin Copeland

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Sean Dougall, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, Ronan O'Mahony

MunsterMac wrote:Will it ever end?

Well apparently POC was due to start against Treviso but has gone home due to personal reasons. Rumours doing the rounds already about that. If true theres big problems in the camp.

Also talk that Keatley and Conway were having not too pleasant words with Jerry Flannery during the Edinburgh match.

Rumours doing the rounds already about that. If true theres big problems in the camp.

All of the rumours I've heard are completely unsubstantiated and seem to be basically a few posters on various forums trying to let on they know something they don't seem to be able to back up and are just trying to cause trouble.

And if I was in a position to I would have been having a lot of "not too pleasant words" with Keatley, Conway and a few more last Friday evening.

I can imagine someone like Jerry Flannery who always gave 100% when playing must have been tearing his hair out at what he was watching.

This thread is seems to be a reflection of what our season is going to be like....

[quote="profitius"]Munster: Felix Jones - capt, Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; James Cronin, Duncan Casey, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, Billy Holland; CJ Stander, Tommy O'Donnell, Robin Copeland

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, John Ryan, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Sean Dougall, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, Ronan O'Mahony

MunsterMac wrote:Will it ever end?

Well apparently POC was due to start against Treviso but has gone home due to personal reasons. Rumours doing the rounds already about that. If true theres big problems in the camp.

Also talk that Keatley and Conway were having not too pleasant words with Jerry Flannery during the Edinburgh match. [/quote

His son Paddy was sick. POC's wife being asked about how he was on twitter.

Tonight Zebo was clearly not resourcing enough rucks given he scored three tries. He should be dropped from the Irish squad immediately

How many Zebras turned up on the savanna? I hope they made a game of it by putting 30 on their side...anything less and they're down a man for the full 80

Well despite some improvements here and there I didn't see anything on Friday to convince me that Munster have turned the corner.

We were playing at home against a very poor Zebre side and at times made very hard work of it.

The most disappointing aspect from my point of view was the dip in intensity for the last  10 / 15 minutes culminating in conceding the try right on full time.

Next Saturday will tell us a lot more about where Munster are at and if they've learned any lessons since the start of the season.

How do you think it will go on Saturday MunsterMac ? The Ospreys have started well, but I think the game on Saturday might be a bridge too far for the youngsters at the Ospreys. It could be close though.

I'd say it'll be very close.

We both put Treviso away easily enough but we were terrible against Edinburgh whereas you hammered them.

I would expect a strong Munster team playing at a decent intensity to win but neither can be guaranteed these days.

Just announced that Donnacha Ryan is out for another 6 months.  

He has to have his troublesome toe operated on.

This is the same problem that has been hounding him since March so could they not have made this decision in May on the balance of probability??

You'd have to seriously begin to question the Munster medical setup at this stage.

He has a London specialist who would make those kind of decisions.

Earls seems to have a big problem as well. He is meeting with his consultant next week.

This will be a major blow to his World cup chances. Hes going to miss the AIs, the 6 nations and the majority of Munsters season. Given he hasnt been involved in Schmidts Ireland team yet I doubt hell make the cut.

Sin é wrote:He has a London specialist who would make those kind of decisions.

Earls seems to have a big problem as well. He is meeting with his consultant next week.

Such a shame. Guys like Ryan, Earls, Fitzpatrick, Ferris, Leamy, Flannery, Wilkinson, Tuohy, being so blighted by chronic injuries. Always seemingly a few weeks away from a comeback only to have setback after setback. Damn shame.

Real shame for Ryan, always had huge regard for him but hard to see how he can make the RWC given that prognosis

Do you mind if I intrude on your thread, Edinburgh beat you at your home, we hammered them at our home, so we have to conclude we'll beat you at your home, in our dreams perhaps, not on Irish soil, if we get one or two points I'll be happy.
The starting team against Edinburgh averaged out at  24 with AWJ the eldest at 29, the majority of the team was 23 or 24, yet the most impressive thing for me was the inexperience not only of the 15, the rest of the squad as well, if we finish in the top 6 this season with all this inexperience,I'll be overjoyed, I'm hoping perhaps next season, or definetely the following season we could be challenging for top honours with the majority of this squad.

It should be a good game, Wayne. Ospreys have started better than Munster so I'm expecting a tight game.

Locks in Ireland are dropping like flies,we better not lose any more or we're in trouble for the AI's.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Locks in Ireland are dropping like flies,we better not lose any more or we're in trouble for the AI's.

Forgetting someone.  

He has a London specialist who would make those kind of decisions.

Earls seems to have a big problem as well. He is meeting with his consultant next week.

Tupoki, Flannery, Wallace, Leamy, Barry Murphy, Dowling, Howlett all retired prematurely over a very short period of time.

Sherry, Varley, Archer, Ryan, Earls, Jones, O'Dea, amongst others constantly out with long term mysterious injuries and Munster admitted themselves that POC's recovery from his long term injury was compromised by an infection in his groin which was missed for a long time.

Maybe it's time we got a new consultant!!

(I do realise there's more than one consultant involved. I'm just frustrated. )