Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1

by **RDW** Sun 31 Aug 2014, 9:55 am

Munster V Edinburgh

Friday 5th September 2014
KO 19:35
Thomond Park

Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 41st competition game)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Correll, John Carvill (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Jude Quinn (IRFU)
Live on TG4 / BBA ALBA

23 Wins 6
75 Tries 42
696 Points 443
27 Average age 26

Results last year:

Munster 34 - Edinburgh 23
Ednburgh 12 - Munster 55 Shocked

Pre Season form:

Munster 17 - London Irish 5
Gloucester 45 - Munster 8

Edinburgh 10 - Leicester 11
Newcastle 15 - Edinburgh 21

Teams:

Munster
Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1 Danny-10

Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1 Danny-10

15 Ronan O'Mahony
14 Andrew Conway
13 Johne Murphy
12 Andrew Smith
11 Simon Zebo
10 Ian Keatley
9 Duncan Williams

1 John Ryan
2 Kevin O'Byrne
3 BJ Botha
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
5 Billy Holland
6 CJ Stander
7 Sean Dougall
8 Shane Buckley

16 Duncan Casey
17 Alan Cotter
18 Stephen Archer
19 Dave Foley
20 Tommy O'Donnell
21 Cathal Sheridan
22 Johnny Holland
23 Ivan Dineen

Edinburgh
Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1 Ronnie10

Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1 Ronnie10

15 Jack Cuthbert
14 Dougie Fife
13 Sam Beard
12 Andries Strauss
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Tonks
9 Sean Kennedy

1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Ross Ford (Captain)
3 John Andress
4 Fraser McKenzie
5 Ollie Atkins
6 Tomas Leonardi
7 Hamish Watson
8 Cornell Du Preez

16 James Hilterbrand
17 Rory Sutherland
18 W P Nel
19 Ben Toolis
20 Mike Coman
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Nick McLennan
23 Phil Burleigh

by **RDW** Sun 31 Aug 2014, 10:13 am

Tough start for Edinburgh, especially with the injuries to some key players, but the team are looking fit and strong in pre-season and some young players have really stepped up.

Probable team (making some assumptions on injuries):

1 - Dickinson (tough on Sutherland but suspect he'll go for experience)
2 - Ford
3 - Andress (Surprise new signing - looks to be a decent tighthead afterall)
4 - McKenzie
5 - Atkins
6 - Leonardi
7 - Watson
8 - Du Preez

9 - Hidalgo-Clyne (really promising start to the season)
10 - Tonks (Need his goal kicking % to increase though)
11 - Visser
12 - Strauss
13 - Beard
14 - Fife
15 - Cuthbert

Subs - Sutherland, Hilterbrand, Berghan, Toolis, Richie, Hart, Heathcoat, McLennan

by **George Carlin** Sun 31 Aug 2014, 11:29 am

Sorry RDW - I couldn't resist replacing the pictures in the OP.

Very intriguing game to have first for Edinburgh. I have no idea what happened to Munster against the Cherries, when they looked as though they had all just met in the carpark before the game but the London Irish game was much, much better with Stander and Copeland looking very good, in particular.

For Edinburgh, it's very tough to start the season with about 11 guys missing through injury. At least in a lot of positions the Edinburgh team picks itself. I think that 9-15 as stated by RDW above is correct. The worries are the usual ones for Edinburgh, the midfield is about as interesting as a Ukranian cement conference and Tonks needs to find his feet as a 10. On the upside, Visser is already starting to smoke and all Leicester Tigers fans now know who Hamish Watson is.

by **RDW** Sun 31 Aug 2014, 11:33 am

Not a problem GC!

And, as a civil engineer, I can tell you that cement is actually very interesting don't you know!

by **RDW** Sun 31 Aug 2014, 12:10 pm

Awkward

MUNSTER have played down the effect of a highly sensitive and critical player review document which was accidentally distributed to the whole squad last week.

On Wednesday, the report, detailing comments on each player, was emailed to all squad members. Some of the comments were highly critical, and, in a couple of instances, personalised, the Sunday Independent understands.

The document also revealed through colour-coding whether the management considered each player to be first choice or second choice and, in the case of one player, questioned why he was even in the squad at all. It is understood the issue of contracts was also mentioned.

“It was an attachment to a weekly schedule and it was not supposed to go out,” a senior source in Munster said yesterday.

edXAds by Rubicon Project
“But it’s not a crisis or anything like it. The senior players met to talk about it, and, yes, it might have been hurtful to one or two players, but we’ve moved on.

“We’ve spoken to the players, and the vast majority have accepted it was a mistake and have put it behind us. In no way did it have any negative effect on the way we played last night (against London Irish on Friday) — maybe the opposite in that they pulled together.”

The source, who did not wish to be named, declined to mention those players for whom it may still be an issue.

He also denied that a senior player had been accused in the document, which he said was updated on a weekly basis, of being on “a gravy train”, and that another was classed as “mentally weak”.

“Anthony (Foley) spoke to the group and said that it is what it is and it shouldn’t have happened, rather than try to cowpat the players,” the source added.

Inescapably, it makes for a difficult start to Foley’s tenure as head coach, having succeeded Rob Penney after two seasons as his assistant.

Munster have also parted company with their head of fitness Adam Trypas, who took up the role in January.

He will be succeeded by Aled Walters, the senior strength and conditioning coach, who is going into his third season with the province.
- See more at: http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/munster-deny-crisis-as-players-sent-damning-report-30549225.html#sthash.BqXL1nQu.dpuf

by **George Carlin** Sun 31 Aug 2014, 12:50 pm

Unorthodox approach to team building. Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1 Hyster12

by jimbopip Sun 31 Aug 2014, 12:57 pm

Back in the early 1970's there was a sitcom called Squirrels set in an office. One episode concerned the day the wages trolley went round with the brown pay envelopes but the pay slips were not for the people whose names were on the front. The ensuing carnage was terrifying to behold. I think training for Munster this week may be quite similar. Thankfully they have an easy game at the weekend to put them back on an even keel.
p.s. I see Lee Jones has been listening to Al Kellock...did you see him laying into the London Scottish second row off the ball?

by ME-109 Sun 31 Aug 2014, 11:02 pm

Who put a picture of Guinness in for Munster!!!!! FFS. Its like suggesting Whiskey is spelt Whisky or that by putting some moss peat in it you can fool the world into thinking it tastes nice...oh um this single malt is just great...a slight touch of moss and manure in it...

by Sin é Sun 31 Aug 2014, 11:09 pm

George Carlin wrote:Unorthodox approach to team building.

The Munster Race is the team building exercise every year.

by **RDW** Mon 01 Sep 2014, 4:52 am

Sin é wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Unorthodox approach to team building.

The Munster Race is the team building exercise every year.

Think he was referring to the leaked document critiquing all the players....

And the pictures were Mr George Carlin's doing! Honest!

by **George Carlin** Mon 01 Sep 2014, 8:34 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
Sin é wrote:
George Carlin wrote:Unorthodox approach to team building.

The Munster Race is the team building exercise every year.

Think he was referring to the leaked document critiquing all the players....

And the pictures were Mr George Carlin's doing! Honest!

Sheesh. Okayokay. Everyone's a critic.

Pictures how changed to reflect two old stage revue partners - Danny LaRue (born in Cork) and Ronny Corbett (born in Edinburgh).

See? See what I did?

by EWT Spoons Mon 01 Sep 2014, 9:18 am

I reckon Munster have decided that we’re not enough of a challenge and have taken matters into their own hands to try and make a game of it. Internal sabotage, just to see if they can still win.

We’ve had a good preseason (all two games of it) and whilst I’m under no illusions that this is going to be a tough game, I reckon we’ll be far more competitive than we have been in the past couple of seasons.

Reckon RDW’s suggested team probably won’t be far from the team we put out.

I still think Munster will win, home advantage and them being a very good side, is going to make it tough for us, but I think we should be able to keep the scoreline close, certainly from what I have seen so far of us, our defence is looking pretty decent, and it’s good to see Timmy getting amongst the tries.

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 01 Sep 2014, 10:41 am

To be honest it seemed we did ok against Newcastle, not exactly a benchmark of difficulty but compared to last season, I'm delighted with how preseason has gone.

It's a tough old start though against Munster, are we expecting a full strength Munster side to lay down a marker early on in the season?

by funnyExiledScot Mon 01 Sep 2014, 6:09 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Tough start for Edinburgh, especially with the injuries to some key players, but the team are looking fit and strong in pre-season and some young players have really stepped up.

Probable team (making some assumptions on injuries):

1 - Dickinson (tough on Sutherland but suspect he'll go for experience)
2 - Ford
3 - Andress (Surprise new signing - looks to be a decent tighthead afterall)
4 - McKenzie
5 - Atkins
6 - Leonardi
7 - Watson
8 - Du Preez

9 - Hidalgo-Clyne (really promising start to the season)
10 - Tonks (Need his goal kicking % to increase though)
11 - Visser
12 - Strauss
13 - Beard
14 - Fife
15 - Cuthbert

Subs - Sutherland, Hilterbrand, Berghan, Toolis, Richie, Hart, Heathcoat, McLennan

Agree with that team being the likely XV, and the bench. The issue here for Edinburgh is that centre combination which is pretty stodgy, but I don't think Burleigh will be quite ready to play a role yet in this fixture, and Strauss has started both games (with little distinction).

If that's the pack then I think Edinburgh will be pretty physical and combative, particularly with the conditioning work over the summer. Whilst I'm delighted to see young SQ talent in the shape of Sutherland, Toolis and Ritchie on the bench, you do wonder whether there's much impact there to close the game if required. On that basis, and the lack of threat posed by the centres, I think Munster will win, but I don't think they will do so comfortably.

by MunsterMac Wed 03 Sep 2014, 10:23 am

From today's Indo:

"New signing Robin Copeland is a doubt, while there are problems at hooker with Mike Sherry, Damien Varley and Niall Scannell out as new signing Eusebio Guinazo awaits a work permit.

Simon Zebo, Andrew Conway and Keatley are back in the reckoning, but Luke O'Dea is another doubt, while Cian Bohane is awaiting results of a scan."

Surely Munster could get a dispensation from the IRFU to play Duncan Casey at the weekend given the situation??

by funnyExiledScot Wed 03 Sep 2014, 1:54 pm

I'm not too upset to hear that Munster have a few injury issues in the forwards.

Edinburgh are missing our first choice tighthead (Nel), both first choice locks (Bresler and Gilchrist) and the entire back row (Du Preez (potentially), Denton and Coman), which includes captain and vice captain.

by justified sinner Wed 03 Sep 2014, 6:40 pm

Hopefully Du Preez should be OK, withdrawn last week feeling 'poorly' apparently. No update since, but if just a bug should be OK after a week.

by VinceWLB Thu 04 Sep 2014, 10:42 am

Apart from Kennedy coming in for SHC you were spot on with your team RDW

Edinburgh Rugby team v Munster, Friday 5 September, Thomond Park, Limerick, kick-off 7.35pm

15 Jack Cuthbert

14 Dougie Fife
13 Sam Beard
12 Andries Strauss
11 Tim Visser

10 Greig Tonks
9 Sean Kennedy

1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Ross Ford (Captain)
3 John Andress
4 Fraser McKenzie
5 Ollie Atkins
6 Tomas Leonardi
7 Hamish Watson
8 Cornell Du Preez

Substitutes
16 James Hilterbrand
17 Rory Sutherland
18 W P Nel
19 Ben Toolis
20 Mike Coman
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Nick McLennan
23 Phil Burleigh

Good team overall, particularly love the look of that pack.
Thought Nel was out till end of september? Tells a lot about the way Solomons rates Berghan though..

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 10:53 am

Good team, good bench.

New season. Come on you Bokke.

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 12:22 pm

Munster Squad Named For Season Opener
Head Coach Anthony Foley has named his squad for the opening round of the Guinness PRO12 against Edinburgh Rugby in Thomond Park on Friday night, ko 7.35pm.
Ireland's Simon Zebo makes a return to provincial action on Friday night and he is joined by Emerging Ireland duo Andrew Conway and Ian Keatley in the starting XV, while their touring colleagues Dave Foley and Tommy O'Donnell are named in the replacements.

In making their competitive Munster debuts in Thomond Park on Friday night hooker Kevin O'Byrne, back-row Shane Buckley and centre Andrew Smith all start.

Foley has made six changes to the side that lined out against London Irish in Waterford last week with BJ Botha returning to the front row while Shane Buckley takes the place of Robin Copeland at no. 8.

Johne Murphy, Andrew Smith and Ronan O'Mahony retain their places in the backline but make the positional switches with Smith and Murphy linking up in the centre partnership while O'Mahony moves to fullback.

In sustaining a knee injury against London Irish Cian Bohane underwent a scan during the week and has been ruled out of action for the immediate future, he will now meet with the specialist for further assessment.

Munster Team:

Ronan O'Mahony; Andrew Conway, Johne Murphy, Andrew Smith, Simon Zebo;
Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams;
John Ryan, Kevin O'Byrne, BJ Botha;
Donncha O'Callaghan Capt., Billy Holland,
CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, Shane Buckley.
Replacements: Duncan Casey, Alan Cotter, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Tommy O'Donnell, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, Ivan Dineen.

by VinceWLB Thu 04 Sep 2014, 12:44 pm

This is a weakish Munster team isn't it?

I know good backrowers fall from trees in Ireland but never heard of that Shane Buckley fella. Certainly good news for Edinburgh that Copeland isn't playing, heck of a player and the future for Ireland going forward at 8.

I think it will be a close game.

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 12:50 pm

It is weakish - about 4th choice hooker, 2nd choice LH Prop, 2nd/3rd choice locks, 3rd choice SH etc. etc.

Only players who are first choice players are BJ, Keatley & Zebo with Stander POM's backup.

Buckley is a very good young aggressive player (played Ireland underage) - prone to being a bit hotheaded so rarely gets to play the full 80! He usually plays 6 as well, so he will be doubly challenged at 8.

by IanBru Thu 04 Sep 2014, 12:51 pm

This Zebo guy, is he any good?

by VinceWLB Thu 04 Sep 2014, 12:53 pm

Thanks

Can't help but feel it will be a bit disappointing if Edinburgh gets nothing from that game!

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 1:27 pm

Sin é wrote:It is weakish - about 4th choice hooker, 2nd choice LH Prop, 2nd/3rd choice locks, 3rd choice SH etc. etc.

Only players who are first choice players are BJ, Keatley & Zebo with Stander POM's backup.

Buckley is a very good young aggressive player (played Ireland underage) - prone to being a bit hotheaded so rarely gets to play the full 80! He usually plays 6 as well, so he will be doubly challenged at .

Would much rather be playing against Buckley instead of Copeland. Is the big feller injured?

Edinburgh shouldn't fear this Munster side (particularly the bench). Taking a LBP is what I am hoping for.

by MunsterMac Thu 04 Sep 2014, 1:35 pm

This is a huge game for Munster in my eyes.

With the fiascos that were Glasgow & Ulster at TP earlier in the year still fresh in the mind and all the talk from the new Munster setup of taking the League much more seriously this year it will not be good to say the least if we lose our first match of the season especially as it's at Thomond.

It wouldn't do much for our financial situation either with the club desperately trying to attract more fans to home games.

This isn't a strong Munster team and it's interesting to see Ivan Dineen on the bench.

Immediate opportunity to prove people wrong??

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 2:23 pm

MunsterMac wrote:
It wouldn't do much for our financial situation either with the club desperately trying to attract more fans to home games.

Financial situation .... Munster seem to be investing heavily in Munster at the moment with Musgrave getting a new stand and Thomond Park getting a facelift (dougout bar and new family areas and museum moved) for the new season and they announced today that planning permission has been received for their new training facility (plans were changed to include a swimming pool as well and increased the size of the facility).

They also announced another new sponsor (Eircom Business Solutions). Munster have about 20 sponsors now - even the Academy is sponsored by Greencore.

The big handicap that Munster has with regard to attendance at home games is having games on Friday nights which a) isn't attractive to families and b) not being situated in a large city, people have to travel long distances which isn't always possible on a Friday night.

Munster is investing hugely in Munster Rugby, so the money situation mustn't be that bad.

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 2:25 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Sin é wrote:It is weakish - about 4th choice hooker, 2nd choice LH Prop, 2nd/3rd choice locks, 3rd choice SH etc. etc.

Only players who are first choice players are BJ, Keatley & Zebo with Stander POM's backup.

Buckley is a very good young aggressive player (played Ireland underage) - prone to being a bit hotheaded so rarely gets to play the full 80! He usually plays 6 as well, so he will be doubly challenged at .
Would much rather be playing against Buckley instead of Copeland. Is the big feller injured?

Edinburgh shouldn't fear this Munster side (particularly the bench). Taking a LBP is what I am hoping for.

Copeland got injured last week against London Irish (ribs I think).

I think Munster will win, but just about. You should certainly be looking for a losing bonus point.

by tigertattie Thu 04 Sep 2014, 2:43 pm

Anyone know why Coman was named captain but is then not starting???

Even Jarvis cocker is bemused by this!

by MunsterMac Thu 04 Sep 2014, 2:52 pm

All the things you mention (Musgrave, Thomond facelift, training facilities) are the day to day stuff that they need to do to keep the business moving forward as any business needs to.

The Friday night thing hasn't been an issue as we haven't had that many Friday night games in recent years but it may well become a problem especially for Cork people.

The big problem Munster face is that everyone wants to go to the European matches but its mostly only the hardcore that turn out for the league matches.

26,200 at the Toulouse match and probably could have sold a few thousand more but yet only 13,946 showed up a week later for a crucial league match against Glasgow.

At least they seem to be aware of the problem as they've been trying to improve the situation over the last 2 years (getting fan feedback, Thomond fan facilities upgrade etc) but in reality the only thing that will improve it long term is supporters knowing that everytime the team take the field they'll be the strongest team available and will be fully there body and mind regardless of the competition.

by reallybored Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:09 pm

So Solomons selects Coman as captain then in his first selections puts him on the bench? Was he late into pre-season?

by ME-109 Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:25 pm

IanBru wrote:This Zebo guy, is he any good?

He is rubbish....

by VinceWLB Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:26 pm

Coman was injured and only got back into training recently. Not unhappy about it as Leonardi is a much better player.

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:32 pm

MunsterMac wrote:All the things you mention (Musgrave, Thomond facelift, training facilities) are the day to day stuff that they need to do to keep the business moving forward as any business needs to.

The Friday night thing hasn't been an issue as we haven't had that many Friday night games in recent years but it may well become a problem especially for Cork people.

The big problem Munster face is that everyone wants to go to the European matches but its mostly only the hardcore that turn out for the league matches.

26,200 at the Toulouse match and probably could have sold a few thousand more but yet only 13,946 showed up a week later for a crucial league match against Glasgow.

At least they seem to be aware of the problem as they've been trying to improve the situation over the last 2 years (getting fan feedback, Thomond fan facilities upgrade etc) but in reality the only thing that will improve it long term is supporters knowing that everytime the team take the field they'll be the strongest team available and will be fully there body and mind regardless of the competition.

When is putting in a new stand and building a new training centre an everyday occurence? And the fact that Thomond was only redeveloped about six years ago suggests they are not resting on their laurels there (when you think of some of the stadia around the place).

As for attendance - why would it be only a problem for Cork people? What about the ones who all live in Dublin Wink

People have long distances to travel - if you were at the Toulouse match and spent 6 hours in a car getting too and back from Thomond, you might not have the time, money or inclination to do the same thing a few days later.

Regardless of the access and timing issues getting to Limerick/Cork, Munster still has the 2nd best attendance in the league and the province who has the highest attendance in the league maybe down to them moving their match to a 50K stadium to play Munster.

Munster are going to be hit badly with this - they can only hope they play a lot more games on Saturdays after the new year because they are going to lose season ticket sales big time next season with a lot of Friday night games.

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:32 pm

ME-109 wrote:
IanBru wrote:This Zebo guy, is he any good?

He is rubbish....

Very good at ruck resourcing now though Very Happy

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:45 pm

ME-109 wrote:
IanBru wrote:This Zebo guy, is he any good?

He is rubbish....

I've heard that he is mentally weak.
Run

by ME-109 Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:48 pm

George Carlin wrote:
ME-109 wrote:
IanBru wrote:This Zebo guy, is he any good?

He is rubbish....
I've heard that he is mentally weak.

Very weak...he smiles when he scores tries and generally looks like he is enjoying himself....that is a poor indication of mental strength.

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:52 pm

ME-109 wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
ME-109 wrote:
IanBru wrote:This Zebo guy, is he any good?

He is rubbish....
I've heard that he is mentally weak.

Very weak...he smiles when he scores tries and generally looks like he is enjoying himself....that is a poor indication of mental strength.

If that's the indicator, then I don't need to worry about the wife's mental health in that case... Munster V Edinburgh - GPro 12 Round 1 White_10

by MunsterMac Thu 04 Sep 2014, 3:54 pm

If Musgrave Park was to continue being used it needed upgrading.

The new training centre was partly a necessary response to the unfortunate and ridiculous 2-centre setup Munster have been using since going pro.

The upgrading of fan facilities at Thomond is obviously a step towards trying to improve the experience of going to a match there and make it a more attractive option for people.

All of the above can be seen as the normal decisions any business needs to make to ensure that it is putting itself in the best position to optimise it's success e.g a cinema upgrading it's sound system, a supermarket giving a store a facelift, an engineering firm investing in the latest software etc.

Regardless of how many fans Munster are attracting right now the truth is they could and need to attract more on a consistent basis if they are to grow and avoid stagnation.

Friday games suit me but I'm only 30 minutes away and I quite like the atmosphere of Friday evening games but I can see the how they could be a problem.

by **RDW** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:04 pm

Only surprise in the Edinburgh selection is Kennedy over Sam H-C, who has looked more lively in pre season.

Maybe it is a tactical thing - S-H-C is too quick around the park and actually thinks about making breaks - can't be having that!

He will bring a lot of zip when he comes on.

Good to see Nel and Coman back - as has been said, they're not going to be thrown straight into the starting XV.

I'm looking for a good performance and LBP here!

by **RDW** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:05 pm

Also - heathcoat has been dropped, surely an injury?

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:07 pm

They have been normal business decisions to invest, but Munster still have to find the money/resources to do all these things having fairly recently heavily invested in the redevelopment of Thomond Park.

Creating a family area is probably pointless if you are going to have most your games at 7.30pm on the Friday night - you are not going to get families going to Friday night games and anyone who doesn't live/work in the Limerick area are just not going to travel as they wouldn't be able to get there in time.

by **RDW** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:20 pm

No mention on heathcoat being injured - bit strange to rely on McLennan as backup 10.

I'd also like to quell talk of us having a chance here! We have been here before - this is still Munster for feck sake and we're still just Edinburgh. If we win it will be a massive surprise.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:40 pm

Sin é wrote:
MunsterMac wrote:
It wouldn't do much for our financial situation either with the club desperately trying to attract more fans to home games.

Munster is investing hugely in Munster Rugby, so the money situation mustn't be that bad.

As a Rangers fan I can assure you that there is little logic in that conclusion.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:43 pm

Surely Burleigh would be backup 10? When he signed the press talked about him as a stand off.

Hidalgo-Clyne missing out is a surprise but he'll bring real zip off the bench. Otherwise exactly what was anticipated, and great that Du Preez is fit.

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:54 pm

Hurly = 10, 12, 13
McLennan = 12, 13, 15
Scott = 12

by **RDW** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 4:57 pm

From what was said at the time Hurly is very much a 12 and hasn't played much at 10, but I suppose he probably is our backup 10. I'd much rather see him at 12 than Strauss though!

Is heathcoat really behind McLennan in the pecking order now?

by IanBru Thu 04 Sep 2014, 5:08 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Sin é wrote:
MunsterMac wrote:
It wouldn't do much for our financial situation either with the club desperately trying to attract more fans to home games.

Munster is investing hugely in Munster Rugby, so the money situation mustn't be that bad.

As a Rangers fan I can assure you that there is little logic in that conclusion.

This. Oh I like this. thumbsup

by Sin é Thu 04 Sep 2014, 5:15 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
Sin é wrote:
MunsterMac wrote:
It wouldn't do much for our financial situation either with the club desperately trying to attract more fans to home games.

Munster is investing hugely in Munster Rugby, so the money situation mustn't be that bad.

As a Rangers fan I can assure you that there is little logic in that conclusion.

If you were looking to equate Munster with a Scottish football club, I'd say Celtic would be closer with regard to spending patterns. Dermot Desmond was born in Cork after all.

Some myth about Scots being careful with their money when you look at Rangers, though!

by **RDW** Thu 04 Sep 2014, 5:16 pm

I might have imagined this, but did the Pro 12 not agree to use independent assistant refs and TMOs?

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