Munster v Connacht, 28 November

Got tired of waiting for George to care about a thread for the game on the west coast (only joking George!), so put one together. Really I just couldn't wait to tell the Munster lads how badly they were going to be beat in their own yard! Go cut Pat Lam a switch lads, and prepare for your hiding  





       


Munster Rugby v Connacht Rugby

Saturday 28 November 2015
KO 17:15
Thomond Park, Limerick
Live on SKY

Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU, 13th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

A. Head to Head
26 Played 26
23 Wins 2
2 Losses 23
1 Draws 1
601 Points 283

B. Form
Munster Rugby
14/11/15 Munster 32 - 7 Treviso
7/11/15 Edinburgh 14 - 16 Munster
30/10/15 Munster 32 - 28 Ulster

Connacht Rugby
21/11/15 Connacht 21 - 17 Brive
14/11/15 Enisei-STM 14 - 31 Connacht
6/11/15 Connacht 33 - 19 Treviso


C. Teams
Munster

15 Andrew Conway
14 Gerhard van den Heever
13 Keith Earls
12 Francis Saili,
11 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino
10 Ian Keatley
9 Tomás O'Leary
1 James Cronin
2 Niall Scannell
3 BJ Botha
4 Donnacha Ryan
5 Mark Chisholm
6 CJ Stander (captain)
7 Jack O'Donoghue
8 Robin Copeland

Replacements:
16 Kevin O'Byrne
17 Dave Kilcoyne
18 John Ryan
19 Dave Foley
20 Jordan Coghlan
21 Duncan Williams
22 Rory Scannell
23 Denis Hurley.

Connacht

15 Robbie Henshaw
14 Tiernan O’Halloran
13 Bundee Aki
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Kieran Marmion
1 Denis Buckley
2 Shane Delahunt
3 Nathan White
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 John Muldoon (captain)
7 James Connolly
8 Eoghan Masterson

Replacements:
16 Dave Heffernan
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Finlay Bealham
19 George Naoupu
20 Sean O’Brien
21 Ian Porter
22 Jack Carty
23 Darragh Leader

Munster by ~10 for me.

First tough game of the season for Connacht.

A losing bonus point would be a good result. A victory, mighty.

Connacht have played very well so far but I cant see them beating Munster at home. Like Pot Hale, I feel that this is Connacht's first real test, interested to see how they perform. Lam has done a great job with them so far.

Munster team:

Munster: Andrew Conway; Gerhard van den Heever, Keith Earls, Francis Saili, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino; Ian Keatley, Tomás O'Leary; James Cronin, Niall Scannell, BJ Botha; Donnacha Ryan, Mark Chisholm; CJ Stander - capt., Jack O'Donoghue, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Dave Foley, Jordan Coghlan, Duncan Williams, Rory Scannell, Denis Hurley.

Connacht:

15 Robbie Henshaw
14 Tiernan O’Halloran
13 Bundee Aki
12 Craig Ronaldson
11 Matt Healy
10 AJ MacGinty
9 Kieran Marmion
1 Denis Buckley
2 Shane Delahunt
3 Nathan White
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 John Muldoon (captain)
7 James Connolly
8 Eoghan Masterson
Replacements:
16 Dave Heffernan
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Finlay Bealham
19 George Naoupu
20 Sean O’Brien
21 Ian Porter
22 Jack Carty
23 Darragh Leader

Stander's the only Munster fella who'd get in that Connacht 1st XV.

Probably the ref will rob them though.

It's as competitive a team that has been sent to Thomond by Connacht in a long time. If I see a good performance and we get a losing bonus point I think I'd be happy, it's been a great start to the season but this one may be bridge too far. Munster have been strong without their internationals, so welcoming them back I expect them to improve. They will also be a lot fresher having not had the European voyages that Connacht had

I think the loss of Fox-Matamua could be big and not just for this game, he has been brilliant in the games I've seen him this season, and Connolly is promising but still raw. Looking forward to seeing Macginty in proper action, he will be playing with a backline that is really firing at the minute.

As ever the auld injury list is coming along nicely! Lucky Connacht had that extra million from the IRFU for the conditioning facilities, I think it was just to expand the treatment room so it didn't feel so cramped

What do you Connacht fans think about Henshaw playing 15? He is doing well there but I personally would prefer him to be starting at 13.

eirebilly wrote:What do you Connacht fans think about Henshaw playing 15? He is doing well there but I personally would prefer him to be starting at 13.

I'd have him at 13 ideally, but I think Lam is happy with the Aki and Ronaldson partnership at centre and to be honest that can't be argued with, both have been fantastic and Ronaldson offers another kicking option.

Unfortunately O Halloran was playing out of his skin at 15 while Henshaw was away gallivanting about England, and squeezing him out to the wing feels slightly like he isn't in his best position. Henshaw can't really be moved to the wing and you have to get your best players on the pitch so here we are.

It is complicated as well a bit by Henshaw playing the uncertain future game for his contract, I think whether he stays or (more likely) goes Lam is rightly looking at his other combinations to minimise the impact. Frankly it won't last because with their injury luck one of them will be shortly crocked and we play who is fit rather than having those great options!

Marmion signing on for another two years is a great show of faith, would be great to see the same from Robbie.

Marshes - what is Eoghan Masterson like? I have heard great things but I haven't really seen much of him. In fact I think he is being touted already as a future captain for Connacht? Also it seems that his preferred position is Number 8, which is great as we are finally going to see huge competition with O'Donoghue and Conan coming through the ranks as well.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Marshes - what is Eoghan Masterson like? I have heard great things but I haven't really seen much of him. In fact I think he is being touted already as a future captain for Connacht? Also it seems that his preferred position is Number 8, which is great as we are finally going to see huge competition with O'Donoghue and Conan coming through the ranks as well.

Really promising and has been playing well at 6 and 8 so far this year. He ends of captain of every team (underage Connacht and Ireland) he gets into so it wont be far off I'd say! Great leader on the pitch in workrate and getting stuck in and good distribution. Backrow was very competitive at the beginning of the year but he has really nailed down a place. Expect him to get about on Saturday

Masterson has a big decision to make in the next couple of years regarding international rugby, as he is eligible to play for both Ireland and Scotland with a parent from each country. He previously played under 20's for both in the same season (6 nations & WC). May decide to go with Scotland if he thought he might only get a couple of caps with Ireland (or not get capped at all)

galwegian101 wrote:Masterson has a big decision to make in the next couple of years regarding international rugby, as he is eligible to play for both Ireland and Scotland with a parent from each country.

Sure wheres the big decision in that one? - its not like JP and Bossy where they had to chose between us and the all blacks.

galwegian101 wrote:Masterson has a big decision to make in the next couple of years regarding international rugby, as he is eligible to play for both Ireland and Scotland with a parent from each country. He previously played under 20's for both in the same season (6 nations & WC). May decide to go with Scotland if he thought he might only get a couple of caps with Ireland (or not get capped at all)

Yeah he qualifies through his grandfather for Scotland I think, but he is born in Ireland (not that the reverse meant anything to McGeady or James McCarthy!). He turned out for Emerging Ireland though so I would hope he sees his future with Ireland senior team

Wind warnings in effect in Limerick today, can't imagine that will help the style of play we see from both sides. I expect as Munster have the more experienced pack that will favour them

Masterson is one to watch alright. I don't know how he slipped through Leinsters net. He is a good all rounder, good technically, a physically strong lad and apparently he is highly thought of in Connacht as a future captain. Can play across the backrow too. It should be a good test for him tonight.


As for the match, don't expect a classic. The weather is rotten so expect a few scrums. Fox-Matamua is a big loss for Connacht.

Interested in seeing how MacGinty goes for Connacht, thought he did well for the USA at the RWC.

Love Connacht shirt

Its not bad is it.

This is excellent stuff from Connacht.

I love the way Connacht play, so inventive and not afraid to offload. Great stuff.

Some brilliant play from Connacht here

Great play by Connacht (unlucky not to score) but how bad is Keatley's defence...

Just drop the Leinster, Munster and Ulster players. Select the Connacht team and fill in the NIQ gaps with the lesser provinces.

Great start, need to keep up the intensity, Munster look a bit shook

Connacht are playing a bit like Leinster did in their glory days..

Quality coached side is Connacht, Lam has done an amazing job. Such intensity from them and their handling skills are excellent.

Oh what a try, it was coming sure enough.

What on earth is wrong with the Munster defence??

O'Halloran is looking fantastic for Connacht.

Superb rugby from Connacht

Munster would want to start holding onto the ball, or tackling- preferably both.

JOD is totally wasted at 7.

eirebilly wrote:Quality coached side is Connacht, Lam has done an amazing job. Such intensity from them and their handling skills are excellent.

They have taken the same path as Glasgow did 3-4 years ago. Were always a tough team to beat and then a new coaching staff brought in a new southern hemisphere style of rugby.

Get in TOH!! Fantastic start this

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Quality coached side is Connacht, Lam has done an amazing job. Such intensity from them and their handling skills are excellent.

They have taken the same path as Glasgow did 3-4 years ago. Were always a tough team to beat and then a new coaching staff brought in a new southern hemisphere style of rugby.

Its just great to watch, such attractive rugby.

The rolling maul does it for Connacht. Against the run of play somewhat but an excellent maul.

eirebilly wrote:

VinceWLB wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Quality coached side is Connacht, Lam has done an amazing job. Such intensity from them and their handling skills are excellent.

They have taken the same path as Glasgow did 3-4 years ago. Were always a tough team to beat and then a new coaching staff brought in a new southern hemisphere style of rugby.

Its just great to watch, such attractive rugby.

Just as i read your post, we get a typical Northern Hemisphere rugby try from Munster..

Its what Munster do best Vince

Connacht are so aggressive in defence, they are all over Munster.

Ref a bit one eyed so far..

Jeez that guy Lam is going to have to be sacked, we can't have an Irish team playing offloading and running weird lines of attack, gimme the Leo and Axel style of rugby any day

brennomac wrote:Jeez that guy Lam is going to have to be sacked, we can't have an Irish team playing offloading and running weird lines of attack, gimme the Leo and Axel style of rugby any day

It does go to show that a well coached team can actually offload in contact and be threatening. Schmidt take note... Runs before Notch attack

eirebilly wrote:

brennomac wrote:Jeez that guy Lam is going to have to be sacked, we can't have an Irish team playing offloading and running weird lines of attack, gimme the Leo and Axel style of rugby any day

It does go to show that a well coached team can actually offload in contact and be threatening. Schmidt take note... Runs before Notch attack

If you are given the opportunity to play it more often you become more confident doing it, shock horror! Although expectation will always be less for Connacht so they will be freer to play that style than just win.

Marshes wrote:

eirebilly wrote:

brennomac wrote:Jeez that guy Lam is going to have to be sacked, we can't have an Irish team playing offloading and running weird lines of attack, gimme the Leo and Axel style of rugby any day

It does go to show that a well coached team can actually offload in contact and be threatening. Schmidt take note... Runs before Notch attack

If you are given the opportunity to play it more often you become more confident doing it, shock horror! Although expectation will always be less for Connacht so they will be freer to play that style than just win.

Why the need to be rude, was just making a tongue in cheek comment...

eirebilly wrote:

brennomac wrote:Jeez that guy Lam is going to have to be sacked, we can't have an Irish team playing offloading and running weird lines of attack, gimme the Leo and Axel style of rugby any day

It does go to show that a well coached team can actually offload in contact and be threatening. Schmidt take note... Runs before Notch attack

Yeah, I can see him taking note of the Connacht players who can play a fast paced offloading game. Which is great to see. Meanwhile, I can see him crossing off a few of the names who have struggled with it... Keith Earls comes to mind.

Great first half from Connacht, even if this goes the Munster way, there is great heart to be take from that performance. Munster looked like they couldn't handle it at times, but have come back into it really well and look dangerous when they keep the ball. Lot to be learned about where this Connacht team are in the second half.

Connacht are looking like the best Province. They have had Munster under pressure for most of the first half, and against the wind.

Connacht have been by far the better team, the scoreboard favours Munster somewhat. With the wind behind them in the second half, I can see Connacht running away with this. Munster must be extremely tired after that first half defensive effort.

Marshes - has O'Halloran been playing this well all year? It would be great to see him put pressure on Rob Kearney.

22 missed tackles is poor from Munster but in fairness, the lines from Connacht have caused Munster all sorts of grief.