Leinster v Munster PRO14 Semifinal -

The RDS - with extra seating is a sell-out for the semifinal clash between Blue and Red - 18,977 will be packed in to see these two go at it again for a place in the final.

Both teams have named strong sides with Leinster surprising some with Ross Byrne starting at 10 and Sexton on the bench. Sean O'Brien has been dropped with the welcome comeback of Josh van der Flier to the back row alongside captain Rhys Ruddock. Nick McCarthy will likely play his last game for his province against his new province for next season as back up to Luke McGrath. Rob Kearney has been left out with Larmour taking the 15 shirt and Dave Kearney coming in on the wing. Andrew Porter has also recovered from recent injury and takes the TH bench spot ahead of Michael Bent.

Munster have a similar story with returning players including most importantly Keith Earls and Joey Carbery.

Should be a humdinger - although with the final next weekend, both coaches will want to manage workloads where they can.

15. Jordan Larmour (37)
14. Dave Kearney (135)
13. Garry Ringrose (63)
12. Robbie Henshaw (35)
11. James Lowe (28)
10. Ross Byrne (69)
9. Luke McGrath (111)
1. Cian Healy (206)
2. Seán Cronin (171)
3. Tadhg Furlong (100)
4. Devin Toner (230)
5. James Ryan (29)
6. Rhys Ruddock (159) CAPTAIN
7. Josh van der Flier (71)
8. Jack Conan (87)

Replacements
16. Bryan Byrne (40)
17. Ed Byrne (43)
18. Andrew Porter (51)
19. Scott Fardy (42)
20. Max Deegan (44)
21. Nick McCarthy (34)
22. Johnny Sexton (158)
23. Rory O’Loughlin (60)


Munster
15 MIKE HALEY
14 ANDREW CONWAY
13 CHRIS FARRELL
12 RORY SCANNELL
11 KEITH EARLS
10 JOEY CARBERY
9 CONOR MURRAY
1 DAVE KILCOYNE
2 NIALL SCANNELL
3 JOHN RYAN
4 JEAN KLEYN
5 TADHG BEIRNE
6 PETER O'MAHONY
7 CJ STANDER
8 ARNO BOTHA

REPLACEMENTS
16 KEVIN O'BYRNE
17 LIAM O'CONNOR
18 STEPHEN ARCHER
19 BILLY HOLLAND
20 JACK O'DONOGHUE
21 ALBY MATHEWSON
22 JJ HANRAHAN
23 DAN GOGGIN

Like last year Leinster have rested big names. Last year Munster couldn't get over the line as they just couldn't keep up with Leinster. I haven't seen anything that would make me say this year will be different sadly

Do Leinster fans think the rotation of players is tactical, to save them for the final, or because they did not play very well last week?

I am think particularly about SOB, who did not have a very good game against Sarries.

6 PETER O'MAHONY
7 CJ STANDER
8 ARNO BOTHA

Worst Munster back-row I've ever seen.

I hik Cullen said SoB wasn't ready. I don't think he's able to play 2 really tough matches back to back anymore. Sander to 7 cvould happen with Ireland too leaving SoB under presents for a WC spot.

mikey_dragon wrote:6 PETER O'MAHONY
7 CJ STANDER
8 ARNO BOTHA

Worst Munster back-row I've ever seen.

When did you see that back row play before?

Close game so far, very intense

This looks pretty attritional stuff.

For the love of all that is holy, would someone shut Robson up. He’s worse than usual today.

Great game and Munster sent packing - Again!

Looking forward to road trip next weekend - should be a cracker.

What a game

Well played Leinster and Munster. Great to see an excellent Leinster team narrowly out perform the Langers.
Cracking game for the impartial fan.

Thought Scannell played well. It wasnt a great game though, too many mistakes. Neither team's backline created many breaks. VdF was classy for Leinster.

Pot Hale wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:6 PETER O'MAHONY
7 CJ STANDER
8 ARNO BOTHA

Worst Munster back-row I've ever seen.

When did you see that back row play before?

Who said I’d seen them play? Up until earlier on where they weren’t good, unless you’re looking to bludgeon the opposition in in which case the French have already shown that it’s ineffective against Leinster.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:6 PETER O'MAHONY
7 CJ STANDER
8 ARNO BOTHA

Worst Munster back-row I've ever seen.

When did you see that back row play before?

Who said I’d seen them play? Up until earlier on where they weren’t good, unless you’re looking to bludgeon the opposition in in which case the French have already shown that it’s ineffective against Leinster.

When you said worst you’ve ever seen it’s reasonable to infer that you’d seen them play before. Notwithstanding that, Saracens proved that power can be effective against Leinster. They’re better at it though.

Why didn’t you just infer that I’d seen them on the team sheet? Not actually sure if Munster have played that back-row before today’s but it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out it’s not going to go well. Saracens have a complete game and power is a part of it. They have good backs and a good kick game too, which is where they were also better than Leinster.

mikey_dragon wrote:Why didn’t you just infer that I’d seen them on the team sheet? Not actually sure if Munster have played that back-row before today’s but it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out it’s not going to go well. Saracens have a complete game and power is a part of it. They have good backs and a good kick game too, which is where they were also better than Leinster.

The proof is not in the pudding. It is in the eating of it.

"Leinster prove too strong for limited Munster"
Peter O'Reilly

"Struggling Munster fall further behind rivals"
Denis Walsh

Headlines from two Irish journalists (in Sunday Times and Irish Times).

Fair reflection?

LondonTiger wrote:"Leinster prove too strong for limited Munster"
Peter O'Reilly

"Struggling Munster fall further behind rivals"
Denis Walsh

Headlines from two Irish journalists (in Sunday Times and Irish Times).

Fair reflection?

This sounds fair given Munster SHOULD have lost at home to Benetton, with decent refereeing that is. The Italians would have offered a better match.

Yeah Treviso were robbed. Munster werent too bad yesterday some good performances some really good players but probably dont have the depth to win.

It wasnt a great game.

Well congrats to Leinster, the better team and squad. The final is a fair reflection of who the two top teams were in the Pro-14 and it could be a very exciting final.

As big a Munster fan as I am, I would say that Munster have punched above their weight in reaching 2 semi finals this year.

eirebilly wrote:Well congrats to Leinster, the better team and squad. The final is a fair reflection of who the two top teams were in the Pro-14 and it could be a very exciting final.

As big a Munster fan as I am, I would say that Munster have punched above their weight in reaching 2 semi finals this year.

Two semis is a decent return

Munster are not far away. They just need to develop a bit of guile to go with their heart and soul approach.

Good teams are not going to be troubled by Farrell pounding it down the middle for play after play.

Maybe the changes to the coaching setup are what they need? As well as Carberry staying fit!

eirebilly wrote:

As big a Munster fan as I am, I would say that Munster have punched above their weight in reaching 2 semi finals this year.

You don't see Munster as one of the top 4 teams in the Pro14?

BigGee wrote:Munster are not far away. They just need to develop a bit of guile to go with their heart and soul approach.

Good teams are not going to be troubled by Farrell pounding it down the middle for play after play.

Maybe the changes to the coaching setup are what they need? As well as Carberry staying fit!

I think Munster and Leinster should try using two layers in attack a bit more often because its too easy for teams to defend against them at the moment. A bit like the methods explained in the below article:

https://conversationalrugby.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/two-layers-in-attack/

I also think this is the missing piece for Ireland.

I would say that Munster just scrape into the top 4 teams of the Pro-14 but are not one of the top 4 teams in Europe.

I do believe that reaching 2 semi finals is a great achievement but is a lot better than where I personally think this current Munster side is at.

Leinster are a much better side in both matchday teams and squad. Munster will take some time to get back to that level for me.

Anyways, as I said, congrats to Leinster and best of luck in the final.

I'm surprised how much criticism Van Gran is getting.

Yes Munster haven't finished the season well but they've done well to reach 2 semi finals.

They definitely aren't at the same level as Sarries and Leinster so can't feel too hard done by with failing to progress further in either competition.

Not feeling hard done by rodders and not mad at Van Graan. I am just a realist and right now Munster are not and do not look like winning anything. I still feel that 2 semi finals flatter this current teams actual abilities.

Hoping it will get better of course.