Munster V Cardiff Blues team post 82

[Cowboy]

Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald pictured with Savenaca Tokula at Cork Airport yesterday.

Next up for Munster in the RaboDirect PRO12 is the visit of fellow knock-out contenders Cardiff Blues to Thomond Park Stadium on Friday (7.05).

Following their win over Ulster at the weekend, the Blues are in 5th spot just four points behind Munster with the same number of games played.
With the game the following day against Italy, Munster will of course be without Ronan O'Gara and Donnacha Ryan who both played such a central role in the win over Treviso on Saturday, a game that saw the return of Felix Jones when he was introduced in the 60th minute for Johne Murphy.


The full back came through unscathed as did Tommy O'Donnell, also returning from injury, a 68th minute replacement for Dave O'Callaghan.


The game may afford supporters the opportunity to see two of of Munster's recent signings, the Blues center Casey Laulala and Savenaca Tokula, the Waikato and Chiefs center who arrived in Cork yesterday.


Tickets for the Cardiff Blues games are available on www.munsterrugby.ie and usual outlets.


There is a special 3 match (v Blues, v Leinster, v Ulster) package deal available up to Friday that starts at €50 (Terrace).


(Pat makes it sound a bit like the 2 new lads will be lining out for Munster)

[Captain Average]

Need to win this one.
Also: Looks weak.

[fullmumhan]

Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald pictured with Savenaca Tokula at Cork Airport yesterday.

Id say poor Savenaca must be wondering what sort of outfit hes joined given the statue behind him.

[lactose intolerant]

Need to win this one.
Also: Looks weak.

What colour socks will Zebo have to pull up?

[overthehillprop]

What colour socks will Zebo have to pull up?

finally we have a relevant post in the thread.

[the plastic paddy]

Any idea whether there will be Irish radio commentary? Looking to try and sync that with the Welsh TV because their opinions can sometimes be a little biased!?!!

[rathbaner]

Any idea whether there will be Irish radio commentary? Looking to try and sync that with the Welsh TV because their opinions can sometimes be a little biased!?!!

How is that possible? with a satellite TV pic and analog radio signal the pic is always going to lag behind.

[the plastic paddy]

How is that possible? with a satellite TV pic and analog radio signal the pic is always going to lag behind.

Pause digital radio.

[ed7890]

The date is wrong in the thread title

[Huwie]

The game may afford supporters the opportunity to see two of of Munster's recent signings, the Blues center Casey Laulala ......... ... ... .

If Laulala is back from injury that is ...

Of all the weekends for this match to be on its the one that im up country on a shtag.... Its a conspiracy I tell you. Alain Rolland is involved I know it.

So it'll be one less Blue in the sea of red on the east terrace than per usual.

[McCloud]

The date is wrong in the thread title

No it's not

[Cowboy]

No it's not

Thanks McC. Couldn't change it on my phone.

[Hugh Jardon]

Id say poor Savenaca must be wondering what sort of outfit hes joined given the statue behind him.

He's getting an awful look from Christy alright..

[Drick]

Any idea whether there will be Irish radio commentary? Looking to try and sync that with the Welsh TV because their opinions can sometimes be a little biased!?!!

The match is live on RTE2. You can get our own biased Irish Commentary instead.

[lactose intolerant]

The match is live on RTE2. You can get our own biased Irish Commentary instead.

As good a reason as any for me to actually attend

[the plastic paddy]

The match is live on RTE2. You can get our own biased Irish Commentary instead.

Sadly probably true enough. Closest to unbiased commentary these days is actually Quinnie who I think is very objective, but they all seem to feel the need to tell their audience what they think they want them to hear.

[Thomond78]

As good a reason as any for me to actually attend

Well, it's one we need to win, so... Well, by this stage, you know the drill. To be honest, I'm starting to think the MRSC should nearly start running a competition to be the ones to start the fire.

[lactose intolerant]

Well, it's one we need to win, so... Well, by this stage, you know the drill. To be honest, I'm starting to think the MRSC should nearly start running a competition to be the ones to start the fire.

I thought I was being burned to appease the injury gods so they wouldn't hurt any more of the players?? I also notice that since you started this, POM has yet to knock himself out

[McCloud]

If Laulala is back from injury that is ...

Of all the weekends for this match to be on its the one that im up country on a shtag.... Its a conspiracy I tell you. Alain Rolland is involved I know it.

So it'll be one less Blue in the sea of red on the east terrace than per usual.

Which letter is the wrong one?

[Thomond78]

I thought I was being burned to appease the injury gods so they wouldn't hurt any more of the players?? I also notice that since you started this, POM has yet to knock himself out

Well, yes, that is why you're being burned, but, much like those processions in Spain, why should we turn away the tourist money if it's going a-begging? Keep up the being burnt, Larry, she's rollin' away grand. Sizzle away shtrong, biy, sizzle away shtrong!

[No. 16]

Need to win this one.
Also: Looks weak.

Right you are. Considering our "game in hand" (which Blues also have) a 4 pointer at home would have us match the O's current points. With O's visiting Ravenhill at the same time - I'm torn between head and heart for Ulster to show them out the gate empty handed. Were this to happen, it would advance Ulster to a fourth place spot outright if Warriors are not able to better their visitors Leinster on Saturday. There are plenty of games left in this tournament. However, this would be a particularly good time to get at least 4 at home. The contingent from the Blueses on squad call for Wales in Twickers is:
Lloyd Williams
Jamie Roberts
Gavin Henson
Leigh Halfpenny
Alex Cuthbert
Harry Robinson
Gethin Jenkins
Sam Warburton

I wonder who, if any, may be released to play in Thomond Park?

P.S. Attn: Simon Zebo: Great services provided last week. Thanks! Just one thing. Protect the ball! Nearly had you there!

[Huwie]

Which letter is the wrong one?

H
No wiman will come across the rugby, not even bringing in tea and shnacks.


Anyone know a good place to watch rugby and have a decent pint up in Westport?? Preferably some non mainstream beers if available, if not a decent Guineys.

[Huwie]

Lloyd Williams
Jamie Roberts
Gavin Henson
Leigh Halfpenny
Alex Cuthbert
Harry Robinson
Gethin Jenkins
Sam Warburton

I wonder who, if any, may be released to play in Thomond Park?

Only these two I'd say.

I'd say the team will be something like last weekend against Ulster apart from Lloyd Williams.

15 Ben Blair
14 Richard Mustoe
13 Gavin Evans / Laulala
12 Gavin Henson
11 Tom James
10 Dan Parks
9 Richie Rees

8 Xavier Rush
7 Martyn Williams / Navidi
6 Michael Paterson / Molly
5 Paul Tito (c)
4 Cory Hill / Paterson
3 Scott Andrews / Hobbs
2 Rhys Thomas / Ryan Tyrell
1 John Yapp


REP
16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Ryan Harford 19 Maama Molitika 20 Macauley Cook 21 Lewis Jones 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Chris Czekaj



Not available due to injury:

Casey Laulala - hamstring
Fau Filise - shoulder
Dafydd Hewitt - hamstring
James Down - ankle
Andries Pretorius - knee
Deiniol Jones - shoulder

[Speedee]

We could do with having Keatley back for this. He picked up a knock playing for the Cookies against Shannon a week ago, and according to Twitter he was icing the ankle over the past week. Given that he played a good 50 mins with the ankle strapped I hope it isn't too bad.

I wouldn't have a huge amount of faith in us picking up a win if Deasy started at 10.

[gavindillon]

Would they really put Savenaku into a match with only a week training with the team? I would have a thought a bench position more likely?

[rathbaner]

We'll be OK in the backs and the front row. Second row we can have Micko and Nagle. But who'll play back row for Munster?

[Cowboy]

We'll be OK in the backs and the front row. Second row we can have Micko and Nagle. But who'll play back row for Munster?

The TOD, DOCbeta and Butler? all fit?

[Cowboy]

15 Felix
14 Dinny Hurley
13 Danny Barnet
12 Mafi
11 Johne (presuming Zebo is back in Dublin with the camp)
10 Keats
9 Tomás

1 Wian
2 Varley
3 Archer (BJ wrapped in cotton wool)
4 Dutch (Nagle wasnt fit last week, Shoulder injury/ Neither was Foley)
5 Micko
6 Docbeta
7 TheTod
8 Butler (cawlin away as well)

16 Sherry 17 Puppy 18 BJ 19 Nagle or Foley 20? 21 Williams 22 Deasy 23 Tokula

Theres my stab at what I think will be picked, none of your I'd like to see stuff

[Colliniho]

Coughlan likely to be released to us? Would expect him, DOC2 and TOD to man up in the backrow with young Butler to get a shot off the bench. If Nagle is injured then Holland will likely partner Micko in the 2nd row (2 solid players but dear jesus is that an undynamic second row combo). Nagle and Foley were injured last week so if they are still out (along with POC, DOC and D Ryan being unavailable) then Brian Hayes may make the bench. I don't expect too many other changes

[Cowboy]

Coughlan likely to be released to us? Would expect him, DOC2 and TOD to man up in the backrow with young Butler to get a shot off the bench. If Nagle is injured then Holland will likely partner Micko in the 2nd row (2 solid players but dear jesus is that an undynamic second row combo). Nagle and Foley were injured last week so if they are still out (along with POC, DOC and D Ryan being unavailable) then Brian Hayes may make the bench. I don't expect too many other changes

Hope we get the fringe lads back, we're thin in the second and back rows