Too early for me. Still supping coffee.Originally Posted by The Word Is Born
Too early for me. Still supping coffee.
It's as extended cover for Sexton who kicked himself in the jaw at kicking practice yesterday.
15 Felix
14 Johnne Murphy
13 Danny
12 Mafi
11 Zebo
10 I Keats
9 Tomás
1 Wian
2 Varley
3 BJ
4 Holland
5 Micko
6 DOC 2.0
7 TOD
8 Coughlan
16 Fogs
17 Marcus
18 Archer
19 Nagle
20 Butler
21 Williams
22 Deasy
23 O’Dea
From BBC
Munster were the only side to grab a try bonus point in the Pro12 last weekend, losing just once in their last eight fixtures in all competitions.
Munster have won their last three matches against the Blues, whilst the Welshmen have not won on Munster soil since a 19-17 victory at Musgrave Park on 5 October 2007.
Cardiff Blues' single reversal in their last six matches was 40-3 at Gloucester in the LV= Cup on 28 January.
The Blues' only wins in Ireland in the past two seasons have both been at Connacht.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 13th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Eanna O'Dowd (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eugene Ryan (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Maloney (IRFU)
thats a desperate record for Cardiff.
So it looks like Nagle could see gametime at the weekend. That alone will be worth watching.
When their numbers dwindled from 50 to 8, the other dwarves began to suspect Hungry
Welsh Ref, relatively nascent, anyone see him ref Leinster v Treviso?
Yes, he seemed fair in the first half when things were actualy being contested. He didn't have much to do in the second half while Leinster were cartwheeling across the try-line. Never seen him ref a welsh team though.
Céard a ceapfá, Jerry?
Paul O'Connell can get toothpaste out of an onion. Fact.
Is this thread still going?
well looka
No Tokula.
Maybe not match fit? hardly fair to any of the other squad members to chuck them in ahead of them, especially when he was only brought in as cover.
The problem with this world is there are too many snakes... and not enough Ladders!
Or else he's the 9th injured player who isn't named in the squad announcement!!! Although it wouldn't be like Munster's luck to have an injury occur to a recent overseas addition, would it?
I'm preferring the sound of deadlybuzz's reasoning!!
Troy Smith is the missing 9th injured man.
The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves
Boo!! There goes my conspiracy theory.
We finally have the solution to our openside problems!
:-o ;-)
Cardiff Blues have recorded victories over two Irish opponents in a fortnight with wins over Connacht and Ulster in Cardiff and now travel to Ireland to face a Munster side that have lost just one of their last eight fixtures in all competitions.The Blues team shows three changes to the side that beat Ulster. In the backs Richie Rees starts in place of Lloyd Williams at scrum half and Chris Czekaj starts at fullback in place of Ben Blair, who moves to the bench. There is only one change in the forwards with Xavier Rush pulling out through illness and is replaced at number 8 by Maama Molitika.
Speaking ahead of the match Justin Burnell said:
"Munster have a fantastic development programme and always seem to find those one or two players that when their internationals are away can step up for them."
"It's going to be quite interesting who their latest find is."
"They will be good at Thomond Park as always but it's a fantastic opportunity for our players to show their worth."
"There's always a great atmosphere and we relish going there to play in front of their very vocal support."
"The Blues and Munster both have a game in hand and if we can take their scalp it would put us above them and we would be back in the top four."
Munster v Cardiff Blues
At Thomond Park, 7.05pm
Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Gavin Henson 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks 9 Richie Rees
8 Maama Molitika 7 Martyn Williams 6 Michael Paterson 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Cory Hill 3 Scott Andrews 2 Ryan Tyrell 1 John Yapp
16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Sam Hobbs 19 Macauley Cook 20 Thomas Young 21 Lewis Jones 22 Ceri Sweeney 23 Ben Blair
Not available due to injury:
Xavier Rush - illness
Casey Laulala - hamstring
Fau Filise - shoulder
Dafydd Hewitt - hamstring
James Down - ankle
Andries Pretorius - knee
Deiniol Jones - shoulder
Not available due to International Call Ups:
Sam Warburton
Jamie Roberts
Lloyd Williams
Gethin Jenkins
Leigh Halfpenny
Alex Cuthbert
Suspended:
Bradley Davies
Last edited by bluesboy; 23rd-February-2012 at 11:25. Reason: Extra Information
Henson has to be worth the price of admission on his own.
I am sure everyone will be very kind and extend him the warmest of welcomes; he has still got time to burn himself on the tanning machine/ cut his legs shaving etc to stop himself being able to take the field. No Rush or Laulala weakens them a fair bit but our second row will need to play well!!
To be honest with only 2 of the first choice 15 starting and 2 more on the bench, it is fair to say that Rush and Laulala aren't the only 2 missing that weaken the team! Saying that, there are some useful sorts playing for the Blues but I don't see enough leadership or cohesion throughout that side to see a serious challenge...
Henson has been playing well though hasn't he?
Strongish looking backline in fairness if they can get enough clean possession. Molitika and Williams won't let anybody down either (despite their advancing years). I'm not sure about the Cardiff front 5 myself and if we can better them here I'd fancy us to take it. Given that they are without 14 players through injury or international call ups it is still a pretty impressive show of strength in depth from them
\"In a world gone mad, only a lunatic is truly insane\"
Five Changes For Munster
23 February 2012, 10:24 am
By TheEditor
Munster coach Tony McGahan makes five changes, from the side that started against Treviso, for tomorrow's RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park Stadium (7.05).
Four of those - Ronan O’Gara, Donnacha Ryan and Peter O’Mahony - are a direct result of the international the following day, all featuring in the match day squad for the game against Italy. Denis Hurley is called up as cover (24th man) while Marcus Horan gets the nod over Wian du Preez at loose-head prop. The absence of Hurley affords McGahan the opportunity to re-install Felix Jones at full-back, Jones looked sharp when he came on as a 60th minute replacement in Treviso and Tommy O’Donnell who returned from injury in the 68th minute of that game, takes over on the openside from O’Mahony.
Ian Keatley who missed out on the trip to Italy after twisting an ankle, wears the number 10 shirt and Billy Holland operates alongside skipper Mick O’Driscoll in the second row
Munster: F Jones; J Murphy, D Barnes, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O’Leary; M Horan, D Varley, BJ Botha; B Holland, M O’Driscoll capt; Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Fogarty, W du Preez, S Archer, D Foley, P Butler, D Williams, S Deasy, L O’Dea.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU).
Assistant Referees: Michael Black, Eanna O’Dowd (both IRFU)
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10153.php
Henson has done ok since his 'return' to the rugby field but you will see tomorrow how anonymous he will be for most of the match, with a few deft touches and intelligent passes during the match...Blair is the best option at full back but has played the last few games after coming back from a year long knee injury that very nearly finished his career, so maybe the decision to put Checkeye at full back is a wise one to keep Blair fresher for the rest of the season. Shame you wont get to see your new signing(Laulala) but then again I often find these kind of matches weird where he would be a Blues player playing against next seasons employers! One of the biggest losses this season has been the injury to Pretorius, who was player of the year last season but not had the chance to play yet this season...a backline of him, Warburton and Rush would certainly have improved the Blues chances in Europe...
what would you class as the first choice Cardoff second row combo Bluesboy? Anyone there to potentially replace Jenkins next year when he goes to Toulon?
\"In a world gone mad, only a lunatic is truly insane\"
Even with depleted sides hopefully it'll still be entertaining, two good backlines. Think Munster might have a little bit more in the engine room but beyond that it's very evenly matched. Will be a great opportunity for youngsters like DOC and The TOD to go toe to toe with wily fellas like Molly and Nugget
I am the million man.
Tito and BigBrad Davies surely?
I am the million man.
First choice side would be something like: Blair, Cuthbert, Laulala, Roberts, Halfpenny, Parks, Williams, Jenkins, Thomas, Filise, Davies, Tito, Pretorius, Warburton, Rush. At the moment the second row picks itself(Tito and one academy player) due to the suspension to Davies and injuries to Down and Deiniol Jones). Paterson does fluctuate between 2nd/back row but due to Rush/Pretorius injured and Warburton with Team Wales he adds some weight at 6 tomorrow night. There is no decent talent coming through the ranks to replace Jenkins but there is a strong rumour that Rhys Gill we be coming back to the Blues next season, which will do for me. Unfortunately, with the wage caps being introduced next season and dwindling attendances since regionalisation began 8 seasons ago, it will be up to young, local talent to impress now to save the mess that is Welsh rugby and stop the regions from going under...more choice for Team Wales in the long run but less talent and big names for the average fan to watch on a regular basis will do nothing to improve the support I'm afraid and unless the WRU strike a deal similar to the IRFU set up with elite players wages, it will be interesting to see how many of next seasons 6 nations squad actually play in the principality!
Mine is more like this..
Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Laulala, Roberts/Hewitt, Tom James, Parks, Williams/Rees, Jenkins, Thomas, Filise, Davies, Tito, Pretorius, Warburton, Rush
I'd have Pence at FB since I think he does all that Blair does and he's more physical. Also Tom James is the better option at 11 IMO.
Hewitt at 100% is much better than the quality we've been getting from Roberts recently.
Tom James despite his flaws is the best pick for the left wing.
The Rees/ Williams is a coin flip. Rees is better when times are good and we are on the front foot. But Williams is more of an all round player and has more potential IMO.
1-8 the same
The axe that cuts the tree can easily forget, but the tree thats been cut will not forget.
A sorry situation, quite a bit of chat on it on welsh rugby supporters thread if you are interested. Good luck to the blues for friday.
F eck off Huwie, who asked you??? ;-) In all fairness you have a valid point, I just find it hard to drop Blair from my fantasy Blues team given how much he gave us in his pre-injury years! As much as I like James, I find it hard to have him in my ideal starting 15 as he is too inconsistent, but in all fairness he has taken his chance this season and those 4 tries in a match against Harlequins was no mean feat...good to see you agree about Pretorius being a big loss...
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