Connacht v Munster Sat @ 7.45pm team # 37

[McCloud]

Getting pretty tight between those in with a chance to make the playoffs in the RD league. Munster's internationals have the week off. Might be a tough evening in the Sportsground.

[John Cooper Clarke]

If we can't beat Connacht in the dogtrack with or without internationals we really shouldn't be contending for a home semi final in the Rabo.

[Hugh Jardon]

Tickets available

[McCloud]

Current standing.


Leinster (63): Ospreys (h); Munster (a); Edinburgh (h); Ulster (a); Dragons (a).


Munster (52): Connacht (a); Leinster (h); Warriors (h); Scarlets (a); Ulster (h).


Ospreys (49): Leinster (a); Treviso (h); Blues (a); Dragons (h); Aironi (a).


Warriors (47): Aironi (h); Blues (h); Munster (a); Treviso (a); Connacht (h).


Ulster (46): Treviso (a); Aironi (h); Connacht (a); Leinster (h); Munster (a)


Scarlets (45): Blues (a); Edinburgh (a); Aironi (a); Munster (h); Blues (h).


Blues (45): Scarlets (h); Warriors (a); Ospreys (h); Edinburgh (h); Scarlets (a).

[taz]

Getting pretty tight between those in with a chance to make the playoffs in the RD league. Munster's internationals have the week off. Might be a tough evening in the Sportsground.

I think your right there,but if we don't see a responce from the squad after the Italian debacle then there is a real problem.I expect a positive reaction ,a close match and a win,nothing less.

[rathbaner]

Losing in Aironi was a disaster. There's just no room for error now and the games just get harder, esp with the HEC back on the agenda.

Having said that, the Pro12 is starting to look really exciting

[the plastic paddy]

I think your right there,but if we don't see a responce from the squad after the Italian debacle then there is a real problem.I expect a positive reaction ,a close match and a win,nothing less.

And I assume Axel doesn't get a week off which will make some difference. Need the win!!!!

[Cill na Martra]

Getting pretty tight between those in with a chance to make the playoffs in the RD league. Munster's internationals have the week off. Might be a tough evening in the Sportsground.

The big decision for McGahan this week is who to pick at OC, given the strength of Connacht's centres (McSharry/Griffin).

Tokula has now started 3 games (the same number as Borlase!!!) and proven to be a complete disaster - I saw 2 of them. Barnes, if he is named in the squad today hasn't played in months and cannot be expected to start. Earls is almost certainly going to be rested.

Personally, I think McGahan should either put Murphy at 13 and have Zebo/O'Dea on the wing or try Keats/Hurley at 12 and move Mafi to 13. Irrespective, Tokula should never don the red of Munster again. Himself and Borlase have embarrassed themselves enough, while at the same time heaping further ridicule on the scouting ability of the Munster (lack of) Brains Trust. On that note, I cannot wait to see Farther Dougal togging out for us next season

[taz]

Keatley to play nowhere other than 10 this weekend.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

The big decision for McGahan this week is who to pick at OC, given the strength of Connacht's centres (McSharry/Griffin).

Tokula has now started 3 games (the same number as Borlase!!!) and proven to be a complete disaster - I saw 2 of them. Barnes, if he is named in the squad today hasn't played in months and cannot be expected to start. Earls is almost certainly going to be rested.

Personally, I think McGahan should either put Murphy at 13 and have Zebo/O'Dea on the wing or try Keats/Hurley at 12 and move Mafi to 13. Irrespective, Tokula should never don the red of Munster again. Himself and Borlase have embarrassed themselves enough, while at the same time heaping further ridicule on the scouting ability of the Munster (lack of) Brains Trust. On that note, I cannot wait to see Farther Dougal togging out for us next season

Whatever about your thoughts on Tokula and Borlase, have you actually watch Dougall in action.
Watched him v Leeds Carnegie on Sunday, and he looks a tidy operator, a proper No.7, at 22/23 you would hope that there is plenty of scope there for improvement considering the improvement he will get in his surroundings.

And BTW, why do you want to move Keatly to 12, when he has played 10 all season ? If Barnes is fit then it should be him a Mafi in the centre's.

[Cill na Martra]

Keatley to play nowhere other than 10 this weekend.

Did you by chance see that idiotic crossfield kick against Aironi with 3 minutes to go???


We were wearing the Italians down and a try was on the cards - endless phases of McGahan ball, aside - and he decides to cross kick to 4 foot tall Luke O'Dea who was being closely marked by an Aironi player on the wing. Result: Throw in to them on there own line, wind down the clock, game over.

Keatley and Deasy are much of muchness at the moment, which isn't saying much!!!

Oh, to have Paul Warwick to fall back upon.

[taz]

Did you by chance see that idiotic crossfield kick against Aironi with 3 minutes to go???


We were wearing the Italians down and a try was on the cards - endless phases of McGahan ball, aside - and he decides to cross kick to 4 foot tall Luke O'Dea who was being closely marked by an Aironi player on the wing. Result: Throw in to them on there own line, wind down the clock, game over.

Keatley and Deasy are much of muchness at the moment, which isn't saying much!!!

Oh, to have Paul Warwick to fall back upon.

As it stands Keatley is our back up 10,end of.
Deasy got his chance in the Italian job and eh,Keatley has to start at 10,thats his position. He was a good player at Connacht and I think given time he will be the same for us.
Look on the brightside,Keatley know all the cross winds in the sportsground!

[Cill na Martra]

Whatever about your thoughts on Tokula and Borlase, have you actually watch Dougall in action.
Watched him v Leeds Carnegie on Sunday, and he looks a tidy operator, a proper No.7, at 22/23 you would hope that there is plenty of scope there for improvement considering the improvement he will get in his surroundings.

And BTW, why do you want to move Keatly to 12, when he has played 10 all season ? If Barnes is fit then it should be him a Mafi in the centre's.

What numbskull in the Lack of Brains Trust made the executive decision to sign an unheralded 23 year old 7???

Currently and for next season we have 6 players who can play or are playing @7: Wally, Ronan, POM, TOD, O'Hara and Butler!!!

And you think it is a good decison to sign a 7th 7??? Are you by chance a member of MR???

[deadlyBuzz]

How about...
01 - WDP
02 - DV
03 - SA
04 - IN
05 - MOD
06 - DOC2.0
07 - TOD
08 - JC
09 - DW
10 - IK
11 - SZ
12 - LM
13 - TG
14 - JM
15 - DH

Subs: BJB, MS, DW, BH, CS, FJ, LOD

I think some form of Shakeup is called for after the disaster in Aironi. I've yet to bring myslef to watch the Sky+ Against the head for the match.

Tom Gleeson has performed every so often when he's called up. He's been terrible onece or twice aas well but with contract season upon us, he might have motivation to put in a big shift and this could be the place for him.

Denis Hurley may have taclked like wearing Vaseline gloves in italy but let's be honest, besides that match, his performance has been mighty all season and didn't seserve to be dropped. Give FJ some rest from playing , if we really do need him, he can be on the bench.

David wallace to continue his comeback on the bench. With Billy Hollands versatility in 2nd row and Backs, he's on the bench to give Nagle a much needed start. His versatility might be enough to see Paddy Butler cruelly dropped altogether however - Ah Rugby, She's a cruel mistress!

Murphy has done little wrong at 14 this year and with HCup & Leinster coming up needs to be slotting back into this spot if we're to start stabilising the team.

With Archer getting a start to show we're addressing the fiasco in Twickers, BJ will be on the bench ready to show us all how it's done.

Any thoughts?

[deadlyBuzz]

Did you by chance see that idiotic crossfield kick against Aironi with 3 minutes to go???


We were wearing the Italians down and a try was on the cards - endless phases of McGahan ball, aside - and he decides to cross kick to 4 foot tall Luke O'Dea who was being closely marked by an Aironi player on the wing. Result: Throw in to them on there own line, wind down the clock, game over.

Keatley and Deasy are much of muchness at the moment, which isn't saying much!!!

Oh, to have Paul Warwick to fall back upon.

Keatly has had some hiccups recently, to be fair the whole team had. he's young and will make mistakes but his early season from was excellent once he started to settle. He had an outstanding first half against Cardiff and nearly rescued us in the second half.
He'll come good, we just have to be patient!

[taz]

Munster Squad: M Horan, W du Preez, J Ryan, S Archer, BJ Botha, D Varley, M Sherry, D Fogarty, I Nagle, M O’Driscoll, B Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, D Wallace, J Coughlan, P Butler, D Williams, T O’Leary, I Keatley, S Deasy, D Hurley, D Barnes, L Mafi, J Murphy, L O’Dea, S Zebo, S Tokula, F Jones,

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10263.php

[Cill na Martra]

Tom Gleeson has performed every so often when he's called up. He's been terrible onece or twice aas well but with contract season upon us, he might have motivation to put in a big shift and this could be the place for him.


Any thoughts?

TG is injured, and being let go at the end of the season (I believe), so I don't think we'll see him play for us again.

26 with a handful of games to show for it, ain't great.
He should do a James Downey, before it's too late.

[Colliniho]

Tom got injured against Ulster. It's touch and go whether he'll be back for the end of the season or not. Nothing confirmed officially regarding his contract position but he may well be looking elsewhere if he wants to continue his professional rugby career.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

What numbskull in the Lack of Brains Trust made the executive decision to sign an unheralded 23 year old 7???

Currently and for next season we have 6 players who can play or are playing @7: Wally, Ronan, POM, TOD, O'Hara and Butler!!!

And you think it is a good decison to sign a 7th 7??? Are you by chance a member of MR???

Wally and POM will be away on International duty, after that Ronan is the only out and out 7 we will have on the books next year. Butler, from what I have see of him in the U20's and with Munster is going to be an 8. Tommy, has been tried as a 7, but looks more of a 6, and the injuries have caught up with O'Hara, as from what I hear he won't be getting a contract.

[Thomond78]

Wally and POM will be away on International duty, after that Ronan is the only out and out 7 we will have on the books next year. Butler, from what I have see of him in the U20's and with Munster is going to be an 8. Tommy, has been tried as a 7, but looks more of a 6, and the injuries have caught up with O'Hara, as from what I hear he won't be getting a contract.

I'd be surprised. He seemed very effective the other night, including being brought up to the Big Boys team.

[Waterfordlad]

IK is the only one for 10 - he knows that ground far better than he knows Thomond. He'll come good - the stop start nature of his selection isn't helping him

[taz]

Talking out loud here,with leinster+Ulster games in mind,TOL to start as he needs a bloody good game in case required for leinster or ulster starts.

Hurley,Murphy,Last chance saloon,Mafi,Zebo,Keatley,TOL,Du Preez,Fogarty,Archer,Nagle ,MOD,DOC2,wallace,Coughlan

Varley,Horan,Botha,Holland,TOD,Williams,Deasy,Barn es.

[Cill na Martra]

Wally and POM will be away on International duty, after that Ronan is the only out and out 7 we will have on the books next year. Butler, from what I have see of him in the U20's and with Munster is going to be an 8. Tommy, has been tried as a 7, but looks more of a 6, and the injuries have caught up with O'Hara, as from what I hear he won't be getting a contract.

There's an awful lot wrong with that post.

1. This whole ' away on international duty' is a bit of a misnomer. The AIs and 6Ns take place at time in the season when Munster play some of the poorest teams in a league that only ourselves and Leinster seem to care about, at the moment.

2. Ronan is not the only out and out 7, along with Wally & POM, we have TOD and O'Hara.

3. Butler started out as an 8, but has been playing @7 in the AIL this season, and has played both 7 and 8 for Munster.

4. TOD has played his entire career to date @7 and is far too small/light to be considered @6. In fact, he has some great fetching ability - that turnover in the last minute of the game aginst Cardiff saved our bacon only recently!

5. O'Hara has done very well in the B&I games, and also played very well in the recent 'A' Vs Development game. He is far too young to be cut adrift. If we cut someone like him, while giving contracts to mid 20s alsorans, such as TG, Holland and Williams, I would be majorly pissed off, but hardly surprised, given our form in this area!

6. As I said in my earlier post, I cannot see the justification for a 7th unheralded IQ 7 when we are so short of talent @9, 10, 12 and 13.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

There's an awful lot wrong with that post.

1. This whole ' away on international duty' is a bit of a misnomer. The AIs and 6Ns take place at time in the season when Munster play some of the poorest teams in a league that only ourselves and Leinster seem to care about, at the moment.

2. Ronan is not the only out and out 7, along with Wally & POM, we have TOD and O'Hara.

3. Butler started out as an 8, but has been playing @7 in the AIL this season, and has played both 7 and 8 for Munster.

4. TOD has played his entire career to date @7 and is far too small/light to be considered @6. In fact, he has some great fetching ability - that turnover in the last minute of the game aginst Cardiff saved our bacon only recently!

5. O'Hara has done very well in the B&I games, and also played very well in the recent 'A' Vs Development game. He is far too young to be cut adrift. If we cut someone like him, while giving contracts to mid 20s alsorans, such as TG, Holland and Williams, I would be majorly pissed off, but hardly surprised, given our form in this area!

6. As I said in my earlier post, I cannot see the justification for a 7th unheralded IQ 7 when we are so short of talent @9, 10, 12 and 13.

I will answer as you have laid out above.
1. Players being away on international duty, nearly done us at home to Cardiff and certainly contributed to us losing away to the bottom placed team in the Rabodirect Pro 12. Winning the Pro12, proves you must have a very strong squad...just look at how close the Play-offs are at the moment. Remember there are 5 Pro 12 teams left in the HEC Quarters.
2. In your opinion TOD is an out and out 7, but I am going to highlight some hard facts for you in point 4, and again you state opinion in with O'Hara, which I will highlight fruther.
3. Playing Butler for a few games at 7 for Shannon and Munster doesn't mean he is a 7, just yet, I really hope he does come through, but he is not an out and out 7 as of yet.
4. I am wondering where you are getting your stats on TOD. This year, yes you are correct, althought he has made one start at 6, the majority has been at 7, because Wally and Ronan have been injured in various parts of the season. If we look back to last year then, there is a more telling story. He made 11 appearance. 5 Starts and 6 as sub. Of the 5 starts, THREE were at 6, and TWO were at 7. of the SIX sub appearances. Two were at 6, TWO were at 8 and TWO were at 7. I haven't had the time to go further back, but can if you want to make another rash statement.
I have great time for TOD, so don't take me up wrong here. I think he can be a good player for Munster, but at 6 rather than 7, but that is my opinion, I think the FACTS of 2010/2011 season state the same.
5. I have seen O'Hara play briefly, and I have always heard good things about him, but I do know that he has spent alot of time out injured, unfortunatly. Hopefully what I am hearing is wrong, but I am just passing on the information.
6. This point is mute, as we don't have 6 out and out No.7's.

Maybe this Dougall will turn out to be another crock, but maybe he will turn out to be a rough diamond, who could turn out to be a solid signing.
All I am asking is you give the guy a chance, and OH, look up some facts before making statements.

[Talking Sense]

How about...
01 - WDP
02 - DV
03 - SA
04 - IN
05 - MOD
06 - DOC2.0
07 - TOD
08 - JC
09 - DW
10 - IK
11 - SZ
12 - LM
13 - TG
14 - JM
15 - DH

Subs: BJB, MS, DW, BH, CS, FJ, LOD

I think some form of Shakeup is called for after the disaster in Aironi. I've yet to bring myslef to watch the Sky+ Against the head for the match.

Tom Gleeson has performed every so often when he's called up. He's been terrible onece or twice aas well but with contract season upon us, he might have motivation to put in a big shift and this could be the place for him.

Denis Hurley may have taclked like wearing Vaseline gloves in italy but let's be honest, besides that match, his performance has been mighty all season and didn't seserve to be dropped. Give FJ some rest from playing , if we really do need him, he can be on the bench.

David wallace to continue his comeback on the bench. With Billy Hollands versatility in 2nd row and Backs, he's on the bench to give Nagle a much needed start. His versatility might be enough to see Paddy Butler cruelly dropped altogether however - Ah Rugby, She's a cruel mistress!

Murphy has done little wrong at 14 this year and with HCup & Leinster coming up needs to be slotting back into this spot if we're to start stabilising the team.

With Archer getting a start to show we're addressing the fiasco in Twickers, BJ will be on the bench ready to show us all how it's done.

Any thoughts?

Not a bad side but would give Sherry a start, he is better than Varley, Gleeson is injured so give Tokula another chance and the bench lacks balance, you need Deasy on the bench instead of LOD in case IK gets injured.

[taz]

Not a bad side but would give Sherry a start, he is better than Varley, Gleeson is injured so give Tokula another chance and the bench lacks balance, you need Deasy on the bench instead of LOD in case IK gets injured.

Yup, Last chance Saloon deserves another chance

[taz]

Anyone travelling?

[Lomasney]

Keatly has had some hiccups recently, to be fair the whole team had. he's young and will make mistakes but his early season from was excellent once he started to settle. He had an outstanding first half against Cardiff and nearly rescued us in the second half.
He'll come good, we just have to be patient!

Whatever about the way he plays, lets just hope he packs his kicking boots for the game

[deadlyBuzz]

Not a bad side but would give Sherry a start, he is better than Varley, Gleeson is injured so give Tokula another chance and the bench lacks balance, you need Deasy on the bench instead of LOD in case IK gets injured.

Didn't know TG was injured. Tokula it is so. I'm not happy with Deasy in the team. he doesn't know where his best position is and he can have almighty blunders that can cost you a game. (Just an idea - Maybe FJ can kick if we need it?) But you're right, I'm missing a kicker on the bench.

I wouldn't have Duncan Williams in the team either but with Stringer out on loan, he's all we have other than an untested Sheridan.

I think Sherry is better as well but Varley seems to be first choice hooker at the moment and with Sherry missing a huge part of the season with injury, Varley should start against Leinster & Ulster - in which case he needs gametime!

[Colliniho]

We have 8 outside backs in that squad for 6 available spots on Saturday. It's a tough call as to who to leave out, but as we have Barnes back to cover the centre spots and as Luke isn't in the Heineken squad (as far as I know) then O'Dea and Tokula should miss out I think. If Johnne Murphy plays better than Hurley on the wing for the next 2 games then Denis could well find himself on the bench for the Ulster match. You could argue that his early season form at 15 has been better than Jones's since he came back, but I don't see us going into the Ulster game without Felix at fullback.