HC Racing Metro Sat 13 13:35 Irish time team # 383

[Thomond78]

Agreed.

Hell, even if you're saying ROG can't do what he used to - so what? He's 35, FFS, it's not by choice, it happens to us all, and he's lasted longer and better than most. It's just age gets us all, sooner or later.

[Sketchy]

Give the man a break. First off on a personal note I don't like the man but i respect his talents as a rugby player which are beyond question.

He has nothing to prove to you, me or anyone else on this website.

At 35/36 he isnt going to develop an new style of playing. Instead of focusing on what he can't do. Munster should focus on what he can do and use him accordingly. Its madness trying to get him to play on the gain-line at 35.

He should be used against certain opposition from the start or for 20 minutes in general to close the game out.

He's still a hell of a weapon to have off the bench if needed. I cant get over how people expect him to suddenly develop massive physicality and to play on the gainline at 35.

its not his game and it never was.

He owes absolutely nothing to me. Without doubt. He's the most important/best player we've ever had. We would have been lost without him. I don't mean to make it sound like i blame ROG for not being able to suit the new game plan, but that unfortunately doesn't change how different a team we are when he is on the field. I'm sure at some stage this season he will have a big role to play in some way shape or form. It's just hard to watch a young guy play outstanding rugby and be passed up because there is a senior player that will play no matter how he performs. We only get one chance at this season, and it would be a shame to blow it through conservatism.

[Cowboy]

Just read that Hogan article on the Ladies night thread, he makes a very valid point. Few sides are as rapey as Leinster, I can't believe I'm suggesting this but maybe running Metro ragged might be our route to a result. They seem to be poor at converting chances, so if we get sloppy at times they mightn't punish us like the Leinster did. Plus it'd suit our back row.

This upcoming selection is the most keenly anticipated since may 2008.

[thepunter]

far too much respect on here for Racing Metro. Some are acting like it's a massive mountain to climb.

[Tobyglen]

TUESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2012

Racing Métro ’92 – a bluffers guide



As the Red Army mobilises for Paris, here is a quick insight into our next opponents, Racing Métro 92. Racing currently lies seventh in the Top 14, with four wins and four losses against their name. They have scored 138 points, giving them the third worst points scored record in the league at the moment, with just five tries. They have only conceded 136 points, the third best defence in the French league and this tight defence is the bedrock of the side.


With the recent injuries to Wisniewski and Dambielle, Racing has been shorn of its leading creative sparks behind a pack that could have been assembled to define the word “grizzled”. The hurried introduction of Olly Barkley from Bath into the squad might get Racing crossing the whitewash, but this Saturday may be a couple of weeks too soon for the Englishman. We can expect a similar approach to that which nearly ground out a win against Montpellier at the weekend. Grunt, grunt and more grunt as the forwards look to dominate and control with either Barkley or Belie (who has also ran out at scrum half for Racing this season) orchestrating things from out half. Wherever you look across the Racing forwards, you see plenty to be wary of.


Racing’s front row resources include the familiar face of Julien Brugnaut, who started the first six league games of the season for Racing although recently another Frenchman Eddy Ben Arous has started for the sky blue and whites at loosehead. Tighthead is likely to be either the Kiwi Benjamin Sa or Luc Ducalon with one of Italian’s rugby’s hardest working servants Andrea Lo Cicero (92 caps) getting wheeled on with half an hour to go looking to make a characteristic impact. Dimitri Szarzewski (63 caps for France) will probably complete a front row that will give Munster’s scrummage a stern examination.


Berbizier has chopped and changed his lock combinations so far this season and can pick from a position of strength, but Dellapè (62 caps for Italy) will probably miss out to Karim Ghezal and Francois van der Merwe. Based on current selections, the backrow will have Bernard Le Roux at openside, another South African and club captain Jacques Cronjé alongside him at No. 8 with Antoine Battut controlling the blindside. This pack is coached by the Australian Patricio Noriega, the coach that made the Wallabies viable in the scrum. Like his charges, Noriega is no mug, whatever eight faces Munster on Saturday will know what they are about. It will be a test.


Outside the out halves of Machenaud (capped once for France at scrum half) and Belie (assuming Barkley doesn’t start and Puma sensation Juan Martín Hernández isn’t ready) the Racing midfield’s inside channel is likely to contain straight line smash-up merchant Fabrice Estebanez an ex-league player who has represented France with outside centre a toss-up between Boussès, Chavancy or Dumoulin. Frankly none of these three players should concern whoever Penney picks at 13, but the back three is a different matter again.


Racing stalwart Julien Saubade may get one wide berth and alongside him Fijians Bobo and Vakatawa contest the other wing spot with Mirco Bergamasco (83 caps for Italy and although he seems to have been around for ever, still just 29), Jané and Benjamin Fall (3 French caps). Fall started Racing’s last league game at fullback and it might be that he lines-up at 15 on Saturday as Racing look to squeeze as many stellar talents as possible onto the field. If Fall doesn’t run out at 15, it is most likely to be Gaëtan Germain, who has kicked 64 points for Racing this season so far.


In short, Racing has a strong pack, a vigorous disciplined defence and some potency in the back three. Whether they have the wit to do anything with the ball they get though is another question.


taken from http://www.eamorugby.com/

[Point]

Racing aren't that good Blackwarrior. As long as Munster play the game they have been for the past few weeks they'll win this. On a scale of away-day-european-nervousness, this should be no more than a 6 ( on a scale of 1 to Toulouse)

Plus Mannix should have a bit of inside info on them.

[the_dazz]

Feeling pretty ropey about this one. While I don't doubt that Munster are better than Racing its the fact that its the first HEC game, away, in France and the way the last few results and bit part performances have gone has me a little on edge. Selection wise its difficult to call, in the pack the only real 50/50 call is Varley/Sherry the others pick themselves. In the backs the obvious call between ROG/Keatley which I think ROG will shade (wrongly imo) and the choice between 2 of Downey/Earls/Laulala. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter and as none of us are Penney it makes sweet **** all difference what we think.

On the POC situation, I dont care how fit he is, he shouldnt be within an asses roar of this weeks 23, he should be either with the A team or with Young Munster. He has absolutely no match fitness and hasnt played in months.

I wonder will the A game have much of a bearing on the squad for Racing? Not with starters obviously but guys like Willams, Holland, Kilcoyne, DOC2.0, Butler et al.

[Malley]

No, I'm saying we should be comparing ourselves against Leinster in terms of how we match up i.e. can we play well and beat them. That said, they are a team that does vary their game, and aren't afraid to maul it etc, if the situation calls for it, which is something we can learn from. Whether we set our forwards one way or another isn't the point, the point is we are not varying our game to keep the opposition guessing or to hopefully catch them out. The evidence of last weekend (and indeed the Ospreys) is that we are unable to adapt as the situation demands.

So just to wrap this one up, are you sticking to your notion that we're playing exactly the same gameplan as last season?

[lawrence]

How are you so sure of this, Penney could have called him aside and asked him to change some part of his game and Penney may still want to see that change, maybe he's happy with his game but has said he wants to give ROG the 1st H/cup game, maybe he sees Keatley as a better option off the bench, we really dont know. There could be any amount of reasons for not starting Keatley.

There could be a lot of reasons for not starting him, but form isn't one of them.

[Balla Boy]

Jesus but people have gotten used to winning in France. Not a big mountain? We've lost to similar teams there in the past - Castres included. We didn't exactly beat Bourgoin out the gate, and we were a better side then.

There's plenty of talent in that Raving side, and it's not that long since we were losing to Ulster and Quins in Thomond.

A BP in Paris would do fine.

[Valencia]

Who'd have ever thought we'd see the day that there ever would be an almost collective groan on here if ROG is named to start.

This is Ronan O'Gara after all, a very very competitive beast with ice in his veins. His form lately has been way off, no doubt & Ian Keatley's has been very good. Either way I'm getting behind whomever starts as our 10.

I think that there are 2 other aspects that may be more vital

(1) we learn how to stop a maul, this is a very big Racing pack & our efforts at stopping recent opposition mauls have been alarming.

(2) the choice of who starts at 12. That's the really big one for me. God, I hope it's James Downey

[McCloud]

Irish Examiner

Penney wary of French as Munster sights trained on Metro

By Colm O’Connor
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Munster coach Rob Penney has warned against complacency ahead of the province’s Heineken Cup opener against Racing Metro at Stade de France on Saturday.
The French outfit have lost back-to-back to games in the Top 14 but three weeks ago came within two points of defeating French giants, Clermont, away from home.

Penney believes such form makes their weekend opponents a more dangerous outfit.

"It’s a tough pool with a difficult start. I’m not looking at the topsy-turvy start that Racing Metro have made to their Top 14 campaign — they will be more dangerous because of their unpredictability.

"When the big games come along their big name players start firing, and they’ve got a lot of them, " Penney told ercrugby.com.

It’s mostly good news on the injury front for the Munster coach following an abrasive clash with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Lock Donncha O’Callaghan is likely to be fit despite being taken off with a hamstring complaint, while prop Marcus Horan is also expected to be in contention. A decision will be made on back row Niall Ronan’s fitness later in the week.

Hooker Mike Sherry left the stadium on Saturday on crutches as a precaution after he twisted an ankle, while Luke O’Dea came through a club game on the wing for Shannon unscathed. Johne Murphy has returned to full fitness and Felix Jones will be back in action ahead of schedule in the coming weeks to boost Munster’s options in the back three.

Meanwhile Penney described his role at the Munster helm as "living the dream" just three months into his new job.

The former Canterbury and New Zealand U20 coach is relishing his first taste of Heineken Cup rugby in Paris on Saturday afternoon, describing the competition as "the best club rugby tournament in the world game".

"We play Racing Metro at Stade de France and then Edinburgh at a sold-out Thomond Park — wow!"

"Being able to coach in the Heineken Cup was one of the major attractions of coming to Munster. It is the best club rugby tournament in the world game. It allows you to pit yourself against some of the best coaches around and the wealth and depth of talent available to the clubs is incredible.

"There is so much passion associated with the competition and I can’t wait to get going."

Along with the passion comes huge expectation from the Munster faithful, who have seen their side win the title twice and reach two other finals during an ever-increasing love-affair with the tournament.

"Pressure is something you can either embrace and use to your benefit, or get negative and twisted about and let it kill you," said Penney. "Success needs to be measured on more than just the scoreboard and we have an exciting young group of athletes coming through the ranks.

"The main job has been trying to put old heads onto those young shoulders in the early part of the season."

[McCloud]

Interesting according to Thornley Gonzalo Quesada will be leaving at the end of this season.

[taz]

I see a few folks on the thread suggesting Coughlan at 8 for the weekend. I didn't think he was even close to a comeback.

[munstermog]

Was in Paris yesterday, and there are still tickets available for €5.00 for anyone who is in the greater area and thinking about going.

[lawrence]

Who'd have ever thought we'd see the day that there ever would be an almost collective groan on here if ROG is named to start.

This is Ronan O'Gara after all, a very very competitive beast with ice in his veins. His form lately has been way off, no doubt & Ian Keatley's has been very good. Either way I'm getting behind whomever starts as our 10.

I think that there are 2 other aspects that may be more vital

(1) we learn how to stop a maul, this is a very big Racing pack & our efforts at stopping recent opposition mauls have been alarming.

(2) the choice of who starts at 12. That's the really big one for me. God, I hope it's James Downey

One of the hardest jobs of a coach is knowing when a player is ready to step up and when a player has given his all and is past it, the greatest soccer managers like alex ferguson and the fella at arsenal are very good at it, kidney has shown in the past that he can do it with many players, and the next few team selections and results will show how much penny knows about it. I agree that ROG's form is off, and you need to see him up close and personal and how he is going in training to base a decision on starting or not but a loss without giving keatley a decent run will not auger well for him and yes, either way whomever starts at 10 will be supported

[Sketchy]

Parity in the pack in Paris will be the calling of the day. Downey is crucial for this game to get us over the gainline should our pack lose the arm wrestle. The tries they conceded against Grenoble seem to be the type of tries we're scoring when we're at our best. They don't seem very good at scrambling if kept on the ropes. Having big heavy forwards has its disadvantages. Need to have Earls and Zebo running at their tight 5 that end up wide in their defensive line.

[Drick]

Barkley isn't registered in the ERC squad so he can't play. It will be Belie or Hernandez at 10 I think.

Dont the Rules allow a team to add 1 or 2 players & remove an injured player?

It would be interesting to see if he picks Hernandez, or will he rest him for the first 2 rounds of the HEC. They have away trips to Perpignan & Toulouse after the first 2 rounds, so it will be interesting to see how much interest Racing have in the competition.

[John Cooper Clarke]

Dont the Rules allow a team to add 1 or 2 players & remove an injured player?

Barkley was signed as a medical joker so can play immediately iirc.

[Paddy Whac]

Racing Métro seem a little derailed

He should be concentrating on facing Munster but instead coach Gonzalo Quesada is answering questions about his future, writes MARK RODDEN
AFTER WATCHING his side lose a Top 14 game they should have won on Saturday, Gonzalo Quesada cut straight to the chase.
“Go ahead,” the Racing Métro head coach told reporters after the 16-12 loss to Montpellier in Paris. “Talk about coaches.”
The former Argentinian outhalf, whose Racing team host Munster in the Heineken Cup on Saturday, was referring to a rumour that has dogged him since the summer. A rumour that was finally – albeit partially – put to bed yesterday.

[Cowboy]

From the ERC site:

Munster coach Rob Penney claims to be "living the dream" just three months into his new job.



The former Canterbury and New Zealand Under 20 coach keeps pinching himself when he gets set for his first taste of Heineken Cup rugby."We play Racing Metro at Stade de France and then Edinburgh at a sold-out Thomond Park - wow!" said Penney.
"Being able to coach in the Heineken Cup was one of the major attractions of coming to Munster. It is the best club rugby tournament in the world game.
"It allows you to pit yourself against some of the best coaches around and the wealth and depth of talent available to the clubs is incredible. There is so much passion associated with the competition and I can't wait to get going."
Along with the passion comes huge expectation from the Munster faithful, who have seen their side win the title twice and reach two other finals during an ever-increasing love-affair with the tournament.
"Pressure is something you can either embrace and use to your benefit, or get negative and twisted about and let it kill you," said Penney.
"Success needs to be measured on more than just the scoreboard and we have an exciting young group of athletes coming through the ranks. The main job has been trying to put old heads onto those young shoulders in the early part of the season.
"The statistics show that the teams that succeed in the Heineken Cup have done so on the back of experience. That's why it has been great having someone of Ronan O'Gara's experience working around the fringes of the squad and behind the scenes during his international rest period.
"He is such a great influence on everyone at the club. He has been really positive and has worked so hard to be in a position to contribute on his return.
"Ian Keatley has benefitted from working alongside him and he is growing in stature all the time. We will really need the youngsters to step up to the mark in the Heineken Cup."
Munster kick-off their 18th Heineken Cup campaign with a trip to Paris to face the unpredictable Racing Metro at Stade de France. Pool 1 also sees the Irish stalwarts face Edinburgh and Saracens.
"It's a tough Pool with a difficult start. I'm not looking at the topsy-turvey start that Racing Metro have made to their Top 14 campaign - they will be more dangerous because of their unpredictability," added Penney.
"When the big games come along their big name players start firing, and they've got a lot of them."

reference

[hezza]

In the backs the obvious call between ROG/Keatley which I think ROG will shade (wrongly imo) and the choice between 2 of Downey/Earls/Laulala. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter and as none of us are Penney it makes sweet **** all difference what we think.


Earls out with hamstring

[i_like_cake]

Earls out with hamstring

link...

[Thomond78]

The worst thing is, I'm finding it hard to get excited by the HEC. Just quiet dread and a plea to whichever deities may be listening that it not be the sickening, whimpering anti-climax we've endured over the last few years.

[John Cooper Clarke]

...Earls out with hamstring

You might be onto something there.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

In the backs the obvious call between ROG/Keatley which I think ROG will shade (wrongly imo) and the choice between 2 of Downey/Earls/Laulala. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter and as none of us are Penney it makes sweet **** all difference what we think.


Earls out with hamstring

At this stage, you have to think that Keith needs to be looking at something different to aid his Hammer. At least once a season it affects his performance or selection. Maybe he should be looking at what someone like Ryan Giggs did. He had the worst hammers in PL history, got them sorted through alternative excercise techniques, and is now looking at celebrating his 40th birthday, still playing at the highest level in England & Europe.

[Dumptruck]

You might be onto something there.

At this stage, you have to think that Keith needs to be looking at something different to aid his Hammer. At least once a season it affects his performance or selection. Maybe he should be looking at what someone like Ryan Giggs did. He had the worst hammers in PL history, got them sorted through alternative excercise techniques, and is now looking at celebrating his 40th birthday, still playing at the highest level in England & Europe.

We all know what alternative excercise Giggs was doing

[LondonMunster]

Should Earls not be available it at least allows Penney to focus on the decision of who he should play at ten and in the backrow without the distraction of worrying about where to fit Earls.

A back line of Murray, Keatley, Howlett, Downey, Laulala, Zebo and Hurley will do for Saturday.

[Point]

So just to wrap this one up, are you sticking to your notion that we're playing exactly the same gameplan as last season?

Pretty much the same. On a scale, if 1 was McGahanball and 100 was 8 Man Rugby, I'd say we are at about 85-90 now. I want us to get closer to 50, where we are equally adepth at playing the right rugby at the right time.

[overthehillprop]

We all know what alternative excercise Giggs was doing

wish my hamstrings were that bad