G12 Game 9) Dragons v Munster. S4C. Sun 6/12 14:30

[Wallyman]

The big profits are not made with the small league attendances which barely break even but with the ERC sell outs.

The days of European sell outs are gone. It's easy to get tickets to all the games. Leicester next week might sell out, but nobody who wanted to go will be without a ticket. There are issues with attendances in the Pro12 caused by many things such as bad KO times and poor performances, but one that has been there for years is the attitude of the Pro12 being below Europe and not worth going to. I know a lot with this attitude who'll rock up to TP on European day and travel to the away game, but wouldn't be seen dead at a Pro12 game unless it's the Leinster game.

[sewa]

The days of European sell outs are gone. It's easy to get tickets to all the games. Leicester next week might sell out, but nobody who wanted to go will be without a ticket. There are issues with attendances in the Pro12 caused by many things such as bad KO times and poor performances, but one that has been there for years is the attitude of the Pro12 being below Europe and not worth going to. I know a lot with this attitude who'll rock up to TP on European day and travel to the away game, but wouldn't be seen dead at a Pro12 game unless it's the Leinster game.

That attitude will never change (imo) but assuming it might until it has its the ERC that rules the roost

[froganco]

The big profits are not made with the small league attendances which barely break even but with the ERC sell outs.

That's the way the competition is sold by the rugby clubs the treviso match was no where near sold out and the Leicester match will only sell out because of persistent advertising on social media an radio if it sells out!?

[sewa]

That's the way the competition is sold by the rugby clubs the treviso match was no where near sold out and the Leicester match will only sell out because of persistent advertising on social media an radio if it sells out!?

Be honest, much as people might like to pretend otherwise a pro 12 game against say the Ospreys or Ulster is never going to match a HEC game against them. It would be like the GAA trying to turn their league into something bigger than the All Ireland, it won't work

[Thomond78]

There is benefits to both competitions, going well in the cup can be attributed to good game management and being a good 'cup' team with a series of one off performances. Going well in the league can be great for continuity and breeding a winning mentality.

Just because we are out of one does not mean we are a bad team per se

Let's get a grip, here, folks, because right now we're out of neither.

[froganco]

Be honest, much as people might like to pretend otherwise a pro 12 game against say the Ospreys or Ulster is never going to match a HEC game against them. It would be like the GAA trying to turn their league into something bigger than the All Ireland, it won't work

If munster rugby don't get excited by ulster or ospreys coming to town then the knock on affect is neither will the fans I always enjoyed the pro 12 games but the effort isn't there lately from the club to sell it

[Munsterboy]

So, back to the topic of the thread...

I think we need to field a strong side for this in preparation for Leicester. We've rotated a lot, which I think is a good thing, but we need to get our first team settled for the big European games.

I'd look at giving Hurley and Saili another run together in the centre with Amorosino at FB, Zebo on one wing and Earls on the other. That's probably our strongest back line and we haven't seen it yet this season, although Conway has been going very well.

Murray and Keatley at half back. TOL has been solid but we need the former's control. No real alternative at 10 right now.

Up front I'd bring Dave Foley back into the row, give Doyle a run at 7, rest CJ, put JOD or Copeland at 8 and DOC at 6 (if he's fit?). See how Ryan gets on from the start at TH with Cronin and Scannell at LH and hooker. It hasn't been mentioned in all the post-Connacht negativity but the latter two were very good at the weekend and Ryan did well when he came on. It was a big positive.

That should be a strong enough side to win and will give us some more options in key positions.

[Munstersrebel]

So what your saying is each season you worry about the ECC for the season after. Thats some twisted logic right there

No but our performance in de pro12 significantly affects our chances to have success in the ECC

[Thomond78]

So, back to the topic of the thread...

I think we need to field a strong side for this in preparation for Leicester. We've rotated a lot, which I think is a good thing, but we need to get our first team settled for the big European games.

I'd look at giving Hurley and Saili another run together in the centre with Amorosino at FB, Zebo on one wing and Earls on the other. That's probably our strongest back line and we haven't seen it yet this season, although Conway has been going very well.

Murray and Keatley at half back. TOL has been solid but we need the former's control. No real alternative at 10 right now.

Up front I'd bring Dave Foley back into the row, give Doyle a run at 7, rest CJ, put JOD or Copeland at 8 and DOC at 6 (if he's fit?). See how Ryan gets on from the start at TH with Cronin and Scannell at LH and hooker. It hasn't been mentioned in all the post-Connacht negativity but the latter two were very good at the weekend and Ryan did well when he came on. It was a big positive.

That should be a strong enough side to win and will give us some more options in key positions.

Murray, it seems, may well not be fully fit; he doesn't start.

Bleyendaal, it seems, will be: he does.

Agree on the pack, with a mention for Coughlan, too. Definitely worth letting the front row settle a bit, and I'd have Sherry and Sagario coming off the bench.

[Waterfordlad]

I'd put Conway at FB, has been impressive there most games. Amorosino hasn't shown much yet

[Swoosh]

i'd go with

Conway
Earls
Saili
Hurley
Earls
Keatley
TOL
CJ
JOD
DOC
Ryan
Chisholm
Ryan
Scannell
Kilcoyne

Cronin, O'Byrne, Sagario, Foley, Copeland, Williams, Blyendaal, GVDH

Blyendaal needs to see the pitch if he is to be in contention for the Leicester games

[Waterfordlad]

You've Earls on both wings!

[Muckier Boots]

I'd put Conway at FB, has been impressive there most games. Amorosino hasn't shown much yet

Amorosino was one of our few positives in a sea of negatives in the second half. He made a great break in the second half and got some good offloads away.

[shep]

I'd put Conway at FB, has been impressive there most games. Amorosino hasn't shown much yet

Amorosino hasnt been given a chance to show his Argentina form for Munster, as they havent started him there yet. I am impressed with Conway and like his committment and would have him on the right wing. Toss up between earls and zebo on the left.

[flsghujslkuo]

i'd go with

Conway
Earls
Saili
Hurley
Earls
Keatley
TOL
CJ
JOD
DOC
Ryan
Chisholm
Ryan
Scannell
Kilcoyne

Cronin, O'Byrne, Sagario, Foley, Copeland, Williams, Blyendaal, GVDH

Blyendaal needs to see the pitch if he is to be in contention for the Leicester games

Jaysus H Christ on a shtick, being brutally honest in my opinion, if Hurley is a serious contender for a start at 12 we need a serious upgrade in quality to once again be a top quality side. Also, throw in Keatley at 10 too for that matter.