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Munster vs Connacht, Sat 28 March 5:15pm; Sky Sports

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  • 27-03-2015 10:30am
    #1
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭


    Munster:
    Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Andrew Smith, Denis Hurley - capt., Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams;
    John Ryan, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer; Donncha O'Callaghan, Billy Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

    Replacements: Duncan Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, BJ Botha, Paddy Butler, Jack O'Donoghue, Neil Cronin, JJ Hanrahan, Ronan O'Mahony.

    Connacht:

    15. Tiernan O’Halloran
    14. Darragh Leader
    13. Danie Poolman
    12. Craig Ronaldson
    11. Matt Healy
    10. Jack Carty
    9. Kieran Marmion

    1. Denis Buckley
    2. Tom McCartney
    3. Rodney Ah You
    4. Mick Kearney
    5. Aly Muldowney
    6. John Muldoon (captain)
    7. Eoghan Masterson
    8. George Naoupu

    Replacements:

    16. Shane Delahunt
    17. Ronan Loughney
    18. Finlay Bealham
    19. Quinn Roux
    20. Eoin McKeon
    21. John Cooney
    22. Shane O’Leary
    23. Conor Finn

    Unavailable/Injured: Jason Harris-Wright, Sean Henry, Nathan White, Michael Swift, Mata Fifita, Willie Faloon, Jake Heenan, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Niyi Adeolokun, Mils Muliaina.

    With five rounds to play in the Pro12 Munster's last regular season home game at Thomond Park sees the visit of neighbours Connacht. Munster are currently in a strong position in the table and with Glasgow and Ulster's tricky end of season run-in Munster should expect to finish in the top two and secure a home semi-final. With no European playoff participation for the first time Munster will be able to put all their focus on winning their first league title since 2011.

    Connacht's goal of reaching the Champions Cup next season looks a difficult task with the remaining fixtures to come and Scarlets and Edinburgh hot on their heels. The heart breaking loss to Cardiff has left little breathing room for the province. A 7th place finish looks more likely than 6th place and automatic qualification.

    An interesting side note to the match will be the presence of Leighton Hodges in the middle, someone who won't be on the top of Pat Lam's Christmas card list.

    Referee: Leighton Hodges (WRU, 49th competition game)
    Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Jonathan Peak (both IRFU)
    Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
    TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU )

    Who will win? 3 votes

    Pat Lam
    0% 0 votes
    Leighton Hodges
    100% 3 votes


«134567

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    #2
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Munster should win this pretty easily. I'm hearing the team and bench will be very strong.


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    #3
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    No excuse to post the team in the team thread folks. :p


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    #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Connacht by 6 to put Leinster under stupid amounts of pressure in the run in!


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    #5
    total former
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,784 ✭✭✭total former


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    An interesting side note to the match will be the presence of Leighton Hodges in the middle, someone who won't be on the top of Pat Lam's Christmas card list.

    This can only end in either:
    Connacht fans: "F**king Hodges shafting us again cos of what happened in Cardiff, it's an outrage" OR
    Munster fans: "F**king Hodges, giving Connacht everything cos of what happened in Cardiff, it's an outrage"

    Anyhoo, hard to see past a Munster win if Connacht are still without some key players.


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    #6
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    total former wrote: »
    This can only end in either:
    Connacht fans: "F**king Hodges shafting us again cos of what happened in Cardiff, it's an outrage" OR
    Munster fans: "F**king Hodges, giving Connacht everything cos of what happened in Cardiff, it's an outrage"

    Anyhoo, hard to see past a Munster win if Connacht are still without some key players.

    I think the centres is where Munster can really make hay. We have been able to select Hurley and Earls in the last few matches whereas Connacht will be without Aki and McSharry and I assume Henshaw will be rested.


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    #7
    .ak
    Registered Users Posts: 30,308 Mod ✭✭✭✭.ak


    .... on that note.


    No abuse of refs will be tolerated (or of anyone, for that matter).


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    #8
    daithi55
    Registered Users Posts: 1,300 ✭✭✭daithi55


    feck watching it on sly sports the tickets are dirt cheap why not head over and see the game.. im heading with all the family will be a great day out after winning the 6 nations


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    #9
    antoobrien
    Registered Users Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭antoobrien


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    I think the centres is where Munster can really make hay. We have been able to select Hurley and Earls in the last few matches whereas Connacht will be without Aki and McSharry and I assume Henshaw will be rested.

    Henshaw can't play under the IRFU Player Management Programme (starting 15 can't play the week after an international match).


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    #10
    connemara man
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 6,773 Mod ✭✭✭✭connemara man


    Yeah Connacht will be weak outside 9 really, great wingers but getting the ball to them is the problem. on a side note my first Connacht Munster match in Thomond


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    #11
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    daithi55 wrote: »
    feck watching it on sly sports the tickets are dirt cheap why not head over and see the game.. im heading with all the family will be a great day out after winning the 6 nations

    Plenty of tickets available anyway:
    http://www.ticketmaster.ie/guinness-pro12-munster-rugby-v-limerick-city-03-28-2015/event/18004D98A65A6C2A?artistid=33318&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=225

    You have to laugh at the €60 single tickets in the middle of the stand. I can't see them getting sold! I understand the benefits of a pricing model but putting single tickets at €60?


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    #12
    Fireball07
    Registered Users Posts: 13,264 ✭✭✭✭Fireball07


    Have to make amends for that awful performance in Galway, no excuses.


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    #13
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 11,817 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    Plenty of tickets available anyway:
    http://www.ticketmaster.ie/guinness-pro12-munster-rugby-v-limerick-city-03-28-2015/event/18004D98A65A6C2A?artistid=33318&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=225

    You have to laugh at the €60 single tickets in the middle of the stand. I can't see them getting sold! I understand the benefits of a pricing model but putting single tickets at €60?

    Apparently there were 17,000 sold as of yesterday. Hopefully with a good KO time and the buzz of the 6 Nations the 5000 ST holders who normally don't bother will actually turn up.


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    #14
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Fireball07 wrote: »
    Have to make amends for that awful performance in Galway, no excuses.
    Nope, don't remember that one.


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    #15
    daithi55
    Registered Users Posts: 1,300 ✭✭✭daithi55


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    Plenty of tickets available anyway:
    http://www.ticketmaster.ie/guinness-pro12-munster-rugby-v-limerick-city-03-28-2015/event/18004D98A65A6C2A?artistid=33318&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=225

    You have to laugh at the €60 single tickets in the middle of the stand. I can't see them getting sold! I understand the benefits of a pricing model but putting single tickets at €60?

    i paid twenty for mine in the east terrace north its sold out now its the best spot at pitch side
    see the other terraces are 26 now have they put them up in price... is it possible


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    #16
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    daithi55 wrote: »
    i paid twenty for mine in the east terrace north its sold out now its the best spot at pitch side
    see the other terraces are 26 now have they put them up in price... is it possible

    Yes. Dynamic pricing model is being used.


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    #17
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 11,817 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Team's in.

    Munster Rugby ‏@Munsterrugby 49s49 seconds ago

    MunXV v Connacht: Jones; Earls, Smith, Hurley(c), Zebo; Keats, Williams; Ryan, Guinazu, Archer; DO’C, Holland; DaveO’C, TO’D, CJ

    Munster Rugby ‏@Munsterrugby 25s25 seconds ago

    Replacements: Casey, Kilcoyne, Botha, Butler, O’Donoghue, NCronin, Hanrahan, RO’Mahony. #MunVCon

    I'm pretty happy with that. Strongest available selection.


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    #18
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    I would much prefer Earls at 13 with ROM on the wing, Hurley and Earls in the centre were very good during the international window.

    No Conway in the 23 is a surprise, it looks like ROM is ahead of him.


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    #19
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Connacht:

    15. Tiernan O’Halloran
    14. Darragh Leader
    13. Danie Poolman
    12. Craig Ronaldson
    11. Matt Healy
    10. Jack Carty
    9. Kieran Marmion

    1. Denis Buckley
    2. Tom McCartney
    3. Rodney Ah You
    4. Mick Kearney
    5. Aly Muldowney
    6. John Muldoon (captain)
    7. Eoghan Masterson
    8. George Naoupu

    Replacements:

    16. Shane Delahunt
    17. Ronan Loughney
    18. Finlay Bealham
    19. Quinn Roux
    20. Eoin McKeon
    21. John Cooney
    22. Shane O’Leary
    23. Conor Finn

    Many key players missing for Connacht. This should be a comfortable win for Munster tbh.


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    #20
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Donnacha Ryan?


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    #21
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Donnacha Ryan?
    Concussion after the A match vs Ulster.


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    #22
    Zzippy
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 14,166 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    Nope, don't remember that one.

    Here, let me refresh your memory ;)



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    #23
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,621 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    I feel an old fashioned hosing is on the cards tomorrow.


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    #24
    Zzippy
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 14,166 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    Not optimistic about this one, missing too many frontline players, playing some out of position, weak at 10. Feel we'll have the upper hand at scrum time - until Munster use their bench, which is much stronger. Wet day forecast which could help as it will curtail open back play, where Munster have the edge on paper from 10-15. Buckley to school Archer but Munster to win, Hodges to display his ineptitude again. Still undecided whether to head down to this one, haven't missed it in years but just have a feeling we're not going to get anything tomorrow.


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    #25
    wp_rathead
    Registered Users Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭wp_rathead


    Going down for a piss up, have zero expectations, be nice to see the two 6 Nations trophies..
    Our two second rows been playing great stuff, with them and Masterson have three good ball carriers

    Can see CJ scoring for Munster


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    #26
    wp_rathead
    Registered Users Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭wp_rathead


    PS:
    What's with the lack of tables in the OP Thomond?!
    #HodgesConspiracy


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    #27
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    wprathead wrote: »
    PS:
    What's with the lack of tables in the OP Thomond?!
    #HodgesConspiracy
    You've guessed it! :eek:


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    #28
    Zzippy
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 14,166 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    wprathead wrote: »
    PS:
    What's with the lack of tables in the OP Thomond?!
    #HodgesConspiracy

    Thomond2006 has never been seen in the same room as Leighton Hodges. True story...

    ;)


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    #29
    wp_rathead
    Registered Users Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭wp_rathead


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    You've guessed it! :eek:

    you're inconsistency with team format gave it away:pac:


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    #30
    Fireball07
    Registered Users Posts: 13,264 ✭✭✭✭Fireball07


    I'm not a huge fan of Smith & Hurley in the centre, they are quite similar and it means neither can flourish. Hurley has looked way better since Earls has come back, since Earls is much better suited to taking advantage of his offloads. I imagine Smith would look better outside someone like JJ too. Together, they can be quite one-dimensional.


    No Conway is a bit of a surpirse, ROM must have passed him in the pecking order. I would also have played one of Killer & Botha, probably Killer. Strong bench though. We should be winning really.


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    #31
    freyners
    Registered Users Posts: 4,298 ✭✭✭freyners


    Its a bit of a farce that hodges was left as the ref was this, hes compromised before the ball is kicked from a connacht and munster point of view and he doesnt have the refereeing talent to be able to handle it

    Our greatest asset from the win in Jan, our centres, is gone and tbh i think Munster are a stronger team overall.


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