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

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 10:30am #1

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 )

Henry Ford III · 27-03-2015 10:32am

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

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 10:33am

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

27-03-2015 11:04am

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

total former · 27-03-2015 11:09am

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.

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 11:22am

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.

.ak · 27-03-2015 11:22am

.... on that note.

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

daithi55 · 27-03-2015 11:28am

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

antoobrien · 27-03-2015 11:30am

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).

connemara man · 27-03-2015 11:37am

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

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 12:25pm

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?

Fireball07 · 27-03-2015 12:38pm

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

Cookiemunster · 27-03-2015 12:42pm

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.

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 12:42pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

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

Nope, don't remember that one.

daithi55 · 27-03-2015 12:46pm

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

Henry Ford III · 27-03-2015 12:52pm

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.

Cookiemunster · 27-03-2015 12:53pm

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.

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 12:55pm

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.

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 1:00pm

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.

27-03-2015 1:05pm

Donnacha Ryan?

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 1:05pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Donnacha Ryan?

Concussion after the A match vs Ulster.

Zzippy · 27-03-2015 1:14pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nope, don't remember that one.

Here, let me refresh your memory

Henry Ford III · 27-03-2015 1:18pm

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

Zzippy · 27-03-2015 1:26pm

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.

wp_rathead · 27-03-2015 1:53pm

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

wp_rathead · 27-03-2015 1:55pm

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

thomond2006 · 27-03-2015 2:29pm

wprathead wrote: »

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

You've guessed it! :eek:

Zzippy · 27-03-2015 2:40pm

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...

wp_rathead · 27-03-2015 3:00pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

You've guessed it! :eek:

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

Fireball07 · 27-03-2015 3:15pm

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.

freyners · 27-03-2015 3:19pm

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.

wp_rathead · 27-03-2015 3:26pm

freyners wrote: »

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

on one hand yes, but on the other could set a dangerous precedent of Coaches basically getting to pick what refs they want..

freyners wrote: »

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

agree, also having Ronaldson at OH worked a treat in first half

freyners · 27-03-2015 3:48pm

wprathead wrote:

on one hand yes, but on the other could set a dangerous precedent of Coaches basically getting to pick what refs they want..

To be quite honest, this situation is unique as I dont think any other ref will ever be as idiotic to compromise his integrity like hodges did. Even if the pro12 are happy that it was a very poorly delivered joke, the common sense thing to do would be to keep them apart until it had time to fade into memory. Having him involved in the next two games is beyond stupid in my opinion

CatFromHue · 27-03-2015 4:34pm

freyners wrote: »

To be quite honest, this situation is unique as I dont think any other ref will ever be as idiotic to compromise his integrity like hodges did. Even if the pro12 are happy that it was a very poorly delivered joke, the common sense thing to do would be to keep them apart until it had time to fade into memory. Having him involved in the next two games is beyond stupid in my opinion

tbh I'm not sure any other club has such a ref complex that the even the parking attendants feel the need to run to Lam because the ref said boo to them.

freyners · 27-03-2015 4:59pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

tbh I'm not sure any other club has such a ref complex that the even the parking attendants feel the need to run to Lam because the ref said boo to them.

If i found myself in a situation where someone with the power to influence the outcome of something states they would be biased against the people who employ me because of my interaction with them i would definately tell someone more senior about it. Its not a ref complex as you demeaningly put it. Its common sense.

CatFromHue · 27-03-2015 5:24pm

So the parking attendants thought the ref was biased against the club as they made him park a bit further away!

That's a straight out ref complex.

27-03-2015 5:42pm

A joke which was blown massively out of proportion

Borders no.2 · 28-03-2015 1:05am

Find the Hodges thing a bit embarrassing from our viewpoint at this stage. We were screwed over at the end against Cardiff without doubt but first of all we should have had that game dead and buried against a poor Cardiff team and 2nd of all Hodges is just generally hopeless. Right at the start of the game he was going to award a farcical try to us about 5 yards away from him when Tiernan O'Halloran clearly impeded the Cardiff player in the air before the ball arrived. Only after the intervention of the TMO was it ruled out.

CatFromHue · 28-03-2015 1:13am

I agree, there were 2 bad decisions imo against Conn at the end of that game.

Bringing a laptop to a press conference though.....yikes!

Zzippy · 28-03-2015 2:09am

CatFromHue wrote: »

So the parking attendants thought the ref was biased against the club as they made him park a bit further away!

That's a straight out ref complex.

Not that the stewards on the gate (not parking attendants) "thought " the ref was biased, more a case of the ref stating "that will cost your team 7 points". They'd be mad not to report that kind of interaction. But you carry on misrepresenting what happened...

duckysauce · 28-03-2015 2:09am

Borders no.2 wrote: »

Find the Hodges thing a bit embarrassing from our viewpoint at this stage. We were screwed over at the end against Cardiff without doubt but first of all we should have had that game dead and buried against a poor Cardiff team and 2nd of all Hodges is just generally hopeless. Right at the start of the game he was going to award a farcical try to us about 5 yards away from him when Tiernan O'Halloran clearly impeded the Cardiff player in the air before the ball arrived. Only after the intervention of the TMO was it ruled out.

I don't, he is a terrible Ref , with serious issues - total control freak-- , and just because a coach and people have called him out as a dire Ref here, doesn't make him a better ref .

The Lost Sheep · 28-03-2015 2:18am

duckysauce wrote: »

I don't, he is a terrible Ref, with serious issues - total control freak--, and just because a coach and people have called him out as a dire Ref here, doesn't make him a better ref

This is going off topic but he isn't a terrible referee. To say he has serious issues:rolleyes:
He made mistakes in that game but that doesn't matter in this thread and he's refereeing this game and that game is irrelevant

CatFromHue · 28-03-2015 2:20am

Zzippy wrote: »

Not that the stewards on the gate (not parking attendants) "thought " the ref was biased, more a case of the ref stating "that will cost your team 7 points". They'd be mad not to report that kind of interaction. But you carry on misrepresenting what happened...

Do you think that an interaction between the stewards on the gate and a ref is enough for the ref in the pro game to become corrupt?

To me it's either

a) yes. Money, coke, and hookers don't interest him but where he parks is enough for him to go crazy

or

b) a bad joke with a club that has a major ref complex.

To me there's no c, d, or e option here it's only a or b.

Bridge93 · 28-03-2015 2:24am

Well does anyone know EXACTLY what was said? Or the tone it was said in?

Because if it was a joke said as a joke well then the parking attendants could've taken it as, you know, a joke.
He shouldn't have said it but this whole incident has been blown so out of proportion.

CatFromHue · 28-03-2015 2:29am

well if it wasn't a joke and he's being serious what does that say?

I find it absolutely crazy to think it's not a joke as the implications of it being true are extremely mental.

Robbo · 28-03-2015 10:20am

Anyone know where might be a good spot in Belfast to catch this? I'm staying in the centre of town.

Cookiemunster · 28-03-2015 11:10am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

This is going off topic but he isn't a terrible referee. To say he has serious issues:rolleyes:
He made mistakes in that game but that doesn't matter in this thread and he's refereeing this game and that game is irrelevant

He is a terrible ref. Most games he refs he's a talking point afterwards. But he not biased, he's just rubbish. Just like Waynes Barnes or Poite, you have to learn how to play him.

thomond2006 · 28-03-2015 11:41am

The results last night have put the pressure on.

phog · 28-03-2015 1:43pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

The results last night have put the pressure on.

The only result that has put any pressure on us is the TBP win ffor Ulster and that was almost expected.

Ideally, Glasgow losing might have helped but I think the three Irish provinces are all chasing 2nd place at best.

Leinster only got 3 so we're still ahead of them with a game in hand.

BeardySi · 28-03-2015 3:15pm

Robbo wrote: »

Anyone know where might be a good spot in Belfast to catch this? I'm staying in the centre of town.

The Errigle (Ormeau Road - so not in the centre) Will likely have it on a least one screen. Probably will be on in the Hudson in town too...

freyners · 28-03-2015 3:43pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

well if it wasn't a joke and he's being serious what does that say?

I find it absolutely crazy to think it's not a joke as the implications of it being true are extremely mental.

I dont doubt hodges meant it as a joke but it more than likely didnt come across that way to the stewards. And if they got the wrong end if it they would if course report it. As would any other club. Doesnt quite fit in to the ref complex narrative so maybe its not worth mentioning

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

Who will win? 3 votes

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