Leinster V Munster (3rd Oct '09)

andrewdcs

Blue v Red

I'll miss Contemponi vs O'Gara for the insane animosity levels alone, but Sexton will hopefully step up to the rivalry plate, he has the petty air of petulance about him. Still, should be a massive one.

Will O'Gara see off Sexton, the young pretender?
Will Sexton have another hissy fit?
Will PO'C eye gouge BO'D ? (Will Bo'D even be there?)
Who has the tastiest backs?
Who's forwards will rumble on?
Who's highlights are more ludicrous?

EDIT: Hmm, worried about being perceived as stoking a flame war here so perhaps keep in mind we're all friends and adults.... My wifes a munster fan.

ScrubsfanChris

For the love of GOD, its only Monday.
Close this thread and open it again thursday night

Aidric

Does anyone know if Paddy Power will be running a market on whether Sexton gets binned or not?

RuggieBear

Oh yeay! it's another Munster/Leinster match.

I'll ask that all posters think about what they post and engage in rationale intelligent debate.

Any trolling, flamebaiting or abuse should be reported and there will be hefty bans for offenders. If you engage with a poster trying to get a rise you will also be banned. Report the post and ignore them.

The usual suspects (and you should know who you are) will have even less leeway. You do not get the benefit of the doubt anymore.

i apologise if this seems draconian but it really is pathetic how quickly decent debate descends into tit for tat crap.

andrewdcs

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

For the love of GOD, its only Monday.
Close this thread and open it again thursday night

But I'm VERY bored in work.... and the quality of magners league conversation in London / with my neighbours is appalling.

Barry Murphy looks back to his best (great for Ireland, what a headache). Kidney must be recording this from all angles.

Who'll place kick for Munster should O'Gara have a nightmare?

PhatPiggins

I've been waiting for this for months. I really hope its a decent game. Been so many awful games in the ML and GP this season.

Blured

According to the mail I just got from Leinster, looks like Munster didnt sell out their allocation - very strange that, would have thought they be like gold dust

Leinster Rugby wrote:

Following a number of returns from Munster Rugby we are now able to offer you another chance to purchase additional tickets for Leinster v Munster in the RDS this Saturday. Tickets can be posted, printed or collected from the RDS prior to the match.

andrewdcs

Blured wrote: »

According to the mail I just got from Leinster, looks like Munster didnt sell out their allocation - very strange that, would have thought they be like gold dust

That's bizarre. A lot of Munster season ticket holders /regulars are based in Dublin and they sell out games in Wales (lot of London based head up for them).

Something else on in Limerick this Saturday? U2 concert? Pope visit?

smurphy29

Have to admit I'm nervous about this one. I said last week that I thought Edinburgh might have used their good fortune up in beating Ulster, and predicted a tight Leinster win... now I think we might have used our good fortune up in beating Edinburgh...

With London Irish up immediately after, it's very much a feeling of 'the season proper starts here'. I just hope both sides don't play as if paralyed by fear and let it descend into a tortuous kick fest. Leinster will have to attack with a lot more accuracy than they've done so far if we're to get a win. Reddan must up his level, and hopefully BOD can bring the edge that the back-line has lacked. On the upside, Luke Fitzgerald looked sharp as a tack against Edinburgh. Imagine if we got him some decent ball. We could even cross the whitewash for a try. Lordy.

I'd leave Fogarty at hooker (Jackers looks finished, Gawd love him), put Ross in the front row, get Jennings and O'Brien at 6 and 7, and switch BOD in for McFadden. Sexton at 10 naturally. Horgan or Nacewa at 14 is the toughest call - I'd plum for Nacewa on form.

It's mouthwatering stuff... Sexton vs ROG almost certainly the most interesting sub-plot, and one that gives us a good chance.

Blured

andrewdcs wrote: »

That's bizarre. A lot of Munster season ticket holders /regulars are based in Dublin and they sell out games in Wales (lot of London based head up for them).

Something else on in Limerick this Saturday? U2 concert? Pope visit?

Seems like they're on general sale - so anyone who is looking here you go

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/1800433CD17A2E8A?did=sarah

wixfjord

Without Contepomi and with Leinster finally having come out of the shadows last season one would think that there would be a lot less venom in this match.



But there is not!

Having said that it is fairly irellevant in the scheme of things and bragging rights is all thats really up for grabs. Both teams should reach the last 4 of the magners.

If I was a bettng man, and I am I would say Munster will be pumped up and could snatch it, dunno where the favourites tag is coming from though. Sexton will without doubt be targeted as I know he is hated by a lot of Munster fans and probably players, so it will be a good test of his international qualifications.

buck65

I would like to see Munster get their A team out there and match hardy for Northampton the following week. In the scheme of things this game is another 4 points on offer - neither team is at their best yet so it cold go either way. nice to win it but I won't lose sleep over a loss.
Munster by 20.

wixfjord

buck65 wrote: »

I would like to see Munster get their A team out there and match hardy for Northampton the following week. In the scheme of things this game is another 4 points on offer - neither team is at their best yet so it cold go either way. nice to win it but I won't lose sleep over a loss.
Munster by 20.

Is that a serious prediction?

Aidric

wixfjord wrote: »

Is that a serious prediction?

Why not?

andrewdcs

wixfjord wrote: »

Is that a serious prediction?

lol I think predictions only get serious if there's a wager involved. I know I'd never be so foolish as to spreadbet...

Sure both teams will have an eye on HC opener, and most players on the AIs

I really hope it doesn't involve a 10 minute bore bomb fest, though Kearney under a high ball is fairly peerless, too much pace in the loose on both sides to descend into that farce.

Leinster by 3 (home "advantage"), lets say 25-22. Tries for both sides as pressure game gets to the defences.

ScrubsfanChris

andrewdcs wrote: »

But I'm VERY bored in work.... and the quality of magners league conversation in London / with my neighbours is appalling.

Fair enough

jamieh

Blured wrote: »

Seems like they're on general sale - so anyone who is looking here you go

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/1800433CD17A2E8A?did=sarah

Gutted I missed out on the public sale...never realised

phog

Blured wrote: »

According to the mail I just got from Leinster, looks like Munster didnt sell out their allocation - very strange that, would have thought they be like gold dust

Strange about the tickets being returned, would have thought they would have sold them in Musgrave Park on Saturday night if available or did Leinster want them back sooner if they were being returned?

Who's the ref?

Hopefully, they'll be no injuries for the big games in the following two weeks.

wixfjord

Aidric wrote: »

Why not?

I was just asking if it was a real prediction because it is a fair prediction to say that Munster will beat the Heineken Cup champions by 20 points in their own back yard. Is that ok?

Aidric

wixfjord wrote: »

I was just asking if it was a real prediction because it is a fair prediction to say that Munster will beat the Heineken Cup champions by 20 points in their own back yard. Is that ok?

Ya that's ok. I don't think it's such an outlandish prediction myself. Munster will want to set the record straight and a wounded Munster pride is very dangerous for Leinster. I'll be looking for a 18-21 spread myself.

Riskymove

phog wrote: »

Strange about the tickets being returned,

I am a munster fan and have tickets but had to think twice after the seats that were allocated to munster last year

the tickets are once again in the dreaded last section of the stand, i.e. my view is likely to be looking out at the north stand rather than the pitch.

last year i was just about able to see 3/4s of the pitch, i think its a joke, especially as they are priced the same as tickets at the halfway line.

chupacabra

This should be a very interesting tussle. Sexton vs O'Gara will be mouth watering from an irish perspective. I really hope Earls is fit for next week, he may only get a spot on the bench but i guarantee he will be a better player after that Lions tour and i for one cant wait to see him back in the red again. Munster by 2

Teams should be

Leinster: 1. Healy 2. Jackman 3. Wright 4. Hines 5. Cullen 6. McLaughlin
7. Jennings 8. Heaslip 9. Reddan 10. Sexton 11. Fitzgerald 12. Darcey
13. O'Driscoll 14. Nacewa 15. Kearney

Munster: 1. Horan 2. Fogarty/Flannery 3. Hayes 4. O'Callaghan 5. O'Connell 6. Quinlan 7. Ronan 8. Wallace 9. TOL 10. ROG 11. Earls 12. De Villiers 13. Mafi 14. Howlett 15. Warwick/Jones

Sucks that i have to miss this game. Id go mad if it wasn't for Sky +.

Aidric

Aidric wrote: »

Ya that's ok. I don't think it's such an outlandish prediction myself. Munster will want to set the record straight and a wounded Munster pride is very dangerous for Leinster. I'll be looking for a 18-21 spread myself.

Scan your betting slip and show it on here because that is ludicris.

Leinster will win by not much,maybe 5.
I cant see them conceding a try.

chupacabra wrote: »

Teams should be
Leinster: 1. Healy 2. Jackman 3. Wright 4. Hines 5. Cullen 6. McLaughlin

7. Jennings 8. Heaslip 9. Reddan 10. Sexton 11. Fitzgerald 12. Darcey

13. O'Driscoll 14. Nacewa 15. Kearney

I can see Horgan starting instead of Nacewa and O'Brien instead of Mclaughlin.
Also Mike Ross may get a surprise look,im surprised he hasnt had more game time.

2040

Battle of the backrows should be really interesting. Williams has really put his hand up with his performance yesterday. Imagine a backrow of Leamy, Williams and Wallace. That's scary stuff. Wallace is injured at the moment tho i think. Munster ftw but it'll be close.

Anyone know where i can watch this in central London? I can't miss this.

damselnat

Disappointed to be missing this! Will hopefully be a good match, had every intention of being there until a last minute wedding was announced! Long shot perhaps but anyone know any Irish bars or anywhere in Bristol that might be showing the game?

toomevara

2040 wrote: »

Anyone know where i can watch this in central London? I can't miss this.

Just off the top of my head, try Waxy O'Connor's ('Oirish' bar unfortunately, but there will be a good few Irish in there from all tribes I'd imagine) on Wardour street. Quite close to Leicester Square.

danthefan

So, thoughts on teams? Leinster backline for me should be:

Kearney
Nacewa
BOD
D'Arcy
Fitzgerald
Sexton
Reddan

Pack is a bit of a bitch to pick. For me the only nailed 110% on starters are Heaslip, Jennings and Cullen. I'd have SOB joining them in the backrow and Hines with Cullen in the 2nd row. Healy/Fogarty/Ross would be my front row. Jackman seems to be behind Fogarty these days and his throwing against Embra, well the less said the better.

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

So, thoughts on teams? Leinster backline for me should be:

Kearney
Nacewa
BOD
D'Arcy
Fitzgerald
Sexton
Reddan

Pack is a bit of a bitch to pick. For me the only nailed 110% on starters are Heaslip, Jennings and Cullen. I'd have SOB joining them in the backrow and Hines with Cullen in the 2nd row. Healy/Fogarty/Ross would be my front row. Jackman seems to be behind Fogarty these days and his throwing against Embra, well the less said the better.

.

Lots of talent in that backline but where have all the strike runners gone? No slouch's but a serious lack of top end gas.

I miss Hickie

RuggieBear

PhatPiggins wrote: »

.

Lots of talent in that backline but where have all the strike runners gone? No slouch's but a serious lack of top end gas.

I miss Hickie

qft

just watching a few you tube highlights of previous munster/leinster games and hickie's injection of pace was so critical to alot of fantastic tries and attacks.

danthefan

RuggieBear wrote: »

qft

just watching a few you tube highlights of previous munster/leinster games and hickie's injection of pace was so critical to alot of fantastic tries and attacks.

We've scored a lot of good tries without him, a lot. Class player but he's gone a couple of years now. Clever lines of running (from basically the whole backline, not just the receiver) and good hands are as important as pure pace imo.

danthefan

danthefan wrote: »

So, thoughts on teams? Leinster backline for me should be:

Kearney
Nacewa
BOD
D'Arcy
Fitzgerald
Sexton
Reddan

Pack is a bit of a bitch to pick. For me the only nailed 110% on starters are Heaslip, Jennings and Cullen. I'd have SOB joining them in the backrow and Hines with Cullen in the 2nd row. Healy/Fogarty/Ross would be my front row. Jackman seems to be behind Fogarty these days and his throwing against Embra, well the less said the better.

I like Horgan or these Munster games,he gives 110%.

Plus Nacewa is a great impact sub to bring on.

[Jackass]

**WARNING** IF YOU ARE A MUNSTER FAN AND IN ANY WAY SENSITIVE, PLEASE DO NOT WATCH VIDEO BELOW

Further to Ruggies message, I feel a little disclaimer is in order!

I can't wait for this game, I think it's going to be an absolute cracker - Heineken Cup champions v Magners League champions, local derby, Munster have a semi final to avenge, Leinster have a league double and home nilling to avenge, it's really spiced up and I think we're in for a classic!

FOR THE LEINSTER FANS AMONGST US, a couple of days ago I put together a little teaser video on youtube to remember our greatest day against our rivals and should serve to get the juices flowing for this weekend...it is an absolutely unashamed bias video that only shows Leinster highlights and even snaps from the final, please do not take this as an invitation to troll or comment on any missed tackles or anything like that, please just watch if you want and sit back and enjoy and then carry on with thread...don't want to derail the whole thing and certainly don't want to encour the rath of Mr.Ruggie or test the patience of our new overlord Mr. Toomvara

Hope to make a good post on my views of the game a little bit later - this is just a teaser

(sorry for bad editing and watermark..had to convert file for youtube and this was only free one I could find )

Mr.Applepie

danthefan wrote: »

We've scored a lot of good tries without him, a lot. Class player but he's gone a couple of years now. Clever lines of running (from basically the whole backline, not just the receiver) and good hands are as important as pure pace imo.

You obviously missed the Edinburgh game!

Can't wait for this game, should hopefully be a cracker with no injuries. It's a perfect "warmup" game for the start of the Hcup

Legion2008

Leinster vs Munster at the RDS
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Michael Black (Ireland)
Television match official: Peter Ferguson (Ireland)
Assessor: Tom Aplin (Ireland)


http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5589978,00.html

danthefan

Jackass, thanks for the vid.

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

We've scored a lot of good tries without him, a lot. Class player but he's gone a couple of years now. Clever lines of running (from basically the whole backline, not just the receiver) and good hands are as important as pure pace imo.

For sure but they used to have both. Now it seems that they have more of the former to compensate the lack of pace. Think of the space that guys like BOD and Nacewa can make, it doesn't matter how good the lines Kearney or Horgan take if they aren't within 30 metres of the line they often get caught.

2040

toomevara wrote: »

Just off the top of my head, try Waxy O'Connor's ('Oirish' bar unfortunately, but there will be a good few Irish in there from all tribes I'd imagine) on Wardour street. Quite close to Leicester Square.

I went in there yesterday for the Dragons game and they didn't show it, even though it was advertised that they were. I asked two people about it and they didn't know what i was on about. Apart from that, the place is embarrassing with its oirishness.

yeraulone

2040 wrote: »

Battle of the backrows should be really interesting. Williams has really put his hand up with his performance yesterday. Imagine a backrow of Leamy, Williams and Wallace. That's scary stuff. Wallace is injured at the moment tho i think. Munster ftw but it'll be close.

Anyone know where i can watch this in central London? I can't miss this.

faltering fullback in islington or quinns in camden

Risteard

Thanks for the warning Jackass. I still haven't watched the match back. I was in the hill that day and all I remember is my feeling the split second BOD intercepted. It was bad.

Though I stayed the full 80 mins. To compound the misery my friend and I met at the spire and ran from there to Heuston Station in 15 mins. I'm not sure if that's good or whatever but it felt ****ing ages away, it was worth it though we managed to literally jump on the train just before the doors closed.

Anyway back on topic. If Munster aren't able to breach Leinster's defence (which I do think we're capable of but it won't be easy,) then it'll obviously come down to a kicking contest and given O' Gara's up and down form with the boot I wouldn't be too confident.

The team I'd like to see is:

15. Jones/Earls
14. Howlett
13.Mafi
12.JdV
11. Hurley/Jones/Earls
10.RoG
9. TOL

1.Horan (He had a good game on Sunday, very impresed by him even if it was just Dragons.)
2. Flannery if fit, if not I'd go for Varley purely from a lineout point of view as Fogerty is better than him in most other departments.)
3. Hayes
4.DOC
5.POC
6.Quinnie
7.Wallace (Don't know if he's fit)
8.Williams

I'm not sure where to put Earls. Personally I want to see him outside JdV as I think they'd complement each other perfectly but Mafi is in outstanding form as usual. Earls might start at fullback though with Jones on the wing as was the original plan for Dragons.

Intersting to see Healy again. For me he is the most exciting prospect in Irish rugby at the minute but he didn't have a good game against Edinburgh though he might be rested.

siltirocker

toomevara wrote: »

Just off the top of my head, try Waxy O'Connor's ('Oirish' bar unfortunately, but there will be a good few Irish in there from all tribes I'd imagine) on Wardour street. Quite close to Leicester Square.

Tryed to view the Arsenal v Celtic game there a month back. No TV!:rolleyes:

Stev_o

Hopefully both sides will show a bit of intent to run the ball and not just beat seven shades of crap into each other.

danthefan

Does anyone know what the story with Warwick, POC and Wallace is?

anonymous_joe

I'm feeling fairly anxious. Leinster haven;t convinced me so far. Rode our luck a little bit too much.

We are in desperate need of pace to offer something to scare the bejesus out of Munster.

phog

Legion2008 wrote: »

Leinster vs Munster at the RDS
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assistant referees: David Wilkinson (Ireland), Michael Black (Ireland)
Television match official: Peter Ferguson (Ireland)
Assessor: Tom Aplin (Ireland)


http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5589978,00.html

Is he the best available? I'd even take James Jones before him :mad:

anonymous_joe

phog wrote: »

Is he the best available? I'd even take Jmaes Jones before him :mad:

Or Nigel Owens...? Would he be available?

spoon

I really think this is going to be a game for the forwards. It's very likely going to be sloppy with so many of the lions coming back, and people just back from injury. Neither team have had much chance to play as a unit as of yet.

That being said, the players usually put on a great show for us in these matches, and there's usually at least one guy there to do something special for us to cheer about.

In my opinion, I think Munster will shade this. Only just however.

andrewdcs

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Or Nigel Owens...? Would he be available?

If only cloning technology were viable....

pubs for watching in london....

Alex in Clapham,
Blyth hill in catford, both top pubs on Sarf side. Centrally, try porterhouse, you may need to ask them to put it on in a corner.

coylerwhaa

Tickets went on sale in spar in donnybrook this morning, Stand tickets €50 or €30 (better then giving your booking fee to ticketbastr*rd if your in the area)
surprised to see them on general sale though, normally they are the returns from the away club

subfreq

So many great battles to watch.

The emerging Irish predominantly at Leinster proving a point to the incumbent in several positions.

As much as I don't want to throw petrol on the ROG v JS debate I do think this could be a tale of the two kickers. These games are usually pretty tight so the place kicking should be a an entertaining side show to the drama.

I would have predicted a comfortable Leinster win until Nick Williams suddenly arrived like a raging Rhino and Flanners could be back.

Who ever wins you just know they are going to knock the bollocks off each other so it's going to be a cracker for the spectator.

Peter B

coylerwhaa wrote: »

Tickets went on sale in spar in donnybrook this morning, Stand tickets €50 or €30 (better then giving your booking fee to ticketbastr*rd if your in the area)
surprised to see them on general sale though, normally they are the returns from the away club

Thank you. Picked up 4.

SpAcEd OuT

Looking at the two team's performances so far this season I'm going with a comfortable enough Munster win. Reddan really hasn't convinced me at scrumhalf just yet.