Munster vs Glasgow Warriors, Thomond Park, Friday 26 March 8pm. Setanta Sports 1

thomond2006

From MunsterRugby.ie:

Donncha O'Callaghan, Ronan O'Gara and Tony Buckley are all included in the Munster squad for the Magners League clash wth Glasgow warriors at Thomond Park Stadium on Friday (8pm).

Munster: M Horan, T Buckley, D Ryan, D Fogarty, D Varley, J Brugnaut, M O'Driscoll, D O'Callaghan, B Holland, N Ronan, A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, N Williams, J Coughlan, D Williams, C Murray, P Stringer, P Warwick, R O'Gara, S Deasy, J de Villiers, L Mafi, T Gleeson, I Dowling, D Howlett, D Hurley.

Glasgow: TBC

http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/table.php

This is a massive game for both sides, both are on 34 points and would target a home semi-final. With the big one to come next week, Munster will be looking to improve on their average showing against the Scarlets.

I'm not sure if Glasgow will have their internationals available (It's a long list: Kellock, Brown, Barclay, Beattie, Cusiter, Parks, Morrison, Evans), if they do they will pose a big challenge to Munster.

With the Irish Player Agreement, DOC is only likely to make the bench, ROG too since he played 30 minutes against Scotland (open to correction here). Mafi returns from suspension and it's great to see Conor Murray involved in the squad. Jerry Flannery's ban ends before the Leinster match.

In terms of league position and securing a home SF, this game is as important as next week.

I'd like to see:

Horan
Varley
Buckley
Holland
MOD
Quinlan
TOD (Ronan was anonymous against Scarlets)
Williams
Stringer
Warwick
Hurley
JdV
Mafi
Howlett
Deasy

Fogarty
Brugnaut
DOC
Coughlan
Murray
ROG
Dowling

Come On Munster!

budhabob

Looking forward to this. Should be a goodun. On a side note, i had a list of the places that run park and ride to thomond but cant for the life of me find it. Anyone have a link or the list?

thomond2006

Off the top of my head, Kilmurry Lodge and the Racecourse operate a Park & Rate. They are a few other places too.

phog

budhabob wrote: »

Looking forward to this. Should be a goodun. On a side note, i had a list of the places that run park and ride to thomond but cant for the life of me find it. Anyone have a link or the list?

Try here for Park & Ride facilities.

PhatPiggins

I dont think you could drop Coughlan the way he's been playing. I was dissapointed with Varleys throwing last week but he deserves another shot.
JDV/Mafi doesn't work , I'd leave Gleeson at 13 and rotate the other 2 at 12.

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I dont think you could drop Coughlan the way he's been playing. I was dissapointed with Varleys throwing last week but he deserves another shot.

I go Williams because I think he has great potential if he got a run of games under his belt. I am a fan of Coughlan too. One of them needs to step up to the first team because (IMO) Ronan has been anonymous this season. Leamy is a big loss to Munster.

The hooker selection is an interesting one, if Varley is selected over Fogarty again, we can probably assume McGahan favours Varley now.

budhabob

phog wrote: »

Try here for Park & Ride facilities.

Thanks for that, I googled it but got an old match page.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

I go Williams because I think he has great potential if he got a run of games under his belt. I am a fan of Coughlan too. One of them needs to step up to the first team because (IMO) Ronan has been anonymous this season. Leamy is a big loss to Munster.

The hooker selection is an interesting one, if Varley is selected over Fogarty again, we can probably assume McGahan favours Varley now.

Then play them both and stick Quinny at 7. If I was forced I'd go with Coughlan as he'll be here next season. I do feel that Williams has been a bit unlucky with injuries, great player for Auckland.

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Then play them both and stick Quinny at 7. If I was forced I'd go with Coughlan as he'll be here next season. I do feel that Williams has been a bit unlucky with injuries, great player for Auckland.

I wouldn't drop Wallace.

durkadurka

thomond2006 wrote: »

I wouldn't drop Wallace.

Wallace won't start, will he? He played all 5 6n games

thomond2006

durkadurka wrote: »

Wallace won't start, will he? He played all 5 6n games

Oh sorry, I'm talking about Leinster and the HEC.

No, Wallace won't play this weekend.

Your idea to play the two together this weekend has merits.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oh sorry, I'm talking about Leinster and the HEC.

No, Wallace won't play this weekend.

Your idea to play the two together this weekend has merits.

Phew I was so worried that you might not approve

Thought they played well together against the Scarlets. Maybe stick Williams at 8 as he's the more destructive ball carrier.

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Phew I was so worried that you might not approve

:pac:

buck65

My xv would be
15. Warwick 14. Howlett 13. Mafi 12. de Villiers 11. Hurley 10. ROG 9. Stringer
1. Horan 2. Varley 3. Buckley 4. DOC 5. O Driscoll 6. Quinlan 7. Coughlan 8. Williams

thomond2006

Quotes from Shaun Payne, Irish Independent:

According to Munster team manager Shaun Payne, the lingering disappointment of defeat against the Scots last weekend is not a concern for Munster management. Rather, a typical Munster backlash is expected.

"I don't see it as a disadvantage at all to be honest," he said. "Not so long ago, finishing second in the Six Nations wouldn't have been that bad a result.

"Obviously the last result in terms of the national team was disappointing. In rugby, the margins are small but I do not think it will affect how the lads come back. If anything it will make them hungrier for success here.

"Results can play both ways," Payne continued. "After winning the Grand Slam and all that, there was such a release of energy that it could have left players feeling a little drained, or it could have affected them positively because there was such a good feeling amongst the players.

"Irrespective of the results, our international players have always come back busting to play for Munster and have really enjoyed it."

Meanwhile, it seems Munster fans will be spared a repeat of the breakdown bedlam which dominated the recent Six Nations tournament, at least for the foreseeable future.

While confusion still exists, it now seems likely any changes in the existing laws will be deferred until the close season and the Magners League and Heineken Cup will continue on as before in terms of breakdown interpretation.

"There is ongoing discussion between the referees from the southern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere as to what is in place," said Payne.

"As things stand it is a confusing scenario. The official instruction we've had is that there will be no change until the beginning of next season.

"It's ongoing at the minute with discussions and emails but that's the indication that we have."

Payne also called for greater consistency in implementing the existing laws.

"The bottom line is that we need a uniform approach. Hopefully this whole scenario will lead to a bit of direction from the referees because we sorely need it.

"There is no way that two teams can be going into a match with different expectations with how such a vital area of the game is going to be refereed."

Irish Independent

What a mess, different interpretations for different competitions. :mad:

Co45

I kind of liked the new intepretation. Gives the attacking team the advantage which is how it should be. It would be much more beneficial if we got used to this intepretation ASAP before the WC.

buck65

Yeah but the refs themselves from the NH don't seem to know the laws either. Wayne Barnes reffed a game in the "old" way last Saturday for the most part. It should be shelved until the Summer I think when everyone can draw breath and have a good look at it all.
We will get creamed in the Summer internationals I'd say by the refs.

Co45

buck65 wrote: »

We will get creamed in the Summer internationals I'd say by the refs.

Absolutely.

PhatPiggins

Co45 wrote: »

I kind of liked the new intepretation. Gives the attacking team the advantage which is how it should be. It would be much more beneficial if we got used to this intepretation ASAP before the WC.

Me too you saw an immediate removal of the aimless kicking in the Ireland/Wales game when Joubert applied the rule properly.

The rules need to be crystal clear and concisteantly applied other wise we're going to see a repeat of the Scotland/England game and players like McCaw/Broussow/Pocock/Jennings etc become largely redundant

thomond2006

http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/4915.php

Preview: Munster v Glasgow Warriors

The Warriors won 22-9 when the two sides met at Firhill Arena in round one but have not achieved a season's double over Munster since 2005/06.
Related Multimedia

Munster's only defeat in their last five matches was 22-31 to Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in the Magners League on 6 March. The Munstermen have won their last 16 home games in all competitions since their loss to Ulster at Thomond Park on 3 January 2009.

Glasgow Warriors are winless in their last four encounters in all competitions. Glasgow's defeat at Leinster in their most recent away game ended their five game unbeaten run on the road in the Magners League.

Referee: James Jones (WRU). 35th League game
Assistant Referees: D Wilkinson (IRFU), M Hermin (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

2040

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Me too you saw an immediate removal of the aimless kicking in the Ireland/Wales game when Joubert applied the rule properly.

The rules need to be crystal clear and concisteantly applied other wise we're going to see a repeat of the Scotland/England game and players like McCaw/Broussow/Pocock/Jennings etc become largely redundant

Thay havn't been made redundant though. George Smith has been playing the rugby of his life, which is a good thing obviously because we don't want the breakdown to be completely uncontestable.

buck65

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.magnersleague.com/matchcentre/4915.php

Preview: Munster v Glasgow Warriors

The Warriors won 22-9 when the two sides met at Firhill Arena in round one but have not achieved a season's double over Munster since 2005/06.
Related Multimedia

Munster's only defeat in their last five matches was 22-31 to Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade in the Magners League on 6 March. The Munstermen have won their last 16 home games in all competitions since their loss to Ulster at Thomond Park on 3 January 2009.
Glasgow Warriors are winless in their last four encounters in all competitions. Glasgow's defeat at Leinster in their most recent away game ended their five game unbeaten run on the road in the Magners League.

Referee: James Jones (WRU). 35th League game
Assistant Referees: D Wilkinson (IRFU), M Hermin (IRFU)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (IRFU)

I didn't realise that was the case, not bad. That was some hammering though I still remember the festive crowd wondering what the hell is going on.

PhatPiggins

2040 wrote: »

Thay havn't been made redundant though. George Smith has been playing the rugby of his life, which is a good thing obviously because we don't want the breakdown to be completely uncontestable.

Sure but his turnovers are way down and he's been largely playing as an extra 8. McCaw has been shunted to 6(to accomadate Whitelock/Poff, yeah right) because he was penalised out of sight at 7. Broussow has missed a few games but he might as well stay on the bench when he comes back.

In terms of link men and ball playing the above have been great, but I'd hate to see the jackel element of the opensides game dissapear.

Risteard

Munster team:

Munster: P Warwick; D Hurley, L Mafi, J de Villiers, I Dowling; R O'Gara capt, P Stringer; M Horan, D Fogarty, T Buckley; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, N Ronan, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, D Ryan, B Holland, N Williams, D Williams, T Gleeson, D Howlett.

Was hoping to see Varley start but the rest seems as expected.

Also Barry murphy is playing for Bohs at the weekend, so hopefully he'll be back after his injury soon.

Co45

suprised Donnacha Ryan isn't even ahead of Mick O'Driscoll at Munster. Also has Howlett been dropped or is he carrying a knock?

Risteard

Co45 wrote: »

suprised Donnacha Ryan isn't even ahead of Mick O'Driscoll at Munster. Also has Howlett been dropped or is he carrying a knock?

Donncha Ryan is injured and I presume Howlett is just being rested.

PhatPiggins

Co45 wrote: »

suprised Donnacha Ryan isn't even ahead of Mick O'Driscoll at Munster. Also has Howlett been dropped or is he carrying a knock?

That D Ryan on the bench is the prop Dave Ryan

Made the same mistake myself last week

thomond2006

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/content/view/1931/2/

Glasgow Warriors team to play Munster in the Magners League at Thomond Park on Friday 26 March (kick-off 8pm)

15 Bernardo Stortoni
14 Peter Murchie
13 Max Evans
12 Graeme Morrison
11 DTH van der Merwe
10 Dan Parks
9 Chris Cusiter
1 Jon Welsh
2 Dougie Hall
3 Moray Low
4 Richie Gray
5 Dan Turner
6 Kelly Brown
7 John Barclay CAPTAIN
8 Johnnie Beattie

Substitutes
16 Fergus Thomson
17 Kevin Tkachuk
18 Tim Barker
19 Richie Vernon
20 Mark McMillan
21 Colin Gregor
22 Hefin O'Hare

The internationals start for Glasgow. This is going to be a very tough game for Munster.

buck65

Donncha Ryan dislocated his shoulder sometime in February, he had actually came on against Italy in the 6 nations IIRC. He would be ahead of MOD by now, saying that Mick has been playing well and deserves his place.
Looks like Coughlan is going to get the 8 shirt for the Saints game...

buck65

Glasgow had to start with a full team as they have a real chance of making the playoffs, they don't have to worry about the HCup. Sneaky feeling that Munster could lose this one and miss the cut entirely.
Still I'd give 5 Magners Leagues for another European trophy.

Risteard

buck65 wrote: »

Donncha Ryan dislocated his shoulder sometime in February, he had actually came on against Italy in the 6 nations IIRC. He would be ahead of MOD by now, saying that Mick has been playing well and deserves his place.
Looks like Coughlan is going to get the 8 shirt for the Saints game...

Rightfully so IMO.

thomond2006

Risteard wrote: »

Rightfully so IMO.

+1

Ronan at 7 has been anonymous all season, he's a shadow of last season.

Williams at 8 might be an option but it looks like McGahan has nailed his colours to Coughlan.

Judgement Day

Paddy Power have no bets up yet for this match - getting late now - anybody else offering anything worthwhile? It's going to be very tough for Munster and if they don't put in a highly disciplined performance Dan Parks is going to punish them on the penalty front. He has already passed more than 1,000 points in the Magners League and that was in December 2009! :eek:

thomond2006

re betting I wouldn't touch this game after seeing the Glasgow XV.

PhatPiggins

Hopefully Buckley can continue he's impressive outings of late. He was absolutely handed his ass by Jon Welsh earlier in the season.

PhatPiggins

Judgement Day wrote: »

Paddy Power have no bets up yet for this match - getting late now - anybody else offering anything worthwhile? It's going to be very tough for Munster and if they don't put in a highly disciplined performance Dan Parks is going to punish them on the penalty front. He has already passed more than 1,000 points in the Magners League and that was in December 2009! :eek:

If I had to hazard a guess I'd say Munster will be around 1.4 with the handicap at 5/6 points

Amazotheamazing

Glasgow should win this game, Munster's scrum could be awful, lineout could be awful backrow is very poor imo, and our centres have never really clicked. Could be a very long night and some depressing home truths for a few Munster players. Course, they could up themselves and win it, but looking at Glasgows team you'd think they'll have too much.

PhatPiggins

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Glasgow should win this game, Munster's scrum could be awful, lineout could be awful backrow is very poor imo, and our centres have never really clicked. Could be a very long night and some depressing home truths for a few Munster players. Course, they could up themselves and win it, but looking at Glasgows team you'd think they'll have too much.

Why because Glasgow have a load of sottish internationals in their team? Scotland despite a great win over us are still a very avergae team.

thomond2006

Looks like the match is on Setanta Ireland, could a mod change the thread title?

http://www.setanta.com/ie/TV-Listings/

buck65

Phat, there is no doubt that we are getting a bit carried away at the new found rugby prowess of this Scottish team but they are above average I feel. Remember they beat Australia in November, should have beaten Wales, looked better than England and actually gave France a test so I feel they are similar enough to us but we have better backs.
Glasgow need this more and will certainly be up for it. Munster have stuttered along all season and are really there for the taking when the likes of o Connell, Wallace, O Leary, Flannery are missing.
We have depth but not really strength in depth. Our squad looks very average to me and If I was in charge I would be getting rid of at least 10 of the current crop.

PS thank god for the new League playoffs. I think Leinster would already have the thing sewn up at this stage and we would be looking at a dead rubber tomorrow night. Looking forward to this game now. They nearly spoiled our opening night party last year , only they decided to give Stringer an early try they would have.

thomond2006

I'm really looking forward to the battle at halfback, all four halfbacks are vastly experienced.

I am really worried about this match, IMO if Munster lose we are out.

I'm hoping that Dragons can do us a favour this weekend and beat Ospreys. They've been a tough nut to crack at Rodney Parade this season, as Munster know all too well now.

JD, Munster are -10 at 10/11 on PP. Ridiculous odds IMO.

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

Phat, there is no doubt that we are getting a bit carried away at the new found rugby prowess of this Scottish team but they are above average I feel. Remember they beat Australia in November, should have beaten Wales, looked better than England and actually gave France a test so I feel they are similar enough to us but we have better backs.
Glasgow need this more and will certainly be up for it. Munster have stuttered along all season and are really there for the taking when the likes of o Connell, Wallace, O Leary, Flannery are missing.
We have depth but not really strength in depth. Our squad looks very average to me and If I was in charge I would be getting rid of at least 10 of the current crop.

PS thank god for the new League playoffs. I think Leinster would already have the thing sewn up at this stage and we would be looking at a dead rubber tomorrow night. Looking forward to this game now. They nearly spoiled our opening night party last year , only they decided to give Stringer an early try they would have.

And lost to Italy and couldn't finish off a dreadful England. They're improving but not at the pace some on here are suggesting.

Its hard to know where Munster are going as some of the front liners are clearly on their last legs and most of the reserves are either youngsters or never has beens.

Your right its time for some spring cleaning.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'm really looking forward to the battle at halfback, all four halfbacks are vastly experienced.

I am really worried about this match, IMO if Munster lose we are out.

I'm hoping that Dragons can do us a favour this weekend and beat Ospreys. They've been a tough nut to crack at Rodney Parade this season, as Munster know all too well now.

JD, Munster are -10 at 10/11 on PP. Ridiculous odds IMO.

Time for a most unpatriotic bet on Glasgow. Just took them +11 with Boylesports.

Judgement Day

Should think I've just ensured a Munster victory with a series of bets on Glasgow to win by more than 2, 5 and 8 points. Plus a Draw at 28/1. Will probably go for a few try scorers for Munster - JDV and Hurley - but I'll sleep on it.

Amazotheamazing

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Why because Glasgow have a load of sottish internationals in their team? Scotland despite a great win over us are still a very avergae team.

I gave my reasoning already and it's nothing to do with the Scottish win last weekend.

Look at Munster's team, if buckley plays well in the scrums we might be ok in the scrum but we won't be better than them, if fogs learns to throw we might have parity in the lineout but look at the backrows. Glasgow's is probably one of the best backrow units in the League, ours has an aging Quinlan, an underpowered Ronan and the pretty average Coughlan. All our backrow will kill themselves to help Munster win, and if there's enough fight in us we can win, but man for man and as a unit, you'd have to say Glasgow have a massive edge on us here. If we lose the backrow battle, it won't matter much who we have from 9 to 15, though even there, that Glasgow centre partnership isn't bad, Evans in particular, could be world class were he not so injury prone.

I have no doubt that our full team would win this game, but because we're forced to rest players we simply can't compete in this league.

Podge_irl

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I have no doubt that our full team would win this game, but because we're forced to rest players we simply can't compete in this league.

I think Glasgow provide more players to Scotland than Munster do to Ireland, and they won't all be back for the game. I must admit, I'm not a massive fan of the new IRFU player resting protocols.

buck65

I agree Podge we may well be overdoing the rest on the internationals and the provinces suffer as a result. Ok one may argue that it is just the League but how can you blend a side together for a HCup quarter final when you are missing your core players?
The idea of resting the Lions for September almost cost Leinster qualification if London Irish hadn't imploded against the Scarlets.
By all means give the players a week off before the internationals and a week off after but I think someone mentioned that Paul O Connell has started 2! Magners League games.
Yet Glasgow are sending half the Scottish team to Limerick tonight?
Rest is all well and fine but when it is handicapping the provincial teams to such an extent it is counterproductive. Our internationals should be available from the bench tonight.

JustinDee

buck65 wrote: »

Rest is all well and fine but when it is handicapping the provincial teams to such an extent it is counterproductive. Our internationals should be available from the bench tonight.

Never mind what Glasgow do. They don't have to worry about the next round of playoff games in the Heineken Cup.

People would be moaning about player burnout if were not rested this weekend and had poor games during playoffs.

thomond2006

I agree with justin.

We don't want players getting burnout when it really counts.

The internationals who played all through the Six Nations were always going to rested once before the HEC, better against Glasgow than Leinster IMO.

Co45

In fairness Leinster have the same restrictions in place and seem to do fine. I think Munster need to get more quality depth to be honest.

buck65

thomond2006 wrote: »

I agree with justin.

We don't want players getting burnout when it really counts.

The internationals who played all through the Six Nations were always going to rested once before the HEC, better against Glasgow than Leinster IMO.

I agree either side of the 6 nations the are entitled to a week off. I suppose with the Lions missing for the first month, coupled with a break around Christmas for most of the frontliners it is frustrating that we have only played 2 or 3 League games with anything like a full team.