Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

Aidric

Fla can say what he wants.

thomond2006

This might derail the match thread so I'll post it here.

What are everyone's thoughts on changes in players/management for next season?

KELTICKNIGHTT

with few players leaving and hopefully new blood,would be a good start,maybe coaches need too change few things,the amount of good players in munster,seems we not fully getting the best from them,could be wrong,there something missing sinse late 2008,cant fully put my finger on it

ScrubsfanChris

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

there something missing sinse late 2008,cant fully put my finger on it

POC

KELTICKNIGHTT

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

POC

even when hes playing dont play well

Amazotheamazing

I think McGahan is the right guy to bring us forward. he's been massively unlucky this year that we've played most of the season without our two best forwards, imo (POC and Leamy), he's also been unlucky that guys who should have progressed this year got injured just at the wrong time (Darragh Hurley and Dave Ryan when Horan was injured, Buckley when Hayes was suspended, Donncha Ryan when POC was injured, Williams when Leamy was injured). In addition, he's had to deal with injuries to Dowling and Howlett, both of whom I'd see as crucial to how our backline works. Add in injuries to guys like Earls, O'Leary, etc that kept them away for parts of the season and you can see how badly the squad was hit. Obviously every team gets injuries during the season, but no team has the strength to take that many, imo.

I think we're looking better for replacements for some of the above players than we have for some time, imo. Flannery might have used up his last life if he was dropped for disciplinary reasons, I like Flannery, he's imo, the best hooker in Europe, but he's injury prone and is giving away too many penalties, I'd be tempted to stick with Varley until Cronin returns.

We need to be honest about the continuing presence of John Hayes on the pitch, and the standard of his replacement, I'd retire both of them and bring in a top class prop. Unfortunately, we're not allowed do it. The rest of the pack is ok if guys like POM can come through.

PhatPiggins

KELTICKNIGHTT wrote: »

with few players leaving and hopefully new blood,would be a good start,maybe coaches need too change few things,the amount of good players in munster,seems we not fully getting the best from them,could be wrong,there something missing sinse late 2008,cant fully put my finger on it

Jim Williams, pushing hard for recognition as the best forward coach in the world for his near miraculous turnaround of the Australian pack. Robbie Deans obviously takes some credit for it too.

CJhaughey

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Jim Williams, pushing hard for recognition as the best forward coach in the world for his near miraculous turnaround of the Australian pack. Robbie Deans obviously takes some credit for it too.

All credit to Jim but was Patricio Noriega not part of that forwards coaching setup as well?

toomevara

ROG is going to hang up the boots in 2012, and head to France in a backroom role if possible....interesting. (From the Indo, today.)

O'Gara reveals French 'dream'.

By Hugh Farrelly
Tuesday May 18 2010
RONAN O'GARA plans to play on for a year after the 2011 World Cup and has revealed his "dream" of a post-playing career in France.

Speaking to 'Midi Olympique', the 33-year-old out-half stressed that he could never envisage playing for any side except for Munster but the Heineken Cup record points-scorer, and ERC player of the last 15 years, said he could see himself in backroom role with a Top 14 club after he stops playing.

"Maybe as a kicking specialist or a three-quarter coach, I still don't know," said O'Gara, "but France has always attracted me, I studied the language over two years in university.

"I think the year after the World Cup will be my last before I hang up my boots. I have had everything in Munster, a team which played at the top level in Europe and my family at the stadium every weekend. I also wanted to show my loyalty by staying with Munster and think I have made the right choice.

thomond2006

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0518/1224270599183.html

MUNSTER CHANGES

INS :
Sam Tuitupou (centre, Worcester, right), Johne Murphy (wing/fullback, Leicester).

Upgraded (from development to full-time contracts):
Timmy O’Donnell (flanker), Dave Ryan (prop), Duncan Williams (scrumhalf).

Upgraded (Academy to development contracts):
Ian Nagle (lock/backrow), Dave Foley (lock), Stephen Archer (prop), Peter O’Mahony (backrow), Danny Barnes (wing/centre), Declan Cusack (training contract).

OUTS:
Jean de Villiers (South Africa), Jeremy Manning (France/Italy), Nick Williams (released), Julien Brugnaut (released), Ciaran O’Boyle (released)*.

*I presume GT meant Ciaran.

dromdrom

thomond2006 wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0518/1224270599183.html

MUNSTER CHANGES

INS :
Sam Tuitupou (centre, Worcester, right), Johne Murphy (wing/fullback, Leicester).

Upgraded (from development to full-time contracts):
Timmy O’Donnell (flanker), Dave Ryan (prop), Duncan Williams (scrumhalf).

Upgraded (Academy to development contracts):
Ian Nagle (lock/backrow), Dave Foley (lock), Stephen Archer (prop), Peter O’Mahony (backrow), Danny Barnes (wing/centre), Declan Cusack (training contract).

OUTS:
Jean de Villiers (South Africa), Jeremy Manning (France/Italy), Nick Williams (released), Julien Brugnaut (released), Ciaran O’Boyle (released)*.

*I presume GT meant Ciaran.

Brugnaut has signed for Racing Metro already

toomevara

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jeremy Manning (France/Italy),

What's the word on Manning club-wise?

thomond2006

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7572.php

Julien Brugnaut having been released by Munster will join Paris Racing Metro.

The former French international prop who won 15 caps for Munster will return to his native France next Monday.

Jeremy Manning who also leaves now that the season is over, along with Nick Williams, Jean de Villiers, Ciaran O'Boyle and Danny Riordan, has no definite plans other than returning to New Zealand, despite reports of him joining either an Italian or French club
Nor have any definite plans been concluded for Williams while O'Boyle and Riordan look set to return to the club scene.

The squad assembled in Charleville this morning for a season wrap up meeting and for those not involved in the summer tour to New Zealand/Australia, holidays beckon.

GymJim

Anyone know the story on Timmy Ryan. Thought he had only 1 year contract at Toulon?!

Risteard

Lifeimi Mafi will miss the opening games of the 2010/2011 season as he recovers from a shoulder operation.


The 28 year old had the operation last Tuesday for an injury that has been troubling him throughout the season and now uses the closed season to have the problem sorted out.

Other than that, news concerning long term injured is positive with Denis Leamy (knee), Donnacha Ryan (shoulder), Darragh Hurley (eye), Felix Jones (neck) and Barry Murphy (leg) all expected to be fully fit and available for the opening pre-season games against Leicester Tigers on August (20th). The venue for that game has yet to be confirmed and nor has it been decided where the second pre-season game, versus Gloucester (27th Aug) will take place.

Hurley who sustained an eye tear that subsequently became infected has been cleared by medics to take full part in training while Leamy and Ryan are both recovering well from their injuries and expected back with Hurley for pre-season when it starts at the end of June.

Barry Murphy is still at the recovery stage but also expected to report for full training then while Felix Jones has taken part in the last couple of training sessions before season's end and should be cleared for full contact when pre-season begins.

Link

thomond2006

Great news for Jones.

durkadurka

GymJim wrote: »

Anyone know the story on Timmy Ryan. Thought he had only 1 year contract at Toulon?!

He's on the bench for the final anyhow...

thomond2006

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7580.php

With six Munster Rugby academy players receiving development contracts for the 2010/11 season, eleven new players have been recruited to the academy.

Moving on are, Academy Player of the Year, Scott Deasy, and those recently involved in the B&I Cup final, Ian Nagle, Dave Foley, Peter O’Mahony, Stephen Archer and Danny Barnes, who have all been promoted to the senior squad on development contracts.

New recruits include sub academy players Luke O’Dea, Cathal Sheridan, Simon Zebo, Sean Henry, Brian Hayes, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Gareth Quinn McDonogh and Ronan O’Mahony, who continue to progress making the move into the academy programme.

Rockwell outhalf and leaving cert student JJ Hanrahan also joins the academy, after impressing with his participation in the National Talent Programme throughout the year.

Ireland U19 and Exiles player Corey Hircock joins the Munster Rugby Academy from the Bedford Blues, the centre/winger was involved in Ireland U19‘s defeat against the Australia U19 Schools side last December in Cork.

Simon Zebo and Brian Hayes will join the Ireland U20s squad next week for the IRB Junior World Cup in Argentina, while remaining academy players will return to training in mid-June.

First Year Academy Players:
Alan Cotter (Young Munster) Prop
JJ Hanrahan (School Rockwell, Club TBC) Outhalf/Centre
Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution) Second Row
Sean Henry (UL Bohemians) Hooker
Corey Hircock (TBC) Centre
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians) Prop
Luke O’Dea (Shannon) Fullback
Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen) Fullback/Winger
Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon) Outhalf
Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohemians) Scrumhalf
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution) Winger

profitius

Paddy Butler??

profitius

profitius wrote: »

Paddy Butler??

yeah, where is he? Thought he was fantastic in the U20s games.

Was keeping an eye on him

[Jackass]

Nice show of strength from Buckley that sometimes in the past he hasn't displayed.

I think his performances have improved significantly over the last while and certainly think he should be able to oust Hayes from the 3 jersey over the next season. Probably will be starting 3 for world cup, although Ross may make an impact with CJ leaving Leinster and moving up the pecking order to see more game time.

woodviewman

you must be joking. Buckley would be first choice already if he was up to it. Has had enough chances by now and time to realise that he is not up to it at this level. Just because he shows a few pieces of strength means nothing

woodviewman

good honest player timmy ryan. letting him go backfired on munster. Such a shortage in props now it looks frightening for Irish rugby.

thomond2006

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CJ-heading-back-to-SA-20100524

However, Bok prop Wian du Preez will not be available for the Cheetahs in this year’s Currie Cup. Du Preez will join Irish side Munster, whom he helped before this year’s Super 14.

However, the 27-year-old Du Preez’s decision is a setback for Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské’s Currie Cup plans.

Du Preez is not getting the recognition he deserves from the Bok selectors and his decision comes as no surprise as he has only played one Test.

A number of experts view him as the most powerful scrummager in South African rugby.

“Wian played for Munster in the Heineken Cup during his off-season after South Africa’s end-of-season tour last year,” said Weyers of the man who made his Super 14 debut for the Sharks against the Hurricanes in 2005.

“They were really impressed by his scrummaging and commitment, and have made a good offer. We told Naka early on that we are considering another offer and were open with him from the outset.

“Wian would love to come and end his career at the Cheetahs.”

Interesting news.

Can he play tighthead?

irishbucsfan

Fantastic signing for Munster.

ScrubsfanChris

Will he play a full season though?
Or just leave in January to join the Cheetah's Super 15 campaign.

Great signing either way.

chupacabra

Great to see another Kerry lad in the munster academy. Well done JJ.

theKramer

profitius wrote: »

Paddy Butler??

Was reading a thread on Munsterfans and they are going nuts that he's not in the academy. The rumour on Munsterfans is that he wants to skip the academy and go straight to a full contract and that he is looking at options abroad if Munster dont bite......

theKramer

theKramer wrote: »

Was reading a thread on Munsterfans and they are going nuts that he's not in the academy. The rumour on Munsterfans is that he wants to skip the academy and go straight to a full contract and that he is looking at options abroad if Munster dont bite......

Too right they're going nuts, the guy is a serious talent, I wouldn't be surprised if he was in Munster's starting XV by this time next year!

mareegoo

hopefully he will sign for connacht......