Munster vs RC Toulon, Sat 16 October 3:30pm @Thomond Park, Sky Sports

thomond2006

VS

Munster:
15 Paul Warwick, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Johne Murphy, 11 Denis Hurley, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer,
8. Denis Leamy, 7. David Wallace, 6. Alan Quinlan, 5. Mick O'Driscoll, 4. Donncha O'Callaghan, 3. Tony Buckley, 2. Damien Varley, 1. Wian du Preez

Replacements: 16. Jerry Flannery, 17. Marcus Horan, 18. John Hayes, 19. Donnacha Ryan, 20. James Coughlan, 21. Niall Ronan, 22. Duncan Williams, 23. Scott Deasy,


Toulon:
15 Clement Marienval, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Mafi Kefu, 12 Fotu Auelua, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Pierre Mignoni,
8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Joe El Abd, 6 George Smith, 5 Kris Chesney, 4 Jocelino Suta, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Jean-Philippe Genevois, 1 Laurent Emmanuelli.

Replacements:16 Mickael Ivaldi, 17 Saimone Taumoepeau, 18 Davit Kubriashvili, 19 Olivier Missoup, 20 Gabi Lovobalavu, 21 Jonny Wilkinson, 22 Laurent Magnaval, 23 Dean Schofield,


Date: Saturday, October 16
Venue: Thomond Park, Limerick
Kick-off: 15.30 BST (14.30 GMT)
Referee: Wayne Barnes

Could it be more exciting? One of the old aristocrats of European rugby in Munster faces off against the Manchester City of rugby in Toulon. Some world famous names descending on Fortress Thomond for a contest that is very difficult to call. Both sides have a rich rugby history (the ‘sh*t club, no history’ tag certainly doesn’t apply to Toulon), both have a huge fan base at their disposal and both have genuine world class players among their ranks.

Toulon come to Thomond buoyed by a hard fought win over a determined Ospreys side and a flying start to their Top14 campaign, where they have ground out wins through a structured game plan. They certainly won’t fear Thomond Park as they are awash with big game players with experience at the top level of the game, players that do the right things under pressure. They face a Munster side that have lost two big games (Leinster & London Irish) on the bounce and cannot afford to lose, lest they break their proud record of making the quarter finals for the last 11 seasons.

Many are aghast at Toulon’s mode de vie, they cringe at Mourad Boudjellal’s somewhat indiscriminate spending. Certainly he is spending big and has spent big. Back in the days when Toulon were languishing in the ProD2, Boudjellal took out the cheque book and spent big money (a lot from his own pocket) on some huge names in world rugby: George Gregan, Victor Matfield (who only played a handful of games before going back to South Africa), Andrew Mehrtens, Anton Oliver and Tana Umaga just to get Toulon into the top flight! You’d wonder right now if Boudjellal is overspending on overrated players. To put this into context, do the likes of Kris Chesney, Dean Schofield, Rudi Wulf and Rory Lamont, to quote Paul O’Connell, “put the fear of God in anyone”? I don’t believe so. Don’t get me wrong, the above are good players. However they are far from world class but if media reports are taken seriously, they are on world class wage levels. At the moment Jonny Wilkinson is negotiating a new deal with Toulon that could be worth up to €1.2 million a year. Wilkinson is a key pump in the Toulon engine room but someone can’t justify that salary without their tongue firmly rooted in the cheek.

The reasoning behind my accusation that Boudjellal’s spending is ‘indiscriminate’ is Toulon don’t resemble a functioning team, more a collection of individuals. In a David Beckham to LA Galaxy fashion, It seems almost a marketing exercise by Boudjellal to get the likes of Wilkinson over to France (to be fair from the marketing standpoint it has reaped huge dividends) and previously Sonny Bill Williams and Tana Umaga over to the south of France. Felipe Contepomi, who has been playing mostly at outside centre this season, has been starved of chances to challenge a defence with ball in hand because Toulon’s back play is largely pedestrian with the departure of Sonny Bill WilliamsWhat is disquieting for Munster is even without looking like a well oiled unit, Toulon have been stringing results together and possess a winning mentality.

Munster are in real difficulty. The way they are trying to play the game is a mystery. Against Leinster at the Aviva, Munster kicked the leather off the ball and behaved very conservatively in possession. There was a complete sea change against London Irish. Munster attempted to run everything. The problem was they were not going forward and they were tiring themselves out by overcomplicating things and getting little return. Their error count also cost them dear. He has his detractors, but the absence of Tomás O’Leary was obvious. The London Irish centres were able to stand away from the breakdown and focus on Munster’s outside backs because they knew that neither Stringer nor O’Gara had the capacity to make a break and a telling impact. This was the key reason why the Exiles’ defence was so supreme. Munster can’t do anything about O’Leary’s injury but it clearly hurt them. Stringer’s machine gun pass can only get Munster so far.

Poor selection was also a problem. One could argue that Tony McGahan and company tried to be positive in selection by changing the side and ruffling the feathers of the old guard but it didn’t pay dividends. While he was an effective attacking threat, Johne Murphy struggled in his ‘goalkeeping’ duties at fullback. His intercepted pass was the key moment in the game. After that, Munster were forced to play catchup and with London Irish in control from the majority of game a Munster comeback was unlikely. It is to their credit though they managed to salvage a losing bonus point from the mire, through the brilliance of O’Gara and Wallace and the impact of replacement scrum-half Duncan Williams. Without the point, one could write off Munster’s chances with difficult trips to Ospreys and Toulon to come.

Key Head to Head:

Ronan O’Gara vs Felipe Contepomi: Talk about nostalgic. In recent history when Munster and Leinster collided, this rivalry never failed to be the main point of debate, discussion and banter. O’Gara performed very well against London Irish and controlled the game as best he could. Contepomi is a lottery. He has had limited gametime at 10 this season due to Jonny Wilkinson’s omnipresence in the side and has looked frustrated out wide at number 13. There is a danger that he could cut loose here and Munster could bear the brunt of his obvious frustration. He will be very motivated to put one over on his old mates from Munster. He displayed outstanding form in the summer with Argentina. I feel his performance (or non-performance, he is capable of both when playing against Munster) will be the deciding factor is this contest.

Other intriguing contests include Keith Earls up against Fotu Auelua, who is normally a backrow but is included in the side at centre this Saturday. You’d assume there could be a difference in pace there and an opportunity for Earls and Munster to make numerous line breaks.

The Teams:
Munster make 4 changes to the starting lineup that lost to London Irish. Mick O'Driscoll replaces Donnacha Ryan at lock. Alan Quinlan and David Wallace replace Niall Ronan and James Coughlan in the backrow. Paul Warwick comes in at fullback with Johne Murphy moved to number 12 in the absence of the suspended Sam Tuitupou.

Among Toulon's host of changes 19 year old Clement Marienval replaces Rory Lamont at fullback.
Felipe Contepomi and Pierre Mignoni are the halfbacks with kicking ace Jonny Wilkinson on the bench. Joe Van Niekerk is in for Fernandez Lobbe at number 8 who cannot play because of Kolpak restrictions. Carl Hayman starts at tighthead prop while Suta and Chesney are the second row partnership.

Prediction: Home advantage to get Munster over the line. Munster by 3-6 points.

Teams etc taken from Planet Rugby.

theKramer

thomond2006 wrote: »

Replacements: 16. Jerry Flannery, 17. Marcus Horan, 18. John Hayes, 19. Donnacha Ryan, 20. James Coughlan, 21. Niall Ronan, 22. Duncan Williams, 23. Scott Deasy

Munster are definitely expecting a battle up front with 6 forwards among the replacements....

Riskymove

theKramer wrote: »

Munster are definitely expecting a battle up front with 6 forwards among the replacements....

it shows how stretched we are in the backs

but why someone ikle barnes cant figure as backup is baffling

basically Ronan will be the emergency back if needed

Riskymove

Now that its confirmed that Toulon are making so many changes makes me optimisitic for a needed home win

bamboozle

theKramer wrote: »

Munster are definitely expecting a battle up front with 6 forwards among the replacements....

Marcus Horan is covering wing and prop...

Toulon not looking for the win, that is clear from team selected. I'd say Munster by 10-15.

Judgement Day

Another that's too close to call - for me anyway! Munster really need a win but their recent form has been all over the place. The heart means I have to go with Munster but if 'one dimensional' Jonny comes on early anything could happen.

C'MON MUNSTER! ALLEZ TOULON JONNY WILKINSON!

buck65

Hope to see Wilkinson on the pitch. Have admired his professionalism for years never saw him live though.

bleg

You got the head to head wrong. It should read:

Wayne Barnes vs. A good match.

thomond2006

Going to my first ever Heineken Cup game, can't wait!

If anyone wants to say hello, you'll hear me bleating and moaning to the far right of the west stand! :pac:

Benny Cake

thomond2006 wrote: »

Going to my first ever Heineken Cup game, can't wait!

If anyone wants to say hello, you'll hear me bleating and moaning to the far right of the west stand! :pac:

Enjoy it Thomond, its an experience you wont forget and will have you coming back time and time again....

For anybody without a ticket considering going to the game I would advise you to go along to the ground, there are plenty tickets floating around. I would bet good money people will actually be giving tickets away!!! (one of the advantages of the "bandwagon" being derailed!!!)

thomond2006

Riskymove wrote: »

Now that its confirmed that Toulon are making so many changes makes me optimisitic for a needed home win

I dunno about that, most of the players they have brought in are better than those who played like last week.

phog

D_Red_Army wrote: »

(one of the advantages of the "bandwagon" being derailed!!!)

Who would you class as having been on the bandwagon, those people who have lost their jobs who now cant afford the tickets or the people who have left the country in search of work?

Yes, there's an element of the corporate side cutting back but you cant take away from the huge unemployment numbers and the emigration stats.

durkadurka

thomond2006 wrote: »

Going to my first ever Heineken Cup game, can't wait!

If anyone wants to say hello, you'll hear me bleating and moaning to the far right of the west stand! :pac:

Jaysus thomond, 6410 posts and never been to a HEC game? Should we discount everything you've ever said?

thomond2006

durkadurka wrote: »

Jaysus thomond, 6410 posts and never been to a HEC game? Should we discount everything you've ever said?

I've no contacts you see and I'm not an MRSC member so it's hard to get HEC tickets.

I'm a poor student like! :pac:

Judgement Day

thomond2006 wrote: »

I've no contacts you see and I'm not an MRSC member so it's hard to get HEC tickets.

I'm a poor student like! :pac:

Don't forget to get Jonny's autograph or we won't believe you were at the match.

PS Any thoughts on bets?

thomond2006

I got Jonny's picture for ya already from the Connacht match, remember?





As I said in the betting thread, I put a lot of money on a Munster win. I'm now worried because 9/10 I lose bets when I put a substantial bet on.

I don't think there is value in the game tbh.

I do predict it will be low scoring though. 35 or less points is 21/10 on PP, might be worth a punt I suppose.

Benny Cake

phog wrote: »

Who would you class as having been on the bandwagon, those people who have lost their jobs who now cant afford the tickets or the people who have left the country in search of work?

Yes, there's an element of the corporate side cutting back but you cant take away from the huge unemployment numbers and the emigration stats.

Do you honestly believe if we were flying high there would be so many tickets available? Granted, the recession has had an effect but anybody who has been to munster games over the past few seasons can testify to the fact that many people at the games were bandwagoners only there because Munster were successful....
Anyway, no time for arguments, Im off to limerick now for what I hope should be a great game!!
Mumhan Abu!!

thomond2006

D_Red_Army wrote: »

Do you honestly believe if we were flying high there would be so many tickets available? Granted, the recession has had an effect but anybody who has been to munster games over the past few seasons can testify to the fact that many people at the games were bandwagoners only there because Munster were successful....
Anyway, no time for arguments, Im off to limerick now for what I hope should be a great game!!
Mumhan Abu!!

The corporate downturn is the biggest factor in this IMO, not people jumping off the bandwagon.

Then again, I have no statistics/quotes to back this up, only speculating.

phog

D_Red_Army wrote: »

Do you honestly believe if we were flying high there would be so many tickets available? Granted, the recession has had an effect but anybody who has been to munster games over the past few seasons can testify to the fact that many people at the games were bandwagoners only there because Munster were successful....
Anyway, no time for arguments, Im off to limerick now for what I hope should be a great game!!
Mumhan Abu!!

We're in the exact same position in the H/Cup as we have been for the last few season and we're leading the ML.

I'm fairly sure it's the downturn of the economy rather than the performance of the team that is the cause of the drop off in numbers.

efb

Ar an traein go dti an Luimneach ó Cúl an tSutaire.

An Mhúin abú!

conormccarthy92

anywhere to watch it online ?

Hyperbullet

I wont be doing a tap at work come 3:30pm, brought in my laptop to stream the match. Nervous about this one, really need to put in a good performance and pick up the win to get the confidence back up after the loss to Leinster and that so-so performance against London Irish, however Toulon are a tough prospect.

I'm going to be positive and say Munster by 8.

efb

Munster by less than 7. 12-9

Will go against the grain with an unlikely Toulon win by less than 7. If Contepomi wigs out then BP win to Munster.

nealt

anyone got a link for watching online?

Patsy fyre

Absolutely horrendez listening to that women signing that song.

conormccarthy92

http://direct-sport.ht.cx/

amacachi

Unreal start.

Micky Dolenz

wasn't expecting that

outwest

poor from munster,

great run by the hooker tho

Patsy fyre

What was mick o driscoll thinking!

Miles forward for the pass anyhow.

Wayne Barnes is such a hometown ref. Toulon werent offside

That yellow card is ****ing ridiculous

Micky Dolenz

they were warned before hand

Patsy fyre

Thats an obvious yellow. third consecutive penalty. blocked an certain scoring try.

great try Leamy

outwest

Deleted User wrote: »

That yellow card is ****ing ridiculous

in fairness he did warn them, leamy try

Patsy fyre

loveley from stringer

pappyodaniel

I agree with Jabba, the referee did warn warn them but Smith done a textbook turnover.

Hyperbullet

Beauty. Right back in it.

outwest

great game so far

outwest

no try, he hits the line, crowd wont like it tho

amacachi

Doesn't look a try to me, good defending, poor finishing.

Some fightback by the men in red, its been all them since the 120th second of the game!

pappyodaniel

That was an amazing move instigated by Warwick, I doubt it's a try though.

Conters the villain one minute, the hero the next. Got out of jail there.

TitoPuente

Unfortunate for Munster there.

outwest

great defending to stop the try.

nice_guy80

Johne should have gone low...

Patsy fyre

taught that was a try. you could see were his knee came down, a good foot inside the line!

outwest

try, just about, buckly body positioning is awful at times