Scarlets vs Munster, Sat 16 April 6:15pm; S4C/TG4

thomond2006

Munster Squad:
M Horan, D Hurley, W du Preez, T Buckley, J Hayes, S Archer,
M Sherry, D Fogarty, D Varley,
D Ryan, M O’Driscoll, D O’Callaghan
A Quinlan, P Butler, D Wallace, J Coughlan, T O’Donnell, N Ronan, D Leamy.
C Murray, P Stringer, D Williams,
D Cusack, P Warwick, R O’Gara,
F Jones, D Hurley, K Earls, D Howlett, L Mafi, S Tuitupou, J Murphy, D Barnes, S Zebo,

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8944.php

Very big extended squad.

Many of the Cork Con players (Nagle, POM) may have been released to play for them, obviously they were unlikely to play anyway. I'm annoyed though, this is a dead rubber and a perfect opportunity to play the youngsters.

Although they have been included, I expect the frontline internationals to be rested and a full side named next week against the Ospreys looking ahead to Harlequins in 2 weeks. This game is pretty meaningless so I'm all for wholesale changes in this game to try players out.

I'd like to see:
Hurley, Sherry, Archer, MOD, Ryan, Coughlan, O'Donnell, Butler;
Williams, Cusack, Hurley, Mafi, Barnes, Zebo, Jones

Bench: Fogarty, du Preez, Buckley, Quinlan, Leamy, Murray, Warwick, Howlett/Murphy

I think Williams needs to given another go at scrum half. We now know that Murray is a very good player but Williams is still an unknown quantity IMO. He deserves another opportunity. Fogarty is on the bench because we'll probably need a third hooker during the World Cup with Fla in NZ/injured and he needs gametime.

Quinlan isn't a call that is looking to the future but he's the only player in the squad (assuming DOC is rested) that can cover lock.

I think that side will find it difficult, Scarlets will definitely go full strength and push for a BP win too.

Jonathan Davies is out but George North, Sean Lamont and Stephen Jones will be available: http://www.magnersleague.com/news/7612.php

phog

Beating Leinster helped us hugely in the points race for the top but we still need 4 points from the remaining 3 games to keep ahead of Ulster if they were to get 3 BP wins. I think our toughest game will be away to the Ospreys but I'd be hopeful of a losing BP there and another one against the Scarlets that would still leave us to having to beat Connacht in TP.

McGahan could try to rest some players but would be foolish to take his eye off the top spot in the ML now that we're so close.

Cork Con wouldn't be too happy to see so many of their guys being called up now either and I'd assume McGahan would have to take that into account too.

durkadurka

That's a seriously worst case scenario view though. Likelihood is that one more point is probably enough for top spot.

thomond2006

There's no way Ulster will get 3 BP wins.

We have Connacht at home in the last 'regular season' game. No disrespect to the Westies but that's a game we should win even with a second string out. Therefore we can afford to lose the next two games, although I fancy we'll get a losing BP in one of them.

Cpt_Blackbeard

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'd like to see:
Hurley, Sherry, Archer, MOD, Ryan, Coughlan, O'Donnell, Butler;
Williams, Cusack, Hurley, Mafi, Barnes, Zebo, Jones

Bench: Fogarty, du Preez, Buckley, Quinlan, Leamy, Murray, Warwick, Howlett/Murphy

I like your team but, it is just too experimental. We need to get the right blend of experience and youth.

I'd have Warwick in for Cusack and then bring him on with Murray around 50.

Horan might be worth a shot too. I know its not the best move for the future, but he has missed a lot of rugby in the last 2 years and deserves a shot to show that he can still perform at this level.

Would Jones need a rest?

Quinlan will surely be starting too. He'll be given a shot to prove that he is still a good player and Coughlan probably needs a rest for the run-in too.

I'd go for:
Horan, Sherry, Archer,
Ryan, MOD,
Quinlan, Butler, TOD,
Williams, Warwick,
Mafi, Barnes,
Hurley, Jones, Zebo.

Buceph

Have heard the backrow will be O'Donnell, Leamy, Ronan.

PhatPiggins

Buceph wrote: »

Have heard the backrow will be O'Donnell, Leamy, Ronan.

Two 7's and a 6. I hope not.

Would agree with the poster wanting Horan to start, he's still got plenty to give Munster rugby and has looked decent every time he's played since his comeback.

I hope Zebo gets a start. Seems like a decent broken field runner and you always get a chance to stretch your legs against the Scarlets.

phog

durkadurka wrote: »

That's a seriously worst case scenario view though. Likelihood is that one more point is probably enough for top spot.

I agree, it would be worst than Rory McIlroy last weekend.

thomond2006 wrote: »

There's no way Ulster will get 3 BP wins.

We have Connacht at home in the last 'regular season' game. No disrespect to the Westies but that's a game we should win even with a second string out. Therefore we can afford to lose the next two games, although I fancy we'll get a losing BP in one of them.

I wouldn't be too sure about our 2nd string team beating Connacht, look at Leinster in the Showgrounds last year, Connacht can raise their game when they need to.

phog

The ref for Saturday night is Alan Lewis.

I hope munster win this one and they can relax and experiment in their remaining two games.

PhatPiggins

phog wrote: »

The ref for Saturday night is Alan Lewis.

I hope munster win this one and they can relax and experiment in their remaining two games.

Completely agree. Get the number one seed locked in. Give the players the freedom to experiment in the final two games when the pressures off.

We might see Quinnie take a conversion against Connacht I'm really going to miss that guy.

phog

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Completely agree. Get the number one seed locked in. Give the players the freedom to experiment in the final two games when the pressures off.

We might see Quinnie take a conversion against Connacht I'm really going to miss that guy.

What english club let one of their forwards try that once? Was it Ibanez or Dallaglio for Wasps?

durkadurka

Bit insulting to conn perhaps? I reckon make him captain and bring him off after 60 for a standing ovation.


Ah fcuk it I'm being too fussy...

PhatPiggins

phog wrote: »

What english club let one of their forwards try that once? Was it Ibanez or Dallaglio for Wasps?

Your a whuer for these memory teasers. Something along those lines alright but its not that uncommon in England

phog

durkadurka wrote: »

Bit insulting to conn perhaps? I reckon make him captain and bring him off after 60 for a standing ovation.


Ah fcuk it I'm being too fussy...

Doubt it, I think they'd take it in the spirit it was meant, honouring a great player. He'll get a standing ovation anyway.

buck65

Apart from being disrespectful to Connacht, we may not score a try and Munster really don't do that kind of nonsense.

GerM

Remember Ollie Le Roux taking a conversion before. Think it was a pre-season match or a testimonial. Spent a minute teeing it and lining it up before hooking it about 20m away from himself and nowhere near the posts. If it was anyone else doing that preparation, I'd say they were taking the p*ss. With Ollie? I've no doubt he fully expected to slot it!

thomond2006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccQsyUk9vfs

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

Apart from being disrespectful to Connacht, we may not score a try and Munster really don't do that kind of nonsense.

Lighten up, you'll live longer.

buck65

Good point, I'm just cranky today.

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

Good point, I'm just cranky today.

Aren't we all but tomorrows still Friday

Digifriendly

Think I'm right in saying Kieran Dawson took conversion for Ulster vs Dragons in Matt Williams' first game in charge and IIRC he missed badly!

GerM

Digifriendly wrote: »

Think I'm right in saying Kieran Dawson took conversion for Ulster vs Dragons in Matt Williams' first game in charge and IIRC he missed badly!

I believe you're right. Think it was a fairly simple tap over too.

thomond2006

Munster:
P Warwick; S Zebo, J Murphy, L Mafi, D Barnes; D Cusack, P Stringer;
M Horan, M Sherry, S Archer; D Ryan, M O'Driscoll T O'Donnell, N Ronan, D Leamy capt.

Replacements: D Fogarty, D Hurley, J Hayes, A Quinlan, P Butler, D Williams, S Tuitupou, S Deasy.

It's all change.

Surprised Murray has been dropped completely, although he has played 3 consecutive games so it's maybe rotation. Could also be a sign that he is the nailed on first choice and he is being rested for bigger fry to come. Same with Felix Jones. I don't understand why they don't put Barnes at centre and Murphy on the wing.

Hopefully Williams and Fogarty will get meaningful gametime in this.

Otacon

They seem to be trying to force Murphy into that 13 jersey. He's a decent player who may adapt but to me, he's a winger.

With so much youth starting, I hope Stringer plays a blinder and helps control the game.

durkadurka

Are munster targeting the ospreys game?

Looks like a real b team to me. I thought they'd target this and be done with the league.

GerM

Cannot fathom the omission of Felix Jones at the expense of Warwick. He has only had a couple of games and needs to build on his momentum. Would have made way more sense to me to put Warwick in the centre to keep some control alongside Cusack at the expense of Mafi. Mafi will do nothing to take the pressure off Cusack. I wouldn't be surprised if we do see Warwick stepping in at first or second receiver on Munster ball with Mafi pushing one out and Johne Murphy dropping.

thomond2006

durkadurka wrote: »

Are munster targeting the ospreys game?

Looks like a real b team to me. I thought they'd target this and be done with the league.

They've done this every year under McGahan. They nearly always play a full strengh side in the ML game before Europe. I'd expect the lineup for the Ospreys to be much stronger.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
P Warwick; S Zebo, J Murphy, L Mafi, D Barnes; D Cusack, P Stringer;
M Horan, M Sherry, S Archer; D Ryan, M O'Driscoll T O'Donnell, N Ronan, D Leamy capt.

Replacements: D Fogarty, D Hurley, J Hayes, A Quinlan, P Butler, D Williams, S Tuitupou, S Deasy.

It's all change.

Surprised Murray has been dropped completely, although he has played 3 consecutive games so it's maybe rotation. Could also be a sign that he is the nailed on first choice and he is being rested for bigger fry to come. Same with Felix Jones. I don't understand why they don't put Barnes at centre and Murphy on the wing.

Hopefully Williams and Fogarty will get meaningful gametime in this.

Because Barnes is a centre and Murphy is best on the wing. Williams and Forgarty, meh, they wouldn't be any loss if they were both released in the summer.

buck65

I completely agree with this sort of team. After 2 very tough weekends it is right to give the fringe players a chance to stake a claim and rest the frontliners. I would expect more experimentation next week with the big guns brought in for 20 minutes.
Absolutely the right call IMO. We will beat Connacht in Thomond if we have to and we may have already secured first place by that stage.

thomond2006

GerM wrote: »

Cannot fathom the omission of Felix Jones at the expense of Warwick. He has only had a couple of games and needs to build on his momentum. Would have made way more sense to me to put Warwick in the centre to keep some control alongside Cusack at the expense of Mafi. Mafi will do nothing to take the pressure off Cusack. I wouldn't be surprised if we do see Warwick stepping in at first or second receiver on Munster ball with Mafi pushing one out and Johne Murphy dropping.

I think Warwick has babysitted Cusack in his two games for Munster. IMO we need to see how Cusack does as the main playmaker.

sock puppet

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think Warwick has babysitted Cusack in his two games for Munster. IMO we need to see how Cusack does as the main playmaker.

Yeah I'd like to see how he goes. Have all of his caps so far been with Warwick outside him?

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think Warwick has babysitted Cusack in his two games for Munster. IMO we need to see how Cusack does as the main playmaker.

Thats a really good point Thomond

some_dose

Scarlets 3 - Munster 0

CIARAN_BOYLE

3-3 now, warwick penalty

some_dose

Another Warick penalty 6-3 Munster.

Munster running some lovely lines and getting some line breaks and (I hope you're sitting down) the scrum has driven the Scarlets backwards!

castie

What did lewis adhudge the last penalty for? I thought he was entitled to step over ?

Risteard

some_dose wrote: »

Another Warick penalty 6-3 Munster.

Munster running some lovely lines and getting some line breaks and (I hope you're sitting down) the scrum has driven the Scarlets backwards!

I've been impressed with Archer in his recent outings. Hopefully he can improve further under Botha because he's looking like he's going to be our 2nd choice TH next year.

some_dose

Another brainfart from Murphy there :mad:

sioda

Cusack was looking good till he had to go off dangerous running from zebo as well

Just switched this on there. Scarletts spent last 5 minutes going from one side of the pitch to another.

Finally stretch the defence somewhat, and kick possession away with an overlap?

Devoid of invention or incision.

laugh

Was Murphy Gouged?

laugh

laugh wrote: »

Was Murphy Gouged?

No

some_dose

Deleted User wrote: »

Just switched this on there. Scarletts spent last 5 minutes going from one side of the pitch to another.

Finally stretch the defence somewhat, and kick possession away with an overlap?

Devoid of invention or incision.

I really am surprised at how poor they are when they are playing such an important match and against a second string Munster team. Like you said, devoid of any imagination.

some_dose

Barnes
Deasy

budhabob

GReat defense this half from munSter, no attack what so ever though

castie

Barnes has been poor.

Looking for far too much contact playing wing.
And also not aware of the touchline, twice drove guys in field instead of over the line.

some_dose

The Bull on. The scrum ................holds (for a change)

sioda

Try Go on zebo warwick tacks on the extras

Warwick's kicking style is lovely.

Slightly OT, but I think the Munster Jersey is absolutely horrible. Looks like a training bib that a pub 5-a-side team would wear.

CIARAN_BOYLE

castie wrote: »

Barnes has been poor.

Looking for far too much contact playing wing.
And also not aware of the touchline, twice drove guys in field instead of over the line.

He was driven into touch a couple of times and passed to Warwick when warwick was to close to the touchline to get any go forward movement

Munster lead 13 - 6 now, come on Munster kill off the Scarlets push for top 4

That's a smashing kick from Quinlan