Ospreys V Munster, Saturday April 23rd, 18:30 KO

some_dose

Squad was announced today -

Munster Squad: F Jones, S Deasy, D Howlett, S Zebo, L Mafi, P Warwick, K Earls, D Barnes, R O'Gara, P Stringer, C Murray, M Horan, W du Preez, D Hurley, J Hayes, T Buckley, S Archer, D Varley, M Sherry, I Nagle, D O'Callaghan, D Ryan, A Quinlan, D Wallace, T O'Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan.

While the home semi final is sown up, I still expect Munster to really go for this one as I think there is unfinished business from the last time they met. The Spreys are in no great shapes but still pose a threat of course. I wouldn't be too worried about the 'home advantage' as from what I can make out, most ML matches played in Wales are played in 1/4 full stadiums.

I'm going to go out on a limb here but say that Munster will shade it by 5 to 7 points.

thomond2006

Munster Squad:
F Jones, S Deasy, D Howlett, S Zebo, L Mafi, K Earls, D Barnes,
P Warwick, R O'Gara,
P Stringer, C Murray,
M Horan, W du Preez, D Hurley, J Hayes, T Buckley, S Archer,
D Varley, M Sherry,
I Nagle, D O'Callaghan, D Ryan,
A Quinlan, D Wallace, T O'Donnell, N Ronan, J Coughlan.

Well it's not a full strength squad, Leamy and Micko have been left out. Johne Murphy and Declan Cusack are injured. Tuitupou left out too.

I'd like to see:
du Preez, Varley, Buckley, DOC, Nagle, TOD, Wallace, Coughlan;
Murray, ROG, Earls, Mafi, Barnes, Zebo, Jones

Bench: Sherry, Horan, Archer, Ryan, Quinlan, Stringer, Warwick, Howlett

I think that's a good mixture of giving the first teamers gametime and playing some youngsters.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Howlett has to play imo, he didn't play last week and Munster don't want him not to have played in 3 weeks come the semi final

What I would play probably

du Preez, Varley, Buckley, DOC, Nagle, TOD, Wallace, Coughlan;
Murray, ROG, Earls, Mafi, Barnes, Howlett, Jones

PhatPiggins

Zebo gets in ahead of Barnes for me and I'd start Horan, he's form is getting better with every game.

val_jester

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Zebo gets in ahead of Barnes for me and I'd start Horan, he's form is getting better with every game.

Barnes is an actual 13 though whereas Zebo is a wing so they aren't competing for the same position.

I'd love to see barnes at 13 for this game, I know people have issues with his lack of height but I don't think is that big a deal as he is a technically excellent tackler and hits really hard. He also has a bit of pace and his a good passer despite what one of his efforts last week may lead you to believe.

ScrubsfanChris

I'd change that title before you get a warning from the Mod's

Could be a close game, but Ospreys will want/need it more than we do becasue of thier table placement. The head says Ospreys win with losing bonus for us.

profitius

val_jester wrote: »

Barnes is an actual 13 though whereas Zebo is a wing so they aren't competing for the same position.

I'd love to see barnes at 13 for this game, I know people have issues with his lack of height but I don't think is that big a deal as he is a technically excellent tackler and hits really hard. He also has a bit of pace and his a good passer despite what one of his efforts last week may lead you to believe.

I'd like a closer look at Barnes myself. 13 is a problem position for Ireland so there'd be no harm in trying him there.

I do hope they put out a strong team for this match. Try knock the O's out of the playoffs because they are dangerous still.

My team would be something like:

Du Preez, Varley, Archer
MOD, D Ryan
Wallace, Quinlan, Coughlan
Warwick, Murray
Zebo, Mafi, Barnes, Howlett
Jones

Mushy, Earls. ROG, Stringer, Horan, DOC, TOD

The Munster squad is strong in many areas so changes hardly weaken the team. The bench would have an impact.

jolley123

profitius wrote: »

13 is a problem position for Ireland so there'd be no harm in trying him there.

It is?

I wouldn't be of the same opinion seeing as we have one of the world greatest players in Brian O'Driscoll in that position. And as back up we have a very experienced Earls and Bowe. Not to mention the impressive Spence. And then you have some impressive up and comers coming through like Macken and O'Malley.

brianthebard

jolley123 wrote: »

It is?

I wouldn't be of the same opinion seeing as we have one of the world greatest players in Brian O'Driscoll in that position. And as back up we have a very experienced Earls and Bowe.

People are mad to move Earls and Bowe about as much as possible in the event of any injuries. I don't see how its a solution though.

PhatPiggins

brianthebard wrote: »

People are mad to move Earls and Bowe about as much as possible in the event of any injuries. I don't see how its a solution though.

It is but it gives the comfortable illusion of depth at 13. In reality the gap between O'Driscoll and the next international ready 13 is a canyon

some_dose

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

The head says Ospreys win with losing bonus for us.

Just like the Scarlets desperately needed the win against us

I reckon that we'll put out a strong team and will definitely go all out to win this - this is pride at stake!

profitius

jolley123 wrote: »

It is?

I wouldn't be of the same opinion seeing as we have one of the world greatest players in Brian O'Driscoll in that position. And as back up we have a very experienced Earls and Bowe. Not to mention the impressive Spence. And then you have some impressive up and comers coming through like Macken and O'Malley.

I ment its a problem position for Munster. Dunno why I said Ireland.

Amazotheamazing

val_jester wrote: »

Barnes is an actual 13 though whereas Zebo is a wing so they aren't competing for the same position.

I'd love to see barnes at 13 for this game, I know people have issues with his lack of height but I don't think is that big a deal as he is a technically excellent tackler and hits really hard. He also has a bit of pace and his a good passer despite what one of his efforts last week may lead you to believe.

Why do people still think Barnes is short? While munsterrugby.ie might be generous saying he's 6 foot he's certainly not short. I'd say he's taller than Sam T anyhow, and Tipoki and both of those guys can do damage.

val_jester

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Why do people still think Barnes is short? While munsterrugby.ie might be generous saying he's 6 foot he's certainly not short. I'd say he's taller than Sam T anyhow, and Tipoki and both of those guys can do damage.

He's not the tallest and he looks very slight but like I said I don't think its a problem and he has a lot of power when tackling.

thomond2006

Munster:
F Jones; D Howlett, L Mafi, P Warwick, K Earls; R O'Gara capt, C Murray; M Horan, D Varley, J Hayes; I Nagle, D O'Callaghan; D Ryan, D Wallace, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, T Buckley, T O'Donnell, N Ronan, P Stringer, D Barnes, S Zebo.

Very happy with that side. Hopefully Warwick at 12 can bring the best out of Mafi. I have qualms about the props but hopefully they can do the business. Great to see Nagle finally getting a start.

Ospreys team to face Munster

15 Lee Byrne
14 Nikki Walker
13 Tommy Bowe
12 James Hook
11 Richard Fussell
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb
1 Ryan Bevington
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Ian Gough
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Justin Tipuric
7 Marty Holah
8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements
16 Huw Bennett
17 Paul James
18 Duncan Jones
19 Ryan Jones
20 Jerry Collins
21 Mike Phillips
22 Andrew Bishop
23 Sonny Parker

I think Munster can do this. Should be a hell of a game!

GerM

It's going to be a big ask of Munster to win this one. The Ospreys, on paper, have the stronger side the the front 5 for Munster will have to really step up for them to be in with a chance. With that said, if ROG gets into the swing of things he could really torment the Ospreys. I'd be concerned with the pace and power of Bowe attacking the inside shoulder of Mafi and Warwick being the man to assist. I think Bowe could get some joy there. Other big concern are the respective benches. On or off form, the Ospreys bench has several big name game breakers there. Parker, Bishop, Phillips and Collins all have the ability to make a serious impact which the Munster counterparts don't really possess to the same degree.

Cpt_Blackbeard

val_jester wrote: »

He's not the tallest and he looks very slight but like I said I don't think its a problem and he has a lot of power when tackling.

MunsterRugby had him down as being 5'4'' for a while and I think that lead people to think that he was smaller than he was. He'd probably be taller than D'Arcy, BOD and Earls.

I'd be more worried about him being sinbinned, as is the party trick of all of our Kiwi centres.

Cpt_Blackbeard

I really like the look of our team from 4-15. I'm worried about seeing the Bull and Marcus come up against Adam Jones and co.; we really need to find near-parity in the scrum. I'm hoping that we don't see a repeat of the December manshaming of the scrum.

We have an exciting looking backline though and I hope that Barnes and Zebo see gametime.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Unceremoniously stolen from MunsterFans:

De Villiers interested in making return to Munster

By Paul Dollery and Barry Coughlan

Friday, April 22, 2011

JEAN DE VILLIERS is interested in returning to Munster after this year’s World Cup.

The Springbok centre spent last season with Tony McGahan’s side, before returning to South Africa to prepare for their defence of the Webb Ellis Trophy, which begins in New Zealand in September.

De Villiers, capped 67 times by his country, scored eight tries in 23 appearances for Munster last season.

Munster are looking to bolster their options at centre for next season, with Sam Tuitupou and Paul Warwick both departing shortly.

"I’m keeping all my options open and Munster is definitely one of them," said de Viliers. "My contract at Western Province is up at the end of this season.

"When the time comes to make a decision, going back to Munster is something I will consider if I’m given the opportunity.

"I made so many friends there so it would be fantastic to go back. It would be like coming home again, in a way. I’d like to see it as a possibility after the World Cup."

De Villiers is currently lining out with the Stormers, who are the top South African side in the Super 15.

The 30-year-old has also captained the team on a number of occasions in the absence of regular skipper Schalk Burger.

He added: "My experience with Munster last season was fantastic and they’re a team I’d recommend to any player."

Meanwhile, Munster coach Tony McGahan has rung the changes again as he brings a stronger side back to Wales for the second week in succession — to take on old rivals the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow night (6.30pm).

Following Munster’s dramatic win over the Scarlets last week, McGahan has to do without a trio of injured players, Johne Murphy (eye), Declan Cusack (shoulder) and Sam Tuitupou (calf), while others are either rested or re-diverted to play with Munster A against Moseley tomorrow afternoon (3pm).

Mick O’Driscoll and Denis Leamy are rested in advance of Munster’s Amlin Cup semi final date with Harlequins, while Paddy Butler, Denis Fogarty and Duncan Williams can all expect to be included in the A squad.

With two games left, nothing can topple Munster from their lofty perch at the top of the table, but team manager Shaun Payne is anxious to continue the recent run of form that has secured victories over Cardiff, Leinster, Brive and the Scarlets.

"There are a lot of changes from last week but we’re anxious to keep building momentum towards next week and Harlequins," said Payne.

"What’s in it for us? We’re anxious to perform, we’re a competitive squad and we’re very lucky at the minute to have the vast majority of our players available for selection.

"In the past, maybe the selection of our team was cut and dried, but it’s nowhere near that nowadays.

"I know we’re going to finish top of the league, nothing will change that now, but there is a lot to play for; we need to perform, especially against the Ospreys, because potentially we could be meeting them again this season."

While Munster have already secured that home play-off semi-final and will book a home final should they win that, the Ospreys’ shock defeat to the Dragons last week put a major dent in their play-off hopes.

The reigning champions dropped to fourth in the league and the Cardiff Blues are breathing down their necks, two points behind with a game in hand.

And Ospreys coach Jonathan Humphreys is adamant the Ospreys must win their two remaining games to have any chance of staying in the play-off places.

"We’re in a must-win situation. Anything other than a win puts us out of it. The stark reality is we are reliant on other people’s results now," he said.

He doesn’t expect any favours from Munster, even if the Irish side have nothing particular to gain by winning this weekend: "Munster are a proud bunch. I don’t think they’ll be taking their foot off the throttle; this, after all, is the place where we beat them in the Heineken Cup. I’m sure they’ll want to put that right."

TheHighRoad

As a Leinster fan I would be delighted if Munster went for JDV again if it meant Munster would not go for Nonu. D'arcy and BOD got the better of JDV every time they played so happy days

profitius

TheHighRoad wrote: »

As a Leinster fan I would be delighted if Munster went for JDV again if it meant Munster would not go for Nonu. D'arcy and BOD got the better of JDV every time they played so happy days

I'd have him over D'Arcy any day.

CatFromHue

this is now a must win game, if it wasnt before the ulster result, of ospreys are pretty much out!

im sure there is some bad blood between the teams after the heineken cup games so here is hoping munster get stuck in

durkadurka

Leinster and ulster will be right behind ye lads tomorrow! Would be great to have three irish teams in the semi and an all Ireland final.

phog

While I'd love to see Munster win this game I really cant see us pull it off, I know we're not the team under pressure but with all the big names at Ospreys they should feel fairly comfortable meeting this Munster team in the Liberty Stadium especially after seeing us off in the H/C there in December.

This is a must win game for the Ospreys and it's theirs almost for the taking but nothing would give me greater pleasure than Munster putting a stop to them trying to retain the M/L cup.

durkadurka

Stadium about 25 per cent fill

some_dose

Another Welsh stadium sparsely populated. Serious problems with Welsh rugby

suppafly

warwick taken out there and nothing. A few mins ago o'driscoll was tackled before he even got the ball too

CIARAN_BOYLE

suppafly wrote: »

warwick taken out there and nothing. A few mins ago o'driscoll was tackled before he even got the ball too

there has been two or three off the ball incidents tonight

SarahBM

I hate when they refer to the referee's calls as being "interesting". dont they mean wrong?!?!

I was impressed with Varley the last time I saw him against Leinster, but he seems to have difficulty throwing straight into the lineout.

very nearly by Earls.

Come on Munster!

durkadurka

Hard luck earls, looking very sharp

GerM

Bad mess up from Bowe defensively there. Shot up at 13 leaving a massive gap. If you shoot up, you have to cut off the possession. Got out of jail with Earls dropping it over the line.

jolley123

Fair tackle

durkadurka

The first tackle on earls looked late

SomeFool

Earls is lively so far

suppafly

jolley123 wrote: »

Fair tackle

just about. he does actually tackle him just before he gets it but it was 50/50 and would have been a harsh call against ospreys. first tackle looked late after he went to kick

thomond2006

No score yet? ML site says 0-0.

SomeFool

Still 0-0
Scrum has been poor enough so far

SarahBM

he was so out!!!

durkadurka

Foot in touch

Kaka10

Munster remind me of a soccer team coached by Fabio Capello. Effective but very boring and cautious.

thomond2006

SomeFool wrote: »

Still 0-0

ha like the game in thomond back in september then!

SomeFool

Kaka10 wrote: »

Munster remind me of a soccer team coached by Fabio Capello. Effective but very boring and cautious.

No soccer team will ever be as effective as Munster

suppafly

Great tackle by connor murray. The pass out to hook from hibbard looked a bit forward too

CIARAN_BOYLE

Munster 3 Ospreys 0

edit plenty of glitches with the commentry with RTE

SomeFool

How much did Jones's mammy give Lenihan before kick off???

SarahBM

nearly Mafi!! come on Munster.

no atmosphere there at all!

thomond2006

Borderline early tackle on Mafi??

Fantastic turnover by Coughlan in the buildup.

ambid

durkadurka wrote: »

Stadium about 25 per cent fill

That's awful isn't it? Two outstanding teams, champions vs. leaders, great stadium, lovely day - and still a poor attendance. I hope Welsh rugby sort themselves out.

In fairness merging Welsh regions was always going to be difficult, but it's been 8 years now and they all have a great infrastructure and have had some success but still poor crowds. I hope they sort themselves out.

jolley123

thomond2006 wrote: »

Borderline early tackle on Mafi??

Fantastic turnover by Coughlan in the buildup.

Justice really, Munster turned over the ball illegally.

I'd like to see Earl get more of the ball. He's looks so dangerous.

suppafly

unlucky there for warwick. got a really bad bounce. Might have been away if it had bounced up

thomond2006

Byrne off and he doesn't look injured?