Pro 12: Munster vs Ospreys, Sat 8 Oct 7:30pm; Live on RTÉ

thomond2006

Munster Squad (29) v Ospreys:
S Deasy; S Scanlon, D Howlett, S Zebo, J Murphy, D Hurley;
D Barnes, T Gleeson, L Mafi,
I Keatley,
D Williams, P Stringer;

M Horan, W du Preez, J Ryan, J Hayes, S Archer, BJ Botha,
D Fogarty, S Henry,
D Foley, I Nagle, M O'Driscoll, B Holland,
T O'Donnell, D O'Callaghan, N Ronan, P O'Mahony, P Butler.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9484.php

First competitive game at Thomond this year, finally I'm actually going to a game! Possibly John Hayes' last game too, given Munster have no fixtures until after the conclusion of the World Cup. I reckon there will be a lot of walk-ins should Ireland win in the morning! Should be a tough one, Ospreys are 5/5 so far this season.

I'd like to see:
du Preez, Henry, Hayes*, Nagle, Micko, O'Mahony, O'Donnell, Butler;
Stringer, Keatley, Hurley, Mafi, Barnes, Howlett, Murphy

Bench: Fogarty, Horan, Botha, Holland, Ronan, Williams, Deasy, Zebo

*If it is Bull's last game, give him 50/60 minutes for a last hurrah. He deserves it.

marco_polo

"Live on RTÉ" :eek:

Looking forward to this one, haven't actually had the chance to see Keatley in a red jersey yet. Although two world cup semi finals if will be a tough act to follow.

andrewdcs

Nice, pub at 17:00 for Leinster Connacht then Munster Ospreys, hopefully to celebrate a win in the morning.

lemme see that'll be nearly 5 1/2 hours of Rugby.... :eek::D

Fishooks12

Would be great watching this if we manage to beat Wales that morning!

Digifriendly

andrewdcs wrote: »

Nice, pub at 17:00 for Leinster Connacht then Munster Ospreys, hopefully to celebrate a win in the morning.

lemme see that'll be nearly 5 1/2 hours of Rugby.... :eek::D

Why not go to AIL game in the afternoon as well and maybe a schools match in mid morning and there's a full day of rugby?!

ambid

thomond2006 wrote: »

...I'd like to see:
du Preez, Henry, Hayes*, Nagle, Micko, O'Mahony, O'Donnell, Butler;
Stringer, Keatley, Hurley, Mafi, Barnes, Howlett, Murphy...

No Holland or Ronan? Don't they need a little experience against the Ospreys?

Riskymove

ambid wrote: »

No Holland or Ronan? Don't they need a little experience against the Ospreys?

Ronan needing experience?

AtItAllDayRef

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster Squad (29) v Ospreys:
S Deasy; S Scanlon, D Howlett, S Zebo, J Murphy, D Hurley;
D Barnes, T Gleeson, L Mafi,
I Keatley,
D Williams, P Stringer;

M Horan, W du Preez, J Ryan, J Hayes, S Archer, BJ Botha,
D Fogarty, S Henry,
D Foley, I Nagle, M O'Driscoll, B Holland,
T O'Donnell, D O'Callaghan, N Ronan, P O'Mahony, P Butler.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9484.php

First competitive game at Thomond this year, finally I'm actually going to a game! Possibly John Hayes' last game too, given Munster have no fixtures until after the conclusion of the World Cup. I reckon there will be a lot of walk-ins should Ireland win in the morning! Should be a tough one, Ospreys are 5/5 so far this season.

I'd like to see:
du Preez, Henry, Hayes*, Nagle, Micko, O'Mahony, O'Donnell, Butler;
Stringer, Keatley, Hurley, Mafi, Barnes, Howlett, Murphy

Bench: Fogarty, Horan, Botha, Ronan, Williams, Deasy, Zebo

*If it is Bull's last game, give him 50/60 minutes for a last hurrah. He deserves it.

I'd expect an announcement on Bull in the coming weeks and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay on as cover for the rest of the season on a Munster contract.

marco_polo

AtItAllDayRef wrote: »

I'd expect an announcement on Bull in the coming weeks and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay on as cover for the rest of the season on a Munster contract.

Munster stated a few week back that they had no plans to extend the contract.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/hayes-absence-from-munster-squad-signals-end-of-road-for-red-legend-2810999.html

CIARAN_BOYLE

Riskymove wrote: »

Ronan needing experience?

I think it was meant experience in the side to provide leadership Hayes WDP and MOD provide steel for the pack imo

Riskymove

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I think it was meant experience in the side to provide leadership Hayes WDP and MOD provide steel for the pack imo

ah!

'they' = Munster not Holland and Ronan:D

thomond2006

AtItAllDayRef wrote: »

I'd expect an announcement on Bull in the coming weeks and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay on as cover for the rest of the season on a Munster contract.

As much of a ligind Bull is, that would be a really backwards decision.

ambid

ambid wrote: »

No Holland or Ronan? Don't they need a little experience against the Ospreys?

Riskymove wrote: »

Ronan needing experience?

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I think it was meant experience in the side to provide leadership Hayes WDP and MOD provide steel for the pack imo

Riskymove wrote: »

ah!

'they' = Munster not Holland and Ronan:D

Yes, sorry, I wasn't clear. I questioned if Holland and Ronan could add value to Thomond's suggested side as they are experienced, Thomond suggested a young backrow + Nagle, and Ospreys are quite good this year.

Sorry for any confusion

Jess16

Can't wait for this, the Munster men seem to love loading heavy tackles onto the Beckhams of rugby and the morning match is going to add a great edge. For all his experience, would wonder how Micko's fitness will stand up against a team that love running

GerM

Jess16 wrote: »

Can't wait for this, the Munster men seem to love loading heavy tackles onto the Beckhams of rugby and the morning match is going to add a great edge. For all his experience, would wonder how Micko's fitness will stand up against a team that love running

Ospreys ain't no Beckhams no more. The region made a conscious decision to change the image and ethos of the side. I've been seriously impressed with them. They've dumped the prima donnas and gone back to basics. Their team is filled with young locals and experienced journeymen now. The fact that they're 5/5 thus far and top of the table says it all. Their supposed superstars were playing like rabble for the last month or two of last season.

Munster should have enough to beat them but the Ospreys certainly aren't going to make it easy. It's the perfect game for the Munster youngsters. At home but against some experienced, tough and intelligent players.

Riskymove

GerM wrote: »

Ospreys ain't no Beckhams no more. The region made a conscious decision to change the image and ethos of the side. I've been seriously impressed with them. They've dumped the prima donnas and gone back to basics.

Translation = They ran out of money

GerM

Riskymove wrote: »

Translation = They ran out of money

They didn't. Mike Cuddy is still their sugar daddy. Whilst I'm sure it's an added benefit of trimming away the big names, they're not broke. The players they got rid of were problem players that they didn't want hanging around i.e. Lee Byrne, Mike Phillips, Jerry Collins. They wanted to hang onto Hook but he left regardless for stupid money in France. The big names haven't rewarded them as they had hoped so they're deciding to go down the route of youth and Welsh talent and hoping to bring back in the crowds that way.

AtItAllDayRef

marco_polo wrote: »

Munster stated a few week back that they had no plans to extend the contract.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/hayes-absence-from-munster-squad-signals-end-of-road-for-red-legend-2810999.html

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/hayes-retirement-put-on-hold-168523.html

Borlase is still injured and doesn't look to be up to the standard required. That only leaves Botha and Archer as TH's in the squad with any sort of experience. If Botha was to get injured (again) before the Saints game who would be on the bench?

irishbucsfan

The thing I don't get about Ospreys is, if they just completely copied the model in place at Leinster, Ulster or now even Munster they'd be easilly one of the best teams in Europe.

theKramer

I remember reading an article earlier this year where they stated that this is what they are now doing. If it works for Leinster/Munster, then why not them, is what Ospreys were saying...

PhatPiggins

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The thing I don't get about Ospreys is, if they just completely copied the model in place at Leinster, Ulster or now even Munster they'd be easilly one of the best teams in Europe.

They'd still have a crap fan base though. Neath and Swansea are bitter rivals. I know geographically the merge made sense but imagine if you lumped Munster and Leinster together and told everyone to go support them in their new stadium in Wexford!

If they didn't have Cuddy pouring money in they'd be bankrupt by now.

irishbucsfan

PhatPiggins wrote: »

They'd still have a crap fan base though. Neath and Swansea are bitter rivals. I know geographically the merge made sense but imagine if you lumped Munster and Leinster together and told everyone to go support them in their new stadium in Wexford!

If they didn't have Cuddy pouring money in they'd be bankrupt by now.

Their fan base is better than Leinster's was when they committed to the current set up, so I don't really see how that would change anything. They just need to focus on their academy. It would be better if the WRU could lead the initiative by favouring Welsh-based players.

wixfjord

PhatPiggins wrote: »

They'd still have a crap fan base though. Neath and Swansea are bitter rivals. I know geographically the merge made sense but imagine if you lumped Munster and Leinster together and told everyone to go support them in their new stadium in Wexford!

If they didn't have Cuddy pouring money in they'd be bankrupt by now.

Nah, we're vehemently anti Munster down here!

andrewdcs

wixfjord wrote: »

Nah, we're vehemently anti Munster down here!

The Wexford Waterford rivalry is like Pakistan India, Japan China and NZ Australia rolled into one very uncomfortable Gateaux jam roll.

irishbucsfan

wixfjord wrote: »

Nah, we're vehemently anti Munster down here!

I know quite a few Munster fans down that way!

budhabob

Munster. Johne Murphy; Doug Howlett, Danny Barnes, Lifeimi Mafi, Denis Hurley; Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley; Wian du Preez, Denis Fogarty, Stephen Archer; Billy Holland, Mick O'Driscoll; Dave O'Callaghan, Niall Ronan, Peter O'Mahony capt. Replacements: Sean Henry, Marcus Horan, BJ Botha, Ian Nagle, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter Stringer, Scott Deasy, Simon Zebo.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9494.php

Good to see youth in there in the form of Archer, DOC2.0, and POM. Also i think Holland has been quite good so far so deserving of the start.

Jess16

GerM wrote: »

Ospreys ain't no Beckhams no more. The region made a conscious decision to change the image and ethos of the side. I've been seriously impressed with them. They've dumped the prima donnas and gone back to basics. Their team is filled with young locals and experienced journeymen now. The fact that they're 5/5 thus far and top of the table says it all. Their supposed superstars were playing like rabble for the last month or two of last season

I've been seriously impressed with them too and the Beckham reference was more of a nod to their silky skills style of play than their off-pitch image. Jonathan Humphreys is strongly playing the 'Munster fans being the 16th man' card in order to achieve underdog status, which I don't buy into at all.

Even as a Leinster girl, I'd love to see Munster winning but I'd be afraid that Ospreys preference for fast, open play will make Munster look heavy and flat-footed on the ball. Was surprised to see John Hayes hasn't been named and I doubt Strings will be on the bench for too long

wixfjord

budhabob wrote: »

Munster. Johne Murphy; Doug Howlett, Danny Barnes, Lifeimi Mafi, Denis Hurley; Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley; Wian du Preez, Denis Fogarty, Stephen Archer; Billy Holland, Mick O'Driscoll; Dave O'Callaghan, Niall Ronan, Peter O'Mahony capt. Replacements: Sean Henry, Marcus Horan, BJ Botha, Ian Nagle, Tommy O'Donnell, Peter Stringer, Scott Deasy, Simon Zebo.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9494.php

Good to see youth in there in the form of Archer, DOC2.0, and POM. Also i think Holland has been quite good so far so deserving of the start.

McGahan doing a France on it is he?!
I presume that's Keatley at 10 and Williams at 9?

wixfjord

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I know quite a few Munster fans down that way!

There certainly are lots of Lunsters around these parts, even though Darce is one of our own. I grew up with it!
Changing now though for some reason. :rolleyes:

thomond2006

Decent team, I'm looking forward to seeing DOC2.0 for the first time. Hopefully they'll be a decent crowd (especially if Ireland win in the morning).

thomond2006

15 Barry Davies
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Tom Isaacs
12 Andrew Bishop
11 Richard Fussell
10 Dan Biggar
9 Rhys Webb

1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Cai Griffiths
4 Ian Gough
5 Ian Evans
6 Joe Bearman
7 Justin Tipuric (Capt)
8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements:
16 Mefin Davies
17 Aaron Jarvis
18 Joe Rees
19 Tom Smith
20 James King
21 Matthew Morgan
22 Sonny Parker
23 Kristian Phillips

[Jackass]

On paper I'd go for Ospreys, but in reality Munster will win fairly comfortably.

phog

James Jones is the ref, that will mean at least 7 points for one team, the only thing is which team.

wixfjord

Strong Ospreys team.

thomond2006

According to MFs 17,000+ tickets have been sold. Not a bad figure considering this game is being completely overshadowed by events taking place 12 hours earlier.

andrewdcs

thomond2006 wrote: »

According to MFs 17,000+ tickets have been sold. Not a bad figure considering this game is being completely overshadowed by events taking place 12 hours earlier.

Id say the "warm up" early doors will make the atmos, funeral or wedding, shure we'll have a lash.

Fireball07

I shall be seeking solace...


Not that pro12 can in anyway make up for the World Cup, it doesn't even come close to making up for the Heineken Cup but still it's a start. Hoping for a big performance and a win.

phog

I really doubt they'll be anything like 17,000 supporters there, me thinks it'll more like a morgue than a celebration but hopefully Munster can turn today around for us.

Raining away here in Limerick at the moment so that wont help.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

I really doubt they'll be anything like 17,000 supporters there, me thinks it'll more like a morgue than a celebration but hopefully Munster can turn today around for us.

Raining away here in Limerick at the moment so that wont help.

Seen another MF post saying 14,000. I think that's a more realistic figure.

Yeah it'll be like a morgue unless Munster play like the Fiji of old.

irishbucsfan

I was going to watch this match until I saw James Jones run out onto the pitch

CIARAN_BOYLE

Come on Munster

I think Munster can do it tonight

Iron Hide

Nice one Danny Barnes! Great blockdown!

CIARAN_BOYLE

Danny Barnes pops up with his third try of the season

cson

Good work by Barnes charging that down.

7-0

GerM

He's far from the finished article but he works his ass off at the little things like chasing things down. Well deserved the try for the effort.

cson

Very immature from Peter O'Mahony there. Especially as Captain.

GerM

cson wrote: »

Very immature from Peter O'Mahony there. Especially as Captain.

Didn't see it but saw Jones giving someone a dressing down. What did he do?

Micky Dolenz

Munster 7 Ospreys 3 9 mins

GerM

Munster fortunate to get that. Archer was just driven through. Pen Ospreys at next scrum. Long night ahead of the young lad. If blonde hair-bear was Irish, he'd be in NZ.

cson

GerM wrote: »

Didn't see it but saw Jones giving someone a dressing down. What did he do?

He was on the ground after the first penalty was conceded and as he was getting up put his hand down on a Ospreys player's head to help himself up. Childish really.

Will23

much better scrum there...