Northampton V Munster Sat 21st @ 18:00

phog

So Munster travel to Milton Keynes next Saturday already qualified but needing a win to be sure of a home Q/F. It's a big ask as the Saints are in the running for a Amlin Cup place and I'd guess even if they weren't they'd love to beat Munster anyway. I'd be hopeful of a win but it will be our hardest game of the pool stages. At least we're not heading their in a pool decider which most of us predicted when the poll and schedule was announced.

Ben Foden on the game

Northampton Saints' Ben Foden says his side 'owe' Munster when the two teams meet in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

The Saints fell to an injury-time defeat after Ronan O'Gara's last minute drop goal when they faced the Irish side in November.

Tin Foil Hat

I predict a big win for Munster. I have a feeling this is going to be our big game of this years tournament.

irishbucsfan

I live in London, might head up to this and give the Munster fans some support.

Any word on tickets? I dread going to MFs to check it out!

phog

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I live in London, might head up to this and give the Munster fans some support.

Any word on tickets? I dread going to MFs to check it out!

I read it was a sell-out.

durkadurka

Tin Foil Hat wrote: »

I predict a big win for Munster. I have a feeling this is going to be our big game of this years tournament.

I predict a fight to the death with Munster struggling to get a lbp

irishbucsfan

durkadurka wrote: »

Tin Foil Hat wrote: »

I predict a big win for Munster. I have a feeling this is going to be our big game of this years tournament.

I predict a fight to the death with Munster struggling to get a lbp

If it is a fight to the death I wouldnt expect anything other than a Munster win!

bamboozle

the saints gained revenge against the scarlets on saturday and i'd expect them to do the same against munster.
In saying that i cant stand the saints and would love to see Munster win.

phog

bamboozle wrote: »

the saints gained revenge against the scarlets on saturday and i'd expect them to do the same against munster.
In saying that i cant stand the saints and would love to see Munster win.

lesser of two evils

Benny Cake

With a big Munster crowd in attendance I hope Munster can up it a few gears and put in a performance to be proud of the finish the group stages. A home quarter is essential. A trip to Toulouse would, I fear, be a bridge too far for this Munster side... On the flip side, with a home quarter, anything is possible and we can dare to dream again!!

ReallyWiggy

yeah - we really have to win this one and get the home QF. The optimist in me says we have a ton of potential left in the team - if we could have a close to error free game it would make a massive difference. Would be fantastic to finish 6 out of 6 from a difficult group.

Big Nelly

Cant see past a Saints win but I did say that in first match and you seen where my predication went then....

Still away from fortress Limerick and with Northampton finally getting some form together I think this will be a challenge too much for Munster.

Can't wait for the game, will be enjoying a few pints after a bonus point Leinster win.....can't wait!!:D

browne_rob5

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I live in London, might head up to this and give the Munster fans some support.

Any word on tickets? I dread going to MFs to check it out!

Tickets are sold out but there are some available from Northampton season ticket holders here.

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8512&sid=49306f02eeba62d67475cd5b81321fae

Fireball07

It's win or bust really... because no one in their right mind wants to risk going away to Toulouse.

If we win, we're likely to get Cardiff/Edinburgh which is definitely winnable.

I think we can do it, but I'm not sure we will. We'll always be hard to beat, our set-piece is very strong and if we iron out a few mistakes, we could grind out a win. The loss of Ronan in addition to the loss of Leamy, Butler and TOD is pretty big. He was going very well and we're really scraping the barrel for replacements.

Thank God POC and ROG are still fit, they can pull us through.

markest

Our next league match is not until 11 Feb so, I think we will be going all out for the bonus point win and with Clermont, Edinburgh and Quins losing without a lbp and Biarritz or Ospreys not getting a tbp we should just about squeak into the HC Q/F's.

buck65

We've already qualified along with Leinster.

Northampton should win this one but you never know...
still though Munster are so poor now we could get a hiding or...win it!?
God knows.

markest

When I say "our" i mean Northampton. COYS

buck65

Ok I see.

Actually can't really believew that Saints are out, along with Clermont they are the best side in the past few seasons and both couldn't get it together.
Remeber Brock James horror show in the RDS? Saints left it behind last year too and the year before looked very good.

Fireball07

markest wrote: »

Our next league match is not until 11 Feb so, I think we will be going all out for the bonus point win and with Clermont, Edinburgh and Quins losing without a lbp and Biarritz or Ospreys not getting a tbp we should just about squeak into the HC Q/F's.

I wonder what odds you'd get on that happening

ray jay

markest wrote: »

Our next league match is not until 11 Feb so, I think we will be going all out for the bonus point win and with Clermont, Edinburgh and Quins losing without a lbp and Biarritz or Ospreys not getting a tbp we should just about squeak into the HC Q/F's.

Yeah that's not going to happen. Saints should win but way too many matches would have to go against expectations for them to make the QFs.

markest

Yeah, only jesting, when you lose the first 3 games of the pool stage it certainly doesn't help.
Think we were lucky to reach the final last year but thought we had grown up a bit this season. Unfortunately the new signings didn't gel quick enough but maybe make it 3 all between Saints/Munster on Sat.

buck65

Actually it's becoming quite the rivalry.

GerM

buck65 wrote: »

Actually can't really believew that Saints are out, along with Clermont they are the best side in the past few seasons and both couldn't get it together.
Remeber Brock James horror show in the RDS? Saints left it behind last year too and the year before looked very good.

Saints are good but not great. Last season they had a freakish run to the final in terms of the sides they faced. They never had to play a top European side. It's an odd year when you can get to the final without playing any of the top teams from T14, Pro12 or AP and get there. Don't think they were anything great the season before either. Munster were far better than them but made heavy work of them in Thomond. They got through to the QF because they had an Italian side (two wins automatically a couple of years ago) and Perpignan who are always a shambles away from home who they beat 34-0. That was 14 points automatically.

This season they just played very naively. I'll never understand the Lamb situation given he's very similar to Geraghty. They play a forwards game with their back three being lethal on any loose ball the opposition provide. They built their game on a powerful pack, set piece, relatively solid out half and direct carriers in the midfield to supplement the pack. They brought in Lamb who is a very talented player but he's someone that should be playing the home games or the games where he's going to get an armchair ride. I found his playing of the Munster game inexplicable. Missed kicks at goal, missed kicks to touch, missed tackles. I think we might see him start this weekend though. If he is on song, he could punish Munster. If Munster get to him and rattle him, he'll be their downfall again.

I think they might sneak a win at home this weekend because they're going to be seriously up for it and Munster's injuries could hurt them. I think they'll look to get Ashton and Foden linking and isolating Zebo who is a little suspect still defensively. Nothing's guaranteed though with the likes of POC and ROG on the pitch. If Munster outmuscle them at the breakdown, ROG will punish them and Northampton will struggle.

thomond2006

I think GerM is spot on with their 10 situation. They should get rid of both Lamb and Myler and get someone of top quality like Nick Evans.

[Jackass]

buck65 wrote: »

Ok I see.

Actually can't really believew that Saints are out, along with Clermont they are the best side in the past few seasons and both couldn't get it together.
Remeber Brock James horror show in the RDS? Saints left it behind last year too and the year before looked very good.

:rolleyes:

Neither team has been near the best in Europe at all over the last number of seasons.

Clermont are getting better in Europe every season, but still aren't the best in Europe, but they may get there.

There's only been 2 teams in Europe for 3 years now (this possibly being the 4th) and that's Leinster and Tolouse.

cgpg5

Munster seem to have great difficulty scoring tries. Northampton don't. Northampton don't lose easily at home. Northampton are the better team. I have no doubt that they'll win.

Hope Munster do though, but the best they can hope for is a losing bonus point imo.

Digifriendly

markest wrote: »

Our next league match is not until 11 Feb so, I think we will be going all out for the bonus point win and with Clermont, Edinburgh and Quins losing without a lbp and Biarritz or Ospreys not getting a tbp we should just about squeak into the HC Q/F's.

Don't understand this at all - Clermont/Edinburgh and Quins all won last weekend and all are favourites to win this weekend. Munster are already in the HC QF's as are Leinster. Can you explain what the above means?

cgpg5

Digifriendly wrote: »

Don't understand this at all - Clermont/Edinburgh and Quins all won last weekend and all are favourites to win this weekend. Munster are already in the HC QF's as are Leinster. Can you explain what the above means?

Its called being deluded

CiaranMT

If the forwards can dominate and we keep to ten man rugby, I think it's doable. No better kicker than ROG to play the corners and make sure Foden et al can't run it back.

A pack of Wian, Varley, BJ, DOC, POC, Dryan, Coughlan and POM is certainly capable of it. It'll be Holland covering 5/6 on the bench and I think MOD will be called up for 4.

I'd leave the backs as they are, simply because there isn't a whole lot more to choose from.

Hope to the gods that they'll be working the backrow like dogs this week. The Saints backrow isn't anything special, but neither is ours. Whoever wins here I think has the winning of the match.

cgpg5

CiaranMT wrote: »

If the forwards can dominate and we keep to ten man rugby, I think it's doable. No better kicker than ROG to play the corners and make sure Foden et al can't run it back.

A pack of Wian, Varley, BJ, DOC, POC, Dryan, Coughlan and POM is certainly capable of it. It'll be Holland covering 5/6 on the bench and I think MOD will be called up for 4.

I'd leave the backs as they are, simply because there isn't a whole lot more to choose from.

Hope to the gods that they'll be working the backrow like dogs this week. The Saints backrow isn't anything special, but neither is ours. Whoever wins here I think has the winning of the match.

Is Tom Wood fit? I think that Callum Clark lad is a great talent he'll start for England I'd say

irishbucsfan

Saints are a poor team with great players imo.

Mallinder could be the most overrated coach in Europe.

GerM

cgpg5 wrote: »

Is Tom Wood fit? I think that Callum Clark lad is a great talent he'll start for England I'd say

Fairly sure both himself and Lawes will miss this weekend. Whatever people think about either one, they're both excellent players and Northampton will miss them sorely, especially in the line out. With Varley's often dubious throwing, Wood could provide a massive threat on Munster ball. Lawes for all his negative play is still probably the most mobile lock in the northern hemisphere and Northampton are significantly weaker without him.

irishbucsfan

Clark, Dowson, Wilson is still a considerably superior back row imo.

GerM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Clark, Dowson, Wilson is still a considerably superior back row imo.

Think they're about the same to be honest. Wilson and Coughlan are very similar. I've always felt Coughlan is very underrated generally. Neither top class but both very reliable and solid. Clark vs. Ryan is a tight one. Ryan shades it for me right now. Clark is playing very well but Ryan has come along significantly this season and looked comfortable at 6 at the weekend. More mobile and smarter running than he has done in previous years. POM and Dowson are on level pegging. Dowson has experience and cleverness (meanness) on his side but POM is more mobile and playing well. Poite will have an impact on it. I wouldn't be surprised to see a back rower spend 10 minutes taking a breather.

PhatPiggins

[Jackass] wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Neither team has been near the best in Europe at all over the last number of seasons.

Clermont are getting better in Europe every season, but still aren't the best in Europe, but they may get there.

There's only been 2 teams in Europe for 3 years now (this possibly being the 4th) and that's Leinster and Tolouse.

$100 says you're single !

PhatPiggins

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Saints are a poor team with great players imo.

Mallinder could be the most overrated coach in Europe.

Does the first part apply to Munster as well though ?

irishbucsfan

PhatPiggins wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Saints are a poor team with great players imo.

Mallinder could be the most overrated coach in Europe.

Does the first part apply to Munster as well though ?

I think Munster are an average team with average players tbh. That is of course apart from ROG and POC who are carrying them.

SomeFool

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Munster are an average team with average players tbh. That is of course apart from ROG and POC who are carrying them.

Bit unfair on Botha and Ryan, definately not average.

irishbucsfan

SomeFool wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Munster are an average team with average players tbh. That is of course apart from ROG and POC who are carrying them.

Bit unfair on Botha and Ryan, definately not average.

Yeah but the more players I list the less catchy it sounds!

CiaranMT

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Clark, Dowson, Wilson is still a considerably superior back row imo.

To be fair it's a more natural, well-balanced backrow.

By Christ, if one of the lads gets injured at the weekend (I can see it happening to POM), we'll be rightly up sh*t creek.

d-gal

I'm expecting massive games from Ryan and POM. It's a game that they can really stamp their authority on and prove that they are capable of being involved in the Irish squad.
I really hope Earls plays well. We need him on form for the 6nations wherever he plays (13 or 11).
The massive advantage munster have is the lineout and ROG. If they take control of the lineout and smash Lamb they will win.

Otacon

Depending on the squad announced of course, I think we'll see:

W. du Preez
D. Varley
B.J. Botha
D. O'Callaghan
P. O'Connell
D. Ryan
P. O'Mahony
J. Coughlan
C. Murray
R. O'Gara
S. Zebo
L. Mafi
K. Earls
J. Murphy
D. Hurley

I'm heading up for this so I'm hoping for the win but it is a huge ask considering the injuries.

Fireball07

Otacon wrote: »

Depending on the squad announced of course, I think we'll see:

W. du Preez
D. Varley
B.J. Botha
D. O'Callaghan
P. O'Connell
D. Ryan
P. O'Mahony
J. Coughlan
C. Murray
R. O'Gara
S. Zebo
L. Mafi
K. Earls
J. Murphy
D. Hurley

I'm heading up for this so I'm hoping for the win but it is a huge ask considering the injuries.

I'd be shocked to see anything different. We've been injured into picking that team. The pack is still quite strong, though we're missing one more excellent ball-carrier. What I'd give for Wallace to be playing.

The backs... well it's just uninspiring. But ROG is there.

PhatPiggins

Otacon wrote: »

Depending on the squad announced of course, I think we'll see:

W. du Preez
D. Varley
B.J. Botha
D. O'Callaghan
P. O'Connell
D. Ryan
P. O'Mahony
J. Coughlan
C. Murray
R. O'Gara
S. Zebo
L. Mafi
K. Earls
J. Murphy
D. Hurley

I'm heading up for this so I'm hoping for the win but it is a huge ask considering the injuries.

That starting lineup is as good as Northamptons, its our bench that could break us

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

That starting lineup is as good as Northamptons, its our bench that could break us

Another backrow injury and we're in big trouble. At best a backrow of Ryan, POM and Coughlan will hold their own against the NH backrow.

thomond2006

Munster Squad (for Heineken Cup Round 6 game v Northampton Saints, Milton Keynes, Saturday Kick-off 6pm).

Marcus Horan, Wian du Preez, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, BJ Botha, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty,
Donnacha Ryan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Ian Nagle, Mick O'Driscoll,
Peter O'Mahony, James Coughlan, Billy Holland, Dave O'Callaghan,

Conor Murray, Tomas O'Leary, Duncan Williams,
Ronan O'Gara, Ian Keatley,
Danny Barnes, Simon Zebo, Will Chambers, Lifeimi Mafi, Keith Earls, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley.

Unavailable for selection through injury (11):
Niall Ronan
Denis Leamy (hip) undergoes surgery today.
Mike Sherry (ankle) Back training this week, may take part in AIL or B&I this weekend.
David Wallace (knee) (Expected back training March)
Troy Smith (knee) (February)
Felix Jones (foot) (February)
Doug Howlett (Achilles) (Next season)
Darragh Hurley (back) (April)
Tommy O'Donnell (knee) (February)
Tom Gleeson (shoulder) (March)
Jerry Flannery (back) (No date)

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9989.php

I really like how Munster have improved these squad announcements with the injury updates. No mention of Paddy Butler amongst those who are injured though.

Donnacha Ryan is still listed amongst the locks, I don't know if this suggests that he will stay there this weekend!

Fireball07

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster Squad (for Heineken Cup Round 6 game v Northampton Saints, Milton Keynes, Saturday Kick-off 6pm).

Marcus Horan, Wian du Preez, John Ryan, Stephen Archer, BJ Botha, Damien Varley, Denis Fogarty,
Donnacha Ryan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Ian Nagle, Mick O'Driscoll,
Peter O'Mahony, James Coughlan, Billy Holland, Dave O'Callaghan,

Conor Murray, Tomas O'Leary, Duncan Williams,
Ronan O'Gara, Ian Keatley,
Danny Barnes, Simon Zebo, Will Chambers, Lifeimi Mafi, Keith Earls, Johne Murphy, Denis Hurley.

Unavailable for selection through injury (11):
Niall Ronan
Denis Leamy (hip) undergoes surgery today.
Mike Sherry (ankle) Back training this week, may take part in AIL or B&I this weekend.
David Wallace (knee) (Expected back training March)
Troy Smith (knee) (February)
Felix Jones (foot) (February)
Doug Howlett (Achilles) (Next season)
Darragh Hurley (back) (April)
Tommy O'Donnell (knee) (February)
Tom Gleeson (shoulder) (March)
Jerry Flannery (back) (No date)

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9989.php

I really like how Munster have improved these squad announcements with the injury updates. No mention of Paddy Butler amongst those who are injured though.

Donnacha Ryan is still listed amongst the locks, I don't know if this suggests that he will stay there this weekend!

Was Paddy Butler ever included in the HC squad?


I can't see Ryan not playing 6.

irishbucsfan

Can't get transport to the match. Shame

Best of luck Munster!

sneem-man

where are we going drinking boys ?


I heard there aren't many pubs close to the stadium...:(

durkadurka

Milton Keynes is a pretty soulless place from my memory .

Shocking location for a drinking rugby weekend

markest

http://www.chefandbrewer.com/pub-food/ye-olde-swan-milton-keynes-woughton-on-the-green/pid-C0156?utm_source=g_places&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=pubs&utm_keyword=&utm_content=

Used to play volleyball in the above pub garden many moons ago. Twas a great village local pub then before the sprawl of MK surrounded it.

sneem-man

markest wrote: »

http://www.chefandbrewer.com/pub-food/ye-olde-swan-milton-keynes-woughton-on-the-green/pid-C0156?utm_source=g_places&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=pubs&utm_keyword=&utm_content=

Used to play volleyball in the above pub garden many moons ago. Twas a great village local pub then before the sprawl of MK surrounded it.

Looks ok,will pop in there for a few prior to the game:)