Munster V Ulster, Sat 5th May 7.30pm, Thomond Park, RTÉ 2

justsomebloke

Munster:

(15-9):F Jones; J Murphy, I Dineen, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray;
(1-8):W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony.
Replacements: D Varley, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, D O'Callaghan, P Butler, T O'Leary, S Deasy, K Earls.


Ulster
(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, I Whitten, C Cochrane; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): P McAllister, N Brady (c), D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, T Court, M McComish, A Birch, B McIlroy, I Humphreys, C Gilroy

Unavailable due to injury: J Payne (achilles), S Danielli (hamstring), T Barker (back), C Henry (ankle), N McComb (neck), A Kyriacou (shoulder)

Spudmonkey

justsomebloke wrote: »

Munster:

(15-9):F Jones; J Murphy, I Dineen, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray;
(1-8):W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony.
Replacements: D Varley, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, D O'Callaghan, P Butler, T O'Leary, S Deasy, K Earls.


Ulster
(15-9): A D'Arcy; A Trimble, N Spence, I Whitten, C Cochrane; P Jackson, P Marshall;
(1-8): P McAllister, N Brady (c), D Fitzpatrick, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, I Henderson, W Faloon, R Diack;
Replacements (16-23): N Annett, C Black, T Court, M McComish, A Birch, B McIlroy, I Humphreys, C Gilroy

Unavailable due to injury: J Payne (achilles), S Danielli (hamstring), T Barker (back), C Henry (ankle), N McComb (neck), A Kyriacou (shoulder)

What? No Ferris?

Good to see Dineen starting, hopefully Butler will get a decent run out as well.

totallegend

Can't see past a Munster win here. An Ulster team with only two of their first-choice team (three if you count Jackson) is going to struggle to be competitive in any area, while Munster are at 90% full strength.

With Pienaar rested, it will hopefully mean that Jackson sees a bit more ball and gets more responsibility to control the game from out-half so Ulster may at least get some benefit from it.

I'd say Munster by 10-15 points.

thomond2006

I like the look of that team, much better to have Dineen at centre than Murphy.

Good luck to MOD, TOL and Mafi in their last appearance at Thomond.

shuffol

Does this mean DOC is now 4th choice lock at Munster or is it just a Thomond swansong for MOD.

CIARAN_BOYLE

shuffol wrote: »

Does this mean DOC is now 4th choice lock at Munster or is it just a Thomond swansong for MOD.

Thomond swansong for MOD I think

awec

Spudmonkey wrote: »

What? No Ferris?

Good to see Dineen starting, hopefully Butler will get a decent run out as well.

Are you surprised?

buck65

Bit of a damp squib end of season for Munster.

thomond2006

buck65 wrote: »

Bit of a damp squib end of season for Munster.

yup, finding it hard to get excited about this game.

Already looking forward to next season under the new management.

phog

shuffol wrote: »

Does this mean DOC is now 4th choice lock at Munster or is it just a Thomond swansong for MOD.

What do you think?

buck65 wrote: »

Bit of a damp squib end of season for Munster.

Yea but it would still be nice to end the season on a high, it looks like winning afinal will be difficult but we should certainly be targetting a final spot. 2 tough games in the semi and final but I'd like to get to the final at least.

Still I'm looking forward to Thomond Park tomorrow night, hopefully, the lads will get a decent send off, though it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that we could have one more game there this season, highly unlikely but not ruled out yet.

durkadurka

Isn't it impossble to catch ospreys due to games won?

Taco Corp

durkadurka wrote: »

Isn't it impossble to catch ospreys due to games won?

yeah, if level on points, it's games won and Munster are 2 behind on that front

Spudmonkey

awec wrote: »

Are you surprised?

No sarcastic.

Lelantos

thomond2006 wrote: »

buck65 wrote: »

Bit of a damp squib end of season for Munster.

yup, finding it hard to get excited about this game.

Already looking forward to next season under the new management.

Personally, I'm looking forward to it, first game for my 4yo daughter & hopefully she loves it! Think its only fitting that the guys leaving get a good send off as well.

Flincher

thomond2006 wrote: »

yup, finding it hard to get excited about this game.

Already looking forward to next season under the new management.

If it wasn't for the lads leaving I'd be the same. Micko, Mafi and Tomas deserve a big send off.

Between work, the AIL finishing, and a few other commitments, I haven't made it to a rugby match since the q/f, so I'm looking forward to have a couple of pints on the terrace.

I agree about next season. I can't wait. Penney is making all the right moves so far. From Garrett Fitzgerald's comments, and his interview in the Echo, he sounds like he's more than up to the task.

In the meantime, I think Mafi moved out to 13 when Dineen came on against Glasgow, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the same again. It would be nice if we were a few points ahead, and we could substitute himself and Micko to give them a sendoff.

Quint2010

Thought Ulster might have put out a better team considering they have next week off. Most of their team won't have played for 3 weeks by the time they take to the Twickenham pitch..

CIARAN_BOYLE

Quint2010 wrote: »

Thought Ulster might have put out a better team considering they have next week off. Most of their team won't have played for 3 weeks by the time they take to the Twickenham pitch..

I agree with you, a lot of the team could be rusty, Afoa and Henry won't have played since the QF.

Podge_irl

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I agree with you, a lot of the team could be rusty, Afoa and Henry won't have played since the QF.

Very risky call. Didn't expect quite such a weak team.

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

Bit of a damp squib end of season for Munster.

Fck that, we're 2/4 against the other provinces this season which is awful. Ulster battered us in Belfast, coupled with the HC quarters I really hope the lads go out and give them a proper rattling.

the_doctor199

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Fck that, we're 2/4 against the other provinces this season which is awful. Ulster battered us in Belfast, coupled with the HC quarters I really hope the lads go out and give them a proper rattling.

Surely it isn't nearly as satisfying beating a second string Ulster team? It's difficult to see anything but a 15+ point win for Munster tomorrow.

PhatPiggins

the_doctor199 wrote: »

Surely it isn't nearly as satisfying beating a second string Ulster team? It's difficult to see anything but a 15+ point win for Munster tomorrow.

Probably not but you can only take the revenge you're offered. To be honest considering how badly Munster are playing at the moment I wouldn't be taking anything for granted.

I hope Keatley has a good game tomorrow. Third game in a row so he'll have no excuses for rustiness.

Hype710

Really looking forward to Henderson's first start. Had a distinct physical advantage in the Six Nations that won't be as evident today so it will be interesting to see how he adapts. Strong in all facets of second row play and will move there when he develops some of the bulk required I'd imagine. If he goes well I can see him getting a lot of game time next year, especially when Ferris is away with Ireland.

.ak

the_doctor199 wrote: »

Surely it isn't nearly as satisfying beating a second string Ulster team? It's difficult to see anything but a 15+ point win for Munster tomorrow.

Can't say I agree. I think the issue will lie with Murray having feck all game time recently, only to be replaced by TOL... who will probably actually have an amazing game and everyone will be like 'OH no, why now?'.

In reality I think Ulster's half-backs are better, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a one score game, with the subs making the difference. I think Munster's bench just pips it, so I think we'll see a Munster victory... but I don't think there'll be a whitewash.

.ak

Also, why no O'Dea? I know I have a bit of a man-love for him, but this game could be made for him.

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Also, why no O'Dea? I know I have a bit of a man-love for him, but this game could be made for him.

There was no extended squad announced beforehand so I don't know if he's injured or not. He has picked up a lot of knocks this season.

jacothelad

.ak wrote: »

Can't say I agree. I think the issue will lie with Murray having feck all game time recently, only to be replaced by TOL... who will probably actually have an amazing game and everyone will be like 'OH no, why now?'.

In reality I think Ulster's half-backs are better, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a one score game, with the subs making the difference. I think Munster's bench just pips it, so I think we'll see a Munster victory... but I don't think there'll be a whitewash.

I actually think it will be a steam-roller job by Munster's pack. These end of season games have become a total mess and with the Barbarians game in the mix before the tour it is putting a lot of unnecessary stress on the players. It's really a training spin for Munster to be honest.

oleras

late notice i know but...

I have 2 N.terrace standing tickets for Thomand park tonight if anyone wants them, free of charge.

I can meet around raheen before 5pm.

Update: tickets now gone.

.ak

jacothelad wrote: »

I actually think it will be a steam-roller job by Munster's pack. These end of season games have become a total mess and with the Barbarians game in the mix before the tour it is putting a lot of unnecessary stress on the players. It's really a training spin for Munster to be honest.

You're probably right.

I'm just hoping your not, as this is the only (potentially) decent match on TV this weekend!

thomond2006

Keatley hasn't recovered from a knock sustained in training, so Deasy starts at 10. Cusack comes onto the bench.

Munster:
F Jones; J Murphy, I Dineen, L Mafi, S Zebo; S Deasy, C Murray;
W du Preez, M Sherry, BJ Botha; M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell; D Ryan, T O'Donnell, P O'Mahony.

Replacements: D Varley, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, D O'Callaghan, P Butler, T O'Leary, D Cusack, K Earls.

irishbucsfan

this changes EVERYTHING

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

this changes EVERYTHING

yup, glad I didn't put money on Munster. Deasy has never convinced as a goalkicker at Rabo level.

Big Nelly

Any chance EOS going to Munster as backs couch?

irishbucsfan

Rolland. Yuck

Big Nelly

1.30 in and first stupid kick from Murray

thomond2006

It's annoying Munster didn't release an extended squad, I'd like to know if Dineen was selected ahead of Barnes or if Barnes was injured.

Foxtrol

Looks like it's communion season again down in Limerick.

We'll get a look here to see if Deasy can translate his B&I form up a level.

thomond2006

Poor knock on from Zebo.

DarkJager

G'wan Zebo!!! Great try

Taco Corp

Try Zebo. Looked easy enough. Nice pass from Deasy

Converted by Deasy too. Right through the middle of the posts from the touch line

irishbucsfan

Ah Trimble, why so narrow.

thomond2006

Zebo try, Deasy draws in 2 defenders.

That was awful from Trimble.

DDC1990

Deasy can't kick :P

thomond2006

Deasy kicks it.

Henderson joined the maul just before Munster went wide, probably influenced the try.

thomond2006

That was phenomenal from Murray. Blockdown, chase, tackle, turnover.

Big Nelly

Good play from Murray

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

That was phenomenal from Murray. Blockdown, chase, tackle, turnover.

Missed his calling as a 7!

thomond2006

What awful timing to get an injury, hopefully it's not serious for McAllister.

Tom Court on.

thomond2006

Nice read by Dineen!

Looked pretty blatant from Trimble.

DDC1990

Good call from Rolland.

Yellow card, Definitly not a Penalty Try though.

Kicked by Deasy.

10-0

Tox56

Stupid by Trimble but looked like Zebo made a bit of a meal of it.

thomond2006

Deasy scores, he must have read the thread before kickoff.