Glasgow Warriors vs Munster, Friday 29 March 8:05pm; TG4/BBC ALBA

thomond2006

Glasgow Warriors team to play Munster in Round 19 of the RaboDirect PRO12, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday 29 March (kick-off, 8.05pm):

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Sean Maitland
13 Sean Lamont
12 Peter Horne
11 DTH van der Merwe
10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Niko Matawalu

1 Ryan Grant
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Jon Welsh
4 Tim Swinson
5 Al Kellock (Captain)
6 Josh Strauss
7 John Barclay
8 Ryan Wilson

16 Dougie Hall
17 Ofa Fainga'anuku
18 Moray Low
19 Tom Ryder
20 Rob Harley
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Duncan Weir
23 Mark Bennett

Not available for selection through injury:
M Cusack (shoulder), C Cusiter (shoulder), A Dunbar (knee), C Fusaro (groin), F Gillies (neck), R Lamont (ankle), T Seymour (knee).

Glasgow's internationals return en masse for this fixture, with the likes of Hogg and Maitland in the backline. One interesting selection sees Ruaridh Jackson in ahead of Duncan Weir at 10. A strong side all round.

Changes have been kept to a minimum for Munster's trip to Glasgow and the RaboDirect PRO12 clash at Scotstoun tomorrow evening where they are expecting their biggest crowd of the League.

In the backline Johne Murphy comes onto the wing in place of the injured Denis Hurley while this time around Duncan Williams starts with Cathal Sheridan on the bench.

In the pack, changes from last day see Mike Sherry and BJ Botha ahead of Damien Varley and Stephen Archer respectively with Paddy Butler into the back row for the injured (knee) Sean Dougall.

Hurley who tweaked a hamstring in the Connacht game didn’t feel entirely happy with it after this week's training session and was withdrawn from consideration

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11742.php

Munster:
F Jones; D Howlett Capt., C Laulala, J Downey, J Murphy; R O’Gara, D Williams;
D Kilcoyne, M Sherry, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell; P Butler, T O’Donnell, J Coughlan.

Replacements: D Varley, W du Preez, S Archer, B Holland, N Ronan, C Sheridan, I Keatley, I Dineen

Denis Hurley and Sean Dougall out injured. Ryan, POM and Murray to return next week, along with Zebo hopefully!

Williams over Sheridan is a strange one, although maybe Penney is giving Williams a chance to earn the bench spot next week (I wouldn't give him another opportunity myself!). IMO Sheridan is a superior option and it's silly that he isn't starting this.

It's clear that ROG will start against Harlequins, Keatley has only got 10/15 minutes at fullback in each of the last two games (Ospreys & Connacht). ROG was decent last week so hopefully he can put in another good showing this week.

Glasgow are temporarily increasing Scotstoun's capacity in order to cater for demand, so it should be a bumper crowd in attendance. Glasgow were unlucky not to win last week and IMO Munster are up against it. You'd have to think Glasgow will be comfortable favourites, it's a massive game for them in the context of the playoffs and earning a home semi-final. Munster are more or less out of the running in the league so this is all about delivering an encouraging performance and coming through unscathed, with hopefully some important players being available for the quarter-final.

For those that want to add BBC ALBA, details for adding it as a channel on Sky here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055038749
http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/info/sat_frequencies.shtml

irishbucsfan

i'm certain now that Penney wasn't starting ROG because of pressure from the IRFU. He's made that decision himself here.

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

i'm certain now that Penney wasn't starting ROG because of pressure from the IRFU. He's made that decision himself here.

That card can't be played by anyone now alright.

trouttrout

What pisses me off most about the persistance with ROG is having Keatley on the bench but only ever bringing him on at 15. He deserves a chance to stake a place for the quarter at ten

molloyjh

Glasgow side to face Munster:

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Sean Maitland
13 Sean Lamont
12 Peter Horne
11 DTH van der Merwe
10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Niko Matawalu

1 Ryan Grant
2 Pat MacArthur
3 Jon Welsh
4 Tim Swinson
5 Al Kellock (Captain)
6 Josh Strauss
7 John Barclay
8 Ryan Wilson

16 Dougie Hall
17 Ofa Fainga'anuku
18 Moray Low
19 Tom Ryder
20 Rob Harley
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Duncan Weir
23 Mark Bennett

thomond2006

Glasgow team added to OP

irishbucsfan

Can't see Munster beating that side.

trouttrout

Botha has a chance to reclaim his spot up against Grant

Deano7788

TG4 are showing it as well.

molloyjh

thomond2006 wrote: »

Glasgow team added to OP

Given how good they were last week and with the inclusion of Maitland and Hogg this could be a really tough encounter for Munster. There's some quality on their bench too. Munster could really do Leinster a favour this weekend, but I'd have to go with Glasgow by 4 points.

.ak

Super backline by Glasgow.

opinionatedfan

Think Glasgow will get the bonus point.

durkadurka

irishbucsfan wrote: »

i'm certain now that Penney wasn't starting ROG because of pressure from the IRFU. He's made that decision himself here.

100%

thomond2006

Deano7788 wrote: »

TG4 are showing it as well.

Indeed it is, oddly the Munster and Pro12 websites only state BBC ALBA.

Deano7788

I think the packs will be fairly even but there is a serious lack of pace in the Munster backline outside of Jones. I think Glasgow will win fairly comfortably unfortunately.

molloyjh

opinionatedfan wrote: »

Think Glasgow will get the bonus point.

Possibly, but it'll be a much tighter game than last week. Leinster fell off a lot of tackles and weren't great in the contact generally. In the first half in particular. Munster won't make the same mistake and Glasgow will find it harder to get the kind of territory they got last week as a result.

trouttrout

I don't see Glasgow getting a BP. Don't think we've shipped many this year and our defense is pretty good. It's our attack that will let us down

durkadurka

Very hard to see a Munster win here.
Glasgow are bloody good.

And Munster are quite often poor the week before a HEC game .

thomond2006

trouttrout wrote: »

I don't see Glasgow getting a BP. Don't think we've shipped many this year and our defense is pretty good. It's our attack that will let us down

this

In terms of tries, both sides have conceded the same number over the 18 league games so far (23 tries conceded). However Glasgow have scored 53 while Munster have scored 34. 21 tries is a significant difference!

Source: http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/table.php

durkadurka

irishbucsfan wrote: »

i'm certain now that Penney wasn't starting ROG because of pressure from the IRFU. He's made that decision himself here.

Begs three questions: poor judgement from Penney?
ROG maybe not as bad as he's made out to be on here?
Or keatley still not up to it?

totallegend

There's an interview with Murray in the Times today that indicates he would be playing this weekend, a bit odd. I'd have thought a game against one of the top sides in the league would be ideal preparation for the HC QFs?

The ROG selection was entirely predictable, I'm not sure there was ever any real reason to think he was being picked for Munster at the behest of Kidney, but it's another nail in the coffin for the expansive game plan initially touted by Penney.

Can't see past a Glasgow win here I'm afraid.

mohawk

durkadurka wrote: »

Begs three questions: poor judgement from Penney?
ROG maybe not as bad as he's made out to be on here?
Or keatley still not up to it?

IMO for the big matches Keatleys kicking from the tee can be a tad dodgy while the rest of his game is good. I really feel if Penney picked him and stuck with him it would improve his game but maybe the coaches feel his head isn't right for big games.

molloyjh

durkadurka wrote: »

Begs three questions: poor judgement from Penney?
ROG maybe not as bad as he's made out to be on here?
Or keatley still not up to it?

Or maybe ROG suits Penneys game more? He certainly plays a more lateral game than Keatley does, who has a tendancy to actually threaten the line in midfield.

mohawk wrote: »

IMO for the big matches Keatleys kicking from the tee can be a tad dodgy while the rest of his game is good. I really feel if Penney picked him and stuck with him it would improve his game but maybe the coaches feel his head isn't right for big games.

It's not going to get right from the bench.

Keatley is not struggling with the boot

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/statzone/rhino_golden_boot.php

35/40 in the Rabo so far.

HEC
1/1 vs Racing Metro
5/6 vs Edinburgh
2/6 vs Racing Metro second time

1 bad day?

CoDy1

If it wasn't bad enough seeing ROG's name on the sheet, but seeing who'll be pasing him the ball, looks like this game is over before its starts. Joke.

Podge_irl

durkadurka wrote: »

Begs three questions: poor judgement from Penney?
ROG maybe not as bad as he's made out to be on here?
Or keatley still not up to it?

If ROG has actually been better than Keatley this year then I truly know nothing about rugby.

durkadurka

Podge_irl wrote: »

If ROG has actually been better than Keatley this year then I truly know nothing about rugby.

So you're blaming Penneys judgement ?

mohawk

Podge_irl wrote: »

If ROG has actually been better than Keatley this year then I truly know nothing about rugby.

At least your not a Munster fan you can happily watch Leinster with the knowledge Joe knows what he is doing. Imagine how it feels for a Munster fan to see ROG partnered with Duncan Williams on a team sheet the week before a HC QF. :eek:

ed7890

Its sick that Keatley hasn't been given any chance. I can't understand it. This only times we've clicked and played well this season hvae been with Keats running the show. This doesn't make sense to me on any level except blindly selecting a player based on reputation. ROG starting against Quinns will be a real black mark against Penney in my book.

thomond2006

If ROG is getting a one year extension as rumoured, you'd wonder if Ian Keatley would prefer to be in Jimmy Gopperth's shoes next season.

Podge_irl

durkadurka wrote: »

So you're blaming Penneys judgement ?

Yes. I think he's had an iffy first season in general and I'm not quite sure what he's trying to do.

Though as mentioned above ROG does somewhat suit the 'get the ball out to the locks on the wings as quickly as possible without committing any defenders in midfield' game plan that Munster appear to be aiming for.

SebBerkovich

Anyone else wondering why Jackson is starting ahead of Weir?
Might be just me, but on form Weir deserves to be starting.

totallegend

SebBerkovich wrote: »

Anyone else wondering why Jackson is starting ahead of Weir?
Might be just me, but on form Weir deserves to be starting.

Weir looked good against Leinster but had also played against France the week before so might just be rested?

But yes, I would pick Weir

totallegend

Re: ROG; it's possible that Penney has devised his game plan for the Quins match and that it involves "traditional Munster rugby", i.e. ping it to the corner, hope Paulie can steal the lineout, maul it to the line. If so, then ROG is the right call.

Whatever style of play Penney was hoping to instil into Munster, it hasn't worked and he probably realises that there is no time to fix it between now and next weekend so it's back to basics.

molloyjh

totallegend wrote: »

Re: ROG; it's possible that Penney has devised his game plan for the Quins match and that it involves "traditional Munster rugby", i.e. ping it to the corner, hope Paulie can steal the lineout, maul it to the line. If so, then ROG is the right call.

Whatever style of play Penney was hoping to instil into Munster, it hasn't worked and he probably realises that there is no time to fix it between now and next weekend so it's back to basics.

That's a nice thought, and I'll admit here and now I missed most of the game last weekend, but surely if he was going to admit defeat in terms of his game plan he'd have done that loss to Cardiff at the start of the year? If he was looking to go back to Munster basics then we'd have seen it last week. What kind of game were Munster playing for the most part then?

When has POC been an offensive lineout operator?

Otacon

Deleted User wrote: »

When has POC been an offensive lineout operator?

I've heard him calling some of the opposition locks names before but nothing too saucy.

trouttrout

Deleted User wrote: »

When has POC been an offensive lineout operator?

As in stealing opposition ball?

trouttrout

trouttrout wrote: »

As in stealing opposition ball?

yup, he's always been a go to guy for his own hookers, but he's not a disruptive force, not that I can recall anyway!

irishbucsfan

Deleted User wrote: »

yup, he's always been a go to guy for his own hookers, but he's not a disruptive force, not that I can recall anyway!

He absolutely is. So many examples come to mind. The clearest being Ireland South Africa 2009.

EDIT: Now that I remember, the rumour has it that Smal taught him Afrikaans for that game so he could decipher their calls.

trouttrout

Deleted User wrote: »

yup, he's always been a go to guy for his own hookers, but he's not a disruptive force, not that I can recall anyway!

He's brilliant at disrputing opposition ball !

Can't recall a single turnover in recent times (even as far back as that SA game). Was referring to the "Kick to the corners and pressurise opposition ball".

It's been a long time since any Irish team has been able to execute that strategy. Compare with Scotland's demolition of our lineout this season.

durkadurka

You can kick the corners and pressurise the opposition without having a destructive lineout.
You're putting the opposing team under territorial pressure which wil hopefully yield an error and put you in possession in their 22.

Fireball07

POC is pretty good at disrupting opposition ball at lineouts. Munster have been pretty ineffective in that regard this season (I think POM is probably the best at it) but POC definitely will improve us there. Enough to base a gameplan around it?? Not sure...

little173

totallegend wrote: »

Re: ROG; it's possible that Penney has devised his game plan for the Quins match and that it involves "traditional Munster rugby", i.e. ping it to the corner, hope Paulie can steal the lineout, maul it to the line. If so, then ROG is the right call.

Whatever style of play Penney was hoping to instil into Munster, it hasn't worked and he probably realises that there is no time to fix it between now and next weekend so it's back to basics.

I would find this highly unlikely, Penney has talked at great length and at times pretty defensively aboout the style he wants to impose on the Munster players. In fact he even calls into question what is defined as "the Munster style". In some ways ROG can execute this Penney plan as he can pass the ball laterally pretty well still and they are tending to try and use the full width of the pitch leaving pods out wide to attack. Zebo talked this week about how the players are still trying to embrace the new style as well as they build towards the quinns game.

totallegend

little173 wrote: »

I would find this highly unlikely, Penney has talked at great length and at times pretty defensively aboout the style he wants to impose on the Munster players. In fact he even calls into question what is defined as "the Munster style". In some ways ROG can execute this Penney plan as he can pass the ball laterally pretty well still and they are tending to try and use the full width of the pitch leaving pods out wide to attack. Zebo talked this week about how the players are still trying to embrace the new style as well as they build towards the quinns game.

Well, yes, if the plan is to pass the ball laterally, or even ten metres backwards, then ROG is the go-to guy.

My point is that this tactic has been very unsuccessful so far and the logic of having 'pods' of forwards on the wings is deeply, deeply flawed.

It's just too easy to defend.

jm08

totallegend wrote: »

Well, yes, if the plan is to pass the ball laterally, or even ten metres backwards, then ROG is the go-to guy.

My point is that this tactic has been very unsuccessful so far and the logic of having 'pods' of forwards on the wings is deeply, deeply flawed.

It's just too easy to defend.

The plan isn't strictly to go from side to side. The plan is to vary it and go for space.

Nor, to O’Connell’s mind, is there anything new about Penney’s approach of telling his players to attack the spaces and play what’s in front of them rather than stick to a rigid game plan.

“I think we always looked for space,” O’Connell said, “we probably weren’t that good at finding it! “I remember one of the first things Deccie (Kidney) was saying whenever I came into the squad, ‘we’ll attack space, whether we have to kick it there or run it there, that’s what we’ll do’. That’s what Rob is trying to give us, maybe an easier framework to find that space.

Worth reading the whole article here:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/oconnell-players-the-problem-not-penneys-game-plan-226531.html

Gamayun

I just noticed that BBC ALBA has moved from channel 168 to 143 on my (UK EPG) Skybox, if anyone was wondering where it went.

little173

totallegend wrote: »

Well, yes, if the plan is to pass the ball laterally, or even ten metres backwards, then ROG is the go-to guy.

My point is that this tactic has been very unsuccessful so far and the logic of having 'pods' of forwards on the wings is deeply, deeply flawed.

It's just too easy to defend.

Dont disagree there, I think POC coming back may well have a bearing on tactics, certainly on the field of play. He is such a dominant force and if you look at the win vs Saracens at TP he was the enforcer and the leader. A better blend of out wide and commiting defenders closer to the ruck, catch and drives etc will probably be the more likely tactic.

cruiserweight

Tickets still available for the game, which is seriously tempting me. However, I have spent the last 5 weeks in California and arrive back at 6pm tomorrow, I think my OH would be very unimpressed if I dumped my bags and went straight to Scotstoun. I guess I will have to wait and hope for a Glasgow home play off game against Ulster or Munster instead

thomond2006

cruiserweight wrote: »

Tickets still available for the game, which is seriously tempting me. However, I have spent the last 5 weeks in California and arrive back at 6pm tomorrow, I think my OH would be very unimpressed if I dumped my bags and went straight to Scotstoun. I guess I will have to wait and hope for a Glasgow home play off game against Ulster or Munster instead

First world problems! lol