Munster vs Glasgow Warriors, Sat 12 April 6:30pm

thomond2006

Munster:
Felix Jones, Gerhard van den Heever, Keith Earls, James Downey, Simon Zebo, JJ Hanrahan,
Conor Murray, John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dave Foley, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan Capt.

Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Billy Holland, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Johne Murphy.

15. Peter Murchie
14. Sean Maitland
13. Alex Dunbar
12. Finn Russell
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Duncan Weir
9. Chris Cusiter (Captain)

1. Gordon Reid
2. Dougie Hall
3. Jon Welsh
4. Tim Swinson
5. Jonny Gray
6. Josh Strauss
7. Chris Fusaro
8. Ryan Wilson

Substitutes

16. Pat MacArthur
17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa
18. Geoff Cross
19. Leone Nakarawa
20. Rob Harley
21. Henry Pyrgos
22. Peter Horne
23. Richie Vernon

Not available due to injury: Mike Cusack (medical/illness), Ryan Grant (hamstring), Stuart Hogg (hamstring), Ed Kalman (back), Sean Lamont (knee), Tom Ryder (knees) and DTH van der Merwe (shoulder).

As expected Keith Earls moves to 13. No other option really!

POC and Varley are rested, TOD isn't in the 23 either. It looks like James Cronin isn't back yet from injury, he would be important to have available against Hayman and Castrogiovanni in two weeks! Archer too is still absent. I'm not sure there's a point to playing MacDonald with Scannell back fit, although Scannell was part of a shambolic Munster A lineout in Donnybrook last week.

No Hogg, Matawalu or Isles for Glasgow, I was hoping for at least one of them to feature to add some excitement to the match.

Munster should win and ideally deny Glasgow an LBP. A JJ-Keatley-Earls combination from 60 minutes onwards could be promising.

Risteard

That's a pretty strong team. Obviously not just paying lip service to the Rabo.

.ak

Tasty looking backline. Has Murphy ever played FB btw?

Should be a BP in there somewhere. I know it's Glasgow but that's a very strong Munster side.

Risteard

.ak wrote: »

Tasty looking backline. Has Murphy ever played FB btw?

Should be a BP in there somewhere. I know it's Glasgow but that's a very strong Munster side.

He's played a good few times IIRC.

Wouldn't have him ahead of Jones, his best performances have been on the wing.

Riskymove

Glasgow

Risteard wrote: »

That's a pretty strong team. Obviously not just paying lip service to the Rabo.

we are facing a rival for playoff places

Ulster at home to Connacht and would be favourites..we need to win if we are to hold on to home play-off spot

Buer

What the hell has Johne Murphy done to Penney? He was probably the player of the season for Munster when he was getting starts and has just been banished to the stands for most games and may not even get a new contract now.

thomond2006

Buer wrote: »

What the hell has Johne Murphy done to Penney? He was probably the player of the season for Munster when he was getting starts and has just been banished to the stands for most games and may not even get a new contract now.

In fairness Murphy's appearances this season can be somewhat attributed to Earls and Zebo being out injured at various points in the season. I'd try Murphy at 15 but I wouldn't have him ahead of either Earls or Zebo while Van Den Heever has looked decent while still finding his feet at club. Murphy will surely get a contract offer.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Glasgow

Murphy will get another contract. If Conway wasn't on a 2 year deal I'm not sure he'd be getting a renewal

Grimebox

Does Conway get any game time? He was in good form just as he was leaving for Munster. I haven't heard a sniff of him since

ssaye2

Should have went to Connacht, stayed or gone abroad. Second tier RABO games and the A's for him it seems.

Shame.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Glasgow

Grimebox wrote: »

Does Conway get any game time? He was in good form just as he was leaving for Munster. I haven't heard a sniff of him since

few appearances in the Rabo, one or two starts. At the time I assumed he was moving to play at 15 but he's certainly not viewed as a fullback by management

.ak

Yeah. Murphy has been a savage player, done everything that's asked for him. TBH I think Jones is the weaklink in that squad and anybody would be better than him.

thomond2006

ssaye2 wrote: »

Should have went to Connacht, stayed or gone abroad. Second tier RABO games and the A's for him it seems.

Shame.

If they sign up Murphy and Hurley then I'd want to negotiate a release if I was Conway. If LOD can stay fit then he is a great prospect to compete with as well.

.ak tells me that Conway's best position is fullback and ROM is played there instead with the A team.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Glasgow

.ak wrote: »

Yeah. Murphy has been a savage player, done everything that's asked for him. TBH I think Jones is the weaklink in that squad and anybody would be better than him.

While I'm far from his biggest fan I think that's harsh!

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

TBH I think Jones is the weaklink in that squad and anybody would be better than him.

So THAT's how it's happening.
















Look at how Hayes is staring a hole through the ball. He definitely has the vision to play at fullback.

budhabob

Looking forward to seeing more of John Ryan. Botha talked him up last season I think and in was impressed with his recent appearance of the bench.

Mahatma Geansai

.ak wrote: »

Yeah. Murphy has been a savage player, done everything that's asked for him. TBH I think Jones is the weaklink in that squad and anybody would be better than him.

Rubbish.

Jones hasn't been great, but he is a solid and massively committed player. He's the type of hard worker that coaches love.

budhabob

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Rubbish.

Jones hasn't been great, but he is a solid and massively committed player. He's the type of hard worker that coaches love.

He also seems to be the one player that has some idea what LLL is trying to do.

.ak

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Rubbish.

Jones hasn't been great, but he is a solid and massively committed player. He's the type of hard worker that coaches love.

Ehm, okay, it's rubbish but you agree...?

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Jones hasn't been great...

...is all I was saying?

.ak

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

While I'm far from his biggest fan I think that's harsh!

Okay, what I meant by 'anybody' is Murphy, in particular, would be better than him, even if he isn't a true FB.

Does that sound more fair/agreeable?

Fireball07

Glasgow

That's a very good team; can't afford to get injuries, but we can't afford to lose a semi-final place.

Would have liked Dineen to start, and would have tried Murphy at full-back. He impressed there before. Happy for John Ryan too, but I hope Cronin is back for Toulon.


Hopefully we get a good win.

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

If they sign up Murphy and Hurley then I'd want to negotiate a release if I was Conway. If LOD can stay fit then he is a great prospect to compete with as well.

.ak tells me that Conway's best position is fullback and ROM is played there instead with the A team.

I think the unusual thing there was that ROM is more a winger than FB isn't he? It's telling. I would've thought Conway intended to challenge Jones for a starting spot at FB, because he's never going to move Earls or Zebo off the wing.

Fireball07

Glasgow

.ak wrote: »

I think the unusual thing there was that ROM is more a winger than FB isn't he? It's telling. I would've thought Conway intended to challenge Jones for a starting spot at FB, because he's never going to move Earls or Zebo off the wing.

ROM & LOD have both played full-back a decent amount too. And tbh, I'd have them ahead of Conway at full-back aswell. Conway hasn't impressed bar one or two games this season. He doesn't even seem to have the explosive pace he used to have. LOD has been tortured with injuries, but has been excellent in most appearances- great finisher and really strong in the air.

And Murphy & Hurley are probably better options at 15 too. Wouldn't be starting Jones there, too inconsistent, even if he is the only one who runs good lines off Laulala.

Mahatma Geansai

.ak wrote: »

Ehm, okay, it's rubbish but you agree...?



...is all I was saying?

That wasn't what you were saying at all. Hyperbolic nonsense to say that anyone would be better than him.

Murphe has had a brilliant season, but he suffers when he moves around positions and his is liable for silly mistakes. I'd understand the argument of maybe playing Murphe at 11 and shifting Zebo to fullback, but that's the only way I'd like to see Jones dropped.

.ak

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

That wasn't what you were saying at all. Hyperbolic nonsense to say that anyone would be better than him.

Murphe has had a brilliant season, but he suffers when he moves around positions and his is liable for silly mistakes. I'd understand the argument of maybe playing Murphe at 11 and shifting Zebo to fullback, but that's the only way I'd like to see Jones dropped.

I think you're being pedantic as I was trying to make the point Murphy would be better than him. Obviously Conway for example wouldn't be better than him.. although there are plenty of options out there in the squad that would be.

Mahatma Geansai

Conway just isn't good enough IMO. When he signed, I felt that he was an unnecessary addition to the squad as LOD was as good as/better than him anyway. The signing of VdH has just compounded the issue. I'd be quite happy to see him return home next year.

who_me

You'd wonder if we're going to lose some of our back 3 options in the off season, having 9 potential players (Earls, Zebo, VDH, Murphy, Conway, ROM, LOD, Hurley, Jones) vying for 3 spots & 1 bench slot (assuming the bench option goes to a back 3 player and not a centre) means a lot of unused talent. Are any of them out of contract at the end of the season?

Mahatma Geansai

.ak wrote: »

I think you're being pedantic as I was trying to make the point Murphy would be better than him. Obviously Conway for example wouldn't be better than him.. although there are plenty of options out there in the squad that would be.

You need to read your post again. You said he is the weak link in the squad and anyone would be better. Now, that may not be what you intended to say, but it is what you said. Saying that he is a weaklink and there are better options, is a much less hyperbolic and more aggreable point.

thomond2006

who_me wrote: »

You'd wonder if we're going to lose some of our back 3 options in the off season, having 9 potential players (Earls, Zebo, VDH, Murphy, Conway, ROM, LOD, Hurley, Jones) vying for 3 spots & 1 bench slot (assuming the bench option goes to a back 3 player and not a centre) means a lot of unused talent. Are any of them out of contract at the end of the season?

Copied from my list:

SCRUM-HALVES

Conor Murray 2016
Cathal Sheridan 2016
Duncan Williams 2015
Gerry Hurley 2014

FLY-HALVES

Ian Keatley 2015
JJ Hanrahan 2015
Johnny Holland 2015 - FROM ACADEMY

CENTRES

James Downey 2014
Ivan Dineen 2015
Casey Laulala 2014 - LEAVING
Cian Bohane 2015

WINGERS

Simon Zebo 2016
Keith Earls 2016
Gerhard Van Den Heever 2015
Johne Murphy 2014
Andrew Conway 2015
Luke O'Dea 2015
Ronan O'Mahony 2015

FULLBACKS

Felix Jones 2015
Denis Hurley 2014

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Conway just isn't good enough IMO. When he signed, I felt that he was an unnecessary addition to the squad as LOD was as good as/better than him anyway. The signing of VdH has just compounded the issue. I'd be quite happy to see him return home next year.

Quite happy for his sake you mean? I'm happy to have him at the province, the more good squad players the better, but he's not going to make it at Munster as a winger.

.ak

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

You need to read your post again. You said he is the weak link in the squad and anyone would be better. Now, that may not be what you intended to say, but it is what you said. Saying that he is a weaklink and there are better options, is a much less hyperbolic and more aggreable point.

Fine. He is the weaklink and there are better options. Happy?

Mahatma Geansai

.ak wrote: »

Fine. He is the weaklink and there are better options. Happy?

Not really. Its probably because my brain is melting from being on the beer for ~15 hours yesterday.

who_me

Cheers thomond! We know Downey's leaving anyway, but only Murphy and Hurley are out of contract. I'd be surprised to see either of them left go. So I'd guess we're ok, unless the IRFU steps in and decides it's best if some IQ player heads to another province. I don't see that happening as I'm not sure if any of the IQ players (other than Earls & Zebo) are anywhere in the reckoning for Irish places in the short to medium term.

Cookiemunster

Glasgow

I think Conways big issue was that at the start of the season he was never fit. He got injured in preseason against Gloucester and missed about 3 weeks, made a comeback in Musgrave (can't remember against who) got injured again for another month, made another comeback in Cardiff and got injured again. By the time he was fully fit others (like Johne Murphy) had gotten ahead of him in the squad.

Molester Stallone

Can never understand the animosity directed at Jones. Best fb at the club, to say Murphy would be a better option in his stead is incorrect.
The only criticism I could level at Jones is that sometimes he goes in too upright when tackling & that may contribute to his awful injury record. Other than that, cracking player, speedy, great feet, reads the lines of the other munster backs better than anyone else imo.

DDC1990

Jones is the best 1 on 1 tackler we have in the squad.

Super reliable in that sense.

Doesn't bring a whole lot attack-wise, but as a last ditch tackler I wouldn't want any other fullback in Ireland to be in that position.

Tox56

DDC1990 wrote: »

Jones is the best 1 on 1 tackler we have in the squad.

Super reliable in that sense.

Doesn't bring a whole lot attack-wise, but as a last ditch tackler I wouldn't want any other fullback in Ireland to be in that position.

Henshaw is a pretty excellent tackler in fairness, helped by his size and experience in the centre. Not that I agree a fullback's defensive capabilities are a reason for picking them. Jones had a great game against the Ospreys (I think?) but since then I think VdH has looked more threatening in his cameos, Id put Zebo at 15 and VdH on the wing. Zebo could be an excellent 15 i reckon

rebel girl 15

Nigel Owens apparently late to the game, his flight from Bristol got diverted to Dublin

sydthebeat

Apologies beforehand and ultimate lazy question here but. .... is this on d telly ??

DDC1990

TG4 agus BBC Alba

pappyodaniel

DDC1990 wrote: »

TG4 agus BBC Alba

You're quite the Gaeilgeoir Sir.

DDC1990

pappyodaniel wrote: »

You're quite the Gaeilgeoir Sir.

Go Raibh Maith agat.

nó

Tapadh Leat as they say in Scots Gaeilic

:P

kub

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Nigel Owens apparently late to the game, his flight from Bristol got diverted to Dublin

Any chance of a Garda escorts down I wonder? Surely quite a few are Munster supporters and know that their club needs their assistance at this time.

pappyodaniel

DDC1990 wrote: »

Go Raibh Maith agat.

nó

Tapadh Leat as they say in Scots Gaeilic

:P

Ciúnis bothar Cailín bainne.

phog

The eagle has landed

Nigel Owens (@Nigelrefowens) tweeted at 4:28 PM on Sat, Apr 12, 2014:
Just landed at Shannon on way to the Hotel now for a quick change and head straight to Thomond Park. Should be there hour before I hope

Pity anyone who gets on the wrong side of him

Molester Stallone

Poor Nigel, he'll be suffering awful from d'auld jetlag

2smiggy

Glasgow

Any one a sky code for BBC Alba? Tried for the last while to find one with no luck

MrFrisp

2smiggy wrote: »

Any one a sky code for BBC Alba? Tried for the last while to find one with no luck

BBC ALBA 10.803 H 22000 5/6
.

OldRio

BBC ALBA 10.803 H 22000 5/6


MrFrisp beat me to it

DDC1990

Duncan Casey is like Alun Wynn Jones and Leigh Halfpenny lovechild.



+



=

budhabob

DDC1990 wrote: »

Duncan Casey is like Alun Wynn Jones and Leigh Halfpenny lovechild.



+



=

Without the natural talent.

2smiggy

Glasgow

Thanks lads, unfortunately the Scottish commentary is in Gaelic too it seems