Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

Mahatma Geansai · 30-05-2015 9:10pm

Buer wrote: »

I've a feeling that's exactly what will be signed following the RWC to replace Botha who leaves in December.

I'm starting to feel optimistic about Archer as a TH. He has come on leaps and bounds this season. I wouldn't be absolutely terrified ff Munster are unable to sign a quality first-choice TH. Munster's scrum has been a strength when Archer has Guinazu beside him in the front row.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 30-05-2015 9:37pm

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

I'm starting to feel optimistic about Archer as a TH. He has come on leaps and bounds this season. I wouldn't be absolutely terrified ff Munster are unable to sign a quality first-choice TH. Munster's scrum has been a strength when Archer has Guinazu beside him in the front row.

You do need a new TH though, if not to beat Archer then to provide decent backup, Botha is probably not the answer for next season. If you can get a 24 year old with 50 currie cup premiership caps he would be decent backup to Archer and a potential project. After Archer and Botha who do you have?

total former · 30-05-2015 9:52pm

I'd be very worried about Munster's front row next season. Who knows what shape Sherry will be in, Casey hasn't lived up to the initial hype, Guinazu is gone. Once Botha goes, TH is a ticking timebomb. LH side is grand so that's something I suppose.

aimee1 · 30-05-2015 9:54pm

total former wrote: »

I'd be very worried about Munster's front row next season. Who knows what shape Sherry will be in, Casey hasn't lived up to the initial hype, Guinazu is gone. Once Botha goes, TH is a ticking timebomb. LH side is grand so that's something I suppose.

if POC goes then Munster are in trouble in the 2nd row too.

KingBrian2 · 30-05-2015 9:57pm

Hard luck Munster, Glasgow played well. Look forward to next season and seeing all the Provinces again.

CoDy1 · 30-05-2015 9:59pm

aimee1 wrote: »

if POC goes then Munster are in trouble in the 2nd row too.

He's no POC but Foley has been very impressive.

RecordStraight · 30-05-2015 9:59pm

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

After Archer and Botha who do you have?

The versatile Keith Earls.

The Lost Sheep · 30-05-2015 10:03pm

total former wrote: »

I'd be very worried about Munster's front row next season. Who knows what shape Sherry will be in, Casey hasn't lived up to the initial hype, Guinazu is gone. Once Botha goes, TH is a ticking timebomb. LH side is grand so that's something I suppose.

Actually spent most of the last 2 days with a few Scrum guru's in Munster.
Archer has stepped up in a huge way and while not fantastic isn't that bad. Academy prop Burke is a long term good prospect.
Casey got a lot of press from the real successful lineout when he emerged but hasn't regressed that much has he?

aimee1 wrote: »

if POC goes then Munster are in trouble in the 2nd row too.

In short term maybe but Billy Holland has shown much good and better than most would have thought in recent season or so. Donncha Ryan/Dave Foley if get over injurys are good options and there is huge potential in some of the academy guys.
Would worry more about other positions than the second row.

aimee1 · 30-05-2015 10:04pm

CoDy1 wrote: »

He's no POC but Foley has been very impressive.

POC was 6n player of the tournament and has had a fine season overall. Ryan is just back from long term injury which will help Foley is still at the has potential stage for me, a bit like Casey. Next season is a very big season for them both

POC will be a huge loss, similar to Sexton going to paris for two years was for leinster.

total former · 30-05-2015 10:26pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Actually spent most of the last 2 days with a few Scrum guru's in Munster.
Archer has stepped up in a huge way and while not fantastic isn't that bad. Academy prop Burke is a long term good prospect.
Casey got a lot of press from the real successful lineout when he emerged but hasn't regressed that much has he?

I dunno, the Munster fans will know a lot better than me, but it seems that just getting through the game equates to a good day out for Archer and there is quite literally no-one behind him.

I can't make my mind up about Casey; he's just played too few games to really judge, the problem is if Sherry doesn't come back then they're completely reliant on Casey...

I don't believe there was ever anything behind the Creevy story but some strengthening of front row resources would have been great.

jm08 · 30-05-2015 11:27pm

aimee1 wrote: »

POC was 6n player of the tournament and has had a fine season overall. Ryan is just back from long term injury which will help Foley is still at the has potential stage for me, a bit like Casey. Next season is a very big season for them both

POC will be a huge loss, similar to Sexton going to paris for two years was for leinster.

Casey has been mostly injured since xmas, so its a bit soon to write him off.

POC is irreplacable, but Munster & Ireland were without him for 2 seasons through injury, so it will be nothing new.

aimee1 · 30-05-2015 11:38pm

jm08 wrote: »

Casey has been mostly injured since xmas, so its a bit soon to write him off.

POC is irreplacable, but Munster & Ireland were without him for 2 seasons through injury, so it will be nothing new.

i havent written him off. But its fair to say next season is a big season for him.

POC will be gone forever, not injured. Thats one hell of a gap to fill and there is nobody in the current setup at munster at or close to his level. Foley looks like he has huge potential and needs to step up, like casey, to fulfil that.

Kirk Van Houten · 31-05-2015 12:06am

With Henshaw arriving, Guineauz staying and still on the look out for a tight head I wonder if Munster have the pack to supply the ball to the backs next season

Hagz · 31-05-2015 12:09am

Kirk Van Houten wrote: »

With Henshaw arriving

say what?

jm08 · 31-05-2015 12:10am

aimee1 wrote: »

i havent written him off. But its fair to say next season is a big season for him.

POC will be gone forever, not injured. Thats one hell of a gap to fill and there is nobody in the current setup at munster at or close to his level. Foley looks like he has huge potential and needs to step up, like casey, to fulfil that.

All seasons are big seasons for most players. Casey stepped up big time when asked. Niall Scannell (former U20s captain) looks to be the real deal as well.

As for POC - he was going to retire soon anyway - Munster has a decent bunch of locks with Donnacha Ryan, Foley & Holland for starters.

ouncer · 31-05-2015 12:14am

Kirk Van Houten wrote: »

With Henshaw arriving, Guineauz staying and still on the look out for a tight head I wonder if Munster have the pack to supply the ball to the backs next season

OK first up henshaw ain't arriving. And even if he was he doesn't address your issues. No murray for most of year with 6n and world cup. Keats struggling. You can put henshaw in all other positions while ignoring Williams is bog standard and keats is currently falling short of even bog standard. Address issues first.

Kirk Van Houten · 31-05-2015 12:19am

ouncer wrote:

OK first up henshaw ain't arriving. And even if he was he doesn't address your issues. No murray for most of year with 6n and world cup. Keats struggling. You can put henshaw in all other positions while ignoring Williams is bog standard and keats is currently falling short of even bog standard. Address issues first.

Wait and see on Henshaw. Henshaw and Saili in the centre with Murray and Blydeendal at 9 and 10. All teams will suffer with World Cup. Munster less so than others

aimee1 · 31-05-2015 12:20am

jm08 wrote: »

All seasons are big seasons for most players. Casey stepped up big time when asked. Niall Scannell (former U20s captain) looks to be the real deal as well.

As for POC - he was going to retire soon anyway - Munster has a decent bunch of locks with Donnacha Ryan, Foley & Holland for starters.

Decent is one thing at pro12 but only ryan is international class at the moment. Next season is a big season because its rwc time. These guys need to make progress.its the same at leinster with a good few guys

ouncer · 31-05-2015 12:38am

Kirk Van Houten wrote: »

Wait and see on Henshaw. Henshaw and Saili in the centre with Murray and Blydeendal at 9 and 10. All teams will suffer with World Cup. Munster less so than others

Aimless

Interested Observer · 31-05-2015 12:44am

Henshaw will be at Connacht next season, we know this already.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/robbie-henshaw-at-connacht-till-2016-despite-growing-interest-1.2123550

Kirk Van Houten · 31-05-2015 12:48am

Interested Observer wrote:

Henshaw will be at Connacht next season, we know this already.

And Paul O'Connell is contracted with Munster next season. As I said wait and see on Henshaw.

ouncer · 31-05-2015 12:52am

Kirk Van Houten wrote: »

And Paul O'Connell is contracted with Munster next season. As I said wait and see on Henshaw.

Penitence. Its not easy. I have a lot to answer for in my own posts. Struggling to hold it together :-)

balbriggan100 · 31-05-2015 2:15am

Keatley is never a first choice outhalf and if it is Bleyendaal or Johnny Holland as first choice next season so be it. Let's get on with it

letowski · 31-05-2015 10:52am

Dissappointing end to the season, but when I kinda think about it getting to the final on merit was a good result and even better for next season if were first seed in the champions cup draw next month. So theres somethjng to build on.
But Foley has alot of work over the summer to do with this squad. Our attack is so pedestrian and I think we lack proper coaching here, we looked like an AIL side compared to Glasgow yesterday. Hopefully TB and Saili can bring something next year, I thought Hurley and Earls did well too this year, but we definitely need more work on our skills and execution. How we coordinate our defense needs to be reviewed as well, we have looked really porous.
Our set piece was very good but I cant help but feeling concerned about it when Poc and Guinazu leave, BJ a year older too. We need Casey and Foley to continue to improve.

Kirk Van Houten · 31-05-2015 12:15pm

letowski wrote:

Dissappointing end to the season, but when I kinda think about it getting to the final on merit was a good result and even better for next season if were first seed in the champions cup draw next month. So theres somethjng to build on. But Foley has alot of work over the summer to do with this squad. Our attack is so pedestrian and I think we lack proper coaching here, we looked like an AIL side compared to Glasgow yesterday. Hopefully TB and Saili can bring something next year, I thought Hurley and Earls did well too this year, but we definitely need more work on our skills and execution. How we coordinate our defense needs to be reviewed as well, we have looked really porous. Our set piece was very good but I cant help but feeling concerned about it when Poc and Guinazu leave, BJ a year older too. We need Casey and Foley to continue to improve.

Guinazu has a contract offer to stay on and is expected to sign it.

Rightwing · 31-05-2015 12:18pm

That was 1 poor final. Credit Glasgow, they deserved it. Will be good for the game there, just a pity it came at our expense.

I'm also more downbeat on our world cup prospects after that.

Pepp1989 · 31-05-2015 12:33pm

Kirk Van Houten wrote: »

Guinazu has a contract offer to stay on and is expected to sign it.

I really hope he does. Good player and superb scrummager

jacothelad · 31-05-2015 12:43pm

Rightwing wrote: »

That was 1 poor final. Credit Glasgow, they deserved it. Will be good for the game there, just a pity it came at our expense.

I'm also more downbeat on our world cup prospects after that.

Why? Very few players on the field will tog out in important games for Ireland in the RWC. Of the players on view last night, realistically, only POC is a starter. Murray is a definite. POM is an almost definite. Kilcoyne & Earls might be bench options. Zebo looks in need of a reboot and was clearly still injured from the last game. Stander won't be I.Q. After that there is little to offer. There is little correlation these days between Munster's playing roster and Ireland's performances. Despite being crap all season, Leinster will almost certainly be 'Ireland' with a smattering of M, U and C players.

total former · 31-05-2015 12:46pm

Rightwing wrote: »

That was 1 poor final.

It really wasn't.

hendo12 · 31-05-2015 1:15pm

The final was lovely to watch. Glasgow play a lovely style of rugby

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

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