Munster vs Scarlets, Fri 10 Oct 7:35pm; TG4/BBC2Wales

thomond2006

Munster:
Johne Murphy, Gerhard van den Heever, Andrew Smith, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray;
Dave Kilcoyne, Kevin O'Byrne, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Billy Holland; Peter O'Mahony - capt, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander

Replacements: Eusebio Guinazu, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Ronan O'Mahony

Edit: Johne in for Felix, ROM onto bench.

Scarlets:
15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Scott Williams ©, 11 Kristian Phillips, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies,
1 Phil John, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rory Pitman

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, George Earle, James Davies, Rhodri Williams, Steven Shingler, Michael Tagicakibau

4th meets 6th as Munster look to continue their momentum from their great result in Dublin last Saturday.

thomond2006

Scarlets team to take on Munster, Friday 10th October kick-off 7.35pm;
15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Scott Williams ©, 11 Kristian Phillips, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Kirby Myhill, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Jake Ball, 5 Johan Snyman, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 John Barclay, 8 Rory Pitman

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Rob Evans, Samson Lee, George Earle, James Davies, Rhodri Williams, Steven Shingler, Michael Tagicakibau

Players unavailable; Gareth Davies (knee), Rob McCusker (shoulder), Kyle Evans (fractured hand), Chris Hala'ufia (on loan), Connor Lloyd (knee), Frazier Climo (ankle), Jacobie Adriaanse (knee), Lewis Rawlins (shoulder), Ken Owens (neck), Regan King (hamstring), Ben Leung (knee)

thomond2006

Good to see a near first choice squad selected (minus Casey, POC, Keatley & injuries). I'm surprised Murray is starting because we'll need him for 80 minutes in Europe. However it's good to see a serious selection when in the past this could have been a time to rest a few players. Then again a few players Munster could have rested are injured anyway!

Well it looks like we know the backrow that will start at Sale bar a poor performance tomorrow, CJ moving to 8 relegates Copeland to the bench. I thought Guinazu would start but it looks like the management rate Kevin O'Byrne more than just injury cover.

I'm surprised Denis Hurley has been left out, no mention of an injury. You'd think they would want to retain that centre partnership. I didn't think Dineen did much in the A match, Johne Murphy had an off day as well. I knew it wouldn't happen but I was hoping LOD would get a look in as he was brilliant in Donnybrook.

It's a handy Scarlets outfit but with Gareth Davies injured they are missing their most potent attacking threat. Why they persist with Priestland is a mystery considering he's consistently awful for them. If Munster can get in his face and apply pressure then we all know he is mentally fragile. 11-15 looks good, Dineen against Scott Williams is a concern. It's not a bad pack, Pitman is a promising number eight.

Given the respective places in the league it's a chance to keep Scarlets at arm's length from the playoff places. An injury ridden Leinster side made bits of Scarlets a few weeks back. Let's just give the ball to CJ Saviour and Zebo*. Then again how can we take anything for granted at Thomond Park these days?!

*with thanks to cookiemunster

Cookiemunster

Scarlets

thomond2006 wrote: »

. An injury ridden Leinster side made bits of Scarlets a few weeks back but without Zebo I'm not sure about a scoreline like Leinster's.

I think you may want to look at the team you posted again

thomond2006

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I think you may want to look at the team you posted again

Oh dear. Time to adjust the specs.

stephen_n

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oh dear. Time to adjust the specs.

He's so quick you probably missed his name!

thomond2006

It looks like DOC is firmly behind Holland at this stage. This will be Holland's 5th start (241 mins played) and DOC had made 2 (126 mins played).

Fireball07

That's a very strong team.

Centre is the only place where you'd think there's a bit off a weakness, but we are limited there. Smith's only missed one game so far?

It's a decent Llanelli team too, but with POM back, Stander at 8, a Murray/JJ half-back pairing and our strongest available back 3, we should be winning this one. Looking forward to it now.

Zzippy

My prediction:

Munster fans to return in numbers.
JJH to disappoint Munster fans expecting the second coming of JC. He's still good, just not that good.
Delon Liam Williams to score last-minute try to win by a point. Thomond2006 to self-combust with outrage.

former legend

Fireball07 wrote: »

That's a very strong team.

Centre is the only place where you'd think there's a bit off a weakness, but we are limited there. Smith's only missed one game so far?

It's a decent Llanelli team too, but with POM back, Stander at 8, a Murray/JJ half-back pairing and our strongest available back 3, we should be winning this one. Looking forward to it now.

Llanelli are quite strong in the centre, Scott Williams is a great player and Gareth Owen isn't bad either.
Scarlets' problem is their pack, front five especially; it's just not good enough and I'd expect Munster to trample all over them.

.ak

Any update on Earls?

former legend

.ak wrote: »

Any update on Earls?

??? He's out for four months.

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Any update on Earls?

Out until new year after knee surgery

slingerz

Scarlets

thomond2006 wrote: »

It looks like DOC is firmly behind Holland at this stage. This will be Holland's 5th start (241 mins played) and DOC had made 2 (126 mins played).

i wonder is DOC being kept for the A game on Saturday and only on the bench as a last resort. possibly the same for Eusebio

thomond2006

slingerz wrote: »

i wonder is DOC being kept for the A game on Saturday and only on the bench as a last resort. possibly the same for Eusebio

I doubt it to be honest. If DOC was ahead of either Holland or Foley he would be starting. Likewise I think O'Byrne is ahead of Guinazu. I'd be surprised to see either DOC or Guinazu in the 23 for Sale.

.ak

former legend wrote: »

??? He's out for four months.

Must've missed that. I thought it was around now he was due back. Last I heard the knee was causing a bit of pain and he was to see a specialist. Did he pick another training injury? Chap has the worst look in regards to picking up injuries before international windows.

Edit: ah I see he's had surgery, never mind.

phog

No mention of the three lads injured in the Aviva last week?

Bassfish

Scarlets

Did Cathal Sheridan kick Anthony Foley's dog or something?

jacothelad

former legend wrote: »

Llanelli are quite strong in the centre, Scott Williams is a great player and Gareth Owen isn't bad either.
Scarlets' problem is their pack, front five especially; it's just not good enough and I'd expect Munster to trample all over them.

That was the case two seasons ago. It isn't such a weakness now. I wouldn't be so sure about your prediction. They are not brilliant there but they are better than before.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

No mention of the three lads injured in the Aviva last week?

Munster haven't been as good as last year with their injury updates!

Bassfish wrote: »

Did Cathal Sheridan kick Anthony Foley's dog or something?

Well Williams is definitely the backup now. Off topic but I'd be shocked if Munster don't bring in a new number nine next year. Maybe ask Bernard for James Hart?

armchaircoach

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster haven't been as good as last year with their injury updates!



Well Williams is definitely the backup now. Off topic but I'd be shocked if Munster don't bring in a new number nine next year. Maybe ask Bernard for James Hart?

It could be quite likely that Munster and Leinster could end up fighting over him.

armchaircoach

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster haven't been as good as last year with their injury updates!



Well Williams is definitely the backup now. Off topic but I'd be shocked if Munster don't bring in a new number nine next year. Maybe ask Bernard for James Hart?

It could be quite likely that Munster and Leinster could end up fighting over him.

CatFromHue

I'm not sure what to make of Lanelli this season.

They've not done too badly against Munster in Munster over the last number of years but their form is up and down abit this season.

That's not a bad back row they have and the second row is all right too, their backline is handy enough as well.

They've the potential to upset I think.

poteen o hooley

They'll be slaughtered made to walk home after a good tarring and feathering on the walls of St John's castle.
I'll ne disappointed if Munster don't win by 30 points.

poteen o hooley

poteen o hooley wrote: »

They'll be slaughtered made to walk home after a good tarring and feathering on the walls of St John's castle.
I'll ne disappointed if Munster don't win by 30 points.

I suspect you will be disappointed

b.gud

Dear Muster,

Please beat Scarlets, preferably denying them an LBP

Sincerely
Connacht

Fireball07

I imagine we'll win, but I don't think it'll be overly convincing.

thomond2006

- Say hi to Liam
- Win

Both equally important

stephen_n

Munster to win +7 Liam Williams to sent off (carried off)

Limerick Dude

I'll be going tonights match but will probably be 5-10 minutes late for kick off (travelling down from Dublin after work).

I have a season ticket but my friend who is going with me will have to buy his ticket at the stadium, does anyone know how long the ticket van outside the east stand stays open? Is it still possible to purchase a ticket when your about 10 minutes late for kick off?

Fireball07

I don't know for sure, but I imagine so.


There was a decent amount of people still queuing at kick-off time last time, and I imagine they're not going to leave after 10 minutes.

Cookiemunster

Scarlets

Limerick Dude wrote: »

I'll be going tonights match but will probably be 5-10 minutes late for kick off (travelling down from Dublin after work).

I have a season ticket but my friend who is going with me will have to buy his ticket at the stadium, does anyone know how long the ticket van outside the east stand stays open? Is it still possible to purchase a ticket when your about 10 minutes late for kick off?

Buy it online before you leave and print it.

Tomtom364

Scarlets

Jones isn't playing for Munster tonight. He's out greeting fans outside. Dunno who's replacing him. I'd assume murphey promoted from the bench

Molester Stallone II

Scarlets

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Jones isn't playing for Munster tonight. He's out greeting fans outside. Dunno who's replacing him. I'd assume murphey promoted from the bench

He's double jobbing, checking tickets and selling flags too before he togs out

thomond2006

Murphy was a mixed bag at 15 in Donnybrook.

Tbh if Conway was fit I'd be moving the Z man to 15.

thomond2006

Confirmed by Munster: Murphy at 15, ROM on the bench

digzy

What's the sky channel number for the game. Doing fancy it as gaeilge

thomond2006

digzy wrote: »

What's the sky channel number for the game. Doing fancy it as gaeilge

104

Or go to 142 (i think?) and press the red button for BBC Wales (as bearla!!)

thomond2006

Those Scarlets jerseys....

ulster_Beef

Forgive me if this has been mentioned lately; where have the Munster fans gone as of late?

thomond2006

ulster_Beef wrote: »

Forgive me if they has been mentioned lately; where have the Munster fans gone as of late?

- Friday night
- Season ticket holders not turning up, largely because of the above
- Decline in Munster fortunes -> decline in interest
- Lack of star power - many of the golden generation gone and no more high profile foreign signings
- Economic conditions

and a few more reasons

thomond2006

Not a good start: 0-3 Priestland DG

budhabob

Scarlets

Decent power showed there by Munster. Great to see TOD throw Williams about.

thomond2006

Miss by JJH

former legend

POM involved in unnecessary handbags, good to see him back to his old self.

Larbre34

Good man Trappatoni, you tell em.

thomond2006

former legend wrote: »

POM involved in unnecessary handbags, good to see him back to his old self.

If Williams goes near him

This is another worrying performance so far.

ThisRegard

Munster's discipline problems continue where they left off from last week.

thomond2006

Brilliant grubber from Zebo

Scrum great so far

budhabob

Scarlets

Absolutely beautiful kick from zebo.

Judgement Day

Nice handling by Zebo.