ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Munster, 3:15pm Sun 14 Dec; Sky Sports

thomond2006

Clermont:
Nick Abendanon; Noa Nakaitaci, Aurélien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Zac Guildford; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra;
Thomas Domingo, Benjamin Kayser, Davit Zirakashvili; Jamie Cudmore, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Damien Chouly (capt), Alexandre Lapandry, Fritz Lee
.
Replacements: John Ulugia, Raphael Chaume, Clement Ric, Julien Pierre, Julien Bardy, Ludovic Radoslavjevic , Brock James, Benson Stanley

Munster:
Felix Jones; Andrew Conway, Andrew Smith, JJ Hanrahan, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray;
John Ryan, Duncan Casey, BJ Botha; Dave Foley, Paul O'Connell; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O'Byrne, Eusebio Guinazu, Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, Robin Copeland, Duncan Williams, Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy

Current standings:
Clermont 10
Munster 9
Saracens 9
Sale 2

After becoming the first French side to ever in Thomond Park, Clermont Auvergne host Munster in the cauldron of Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin to secure a strong position before the final rounds of pool matches in January. Munster were left reeling in Limerick as Clermont dominated the first half like few sides have ever done at Thomond Park and defended superbly in the second half as Munster huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the house down. Their racuous away support left overjoyed as a team hailed for years as bottlers and bridesmaid held their nerves to secure a priceless victory.

Some would say we've been here before, with Munster making it difficult for themselves to qualify for the knockout stages. However taking the hard route has never come at the expense of a home defeat. Indeed it was a home defeat where Munster could feel fortunate to have earned a losing bonus point. Two missed opportunities from Clermont in the first half kept Munster in the contest. Peter O'Mahony argued that despite the disappointing result and performance it was only half-time in this contest. Indeed it is but Clermont have landed all the punches in the first period. Should Munster win the second battle and perhaps the war come January then it will be remembered as another Miracle Match!

Key Battle: The Scrum

26 year old John Ryan makes his first European start for Munster after injuries ruled out Dave Kilcoyne and James Cronin. Ryan comes up against Davit Zirakashvili, the vastly experienced Georgian tighthead in his 11th season with Clermont who starts after coming on as a replacement in Limerick. This match represents a massive challenge for Ryan who in 4 seasons with Munster has only made 13 starts and 34 appearances in total. BJ Botha may be relied upon to roll back the years and assist the inexperienced Ryan and Duncan Casey at hooker in combating the strong Clermont scrum and the passionate home support who will be baying for scrummaging blood! Munster's set-piece was a mess last Saturday and a significant improvement will be necessary to earn a result. On paper the scrum should be an area where Munster will struggle. The presence of a part-time prop in hooker Eusebio Guinazu on the bench is a concern.

Prediction:
The home team have a strong squad to choose from and the changes, enforced or otherwise, are all quality players. Case in point: Lion Jonathan Davies pulls out injured and is replaced on the bench by All Black Benson Stanley! The return of Morgan Parra, while at times a hothead and indisciplined, brings a general like presence alongside the in-form Camille Lopez. The weak Munster bench means the starting XV will need a mammoth performance for 80 minutes. It would be an incredible achievement to get a win but this time another get of jail result is simply too much of an ask for this Munster side. Clermont by 10-15.

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Credit Irish Rugby.ie, Supersport.com, TheRugbyForum & EPCR for images

thomond2006

Clermont by 1-7

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

Any hope at all? I live in hope...

former legend

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that a win tomorrow would be the greatest result in Munster history. It's rare enough that you completely write them off but I just can't see it.

CatFromHue

A LBP is needed from this game if Munster want to be in the running for a best 2nd placed team.

phog

We can't be as poor as were last week so I think we'll score more than 9 points, I also think Clermont will score more than 16 but I hope they don't get such easy scores as they did in Thomond Park.

As always I live in hope and certainly feel we could pull off a win against the odds. The pressure is on Clermont.

IanOBo

Where's the table in the match preview?!

I'm very positive. We made so many basic errors last week.
I'm not buying into this hype around Lopez.

There is never a game where Munster don't look like coming away with a result at some point during the match.

#SUAF

Del.Monte

Clermont by 1-7

I'm expecting a serious beating here as it's just impossible to see where Munster's attacking threat is going to come from. God help us if/when we have to resort to the bench.

thomond2006

Clermont by 1-7

IanOBo wrote: »

There is never a game where Munster don't look like coming away with a result at some point during the match.

#SUAF

You must have exorcised Toulon 2011 then!

Bridge93

Clermont by 1-7

IanOBo wrote: »

I'm very positive. We made so many basic errors last week.
I'm not buying into this hype around Lopez.

There is never a game where Munster don't look like coming away with a result at some point during the match.

#SUAF

We need more like you around all the provinces!

durkadurka

Based on logic, it's hard to make a case for a Munster result tomorrow.

Massive holes in several positions and on the bench.
The gulf in class in the front row and centre is huge.

case885

Munster by 1-7

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/papers-france-munster-clermont-1832705-Dec2014/?utm_source=facebook_short

I would be a lot more optimistic if we had one of cronin or kilcoyne as Clermont will really target Ryan in the scrum.
Would Archer or Botha do a better job at LH than Guinazu if Ryan was to go off?

Mahatma Geansai

case885 wrote: »

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/papers-france-munster-clermont-1832705-Dec2014/?utm_source=facebook_short

I would be a lot more optimistic if we had one of cronin or kilcoyne as Clermont will really target Ryan in the scrum.
Would Archer or Botha do a better job at LH than Guinazu if Ryan was to go off?

Guinazu is an Argentinian international LH prop. I wouldn't be too worried about him slotting in, if required.

kuang1

Clermont by 1-7

Even with good/excellent performances from our big names today, we have too many holes. That said, munster being beaten by cricket scores is a very rare event.
Clermont by 11-15 points.

case885

Munster by 1-7

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Guinazu is an Argentinian international LH prop. I wouldn't be too worried about him slotting in, if required.

How many games did he play at LH, when last did he play there? If he can do a job fair enough but he will be up against quality opposition in zirakashvili.

thomond2006

Clermont by 1-7

I don't think we can expect much of a player that Bath were happy to let go mid-season.

Del.Monte

Clermont by 1-7

17 posts in a 'must win' Munster match day thread says it all. For the faithful, Munster are available at 10/3 with PP and for the reckless at 10/1 for a win by more than 8.

phog

Beating Clermont is always a difficult task, beating them in France the week after they won in Thomond Park is even more difficult. If we win this game it will be one our most unexpected wins in the pro era.

I'll watch this game hoping for a win but I want to see a performance, especially from our pack.

G'wan Munster

#SUAF

Mahatma Geansai

case885 wrote: »

How many games did he play at LH, when last did he play there? If he can do a job fair enough but he will be up against quality opposition in zirakashvili.

He played there a few weeks ago for the majority of an 'A' game. Considering our current situation, he isn't a bad option as 5th choice LH.

athtrasna

Munster by 1-7

Any radio coverage of the game?

phog

athtrasna wrote: »

Any radio coverage of the game?

Live 95FM, Mike Prendergast is doing co commentary with Len Dineen

blindside88

Munster by more than 7

Del.Monte wrote: »

17 posts in a 'must win' Munster match day thread says it all. For the faithful, Munster are available at 10/3 with PP and for the reckless at 10/1 for a win by more than 8.

I have them backed at 10/3 and +10 points at 10/11

To the brave and the faithful nothing is impossible

I predict hanrahan having a big day
#SUAF

athtrasna

Munster by 1-7

Just heard it advertised, Michael Corcoran is on radio 1 for the match, sorted, my favourite commentator event

Molester Stallone II

A win is improbable, but not impossible, it would require every member of that side to be 100% on their game...but as we saw last week...a few looked tired, Murray looked as if he was still feeling the effects of concussion and add to that the basic errors in handling ...I'm not overly confident today.

I would take a losing bp and then, with a full squad go to sarries and do the business

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

Here we go, need a massive performance!

RuggieBear

well done tod

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

Encouraging start at the breakdown, but none of our kicks have been properly contested yet.


And now a penalty! Good stuff!

budhabob

Munster by more than 7

Great turn over by TOD, poor cross field by JJ.

Buer

Hanrahan really needs to learn when to use that cross kick. Way too common and too deep too often.

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

What a kick Keatley!!!

RuggieBear

great kick

bleg

Good work lads. Win a huge turnover and kick it away...

budhabob

Munster by more than 7

Jesus keatley, great belief in himself. What a belter.

Kanrith

Great kick by Keatley.

bleg

nice kick

Benny Cake

Keatley you beauty, c'mon Munster, big day for the parish...

Buer

Monster kick, cleared the post with room to spare. Great strike.

Neil3030

Munster by more than 7

That'll do. Blow it up ref!

ironingbored

Great start for Munster.

RuggieBear

forwards being let down by some poor kicking

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

Great pressure, unlucky for Murray on the kick. Maybe should have held it for a bit.

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

Fine clearing kick there, pack is well and truly fired up.

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

Shít kick by Parra, I'll take that.

Buer

Munster are well in this and Clermont are making errors. Keep it up and they'll start to wobble mentally.

LuckyGent88

Clermont by 1-7

1 victory down, now munster to put the icing on the cake.

Very confident start anyway

JJ already making a difference in attack

budhabob

Munster by more than 7

Holy crap, great Munster rugby.

Fireball07

Munster by 1-7

What a start! JJ making a big impact, Rougerie saved a try there.

awec

Keatley smashed there.

Neil3030

Munster by more than 7

Wonderful few phases from Munster.

Pudsy33

Hanrahan showing his worth there.

ironingbored

Rougerie saves Clermont. Brilliant stuff from Munster.