Connacht vs Munster Build-up, New year's day

connachta

The Match of the season for Connacht, Sportsground Sold-out already, additional terracing planned this week, for the 2nd time

simple preview : should be a cracker, barely impossible to predict WWW:)
to watch closely : Buckley, Marmion, Leader, Aki, Henshaw, Poolman
to watch closely : Conway, Holland, Foley, O'Donnell, O'Mahony, Zebo

phog

Sorry now I didn't get tickets for myself when buying a couple a few weeks back.

Munster need to target an away win here, no nonsense like last week.

thomond2006

Huge match for Connacht alright. Scarlets' next matches are Ospreys home and away followed by Glasgow away so this is a big opportunity for Connacht to build a comfortable gap. Munster have a really good record at Connacht, haven't lost in Galway since the 08/09 season.

I don't think Munster will be sending the strongest team. POM, POC and Murray will probably be rested again, POM has a minor injury as well. TOD and Copeland went off tonight so we could be light in the backrow. I expect a mixed selection and then the full team to play at Zebre the following week. It doesn't make much sense in terms of the league but Munster have liked to select the first choice side on the week before Europe.

connachta

Controversy now about front row dominance.

connachta

Buckley/McCartney/AhYou vs Cronin/Casey/Botha

So hard to imagine a clear supremacy

blackdog1

connachta wrote: »

Buckley/McCartney/AhYou vs Cronin/Casey/Botha

So hard to imagine a clear supremacy

Munster will dominate this area. Herbst did a job on Buckley last weekend and I expect both a to do the same as they scrummage alike.

connachta

blackdog1 wrote: »

Munster will dominate this area. Herbst did a job on Buckley last weekend and I expect both a to do the same as they scrummage alike.

Buckley had young Dilane behind him, and young Bealham on the other side of the scrum. He should have Roux and AhYou, on the 1st of January, totally different. Not a good exemple IMO

Utopia Parkway

blackdog1 wrote: »

Munster will dominate this area. Herbst did a job on Buckley last weekend and I expect both a to do the same as they scrummage alike.

Connacht scrum has been very good this season. The Ulster game was the first time I've seen it in a little bit of bother this season. I put it down to having two very inexperienced lads amongst the front five. I expect they will be much more solid this week.

Swiwi.

Unless Connacht find a way to offer more on attack, I see Munster winning this fairly comfortably: they defended well v Leinster (admittedly the Leinster attack was fairly blunt), their set-piece was solid enough, their maul & box-kicks around which a lot of their game is based are strong, and while their backs aren't devastating, they have enough class to create a few try-scoring opportunities.

Not going to lie, though: will be supporting Connacht for this one, with Aki scoring the winning try, after a bullocking run from McCartney, and a scintillating break from Muliaina off 2nd phase ball...

hman231

Connacht have been better than many expected this season, but now comes the crucial period comes, teams know what Connacht are about and we can see that they are not giving up as easily as they used to. I feel that Munster will win this one but that it will be a tight game. Connacht have Munster (home) and Edinburgh (home) 5 points out of these two games would be a realistic expectation from them. Top 6 is the aim and they need to keep chipping away week in week out. not sure if they will get it but I sure hope they do.
What I can say for sure is that both of these two teams have a great management team who are getting the most out of the players that they have .

.ak

I think Connacht should be aiming for another upset here. They'll have a stronger squad to pick from I think, a more settled one. Now Munster's B's looked good last week, but Leinster were truly awful, I think they'll find it tougher to win away in Galway.

As a Leinster fan from a standings POV if Connacht can deny Munster any sort of points here it'd be great, but I can see it being a tight game as usual and could go either way.

Molester Stallone II

I think we'll have some of our big guns back, Murray, Zebo, POM, can't see this being anything but a handy Munster win.

phog

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

I think we'll have some of our big guns back, Murray, Zebo, POM, can't see this being anything but a handy Munster win.

Foley has said in one of this morning's papers that some of them will be back, he also said TOD only had a cut lip so he should be available. Dave Foley will surely get a run as will Dave O'Callaghan.

This will be our toughest match this season I think Munster are playing well as a unit. Their pack really able to secure and disrupt ball on the deck and really solid defensively. Connacht will need a big game to get a LBP let alone a win

connachta

connemara man wrote: »

This will be our toughest match this season I think Munster are playing well as a unit. Their pack really able to secure and disrupt ball on the deck and really solid defensively. Connacht will need a big game to get a LBP let alone a win

hell no! LBP was the target for away games. Forteress Sportground will be boiling

connachta

connachta wrote: »

hell no! LBP was the target for away games. Forteress Sportground will be boiling

I didn't say target. I hope we win tbe sports ground will be heaving and then some but realistically I think Munster with most starters will be a step up we haven't had to deal with this season. They have a game plan that they execute well, have a pack that will slow us down, which stops our backline functioning. We are to predictable in attack and are easy to defend against. Our backrow will need to play out of their skins to keep us going. Marmion will need to be at the top of his game. Henshaw will have to show why hes first choice for Ireland at 13 and Bundee will need his best game yet. So in short we have to play at cup final levels really

Tox56

Molester Stallone II wrote: »

I think we'll have some of our big guns back, Murray, Zebo, POM, can't see this being anything but a handy Munster win.

You'd be amazed how often I thought that was the case with Leinster and they end up losing. Then again Connacht never seem to put it up to Munster in the same way, that is purely a mental thing though, they are perfectly capable of causing problems

connachta

connemara man wrote: »

I didn't say target. I hope we win tbe sports ground will be heaving and then some but realistically I think Munster with most starters will be a step up we haven't had to deal with this season. They have a game plan that they execute well, have a pack that will slow us down, which stops our backline functioning. We are to predictable in attack and are easy to defend against. Our backrow will need to play out of their skins to keep us going. Marmion will need to be at the top of his game. Henshaw will have to show why hes first choice for Ireland at 13 and Bundee will need his best game yet. So in short we have to play at cup final levels really

Yeah but if we want european cup, we have to play with a euro-cup level. Last year was considered as a "trainning year" but now it must be over. In 10 months we will play again Sarries, Toulouse, Leicester etc. So it's now or never to start beating team like Munster Glasgow and Ospreys at home. They're close to their strongest team, so we are. No excuse.

moleyv

Munster are more capable of scoring tries and too strong defending against them.

Then again with Keatley unable to lob a ball between the posts we have to rely on tries.

Either way I think it will be a great game and tight enough.

It's great to see the Sportsground jointed.

Maybe the IRFUs attempt to get rid of connacht was a veiled attempt to drum up more support and revitalise the team... I suspect not :v

connachta

connachta wrote: »

Yeah but if we want european cup, we have to play with a euro-cup level. Last year was considered as a "trainning year" but now it must be over. In 10 months we will play again Sarries, Toulouse, Leicester etc. So it's now or never to start beating team like Munster Glasgow and Ospreys at home. They're close to their strongest team, so we are. No excuse.

I agree with all that except no excuse. There are plenty of reasons that Munster are rightly favourites for this match and (like I can) we shouldn't get too carried away

connachta

connemara man wrote: »

I agree with all that except no excuse. There are plenty of reasons that Munster are rightly favourites for this match and (like I can) we shouldn't get too carried away

Not carried away at all. For exemple, I was part of the minority calming down everyone who expected a win in Dublin. That's different, for one reason : we're at home. Don't say we're favorite, but it's a 50-50 we must target. As I said if we win 2 out of 3 among Munster/Glasgow/Ospreys visiting the Sportsground we deserve top 6. If 1 out of 3, the play-off spot. If none, we deserve challenge cup

slingerz

I reckon Munster will go as close to full strength as possible really

Jones
Conway
Howard
Hurley
Zebo
Keatley
Murray
Stander
O'Donnell
O'Mahony
O'Connell
Foley
Botha
Casey
Ryan

Eusebio, O'Byrne, Archer, Holland, DOCII, Williams, Hanrahan, Murphy

connachta

Have you ever seen such incredible head-to-heads for a Connacht-Munster interpro game???:D

Jones vs Leader/Muliana
Conway vs Healy
Howard vs Henshaw
Hurley vs Aki
Zebo vs Poolman
Keatley vs Carty
Murray vs Marmion
Stander vs Naoupu
O'Donnell vs Faloon
O'Mahony vs Muldoon
O'Connell vs Roux
Foley vs Muldowney
Botha vs Buckley
Casey vs McCartney
Ryan vs AhYou

connachta

Except Carty on one hand, and Ryan on the other hand, I can't see other position where a guy will Utterly be dominated by his counterpart. Muldowney/Roux is a better 2nd row than many Munster fans tend to imagine. On the other side, Munster back-3 is not inferior by much...

Hagz

I would rank Munster's back-three better. Their half-backs are better by quite a large margin. Their back-row is better by a decent margin. Their second-rows, like their half-backs, are also miles ahead of their Connacht counter-parts. The only areas where I see Connacht having an advantage on paper is in the front-row and centres.

Having said that, games aren't won on paper, and one on one comparisons don't really mean anything on the pitch. I would not be at all surprised to see Connacht win.

connachta

Hagz wrote: »

I would rank Munster's back-three better. Their half-backs are better by quite a large margin. Their back-row is better by a decent margin. Their second-rows, like their half-backs, are also miles ahead of their Connacht counter-parts. The only areas where I see Connacht having an advantage on paper is in the front-row and centres.

Having said that, games aren't won on paper, and one on one comparisons don't really mean anything on the pitch. I would not be at all surprised to see Connacht win.

Poolman Healy Roux and Faloon are underated, be careful. Even with this full Munster team, the home advantage still make it 50/50 in my opinion

phog

This thread is making excited and nervous in equal measures. If the match ups above live up to connachta's expectations then this game could be a classic.

Of course we have wait and see the teams first then the ref and weather but I'm still hopeful of a Munster win. How about one of those 0-3 wins from a few years back.

Fireball07

I think we'll win if we have a full team out, but I'm not sure we will.

And even with John Ryan, he's played a good few weeks in a row now, he might need a rest. And I'd be even less confident of someone like Guinazu starting.

If we have Botha, Foley, POC, POM, Zebo all starting, I reckon we'll have enough up front.

connachta

Fireball07 wrote: »

I think we'll win if we have a full team out, but I'm not sure we will.

And even with John Ryan, he's played a good few weeks in a row now, he might need a rest. And I'd be even less confident of someone like Guinazu starting.

If we have Botha, Foley, POC, POM, Zebo all starting, I reckon we'll have enough up front.

How was O'Mahony in the last few games? Didn't pay attention to him individually...

connachta

Ref will be David Wilkinson of the Leinster branch. ref for treviso vs connacht this year and leinster vs connacht last season

phog

connachta wrote: »

Ref will be David Wilkinson of the Leinster branch. ref for treviso vs connacht this year and leinster vs connacht last season

Wilkinson is Ulster branch or at least was. Don't really rate him but better than Dudley Philips who I thought might have got the game.

Hagz

connachta wrote: »

Poolman Healy Roux and Faloon are underated, be careful. Even with this full Munster team, the home advantage still make it 50/50 in my opinion

They're not underrated by me I assure you of that.

connachta

Hagz wrote: »

They're not underrated by me I assure you of that.

So if you had to reate a handicap bet, what figure would you chose? Munster - 3?

ironkiwi

Anyone have two spare tickets for the game, a change of plan means I can go but officially sold out as of today. If anyone has a spare pair can you give me a PM please.

Fireball07

connachta wrote: »

How was O'Mahony in the last few games? Didn't pay attention to him individually...

Ronan O'Mahony? He's impressed me a lot.

Hagz

connachta wrote: »

So if you had to reate a handicap bet, what figure would you chose? Munster - 3?

I'm not a betting man but I did come second two years ago in the boards Pro12 superbru tournament I'll have you know. Munster -3.:pac:

slingerz

As good as Marmion is and I rate him highly, Conor Murray is probably the top scrum half in the world

phog

slingerz wrote: »

As good as Marmion is and I rate him highly, Conor Murray is probably the top scrum half in the world

Why did you go and say that

connachta

slingerz wrote: »

As good as Marmion is and I rate him highly, Conor Murray is probably the top scrum half in the world

that's exaggeration. ok for Healy as a prop but...

Molester Stallone II

phog wrote: »

Why did you go and say that

I'm sure Joe Schmidt will be telling him that all thru the world cup next year

Zzippy

connachta wrote: »

that's exaggeration. ok for Healy as a prop but...

He's not far off when he's at top of his game. Certain starter for next Lions tour if he keeps improving.

connachta

Zzippy wrote: »

He's not far off when he's at top of his game. Certain starter for next Lions tour if he keeps improving.

Danny Care is class-act player

sydthebeat

connachta wrote: »

Danny Care is class-act player

Murray had a better all round game, in my opinion of course

connachta

sydthebeat wrote: »

Murray had a better all round game, in my opinion of course

I like Care. And you can't accuse me of being pro-english, he's the only one I can bare:D

phog

Looking at Connacht's tackling success rate in their games v top tier teams in the league they're probably averaging around 88%, is that going to be good enough on Thursday, as a Munster fan you'd hope it isn't.

phog

phog wrote: »

Looking at Connacht's tackling success rate in their games v top tier teams in the league they're probably averaging around 88%, is that going to be good enough on Thursday, as a Munster fan you'd hope it isn't.

The problem for us the other 12% have coughed up quite a few tries

thomond2006

I'll just leave these here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=92972788&postcount=3410
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=93286836&postcount=3773

quoting ouncer




I hate to be one of those people but my uncle has freed up new years day to go see the match I have tickets for the rest of the family but I would like get one for him as well so if anyone can help I really am sorry

connachta

connemara man wrote: »

I hate to be one of those people but my uncle has freed up new years day to go see the match I have tickets for the rest of the family but I would like get one for him as well so if anyone can help I really am sorry

2nd tier of the Clan terrace is needed this summer

connachta

connachta wrote: »

2nd tier of the Clan terrace is needed this summer

when these attendances are the norm it will. but for now what we have suits

The Lost Sheep

connachta wrote: »

2nd tier of the Clan terrace is needed this summer

Its needed but not yet and will be done soon but maybe not this summer