Match Thread: Munster v Connacht, Thomond Park, Sat 28/11 17:15, SKY

Stan27

Bit early I know but really excited about this match.
I think this is where Connacht have a great opportunity to beat Munster in Thomand.
I also wonder if Connacht win a few in these inter pro's will it be a factor in henshaw going/ staying put.
I think it will be close

death1234567

Stan27 wrote: »

Bit early I know but really excited about this match.
I think this is where Connacht have a great opportunity to beat Munster in Thomand.
I also wonder if Connacht win a few in these inter pro's will it be a factor in henshaw going/ staying put.
I think it will be close

If munster didn't have two weeks to prepare for the game and connacht's best player hadn't just got a possible season ending injury then it might have been close. I expect Munster to win by ~10. Also the never ending trip to Siberia won't have helped either.

Stan27

death1234567 wrote: »

If munster didn't have two weeks to prepare for the game and connacht's best player hadn't just got a possible season ending injury then it might have been close. I expect Munster to win by ~10. Also the never ending trip to Siberia won't have helped either.

I say Masterson will go in 7 and can do a job. Would like to see aki and henshaw play their best it could win the game I think

death1234567

Stan27 wrote: »

I say Masterson will go in 7 and can do a job.

He's half the player Fox-Matamua is.

thomond2006

I'd like to think the Munster lineup that would have played in Paris will play on Saturday.

b.gud

death1234567 wrote: »

He's half the player Fox-Matamua is.

Half the player at 7 maybe, but half the player in general absolutely not. Masterson is one of the real shining lights of the young Connacht players.

When both players have been fit he's been picked ahead of McKeon for No8, and let's not forget that McKeon was part of the Wolfhounds 23 against the Saxons this year.

wp_rathead

b.gud wrote: »

Half the player at 7 maybe, but half the player in general absolutely not. Masterson is one of the real shining lights of the young Connacht players.

When both players have been fit he's been picked ahead of McKeon for No8, and let's not forget that McKeon was part of the Wolfhounds 23 against the Saxons this year.

Masterson is our best No. 8 alright - between him, Fox, TOH and Aki as our player of the season so far
Plus McKeon is a doubt after the Brive game so we could see Masterson 7 with George 8 or Masterson 8 and Connolly 7

b.gud

wp_rathead wrote: »

Masterson is our best No. 8 alright - between him, Fox, TOH and Aki as our player of the season so far
Plus McKeon is a doubt after the Brive game so we could see Masterson 7 with George 8 or Masterson 8 and Connolly 7

Yeah, I'd go as far as to say that he's our 2nd best backrow player and the only he's not no1 is because Nepia has been unbelievable, and we missed a 7 so much last year that we're delighted to have a proper one.

If you listen to the latest Craggy Island Pat named checked Connolly so we may well see him, otherwise I'd imagine it'll be Masterson at 7

Hagz

Are Connacht going to be wearing that superhero jersey for this match? I see the players were wearing it at the press conference.

b.gud

Hagz wrote: »

Are Connacht going to be wearing that superhero jersey for this match? I see the players were wearing it at the press conference.

There hasn't been any mention of it happening/not happening yet so not sure, but if I was to guess I'd say not this weekend.
Maybe in December and probably at a home game where they'll make a big deal of it

b.gud

Hagz wrote: »

Are Connacht going to be wearing that superhero jersey for this match? I see the players were wearing it at the press conference.

Here's the photo for anyone who hasn't seen it

b.gud

b.gud wrote: »

There hasn't been any mention of it happening/not happening yet so not sure, but if I was to guess I'd say not this weekend.
Maybe in December and probably at a home game where they'll make a big deal of it

Well it looks like I was very wrong about this http://blog.lifestylesports.com/connacht-rugby-to-face-munster-in-a-limited-edition-green-lantern-inspired-jersey/

Munster should win this handily enough. They've had a good rest due to the cancellations and should have a good crowd at home against both another province and the current top table pro12 team.

Connacht with their injuries and history in Thomond could find this to be a bridge to far, albeit I think they are the better coached side and have more exciting talent coming through.

Should be a good game, Connacht will target Earls at centre as a weak point and the Munster line out.

Looking forward to Saturday evening!

death1234567

death1234567 wrote: »

If munster didn't have two weeks to prepare for the game and connacht's best player hadn't just got a possible season ending injury then it might have been close. I expect Munster to win by ~10. Also the never ending trip to Siberia won't have helped either.

Who got injured?

former total

Deleted User wrote: »

Munster should win this handily enough. They've had a good rest due to the cancellations and should have a good crowd at home against both another province and the current top table pro12 team.

Connacht with their injuries and history in Thomond could find this to be a bridge to far, albeit I think they are the better coached side and have more exciting talent coming through.

Should be a good game, Connacht will target Earls at centre as a weak point and the Munster line out.

Looking forward to Saturday evening!

Munster have their own injuries; both senior hookers, POM, TOD and now Murray is a major doubt. GVDH is still suspended so I presume Earls will be on the wing.

Still, you just never expect Munster to lose at home and I don't think this will be any different, I'm looking forward to it though.

wp_rathead

Healy is back but Poolman is most likely out.

Can either see :
15 Henshaw
14 TOH
13 Bundee
12 Ronaldson
11 Healy
Or:
15 TOH
14 Parata
13 Henshaw
12 Bundee
11 Healy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Who got injured?

Nepia Fox

Zzippy

Anyone know a good place in Rome that might be showing the match?

b.gud

wp_rathead wrote: »

Healy is back but Poolman is most likely out.

Can either see :
15 Henshaw
14 TOH
13 Bundee
12 Ronaldson
11 Healy
Or:
15 TOH
14 Parata
13 Henshaw
12 Bundee
11 Healy

My preference would be the latter, also Niyi put in a good shift last week so he could get the 14 jersey too

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

Anyone know a good place in Rome that might be showing the match?

I'd say they'll have TV's set up in the Sistine Chapel for this one. Would you ever go and enjoy your honeymoon for feck sake.

Zzippy

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd say they'll have TV's set up in the Sistine Chapel for this one. Would you ever go and enjoy your honeymoon for feck sake.

She's as interested as I am! Both ST holders...

CatFromHue

Best bet when abroad and want to watch a game from back home is to contact all the Irish bars.

Neil3030

Zzippy wrote: »

Anyone know a good place in Rome that might be showing the match?

Finnegans on Via Leonina. I've recommended it on here a few times. It's probably my favourite Irish pub (i.e. not in Ireland). They have all the channels right down to TG4!

phog

Zzippy wrote: »

Anyone know a good place in Rome that might be showing the match?

There is/was an Irish pub on via Nazionale off Piazza della Repubblica that might have coverage.

case885

Deleted User wrote:

Munster should win this handily enough. They've had a good rest due to the cancellations and should have a good crowd at home against both another province and the current top table pro12 team.

Deleted User wrote:

Connacht with their injuries and history in Thomond could find this to be a bridge to far, albeit I think they are the better coached side and have more exciting talent coming through.

Deleted User wrote:

Should be a good game, Connacht will target Earls at centre as a weak point and the Munster line out.

Deleted User wrote:

Looking forward to Saturday evening!

Munster are missing a lot of first team players too but I'm sure you know that. Hurley/saili will be the centre partnership more than likely, it would be shame to take earls off the wing as he's Ireland's best option there at the moment.
I don't see us winning this handily either should be a very close game.

its_phil

Zzippy wrote: »

She's as interested as I am! Both ST holders...

Never let her go...

CoDy1

Zzippy wrote: »

Anyone know a good place in Rome that might be showing the match?

http://www.trinity-rome.com/

Watched a Munster match there last time I was in Rome!

Esroh

Zzippy wrote: »

Anyone know a good place in Rome that might be showing the match?

Camden Town on Via Ostilia. Close to the Collosseum.
Rugby is their go to sport. Soccer gets the little tv in the corner.
Lovely spot

CatFromHue

Murray won't be playing anyway as they're not risking him with his foot injury

Stan27

CatFromHue wrote: »

Murray won't be playing anyway as they're not risking him with his foot injury

Who will be munsters nine now ?

Stan27

Stan27 wrote: »

Who will be munsters nine now ?

I'd imagine Tomas O'Leary

b.gud

Tickets sorted, this is gonna be my first match in Thomond so really looking forward to it

The Ape

Controversial call but irish rugby is entering a new era, Connacht to win this... Connacht should go down with confidence

The Ape

The Ape wrote: »

Controversial call but irish rugby is entering a new era, Connacht to win this... Connacht should go down with confidence

If Connact win this it would be both terrific for Connacht and in many ways catastrophic for Munster.

Still don't see it happening, the misses has the Munster Scarves out so heading to the pub to watch this all donned in red for a change!

leakyboots

Deleted User wrote: »

If Connact win this it would be both terrific for Connacht and in many ways catastrophic for Munster.

Still don't see it happening, the misses has the Munster Scarves out so heading to the pub to watch this all donned in red for a change!

What are these many ways in which it would be catastrophic?

Cookiemunster

Munster team's in.

Conway; GvdH, Earls, Saili, Amorosino; Keatley, O’Leary; Cronin, NScannell, Botha; DRyan, Chisholm; Stander(c) JO’D, Copeland

O’Byrne, Kilcoyne, JRyan, Foley, Coghlan, Williams, RScannell, Hurley

Hyperbullet

I thought GvDH was still serving a suspension? Great to see him back!

Limerick Dude

Hyperbullet wrote: »

I thought GvDH was still serving a suspension? Great to see him back!

Think it was a two week ban rather than a two game ban.

Good line up, lets hope Earls and Sailli can continue to forge a decent partnership.

Henry Ford III

leakyboots wrote: »

What are these many ways in which it would be catastrophic?

Not sure but the weather forecast for Saturday is certainly catastrophic.

former total

Zebo dropped/injured/rested?

Henry Ford III

former total wrote: »

Zebo dropped/injured/rested?

Yes

Hyperbullet

former total wrote: »

Zebo dropped/injured/rested?

Yeah what gives? No mention of an injury in the recent squad update.

Murray out too is a big loss..

wp_rathead

Noticing a distinct lack of table in the OP :P

connemara man

I thought a 2 week ban meant two matches so how is GvDH available?

Cookiemunster

connemara man wrote: »

I thought a 2 week ban meant two matches so how is GvDH available?

He was available to play for the A team in the B&I cup, so that counted as week 2.

connemara man

Cookiemunster wrote: »

He was available to play for the A team in the B&I cup, so that counted as week 2.

Ah gotcha! Odd but sure thems the rules

CatFromHue

It is odd. Dan Biggar got a one week ban a couple of seasons back but The Ospreys had no match that weekend so he didn't actually miss any games.

flouncer

Its gas. Munster supporters think this should be a straightforward win and I think this is a straightforward Connacht win. Marmion/aj versus too/keatley is a Connacht win. Pack are as strong as any pack we have and all of them have been rested at some point. Back line is as exciting a line as we have played all year. The only issue is that we are getting light on replacements but we have decent cover for this game and will have many players returning for the Cardiff game. My only worry is the weather playing havoc with the game.

thomond2006

I've not seen much of Marmion or McGinty this year but I'm not too worried about TOL and Keatley. TOL has played well and deserves to be Murray's backup.

b.gud

wp_rathead wrote: »

Noticing a distinct lack of table in the OP :P

Here you go

Munster| Position | Connacht
Andrew Conway|

15

|Robbie Henshaw
Gerhard van den Heever|

14

|Tiernan O’Halloran
Keith Earls|

13

|Bundee Aki
Francis Saili|

12

|Craig Ronaldson
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino|

11

|Matt Healy
Ian Keatley|

10

|AJ MacGinty
Tomás O’Leary|

9

|Kieran Marmion
James Cronin|

1

|Denis Buckley
Niall Scannell|

2

|Shane Delahunt
BJ Botha|

3

|Nathan White
Donnacha Ryan|

4

|Ultan Dillane
Mark Chisholm|

5

|Aly Muldowney
CJ Stander (capt)|

6

|John Muldoon (capt)
Jack O’Donoghue|

7

|James Connolly
Robin Copeland|

8

|Eoghan Masterson
|Replacements|
Kevin O’Byrne|

16

|David Heffernan
Dave Kilcoyne|

17

|Ronan Loughney
John Ryan|

18

|Finlay Bealham
Dave Foley|

19

|George Naoupu
Jordan Coghlan|

20

|Sean O'Brien
Duncan Williams|

21

|Ian Porter
Rory Scannell|

22

|Jack Carty
Denis Hurley|

23

|Darragh Leader

wp_rathead

PHWOAR!

thomond2006

Those be two sayyyyerius backlines.