Munster vs Leinster buildup

thomond2006

So it begins. No need to thank me mods.

former total

Leinster

Madigan. Keatley.

And so forth.

Stheno

Is this match not months away?

aimee1

Stheno wrote: »

Is this match not months away?

Sunday

thomond2006

Stheno wrote: »

Is this match not months away?

This pashunate contest shall take place on December 27th.

KingBrian2

Neil Francis

Who's Neil Francis?

CatFromHue

It will be a new narrative this year with both sets of fans on here to rubbish their own players and coaches!

aimee1

KingBrian2 wrote: »

Who's Neil Francis?

Ex leinster and ireland second row and print journo for indo

thomond2006

KingBrian2 wrote: »

Who's Neil Francis?

I'll tell you who he is. He's a frickin' ligind, that man.

aimee1

CatFromHue wrote: »

It will be a new narrative this year with both sets of fans on here to rubbish their own players and coaches!

Who will be slagging madigan tho?

CatFromHue

KingBrian2 wrote: »

Who's Neil Francis?

He's a very talented man, a national treasure if you will!

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neil_Francis_%28rugby_union%29&oldid=403518990

CatFromHue

aimee1 wrote: »

Who will be slagging madigan tho?

Prob everyone, he'll be the unifying factor :pac:

Stheno

thomond2006 wrote: »

This pashunate contest shall take place on December 27th.

aimee1 wrote: »

Sunday

DUH I was thinking of the game in the Aviva

KingBrian2 wrote: »

Who's Neil Francis?

An opinonated bag of hot air

él statutorio

I think this sums it up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfgHVSvxZUA

thomond2006

It has a different feel to previous derbies. When was the last time both sides faced each other with both a low ebb? A lot of internationals from both sides are playing to retain their spot with Ireland also.

Ticket sales in the stand look very good anyway.

Stheno

I'm backing Leinster by three points.

CptMackey

Leinster

I hope it's a good game ro watch compared to the rugby I have watched in munster last few games

wp_rathead

I actually thought Munster played alright at weekend away to Leicester

Stheno

wp_rathead wrote: »

I actually thought Munster played alright at weekend away to Leicester

They didn't seem able to finish off any attacking moves was my biggest frustration with them?

Neil Francis

Expect a tidy Munster win. Foley builds his season around beating Leinster and needs the win more than they do with all the PR hysteria around Munster (even the wags are weighing in against him of late)...

Probably be a scrappy enough game, couple Munster lads on the fringe of the Ireland squad will have a point to prove against the internationals.

I'd be worried if there are any loose balls, O'Connell will come bounding onto the field in the red of Toulon to kick Dave Kearney in the head again.

This will probably be Zebo's last / second last Leinster Darby before he moves on. Hope Donnchadh Ryan starts so we can see how far behind McCarthy he is.

Hoping Munster starts Earls in centre so we don't need to worry about any distribution out wide to their backs.

Speaking of backs, Leinster cast off Conway to be your best back for 3rd week in a row?

OK that should get things going, my work here is done.

Dave_The_Sheep

Mads with at least 5 of these.

Then a few more of these for the craic. He could get more used to doing it in Thomond.

Pink Fairy

Leinster

All the talk of Munster and their poor results... Leinsters are probably worse, think Munster will win a scrappy game by less than 5

irishbucsfan

Pink Fairy wrote: »

All the talk of Munster and their poor results... Leinsters are probably worse, think Munster will win a scrappy game by less than 5

Dunno about that now. Leinster are one point behind in the league but have played one less game. Last two performances have been very encouraging from Leinster.

Saying that, the bookies agree with you almost exactly so you'll probably be proven right!

molloyjh

Pink Fairy wrote: »

All the talk of Munster and their poor results... Leinsters are probably worse, think Munster will win a scrappy game by less than 5

Well in fairness you guys played Treviso at home and got most of your points that way. I wouldn't bother looking at European form to judge this one at all. Especially as we don't know who will be rested and who won't. Until we know the teams we're better off not making any predictions.

former total

Leinster

molloyjh wrote: »

Well in fairness you guys played Treviso at home and got most of your points that way. I wouldn't bother looking at European form to judge this one at all. Especially as we don't know who will be rested and who won't. Until we know the teams we're better off not making any predictions.

That's what wrecks my head about this game. We should be seeing full strength teams on both sides going hammer and tongs at each other.

Instead, the best players will be watching it on TV in Carton House.

molloyjh

former total wrote: »

That's what wrecks my head about this game. We should be seeing full strength teams on both sides going hammer and tongs at each other.

Instead, the best players will be watching it on TV in Carton House.

What's the solution to that though? The interpros have to be on at Christmas. With the European games on when they are we're limited in when we can have the Ireland camp running. It's just an unfortunate impact of the calendar really. What they should be doing is alternating what game is in that slot so that the same fixture isn't being hit every time. But ultimately at least one interpro will be hit by it.

vienne86

Leinster

Heart says Leinster, head says Munster. By 5 points or less.

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

What's the solution to that though? The interpros have to be on at Christmas. With the European games on when they are we're limited in when we can have the Ireland camp running. It's just an unfortunate impact of the calendar really. What they should be doing is alternating what game is in that slot so that the same fixture isn't being hit every time. But ultimately at least one interpro will be hit by it.

The interpros don't have to be on at Christmas at all. That's just something we've accepted.

In reality they could be played any time. They could even take the week off, give the players a mid-season break, and start the league a week earlier or play an extra game against less important opposition during the 6 Nations.

former total

Leinster

molloyjh wrote: »

What's the solution to that though? The interpros have to be on at Christmas. With the European games on when they are we're limited in when we can have the Ireland camp running. It's just an unfortunate impact of the calendar really. What they should be doing is alternating what game is in that slot so that the same fixture isn't being hit every time. But ultimately at least one interpro will be hit by it.

The solution is not to bother our collective arse with an Ireland camp over Christmas.

sydthebeat

well if a bunch of leinster dirt trackers* loose this again by 15 points.... it will be very hard to justify travelling again to thomond again next christmas.

probably see this as the leinster team

Healy Cronin Moore
Denton MMC
Conan Murphy D ryan

reddan marsh
ringrose mads teo isa
kirchner

bent, RBF / furlong, B Byrne, moloney, leavy, mc carty, crosbie, kelleher


JVDF could do with a rest.


*not my view, just general concensus

molloyjh

My guess would be:

Healy Cronin Moore
Molony McCarthy
Ruddock Murphy SOB

Reddan Marsh
Madigan McFadden
D Kearney R Kearney Kirchner

Tracy, Dooley, Furlong, Denton, Leavy, McCarthy, Crosbie, Kelleher

Journeyman_1

Id actually expect Ringrose to get a go at 13 if we're resting Luke/Teo.

thomond2006

Any word of how strong the lineups will be? I'd rather not have a repeat of last year.

sydthebeat

thomond2006 wrote: »

Any word of how strong the lineups will be? I'd rather not have a repeat of last year.

i think it will be worse for leinster.

im going to assume

sexton, heaslip, toner, ruddock, luke fitz, r kearney, d kearney and sob will all be protected.

Strauss, ross, L mc grath, M Kearney, out long term
FMF and Boss need to be assessed

SOB might be allowed play if deemed he needs match fitness, but i wouldnt at all be surprised if hes cotton wooled.

Healy could be banned

phog

Officials for Sunday, I don't rate either the ref nor the TMO

At Thomond Park, 5.15pm. Live on Sky Sports and TG4
Referee: David Wilkinson (IRFU, 36th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Stuart Gaffikin (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

dinneenp

HI,
I hope it's okay to post here as time is running out...

I have a package for the match but can't make it:
2 premium level seats
Pre match reception:
Pre match buffet & free drinks
Q & A & Meet and greet player (player not announced yet)

I have an ad in toutless.com- link and think the price is very reasonable.
Cheers,
Pa.

clsmooth

Are tickets still for sale in Donnybrook?

aimee1

Healy available. Hearing reheard in new year

El_Duderino 09

I really like Healy and I hope he gets back to his best form.... but sometimes he behaves like a plank. I presume they'll play him this weekend since he will most likely get a 'rest' in January, after the hearing

Predicted score

Leinster -8 : -9 Munster

El_Duderino 09

Neil Francis

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

I really like Healy and I hope he gets back to his best form.... but sometimes he behaves like a plank. I presume they'll play him this weekend since he will most likely get a 'rest' in January, after the hearing

If this ends up impacting a more important or international game it will be a total sham.

phog

Newstalk mentioned that TOD might be available for Sunday, that would be great news to see him back playing after that horrific injury in the world cup warm up games.

Pink Fairy

Leinster

phog wrote: »

Newstalk mentioned that TOD might be available for Sunday, that would be great news to see him back playing after that horrific injury in the world cup warm up games.

I'd rather not rush him back, perhaps sit him on the bench and give him 5 mins at the end.....when we're coasting to victory and our enemy are completely demoralised......... Oh! Merry Christmas!!

ClanofLams

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If this ends up impacting a more important or international game it will be a total sham.

I don't think Healy would be in the 23 on current form so unless he picks up a bit it's not important from an Ireland perspective.

KingBrian2

Neil Francis

CatFromHue wrote: »

He's a very talented man, a national treasure if you will!

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neil_Francis_%28rugby_union%29&oldid=403518990

You pulling my leg.:o

CatFromHue

I don't know who wrote that but it's brilliant

Neil3030

If Leinster can show the same sort of defensive organisation as they did against Toulon, I don't think Munster have the power to punch through. Likewise if Leinster play Madigan at 10, I don't see them having the continuity in attack to do much. Depending on the weather I might see what odds are available on there being no try in this one.

Richard Hillman

Neil Francis

If we (Leinster) can't beat this shower, we have no hope.

kub

Leinster

Well for a change this time, whoever loses this game wins the worst coach competition.

molloyjh

Jesus people, really!? Let's wait and see who's available for the game before making any big grand sweeping statements shall we.

Clegg

Neil Francis

There is a noticeable lack of hype for this game, not just on boards, but in the media too. Is it because of the Christmas or because we're both crap?