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