Connacht vs Munster, Sat 16th April 19.15, Sportsground. Sky Sports 5/TG4

Billysays no

Ok, this is a real biggie. For Munster its a matter of European qualification, for Connacht its a top 4 (possibly top 2) position up for grabs in the Pro12. So Munster had a week off to prepare for the game. Connacht had to live through the agony of a 1 point loss to Grenoble. Alan Quinlan says that Connacht needs to play ugly while we all know this will not happen, Peter O'Mahoney out for the total season is a huge blow to Munster. Very clear that with Conor Murray back Munster is a much better team. Johnny Holland is playing out of his skin these days and Sweetnam is simply a find. In return Matt Healy is finally being recognised as the slipperiest fecker on two feet.

How will this game turn out. Yes there is a transition going on at Connacht (it has always been that way). Will Munster put manners on this new way of playing rugby or will Connacht show Munster a clean turn of foot. One thing is sure is that where Munster were porous earlier in the season, this is no longer the case.

The game is up for grabs. So go get it

Digifriendly

I'm an Ulster supporter so am hoping for a Connacht win. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Connacht play this season and they do play exhilarating rugby at times. Last Saturday's match in France was the best of all the quarter finals IMHO. However I do think if they had their 1st/2nd choice out half available they would probably have won. I hope this does not hamper them in the Pro 12 run in. I think this match will be similar to the recent match against Leinster and it will be tight. Munster will be fighting for all their worth (not literally) and I can't see more than a score in it. Here's hoping the home crowd will lift Connacht again and see them over the line to well deserved victory.

neelia11

Digifriendly wrote: »

I'm an Ulster supporter so am hoping for a Connacht win. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Connacht play this season and they do play exhilarating rugby at times. Last Saturday's match in France was the best of all the quarter finals IMHO. However I do think if they had their 1st/2nd choice out half available they would probably have won. I hope this does not hamper them in the Pro 12 run in. I think this match will be similar to the recent match against Leinster and it will be tight. Munster will be fighting for all their worth (not literally) and I can't see more than a score in it. Here's hoping the home crowd will lift Connacht again and see them over the line to well deserved victory.

I think munster might sneak this If they have stander, murray, holland at 8-9-10 it might just offer a bit more control if it is a tight game

wp_rathead

neelia11 wrote: »

I think munster might sneak this If they have stander, murray, holland at 8-9-10 it might just offer a bit more control if it is a tight game

Between Holland and O'Leary, Holland has certainly has looked more impressive it has to be said

Stander-Murray vs Muldoon-Marmion
Be closer than you'd think (Muldoon has just been ridiculous this season)

Gonna be a really interesting game- weather is looking good too

neelia11

wp_rathead wrote: »

Between Holland and O'Leary, Holland has certainly has looked more impressive it has to be said

Stander-Murray vs Muldoon-Marmion
Be closer than you'd think (Muldoon has just been ridiculous this season)

Gonna be a really interesting game- weather is looking good too

Murray and Stander are a step above muldoon - Marmion. Murray also offers a lot more control to help Holland and I dont think Marmion offers that to SOL on the same level. If the munster 8-9-10 perform well in a close game I think it could be the difference.

wp_rathead

For the type of open game Connacht play Muldoon and Marmion are extremely effective.

Really looking forward to this game

Felix Jones is God

Munster need the win if there is to be any chance of a top 4 finish.
I expect us to just about do it if we can get quick ball to Earls, Zebo & I'm expecting young Holland to have a stormer

former total

Digifriendly wrote: »

I'm an Ulster supporter so am hoping for a Connacht win. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Connacht play this season and they do play exhilarating rugby at times. Last Saturday's match in France was the best of all the quarter finals IMHO. However I do think if they had their 1st/2nd choice out half available they would probably have won. I hope this does not hamper them in the Pro 12 run in. I think this match will be similar to the recent match against Leinster and it will be tight. Munster will be fighting for all their worth (not literally) and I can't see more than a score in it. Here's hoping the home crowd will lift Connacht again and see them over the line to well deserved victory.

It's interesting that Ulster fans need Connacht to win, while a Munster win would pretty much guarantee a home semi-final for Leinster (barring disaster against Edinburgh the previous night).

Connacht have had the better season but this will be their fourth big match in four weeks (three interpros and a trip to Grenoble), so it's a test of their depth. Munster have been disappointing this season but are always there or thereabout in the last 15 minutes.

Being at home, you would have to favour Connacht, but it will be close.

Buer

Munster by a nose. I think the pace of the business end of the season and absent players will start to tell on Connacht. If they're to win, they really need a few guys to step up in the pack and play above what they've shown in the last couple of weeks.

its_phil

Buer wrote: »

Munster by a nose. I think the pace of the business end of the season and absent players will start to tell on Connacht. If they're to win, they really need a few guys to step up in the pack and play above what they've shown in the last couple of weeks.

I really don't think Munster will want any pace in this game.

Don't understand the pack argument. Thought they did pretty well the past 3 weeks TBH. Lineouts could be much better though.

Buer

its_phil wrote: »

I really don't think Munster will want any pace in this game.

Don't understand the pack argument. Thought they did pretty well the past 3 weeks TBH. Lineouts could be much better though.

Pace in relation to the end of season phase as opposed to the actual pace of the specific game. They're enduring important game after important game against sides who are throwing the kitchen sink at them. It takes a toll on players and it's when depth is really needed.

I think the line outs could be much better but I haven't been hugely impressed by some of the units. I think second row hasn't been great. Discipline has been poor in the pack with 3 yellow cards in two games.

They also need to take some of the pressure off their outhalf by taking on some more ball, I feel. The opposition defence know Connacht are going to move the ball almost every time and are able to shoot up and pressure errors. I'd like to see some guys take on the opposition up front for a few phases more often.

Billysays no

Think Tom has been unpredictable with lineouts. Suspect this will be a problem on Saturday. Otherwise Connacht will retain posession until Munster take it away from them. Am hugely concerned with the lack of experience at 10 for Connacht while Munster has a budding replacement for Sexton. Think the two Scannells are great but see Connacht showing Alan Quinlan and Munster how to play modern day rugby. If I am right, then I hope I am wrong, as I would hate the dynasty that is Munster rugby shown up. But I fear that the conservative nature of Munster rugby will implode on itself this Saturday and finally the difficult questions will be asked as to the direction of the Munster team

Buer

Billysays no wrote:

Think Tom has been unpredictable with lineouts. Suspect this will be a problem on Saturday. Otherwise Connacht will retain posession until Munster take it away from them

56.

That's the number of times Connacht have turned over possession in their last three outings combined. Ball retention is a massive issue for them.

MarinersBlues

Powers have gone up with Connacht as slight favourites.

4/5 to win the game and 2 pts on the handicap.

They got the total points for Connacht v Grenoble way too low last week. I think they have gone too high this week.
If it is as high scoring as they seem to expect I would expect Connacht to win.

But on the whole, until the teams are named, I think they are correct. It is 50/50.

Billysays no

Buer wrote: »

56.

That's the number of times Connacht have turned over possession in their last three outings combined. Ball retention is a massive issue for them.

Think what you say is a double edged sword. If you play a high intensity game there are rewards and also negatives. You describe the negative and ignore the positive. It has always bothered me that scotland, who play a similar game in the 6 nations and fail year in and year out. Yet, if I were a scottish supporter I would go and watch it every year in the hope that maybe this would be the year. Because, bottom line, i would be entertained. I would go through so many emotions with such a team, but bottom line I would enjoy it. There is nothing to be enjoyed by modern day irish rugby other than connacht.

thomond2006

Munster:
Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray;
James Cronin, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Donnacha Ryan, Billy Holland; CJ Stander - capt., Tommy O'Donnell, Jack O'Donoghue.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jordan Coghlan, Tomás O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Andrew Conway.

Well there's no doubt who the #1 flyhalf is now. Jordan Coghlan makes a rare appearance in the 23 with other players out injured, it's interesting that he is selected ahead of Shane Buckley who I believe is fit?

thomond2006

Connacht team to face Munster, Saturday 16th April, the Sportsground, 19:15

15 Robbie Henshaw
14 Niyi Adeolokun
13 Bundee Aki
12 Peter Robb
11 Matt Healy
10 Shane O’Leary
9 Kieran Marmion

1 Denis Buckley
2 Tom McCartney
3 Finlay Bealham
4 Ultan Dillane
5 Aly Muldowney
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Eoin McKeon
8 John Muldoon (captain)

Replacements:

16 Jason Harris-Wright
17 Ronan Loughney
18 JP Cooney
19 Andrew Browne
20 James Connolly
21 John Cooney
22 Jack Carty
23 Fionn Carr

Injured/Unavailable: Dave Heffernan, Nathan White, Ben Marshall, Jake Heenan, Nepia Fox-Matamua, Eoghan Masterson, Craig Ronaldson, AJ MacGinty, Dave McSharry, Danie Poolman, Darragh Leader, Ciaran Gaffney, Tiernan O’Halloran

gavkm27

Nice to see Jack Carty back in the Connacht 23

Mahatma Geansai

Very happy with that Munster side. Its great to see Sweetnam, Holland, and JOD all being given starts in such an important game.

Thirteen of the Munster starting 15 are homegrown and 22 of the 23-man squad are Irish qualified. Its great to see such a young side also; the average age of the starting side is only 26. Crazy that Earls is the old man in the backline.

While the season may be deemed a failure - how big of a failure we have yet to find out - I think that we are in a much stronger position heading into next season than we were heading in into the current one. Foley has to be given some plaudits for how he has integrated young players over the recent months.

irishbucsfan

Which team has the stronger pack?

Mahatma Geansai

thomond2006 wrote: »

Well there's no doubt who the #1 flyhalf is now. Jordan Coghlan makes a rare appearance in the 23 with other players out injured, it's interesting that he is selected ahead of Shane Buckley who I believe is fit?

I wonder if Shane Buckley is being transitioned to hooker fulltime?

Bazzo

Pat has obviously lost any patience he had left with Rodney. Disappointing for his time with the province to end that way but honestly he has only himself to blame

d-gal

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Which team has the stronger pack?

Connacht the better tight 5 with Munster edging the back 3. Connacht overall coz they play better as a unit.

2 very tasty backlines - both equal overall with. Murray obviously better than Marmion but Aki is better than both Munster centres combined. That's no insult to the likes of Scannell, it's just Aki has been the best centre in the Pro12 this year. Man is a freak!

Connacht by 7

thomond2006

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

I wonder if Shane Buckley is being transitioned to hooker fulltime?

We have 5 hookers on the books for next season so if that's the case I don't get it. I think he may be let go.

slingerz

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

I wonder if Shane Buckley is being transitioned to hooker fulltime?

think hes out of contract this summer though

2smiggy

d-gal wrote: »

but Aki is better than both Munster centres combined

slight blinkered exaggeration there ....

slingerz

2smiggy wrote: »

slight blinkered exaggeration there ....

slightly exaggerated alright especially against a capped AB

Zzippy

2smiggy wrote: »

slight blinkered exaggeration there ....

Not at all, in fact I don't know why we're even putting another centre in with Aki, he can handle both of them on his own... :P

Being serious though, Aki vs Saili is just one of a few tasty match-ups in this game. Good team from Munster, could be very tight. Let's hope for a dry day and a good game of rugby...

leakyboots

Our backs look great on the teamsheet but have been misfiring on the pitch... cracking lineups though, first trip up to the Dog Track in a few years for me, looking forward to it!

Bazzo

slingerz wrote: »

slightly exaggerated alright especially against a capped AB

Obviously that was ott but I think it's fair to say Aki is having the better season overall.

Plenty of great match ups there, looking forward to this game.

case885

Very happy with the selection from Foley bar Sherry over Scannell, I think Sherry needs a good pre season to get back to previous level after such a long time out.

BrokenMan

Looking forward to this. Two good looking teams. Delighted for Jack to see him back fit.

One thing though. Isn't it a 7.15 kickoff not 7.35?

Bazzo

BrokenMan wrote: »

Looking forward to this. Two good looking teams. Delighted for Jack to see him back fit.

One thing though. Isn't it a 7.15 kickoff not 7.35?

Yeah, the Leinster match today is a 7.35 kickoff, the match tomorrow is 7.15

kuang1

All I hope for is that if Holland is playing well at 10, that he's left on to play the full game.

(And not replaced by our "international standard" Keatley at 61 minutes by an inept coach)

wp_rathead

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Which team has the stronger pack?

Connacht in the tight-five
Munster in the backrow

d-gal

slingerz wrote: »

slightly exaggerated alright especially against a capped AB

Let's face it, he looks nowhere near that level

MarinersBlues

d-gal wrote: »

Let's face it, he looks nowhere near that level

He is as much AB standard as Keatley is "international standard".
Even if you disagree with that, he is definitely not as good as Aki.

Looking forward to seeing Saili getting Akied in the first few minutes a la Teo. :cool::cool:

irishbucsfan

There's a very clear order.

Sailli -> Aki -> Lord Henshaw

freyners

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There's a very clear order.

Sailli -> Aki -> Lord Henshaw

Jaysus I knew Leinster was the pale but I didnt realise he got a title with the move.

irishbucsfan

freyners wrote: »

Jaysus I knew Leinster was the pale but I didnt realise he got a title with the move.

It's the feudal system. Connacht give Leinster deadly players and in return we protect them by providing European rugby (this year has been an unfortunate blip of course)

irishgrover

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There's a very clear order.

Sailli -> Aki -> Lord Henshaw

personally, and genuinely without any malice to Lord Henshaw, I've always thought that Aki is a superior 12.

Bazzo

irishgrover wrote: »

personally, and genuinely without any malice to Lord Henshaw, I've always thought that Aki is a superior 12.

Pretty much the entirety of Connacht agrees, that's why they line up as 12. Aki 13. Henshaw whenever they're playing together.

freyners

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It's the feudal system. Connacht give Leinster deadly players and in return we protect them by providing European rugby (this year has been an unfortunate blip of course)

Don't know why we ever complain so:p

I reckon we should have an edge scrum time. Buckley is a better prop overall imo than Cronin or Kilcoyne, some will argue otherwise, but in the scrum its pretty clear Denis has an edge. Bealham I also rate ahead of Archer now, who has developed himself into a competent prop at this level, but Bealham is competing with two capped internationals and has comfortably overtaken one and is in a real tussle with the other

9/10 Munster have a strong advantage thanks to Murray but Marmion tends to have big games in home interpros and expect that to continue.

Aki to show why Munster were so put out on missing out on his signature

Yeah_Right

MarinersBlues wrote: »

He is as much AB standard as Keatley is "international standard".
Even if you disagree with that, he is definitely not as good as Aki.

Looking forward to seeing Saili getting Akied in the first few minutes a la Teo. :cool::cool:

It's interesting comparing Saili and Aki. In NZ Saili was clearly better than Aki. It wasn't even a contest. Saili got a couple of caps and no one was looking at Aki for the All Blacks. They come to Ireland and Aki looks like the international.

Bazzo

Yeah_Right wrote: »

It's interesting comparing Saili and Aki. In NZ Saili was clearly better than Aki. It wasn't even a contest. Saili got a couple of caps and no one was looking at Aki for the All Blacks. They come to Ireland and Aki looks like the international.

It could be to do with where they are playing. Connacht play a much more SH-esque style of rugby than Munster so it may just suit Aki better than Saili fitting in at Munster, but I don't think there's any question that Aki has been the better signing of the two so far at least.

phog

kuang1 wrote: »

All I hope for is that if Holland is playing well at 10, that he's left on to play the full game.

(And not replaced by our "international standard" Keatley at 61 minutes by an inept coach)

Didnt Holland say he found the intensity of the Leinster match to be higher than he'd previously experienced. I think he had visibly tired and the replacement needed to be made maybe not as early but it was needed.

spurscormac

Yeah_Right wrote: »

It's interesting comparing Saili and Aki. In NZ Saili was clearly better than Aki. It wasn't even a contest. Saili got a couple of caps and no one was looking at Aki for the All Blacks. They come to Ireland and Aki looks like the international.

Could that be down to the system they're playing in?
Aki is perfectly suited to the Connacht brand of rugby, whereas I'd even cheekily suggest that Saili would look a better player in a green jersey.

freyners

Connacht|Munster
15: Henshaw|15: Zebo
14: Adeolokun|14:Sweetnam
13: Aki|13: Saili
12: Robb|12: Rory Scannell
11: Healy|11: Earls
10: O'Leary|10: Johnny Holland
9: Marmion|9: Murray
|
1: Buckley|1: Cronin
2: McCartney|2: Sherry
3: Bealham|3: Archer
4: Dillane|4: Ryan
5: Muldowney|5: Billy Holland
6: O'Brien|6: Stander (c)
7: McKeon|7: O'Donnell
8: Muldoon (c)|8: O'Donoghue
|
16: Harris-Wright|16: Niall Scannell
17: Loughney|17: Kilcoyne
18: JP Cooney|18: Ryan
19: Browne|19: Copeland
20: Connolly|20: Coghlan
21: John Cooney|21: O'Leary
22: Carty|22: Keatley
23: Carr|23: Conway

b.gud

The Saili vs Aki one is interesting, I agree that Aki looks far the better player this year bit I think it's worth remembering that he came to Munster after a full super rugby season.
Last year Aki came to us after a super rugby and ITM season and looked good but not a patch on what he has been this season.
It'll be interesting to see how they both go next year when both have had a whole summer off and a whole pre season

Moflojo

b.gud wrote: »

The Saili vs Aki one is interesting, I agree that Aki looks far the better player this year bit I think it's worth remembering that he came to Munster after a full super rugby season.

Also worth noting that Connacht are playing a SH style of rugby that's better suited to Aki than Munster's style is to Saili. I felt sorry for Saili at times this season when he looked to offload out of a tackle but no one was giving him an outlet, everyone was slowing up to ruck over and secure the breakdown. Munster's style is evolving though and they're always a bit more adventurous with Zebo and Earls in the side.

Billysays no

Would say that the replacement front row for connacht looks threadbare. I would suggest that the three lads on the field will have to stay the 80 minutes unless the game is already won