Connacht vs Munster, Fri 27th Oct 7:35pm, TG4

thomond2006

Connacht:
Tiernan O’Halloran, Darragh Leader, Bundee Aki, Tom Farrell, Cian Kelleher, Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion,
Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Ultan Dillane, James Cannon; Eoin McKeon, Jarrad Butler, John Muldoon (Capt).

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Denis Coulson, Conor Carey, Quinn Roux, Eoghan Masterson, Caolin Blade, Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun.

Munster:
Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls, Ian Keatley, Conor Murray;
Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Mark Flanagan, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony Capt., Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Kevin O’Byrne, Liam O’Connor, Stephen Archer, Sean McCarthy, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Darren Sweetnam.

The Pro14 returns as Connacht host Munster in a Conference A clash. Munster will look to consolidate their strong league position while Connacht are seeking a win to chase the pack after a disappointing 8 points from their first six league matches.

Usually this fixture would be a chance to rotate for Munster as it would be sandwiched between internationals or other interprovincial matches. With Ireland only playing 3 autumn internationals this year (and the Fiji match likely to see rotation), Munster are able to name close to their strongest available lineup. Other than Jean Kleyn not appearing in the second row (it's unclear at this stage whether he is rested or is injured) and a change at TH, there are no changes to the starting lineup that defeated Racing 92.

Today's Ireland squad announcement and upcoming internationals loom in the background as both regular starters and squad hopefuls look to impress. Simon Zebo's future departure to France leaves the door open for a player like Tiernan O'Halloran to stake a claim at an Ireland jersey in the not too distant future. Garry Ringrose's injury opens the door for Bundí Aki to gain a first Irish cap at centre.

connachta

Slightly stronger Munster XV, slightly stronger Connacht bench.

Hastentoadd

Wow, that is a much stronger Munster team than I ever expected to be named. Had expected Munster to put out a second team for this game, considering a secondary Munster team beat Connacht in the Sportsground last year and the Connacht team against them is much the same as last year.

Tomtom364

Neil Francis

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster are able to name close to their strongest available lineup. Other than Jean Kleyn not appearing in the second row (it's unclear at this stage whether he is rested or is injured) and a change at TH, there are no changes to the starting lineup that defeated Racing 92.

Just to be pedantic, sweetnam started last week with Conway on the bench.

Bazzo

Cats

You could cut the tension with a knife.

connemara man

Venjur isn't stirring

Bazzo

Cats

Are you telling me he didn't bump in to KK and Rassie this week? I don't believe it :pac:

Wegians89

Interesting to see who comes out on top it the battle of dropped fullbacks. Hope toh manages to stay fit for the 80 min and show joe what he's missing

Burkie1203

Cats

Wegians89 wrote: »

Interesting to see who comes out on top it the battle of dropped fullbacks. Hope toh manages to stay fit for the 80 min and show joe what he's missing

He should have showed that in irish camps

Wegians89

Burkie1203 wrote: »

He should have showed that in irish camps

I have no doubt that he has shown it in camp and he certainly has in any of his caps for Ireland so far.

What joe is missing by leaving him out is is the pure attacking ability and creativity tiernan brings. I didn't say it's what joe wants but just what he is missing.

And if tiernan shows this tonight for 80 minutes the chances of Connacht winning increase.

thomond2006

Cats

Tomtom364 wrote: »

Just to be pedantic, sweetnam started last week with Conway on the bench.

Pedant anyway, I'm the same.

I hear Muldoon reckons the real reason Zebo is leaving Munster is because Reggie Corrigans comments really struck a chord with him...

connemara man

Burkie1203 wrote: »

He should have showed that in irish camps

TOH has said in an interview last year is the way he's asked to play for Connacht actually makes it hard for him to show the workons to Joe

connemara man

Really should be an interesting game. If and a huge if Connacht click and play like they did in Ulster and improve on that we'll be incredibly difficult to live with.

If we play like we did Vs Worcester well we're fecked

Wegians89

connemara man wrote: »

Really should be an interesting game. If and a huge if Connacht click and play like they did in Ulster and improve on that we'll be incredibly difficult to live with.

If we play like we did Vs Worcester well we're fecked

Weather is supposed to be grand which is a big thing for the fair weather connacht game plan. There'll be big crowd out I'd say and atmosphere should be good

FACECUTTR

Cats

Very strong Munster team. If Connacht show up it should be a cracker. I think we need this win far more than Munster.

Dbu

Neil Francis

Wegians89 wrote: »

Weather is supposed to be grand which is a big thing for the fair weather connacht game plan. There'll be big crowd out I'd say and atmosphere should be good

Weather being grand and Connacht V Munster in Galway normally do not go together. Looking forward to my first trip to the sportsground

Burkie1203

Cats

Dbu wrote: »

Weather being grand and Connacht V Munster in Galway normally do not go together. Looking forward to my first trip to the sportsground

3-0 to munster so.

Dbu

Neil Francis

Burkie1203 wrote: »

3-0 to munster so.

There was a good few of them 10 years ago or so

Wegians89

Hope Connacht get a bit of a lead early on, if that happened could be a game like the scarlets, if munster get going early could be a low enough handy win for them

Bazzo

Cats

Dbu wrote: »

There was a good few of them 10 years ago or so

2 in a row in 2004. Turgid.

So apparently after Muldoon's comments earlier, Peter O'Mahony has fired back stating that he's had more time as a back three for Ireland than Tiernan. Things are really heating up before tonight's clash, more to follow no doubt.

irishbucsfan

I have this weird feeling that Venjur might bump into Rassie during his commute.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I have this weird feeling that Venjur might bump into Rassie during his commute.

I actually did bump into Rassie just there, he had all his Munster gear on over his South African gear.

I said best of luck this evening against Connacht. He didn't respond at first but then denied being Rassie Erasmus, denied having any connection to Munster rugby and said that if anyone said otherwise it was the IRFU and more specifically Jamie Heaslips fault.

Was a bit of a strange one. I said 'good-bye" and he just said that he could neither confirm nor deny if it was good.

As I walked away I heard him on the phone giving bank account electronic transfer details to someone called RODGE???

Wegians89

Last time Zebo and rassie will be st the sportsground for munster

The Lost Sheep

Really quiet in ground so far. Surprised at that.

jspuds

Any English commentary available for the game?

death1234567

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Really quiet in ground so far. Surprised at that.

Why, kick off isn't for another hour and half and it's a Friday evening.

The Lost Sheep

death1234567 wrote:

Why, kick off isn't for another hour and half and it's a Friday evening.

interpros usually have queues out the gate and I'm working in here and normally for Munster queues are out the gate....

connachta

https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22730393_1872672556094210_2999251496669767520_n.jpg?oh=122465a480972397a4cc7fa335fcd5d9&oe=5A68B544

Look at that. Forget about Ireland squad, these lineups are just tasteful

Jump_In_Jack

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

interpros usually have queues out the gate and I'm working in here and normally for Munster queues are out the gate....

How's the crowd lookin now?

prawnsambo

Great steal by Bundee. Joe will be pleased.

LuckyGent88

Cats

Zeeeeeeeeeeeeeebbooooooooooooo

Burkie1203

Cats

prawnsambo wrote: »

Great steal by Bundee. Joe will be pleased.

Are exit strategy's banned in connacht?

ScrubsfanChris

Who else could have scored :pac:

thomond2006

Cats

That was wonderful from Rory Scannell.

The Rape of Lucretia

That Munster 15 looks decent, especially when he has his shorts on. How long before he makes the Ireland squad ?

DDC1990

Brilliant broken field running from Scannell. Classic Zebo finish.

Lucky break as our scrum got destroyes. 40kg difference in the pack weights.

Jump_In_Jack

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Zeeeeeeeeeeeeeebbooooooooooooo

What did he do?

Squidgy Black

Shocking attempt at a tackle by TOH on zebo.

molloyjh

Connacht with the same dumb mistakes as ever. Trying to play it from their 22 when it wasn’t on instead of clearing their lines. Pure stupidity.

Munster going well. Farrell running some good lines and good intensity shown throughout.

molloyjh

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Shocking attempt at a tackle by TOH on zebo.

Watch Carty immediately beforehand. Chasing shadows.

What is the point of kicking crossfield like that?.. complete waste of possession for little gain on retrieval.

prawnsambo

molloyjh wrote: »

Watch Carty immediately beforehand. Chasing shadows.

When's Steve Crosbie back?

Followed by another great kick... ffs... can't understand how he's starting this many years now.

DDC1990

Put CJ on lineouts!

Woeful once again.

Connacht mistakes helping us no end even just 10mins in.

thomond2006

Cats

Marshall's throwing needs work desperately. He's good around the field but the lineout is losing territory Connacht are handing to us.

ScrubsfanChris

Marshall might as well throw those lineouts with his eyes closed, would have better results.

LuckyGent88

Cats

Lineout is a mess for us so far

DDC1990

Beauty from Keatley.

prawnsambo

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Lineout is a mess for us so far

Not so good for Connacht either.