Munster vs Scarlets, Sat 24th March 5:30pm, Sky Sports

thomond2006

Munster:
JJ Hanrahan; Calvin Nash, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; Ian Keatley, James Hart;
Dave Kilcoyne, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland (C); Jack O’Donoghue, Tommy O’Donnell, Robin Copeland.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, James Cronin, Stephen Archer, Gerbrandt Grobler, Dave O’Callaghan, Jack Stafford, Stephen Fitzgerald, Dan Goggin.

Scarlets:
15 Tom Williams, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Scott Williams ©, 12 Paul Asquith, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Aled Davies,
1 Dylan Evans, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 David Bulbring, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 Will Boyde

Replacements: Emyr Phillips, Phil Price, Werner Kruger, Lewis Rawlins, Josh Macleod, Jonathan Evans, Dan Jones, Steff Hughes

Massive game for both sides. Scarlets look to close the gap between themselves and Leinster in conference B while Munster look to extend their lead over Cheetahs and solidify second place in conference A.

Next year's Munster man Tadhg Beirne makes his 50th Scarlets appearance.

Munster's dire injury situation in the backline forces JJ Hanrahan to start at fullback with the centre partnership of Scannell and Arnold remaining in place.

aloooof

Fairly inexperienced bench options for the backs. Kleyn got passed whatever knock he had so?

Dubinusa

Hanrahan will be fine at fb. A good outing will build his confidence.

Buer

I was a lot more optimistic of a Munster result before I saw the line ups.

If the Scarlets get close to parity in possession, they could roast that Munster back three.

thomond2006

The betting was Munster -8 before the lineups were confirmed, now it's -5.

Buer

thomond2006 wrote: »

The betting was Munster -8 before the lineups were confirmed, now it's -5.

I'd be getting on the Scarlets at that.

aloooof

thomond2006 wrote: »

The betting was Munster -8 before the lineups were confirmed, now it's -5.

Yep, Scarlets outright win was 11/4. It's now 7/4.

thomond2006

Cheetahs have won with a TBP at the Dragons. Pressure is on Munster now.

Henry Ford III

Dubinusa wrote: »

Hanrahan will be fine at fb. A good outing will build his confidence.

He'd want to be.

Dubinusa

I agree he's lost his way. His confidence is low. Such a shame, he looked like a viable international quality FH 4 yrs ago. Northampton was not a great experience for him as he couldn't get the 10 Jersey. He may be better off switching to 12 or 15.

turnikett1

Have a bad feeling about this.

razorblunt

I’ve put the emotional hedge on Scarlets at 3/1.

Disappointed in Sky having to revert to trying to make his a “revenge” match when there’s enough to play for, for both teams to secure a win and 2nd place.




Uggghhhh it’s Robson on comms.

razorblunt

Copeland looks like he’s going to have a Hart attack after wasting that rip.



Lads ,.., lads ... Hart...



Never mind.

Kilcoyne is daft as a brush.

razorblunt

Ominous start and Patchell looks up for it.

Burkie1203

Murray Stander pom.

Who else is there to come back in next week?

razorblunt

There’s aimless kicking and there’s this.

BBDBB

if you have something to bite down on, I suggest you put it in your mouth now, this is going to be a painful lesson

razorblunt

Few Scarlets passes are definitely forward but they’re going wide with ease.

Added to ridiculous penalties again and this could be over before Munster wake up.

Holy **** what is going on with Munster. Scarlets in complete control so far. BP could be on the cards at this rate.

Wooten expected that to be called back so be very surprised if it isn't a knock-on.

Edit - off the arm, knock-on. Quinlan is talking rubbish.

Clegg

Quinlan didn't cover himself in glory there tbh.

BBDBB

well, do you feel lucky punk?

Bridge93

Quinlan talking ****e, what a surprise

Squidgy Black

Bridge93 wrote: »

Quinlan talking ****e, what a surprise

"Is the bicep not attached to your shoulder"

Larbre34

Clegg wrote: »

Quinlan didn't cover himself in glory there tbh.

Its grand, very few rate his colour commentary generally.

prawnsambo

Clegg wrote: »

Quinlan didn't cover himself in glory there tbh.

Coincidentally you've picked out his favourite word... there.

Bridge93

Munster should be happy that it at least broke the attack down. Could be further behind. Kicking crucifying them, stop the free ball and they'll pull themselves back into this

BBDBB

we've taken our time, but at last we are in the right area of the pitch

BBDBB

looks good

Elvisjuice

jj having a poor game

Juwwi

Its safe to say Keatley wont be getting the man of match award

BBDBB

we seem to be determined to throw away the toehold we got back into the game

Bridge93

Poor kicking on both sides.

razorblunt

If Flannery commented on their biting in on first ball carrier and they’re still doing it, does that mean they’re not fixing it or not listnening.

JOD definitely in touch but can Robson tell us again now how fast Varndell is ?

BBDBB

foot in touch, pity

Elvisjuice

robbie1977 wrote: »

Its safe to say Keatley wont be getting the man of match award

quinny might be doing it so **** knows

BBDBB

contrast in styles

if we play our style effectively we can squeeze them out and get a result, but we cannot afford to go gifting them comfortable possession anywhere on the pitch

prawnsambo

Ieuan Evans talking through his hole again. Really boils my piss when commentators don't know the basics about why a ref asks either of the two questions about a try being scored. They seem to think it's some kind of mental coin toss to decide which question to ask. And Mitrea actually gave all the information in his question to the TMO.

razorblunt

Keatley is away with the fairies at the moment, what, exactly is he trying to do?

vienne86

That's more like it from Munster! Good try.

BBDBB

That’s me re like it, great power and aggression

razorblunt

I hate that players have a carte Blanche from the defensive perspective when there’s a penalty advantage, they can be as cynical as they want without further punishment. Beirne there ripped on the ground and threw it out of the ruck. Ref goes back to the original penalty.

vienne86

Poor Tommy O'Donnell......he's had awful luck with injuries.

paddyref

Try scored....Cope land after a good well organised drive, keatley not playing well but fcuker me the service from Hart is sooooo laboured.

Bridge93

Jesus Munster look to be down to the bare bones for next week

vienne86

Brilliant Munster scrum.

Caranica

So apparently the Ireland lads are in Dubai Next thing they'll be telling us Ben Betts went to Leicester. Bloody sky sports!

vienne86

That's ridiculous - has to be a card.

vienne86

Ah here - hopefully this will fire up Munster.

razorblunt

Must be a yellow.

Nice charge by Lee too.