Munster vs Exeter Chiefs, Sat 19th Jan 5:30pm, Virgin Media / C4 / BT

thomond2006

Munster:

15. Mike Haley
14. Andrew Conway
13. Chris Farrell
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. Joey Carbery
9. Conor Murray

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. CJ Stander

Replacements:

16. Rhys Marshall
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. Stephen Archer
19. Billy Holland
20. Arno Botha
21. Alby Mathewson
22. Tyler Bleyendaal
23. Dan Goggin

Exeter Chiefs:

15. Jack Nowell
14. Santiago Cordero
13. Henry Slade
12. Ollie Devoto
11. Tom O’Flaherty
10. Joe Simmonds
9. Nic White

1. Alec Hepburn
2. Jack Yeandle (captain)
3. Harry Williams
4. Dave Dennis
5. Jonny Hill
6. Sam Skinner
7. Don Armand
8. Matt Kvesic

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Ben Moon
18. Greg Holmes
19. Mitch Lees
20. Sean Lonsdale
21. Jack Maunder
22. Gareth Steenson
23. Ian Whitten

Pool 2:
Munster 17
Exeter 13
Castres 9
Gloucester 8

Match Officials
Referee: Jme Garc(France)
Assistant Referees: Ludovic Cayre (France) & Jonathan Dufort (France)
TMO: Eric Briquet Campin (France)

The spoils of Pool 2 comes down to the final matchday as Munster host Exeter Chiefs. The first fixture in October ended in a 10-10 draw in a physical battle in a windy Sandy Park. Munster return to Thomond Park after their best performance of the season in Gloucester. After their chances looked finished after a home loss to Gloucester in Round 3, Exeter have rebounded to give themselves a chance of qualification. Their attitude to the game will be intriguing. Will they decline kickable penalties and look for the try bonus from off? Without being aggressive their chances of winning and denying Munster a losing bonus point look slim.

While the Pool is still there to be won, Munster will have one eye on securing a home quarter-final. They will likely need a Montpellier victory at Edinburgh tonight to open the door.

Munster by 7-10.

Faugheen

This game is going to be so much fun to watch. So much in it potentially for both teams.

Still reckon Munster win.

Henry Ford III

Plenty of Exeter fans in limerick already. I hope they have a good weekend, but not too good.

shauna17

Looking forward to match tomorrow hopefully good result for Munster 😊

Venjur

15 - 23

MOLF Hunter

I'm expecting a Montpellier and Munster double this weekend!

MOLF Hunter

Venjur wrote: »

15 - 23

Munster to win by 15-23 points...you're being more generous than normal good sir!

aloooof

Faugheen wrote: »

This game is going to be so much fun to watch.

I dunno if I'm going to enjoy it much at all, tbh, but hopefully I'll be happy come the final whistle.

Faugheen

aloooof wrote: »

I dunno if I'm going to enjoy it much at all, tbh, but hopefully I'll be happy come the final whistle.

I’m a neutral so I can only speak on behalf of myself on that one.

If I was a Munster fan I’d be rightly nervous, but I’d be itching to get to Thomand to watch it, or to the pub if I couldn’t get a ticket.

LuckyGent88

Have been looking forward to this game since the draw was made. Always felt it was going to come down to this match to decide the group.

The later kick off times are so much better and the atmosphere is going to be brilliant.

Exeter are a quality side. Plenty of power in the pack and the back line has some quality players and finishers.

Going to back us to win by 7 in a tight tussle.

Venjur

MOLF Hunter wrote: »

Munster to win by 15-23 points...you're being more generous than normal good sir!

I hope Munster do win and win handsomely but I can't shake the feeling that this is going to be a tougher than expected weekend for the Irish provinces.

Riskymove

So a trip to Edinburgh the likely prize for winning tomorrow

LuckyGent88

Riskymove wrote: »

So a trip to Edinburgh the likely prize for winning tomorrow

At least there would be no issue tickets anyway if we get there

Riskymove

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

At least there would be no issue tickets anyway if we get there

True

Flights still reasonable and lots of hotels

Akrasia

This will be a huge test for Munster tomorrow. We have very close to full strength and are at home, but Exeter are the top of the premiership and this is a serious game for them. They will be going all out for a TBP to keep their European hopes alive

I think we will win, I will take a 1 point win, but if we can put them to the sword, it is a huge statement for the rest of the season.

We have to start strong, if we can keep the try-less in the first half, they might wilt. If we can't keep them out, we need to keep on top or keep very close. For them, 5-1 is no good. they need 5-0. If we win the first half, they'll have nothing to play for in the 2nd half.

Bridge93

5-1 is good enough for Exeter. As is 4-0

Akrasia

Riskymove wrote: »

So a trip to Edinburgh the likely prize for winning tomorrow

Yeah, unless we get a TBP and either Racing or Leinster lose this weekend

(which probably won't happen)

After tonight, Edinburgh certainly won't be a walkover. But Munster shouldn't be afraid of them either

Akrasia

Bridge93 wrote: »

5-1 is good enough for Exeter. As is 4-0

Sorry you're right, i was focusing on them overtaking Munster

Jump_In_Jack

Bridge93 wrote: »

5-1 is good enough for Exeter. As is 4-0

What’s the criteria for topping the group if equal on points?

The Lost Sheep

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

What’s the criteria for topping the group if equal on points?

https://www.epcrugby.com/champions-cup/format/rules/

Interested Observer

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

What’s the criteria for topping the group if equal on points?

The head to head, which would favour Exeter if they win later.

Henry Ford III

Just win the game

Jump_In_Jack

Munster will top the group if they prevent Exeter from winning the match by a margin of 4 match points,
So, if Munster lose 1-4, 2-4 or 2-5 that would be enough.
If Munster draw or win they automatically top the group.
Interestingly if Munster lost 1-5 they would finish on 18 points and would need Ulster to lose to go through as the lowest ranked runner-up on points difference, assuming Toulouse win their match.
So the mentality for Munster must be to go out and get some match points, losing 0-4 would be useless.
I hope we see a good attacking match where both sides attack and defend like a knockout match.

Buer

The mentality for Munster is to win and nothing else. They will have no thoughts of match points unless Exeter are ahead in the final stages.

stephen_n

Munster shouldn’t be thinking of anything less than a win. They are at home and have a very impressive record there in round 6 games. It’s going to be hard fought but Munster will win.

MOLF Hunter

Munster will win this game at a canter, nothing is surer today

CWF

MOLF Hunter wrote: »

Munster will win this game at a canter, nothing is surer today

Good place to watch this in Dublin City? bit of grub during it too.

BoardAtWork

MOLF Hunter wrote: »

Munster will win this game at a canter, nothing is surer today

I'm starting to get nervous of how confident I am of this. That's not a good sign.

Regardless, got tickets sorted this morning so I'll be cheering along anyway.

limericklad87

CWF wrote: »

MOLF Hunter wrote: »

Munster will win this game at a canter, nothing is surer today

Good place to watch this in Dublin City? bit of grub during it too.

Christ i can barely eat now

PTH2009

This Thomond Park record thing has too end someday and hope it's not today

This is going to be tough can't wait for it

Venjur

limericklad87 wrote: »

Christ i can barely eat now

I'm remarkably nervous for a non Leinster / Ireland game.