Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

Eod100

I see there's a Dublin-Bordeaux flight with Aer Lingus going out Saturday morning and back Sunday evening for 180e return at the minute in case any use to anyone. Train about 60e return to La Rochelle.

Cookiemunster

I'm not doing anything unless I can get tickets. I'll go the roundabout way to get there if I do.

Eod100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123084071#Comment_123084071

Makes sense. I think unless there's flights put on all flights will be the roundabout way alright as no direct flights to La Rochelle from any Irish airports at that time of year.

CONSI

Tickets the issue, will be hard to get

Eod100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123084517#Comment_123084517

Think many will be going for the trip anyway. Flights likely to be fairly pricey by the time ticket details are out.

Cookiemunster

A certain poster finally gets their wish……

https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2025/01/23/organisational-update-with-ceo-ian-flanagan/

“The process is going to take as long as it takes to find the right candidate. We’re not going to tie ourselves to a definitive timeline on this. This is an absolutely vital decision for Munster Rugby and it’s important that we get it right.

“What I will say is the core priority has been securing the futures and extensions of Mike Prendergast, Denis Leamy and Mossy Lawler. Those three together with the other coaches are absolutely vital to what we do now and to our future.

“The main priority was to have an incredibly settled coaching ticket steering ship while we go through this process. We have absolute confidence in that group and I would also thank the IRFU for their support for bringing in the additions of Alex Codling and also Chris Boyd as a short-term Performance Consultant.

“It gives us complete confidence in the group, it’s a really stable environment and that allows us to engage in a thorough recruitment process. The feedback from the player group inside the building, the atmosphere inside the building is excellent. We believe we’re in a very good, stable situation.

“In addition to that, we have been reviewing, in conjunction with the IRFU and David Humphreys, every aspect of our high performance structure, looking at our pathways, looking at alignment, to ensure that we reach the best outcome for Munster, not just in terms of the individuals in the coaching ticket but the actual structure of our coaching ticket and our performance system. That has been a huge piece of work that has been going on over the last two months.

“We are very happy with the improvements we have made to our high performance structures, systems and culture over the last number of years and we want the recruitment of a new head coach to complement and build on all that positive work.

“On top of that we have been reviewing the candidates who have expressed an interest in the role.

“Over the coming weeks, there are scheduled meetings between the Munster Rugby Professional Game Committee which is leading the appointment on our side and those meetings will be with the IRFU and David Humphreys.”

Also

We will be confirming more renewals shortly and aim to announce some new signings over the coming weeks

Bedouin79

PR Waffle mark my words the team is in place they only need to tie Chris Boyd down. The below paragraph says all you need to know.

What I will say is the core priority has been securing the futures and extensions of Mike Prendergast, Denis Leamy and Mossy Lawler. Those three together with the other coaches are absolutely vital to what we do now and to our future.

“The main priority was to have an incredibly settled coaching ticket steering ship while we go through this process. We have absolute confidence in that group and I would also thank the IRFU for their support for bringing in the additions of Alex Codling and also Chris Boyd as a short-term Performance Consultant.

Why was it a priority to extend the trio if a. New head coach was coming in.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123088941#Comment_123088941

Because they are all quality coaches, and if you don't tie them down, you risk having to replace 4 individuals instead of 1, which is a significantly more difficult task.

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123088941#Comment_123088941

Ian Costello in one of the recent weekly media briefings said and I paraphrase him that Munster Rugby have decided on the type of coach they want and the direction that Munster Rugby should go and from that review, they know that Leamy, Lawlor and Prendergast are the type of coaches they want in their organisation.

Some people will see that as being the correct way of dealing with current situation while others will think it's a completely incorrect way to deal with it.

From a Munster pov, I hope they're right.

greenkiwi1

MRSC lottery for La Rochelle tickets now open. Closes Jan 28. If successful you are only allocated 1 ticket so there must be very few available as usually you are able to take 2….

phog

Mid Season Friendly

Munster Rugby and Leicester Tigers will reignite a famous rivalry this March at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
The clubs, who have played out some of Europe’s most famous games, including the 2002 European Final, will face off at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday, March 14, with the clubs set to meet again in Munster in 2026.

Kickstarting the St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Leicester, the Friday night fixture will include a host of entertainment for supporters to enjoy before and after the action on the field, which kicks off at 7.30pm.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123089714#Comment_123089714

Hope that's streamed again, like the Quins one last year, which was a fun game.

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123089774#Comment_123089774

I saw no mention of it being streamed but there's a reciprocal arrangement to the teams playing again in Munster in 2026.

Eod100

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123089683#Comment_123089683

I didn't renew it this year so on the off chance anyone who wasn't traveling got option would happily take a ticket off your hands! :)

50HX

@Cookiemunster

Its OK you can refer to me by name😁

Is Ian on boards or did you contact him directly?

theVersatile

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123089714#Comment_123089714

I wonder how long ago this was arranged. Would've been a good game for Wig to be involved in.

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123078445#Comment_123078445

Looks like surgery for Mike Haley

letowski

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123094270#Comment_123094270

Sounds like a season-ender. I guess Shane Daly and Ben O’Connor to cover 15. At least Kilgallen is back.

https://twitter.com/munsterrugby/status/1882741229169119407?s=46

aloooof

That's a blow; had amassed over 900 minutes for us already this season, and had started the season really well, tho hadn't been in great form recently.

Real opportunity now for Shane Daly to stake his claim as first choice full-back, possible for the next few seasons. Iirc, the first group of games in August 2020 after Covid, he played at FB, played really well looking really assured, and it earned him an Ireland call-up.

Cookiemunster

Team for Dragons.

Munster: Ben O’Connor; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Evan O’Connell, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, John Hodnett.

Happy enough with that 23. The rumours of last week being Bleulers last game were wrong too.

aloooof

Munster: Ben O’Connor; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Tom Farrell, Rory Scannell, Shane Daly; Billy Burns, Ethan Coughlan; Dian Bleuler, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Kieran Ryan, John Ryan, Evan O’Connell, Brian Gleeson, Paddy Patterson, Tony Butler, John Hodnett.

Team named for Dragons. Loads of youth in there, Ben O'Connor getting his first start, and Sheahan due for his first appearance off the bench.

Need Burns to have a good game, with the comparative inexperienced at half-back around him.

snotboogie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123094420#Comment_123094420

I always remember his wild 3 game run at 15 in early 2023, Munster averaged over 50 points per game, granted against not the best opposition and our defence was terrible but I always thought we should have built on that.

letowski

Good to see Sheehan get an opportunity, it’s a position we haven’t had much young talent recently. Would have to think that Clarke and Buckley aren’t getting contract renewals, and that the Lee Barron rumours have truth.

phog

6-2 split again, not much cover for the back three there, we'd be hoping for no more injuries.

phog

Some good news for Mike Prendergast

ionadnapóca

I thought the Saracens game was Bleuler’s Day Off?

And he played v Northampton…What’s going on?

50HX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096349#Comment_123096349

My understanding was he was returning after the Northampton game.

He must have contract to end of the month

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096349#Comment_123096349

He was a massive loss.

We had him Northampton.

ionadnapóca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096392#Comment_123096392

sorry yes. I only saw highlights and assumed he was gone!!

Confusing.

So he’s staying?

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123096398#Comment_123096398

Wouldn't think so, I think Ian Costello said recently he's heading back to SA.

Reading between the lines, Munster wanted to keep him, at least until the end of season, IRFU weren't willing to allow that so he opted what was giving him more security contract wise.

Hopefully, the IRFU had a rethink.