Munster Team Talk Thread - Snymans are(n't) Forever

Cookiemunster

Squad Update.


Keith Earls was withdrawn from the squad before kick-off as a precaution with left thigh tightness. He will be assessed by the medical department today.

The following are progressing with rehabilitation: Brian Scott (foot), James Cronin (leg), Tommy O’Donnell (shoulder), Joey Carbery (hamstring).

Dave O’Callaghan, Liam O’Connor, Alex Wootton, Gavin Coombes, Alex McHenry and Jack O’Sullivan have flown back from Boston to rejoin the squad.

thomond2006

The Munster squad trained at the High Performance Centre in Limerick today ahead of Friday night’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Benetton Rugby (8pm local time/7pm Irish time).

The Munster Rugby medical department have issued the below update following Friday night’s win over Cardiff Blues at Irish Independent Park.

Keith Earls was withdrawn from the squad before kick-off as a precaution with left thigh tightness. He will be assessed by the medical department today.

The following are progressing with rehabilitation: Brian Scott (foot), James Cronin (leg), Tommy O’Donnell (shoulder), Joey Carbery (hamstring).

Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan confirmed today that Carbery is a doubt for Munster’s Champions Cup semi-final against Saracens at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, April 20 (3pm).

Dave O’Callaghan, Liam O’Connor, Alex Wootton, Gavin Coombes, Alex McHenry and Jack O’Sullivan have flown back from Boston to rejoin the squad.

https://munsterrugby.ie/2019/04/08/squad-update-pre-benetton-rugby/

With those players returning I'd expect to see some of them in the 23. This is going to be a very difficult trip. Benetton's only home losses in the Pro14 this season came just before/during the November international window.

JOD isn't listed amongst the unavailable players so I assume he's good to go.

Possible team:
Loughman, Marshall, Archer, Beirne, Holland, Wycherley, JOD, Botha;
Cronin, JJH, Wootton, Goggin, Arnold, Conway, Haley

KOB, LOC, J Ryan, DOS, Coombes, Mathewson, Bleyendaal, Nash

Injured: Scott, Cronin, TOD, Carbery, Earls (tbc)

E mac

Anyone know how bad joeys injury is? There was to be further assessment but no mention since...Tyler's showing huge improvement recently back to his old form which I thought was gone to be honest.

Henry Ford III

E mac wrote: »

Anyone know how bad joeys injury is?...

There has been no official word on it so far. No unofficial word on it either.

We will need him 100% fit shortly though.

E mac

Henry Ford III wrote: »

There has been no official word on it so far. No unofficial word on it either.

We will need him 100% fit shortly though.

I agree completely.

Erik Shun

Henry Ford III wrote: »

There has been no official word on it so far. No unofficial word on it either.

We will need him 100% fit shortly though.

I think the chances of him being fit for the Sarries game are pretty slim... out for 2 months with a hammy... comes back and does it again ..any kind of a minor re-tear is 3-6 weeks out...

Henry Ford III

Erik Shun wrote: »

I think the chances of him being fit for the Sarries game are pretty slim... out for 2 months with a hammy... comes back and does it again ..any kind of a minor re-tear is 3-6 weeks out...

That'd make total sense if we knew he'd torn it, but we don't.

Cookiemunster

Henry Ford III wrote: »

There has been no official word on it so far. No unofficial word on it either.

We will need him 100% fit shortly though.

A few journos who were at today's press conference have quoted JVG as saying he's unlikely to be ready for the semi.

leakyboots

Great news on JvG, we're on an upward trajectory under him.

Tis funny, we're critical of the attack yet we've scored the second most tries in the whole Pro14 behind Leinster.

Maybe it's when we're up against the better teams we lack that bit more of a creative edge, I wonder versus Sarries will we see a repeat of last time where we couldn't break them down up front and then didn't have the backplay to try a different approach.

I'd hope for a better performance at the very least, still not sure we'll take them

It'll be a shame if Joey is missing for it

Mr Tickle

leakyboots wrote: »

Great news on JvG, we're on an upward trajectory under him.

Tis funny, we're critical of the attack yet we've scored the second most tries in the whole Pro14 behind Leinster.

Maybe it's when we're up against the better teams we lack that bit more of a creative edge, I wonder versus Sarries will we see a repeat of last time where we couldn't break them down up front and then didn't have the backplay to try a different approach.

I'd hope for a better performance at the very least, still not sure we'll take them

It'll be a shame if Joey is missing for it

I think you're more or less hitting the nail on the head. Munster's pack can get on top of pretty much any in the pro14. That's how we get our trys.
Against some of the bigger boys in Europe it's that bit tougher to get going forward.

Sabre0001

Sabre0001 wrote: »

"Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm that Munster Rugby Head Coach Johann van Graan has extended his contract for a further two years, and will remain with the province until June 2022."

https://munsterrugby.ie/2019/04/08/johann-van-graan-commits-to-munster-rugby/?fbclid=IwAR1WMU-61tMa8eq-Zy62oFznVEr1qll3sDVscMCCqlroP5TGSg7LZErFLyg

Good news - bit of stability and hopefully we'll see Munster progress and evolve. Doing a bit of cleaning house with contracts, etc. too so will be interesting to see the makeup of the squad over next couple of seasons. Hopefully we can push on for some silverware now!

So that's why he looked so happy after the Edinburgh win!

Erik Shun

Henry Ford III wrote: »

That'd make total sense if we knew he'd torn it, but we don't.

It makes sense regardless of what we know tbh

Henry Ford III

Cookiemunster wrote:

A few journos who were at today's press conference have quoted JVG as saying he's unlikely to be ready for the semi.

I wouldn't bet the farm on that.

budhabob

I'm happy with the JVG announcement. Munster needed some stability after the past few years. Agree though re the backs coach, we need something there!

PTH2009

How come some players get 1/2 holidays mid season??. Should all players not be in camp less than 2 weeks out from a european semi final

thomond2006

PTH2009 wrote: »

How come some players get 1/2 holidays mid season??. Should all players not be in camp less than 2 weeks out from a european semi final

Because they are human beings, not machines.

Cookiemunster

PTH2009 wrote: »

How come some players get 1/2 holidays mid season??. Should all players not be in camp less than 2 weeks out from a european semi final

The wider squad got two separate weeks holidays during the 6Ns. Some of the internationals only got the week after the Wales game off. The rest were involved in the Zebre game, so had no time off. They'll all be back in camp by the end of the week according to JVG.

So will Munster fully prioritise Europe, or will they aim to send a stronger squad this weekend to try and arrest top spot in conference A and save themselves a quarter final?

Cookiemunster

Deleted User wrote: »

So will Munster fully prioritise Europe, or will they aim to send a stronger squad this weekend to try and arrest top spot in conference A and save themselves a quarter final?

It looks like it will be a weakened squad (minus internationals), due to IRFU player management according to JVG. It will be interesting to see the team tomorrow.

thomond2006

For reference if Munster and Glasgow finish level on points. They have the same number of wins (14) but Munster's PD is superior (+242 vs +202). Munster have also scored more tries (75 vs 74).

3.1.4 The positions of the Clubs in the Conference Stage will be based on the following, in order:

(a) the number of League Points awarded to each Club;

(b) if unresolved, the number of Matches won by each Club in the League Stage;

(c) if unresolved, the difference between the total points scored and the total points conceded on the field of play for each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;

(d) if unresolved, the number of tries scored by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;

(e) if unresolved, the number of points scored on the field of play by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;

(f) if unresolved, the difference between the number of tries scored and the number of tries conceded by each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;

(g) if unresolved, the number of Players suspended by a Disciplinary Committee or Appeal Committee for incidents taking place in the League Stage;

(h) if unresolved, the number of yellow cards received by Players for each Club in all Matches in the League Stage;

(i) if unresolved, the toss of a coin or as otherwise determined by Celtic Rugby in its absolute discretion.

For the purposes of this clause 3.1.4, what qualifies as a yellow card will be determined by Celtic Rugby in its absolute discretion.

https://www.pro14rugby.org/about-us/competition-rules/

On the lineup Munster will send, it's a tricky balance. If Munster finish top then they earn a week off by skipping the quarter-final round. Benetton away is a very difficult fixture but so is Connacht at home.

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

On the lineup Munster will send, it's a tricky balance. If Munster finish top then they earn a week off by skipping the quarter-final round. Benetton away is a very difficult fixture but so is Connacht at home.

Imagine saying this out loud in 2013...!

thomond2006

Deleted User wrote: »

Imagine saying this out loud in 2013...!

Around 2013, Benetton were actually on target to reach their 2018/2019 level but then the Premiership signed a third of their starting team! In 2012/13 they finished four points below Munster.

Former Former

thomond2006 wrote: »

Around 2013, Benetton were actually on target to reach their 2018/2019 level but then the Premiership signed a third of their starting team! In 2012/13 they finished four points below Munster.

So what you're saying is, it's only Connacht who were rubbish in 2013? That's cold.

Erik Shun

https://www.balls.ie/amp/rugby/clever-munster-set-piece-408702

Oompa loompa!!

E mac

Erik Shun wrote: »

https://www.balls.ie/amp/rugby/clever-munster-set-piece-408702

Oompa loompa!!

Would you not feel like a bit of an eejit saying that ..'tis better than shouting out blue steel I suppose.

I think it's just a subtle not to Donncha O'Callaghan.

Sabre0001

Is the hope that making it a really obvious call will cause the defending scrum to get less of a shove on so that we can then barge them backwards?

Eod100

Treviso are 1 points favourites apparently. Munster could still win their match and Glasgow win theirs vs Leinster and still be behind. Balance between resting players for Saracens match and having them match ready is a tricky one

thomond2006

Munster A team playing Leinster A in Cara Cup:

Luke Kingston; Conor Phillips, Alan Tynan, Seán French, James McCarthy; Ben Healy, Jack Stafford (C);
Luke Masters, Eoghan Clarke, Keynan Knox; Cian Reale, Paddy Kelly; Seán O’Connor, Ross O’Neill, Jack Daly.

Replacements: Billy Scannell, Shane O’Driscoll, David Jennings, Duncan Williams, James Hart.

Eod100

Ronan O Mahony forced to retire. Poor guy