Is that a Mountain of Salt? Nope, it's the Leinster v Munster build up thread/love in

AdamD

Podge_irl wrote: »

I suspect JGP might find himself out on the wing if anything happened in the back 3?

Luke McGrath more likely? Decent pace and great tackling technique

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Head to Head

Cronin v Healy
Scannell v Kelleher (D)
Archer v Porter
Snyman v Baird
Holland v Fardy
O'Mahony v Doris
O'Donnell v VDF
Stander v Conan
Murray v McGrath
Hanrahan v Sexton
Earls v Lowe
DeAllende v Henshaw (D)
Farrell v Ringrose
Conway v Kearney
Daly v Larmour

Player in bold is winner of head to head. (D) means that there is no clear winner.

We haven't really seen enough of Kelleher albeit he has pushed ahead for Ireland. I felt on balance Scannell is a lot more proven, but I do think Kelleher is the better player. With that in mind I thought a draw was fair.

Baird has a LOT to prove to be rated in the same category as Snyman. Doris v POM was a tougher one, Doris was selected ahead of POM at the start of the six nations, but POM is much more proven so felt it unreasonable to leave that one as a draw for now.

Stander ahead of Conan for me also, especially given the latter's extended lay off. DeAllende and Henshaw came out a draw as Henshaw has a lot of pitch time for Leinster and this is DDA's first cap for Munster.

That leaves a 8 v 5 win for Leinster, with two draws. I think the gulf between Hanrahan and Sexton is almost worth another point however.

Both teams have named strong benches, Klyne, Cloete, Kilcoyne, Ryan off the bench is a lot of beef.

When you put it like this, the game could go either way. Leinster's cohesion and momentum would have been their strongest trait but that's gone.

Scottmactom

Leo Cullen says Tadhg Furlong was due to be involved but tweaked his back during the week.

Hopeful he will be back in the mix for Ulster game next weekend.

Clegg

[Deleted User] wrote: »

When you put it like this, the game could go either way. Leinster's cohesion and momentum would have been their strongest trait but that's gone.

Yep. Leinster's coaches have done a remarkable job with rotating players in and out if the 23. They've used so many academy players and recent graduates but none looked out of place in the side. But that doesn't mean a thing for tomorrow. The way things have gone in training, with players only interacting with others in their pod for a few weeks, means we'll probably see a few uncharacteristic errors. It'll be like the first game of the season again, but with even more errors as the whole squad will have limited playing time with each other.

In such circumstances sides with a more basic gameplay might win out. Win collisions, have a string set piece and have discipline at the breakdown. The more involved forwards and backs interplay probably won't be seen much tomorrow. And if it is expect a lot of mistakes.

Podge_irl

AdamD wrote: »

Luke McGrath more likely? Decent pace and great tackling technique

Potentially I guess. I always feel like the fewer changes made when subbing the better. Not a fan of subbing and rotating at the same time if it can be avoided.

Scottmactom

Cullen references the Springboks and England in explaining that Leinster were keen to give a 6/2 bench a go.

Opportunity to refresh the bulk of the pack is obvious the key.

arsebiscuits1

Scottmactom wrote: »

Cullen references the Springboks and England in explaining that Leinster were keen to give a 6/2 bench a go.

Opportunity to refresh the bulk of the pack is obvious the key.

Easiest way to get Conan Deegan and Doris in the same squad too while not compromising the second row or openside options

pickarooney

shootermacg wrote: »

I have a feeling Frawley will be looking for a new home in Munster soon. And we'll be delighted to have him.

Carbery can probably sub-let to him while he's in rehab.

Larbre34

Oh pleeeeeeeease bring Deegan on at Centre, it would be worth the 5 month break alone

cameramonkey

BloodyBill wrote: »

The guy paying for Rudy Snyman and Damien De Allande must have said to management that Holland has to start. Maybe its Hollands dad paying for the 2 Springboks. How in God's name has Holland got in ahead of Kleyn.? Holland should be plying his trade in France D2 ..

Muster were worried that there would be more South Africans on the pitch than players born in Munster. I heard that they didn't like the optics of it and that they felt there would be some hurtful comments from the Dublin 4 brigade.

Richie_Rich89

Holland is a quality player. Better fit alongside Snyman too, with his ability to call line-outs.

rayd3

cameramonkey wrote: »

Muster were worried that there would be more South Africans on the pitch than players born in Munster. I heard that they didn't like the optics of it and that they felt there would be some hurtful comments from the Dublin 4 brigade.

17 homegrown Leinster players for the blue team.
14 homegrown Munster players for the red team.

Would have thought the millions those schools spend on rugby might make more of a difference than three players tbh.

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez

You have to take your hat off to Cullen for his risk taking on youth. Several players there could have been left out without anyone blinking an eye. He gone for a strong team with a good smattering of youth in there despite it being a crunch match. I’m glad to see our team starting to look a bit bigger up front than it has been too notably with Doris and Conan in the back row. All that said let’s wait for the result before I give him too many plaudits!

Scottmactom

Scottmactom wrote: »

Cullen references the Springboks and England in explaining that Leinster were keen to give a 6/2 bench a go.

Opportunity to refresh the bulk of the pack is obvious the key.

From an Ireland perspective, they are the two packs I worry about and two packs I think we will continue to struggle against until we get more powerful units into our forwards. Whilst we've traditionally gotten the better of South Africa the last half decade or so, they have clearly gotten their act together since Rassie took over.

Having an additional forward to come off the bench is an obvious solution and one which I think we can live with given the versatility of our backline.

Richie_Rich89

Presumably Baird will be scrummaging behind the tighthead and calling the line-outs. It's quite a big ask for him to be the go-to lock in both set pieces. Usually one lock is the line-out specialist and the other strong at pushing in the scrum.

Paul Smeenus

Surely Baird's not calling the lineout?

Richie_Rich89

CMcsporty wrote: »

Why would you call Ringrose one dimensional?

I'd expect more in terms of bringing others into the game from an evasive, technical 13 (as opposed to a power 13). Ringrose doesn't do a whole lot apart from run it up trying to get over the gain line and then go to deck.

It's probably more of a problem in conjunction with Henshaw at 12 and Larmour at 15 than just Ringrose by himself. That triumvirate is a bit of a creative black hole, being honest.

rayd3

rayd3 wrote: »

17 homegrown Leinster players for the blue team.
14 homegrown Munster players for the red team.

Would have thought the millions those schools spend on rugby might make more of a difference than three players tbh.

When was the last time a Munster-produced player broke into the Ireland squad to become the incumbent?

Is it O’Mahony? He’ll be 31 next month.

There’s your difference.

Tomtom364

Deleted User wrote: »

Head to Head

Cronin v Healy
Scannell v Kelleher (D)
Archer v Porter
Snyman v Baird
Holland v Fardy
O'Mahony v Doris
O'Donnell v VDF
Stander v Conan
Murray v McGrath
Hanrahan v Sexton
Earls v Lowe
DeAllende v Henshaw (D)
Farrell v Ringrose
Conway v Kearney
Daly v Larmour

Player in bold is winner of head to head. (D) means that there is no clear winner.

We haven't really seen enough of Kelleher albeit he has pushed ahead for Ireland. I felt on balance Scannell is a lot more proven, but I do think Kelleher is the better player. With that in mind I thought a draw was fair.

Baird has a LOT to prove to be rated in the same category as Snyman. Doris v POM was a tougher one, Doris was selected ahead of POM at the start of the six nations, but POM is much more proven so felt it unreasonable to leave that one as a draw for now.

Stander ahead of Conan for me also, especially given the latter's extended lay off. DeAllende and Henshaw came out a draw as Henshaw has a lot of pitch time for Leinster and this is DDA's first cap for Munster.

That leaves a 8 v 5 win for Leinster, with two draws. I think the gulf between Hanrahan and Sexton is almost worth another point however.

Both teams have named strong benches, Klyne, Cloete, Kilcoyne, Ryan off the bench is a lot of beef.

A very fair assessment I think.
Id actually tip the 2 spot to Kelleher based on Scanells recent form, but with a clean slate a draw is fair.

However,

DdA vs Henshaw a draw? Not a hope in my opinion. Henshaw is class, but DdA is the no 1 player in his postition in the world in my opinion. Henshaw has not shown a level to compare with that in recent seasons, I would like to see Henshaw use his playmaking ability more in the future and perhaps stepping out to 13 instead of 12 at times in the season.

noserider

Is there any way of watching this if other than signing up to an Eir Sport Package?

lawrencesummers

noserider wrote: »

Is there any way of watching this if other than signing up to an Eir Sport Package?

Stream it
Go to the pub
Call round to a friend
Join the oireacthas golf Society and watch it with 80 friends.

Clegg

Tomtom364 wrote: »

A very fair assessment I think.
Id actually tip the 2 spot to Kelleher based on Scanells recent form, but with a clean slate a draw is fair.

However,

DdA vs Henshaw a draw? Not a hope in my opinion. Henshaw is class, but DdA is the no 1 player in his postition in the world in my opinion. Henshaw has not shown a level to compare with that in recent seasons, I would like to see Henshaw use his playmaking ability more in the future and perhaps stepping out to 13 instead of 12 at times in the season.

Henshaw isn't much of a playmaker tbh. When he plays 13 he's good at finding soft shoulders. And since he's a very big unit he can use his athleticism to break the line. But his passing can be very hit or miss. Ringrose is the better all round player and would be a much better playmaker if we wanted to use our centres in such a way. Which I don't think we actually want to.

Parabellum9

Cannot wait for this match, honestly whatever about the rivalry but just being able to sit down tomorrow evening with beers and watch live rugby again is special, and the match up here is gonna be a cracker. Best luck to both teams but I’m keeping fingers dick and toes crossed Munster come out on top

Edit: Did I hear we are getting rugby 20 sounds pumped in as crowd noise?

rayd3

Batrachotox wrote: »

When was the last time a Munster-produced player broke into the Ireland squad to become the incumbent?

Is it O’Mahony? He’ll be 31 next month.

There’s your difference.

Responded to someone talking about selection for this match with a point about selection for this match. Are you lost? There is an Ireland thread available.

Scottmactom

rayd3 wrote: »

17 homegrown Leinster players for the blue team.
14 homegrown Munster players for the red team.

Would have thought the millions those schools spend on rugby might make more of a difference than three players tbh.

14 homegrown players that have won what with their province?

rayd3

Scottmactom wrote: »

14 homegrown players that have won what with their province?

Google is your friend. Good to know I’ve riled you sufficiently to interject with this though.

Scottmactom

rayd3 wrote: »

Google is your friend. Good to know I’ve riled you sufficiently to interject with this though.

Gotta take the wins when you can get them I suppose.

rayd3

Scottmactom wrote: »

Gotta take the wins when you can get them I suppose.

That’s more like it. Much more guile to this wind up than “hurr durr trophies”. Keep this up!

Guinness RFC

Scottmactom wrote: »

14 homegrown players that have won what with their province?

A very unfair and dare I say it arrogant assessment. Munster have reached 2 European Semis in the last 3 years. There is a good cohort of core players but they were 4/5 top players off being a championship side. They have addressed that and like it or not will be formidable side with their new signings. I don’t agree with that but they have also built up their academy also with Coombes and 3 good young out halves as well as Aherne and the likes of Casey and that number 8 on the twenties 2 seasons ago forget his name. Will they show faith in those youngsters like Leinster has? Now that is another question.

Buer

Thank f*ck the match is nearly here finally because the wind up talk on this thread has been bruuuutal.

Buer

Buer wrote: »

Thank f*ck the match is nearly here finally because the wind up talk on this thread has been bruuuutal.

I'm going to report you to three red kings for using bad words.

Does anyone know how to take a screen grab?

salmocab

Buer wrote: »

Thank f*ck the match is nearly here finally because the wind up talk on this thread has been bruuuutal.

Only if you dislike the same 2 or 3 people being overly defensive.

Apparently Dave Kilcoyne is a huge fan of Taylor Swift and has previously asked her for advice on dealing with the media.

Clegg

Don't dare diss T Swizz.

Her new album is mint.

Podge_irl

It's gameday! (where I am at least).

Excited.

Dave_The_Sheep

Podge_irl wrote: »

It's gameday! (where I am at least).

Excited.

28 minutes, Podge. Then, and only then, may I be excited.

Dave_The_Sheep

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

You are dead to me for that ****ing unwanted apostrophe

Dog Botherer

Best Friends Forever’s?

mfceiling

Ballsbridge finest fairies?

stephen_n

I really hope the match is better than this build up thread has been. Hopefully will be a good game with no injuries. Larkham has had nearly a year with Munster now. If the gameplan hasn’t evolved beyond one dimensional runners. When up against a decent pack. That would be pretty telling of where JVG wants things to go I think. There maybe more muscle in the pack now but if it’s not being used to create a more fluid attack in the centre and wider areas, then that would be disappointing.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

You are dead to me for that ****ing unwanted apostrophe

Lol whoops!

Ok fixed:

Faugheen

Alright lads, did yis miss me?

Munster are sh*te.*




*this is actually going to be a cracker of a game and I think Munster have a better bench with nothing to choose between the starting line ups.

Faugheen

Faugheen wrote: »

Alright lads, did yis miss me?

Munster are sh*te.*




*this is actually going to be a cracker of a game and I think Munster have a better bench with nothing to choose between the starting line ups.

I'd definitely pick hanrahan over sexton

https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1219156980708921344


https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1216756966405607429

Akrasia

I’m expecting a lot of errors from both sides tbh. Sure, there will be pent up ferocity but the referee will probably get a sore throat from blowing his whistle too often as balls are dropped, scrums collapse, tackles are badly timed and offside lines are breached

There has never been such a big gap between playing matches of full contact rugby in the professional era and there has never been a season where two squads were both dropped into a competitive interpro without even 1 proper warmup match

MickeyLeari

Akrasia wrote: »

I’m expecting a lot of errors from both sides tbh. Sure, there will be pent up ferocity but the referee will probably get a sore throat from blowing his whistle too often as balls are dropped, scrums collapse, tackles are badly timed and offside lines are breached

There has never been such a big gap between playing matches of full contact rugby in the professional era and there has never been a season where two squads were both dropped into a competitive interpro without even 1 proper warmup match

Yep it is what it is.

What is a good food pub in Dublin to watch the game (Munster fan)?

MickeyLeari

MickeyLeari wrote: »

Yep it is what it is.

What is a good food pub in Dublin to watch the game (Munster fan)?

City Centre the Waterloo is decent, always liked the Goat for the Rugby but its southside.

MickeyLeari

[Deleted User] wrote: »

City Centre the Waterloo is decent, always liked the Goat for the Rugby but its southside.

Thanks. With the current rules, I would prefer to watch at home but don’t have Eir.