Not Another Leinster vs Munster build-up/match thread Sat 24th April 7:35pm

thomond2006

hirondelle

I get the general sense of "so what" given the recent history and the cobbled-together tournament, but I think it always matters to the 30 lads on the pitch when these sides meet and I am very much looking forward to it.

thomond2006

hirondelle wrote: »

I get the general sense of "so what" given the recent history and the cobbled-together tournament, but I think it always matters to the 30 lads on the pitch when these sides meet and I am very much looking forward to it.

Of course I'll watch it, but I hope that Munster will experiment somewhat in this tournament. About a third of our senior squad next season will have been promoted from the academy in the last two seasons and a significant number of older squad players have been let go.

Paul Smeenus

Can't see past a Munster win - written off, backs against the wall, determined lay down a marker after losing last time out, always pulling it out of the fire when it really matters etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc <slips into painless coma>

Clegg

Posted this in the Leinster thread.

Leinster play Munster this Saturday. I can't remember a derby that's had as little a sense of anticipation as this one.

The rivalry has turned into a one sided domination in recent years, the game is in a tournament nobody cares about and Leinster will be using it as a training run for a much bigger game that's happening the following week.

I'm hopeful that Ryan.and Ringrose will take some part this weekend. If they get through that game ok Welly be much better off for La Rochelle.

thomond2006

Clegg wrote: »

Posted this in the Leinster thread.

Leinster play Munster this Saturday. I can't remember a derby that's had as little a sense of anticipation as this one.

The rivalry has turned into a one sided domination in recent years, the game is in a tournament nobody cares about and Leinster will be using it as a training run for a much bigger game that's happening the following week.

I'm hopeful that Ryan.and Ringrose will take some part this weekend. If they get through that game ok Welly be much better off for La Rochelle.

Unfortunately, they boxed themselves in announcing the RC back in Dec/Jan and now this is the best we've got. Had the SA variant not been a thing, we would have had the SA teams in Europe already and these three weeks of derbies would not take place.

I've said before and I'll say it again: The alternative of continuing to finish out the Pro14 as is wasn't exactly inviting either.

Buer

I'm more interested in the line ups than the match at this point. Leinster are going to go close to full strength due to the impending European semi final. Munster have a very different priority in terms of starting to prepare for life after Stander, Holland, JJH and anyone else who might be departing this summer. Big opportunity for them to blood some guys into the 23 against top level opposition with no real risk of negatively impacting their season.

theVersatile

Reckon both will go pretty much full strength. Might see Ross Byrne/JGP start ahead of Sexton/McGrath and Porter for Furlong but aside from that I'm expecting all the big guns. Maybe Kearney for Lowe? Not exactly a massive fall in quality there in any of those changes bar the one at 10.

With regards to the superior team, I hope Shane Daly comes in for Conway - wouldn't be opposed to either JJ or Casey starting. Apart from that, it's hard to see us not playing the side that played Leinster last time out.

Squidgy Black

theVersatile wrote: »

Reckon both will go pretty much full strength. Might see Ross Byrne/JGP start ahead of Sexton/McGrath and Porter for Furlong but aside from that I'm expecting all the big guns. Maybe Kearney for Lowe? Not exactly a massive fall in quality there in any of those changes bar the one at 10.

With regards to the superior team, I hope Shane Daly comes in for Conway - wouldn't be opposed to either JJ or Casey starting. Apart from that, it's hard to see us not playing the side that played Leinster last time out.

Be a waste to have JJ start considering he's heading off in a few weeks time though. Now would be exactly the time you want to start Healy and have Crowley on the bench because that'll be the scenario next season if Joey is injured, and there's nothing to play for in this tournament.

thomond2006

It's a bit harsh but I wouldn't have any of the departing players involved much, if at all. 10 is the best example where Crowley, Flannery and Healy are all available to rotate with Carbery.

Jump_In_Jack

Munster have to go all out to win this, not the match to be blooding in players IMO.

Squidgy Black

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

Munster have to go all out to win this, not the match to be blooding in players IMO.

Why though? There's nothing at stake for this tournament at all.

connachta

We should try Leinster full team vs Best of the Rest in the other 3 provnces
would be tasty

Honestly leinster where far more comfortable than the score on the previous game. There's a sense of hopelessness from munsters side tbh

aloooof

Personally would like to see some changes to the Munster lineup over the next few games. Particularly, one of Knox and/or Salanoa getting a few starts. The fact that that's what comes to my mind about Munster over the next few games unfortunately says a lot about where I feel they are..

Lost Ormond

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Why though? There's nothing at stake for this tournament at all.

Easy to say for Leinster whove won so many leagues on the trot, Its a potential league win/trophy for rest and Munster havent beaten Leinster in some time so getting a win is vital...

thomond2006

Of the departing players, only CJ is a starter. You aren't making massive changes by leaving out those players.

Jump_In_Jack

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Why though? There's nothing at stake for this tournament at all.

We don't have a European match left, the Pro14 is finished, this is the only competition we have left til next season.
Munster have lost too many games against Leinster to go out with a weakened team.
Try to beat 'em now with the best players available, and let next season look after itself for blooding in players.
We also owe it to the departing players to give them the opportunity to beat Leinster before they depart.
We may end up meeting them one more time in the RC final but that's not guaranteed.

theVersatile

Yeah I've no problem with Crowley and Healy picking up minutes in the Rainbow Cup, but putting them out against a fully loaded Leinster team could be suicidal for their confidence. We go full strength for this.

If we want to give them a start each against Ulster or Connacht, then fire away. But this game is not the time to be throwing the young fellas into the deep end.

Buer

connachta wrote: »

We should try Leinster full team vs Best of the Rest in the other 3 provnces
would be tasty

I agree that a Leinster versus an Ulster/Munster select would be interesting but I'd back Leinster to pinch it.

Jump_In_Jack

I'd like a Munster 23 of something like this:
1. Kilcoyne, 2. O'Byrne, 3. Archer,
4. Beirne, 5. Kleyn,
6. Stander, 8. Coombes, 7. O'Donoghue
9. Casey, 10. Carbery,
11. Daly, 12. Farrell, 13. De Allende, 14. Earls,
15. Haley.
Subs: Scannell, Cronin, Ryan, Holland/Wycherley, O'Mahony/O'Sullivan, Murray, Hanrahan, Conway.

arsebiscuits1

connachta wrote: »

We should try Leinster full team vs Best of the Rest in the other 3 provnces
would be tasty

I love that idea.

Current Leinster v Former Leinster players sounds like an absolute cracker of a game :pac::pac:

Podge_irl

Seven is Heaven
Can't Wait for Eight
Don't Whine about Nine
...

thomond2006

theVersatile wrote: »

Yeah I've no problem with Crowley and Healy picking up minutes in the Rainbow Cup, but putting them out against a fully loaded Leinster team could be suicidal for their confidence. We go full strength for this.

If we want to give them a start each against Ulster or Connacht, then fire away. But this game is not the time to be throwing the young fellas into the deep end.

I think Healy has played enough this season to where you could put him on the bench.

Cookiemunster

theVersatile wrote: »

Yeah I've no problem with Crowley and Healy picking up minutes in the Rainbow Cup, but putting them out against a fully loaded Leinster team could be suicidal for their confidence. We go full strength for this.

If we want to give them a start each against Ulster or Connacht, then fire away. But this game is not the time to be throwing the young fellas into the deep end.

JVG has already used the phrase heavy rotation in relation to this tournament. I doubt the 'full strength' team will play in any of the games. They are out of Europe and 2nd Pro14 seed in Europe next season is already guaranteed. This tournament will be used to get minutes into players who'll be stepping up next season.

Cookiemunster

Jump_In_Jack wrote: »

I'd like a Munster 23 of something like this:
1. Kilcoyne, 2. O'Byrne, 3. Archer,
4. Beirne, 5. Kleyn,
6. Stander, 8. Coombes, 7. O'Donoghue
9. Casey, 10. Carbery,
11. Daly, 12. Farrell, 13. De Allende, 14. Earls,
15. Haley.
Subs: Scannell, Cronin, Ryan, Holland/Wycherley, O'Mahony/O'Sullivan, Murray, Hanrahan, Conway.

I wouldn't TBH. I don't want to see JJ or Holland involved again. If he doesn't get picked in the Lions squad I wouldn't pick Stander again either. Their replacements should be bedded in now. I also want to see Knox and/or Salanoa named in every 23. We're going nowhere with Archer/Ryan. Lets see what these two lads can do with a sustained run in the team.

Clegg

Some good news for Leinster:

Scott Penny and Tommy O'Brien are fully fit and available for selection this weekend.

Doris, Ryan, Connors and Ringrose have all stepped up their training regime and could be available for selection depending how they get on in training this week.

Sexton is still following the RTTP and will be unavailable.

Have to say I enjoyed the bit of needle before the last game but this game just feels pointless. I'd like Leinster to win but I'd much prefer no injuries and some good prep for the following week.

El_Duderino 09

Clegg wrote: »

Some good news for Leinster:

Scott Penny and Tommy O'Brien are fully fit and available for selection this weekend.

Doris, Ryan, Connors and Ringrose have all stepped up their training regime and could be available for selection depending how they get on in training this week.

Sexton is still following the RTTP and will be unavailable.

No mention of Vakh. He was stepping up his training a few weeks ago. He's the kind of player i would like o see in the Leinster rotation for the Rainbow Cup. Props need a bit of sink, then swim, to coin a phrase. Porter was losing more battles than he won towards the beginning of Furlong's injury. But they had no choice other than to stick with him and look at how much he improved and benefited Leinster and Ireland.

Lots of talk about rotating the Munster squad but there's plenty of scope to rotate at Leinster too.

Dubinusa

I can't see Leinster going full strenght! Why risk injury? I expect Healy to bench, Henshaw to be rested and maybe Keenan too. DK in for Lowe and JGP starting.
Something like
Dooley
Treacy
Porter
Molony
Fardy
Murphy
Penny
Conan
JGP
RB
DK
ROL
Ringrose if fit
KELLEHER
JOB

Cronin
Healey
Bent
Toner
SOB
HOS
HB
TOB
Still a good side!

thomond2006

All of the available Lions hopefuls will start this game I imagine. Both the players and the IRFU will want this.

El_Duderino 09

Dubinusa wrote: »

I can't see Leinster going full strenght! Why risk injury? I expect Healy to bench, Henshaw to be rested and maybe Keenan too. DK in for Lowe and JGP starting.
Something like
Dooley
Treacy
Porter
Molony
Fardy
Murphy
Penny
Conan
JGP
RB
DK
ROL
Ringrose if fit
KELLEHER
JOB

Cronin
Healey
Bent
Toner
SOB
HOS
HB
TOB
Still a good side!

Jack Dunne is injured (ankle) and Fardy is unlikely to start this weekend next week. So it depends on who they plan to start in the second row next week.

Leinster injury update
https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/scott-penny-and-tommy-obrien-resume-full-training/?FixGuid=20LM3195

The Inbetween is mine

Is anyone else more than a bit meh! over this competition? I can't say it's getting my juices going at all

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

All of the available Lions hopefuls will start this game I imagine. Both the players and the IRFU will want this.

All of the Leinster Lions hopefuls will be playing the following weekend. I don't see why they'd need to start in this game.

Former Former Former

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

No mention of Vakh. He was stepping up his training a few weeks ago. He's the kind of player i would like o see in the Leinster rotation for the Rainbow Cup. Props need a bit of sink, then swim, to coin a phrase. Porter was losing more battles than he won towards the beginning of Furlong's injury. But they had no choice other than to stick with him and look at how much he improved and benefited Leinster and Ireland.

Lots of talk about rotating the Munster squad but there's plenty of scope to rotate at Leinster too.

He started against Connacht A last weekend so hopefully he's just no longer being mentioned in the injury updates.

arsebiscuits1

Former Former Former wrote: »

He started against Connacht A last weekend so hopefully he's just no longer being mentioned in the injury updates.

Yep.

Injury updates would be quite lengthy and a bit pointless if they started including fit players lol

thomond2006

Paris Flaky Quicksand wrote: »

All of the Leinster Lions hopefuls will be playing the following weekend. I don't see why they'd need to start in this game.

Perhaps, but I think someone like Ringrose will be desperate to feature if fit. After the news on Sutherland's injury, the door is open for Healy to secure a spot.

Jump_In_Jack

Cookiemunster wrote: »

I wouldn't TBH. I don't want to see JJ or Holland involved again. If he doesn't get picked in the Lions squad I wouldn't pick Stander again either. Their replacements should be bedded in now. I also want to see Knox and/or Salanoa named in every 23. We're going nowhere with Archer/Ryan. Lets see what these two lads can do with a sustained run in the team.

This match is the only one I'd be going full strength of the 3 interpros, we haven't beaten Leinster in a while now, it's more important to get the win than blood players IMO.

Fair enough if Wycherley/Ahern were on the bench instead of Holland or Healy/Flannery/Crowley/Scannell were on the bench instead of JJ it wouldn't make a huge difference either.
Stander on the other hand would be hard to justify dropping.
The Lions squad won't be selected til the 6th of May.

Injury update from last week said O'Mahony will return to training this week, Beirne, Cronin and Ahern all have injuries that will be assessed this week to see if they can join training.

If none of them are fully fit by Saturday to play, then we will be down to Kleyn, Wycherley and Holland for lock, and Loughman would be my preferred replacement for Cronin.
I wouldn't use O'Mahony unless he is completely recovered, O'Sullivan would be better on the bench in that case IMO.

If Salanoa is fit it wouldn't make much difference to bench him instead of Ryan either, from what I've seen of Knox he's not really an improvement on Archer/Ryan, but Salanoa has looked fairly good.

Podge_irl

Dubinusa wrote: »

I can't see Leinster going full strenght! Why risk injury?

Why risk fronting La Rochelle a 14 point headstart like they did with Exeter?

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

All of the available Lions hopefuls will start this game I imagine. Both the players and the IRFU will want this.

Does the IRFU get paid per lions tourist?

thomond2006

Deleted User wrote: »

Does the IRFU get paid per lions tourist?

Open to correction but I think the IRFU get a stipend, yes.

arsebiscuits1

Deleted User wrote: »

Does the IRFU get paid per lions tourist?

Apparently each union gets in the region of 80K per player selected (per 2017 numbers)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/09/10/lions-pay-will-soar-to-70000-per-player-for-new-zealand-tour/

The Inbetween is mine

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Apparently each union gets in the region of 80K per player selected (per 2017 numbers)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/09/10/lions-pay-will-soar-to-70000-per-player-for-new-zealand-tour/

Since CJ is contracted to Munster until June 27th....I presume the IRFU would only get a portion of this fee?

connachta

Buer wrote: »

I agree that a Leinster versus an Ulster/Munster select would be interesting but I'd back Leinster to pinch it.

Add Connacht best 5 then Leinster would lose

Burkie1203

connachta wrote: »

We should try Leinster full team vs Best of the Rest in the other 3 provnces
would be tasty

That's what Leinster v Munster is

Teferi

This is edging towards 'could Leinster beat the All Blacks' territory.

connachta

Burkie1203 wrote: »

That's what Leinster v Munster is

When you (finally) get rid of overated old guns, there won't be many Munster guys in it, no.
De Allende maybe:P

connachta

Teferi wrote: »

This is edging towards 'could Leinster beat the All Blacks' territory.

All-Blacks + Saffers best mix only may have a chance:D:D

Burkie1203

Teferi wrote: »

This is edging towards 'could Leinster beat the All Blacks' territory.

Could the all blacks nick a LBP v Leinster is the real question.

aloooof

Munster are favourites. Remember that from about, oh, 4 weeks ago?

pickarooney

Saturday 26th?