Munster vs Dragons, Sat 17th Sept 5:15pm; Sky Sports

thomond2006 · 16-09-2016 10:57am #1

Newport Gwent Dragons team to face Munster

15 Carl Meyer, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Sarel Pretorius;
1 Sam Hobbs, 2 Rhys Buckley, 3 Brok Harris, 4 Nick Crosswell, 5 Rynard Landman, 6 Lewis Evans ©, 7 Ollie Griffiths, 8 Ed Jackson.

Replacements: Darran Harris, Thomas Davies, Craig Mitchell, Cory Hill, James Thomas, Charlie Davies, Angus O’Brien, Adam Warren.

Munster:
Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Keith Earls, Dan Goggin, Ronan O'Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray;
James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Donnacha Ryan; Billy Holland Capt., Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, Brian Scott, Dave O'Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Colm O'Shea.

Released to AIL: Robin Copeland, John Madigan, Darren O'Shea, Alex Wootton, David Johnston, John Andress and Peter McCabe

The big guns return. Bleyendaal is back fit with Billy Holland moving to the backrow ahead of Dave O'Callaghan. Earls starting at 13 means the starting back three from last week is retained. Colm O'Shea is set to make his Munster debut.

Brian Scott is our TH replacement again (no John Andress). Andress is fit as he's been released to the AIL.

16-09-2016 11:01am

Better looking team - will be interesting to see how Murray and Bleyendaal go. Some forward mobility coming off the bench also. Despite the try I thought Kilcoyne was very poor last week, didn't show up defensively and was a turnstyle at times, didn't get stuck in much at the breakdown and was a bit of a passenger. Needs to be put under pressure for his place in the team or he is going to regress further.

Good opportunity for Sweetnam to further impress with quite a bit of pace inside him. Worried about Earls at 13 but against Dragon's he shouldn't be under too much pressure. Should be a good game!

former total · 16-09-2016 11:10am

thomond2006 wrote: »

Andress is fit as he's been released to the AIL.

Sweet jesus. Worst signing ever.

Good Munster team though, especially up front.

thomond2006 · 16-09-2016 11:13am

former total wrote: »

Sweet jesus. Worst signing ever.

Good Munster team though, especially up front.

I raise you Clint Newland.

molloyjh · 16-09-2016 11:35am

thomond2006 wrote: »

I raise you Clint Newland.

Sean McCarthy......

phog · 16-09-2016 11:39am

Munster:
Andrew Conway; Darren Sweetnam, Keith Earls, Dan Goggin, Ronan O'Mahony; Tyler Bleyendaal, Conor Murray;
James Cronin, Niall Scannell, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Donnacha Ryan; Billy Holland Capt., Jack O'Donoghue, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Duncan Casey, Dave Kilcoyne, Brian Scott, Dave O'Callaghan, Conor Oliver, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Colm O'Shea.

Released to AIL: Robin Copeland, John Madigan, Darren O'Shea, Alex Wootton, David Johnston, John Andress and Peter McCabe

Strange that Copeland is released to play AIL and we're starting Holland in the backrow with DOC and Oliver on the bench.

thomond2006 · 16-09-2016 12:17pm

molloyjh wrote: »

Sean McCarthy......

Ah yes! The most expensive full-time AIL player ever?

All the provinces have had their share of duds. I remember a long thread about them years ago.

phog wrote: »

Strange that Copeland is released to play AIL and we're starting Holland in the backrow with DOC and Oliver on the bench.

He's coming back from a groin injury but it's probably not a good sign for him.

leakyboots · 16-09-2016 1:24pm

Copeland doesn't deserve his place in the squad based on his performances. Been a very poor signing thus far. This could be the kick in the arse he needs

phog · 16-09-2016 1:32pm

leakyboots wrote: »

Copeland doesn't deserve his place in the squad based on his performances. Been a very poor signing thus far. This could be the kick in the arse he needs

I wouldn't agree with that but he does drop in form at times, as you say this might be the kick in the arse he needs.

leakyboots · 16-09-2016 2:37pm

You left out 'in the squad' - I mean matchday squad. We're rightfully having a look at young Oliver 'cos (again) this season we're going into it with only one recognised 7 in TOD. The rest are there on merit over him.

leakyboots · 16-09-2016 2:38pm

From what I've heard anyway Rassie has told ALL players that if they're not being picked or in his immediate plans they're to go back to their clubs - can only be good for the players to get gametime and it gives a bit of a boost to the AIL if a couple of big names like him end up playing (though there's probably an argument about it being unfair to opposition to be had)

phog · 16-09-2016 2:53pm

leakyboots wrote: »

You left out 'in the squad' - I mean matchday squad. We're rightfully having a look at young Oliver 'cos (again) this season we're going into it with only one recognised 7 in TOD. The rest are there on merit over him.

I left it out because I thought you meant "The Squad" as opposed to "the matchday squad"

Felix Jones is God · 17-09-2016 7:24am

Saw Howard play a few times last season and he wasn't a patch on his time here at Munster...don't think being shunted out to the wing is going to suit him and think we'll make progress down that side

Johngoose · 17-09-2016 7:37am

Will Munster win this game?That is all I want to know!:-)

irishbucsfan · 17-09-2016 12:29pm

Johngoose wrote: »

Will Munster win this game?That is all I want to know!:-)

Put the house insurance on it

thomond2006 · 17-09-2016 1:03pm

Johngoose wrote: »

Will Munster win this game?That is all I want to know!:-)

Munster really should. It would be a worse result than last week if they didn't. Dragons will be a basement team this season.

Felix Jones is God · 17-09-2016 1:31pm

First time in a while we've been able to put out a very strong team, so it should be just a matter of our half backs getting in tune with each other and just kicking on from there

kuang1 · 17-09-2016 3:23pm

Murray and Bleyendaal will be interesting to say the least. Looking forward to that.

Cathalthesmart · 17-09-2016 3:33pm

That's a strong Dragons side, I'd take a losing bonus point now.

Anatidaephobia · 17-09-2016 3:49pm

Munster just posted on twitter that Earls is out with a hamstring niggle. Colm O'Shea starts, with Bohane coming on to the bench. That is a really inexperienced centre partnership.

former total · 17-09-2016 3:52pm

Dragons are fundamentally rubbish but always stubborn at home. It won't be easy.

Cathalthesmart · 17-09-2016 3:57pm

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

Munster just posted on twitter that Earls is out with a hamstring niggle. Colm O'Shea starts, with Bohane coming on to the bench. That is a really inexperienced centre partnership.

Another injury....suddenly my post on the Leinster page looks pretty spot on!

molloyjh · 17-09-2016 4:03pm

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

Another injury....suddenly my post on the Leinster page looks pretty spot on!

No it still looks as wrong as it is.

ScrubsfanChris · 17-09-2016 4:13pm

Dragons second choice out half starting.
First choice injured in warmup (sorry don't know name)

Adbrowne · 17-09-2016 4:14pm

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

Another injury....suddenly my post on the Leinster page looks pretty spot on!

dragons fly half pulled out too .....

Felix Jones is God · 17-09-2016 4:16pm

Munster with a bp win here today methinks

ScrubsfanChris · 17-09-2016 4:17pm

Doesn't look like a great turn out in the stands.
For a Saturday afternoon game in the sun, that's a bit poor.

nobbo · 17-09-2016 4:28pm

Impressive scrum. Keep that up for the rest of the game and I can see a bonus point coming.

LuckyGent88 · 17-09-2016 4:28pm

Should have had a go at the dragons back with the advantage from the scrum.

ScrubsfanChris · 17-09-2016 4:29pm

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Should have had a go at the dragons back with the advantage from the scrum.

Looked like Murray wanted it and for whatever reason CJ kept it at his feet.

kuang1 · 17-09-2016 4:33pm

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Looked like Murray wanted it and for whatever reason CJ kept it at his feet.

I thought the same but for all we know that signal meant "give it to me 3 secondsfrom now" !!!

thomond2006 · 17-09-2016 4:34pm

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

Another injury....suddenly my post on the Leinster page looks pretty spot on!

Please don't.

Felix Jones is God · 17-09-2016 4:37pm

Zebo-esque

LuckyGent88 · 17-09-2016 4:37pm

Well that was pretty easy. Very good start, hopefully keep this up and get the bonus point comfortably.

Adbrowne · 17-09-2016 4:38pm

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Well that was pretty easy. Very good start, hopefully keep this up and get the bonus point comfortably.

dragons must have borrowed the embra defensive playbook

thomond2006 · 17-09-2016 4:38pm

Great stuff, a try earned up front.

vienne86 · 17-09-2016 4:40pm

This is looking handy for Munster.

Rattlehead_ie · 17-09-2016 4:44pm

Wouldn't say handy.
Positives on all aspects for sure. Don't know how that Dragon attack was sustained. Munster not allowed compete at breakdown and blocking by Dragons.

thomond2006 · 17-09-2016 4:48pm

Some nice stuff from Bleyendaal. Now please stop getting hurt!

Akrasia · 17-09-2016 4:49pm

commentators curse?

irishbucsfan · 17-09-2016 4:49pm

Ah lads... who threw that...

Adbrowne · 17-09-2016 4:49pm

oops

LuckyGent88 · 17-09-2016 4:49pm

A gift

ScrubsfanChris · 17-09-2016 4:49pm

Hope that acts as a kick in the arse.
Multiple multiple phases and no ground made what so ever.

thomond2006 · 17-09-2016 4:49pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Some nice stuff from Bleyendaal.

Shut up thomond.

Edit: My bad, COS threw the pass.

Buer · 17-09-2016 4:50pm

I was about to say Kleyn looks very decent. Sloppy try to concede. The attack was gojng nowhere there. Just shovelling.

irishbucsfan · 17-09-2016 4:50pm

Who is at 12, is that Collie O'Shea?

Felix Jones is God · 17-09-2016 4:51pm

Well intercepted and good try....time to just wake up a little and put the dragons to the sword

BBDBB · 17-09-2016 4:51pm

Knock on, no try I reckon

thomond2006 · 17-09-2016 4:51pm

That pass was very telegraphed.

Felix Jones is God · 17-09-2016 4:52pm

Poor refereeing there

Munster vs Dragons, Sat 17th Sept 5:15pm; Sky Sports

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