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Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,141 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    Buer wrote: »
    Is there anything to be said for Bernard Jackman as replacement for Flannery? Replace one test hooker who is a forwards coach with another albeit more experienced one.

    He's already signed with Bective Rangers as first team coach for next season. Announced middle of last week!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭Dubinusa


    It's tough to put a finger on the attacking issues that Munster have? The quality of players is very good. Earl's and Conway are top level performers imo. I would say that Haley is fairly decent, but he's not at the top end level. I think Farrell is great and I would love to see him play at 12 with Scannell or Arnold outside him. Murray has been poor for quite a while. He is not at his customary level.
    In the pack, the grunt is there but the skill levels aren't. But, the playbook is very predictable. I would at least try Beirne at 6. POM disappears and it's becoming a more common scenario.
    The academy is turning out some good players. I think Coombes will be a very good player. Liam O Connor has potential and Calvin Nash will see more time next year. I think Nash should get a run at fb. They also have Hodnett, who looks to be a fantastic prospect.
    Only time will tell. JVG will be on the hotseat if it goes tits up next year.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Dubinusa wrote: »
    Only time will tell. JVG will be on the hotseat if it goes tits up next year.

    A new attack coach will take time to make his mark. Munster could end up in a Euro group with Saracens and Racing for example.

    If Munster are going to bring someone in, He has to be given time. There is also a skillet deficit in the forwards that won't be fixed in a few months.

    Larkham seems to be wishful thinking as he may well be waiting to take over Australia after the RWC although he is available now

    If it's Howley, He won't be around until the end of October


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 534 ✭✭✭Erik Shun


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    A new attack coach will take time to make his mark. Munster could end up in a Euro group with Saracens and Racing for example.

    If Munster are going to bring someone in, He has to be given time. There is also a skillet deficit in the forwards that won't be fixed in a few months.

    Larkham seems to be wishful thinking as he may well be waiting to take over Australia after the RWC although he is available now

    If it's Howley, He won't be around until the end of October

    Lots of nothing in your post again, thought you'd given up spouting the same old rubbish after yesterday...


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Erik Shun wrote: »
    Lots of nothing in your post again, thought you'd given up spouting the same old rubbish after yesterday...

    Great comeback. Really insightful and well thought out points you made there.


    It took Leinster an entire pre season and half of that season to get playing the way Joe Schmidt wanted them playing in 2010-11. Leinster lost 3 out of 4 games back then at the start having had pre season together as a group.

    So If Howley for example arrives into Munster in the last week of October after Wales get to the latter stages of the RWC will that mean Munsters attack is transformed instantly or will it take time to implement? IMO it will take time.

    The bulk of work is done in pre season. This time around it's unlikely that there will be a new attack coach in place for pre season, and if there is, He might well be working without 4 or 5 of the first choice backline.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,141 ✭✭✭✭Caranica


    Pro14 starts on 27 September with 5 rounds between then and the RWC final. Champions Cup starts 15 November.

    We can't afford to wait that long for new coaches. Also the fixture list will be very important. To play Glasgow, Blues or Treviso in the RWC block would be helpful.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Of course it’s relevant when someone so influential leaves, even before you factor in how much his own job is influenced by where the team is going

    OK, so tell me how someone who has no role with the playing side is so influential. He's apparently decided to return home to NZ after 11 years in Ireland, so not related to changes in the coaching staff. As I said players who aren't even at Munster a year are signing contract extensions. That is way more relevant than anything the marketing manager (no matter who he is) does.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 534 ✭✭✭Erik Shun


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    Great comeback. Really insightful and well thought out points you made there.


    It took Leinster an entire pre season and half of that season to get playing the way Joe Schmidt wanted them playing in 2010-11. Leinster lost 3 out of 4 games back then at the start having had pre season together as a group.

    So If Howley for example arrives into Munster in the last week of October after Wales get to the latter stages of the RWC will that mean Munsters attack is transformed instantly or will it take time to implement? IMO it will take time.

    The bulk of work is done in pre season. This time around it's unlikely that there will be a new attack coach in place for pre season, and if there is, He might well be working without 4 or 5 of the first choice backline.

    Answered all yesterday..you're just going around in circles and being obtuse


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ Bruno Sour Ibex


    OK, so tell me how someone who has no role with the playing side is so influential. He's apparently decided to return home to NZ after 11 years in Ireland, so not related to changes in the coaching staff. As I said players who aren't even at Munster a year are signing contract extensions. That is way more relevant than anything the marketing manager (no matter who he is) does.

    He's not part of the playing group so I can't see how it's going to have any impact myself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭Sabre0001


    So where to from here. Out in two semi finals again, but to the two best teams in Europe. We looked a level below them, but there have been positives to take from the season, and of course there are some things to work upon.

    JVG took over mid-season and only got first pre-season this year. He's also starting to shape the squad as he wants it with contracts expiring and people being moved on. Our defence has been strong and both Leinster and Saracens created and took their tries very well in recent weeks. He will need to be given the two years and judged on that though.

    There's been so much upheaval in recent years so difficult to get into a solid stride (and unfortunately we're going into another season with coaching staff to find plus World Cup taking some of our players away from that bedding in time). Hopefully we can get someone that gets the backline singing. On paper it's quite strong and getting the basics right or one or two set plays could go a long way. Plus, we have a couple of players with some X Factor who can create, but we often struggle to get them the ball - and certainly in space - at the moment.

    Our underage players are coming along nicely, but the issue that Munster has struggled with for a while is getting them gametime. We saw it with Nagle, JJ, Stephen Fitzgerald, and now possibly Bill Johnston (and Casey was being looked at too). David Johnston recently spoke about his struggles to get gametime and progress: https://www.the42.ie/dave-johnston-munster-ealing-rugby-interview-4639088-May2019/ . Leaving those aside we have players who maybe haven't kicked on and possibly in similar circumstances like Arnold (leapfrogged by Goggin), Sweetnam, Wootton, and some up and comers like Wycherly and Coombes, for example. It's tough to find space for everyone in a squad of 23, and you need consistency in selections at times, but perhaps we could utilise players better. Then again, the World Cup will give the broader squad some opportunities.

    There have been some frustrations over the season and definitely games there for the winning (Castres, Exeter). Leinster were clinical, we were not. And that kinda sums up some of our season. We also flip-flopped with discipline - no penalties or free kicks given away in one game to 13 against Leinster! And not even as a result of pressure at times, just silly stuff.

    I'm curious to see what next season brings. I just hope it's not more heartbreak without really firing a shot in the second half of semi finals.

    🤪



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,871 ✭✭✭budhabob


    OK, so tell me how someone who has no role with the playing side is so influential. He's apparently decided to return home to NZ after 11 years in Ireland, so not related to changes in the coaching staff. As I said players who aren't even at Munster a year are signing contract extensions. That is way more relevant than anything the marketing manager (no matter who he is) does.

    Organisational Leadership, plain and simple. While he is removed from any decisions on the field, he makes up part of the organisational leadership, as did Jones and Fla. Leadership directs culture. To think that it doesnt reflect issues, or will impact is naive in my view.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    budhabob wrote: »
    Organisational Leadership, plain and simple. While he is removed from any decisions on the field, he makes up part of the organisational leadership, as did Jones and Fla. Leadership directs culture. To think that it doesnt reflect issues, or will impact is naive in my view.

    He's going home after 11 years in Ireland. I've heard now that he made the decision and told the MB around Christmas. It has absolutely nothing to do with Jones and Flannery leaving and doesn't reflect any issues.

    And if we get better coaches than Jones and Flannery (and it won't be difficult when it comes to Jones), then there will be no issues with leadership going into next season.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Erik Shun wrote: »
    Answered all yesterday..you're just going around in circles and being obtuse

    You just waffled about how players will learn calls instantly. Thats not the discussion. Learning moves from a new coach and implementing them in a match has been proven in the past to take a lot of time

    Leinster 2010 had a backline with some of Europe's best players and they struggled at times after a full pre season with the new coach.

    If Howley is the new coach he arrives a week after the Welsh exit the RWC. That could be two weeks before Europe.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 534 ✭✭✭Erik Shun


    Burkie1203 wrote: »
    You just waffled about how players will learn calls instantly. Thats not the discussion. Learning moves from a new coach and implementing them in a match has been proven in the past to take a lot of time

    Leinster 2010 had a backline with some of Europe's best players and they struggled at times after a full pre season with the new coach.

    If Howley is the new coach he arrives a week after the Welsh exit the RWC. That could be two weeks before Europe.

    You're still waffling on about whats, ifs..and maybes...
    Latest reports suggest Howley is not the front runner at this point and that an ex player is also coming into the setup.... but I'm not going to dwell on any of this, when we can make a deductive argument I'll revisit it, but no point at the moment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,631 ✭✭✭snotboogie


    Sabre0001 wrote: »
    So where to from here. Out in two semi finals again, but to the two best teams in Europe. We looked a level below them, but there have been positives to take from the season, and of course there are some things to work upon.

    JVG took over mid-season and only got first pre-season this year. He's also starting to shape the squad as he wants it with contracts expiring and people being moved on. Our defence has been strong and both Leinster and Saracens created and took their tries very well in recent weeks. He will need to be given the two years and judged on that though.

    There's been so much upheaval in recent years so difficult to get into a solid stride (and unfortunately we're going into another season with coaching staff to find plus World Cup taking some of our players away from that bedding in time). Hopefully we can get someone that gets the backline singing. On paper it's quite strong and getting the basics right or one or two set plays could go a long way. Plus, we have a couple of players with some X Factor who can create, but we often struggle to get them the ball - and certainly in space - at the moment.

    Our underage players are coming along nicely, but the issue that Munster has struggled with for a while is getting them gametime. We saw it with Nagle, JJ, Stephen Fitzgerald, and now possibly Bill Johnston (and Casey was being looked at too). David Johnston recently spoke about his struggles to get gametime and progress: https://www.the42.ie/dave-johnston-munster-ealing-rugby-interview-4639088-May2019/ . Leaving those aside we have players who maybe haven't kicked on and possibly in similar circumstances like Arnold (leapfrogged by Goggin), Sweetnam, Wootton, and some up and comers like Wycherly and Coombes, for example. It's tough to find space for everyone in a squad of 23, and you need consistency in selections at times, but perhaps we could utilise players better. Then again, the World Cup will give the broader squad some opportunities.

    There have been some frustrations over the season and definitely games there for the winning (Castres, Exeter). Leinster were clinical, we were not. And that kinda sums up some of our season. We also flip-flopped with discipline - no penalties or free kicks given away in one game to 13 against Leinster! And not even as a result of pressure at times, just silly stuff.

    I'm curious to see what next season brings. I just hope it's not more heartbreak without really firing a shot in the second half of semi finals.

    The Johnston article is great and seems to highlight problems beyond game time for young players. His thoughts on being afraid to make a mistake, even in training were pretty worrying. Some of the players brought in have been bizarre too; Haley has been a huge disappointment and his selection has upset the back 3, we are much better with Conway at 15 and Sweetnam is more than competent enough to fill in on the wing, why are we rejigging our back 3 to accommodate him? Saracens in particular targeted him with huge success.

    Like you I also see positives in the academy, both Wycherly's, both Coombes, Shane Daly and Craig Casey all look good


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,702 ✭✭✭fonecrusher1


    Erik Shun wrote: »
    Latest reports suggest Howley is not the front runner at this point and that an ex player is also coming into the setup..

    I hope you're right about Howley being a non runner. If a ex Munster player is in the running I hope this isn't a cheap quick fix. There's no quick fixes this time. We need someone with experience, a proven track record and someone who is going to hit the ground running and is going to commit longterm.

    On paper Stephen larkham would be ideal as an attack coach but Munster are going to have to throw money at him. Its also a huge move for someone based in Australia. I know many's an Australian or NZ coach has moved lock stock and barrel over here but we're talking about an attack coach not head coach role.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 10,623 Mod ✭✭✭✭aloooof


    snotboogie wrote: »
    The Johnston article is great and seems to highlight problems beyond game time for young players. His thoughts on being afraid to make a mistake, even in training were pretty worrying. Some of the players brought in have been bizarre too; Haley has been a huge disappointment and his selection has upset the back 3, we are much better with Conway at 15 and Sweetnam is more than competent enough to fill in on the wing, why are we rejigging our back 3 to accommodate him? Saracens in particular targeted him with huge success.

    Like you I also see positives in the academy, both Wycherly's, both Coombes, Shane Daly and Craig Casey all look good

    I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but I think the Haley signing made sense largely because 1) he was Irish qualified and 2) Zebo was departing. We would've been short on numbers without signing him.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    I hope you're right about Howley being a non runner. If a ex Munster player is in the running I hope this isn't a cheap quick fix. There's no quick fixes this time. We need someone with experience, a proven track record and someone who is going to hit the ground running and is going to commit longterm.

    On paper Stephen larkham would be ideal as an attack coach but Munster are going to have to throw money at him. Its also a huge move for someone based in Australia. I know many's an Australian or NZ coach has moved lock stock and barrel over here but we're talking about an attack coach not head coach role.


    The rumour around Limerick over the weekend was Jim Williams returning as forwards coach. No idea if it has any real legs though.


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭✭ Bruno Sour Ibex


    The rumour around Limerick over the weekend was Jim Williams returning as forwards coach. No idea if it has any real legs though.

    What's he been doing the last while? Wikipedia says he hasn't coached since 2011, don't know if that's accurate but it's a fair while ago at this stage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,551 ✭✭✭✭AbusesToilets


    I hope you're right about Howley being a non runner. If a ex Munster player is in the running I hope this isn't a cheap quick fix. There's no quick fixes this time. We need someone with experience, a proven track record and someone who is going to hit the ground running and is going to commit longterm.

    On paper Stephen larkham would be ideal as an attack coach but Munster are going to have to throw money at him. Its also a huge move for someone based in Australia. I know many's an Australian or NZ coach has moved lock stock and barrel over here but we're talking about an attack coach not head coach role.

    Thought Larkham was considered to have gone very poorly in his last gig as attack coach, with better players.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,201 ✭✭✭troyzer


    I wonder if there's a realistic chance of going back to the original plan and moving JvG up to director and bringing Larkham in at head coach to assemble his own team.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 222 ✭✭VANG1


    Could be Mike Prendergast, who is supposedly leaving Stade Francais


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,301 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    From listening to/reading some interviews with ROG and Scott Robinson where they explain their coaching philosophy, they place a huge emphasis on the players playing together from a young age and recruit for their academy from all over NZ rather than later in their careers so that by the stage they get to play Super Rugby they play instinctively because they know all their team mates are likely to do in a given situation. ROG seems very taken with this strategy. One of the things that ROG also said was that he has charge of the 17 backs in the squad, and he worries more about the ones who don't play than the ones who get to play.

    In Munster, most of the backs haven't played with each other for more than a few games and Joey is new into the squad. In Leinster, the bulk of the academy seems to come from one or two schools so there are plenty of lads who have been playing together or against each other since they were 12 or 13. When you look at the Munster team, ROG and Stringer were playing together from the age of 12 or 13, and the Munster forwards were mainly made up of the Shannon team that won several AILs.

    The problem Munster has now, is that there are not enough games for its A team so that they can develop like that. I don't think there will be any miracles performed by a new attack coach.

    Munster are also a bit short of coaching staff which might explain why David Johnson wasn't getting enough attention.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,790 ✭✭✭✭Burkie1203


    Thought Larkham was considered to have gone very poorly in his last gig as attack coach, with better players.

    Larkhams moves etc apparently are very intricate. It was mentioned last week somewhere that he fell out with Cheika because Cheika wanted to simplify things.

    Larkham appears to be holding out for the Aussie job post RWC as Cheika may be out of there


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,301 ✭✭✭✭jm08


    What's he been doing the last while? Wikipedia says he hasn't coached since 2011, don't know if that's accurate but it's a fair while ago at this stage.


    After Wallabies, he was working with New South Wales Rugby and then in 2014 he became Head Coach of the Greater Sydney Rams which has just been disbanded (so maybe that is why his name has come up).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,702 ✭✭✭fonecrusher1


    Thought Larkham was considered to have gone very poorly in his last gig as attack coach, with better players.

    Australia's record over the last few years isn't exactly glowing but from what I know Cheika and Larkham have been at odds with eachother for quite some time with their approach to attacking strategy and it shows in their wins / losses stats for last year. I've heard rumours Larkham might be in line as next Australia head coach so i'm becoming less and less convinced he'll ever be part of Munster.

    Hope i'm wrong, we'd be lucky to get him.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,958 ✭✭✭✭Shefwedfan


    I talked to a few Wallabies fans on another forum. According to them not a hope in hell Larkham is going to Munster

    Cheika is on the way out, only for the good WC last time he would be gone long ago. If they win the WC he will stay, which I dont think anyone is expecting that, especially now without Folau.

    They created a job to keep Larkham in ARU so he wouldn't leave and go to a European club, he will be the coach of Wallabies in 2020 and that is the job he wants


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,702 ✭✭✭fonecrusher1


    The rumour around Limerick over the weekend was Jim Williams returning as forwards coach. No idea if it has any real legs though.

    I really hope that's just a rumour to be honest. No disrespect to the man.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Good move for Bill Johnston. Carbery is set in stone and Munster had moved on already with Hanrahan and Bleyendaal re-signed for two years.

    Ben Healy (year 2) and Alan Tynan (year 3) will be the academy prospects to vie for the 4th flyhalf spot.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Kevin O'Byrne 2020
    Rhys Marshall 2021
    Niall Scannell 2021

    Diarmuid Barron Year 2
    Eoghan Clarke Year 2


    James Cronin 2021
    Dave Kilcoyne 2020
    Liam O'Connor 2020
    Jeremy Loughman 2020

    James French Year 2
    Josh Wycherley Year 2


    Stephen Archer 2020
    John Ryan 2022
    Brian Scott 2020
    Ciaran Parker 2020

    Keynan Knox Year 3 & 2022

    Tadhg Beirne 2022
    Billy Holland 2020
    Jean Kleyn 2022
    Sean O'Connor 2020
    Darren O'Shea 2020
    Fineen Wycherley 2021

    Thomas Ahern Year 2

    Arno Botha 2020
    Gavin Coombes 2021
    Chris Cloete 2022
    Tommy O'Donnell 2021
    Jack O'Donoghue 2021
    Peter O'Mahony 2021
    Conor Oliver 2020
    CJ Stander 2021

    Jack Daly Year 2
    Jack O'Sullivan Year 3


    Craig Casey 2021
    Neil Cronin 2021
    Alby Mathewson Nov 2019
    Nick McCarthy 2021
    Conor Murray 2022

    Jack Stafford Year 3

    Tyler Bleyendaal 2021
    Joey Carbery 2022
    JJ Hanrahan 2021

    Ben Healy Year 2
    Alan Tynan Year 3


    Sam Arnold 2020
    Shane Daly 2021
    Chris Farrell 2022
    Dan Goggin 2020
    Rory Scannell 2021

    Sean French Year 2
    Alex McHenry Year 3


    Andrew Conway 2020
    Keith Earls 2021
    Mike Haley 2021
    Calvin Nash 2021
    Darren Sweetnam 2021
    Alex Wootton 2021

    Liam Coombes Year 3
    Jonathan Wren Year 2


    2019/20 Movements:
    IN: Nick McCarthy (SH, Leinster)
    OUT: Mike Sherry (HK, Gloucester/TBC), Dave O'Callaghan (FL, Biarritz), Duncan Williams (SH, TBC), James Hart (SH, Biarritz), Ian Keatley (FH, Benetton), Bill Johnston (FH, Ulster), Matt More (CT, South Africa), Jaco Taute (CT, Leicester Tigers), James McCarthy (WG, Wales/TBC), Ronan O'Mahony (WG, Retired), Stephen Fitzgerald (WG, Connacht)

    2019/20 NIEs:
    Arno Botha (capped), Chris Cloete (uncapped), Alby Mathewson (capped)

    The senior squad for 2019/20 now stands at 44 players, including Alby Mathewson for the RWC.
    The new academy year one players are to be confirmed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    That list if players out vs players in is mental.

    I know a lot of them were well behind in the pecking order and the squad was arguably too big, but that's a huge cut of players to be leaving the setup.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    That list if players out vs players in is mental.

    I know a lot of them were well behind in the pecking order and the squad was arguably too big, but that's a huge cut of players to be leaving the setup.

    I'm sure a few players will join the academy to balance it out slightly but it's a clearout alright, particularly as I've included players that left during the season. Johnston is probably the biggest loss, given his upside, which is a good sign.

    Looking towards this time next year, there are a lot of scope to make changes to the forwards. Billy Holland turns 35 in August 2020 so next season is probably his last and you'd hope Wycherley or someone else will be in the first choice 23 by then. Keynan Knox is already signed up to join the senior squad for 2020/21 so there will be movement at THP.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,702 ✭✭✭fonecrusher1


    That list if players out vs players in is mental.

    I know a lot of them were well behind in the pecking order and the squad was arguably too big, but that's a huge cut of players to be leaving the setup.

    Its well needed IMO. No need for such a huge squad. Also some of those players have been announced as leaving for some time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,967 ✭✭✭✭The Lost Sheep


    jm08 wrote: »
    From listening to/reading some interviews with ROG and Scott Robinson where they explain their coaching philosophy, they place a huge emphasis on the players playing together from a young age and recruit for their academy from all over NZ rather than later in their careers so that by the stage they get to play Super Rugby they play instinctively because they know all their team mates are likely to do in a given situation. ROG seems very taken with this strategy. One of the things that ROG also said was that he has charge of the 17 backs in the squad, and he worries more about the ones who don't play than the ones who get to play.
    Munster dont have to worry about kids not having played together when young enough they all do...
    In Munster, most of the backs haven't played with each other for more than a few games and Joey is new into the squad. In Leinster, the bulk of the academy seems to come from one or two schools so there are plenty of lads who have been playing together or against each other since they were 12 or 13. When you look at the Munster team, ROG and Stringer were playing together from the age of 12 or 13, and the Munster forwards were mainly made up of the Shannon team that won several AILs.
    that forward pack was a completely different era. cant be compared to know and of that pack there was plenty from all over province who were in shannon for a short period...
    and the bulk of leinsters academy isnt really 1/2 schools. far better distribution than munsters

    That list if players out vs players in is mental.

    I know a lot of them were well behind in the pecking order and the squad was arguably too big, but that's a huge cut of players to be leaving the setup.
    thats a good thing that the players out list is far longer. much smaller squad should benefit everyone


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,189 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    Confirmation that Doug Howlett is returning home and that Munster have been aware of it for a while. https://munsterrugby.ie/2019/05/20/howlett-to-return-to-new-zealand/

    Munster Rugby Head of Commercial and Marketing Doug Howlett has confirmed his intention to return to New Zealand in the autumn

    Munster Rugby Acting CEO Philip Quinn said: “With Doug excelling in a senior management role we were always informed of his future plans to return to New Zealand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,702 ✭✭✭fonecrusher1


    Confirmation that Doug Howlett is returning home and that Munster have been aware of it for a while. https://munsterrugby.ie/2019/05/20/howlett-to-return-to-new-zealand/

    Munster Rugby Head of Commercial and Marketing Doug Howlett has confirmed his intention to return to New Zealand in the autumn

    Munster Rugby Acting CEO Philip Quinn said: “With Doug excelling in a senior management role we were always informed of his future plans to return to New Zealand.

    Yup nothing to see here basically. Its click bait news. Old news at that.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,366 ✭✭✭yerrahbah


    Yup nothing to see here basically. Its click bait news. Old news at that.

    Munster rugby officially confirming him leaving 20 minutes is not old news or clickbait:confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,361 ✭✭✭✭phog


    My god lads will ye stop entertaining the WUMs - this thread is a shocker, if some of the stuff trolled here was on another thread they'd be bans handed out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,958 ✭✭✭✭Shefwedfan


    phog wrote: »
    My god lads will ye stop entertaining the WUMs - this thread is a shocker, if some of the stuff trolled here was on another thread they'd be bans handed out.




    What is a WUMs?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,841 ✭✭✭Squatter


    Shefwedfan wrote: »
    What is a WUMs?

    Wind

    Up

    Merchant


    s is the plural.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,958 ✭✭✭✭Shefwedfan


    Squatter wrote: »
    Wind

    Up

    Merchant


    s is the plural.


    Everyone is accused of that, once they have a different opinion they are automatically a troll or wind up or something else.....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,841 ✭✭✭Squatter


    Shefwedfan wrote: »
    Everyone is accused of that, once they have a different opinion they are automatically a troll or wind up or something else.....

    Yep.

    And you'd want to see what the Mods here do to posters who believe that rugby threads are a form of contact sport!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,702 ✭✭✭fonecrusher1


    yerrahbah wrote: »
    Munster rugby officially confirming him leaving 20 minutes is not old news or clickbait:confused:

    Any Munster fan with his/her ear to the ground has known Howlett has been intending to leave for some while now. Its not news to me and its certainly no cause for alarm, he was on the commercial advisory panel ffs.

    The click bait merchants are going as if this one further crisis for munster or something. Its not.

    :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,201 ✭✭✭troyzer


    I don't think Howlett moving is a big deal. He was on one of the podcasts a few months ago and I remember getting the impression that it was more Munster doing him a favour to build his CV as he transitioned to a new career. He was always going to move on when he got his fill and good luck to him.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 10,623 Mod ✭✭✭✭aloooof


    Shefwedfan wrote: »
    Everyone is accused of that, once they have a different opinion they are automatically a troll or wind up or something else.....

    There's opinion and then there's fact. You recently posted that

    1. Jerry Flannery had built one of the best defence's in Europe when our defense coach is JP Ferreira, and

    2. That Craig Casey will never see first team action while in Munster, when he had made his debut off the bench 10 days previously.

    And that's only recent stuff off the top of my head. You're entitled to you opinion, but stuff like that is why you seem to cop so much flak.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,958 ✭✭✭✭Shefwedfan


    aloooof wrote: »
    There's opinion and then there's fact. You recently posted that

    1. Jerry Flannery had built one of the best defence's in Europe when our defense coach is JP Ferreira, and

    2. That Craig Casey will never see first team action while in Munster, when he had made his debut off the bench 10 days previously.

    And that's only recent stuff off the top of my head. You're entitled to you opinion, but stuff like that is why you seem to cop so much flak.


    1. I will give you, but I do think forwards have a small bit to do with defense.

    Not sure what the Craig Casey bit is about, nothing to do with me.

    I did say Johnson wasn't getting enough time and getting blocked. I think that was an opinion.

    The point I made about Flannery was he was an excellent coach and shouldn't have been let go, is that incorrect?

    Every few pages the order here seems to be come up with a new acronym to try and insult posters. Bit sad really. Doesn't seem to happen on every other thread.

    Ask a question or raise a point and expect 20 posts of insults and bashing instead of a decent answer


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,841 ✭✭✭Squatter


    Shefwedfan wrote: »


    The point I made about Flannery was he was an excellent coach and shouldn't have been let go, is that incorrect?

    We won't really know that until he has proved himself at another club.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    I'm sure a few players will join the academy to balance it out slightly but it's a clearout alright, particularly as I've included players that left during the season. Johnston is probably the biggest loss, given his upside, which is a good sign.
    .
    Its well needed IMO. No need for such a huge squad. Also some of those players have been announced as leaving for some time.
    thats a good thing that the players out list is far longer. much smaller squad should benefit everyone

    Yeah I agree that given the squad size it's the right size, more just amazed at the size of the list than anything. And as said, other than the likes of Johnston, the rest didn't really have much of a prospect other than being dirt trackers for a season or two longer.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 10,623 Mod ✭✭✭✭aloooof


    Shefwedfan wrote: »
    1. I will give you, but I do think forwards have a small bit to do with defense.

    Not sure what the Craig Casey bit is about, nothing to do with me. I did say Johnson wasn't getting enough time and getting blocked. I think that was an opinion.

    Here is a direct reply to this article about Leinster approaching Craig Casey.
    Shefwedfan
    Indo seems to forget the rolling contracts handed out to Mathewson....shocked I am

    He will never see first team action while in Munster

    Ulster could be a decent move for him, Connacht are loaded and Leinster ok with McGrath and JGP

    Casey had made his debut against Connacht 10 days previously.
    Shefwedfan wrote: »
    The point I made about Flannery was he was an excellent coach and shouldn't have been let go, is that incorrect?

    I'd have prefer to have seen him staying on as well. But I don't think it's correct to say he was let go. We know he (and Felix) were offered a contract and they both turned it down. Anything else beyond that is speculation. I'll admit it's far from ideal, and something doesn't seem quite right with it, but I suspect we won't know what happened for sure for quite some time.
    Shefwedfan wrote: »
    Ask a question or raise a point and expect 20 posts of insults and bashing instead of a decent answer

    You absolutely can but your "Doris the tea lady" type posts just aren't gonna endear you to anyone.


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