Munster vs Connacht, Fri 14th May 6pm; Eir Sport

thomond2006 · 13-05-2021 12:11pm #1

Munster:
Matt Gallagher; Andrew Conway, Dan Goggin, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; Ben Healy, Craig Casey;
James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Gavin Coombes, Peter O’Mahony (C), CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Tadhg Beirne, Jack O’Donoghue, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Keith Earls.

CONNACHT MATCHDAY 23 VS MUNSTER RUGBY

15. John Porch (38)
14. Sammy Arnold (13)
13. Sean O’Brien (Acad) (9)
12. Tom Daly (46) (C)
11. Alex Wootton (19)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (34)
9. Kieran Marmion (184)
1. Paddy McAllister (16)
2. Shane Delahunt (97)
3. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (65)
4. Niall Murray (15)
5. Ultan Dillane (111)
6. Cian Prendergast (7)
7. Conor Oliver (19)
8. Abraham Papali’i (12)

Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (142)
17. Denis Buckley (198)
18. Finlay Bealham (157)
19. Eoghan Masterson (109)
20. Sean Masterson (11)
21. Caolin Blade (129)
22. Jack Carty (156)
23. Peter Sullivan (14)

There isn't a lot of development selections in that Munster pack. It's not a great sign that Ryan and Archer are both in the 23 when Knox and Salanoa are available and desperate for minutes. A number of players who are leaving / most likely leaving are in the starting lineup.

Dan Goggin gets another start in the centre alongside our top three wingers in Daly, Conway and Earls to come off the bench. Casey starting at 9 with Murray getting a rest.

phog · 13-05-2021 3:00pm

From the outset there's been calls from some fans to use this almost as a development tournament, at this stage (3 games in) it's kind of obvious that the provinces are taking this competition way more serious. Maybe once the InterPros are over we will see more experimentation as it is we've made a good few changes from the team that beat Ulster.

Anyway, I'm hoping for 3 from 3 tomorrow evening

yerrahbah · 13-05-2021 3:05pm

Connacht caused absolute havoc on the Munster lineout last time in Thomond.

That could explain the really experienced pack we are putting out .

Frustrated there isn't a place on the bench for one or two of the younger guys

thomond2006 · 13-05-2021 3:06pm

phog wrote: »

From the outset there's been calls from some fans to use this almost as a development tournament, at this stage (3 games in) it's kind of obvious that the provinces are taking this competition way more serious. Maybe once the InterPros are over we will see more experimentation as it is we've made a good few changes from the team that beat Ulster.

Anyway, I'm hoping for 3 from 3 tomorrow evening

I'm happy enough with going with strong lineups, but I'd prefer to see either Knox or Salanoa getting minutes for example. We know that Ryan and Archer need to be replaced in the medium term.

aloooof · 13-05-2021 3:12pm

Our front row has been a problem area in the bigger games, so I’m a bit disappointed to see a front row selection where 2 of the 3 are likely leaving. Think there was some scope for change there, while still fielding enough experience elsewhere.

Shaka Hislop · 13-05-2021 4:57pm

yerrahbah wrote: »

Connacht caused absolute havoc on the Munster lineout last time in Thomond.

That could explain the really experienced pack we are putting out .

Frustrated there isn't a place on the bench for one or two of the younger guys

Billy Holland didn't start that last game, I can't see those same mistakes being made...and Marshall's darts are normally spot on

Cookiemunster · 13-05-2021 5:46pm

Shaka Hislop wrote: »

Billy Holland didn't start that last game, I can't see those same mistakes being made...and Marshall's darts are normally spot on

And Thornbury isn't playing for Connacht this time either.

Zzippy · 13-05-2021 9:56pm

Munster just have to maul it and they'll stroll home. We'll be lucky to keep it to 20 points.

Shaka Hislop · 14-05-2021 8:03am

Zzippy wrote: »

Munster just have to maul it and they'll stroll home. We'll be lucky to keep it to 20 points.

Pro 14 final thread vibes here

phog · 14-05-2021 9:28am

Officials for this evening

Munster Rugby v Connacht Rugby

At Thomond Park, Limerick, 6pm

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU, 35th competition game)

Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cross, Peter Martin (both IRFU)

TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)

KBurke85 · 14-05-2021 11:05am

phog wrote: »

Officials for this evening

A loud cheer went up around the country when it was discovered Frank Murphy was not involved

PTH2009 · 14-05-2021 3:41pm

Great incentive for Munster as 1st place now gets into the North vs South final on the 19th June

Cookiemunster · 14-05-2021 5:47pm

Coombes is out sick. JOD starts with Fineen W onto the bench.

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 5:57pm

Just had visions of Papali'i running at Casey and Healy.

Shaka Hislop · 14-05-2021 5:58pm

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Coombes is out sick. JOD starts with Fineen W onto the bench.

Pity, Coombes would have made some impact this evening.

Shaka Hislop · 14-05-2021 6:09pm

Power & persistence...try

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 6:10pm

JOD caught a stray boot to the face there.
Looked a sore one.
Used the same lineout move as last weekend except the back was a decoy this time

14-05-2021 6:10pm

Poor .. very poor

SqueakyKneecap · 14-05-2021 6:10pm

Arnold done very well there

its_phil · 14-05-2021 6:11pm

Well I thought our try was soft

razorblunt · 14-05-2021 6:12pm

yerrahbah wrote: »

JOD caught a stray boot to the face there.
Looked a sore one.
Used the same lineout move as last weekend except the back was a decoy this time

One or two no arms in there as well.

Shaka Hislop · 14-05-2021 6:13pm

Casey using his height advantage to keep that ball in..

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 6:21pm

That's two scrums where Munster have looked on top

Utopia Parkway · 14-05-2021 6:21pm

Connacht scrum not so great without Bealham and Buckley.

razorblunt · 14-05-2021 6:24pm

Really need to use the maul effectively, Connacht can’t do anything against it. Poor showing on the last 2.

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 6:24pm

James Cronin could be in trouble

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 6:25pm

Discipline so poor again

its_phil · 14-05-2021 6:29pm

De Allende should be going to the bin for sheer stupidity

razorblunt · 14-05-2021 6:30pm

Stupid penalty after stupid penalty.
DDA there was so unwarranted.

SqueakyKneecap · 14-05-2021 6:30pm

Gwan Fitzy. Fantastic try

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 6:31pm

Great try.

PTH2009 · 14-05-2021 6:33pm

**** Connacht well on top atm

razorblunt · 14-05-2021 6:34pm

Oliver completely off feet at the ruck, the rolls in from the side to join it.

eagle eye · 14-05-2021 6:34pm

I have only seen him at six times but Fitzgerald has really impressed me in every area of his game.
Is he a future international? I'd like to see him get an opportunity

ClanofLams · 14-05-2021 6:35pm

Looked like Porch might run that in for try, if so ref should surely let something that tight go and review then.

Shaka Hislop · 14-05-2021 6:36pm

. about time he's given a scrum penalty

its_phil · 14-05-2021 6:36pm

eagle eye wrote: »

I have only seen him at six times but Fitzgerald has really impressed me in every area of his game.
Is he a future international? I'd like to see him get an opportunity

Not sure to be honest. Could be a decent European player hopefully

eagle eye · 14-05-2021 6:37pm

ClanofLams wrote:

Looked like Porch might run that in for try, if so ref should surely let something that tight go and review then.

Fully agree, you have replay to look at it afterwards. Look like it went backwards out if Wooton's hand.

Utopia Parkway · 14-05-2021 6:37pm

Connacht will do well to win this with the scrum going so badly.

Utopia Parkway · 14-05-2021 6:40pm

Guaranteed try there. Connacht’s maul defence has been absolutely horrendous all season.

Shaka Hislop · 14-05-2021 6:40pm

Like a knife thru butter there.

yerrahbah · 14-05-2021 6:40pm

Connacht could challenge that.
Holland offside at that L/O

theVersatile · 14-05-2021 6:40pm

Connacht pack is soft - if Munster keep the penalty count low in the second half then they'll comfortably win

freyners · 14-05-2021 6:41pm

Billy Holland literally a foot ahead of O'Mahony setting that maul

its_phil · 14-05-2021 6:42pm

Fairly clear blocking off from Holland there. Should have been a penalty out

theVersatile · 14-05-2021 6:46pm

Such a clear changing of the line to block Conway - Jones not fond of giving Munster penalties outside of scrum time.

And oof, not great to be subbed off before HT

Utopia Parkway · 14-05-2021 6:46pm

Connacht change both props and scrum is immediately solid.

ClanofLams · 14-05-2021 6:47pm

theVersatile wrote: »

Such a clear changing of the line to block Conway - Jones not fond of giving Munster penalties outside of scrum time.

And oof, not great to be subbed off before HT

If he didn’t call forward pass on a ball that looked back it would have been 24-7 so prob not wise to complain too much.

realhorrorshow · 14-05-2021 6:49pm

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Guaranteed try there. Connacht’s maul defence has been absolutely horrendous all season.

Well yes but it's hard to defend a blatantly illegal maul 5 metres out.

realhorrorshow · 14-05-2021 6:50pm

ClanofLams wrote: »

If he didn’t call forward pass on a ball that looked back it would have been 24-7 so prob not wise to complain too much.

Pretty sure the ball was still in the ruck when wootton picked it up that time so I'm calling that one even.

Thrashssacre · 14-05-2021 6:51pm

ClanofLams wrote: »

If he didn’t call forward pass on a ball that looked back it would have been 24-7 so prob not wise to complain too much.

I don't understand why he doesn't let the play continue and review the forward pass when the try is scored removes any chance of a mistake on what is a marginal call at best.

Munster vs Connacht, Fri 14th May 6pm; Eir Sport

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