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

nerd69 · 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.

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

Comments