Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

22-10-2021 10:54AM

Ospreys vs. Munster Match Thread: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058214271/ospreys-vs-munster-saturday-october-23rd-7-35pm-premier-sports-1-rte-2-s4c-urc-tv/p1?new=1

phog · 22-10-2021 11:01AM

How do delete a post nowadays?

22-10-2021 11:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057068#Comment_118057068

Not sure to be honest. Took me ages to figure out how to edit one 😂

sioda · 22-10-2021 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118057068#Comment_118057068

You can't 😒

Caranica · 22-10-2021 02:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118056523#Comment_118056523

They get a new scarf EVERY year as well as something else that's way more decent than the crap we've had since the last hat or scarf a lifetime ago.

Anyone share what's in this year's mrsc pack? Won't get my post until next week

salmocab · 22-10-2021 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118058465#Comment_118058465

The scarf has become an oddity for Leinster supporters, new one each year is a bit much but if there was none there’d be moaning. We got a reusable travel cup this year and a wash bag thing. No stickers or bits of tat that the child in me enjoys.

Caranica · 22-10-2021 03:25PM

My mrsc pack just arrived at my parents (don't know why the address changed) but as luck would have it I'm here. Passport cover is decent enough I thought. Glad car sticker is small, I've limited room without removing an old one 😂

Cookiemunster · 22-10-2021 04:19PM

TBH I'd preferred if they dispensed with the 'gift' if all they're going to give us is tat. Although I suppose its not as bad at the year they gave us a luggage tag and a 'boot bag'.

aloooof · 22-10-2021 04:27PM

I'd have liked a travel mug, tbh. Think I've bought more take away coffee since the start of Covid than I have in my entire life.

Canyon86 · 22-10-2021 05:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118058465#Comment_118058465

The pack has:

-Small pin,

-Car sticker

-Black passport holder

-10% voucher leaflet

-Membership card

Last years package had all the above plus a pair of socks I think 🤔

Caranica · 22-10-2021 11:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118058883#Comment_118058883

Ours have to fit through a letterbox for some reason. Olsc always did stadium collection so could do bigger items and a keepsake box. Presume they just paid extra postage this year and decided to deal with complaints from people re missed deliveries and mail depot collections

Caranica · 22-10-2021 11:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118059123#Comment_118059123

First passport holder I've ever received. Last year we got a "snood", socks were the year before and gloves the year before that iirc

phog · 23-10-2021 09:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118060844#Comment_118060844

We didn't get a passport holder last year but we got one a few seasons back - a red one which imho is far better than the dour black one we go this season.

Caranica · 23-10-2021 10:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061671#Comment_118061671

Must be a lot of seasons back, think I've been a member for 8 years or thereabouts and don't remember getting a passport cover before.

Homesick Alien · 23-10-2021 08:39PM

Jesus that must go down as one of the all time worst Munster performances. Comical at times. Ospreys barely fired a shot.

shinana abu · 23-10-2021 08:48PM

In the name of Jesus christ and the wee donkey!! What was that!!

Red Silurian · 23-10-2021 11:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118061683#Comment_118061683

It was around 2006 the red passport covers were given out

Rigor Mortis · 24-10-2021 08:12AM

A passport holder seems a little cruel under the circumstances

yerrahbah · 24-10-2021 08:24AM

Reminded of the performances we'd put in during the International windows in seasons past.

The difference this time of course we had several internationals playing and coming off the bench.

This season we've been poor for 40 mins vs the Stormers and then for 80mins vs Connacht and Ospreys.

Are Scarlets really that bad?

Really tough run in the next 5 URC games

molloyjh · 24-10-2021 09:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118065214#Comment_118065214

Well Scarlets got a couple of players back, performed much better and still shipped 50 in the RDS. Take from that what you will….

Stanley 1 · 24-10-2021 10:59PM

After the Osprey performance it really is time for JVG to move on, he has had enough time and players to work with.

The ongoing neccessity for the pack to score 5 yard drive-ins is now looking like a drugs habit and they have to fall back on it time after time.

Give the man his freedom, very much doubt if there will be a rush for his services, maybe Rassie will find him a soft number in the SA set-up, commission based.

shinana abu · 25-10-2021 08:17AM

Agree it is definitely time for him to move on, 4yrs of dirge unfortunately

TRC10 · 25-10-2021 10:48AM

What's the general consensus among Munster fans on JVG's contract situation?

Personally, he's in his 5th season now and I don't see Munster as being any closer to winning a league or H Cup than they were before him.

He's been showered by the IRFU with world class NIQ players and also top prospects from other provinces, granted a couple have had injury issues, in addition to inheriting an already very good squad. Yet I see very little evolution in their game other than glimpses here and there.

So if I were a Munster fan I'd be happy to let his contract run out and look for a change. I have massive respect for Munster and what they stand for, as well as strong links with the province, and I always support them in Europe (when it's not against Leinster). I believe Irish rugby needs a strong Munster and I don't see LVG as the guy to get them over the line. But I'm interested to hear what Munster faithful think.

shinana abu · 25-10-2021 10:52AM

Accurate synopsis, regression overall when you consider talent available, definitely change needed at this stage

yerrahbah · 25-10-2021 12:14PM

It's difficult to say, I would say we haven't had the players or the player depth in recent years to compete at the top level.

We regularly get to Semi Finals and Quarter Finals which I would say is our level at the moment.

We have 4 forwards in the recent Ireland squad compared to Leinsters 10 which for me shows the gulf in quality between Munster and the top sides.

The recent long term injuries of Snyman and Carbery and Tyler before him haven't helped.

In saying that some of the performances have been really poor, last years final sticks out.

I would have no issue with JVG continuing on.

Rumours are he's going to a DOR role with Larkham taking over head coach.

aloooof · 25-10-2021 02:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118070169#Comment_118070169

"He's been showered by the IRFU with world class NIQ players and also top prospects from other provinces"

I'd strongly disagree with this premise, tbh.

With regards NIQ's, Snyman and DDA were financed by outside resources; the IRFU sanctioned it giving them all the upside with none of the financial downside. Even then, Snyman hasn't even put 80 minutes of rugby together yet. Jenkins was also signed, but that was on a 1 year contract in reaction to CJ's unexpected departure. And again he hasn't played a single minute for Munster yet.

Can you name the top Irish prospects that Munster have been "showered" with from other provinces? Carbery is the obvious example but he's obviously also had huge injury problems.

With regards JVG himself, I'm torn. If you look strictly at results (stage of exit and opposition) we're getting beaten by the elite / top 4 teams in Europe each season. As disappointing as that may be, it's probably about our level.

2017/18:

Pro14: SF vs winners Leinster

CC: SF vs runners-up Racing

2018/19:

Pro14: SF vs winners Leinster

CC: SF vs winners Saracens

2019/20:

Pro14: SF vs winners Leinster

CC: Group stage with Racing & Saracens

2020/21:

Pro14: Final vs winners Leinster

CC: Round of 16 vs winners Toulouse

In terms of performances, the biggest disappointment for me is that we haven't even looked particularly competitive against Leinster in even one of those 4 knock-out games. Also, we've seen Larkham's influence in parts, but not consistently enough. We're trying, but without any great fluidity.

The biggest issue for me is that, even if we replace JVG, I'm not sure a replacement would fare any better given the current squad we have. If you compare ours and Leinster's front-row, for example, there's no comparison.

In his favour, this season and last, JVG has been introducing youth a lot more also (despite some inaccurate protestations on here at times).

But overall, I wouldn't be opposed to a change, given the IRFU generally seem to be pretty savvy with their appointments.

26-10-2021 03:26PM

https://irishrugby.ie/2021/10/26/ireland-age-grade-squads-named-for-dublin-training-camps/

3 x Munster players named in the Ireland Under-18 Clubs Squad, 11 named in the Ireland Under-18 Schools Squad and 8 in the Ireland Under-19 Squad.

Simon Zebo's cousin Connor Oresanya (Harlequins/Leeds Beckett/IQ Rugby) also named in the U19 squad

phog · 26-10-2021 03:30PM

Squad Update

There is no fresh injury news following our first defeat of the season away to Ospreys in Wales on Saturday night.

That game saw John Hodnett make his first Munster appearance since November 1, 2020, having recovered from a long-term Achilles tendon injury.

Munster’s international contingent will join the Ireland squad this week ahead of their first Autumn Nations Series clash against Japan on Saturday, November 6.

Chris Farrell (abdomen) underwent a minor surgical procedure last week and will continue his rehab under the care of the medical department.

Rowan Osborne has completed the return to play protocols.

Rory Scannell is continuing the return to play protocols.

Continuing to rehab: RG Snyman (knee), Jason Jenkins (thigh), Roman Salanoa (knee), Chris Farrell (abdomen).

Red Silurian · 26-10-2021 04:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118069283#Comment_118069283

Who do you think should replace him?

I recall Arsenal fans calling for Wenger to go because he couldn't win them a Premier League. Think he was forced out at the end of 2017/8 when they finished 6th, their first time outside of the top 4... Since he left they finished 5th, 8th, 8th and currently sit at 10th after 9 matches

I'm not saying he is doing a particularly good job but be careful what you wish for because there are plenty of worse coaches out there

26-10-2021 10:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118075906#Comment_118075906

To some extent I'm on the fence on this. van Grann has been decent but when we come across either a top side, or a side that sets itself up to stop us playing, we revert to being an extremely limited team. We were bereft of ideas against Connacht and against the Ospreys, neither of whom are top sides but both of whom played us with the gameplan of soaking us up with tackles, confident enough we wouldn't do anything with the ball. I don't think either opponent really created much but lived off our mistakes. I doubt van Grann has the tactical ability to regularly see us beat top sides, which also means I doubt he has the ability to turn us into a top side. Have we grown tactically under his tenure? i don't think so.

However, all the above has applied to Munster for a decade at this stage. It pre-dates van Grann (and of course, all sides struggle when their opponents shut them down) and it will probably post-date him too. Our fundamental problem remains underage, we spent a decade not producing enough quality. van Grann has had big backing financially for a handful of players, but it's a lot more than just a handful we need to really compete at the top. When you look at our homegrown squad it is still fundamentally weak and it's the homegrown players who are the backbone of URC sides.

Hand on heart, Beirne and maybe Gavin Coombes aside, it's hard to see any Munster forward starting regularly for Ireland this season. You aren't going to win the big matches without regular international players in your pack. How much of that is down to van Grann? Hard to say, what youth does he have to work with in the forwards? In the tight 5 he has, what, a few niggle prone (ish) props like J. Wycherley, Knox and Salonoa, a serious prospect in Aherne, a solid prospect in F. Wycherley (remains to be seen if he can break regularly into Irish match day squads). Is there any other real stand-outs? Our established pack isn't good enough for big games and it remains to be seen if the young guys will surpass them....

We are what we are, the best of the rest in the league, hard to beat at home but unlikely to beat the Toulouse's of this world in a must win match.

I'm on the fence on it because despite the lousy underage system, and bad luck with injuries, it's still up to him to turn that side into a side that can win something.

Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

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