Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

aloooof · 13-06-2022 09:04AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119194746#Comment_119194746

It’s gonna be Castres, isn’t it…

Neil3030 · 13-06-2022 12:20PM

He claims elsewhere that France seed based on league position prior to the playoffs. I've only looked back at the last two years but this seems to be true.

Cookiemunster · 13-06-2022 12:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119195689#Comment_119195689

Last season the top 2 in after the regular season ended up in the final. The season before the league was cancelled and they used the standings after 11 games for European seeding. The last time that the top team didn't win the barrage was Castres who won it from 6th 2018/19 and they were top seed for the following seasons Champions Cup.

Jump_In_Jack · 13-06-2022 12:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119195689#Comment_119195689

I read somewhere but can't find it just now, that French playoffs are included for determining seeding.

So the top 6 are seeded as winner = 1, runner-up =2, higher ranked semi-finalist from league stage = 3, lower ranked semi-finalist from league stage = 4, higher ranked quarter-finalist from league stage = 5, lower ranked quarter-finalist from league stage = 6.

As an example, from the 2018/19 season, La Rochelle (5th in Top14 league stage) jumped Racing (4th in league stage) by beating them in the quarters, so seeding for 2019/20 ERCC season La Rochelle were 4th seed and Racing were 5th seed.

Cookiemunster · 13-06-2022 04:14PM

The EPCRs announcement of next years tournament format confirmed that there French 1-4 seeding hasn't been finalised yet.

2022/23 HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

TOP 14: Castres Olympique, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Stade Toulousain, 5 Stade Rochelais, 6 Racing 92, 7 ASM Clermont Auvergne, 8 Lyon

Gallagher Premiership: Leicester Tigers, Saracens, 3 Harlequins, 4 Northampton Saints, 5 Gloucester Rugby, 6 Sale Sharks, 7 Exeter Chiefs, 8 London Irish

United Rugby Championship: Stormers, Bulls, 3 Leinster Rugby, 4 Ulster Rugby, 5 Sharks, 6 Munster Rugby, 7 Edinburgh Rugby, 8 Ospreys

As you can see only the teams who've been knocked out have seedings beside their names.

Neil3030 · 13-06-2022 06:30PM

So it seems France is the only league where seeding is still to be determined, at least in terms of practicality for the Heineken next season. For eg, Bulls or Stormers will be 1 or 2 in the URC, but they're both Tier 1. Ditto for the English.

14-06-2022 12:10PM

Irish squad announced. Delighted to see Loughman included.

Though Josh, JOD and Kendellen might be in with a chance but not to be.

Red Silurian · 14-06-2022 12:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119197735#Comment_119197735

Correct, yes, Munster will face one of Quinns or Northampton from the Premiership but it could be Castres, Montpellier, Bordeaux or Toulouse depending on what happens in the semi finals this weekend.

For the Challenge it looks like one English and one French team will have 2 URC challengers and the Cheetahs are considered "English" from the point of view of not facing off against your own countrymen

Akrasia · 14-06-2022 12:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119200571#Comment_119200571

What is Cian Healy doing on that plane? He's been a great servant to the country but his form this year has hardly set the world on fire and it's not likely that he'll be improving on that between now and the world cup

And Harry Byrne? Can't even make the bench for his own team in any of the knockout matches this year...

14-06-2022 07:48PM

2022 Munster Rugby Award winners were announced today on Social Media.

Men’s Player of the Year – Jack O’Donoghue

Women’s Player of the Year – Nicole Cronin

Academy Player of the Year – Alex Kendellen

Referee of the Year – Barrie O’Connell

Senior Club of the Year – Young Munster RFC

Junior Club of the Year – Newcastle West RFC

School of the Year – Crescent College Comprehensive

Club Youth Section of the Year – Dungarvan RFC

Club Mini Section Of The Year – Old Crescent RFC

Pity they didn't return to the in-person awards this year.

The one in 2019 (I think) in the UL Concert Hall was a great evening.

Neil3030 · 15-06-2022 01:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119200663#Comment_119200663

Whatever way you chop that up, two very stiff opponents await. Well... a stiff French opponent at least. Fancy a win over two legs against either of those English teams.

A small silver lining of the new tournament format, is that Rowntree and Co. will have until December (granted, without the internationals in November) to hopefully tighten as many screws on as they can on the new systems before a Heineken Cup tie.

Cookiemunster · 15-06-2022 08:54AM

It's pretty much irrelevant who the opposition are. Win one game in this ridiculous format and you're into the last 16. There's almost zero jeopardy in the group phase. 10 out of 12 in each group will progress to some for of knock out game (9th and 10th drop to the challenge cup).

Red Silurian · 15-06-2022 11:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119204573#Comment_119204573

Agreed on the English teams, recon we could take Montpellier or Castres in one of the legs as well. I also think Andy Farrell will stick to his formula of selecting mainly Leinster players for the November Internationals so the new coaching team shouldn't be without for too long

Neil3030 · 15-06-2022 05:52PM

Yeah, you'd have to think by now that the Wycherleys, Healy, JOD, Haley, Kendellen and Farrell are not in the immediate plans for 2023, and are less likely to be called in for the AIs. Though that could all change, you never know.

Cookiemunster · 15-06-2022 06:50PM

Farrell was name checked in the tour squad announcement as being injured. While it's unlikely he'll get into the squad, he is still in their plans.

CONSI · 16-06-2022 08:28AM

What does Jack O'Donoghue need to do to get into an irish squad, super year and no international reward for it. I think he's better than Timony and Prendergast and looks like Baird is being brought as possible 2nd row cover

16-06-2022 08:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119209559#Comment_119209559

I'd say he's probably better than Prendergast but the coaches are probably looking at the fact JOD is 6-ish years older without really making his mark at this level, and I would disagree that he's better than Timoney who has been exceptional this season. He's a good player but he's just in a really competitive area.

Clegg · 16-06-2022 10:19AM

JOD is in the same position as Rhys Ruddock was for years. He's a very good player, but competing against some even more exceptional players.

He's not better than either Doris or VDF for either flanker spot and despite Conan not hitting the heights of last season he's still playing well enough at 8.

I think you're being a bit harsh on Timoney. He's been brilliant for Ulster this year. Prendergast is the development option and Baird is clearly rated very highly because if his youth and physical impact off the bench.

I think the JOD's competition for a place on tour was between POM, Timoney and he. The former is one of the leaders in the squad and has credit in the bank with Farrell. The latter is a better 7.

Dubinusa · 16-06-2022 12:59PM

Timoney has been exceptional all season! Prendergast will be a regular for Ireland, imo. Seriously good player. Conan for all the negative comments is still a fantastic 8. I think he's going to have a good tour! J.O.D is a fine player and is probably close to the squad. But Coombes won't be dropped nor Doris and he's really on the outer fringe! Back row has serious depth.

17-06-2022 12:11PM

https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1537752977078878209?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

...

17-06-2022 01:25PM

I know he's not a Munster player but since he was brought up here as apparently not deserving to be on tour, a thread on Nick Timoney this season. The TL;DR is he was comfortably one of the best forwards in the league this season.

https://twitter.com/SamLStandsUp/status/1537767379110965249

aloooof · 17-06-2022 01:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215390#Comment_119215390

Did anyone actually say “he’s not deserving to be on tour”? Or did they just say “I think JOD is better”?

TRC10 · 17-06-2022 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215444#Comment_119215444

I don't think JOD was really competing with Timoney. Timoney is a 7 in the traditional sense, whereas JOD is a 6/8. It's more likely IMO that JOD lost out to Prendergast and Baird. Which I think is unlucky because he's had a better season than Baird, but I think the Irish coaches are going for that big, tall, 5 and half, hybrid type blindside that's in vogue at the moment (possibly to compensate for our lack of size in the row). JOD doesn't really fit that mould, whereas Prendergast and Baird do. I like JOD and I think he's very unlucky. But Timoney was always going to travel as one of the 7s. If Coombes, Doris or Conan get injured, I reckon JOD will get the call.

leakyboots · 17-06-2022 04:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215788#Comment_119215788

I'd agree about Baird being lucky to be ahead of him - JOD had a fine season and is a great all-round footballer in the style of Wallace. Good in attack, defence, lineout, broken play, defensive maul, is a leader.

Baird has supreme physical attributes that set him aside from most mortals on the pitch so you can understand why they went with him.

Munster are lucky to have him, he's our new Micko/Billy Holland

Former Former Former · 17-06-2022 04:27PM

Baird has been an Ireland regular for over a year, there's no way he wasn't going. JOD was only competing with Prendergast and he looks to be a serious prospect.

Dubinusa · 17-06-2022 10:48PM

Funnily enough, I think Prendergast has all the tools to be an international for years.

Timoney has always been very good! He's deserved his opportunities.

Neil3030 · 18-06-2022 10:28PM

Castres and Montpellier into the Top 14 final. So that's confirmed now, it'll be one of Bordeaux/Toulouse and one of Saints/Quins

Red Silurian · 20-06-2022 09:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119215444#Comment_119215444

The way Munster played the last few games of the season, and certain games over the season, I don't think we should have a single seasoned player on the tour to NZ... Bleed a few of the younglings, sure, but the seasoned players who played against Leinster and Ulster need to go back to their schools teams to learn the basics

Jump_In_Jack · 20-06-2022 11:01AM

General rough overview of this season's URC campaign:

Got the season off to a great start with 4 good wins (Sharks, Stormers, Scarlets Away, Connacht),

Then a disappointingly poor performance away to Ospreys, beaten by a very simple forwards game plan, questions over forward pack.

Lost away to Connacht, 10-8, very low scoring, questions over attack.

Bounced back with a home win against Ulster, then Zebre.

Lost away to Glasgow 13-11, low scoring rainy conditions 10 man rugby, recovered from a poor start, failed to capitalise on a yellow card advantage, missed conversion to get a draw.

Good win over Edinburgh, hammered Dragons.

Poor tour of SA, lost to Bulls after terrible first half pulled back a losing bonus point had an opportunity to win it with 5 mins to go after Bulls got a red card.

Very disappointing loss to Lions after getting into a great lead, didn't score in the second half.

Good win against Benetton.

Lost badly at home to Leinster, 19-34.

Great away win against Ulster, doing the double on them in the league.

Beat Cardiff convincingly.

Disappointing loss away to a second string Leinster team, 35-25.

Beaten convincingly away to Ulster, 36-17.

In summary,

High points were good start and beating Ulster twice.

Low points, losing to the Lions, losing to Leinster second string away resulting in 6th place finish, and losing the quarter-final by a big score.

Eod100 · 20-06-2022 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119221476#Comment_119221476

Wouldn't mind an away trip to Bordeaux or Toulouse in December/January.

Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

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