Saw a tweet saying that Beirne should be moved away from Munster for his own career, obviously Ulster would be an ideal move for him with their style of play and competing at the top of the table.
Question I have is, could Connacht be considered a step up for him? Style of play would be more in line with his and feel his skills could elevate Connachts game a huge amount by himself. Thornbury Beirne second row could be up their with the best in the league.
Munster fans are self-radicalising doomists at this point, and the shrill vehemence is very off-putting. Connacht fans are not happy at the moment either, but I would hope that such an atmosphere doesn't emerge on this forum (helps that we don't have such notions as some of our red-shirted peers).
Future has been prepared under A.Friend, even if we're not perfect now, we have good prospects
Main team is slowly ageing but we've a crop of hugely talented players to step up and why not have next RWC on sight
on the basis of inner ressources -all IQ-, you may predictict for 2026-27 season
(I know it won't be as obvious but gives an idea of how we'll be on long-term)
15) Chay Mullins (24)
14) Josh O'Connor (25)
11) Mack Hansen (28)
12) Shayne Bolton (26) if shaking up injuries or Cathal Forde (26)
13) Shane Jenning or Byron Ralston (26)
10) Harry West (23) or David Hawkshaw (27)
9) Matthew Devine (24)
8) Paul Boyle (29)
7) Shamus Hurley -will be IQ for RWC- (26) or Oisin McCormack (25)
6) Prendergast (27)
4/5) Murray brothers (25-26) + Joe Joyce (33)
3) Illo (25)
2) Tierney-Martin (26)
1) TBD, new emerging -maybe still Dooley- (32)
The Connacht maul had been going well. So it did surprise me they did not go for the corner. Mind you with POM up against you, that’s always a risky choice.
We should definitely had a penalty alright but I just don't think it's an effective tactic for us, don't think I can ever remember us scoring from one.
In other news: there are few things as glorious as munster fans on social media. Their entitlement is quite incredible. Granted social media isn't a good indicator of a wider group it is still enjoyable.
We now need stabilty vs Leinster but not being overhyped by some
Farrell is better than Raltson (give the latter n°23 only if we don't do the 6-2 split) for now, give him back the 13 spot vs ex-team
BACK YOUR 10, even if he had a nightmare. Same 10/12 and Daly mantained as covering 22
Maybe Blade will bring sharpness in rucks.
Same from Prendergast, straight in at 6, Shamus back to 7, unchanged 2nd and backrow -including 19/20/23 otherwise (light Oliver purely rested)
Dooley has an Irish selection point to make with Ed Byrne, let's start him, Buckley on the bench, unchanged otherwise
Fitz 15 was experimental, Porch was back to his best. He should play 15 along with Hansen and 1 of Wootton/Byrne
The Tap and Go wasn’t his fault. Munster should have been penalized for coming off the line early. Then Scanell just flops over the top of the ruck, preventing a clear out. Busby is a poor ref but that was just criminal to miss both of those when he was perfectly positioned to see them.
Thought Hawkshaw and Ralston did well as a new combo but then the Munster centres were anonymous. Hawkshaw ran well and stood up in challenges.
Carty's first game in 6 months. Let's be fair it's like a pre season for him. We won and that's all that matters. I am actually looking forward to next week now just to see how things progress. Munster are a complete **** show at the moment but I can see there younger player quickly replace the vanguard. Jesus Murray reminded me of a spectator at a gaa game giving about about every ref's decision that he didn't agree with.
Whilst true that munster weren't exactly explosive in attack there needs to be some credit to our defense.
The games against the saffas stood to us as the physicality was really good. Lots of double tackles and big hits with some great work done by the second rows.
That game was won in the set piece, huge performance from our pack but especially our tight five. Dooley was excellent off the bench too. Any improvement in attack was negligible. Munster didn't really offer much to question our defence but I thought it was ropey enough during the one spell they managed to put some phases together. More of Hawkshaw at 12 please.
Munster are absolutely dreadful.
Should have put munster away by more than that, Munster were woeful.
That said we were at it today. We made mistakes that kept munster in the game but there was some good signs for us today.
Bealham was rightly player of the match but that's as well as heff has played in a long time. Really had the bit between his teeth and was getting in the oppositions face. Don't mind if he doesn't tap and go again though!!
A lot of people seem to rate Carthy, I don't. He's the reason we are behind in this game. Simple kicks missed. He also kicked it out over the end line giving Munster possession in midfield which ended up in a converted penalty.
Perhaps, but my preference would have been to use him more regularly given his record and international experience.
Was that not more about Ultans form? Any time he did play he was far from his best
They rarely picked Ultan last season either once they knew he was on his way. It’s a very strange policy when you have a squad that lacks depth. Surely we should pick teams to win as many matches as possible in the season we’re in……
I'm of the same belief. It's simply strange. There is consistency missing. And how can anyone work a consistent plan without a consistent team. I tend to agree that both Toms have been less than amazing since return from injury. And yet they have featured regularly until both are dropped at the same time. And Conor Fitz starts I believe for the first time at fullback. It's like the players don't understand the plan so the management team will change them until the plan emerges. It's just totally weird and it certainly isn't a normal way of doing things. It's like the coaching staff has no belief in the players they select so they will try anything
Strange team. Doesn't look like a particularly well balanced back row, and there's a severe lack of carriers throughout the pack. Disappointed Matthew Burke hasn't been involved after a good last season. Is he injured?
Backline is odd, could be a bit all over the place but I am happy to see us with a genuine second five eighth at 12, feels like the first time since Ronaldson? Would rather see Hansen at 15 and Byrne/Wootton/Jennings on the wing.
I have no idea why we rotate so much. If you look at Ulster, they pick their best players week in week out where possible.
Be great to keep him but don’t think Connacht will be able to as he can’t qualify for Ireland due to Australia 7s I believe. The IRFU typically limits how long NIQ players can stay, there have been some exceptions of course with Pienaar probably the most notable one. Jenkins going into his third year here with Leinster after two with Munster.
But I would guess him only signing a year extension was more related to his NIQ status than his close relationship with Friend.
Porch's future came up quite recently, some posters being of the belief that his closeness to AF would mean that he would leave with him. I don't get that. This is his fourth year here, he has been a success and is popular. I recall that his gf moved here and was looking for (and presumably found) a job. Considering the condition we're in, he'd be a big loss. Connacht should make him a good offer and try and keep him.
That said, it may be that Mack would be a better 15. We should try it properly.
Hawkshaw has played 12 before. He was quite good. Fitz at fb wil be interesting, could turn out to be good.
That’s about the only thing that makes sense but it’s foolish if right. Worry about this season first surely….
Can still give others opportunities in European games/Porch not available etc
One thing that strikes me about the team is we essentially have 3 tens, plus Daly on the bench so I wonder are we planning on doing a good bit of kicking for territory?
I've been thinking about Porch not playing FB a bit too. My thinking is that they are expecting both Porch, because he's NIQ, and TOH to be gone at the end of the season so they are focusing on trying to find a successor
I agree. Saw pictures of Wootton in training during the week but there must be a knock or something.
Great to have Jack back. And looking forward to seeing SHL in the flesh!
Munster 23 as named: Joey Carbery; Conor Phillips, Malakai Fekitoa, Dan Goggin, Patrick Campbell; Ben Healy, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Keynan Knox; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Jack O’Donoghue, Peter O’Mahony (C), Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Scott Buckley, Jeremy Loughman, Stephen Archer, Edwin Edogbo, Jack O’Sullivan, Craig Casey, Rory Scannell, Fionn Gibbons.
I had just assumed there must be a few injured or sick from the remaining backs in the squad Wooton and Byrne as you mentioned but also Tom Farrell, Oran McN and ToH (I know those guys have played in the opening games and not exactly excelled but surprised to see none of the 5 in the 23 man squad if they are fit)
I would be surprised if we were going for the 6-2 split on the bench again if some of those guys are available.
Hard to understand Wootton’s absence in particular, given he was pretty impressive last season.
Can’t understand Porch not getting a shot at 15, he done well in the couple of games he got there in recent seasons.
Good to have positive injury update for a change!
Yes, great to see Jack back. And while that 12/13 combination doesn't inspire, I haven't seen Fekitoa/Goggins knocking down doors so far either. Meanwhile the interviews continue for a 15, don't think Conor Fitz is the answer but it's a good string to his bow as a 22. But WTF is going on in the back three, neither Wootton nor Byrne picked again, wonder if there's something up.
In good news, the injury update this week has Blade back, along with Duggan and Kilgallen. Delahunt is also training but not available for selection.
Great to have Carty and Thornbury back.
Backline is ah interesting I guess. Given the games so far, probably hard not to make big changes but Conor Fitz’s first start at 15 in a long time, Hawkshaw and Ralston in the centres, hard to see them finding the cohesion that has been lacking.
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