Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

When the November squad was announced, Crowley had started exactly zero games at 10 for the new Munster coach

The full context here is that there were 7 games before November; he missed 3 due to the EI tour, and Munster had an injury crisis after that. (I've been on here for nearly 2 years now saying I think he'd be Munster's starting 10 in the medium term).

But I really don't think it's definitive he was Munster's 3rd choice under Rowntree; he was needed at 12. Even started 1 game at 15.

The point I'm making is not that because they are 1st choice, they should be in. It's that, if they are 1st choice with the provinces, and they are performing really well in Europe say, but a player who has scant minutes in Europe gets in ahead of them, it may begin to alienate a certain cohort.

it may begin to alienate a certain cohort.

Then so be it.

You cannot ask the coaches to pick the Ireland squad on any basis other than picking the players they think are the best choices.

If some of the alienated cohort do end up leaving, that's unfortunate but a) it has yet to happen and b) I'm not sure what the solution is.

I’ve no idea what the solution is either, if it does, but I think it is a potential risk. (You could argue it has happened with Kleyn, of sorts).

I remember this exact argument kicking off with regards Penny vs Hodnett earlier in the season. Some claimed they were at the same level of the depth chart. I think it’s pretty clear the way the season played out since that they weren’t.

My point is that I think the big game experience that Hodnett has acquired, that Penny simply doesn’t have, has to be valuable.

Shame Razor is gone, as there 100% would have been a dance-off between him and Wig after the game...

Donnacha Ryan was also not offered an Irfu central contract ….despite been a regular for country and province and also age …..Jamie heaslio despite been older got one …..both great players but I know which one I’d of preferred keep

Ryan not being offered a central contract was a completely separate issue from Heaslip. It absolutely wasn't an either/or issue no matter how much people wanted to portray it as such.

Age was mentioned re Ryan …..heaslip was older and in a position.we were well covered and still got central contract ……

Ryan is the only one of those 3 that stayed abroad. Sexton only went because he was low balled. Zebo the only one who was frustrated at not getting picked for Ireland. Yet he still came back, even though that wasn’t going to change.

It would be massively unlikely for Coombes of Hodnett to consider going abroad. As for Haley, did he come here expecting involvement with Ireland? Is it a major factor in him staying?

With the benefit of hindsight you might say that. However there is no way the IRFU had told Sexton when he was negotiating with them. That he would still be picked if abroad. He took that risk in going over there, that he wouldn’t be.

Zebo the only one who was frustrated at not getting picked for Ireland.

This is often said on here, but Zebo played something like all but 6 minutes of the 6 Nations and the 2 AI’s vs NZ in the season prior to his departure being announced.

He absolutely was getting picked for Ireland.

Sexton only went because he was low balled.

Exactly. And now the worry is that a cohort that feel they may be underpaid, and little opportunity to get the add-ons that come with Irish representation, may consider leaving for more money too.

Zebo was very open about the fact he felt neglected by Ireland. Yes he did get picked in the last 6N before leaving. Mostly due to injuries. He was never at any stage first choice or near it under Schmidt.

Which Munster player is being low balled?