Following on from here
New Munster chat thread folks. warning deserved there. https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=109477571#post109477571
3 starts in 4 months of rugby. Out for two whole months with a broken hand.
Maybe he's happy to steal a pay check, but hardly happy with his contribution to Bordeaux so far
Carbery looks happy enough
The grass isn't always greener on the other side
Players are a lot smarter nowadays & the lure of extra cash vs being flogged like a dead horse may not be that appealing.....esp for forwards
Not sure he can be behind Henderson say, for a bench impact last 20 mins type, even versus Conan I can’t see much in it, perhaps Conan has a bit more pace and plays in the system more but I’d argue Coombes has more power. Let’s face it we’re talking a camp spot at moment not starting. Very glad he’s staying put for 2 more yrs min.
Pace perhaps being one. What are the others?
Great news, if he keeps performing the way that he has been of late hopefully he can force his way into some Ireland selections during those 2 years. Otherwise we may have our work cut out to keep him beyond that.
Think Coombes has a lot to do to make irish camps again even if he is an excellent player for us. Misses a few key attributes for test rugby
Good, you have moved on from POM was on his knees, now, all you need to accept is that there is no mitigation for an illegal act of foul play.
And the next one is Gavin Coombes. 2 yrs as well.
https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2024/12/09/gavin-coombes-signs-two-year-contract-extension-with-munster/
Deleted, didn't read the second part of your post.
Coombes extending. That's great news.
If POM remains fully upright the SF player connects with his upper arm. Therefore it's not a red card
But his swinging arm connected with POMs head and because it was foul play to begin with the red was correct.
Shhhhhhh- tickets available for northampton v munster game in January on the saints website.
New 2 yr deal for Shane Daly announced.
https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2024/12/09/shane-daly-signs-two-year-contract-extension-with-munster/
And the article finishes with this.
There will be more good news on the contract front later today.
Just in case it's of any use to anyone here, there's a 22:10 Limerick- Cork train after the Leinster match on the 27th. Was showing as sold out on site earlier for some reason but plenty of seats left for it.
There is no mitigation for illegal acts of foul play - Azagoh started with a swinging arm, it was not an attempt to tackle. Also, POM was clearly not on his knees when struck.
Farrell is not perfect. The Kleyn non-call up weakened the Irish squad in RWC 2023.
During the game last night I said he's the closest we've had to David Wallace. In saying that, I think we could see Hodnett fight back and take the starting jersey back too.
I hope we do see Coombes back in the squad come the 6N, I think with Conan out for both summer and Autumn tours we lacked a bit of a direct carrying threat in the back row, and with Farrell now (allegedly) out of the picture then maybe this is his chance to impress a different head coach. I would agree with the above post that Kendellan is probably the most likely Munster back-row to make the breakthrough.
The idea that he'll go to France for big money is unlikely tbh, big powerful lads are not in short supply and when you're operating under a salary cap, the big money goes to the big name players. The number of players who've been playing regularly for their province but left anyway remains very small.
I think if there is going to be a Munster back row to break into the Ireland squad (aside from POM), it would be Kendellan imo. He’s been in very good form dating back to the SA tour last spring and again for the EI tour a few months ago. He’s won the 7 shirt off Hodnett now, and could get ahead of Timoney for Ireland. I think he is the type of player Farrell would like, as his game is similar to VDF in that he wants to put himself about on defense, but he is carrying power has improved too, he had a nice half break during the second half yesterday for example.
Yea, there are guys ahead of him for ireland in the back row generally but he could probably get more in france than most of them. Power is a very valuable thing on the rugby market .
Currently he's miles ahead of Izuchukwu, Coombes has been doing his stuff for 5 seasons in the URC and Champions Cup. He was outstanding in the URC final that we won. Izuchukwu may have a higher ceiling but he's yet to perform to the same high level as Coombes consistently. Izuchukwu was underwhelming against Fiji in his first start. He's a bit to go yet, Coombes is doing it season after season.
At some point though the money will surely become irresistible when he's constantly being overlooked for Ireland. He's 27 next week and that leaves maybe 6-7 years earning potential left. If he's shut out again come 6N selection then he may start thinking he won't be involved for the next RWC cycle and his time will dwindle to make the money that he deserves.
Agreed fully, Doris is head and shoulders above the rest of the no.8 options in this country but Coombes seems like a perfect fit for the no.20 shirt. Can play lock, blindside and no.8. And with 20 mins to go in games his supposed lack of pace wouldn't be an issue. What would be worth it is his ability to punch holes in tiring defences and such defenders in towards him thus creating space for others. He has lovely hands too and has become excellent at the tip on passes right on the gainline.
Coombes, a quality player just not in the mould currently desired by our National Team.
He'd be ideally suited to the uk or France and could name his price with his work rate and durability.
couldn’t agree more with this, how he’s not being used as a bench replacement for Henderson beats me. I know there different positions but from the bench in the last 20 mins I think Coombes adds much more value in ball carrying and handling which is how Farrell seems to use Henderson, not sure if Henderson’s line out work trumps Coombes ability to power through players. I also think he could be coached into the player required if he was given another decent shot in camp. It would be such a waste of talent to see Coombes follow James Cronin out the door rather than be given another chance in Ireland camp. I know he’s not displacing Doris as is but think he’s a valuable player to have in reserve.
They didn't need to do too much more. The job was done. They got what they needed from the game 5 points. Good integration of internationals back from Irish games past few weeks. Munster didn't need to keep playing. They didn't need to chase any more scores
if you have a 2 man advantage you don’t just stop playing, Toulouse showed today that good teams keep scoring and don’t let up.
Your reference to Harlem Globetrotters missed the point, Munster didn’t need to do anything flashy, just basic rugby, suck them in with crash ball, quick ruck, pick and go, and then spread it from touchline to touchline probing for gaps and then do it all over again. Giving possession away with kicks or penalties is terrible tactics by comparison. Hold onto the ball, stretch their defence and wait for the gaps or penalties to come.
We effectively stopped playing with 20 minutes to go.
Just finished my rewatch of the game, gotta be very happy with the performance and the result. Some very off reffing decisions but neither club can be overly excited by the decisions.
Abrahams was excellent as was Crowley & Casey, still think my MotM was POM, Coombes was everywhere, his work rate at rucks and in the loose was too notch. Bleuler is a keeper if allowed and special mention to 100 cap Daly.
Nonsense. Just because he isn't what the coaching staff have in mind doesn't mean he isn't good enough. Plenty of coaches get selections wrong or choose players for one thing or another. Farrell clearly doesn't want what Coombes has to offer and that's unfortunate for Coombes but no reflection on his ability. The current makeup of the Irish pack is definitely in need of a shake-up. H
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