Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

The whole conversation originated from talking about Bleuler and NIQ's. That other poster has clarified he meant NIQ players. I think that''s pretty clear.

It's been pretty widely rumoured by credible sources that Munster have been blocked from signing NIQ props.

So it’s not about Munster preferring to have better players. It’s about Munster being denied from signing better players because of IRFU policy.

I think that’s a completely legitimate and reasonable complaint.

Yes the pathways/academy has improved. T

By the quantity of NIQ's, yes. But it's now been happening by position.

I think that's a mistake, particularly when the current Munster props aren't near Ireland selection.

But you know all this. Indeed, you agreed with me they should've been allowed sign a prop…

You'll forgive my abruptness here, but what reaction do you expect when you come int the Munster thread with "rage" and "conspiracy".

Frisch didn't get capped for Ireland because he wasn't better then a bunch of other players in that position. That's not the fault of the Irfu, it's his. He had a contract to see out with Munster, he didn't see it out. Again, not the fault of the Irfu.

Leinster have produced Furlong and now Clarkson. Marty Moore was knocking around in ~2015 but left for wasps. Aungier left for connacht and Salanoa left for Munster despite having agreed verbally to remain at Leinster.

Furlong is 32, Bealham is 33. The next RWC is likely to be the end of them both realistically so the IRFU want to improve the options at THP which takes time.

Furlong and Jager got injured prior to the AI, TOT got injured in the NZ game and Clarkson was able to step up. Did Alaalatoa and Slimani hinder this development?

If, as Munster fans amongst others like to point out, the Irish teams over reliance on Leinster is bad for the game here on many levels, surely then the IRFU demanding the other 3 provinces up their game is good for the game long term?

Yes, I do think they should have been allowed sign a prop. Most of the front rowers at Munster might as well be from Jupiter for all the use they are to Ireland, so I wouldn’t see much harm in signing another one. I want Munster to be successful, but I’d be shocked if Dian Bleuler is the player to move the needle. If we’re going to “break” the rule, let’s do it properly.

Where we differ is that I appreciate why the policy is there and I don’t think Munster are being treated any differently by IRFU than any other province.

As for rage and conspiracy, scroll up (and up and up and up, you can keep going for 579 pages). If you still claim not to see it, you’ll forgive my abruptness but that would be a lie.

Front page of the Irish Times sports section today has PAUL O’CONNELL having to deny a Leinster bias in Ireland selection. It’s beyond a joke now.

Is it? You where response to me and i certainly didnt say or suggest that

I want Munster to be successful, but I’d be shocked if Dian Bleuler is the player to move the needle. If we’re going to “break” the rule, let’s do it properly.

I agree and have made the same argument here for ages. The calibre we're looking for isn't Bleuler as a medical joker. It's an even better player on a longer contract. It's exactly what I've been calling for for ages.

Where we differ is that I appreciate why the policy is there and I don’t think Munster are being treated any differently by IRFU than any other province.

I appreciate why the policy is there too, but if the Munster props aren't within an asses roar of the Ireland squad, then in this context, it's an illogical policy.

It's also worth pointing out that I think it's fair to say it's been reported more frequently about Munster being blocked from signing an NIQ prop than other provinces. Also, if you want to talk about "nebulous rumours" how about the one today that Leinster are looking to extend Slimani's 1 year deal into next season, the season when the block on NIQ props is presumed to start.

But I don't see you complaining about that.

As for rage and conspiracy, scroll up (and up and up and up, you can keep going for 579 pages). If you still claim not to see it, you’ll forgive my abruptness but that would be a lie.

If you just want to focus on the minority, and ignore the reasonable opinions - and, again, you've said you agree with me on the props - you can. But I think it's a mistake to paint all Munster fans in broad strokes.

That's not what I've said, Syd. I don't think it's deliberate. But I think it's fair to say that Munster are more in need at prop than the other Provinces.

So it's not hamstringing Munster more by design. But it is in practice.

Look, yes Munster are in large part culpable here, but there's nothing they can do in the short-term to mitigate that with player development. Which is why I think they should be allowed sign someone in the interim.

And I agree with your point about the young guys learning from a more experienced guy. Particularly so in such a speciailised position like prop, tbh.

Fwiw, I actually remember John Ryan saying as much and speaking highly of learning from BJ Botha around a decade ago or more.

That’s a cracking try!

Good start anyway. Kilgallen again over the line.