Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

1…992993995997998…1098

Comments

  • #29822
    JanuarySnowstor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,558 ✭✭✭JanuarySnowstor


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123317155#Comment_123317155

    I'd say O Mahony would play that game in crutches!! He knows the importance of it



  • #29823
    JanuarySnowstor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,558 ✭✭✭JanuarySnowstor


    So why is Munster v La Rochelle game so big:

    The eyes of the rugby world will be on this one. O'Gara meets Munster, O'Mahonys swansong, Murrays swansong, Crowleys hurt being unleashed. The whole Munster team trying to prove they're not yesterday's men. Lions picks for a few, Coomes being ignored by Ireland

    O'Gara scoffed recently at managing Munster! I'm surprised he better than anyone knows this will have fed into the Munster psyche! He also went out of hos way to publicly back Prendergast! Strange one that.

    Folks this game is huge, probably the biggest game Munster has played in 10 years or so. Will we win, all depends on whether the players can contain that anger, keep all players on the pitch and have a flawless set piece. Sport is a lot about hunger, who hurts the most? Are Munster hurting enough, imo they should be!!



  • #29824
    50HX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,289 ✭✭✭50HX


    27th may 2023 was the biggest day in the last 10 years.

    Tbf to RoG he said he was contracted to 2027,wanted his nxt gig to be at test level & basically said there were too many issues behind the scenes at munster & he wouldn't touch it.

    The latter I suspect to shut up the media speculating on him coaching munster.

    He's entitled to his opinion & as usual doesn't sugar coat it.

    The prendergast comment wasn't some masterclass to benefit munster further down the track

    We've got v v little return from o mahony this season so I hope he fronts up from here on in.

    Will we win?, I was a little more bullish last week but Nanks red card has changed thar.

    I always felt we'd need to be fully stacked goin there, we've a rookie 15,missing a centre & not enough from our front row tbh.

    It'll be gutsy & fiesty no doubt but head says LaR to shade it



  • #29825
    snotboogie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,856 ✭✭✭snotboogie


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123318358#Comment_123318358

    I wonder will we go with Abrahams at 15 and O'Brien, Campbell or Smith on the wing?



  • #29826
    Cookiemunster
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 13,227 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    I'd assume O'Brien into the centre if Nankivell isn't available and Abrahams onto the wing.



  • Advertisement
  • #29827
    phog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 26,526 ✭✭✭✭phog


    From the horses mouth, nothing is signed yet.

    Screenshot_2025-04-02-16-40-03-96_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg


  • #29828
    Brief_Lives
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,651 ✭✭✭Brief_Lives


    some thoughts from Prendy and Beirne

    https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2025/04/02/press-pass-la-rochelle-v-munster/



  • #29829
    budhabob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭budhabob


    So Nanks out of Saturday. I am conflicted on whether SOB or Scannell should start - SOB is the better player, but has played very little centre since arriving and we need defence on point on Saturday.



  • #29830
    phog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 26,526 ✭✭✭✭phog


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123322985#Comment_123322985

    I'm a huge fan of Rory but he hasn't been his best since his return from injury so assuming Munster lose their appeal on the ban I'd go with SOB for this game.



  • #29831
    budhabob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭budhabob


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123323485#Comment_123323485

    Agreed, he has lost a step but his defense is generally excellent.



  • Advertisement
  • #29832
    Former Former Former
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,246 ✭✭✭Former Former Former


    Big shout at FB

    Munster Rugby: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Seán O’Brien, Andrew Smith; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Oli Jager; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes.

    Replacements: Niall Scannell, Josh Wycherley, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Rory Scannell, Alex Kendellen.



  • #29833
    CalmaftertheGav
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 396 ✭✭CalmaftertheGav


    I mean…Ahern should be at 6 but sure let’s give POM another last hurrah…



  • #29834
    Jump_In_Jack
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 4,346 ✭✭✭Jump_In_Jack


    https://www.munsterrugby.ie/preview/team-news-munster-side-to-face-la-rochelle/

    Starting Team:
    Loughman, Barron, Jager
    Beirne, Kleyn
    O'Mahony, Coombes, Hodnett
    Casey, Crowley
    Smith, O'Brien, Farrell, Nash
    Abrahams.

    (6:2) Bench: N Scannell, J Wycherley, Archer, F Wycherley, Ahern, Murray, R Scannell, Kendellen.



  • #29835
    CONSI
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 593 ✭✭✭CONSI


    would expect to see ahern and kendellan at 50 minutes…Abrahams brings genuine pace into the attack and back field cover



  • #29836
    Former Former Former
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,246 ✭✭✭Former Former Former


    Reda WARDI, Pierre BOURGARIT, Uini ATONIO, Thomas LAVAULT, Will SKELTON, Levani BOTIA, Oscar JEGOU, Greg ALLDRITT (cap), Tawera KERR-BARLOW, Ihaia WEST, Hoani BOSMORIN, Ulupano SEUTENI, Teddy THOMAS, Jack NOWELL, Dillyn LEYDS.

    Quentin LESPIAUCQ, Alexandre KADDOURI, Aleksandre KUNTELIA, Ultan DILLANE, Judicaël CANCORIET, Matthias HADDAD, Antoine HASTOY, Jules FAVRE. 

    No Dulin, Danty, Latu, Boudehent or Sclavi. No scrum-half on the bench. It's a strong team but not full strength. I dunno lads, I think an away win is a strong possibility here.



  • #29837
    phog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 26,526 ✭✭✭✭phog


    6-2 split on the bench, though you can understand why when you see it's Smith's second start for us is in knockout rugby. I thought BOC would bet the nod at FB but happy with Abrahams. I'm hoping some speed will cause LaR and issue as I don't think we'll beat them with power.

    Shame to be without Nankivell but it is what it is now.

    20250404_134636.jpg


  • #29838
    Brief_Lives
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,651 ✭✭✭Brief_Lives


    I am so sick of seeing the scannells and wycherlys and Archer in the subs.

    our bench is a worry besides Ahern and Murray.



  • #29839
    50HX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,289 ✭✭✭50HX


    POM is exactly the 6 you want against this side away from home

    He should be fresh & go 60/65mins.

    FW has deserved his spot imo,not perfect this season by any means but he has put in massive shifts this season for us.

    We need some grunt on the bench hence Ahern who I think is a lock rather than a 6.

    Would worry about Nowell causing damage.

    No early injuries & we can give it a real shot..all the pressure is on LaR.

    Should be a great occasion



  • #29840
    letowski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,416 ✭✭✭letowski


    Would have played young O’Connor tbh. He’s inexperienced but Abrahams hasnt played 15 much in his career either and is coming off about a 4 month injury. Would be worried abit defensively with that back 3 because Smith is only new too.
    Bench isn’t great but I think the starting team can go a good hour toe to toe with them. Getting Loughman, Jager and Kleyn back in recent weeks adds a bit of weight and power to our pack. Will need Casey and Crowley at their best this weekend again, but like the Northampton game earlier this year, I think we have a team together that can go on the road and compete for the win.



  • #29841
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 31,700 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Read somewhere BOC has a knock, unsure of the veracity of it. Though neither him or Abrahams would exactly fill you with confidence at the back. Should be a handful going forward though and there are weak spots to exploit in that LAR backline.



  • Advertisement
  • #29842
    phog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 26,526 ✭✭✭✭phog


    Looks like Chris Boyd is back with Munster

    20250404_182309.jpg


  • #29843
    theVersatile
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,723 ✭✭✭theVersatile


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123326876#Comment_123326876

    Ben O'Connor playing AIL with UCC this weekend according to their Instagram

    Sig.png


  • #29844
    phog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 26,526 ✭✭✭✭phog


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123327801#Comment_123327801

    I thought if he was available he'd have travelled out with the team as the 24th man



  • #29845
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 31,700 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123327801#Comment_123327801

    Yeah, I guess that was wrong. Bizarre to me he's not travelling with the squad if he's fit though. Who is the 24th man??



  • #29846
    CalmaftertheGav
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 396 ✭✭CalmaftertheGav


    Ben not being involved and POM starting over Ahern gives me vibes of the Ireland v France game a few weeks ago.

    Stinks of conservatism and fearful of losing rather than backing ourselves to get the job done…I was quietly confident going into this game before the teams were named, that’s just gone now.



  • #29847
    Krazy gang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 840 ✭✭✭Krazy gang


    Where did Smyth come from? I've never heard of him.

    Munster forward bench pretty weak, like it's been for a while tbh



  • #29848
    Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,253 ✭✭✭Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123328193#Comment_123328193

    Leinster academy then Irish 7s then Connacht



  • #29849
    budhabob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,387 ✭✭✭budhabob


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123327997#Comment_123327997

    Starting TA at 15 and Smith on the wing is far from conservative to me. They are both unknowns to both us and LAR.

    As for POM or Aherne, Aherne offers massive impact from the bench, POM does not.



  • #29850
    Brief_Lives
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,651 ✭✭✭Brief_Lives


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123328343#Comment_123328343

    I agree with both of these points. Except for Ahern, our bench has no impact.

    I can see Munster being competitive for 50-60 mins, then letting in a flurry of tries/penalties as soon as our subs are introduced.



  • Advertisement
  • #29851
    snotboogie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,856 ✭✭✭snotboogie


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123326839#Comment_123326839

    Abrahams is a fullback who was pushed to the wing. Sharks listed him as a fullback even though they mostly played him at 11. Lyon mostly played him at 15.



Advertisement