Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

it’s been a strange month. Even though we lost the last 3 games. I feel we lost to ourselves.

The fundamental break down of our lineout over those games cost us imo. It wasn’t that the opposing team dismantled it. It’s just not there.

Saying that I think LAR beat themselves also.

The way I see it, if Stormers (6th/45pts) Scarlets (7th/43pts) and Benetton (8th/41pts) all win they will stay ahead of us (9th/41pts) even if we win and assuming no bonus points. But with our last game against Benetton we can be assured leapfrogging them into 7th or 8th by beating them and Ulster

If we lose we get overtaken by Ulster in 2 weeks and potentially Ospreys who play Sharks and Edinburgh who play Connacht

For Ulster they need to beat us and Edinburgh in the last game but I think they also need other games to go their way to be assured of top 8

Schools rugby, as a development path, has worked in Leinster because their schools are mostly private fee paying and therefore they have the money and resources to create the most competitive players.

Prioritising schools in Munster for development of our youth players simply hasn't worked, the evidence of this has been clear for a number of seasons now.

When we had strong AIL clubs we had a structure that did work, we were competing for trophies and the odd time we would win one. That wasn't a "mythical era" that was the 00's. I can only assume you were too young to remember that era?

If you prefer to ignore the facts and despair at the truth that's your decision

Why is it Nuciforas fault?

Surely there is a large percentage, majority in fact, lies with provinces (mis)management at local level?

As it currently stands schools get priority over their players, that, to me, is backing the schools while shafting the clubs.

Yeah I can get behind a blend of school and club time being better all around.

Stephen Archer has announced his retirement at the end of the season

Archer's form in the run-in to the URC win was something else, from going 80 minutes - twice - in SA prior to the knock-outs to starting all 3 knock-out games. A much maligned guy, who significantly improved his handling late in his career, I was as delighted for Archer on URC win as I was for guys like POM, Earls and Murray.

The talk seems to be that Salanoa is nearing fitness, and if he can stay fit, I think we've potentially got an impactful player on our hands, but it remains a massive if….

Which is why the change to the Central Contract model to fund the pathways was 1) absolutely required and 2) a big positive change from the IRFU.

Personally, I’d have Casey starting all day, think he’s integral to most positive things we do with the ball.

There could be an argument for moving Takkies back to FB too; I think Haley started the season very well, but he’s disimproved since then and isn’t in good form.

Niall Scannell has always been a good nuts and bolts player, but with the lineout misfiring as much as it has been, there’s nearly less of an argument for him, so I’d probably go exactly as you have there too.

Milne was a big positive last day. Crowley will hopefully benefit from the off week. Quinn looks really deserving of his bench spot.

POM’s last game in Thomond. Hope he has a stormer.