Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

phog · 28-10-2025 09:24AM

At the break for the Autumn Interantionals Munster have played five, won fin and have used 41 players. Only 5 players have featured in all 5 games, Coombes, Kleyn, JOD, Kelly and Fineen Wycherley, bar Kelly all forwards.

Jump_In_Jack · 28-10-2025 09:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123943092#Comment_123943092

Must check back this 5-match block, I'll do a small table of minutes played per player and post it there in a sec, if anyone would find that kind of thing of interest. Just to take stock of the efforts so far across the squad.

Jump_In_Jack · 28-10-2025 01:43PM

Fineen Wycherley the most durable player so far, the only player with 5 starts on the trot.
Kelly has the most minutes played, including a sub appearance for 50 minutes at fullback.
Crowley and Nankivell both picked up 2 POTM awards, Farrell picked up 1.
Coombes the only player to receive a card, 2 yellows, both for reaching for the 9 off the base of the ruck, one against Cardiff and they picked up a try during the man advantage, and the other was into extra time against Leinster, off which they scored a consolation try.
A total of 41 players have been used so far, including 3 academy players.
The senior players that have not featured so far are: Donnelly, Salanoa, K Ryan, C Ryan, Gibbons.
The Year 3 Academy players that have not featured so far are: Hadden, Clein, McSweeney, Hicks.
Of the players aforenamed that haven't featured for the senior team, all of them featured for the 'A' team against Leinster.

4 players made the initial Autumn Internationals squad:
Tadhg Beirne, Tom Ahern, Craig Casey, and Jack Crowley,
with Tom Farrell being called up afterwards as injury cover,
and Calvin Nash being named as not available for selection due to injury.
Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson were initially added as squad cover but both had to withdraw due to injury.
5 players were named in the Ireland XV squad to face Spain:
Lee Barron, Michael Milne, Evan O'Connell, Ruadhán Quinn and Dan Kelly.

Jump_In_Jack · 28-10-2025 03:04PM

Based off previous post,
Our team from most minutes played in the block to date would be as follows:
Milne, L Barron, J Ryan,
F Wycherley, Kleyn,
Gleeson, Coombes, O'Donoghue,
Coughlan, Crowley,
Abrahams, Nankivell, Kelly, O'Brien,
Daly.
Subs: D Barron, Loughman, Jager, Ahern, Quinn, Patterson, Hanrahan, Farrell.

And I reckon all fit and available our Championship 23 at this time of selecting would probably be:
Milne, Scannell, Jager,
Beirne, Kleyn,
Ahern, Coombes, Hodnett/Kendellen,
Casey, Crowley,
Abrahams, Nankivell, Farrell, Nash/Kilgallen,
Haley/Daly.
Subs: D Barron, Loughman, Salanoa/J Ryan, E Edogbo/F Wycherley, O'Donoghue/Gleeson, Coughlan, Hanrahan, Kelly.

Interesting to see a few slection headaches arising that wouldn't have been so obvious before the start of the season.

Jump_In_Jack · 28-10-2025 04:16PM

Squad Update
Kilgallen made a successful return from his ankle injury,
Nankivell passed his HIA,
Abrahams and Scannell failed their HIA’s,
Hodnett getting a scan on a foot injury.
Salanoa started for Nenagh Ormond at the weekend.

phog · 28-10-2025 04:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123944071#Comment_123944071

That's tough on Hodnett but at least we're going into a natural break after the Pumas game on Saturday

Jump_In_Jack · 28-10-2025 06:18PM

Just on an interesting point I heard made recently about Munster potentially making better use of resources with a 6-2 bench;
Munster have gone with a 5-3 bench for this entire block of matches;
Each time with a scrum-half, an out-half, and 4 times with a centre (O'Brien x2, Kelly, Nankivell) at 23 and once with a winger (McCarthy) at 23.

Furthermore, if you want to read into the selections in the half-backs so far,
At scrum-half it looks like Casey is clearly in front, and Patterson and Coughlan are in a battle for second choice, both have had 4 appearances and only for Patterson getting injured it may have been 2 starts and two benches each.
Meanwhile at out-half it looks like Crowley is clearly in front, Hanrahan with 3 starts is clearly ahead of Butler, and Butler is struggling to get any meaningful game time, 3 appearances so far, all from the bench and a sum total of just 32 minutes, although the 19 minutes to close out the match against Connacht was a good opportunity, unfortunately in that brief cameo getting blocked down inside the Munster 22 will stick in the memory.
Selection for the coming weekend will be interesting.
Expecting Patterson to start if fit (he's in the training pics anyway) with Coughlan on the bench to even out the minutes a bit.
Also there's a great opportunity now for Butler to start, after Hanrahan made a few errors against Connacht.

ionadnapóca · 29-10-2025 10:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123944364#Comment_123944364

Just on Srumhalf.

I missed what Jack O'Donoghue said of Jake O'Riordan and Tom Tierney after Connacht game.

Munster Rugby back-row Jack O'Donoghue, who captained the side against Connacht, recalled the coaching O’Riordan had received from another Limerick man, former Ireland scrum-half and Munster-based National Talent Coach Tom Tierney, who passed away in February 2023.

O'Donoghue said: “He (Jake O'Riordan) would have worked a lot with the late Tom Tierney, and I think it's a credit to Tom, having a young lad like that come in and slip in seamlessly.

“He was quite emotional after the game because you remember someone like that who put a lot of time and effort into him. I'm delighted for him.”

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/munster-rugby/1928795/clayton-mcmillan-limerick-scrum-half-jake-o-riordan-has-big-future-ahead-of-him-after-impressive-munster-rugby-debut.html

clsmooth · 29-10-2025 12:25PM

Fekitoa in the Independent claiming Munster tried to pull out of signing him

https://archive.ph/iFMa3

On February 2, 2022, Munster announced they had signed Fekitoa from Wasps on a two-year deal. As it transpired, though, he left after just one year, having played a key role in Munster’s memorable run to the URC title in 2023.Munster fans will recall how it took Fekitoa a few months to get up to speed, but all was seemingly not well behind the scenes – as he outlined when we merely asked if he was disappointed not to have seen out the second year of his contract.“I was. It was very complicated,” Fekitoa begins. “I have never shared this, I don’t know if it’s good, but six months before arriving, around December, so it was close to me having my medical, they said that they were going to cancel my contract because they said my knee was a problem.“I didn’t understand. I never had any problem. I had keyhole surgery [in 2019], which is normal in rugby, and I had been available for selection for my past clubs for years. All of this happened, and that’s when my first daughter was born as well. So it was very frustrating and obviously it showed when I arrived because of that battle off the field between the club and myself and my management. This was how I was being treated and it was very frustrating.“I didn’t have a good start because there was a lot on my mind, a lot had been happening before I even arrived at the club to start my first day. I got told by my agency, ‘Look, you can leave and go somewhere else’, but I was so convinced to show them [Munster] that I was fine, and I wouldn’t let them dictate where I should be going.“Obviously, they gave me a lot of finance [money], and I’m not sure if it was part of the plan or if they wanted to protect themselves because of what happened with RG [Snyman]. But I didn’t want to give up the opportunity. I went and forced my way into the first year.

It took a while, probably three months to settle, and then everything just went well from there, and we won the [URC] championship. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made – not to give up, not only for my career, but just to put it to bed that I was OK, and also to experience Irish rugby because obviously they are one of the best teams in world rugby at the moment. I really wanted to go in and perform, and it all paid off in the end. We won the championship in South Africa, and it was one of the highlights of my career. It gave me a second life as well, what I’ve learned from what happened, and also on the field, too, to change some parts of my game. They helped me a lot, so I think it all worked out in the end.”As has been well-documented, Snyman endured a nightmare injury-ravaged spell with Munster at a time when he was one of the club’s highest-paid players, and Fekitoa felt that the province got cold feet about signing him on a large salary, too.When contacted by the Irish Independent, Munster declined to comment.“Look, obviously there are always two sides of the story and they will back their side,” Fekitoa continues.“But I had never had any problems with my knee. In my history, with Wasps for three years, I never had any issue, even at Toulon, even in New Zealand. But, yeah, I don’t know what happened there.“I can’t say for sure it’s because they didn’t want me, but obviously, you can look at the numbers they gave me financially, it kind of makes sense.

“But I kept pushing and pushing, and then found my way back in. I was lucky enough to get my first year. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I think one year was perfect, and it all happened for a reason because I ended up here in Benetton with this great experience.“If you look back, I had a lot of issues online, I got s**t on by everyone for my performances and stuff, but that’s what actually happened off the field.“Obviously, as a young family, I had my first daughter and to be told before I even arrived that this was happening was like... My missus was already setting up the house [in Limerick], so a lot of things happened before I even arrived. That took a toll on me with my headspace.“Then, to kick off the season, we didn’t do well as a team. It affected me, obviously, being the [big] signing to help the team, but that was all happening off the field. I learned a lot from that experience – how to be patient, not to give up. I could easily have just said, ‘Ah, f**k it. I’ll just get paid and go home’. But I kept fighting and then in the end, I played 19 games for Munster within one year, which was huge for me. I wouldn’t change anything.“Not many players win a championship. It was one of the biggest reasons I wanted to join Munster because I knew at some point they were going to break in and win something because of the quality they have, and it’s a huge club. I was very lucky in the end.”

Jump_In_Jack · 29-10-2025 02:55PM

Mossy Lawler said in the Press Pass interview that they've already used 41 players and they'll probably be using a couple more players this weekend.
The players are looking forward to getting to play an international side.
From the training pics it looks like the Ireland XV players are available for it.
If I were to pick two players that I think could be used, it would be Conor Ryan and Max Clein.
We are without Beirne, Ahern and Kleyn on International duty, plus without Edogbo after his concussion/dizzy spell.
Scannell is on the RTP protocols, and Diarmuid Barron is recovering from a neck injury.
Probably too early for Salanoa to go up against an Argentine XV front row yet.
Ideally we'd be more adventurous and use everyone that hasn't featured yet, and rest a few with plenty of minutes so far.
That would look like something like:
LHP: (1) J Wycherley (hasn't had a start yet), (17) Donnelly (hasn't made an appearance yet),
HKR: (2) L Barron, (16) Clein (hasn't made an appearance yet),
THP: (3) Foxe (hasn't had a start yet), (18) K Ryan (hasn't made an appearance yet),
LHL: (4) O'Connell (hasn't had a start yet), (19) Conor Ryan (hasn't made an appearance yet),
THL: (5) F Wycherley (Would make him captain),
BSF: (6) Quinn (hasn't started at 6 yet),
OSF: (7) O'Donoghue,
NO8: (8) Coombes, (20) Murphy (hasn't made an appearance yet),
SHF: (9) Coughlan, (21) O'Riordan,
OHF: (10) Butler (hasn't had a start yet), (22) Hanrahan,
LWG: (11) Kilgallen,
ICE: (12) O'Brien
OCE: (13) Gibbons (hasn't made an appearance yet),
RWG: (14) McCarthy (hasn't had a start yet),
FBK: (15) O'Connor, (23) Daly.

Brief_Lives · 29-10-2025 03:00PM

thats a ramble worthy of trump.

word down here is that his wife hated Ireland.

but he helped us win the URC, so, he's top class in my eyes.

Jump_In_Jack · 29-10-2025 03:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123946219#Comment_123946219

Wasn't there also a thing at the time where his family were in huge distress back home in Tonga after a terrible earthquake?
Something like he couldn't get in contact with them for a few weeks at the start of the year and his head was still a bit of a mess when he first arrived in Munster.
Also, the move to Italy was good for them as because his wife spoke Italian I think and preferred the warmer weather. She is Spanish.
That's only what I heard through the grapevine so who knows if any of it was true.

Brief_Lives · 29-10-2025 03:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123946226#Comment_123946226

yea, she is a spanish speaker (I met them and I was chatting to her in Spanish)

I forgot about the Earthquake thing, that was another aspect. He went home for a bit for that.

50HX · 29-10-2025 03:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123946226#Comment_123946226

I heard through a contact in munster at the time that he's head wasn't in a good place at the time...would disappear for days at a time & uncontactable

budhabob · 29-10-2025 09:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123946195#Comment_123946195

As it currently status, all those injuries should be back for the Stormers game with the exception of Gleeson. Not a bad situation to be in for the next block of games

phog · 29-10-2025 10:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947378#Comment_123947378

There's a block of 10 games coming up, starting with a top of the table clash in Thomond Park v Stormers then it's back to back ERCC games. We could rotate for Ospreys before going full bore against Leinster in Thomond. I assume we'll have to rest the Irish lads v Ulster and then it's back to back ERCC games again before Dragons and the 10th game is away to Glasgow and I'd love to see go there and win

Jump_In_Jack · 29-10-2025 11:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947467#Comment_123947467

I was assuming we wouldn’t have the Irish players back for the Stormers game but we should have Kleyn back for it. We should have a strong squad by then anyway.
the two matches where we could gamble with a bit of rotation are the Ospreys away and Dragons at home.
It would be a shame to have to rest the Irish players against Ulster, but definitely would want everyone available for the Leinster match.

So the plan might be rest the Irish Internationals for Stormers, to go full selection for the Euro matches, squad rotation for Ospreys, full out for Leinster, rest the Irish Internationals again against Ulster, all out for the Euros, squad rotation for Dragons, strong as possible minus the Irish Internationals v Glasgow.

phog · 30-10-2025 12:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947583#Comment_123947583

Yes, I'd forgotten that we might be without the internationals for the Stormers game. After that I agree with your thoughts on what the team selections might be.

Podge_irl · 30-10-2025 12:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947664#Comment_123947664

They'll definitely be without theirs though.

Jump_In_Jack · 30-10-2025 10:46AM

The team will be named today according to munsterrugby.ie

Jump_In_Jack · 30-10-2025 10:48AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947677#Comment_123947677

Had to check but there are only a few Stormers players in the Springbok squad.

Zach Porthen
Ben-Jason Dixon
Cobus Reinach
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Damian Willemse

Wouldn't surprise me if they were released for the Munster match. They should beat Wales no matter what side they put out.

Podge_irl · 30-10-2025 11:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948215#Comment_123948215

They don't have a lot no, but I'd be surprised if they were released. They don't need them, but SA seem to have an even more top down approach than the IRFU.

johnnyryan89 · 30-10-2025 01:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123947583#Comment_123947583

Would SA release Kleyn back early, surely they'll keep him around. Though Edogbo will hopefully be alright by then and Thomas Ahern while away with the international won't see much game time unless there's injuries. Farrell similar so hopefully those two are straight back into the match day squad even as subs.

Jump_In_Jack · 30-10-2025 01:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948667#Comment_123948667

South Africa v Wales is outside the International window so Kleyn can’t refuse to return to Munster, I’d expect him to be back and probably playing the full 80 for Munster against the Stormers.

Jump_In_Jack · 30-10-2025 01:16PM

Beirne and Crowley named to start for Ireland, Casey on the bench.

Jump_In_Jack · 30-10-2025 02:39PM

Team to face Argentina XV

Munster: Mike Haley; Diarmuid Kilgallen, Fionn Gibbons, Seán O’Brien, Shay McCarthy; Tony Butler, Paddy Patterson; Josh Wycherley, Lee Barron, Ronan Foxe; Conor Ryan, Evan O’Connell; Jack O’Donoghue (C), Ruadhán Quinn, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Max Clein, Mark Donnelly, Kieran Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Luke Murphy, Jake O’Riordan, JJ Hanrahan, Ben O’Connor.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Niall Scannell (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

Thaakir Abrahams (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

Edwin Edogbo (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

Oli Jager (HIA) – Following Return-To-Play Protocols

John Hodnett (Foot) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Calvin Nash (Shoulder) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Conor Bartley (Hamstring) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Diarmuid Barron (Neck) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Alex Kendellen (Ankle) – Estimated Return To Play – Stormers / End of November

Brian Gleeson (Elbow) – Estimated Return To Play – 8-10 Weeks

Andrew Smith (Knee/Hamstring) – Estimated Return To Play – 8-10 Weeks

50HX · 30-10-2025 02:44PM

Love the estimated return times on the injury updates this season...small change but makes things much clearer.

We are doin well on the injury front, Gleeson& Smith are the only 2 medium term injuries

aloooof · 30-10-2025 03:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123948953#Comment_123948953

Love that Butler is being given the nod ahead of JJ, think it's the right call.

Good to see Edogbo and Abrahams both following RTP, feel like they'll be big players for us into the winter block of games.

phog · 30-10-2025 05:38PM

No Ethan Coughlan and not on the injured list after having a great game v Leinster.

5 academy players listed in the team.

aloooof · 30-10-2025 05:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123949408#Comment_123949408

Looking forward to seeing more of Jake O'Riordan tho. You'd have to imagine Coughlan is our 2nd choice now so will get plenty of gametime against quality opposition during the rest of the season.

Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

Comments

Unavailable for selection this week: