Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

PhatPiggins · 02-09-2010 09:33PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jeremy Manning is starting at 10 this weekend for Sale against Newcastle.

Good luck to him at his new club.

Good luck to him indeed. I really hope Timmy Ryan has a good season too.

Ian_K · 04-09-2010 08:33PM

Although i think this will be more of a transitional season than anything else for us, i'm really liking the additions we've made to our squad - just looking at it there i'd say we now have at least two players for every position capable of playing Heineken cup rugby, which really is good going

Du Preez/Horan Flannery/Varley Buckley/Hayes

Callaghan/Holland O'Connell/O'Driscoll

Ryan/Quinlan Leamy/Coughlan Wallace/Ronan

O'Leary/Stringer O'Gara/Warwick

Tuitupou/Mafi Earls/Deasy

Murphy/Dowling Jones/Hurley Howlett/Zebo

That's leaving out Archer, Fogarty, Dave Ryan, Darragh Hurley, Butler, O'Mahony, Barnes, Williams, Gleeson, Barry Murphy, O'Donnell and probably more

thomond2006 · 04-09-2010 08:48PM

Deasy came on for Jones at FB tonight, perhaps the management see him as a fullback longterm.

We have plenty of centres when everyone is fit (Mafi, Gleeson, Murphy and Earls are all out injured)

johnnysmack · 04-09-2010 10:32PM

Ian_K wrote: »

Although i think this will be more of a transitional season than anything else for us, i'm really liking the additions we've made to our squad - just looking at it there i'd say we now have at least two players for every position capable of playing Heineken cup rugby, which really is good going

Du Preez/Horan Flannery/Varley Buckley/Hayes

Callaghan/Holland O'Connell/O'Driscoll

Ryan/Quinlan Leamy/Coughlan Wallace/Ronan

O'Leary/Stringer O'Gara/Warwick

Tuitupou/Mafi Earls/Deasy

Murphy/Dowling Jones/Hurley Howlett/Zebo

That's leaving out Archer, Fogarty, Dave Ryan, Darragh Hurley, Butler, O'Mahony, Barnes, Williams, Gleeson, Barry Murphy, O'Donnell and probably more

Zebo is no where near ready for H cup rugby. I do think he's a good player but he wont get near the H cup squad for at least another season or 2. Other then that id agree with most of the other stuff you have although Warwick is probably still first choice Full back for another while yet.

Ian_K · 04-09-2010 10:47PM

johnnysmack wrote: »

Zebo is no where near ready for H cup rugby. I do think he's a good player but he wont get near the H cup squad for at least another season or 2. Other then that id agree with most of the other stuff you have although Warwick is probably still first choice Full back for another while yet.

Ya i agree with you entirely, i was just trying to fit them into the team - had to stick Warwick at OH as we havnt a whole lot else

profitius · 04-09-2010 11:38PM

johnnysmack wrote: »

Zebo is no where near ready for H cup rugby. I do think he's a good player but he wont get near the H cup squad for at least another season or 2. Other then that id agree with most of the other stuff you have although Warwick is probably still first choice Full back for another while yet.

I agree. He's in the first year of the academy and proven nothing yet. Danny Barnes is well ahead of him and Barnes is just breaking into the squad. Ronan O'Mahony is another winger in the academy who could be better than Zebo.

PhatPiggins · 05-09-2010 10:21AM

profitius wrote: »

I agree. He's in the first year of the academy and proven nothing yet. Danny Barnes is well ahead of him and Barnes is just breaking into the squad. Ronan O'Mahony is another winger in the academy who could be better than Zebo.

Agree on both points profitius, in Zebo's defence he has that rarest of qualties, top end gas. He's worth sticking with as you can pretty much teach all the other aspects of wing play.

thomond2006 · 07-09-2010 05:34PM

All of Munster's walking wounded were in UL this morning, in varying guises, where the squad had their first session of the week ahead of round two of the Magners League.

Paul O'Connell watched the session from the sidelines in his tracksuit but Jerry Flannery, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi and Barry Murphy were all togged out although working with fitness staff apart from the squad session itself.
Flannery's calf injury has been resolved but a subsequent hamstring injury has him sidelined with no definite timescale for a return to full training.

Keith Earls is another who they'll wait on for a further scan before determining when he'll resume training. He spent the day alongside Murphy working with the fitness boys, Murphy's ankle injury has been sorted but he's now troubled by a hamstring problem.
Lifeimi Mafi is expected to be back for Magners League Round Three which means he should be in contention for the start of European action.

Prop Dave Ryan is out with a quad strain picked up in training while Tom Gleeson and Declan Cusack are struggling with groin injuries. James Coughlan took a bang to his shoulder in the opening game against Leicester Tigers and it's hoped he'll resume full training next week.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7867.php

Good to see that they are keeping us informed.

johnnysmack · 08-09-2010 12:01AM

You have to wonder about the real condition of players if, when they are rehabbing one injury, they then injure another body part.

That just shouldnt happen as they will never be working to their max while in rehab. There must be some serious muscle imbalances in their bodies especially Flannery as its not the first time ive heard him get a different injury while out injured with something else.

thomond2006 · 08-09-2010 08:10AM

I remember JB Elissalde was forced to retire because he couldn't stop picking up niggly injuries.

I worry for Flannery's future tbh.

thomond2006 · 09-09-2010 08:03PM

Munster Select For A Interprovincial
9 September 2010, 9:31 am
By The Editor

Anthony Foley's Munster squad has a decidedly youth and experience look about it ahead of the A Interprovicial against Leinster at Donnybrook on Sunday (2.30).

The pack alone contains the likes of Darragh Hurley, Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell and James Coughlan who between them have 100 Munster senior caps, while the backline includes Heineken Cup medal winner Denis Hurley, capped 52 times, and a half back combination of Scott Deasy and Duncan Williams who have impressed whenever given the opportunity at the top level.

Munster:
Sean Scanlon; Denis Hurley, Ivan Dineen, Troy Smith, Simon Zebo; Scott Deasy, Duncan Williams;
Darragh Hurley, Sean Henry, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley capt, Ian Nagle; Billy Holland, Tommy O'Donnell, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Ger Burke, Dave Kilcoyne, Alan Cotter, Dave O'Callaghan, Paddy Butler, Conor Murray, Eric Maloney, Ronan O'Mahoney.

[Jackass] · 11-09-2010 02:16AM

Hook wants Heineken Cup crown
10 September 2010, 9:00 am
By Westgate
James Hook has declared the Heineken Cup is Ospreys' main priority and stated that conquering Europe is "long overdue".
The Ospreys have been drawn in the so-called 'Pool of Death' of this year's tournament, which includes two-times winners Munster, London Irish and French big-spenders RC Toulon.

"The Heineken Cup has to be a target," said Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Hook.

"We have won the Magners three times now - not that it isn't a focus - but the Heineken Cup is the main goal for the Ospreys. It's what we want and is long overdue.

"Beating big teams like Munster and Leinster away from home last year was massive for us. It's similar to with Wales - it's a psychological boost when you beat big teams and it stands you in good stead.

"But it is a hell of a group. We have Toulon away first up but I think the boys will enjoy it. A lot of people are saying it is a tough one but we are looking forward to it. The Blues beat them last year - that was a hell of a game and a great win for them - so we can take confidence from that.

"You can never write Munster off, they have such a great history in the Heineken Cup and still have some great experience in the squad, and London Irish will also be tough.

"It is such a tough group and the team that advances could well go on to win it.

"I think we have been growing as a side at the Ospreys. We have been in quarter finals when we've lost so, hopefully, we can now take those experiences and turn them into positives so we can go and get wins away from home against teams like Toulon."

Those sentiments were echoed by Hook's fellow Ospreys, Wales and Lions team-mate Adam Jones who hopes that the chance to lift Europe's greatest prize on home soil at the Millennium Stadium next May will help the region go the extra mile this time around.

"It's going to be hard but a lot of us have been together for six or seven years; we have that extra experience of playing together," added Jones.

"The final is in Cardiff and that is an extra carrot which will hopefully spur us on a bit.

"I think everybody could beat everybody in our group so picking up away bonus points and away wins will be very important. We know it is going to be hard but we have to back ourselves to win the group and go from there."

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/5019_16267.php

In my opinion, underestimate Ospreys at your peril in that group. Leinster underestimated them to great cost, a whole season down the drain, and I think they'll be a serios prospect this season.

They are EXACTLY where Leinster were in the begining of the 2008 / 2009 season...great players, always underachieving, just came off the back of a solid, consistant season and got rewards by lifting the Magners League, and now they've found their winning nack, they're gunning for the Heineken Cup.

And when guys like Heaslip, Contepomi, Horgan, O'Driscoll etc. all got fed up of losing it on the big day, they were awesome...

Players like Williams, Hook etc. with the same mind-set will be a force to be reckoned with this season imo.

In the Magners League too I feel, as they arguably have the best sqaud in the league.

Risteard · 15-09-2010 04:22PM

Link

Munster have been boosted by the news that Lifeimi Mafi is set to make his return to action on Friday after a four month break following shoulder surgery.

Mafi joins Denis Hurley in bringing a wealth of experience to a young but talented backline that includes Scott Deasy, Ivan Dineen, Simon Zebo and Sean Scanlon who were all involved in last Sunday’s 19-7 win over Leinster.

Tipperary man Dave Foley once again captains the side and he will be counting on all local support to welcome Munster to Nenagh on Friday.

Admission is €5 (adult) and €2 (U16) at the gate.

Munster: Sean Scanlon, Denis Hurley, Ivan Dineen, Lifeimi Mafi, Simon Zebo, Scott Deasy, Conor Murray, Dave Ryan, Sean Henry, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley capt, Ian Nagle, Dave O'Callaghan, Brian O’Hara, James Coughlan. Replacements: Ger Burke, Dave Kilcoyne, Darragh Hurley, Kieran Essex, Paddy Butler, Duncan Williams, Eric Maloney, Ronan O’Mahony.

Glad to see Mafi back.

Also interesting that Conor Murray is starting. By most accounts I've read he seems to have been performing better than Williams this season. I wonder would it have more to do with his goal-kicking ability?

profitius · 15-09-2010 04:50PM

Good team. Good to see Dave Ryan back too.

Risteard wrote: »

Glad to see Mafi back.

Also interesting that Conor Murray is starting. By most accounts I've read he seems to have been performing better than Williams this season. I wonder would it have more to do with his goal-kicking ability?

I think he's a better player than Williams even without the goal kicking. The goal kicking is a big bonus. Deasy can't kick but Deasy is very good so its a good balance.

thomond2006 · 15-09-2010 07:47PM

IIRC Murray is in the last year of his academy contract.

Would he get a development contract next year with three scrum halves already on full contracts? Stringer is out of contract the year after that and he'll likely retire but is that too late for Murray?

Also, what's going on with Denis Hurley? Is he lacking fitness or something? He should be in the ML 23 this weekend ahead of Dowling.

thomond2006 · 19-09-2010 09:14PM

The word on MFs is Denis Fogarty must undergo surgery.

That leaves us seriously short at hooker with Fla out and Mike Sherry also injured AFAIK.

Vanhalla · 19-09-2010 09:45PM

dave ryan was great in the A match i thought, if not lookin a tad unfit.
really like the look of conor murray. hope he kicks on. much better than williams. scanlon at fullback looked good too

Diom · 20-09-2010 07:34AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

The word on MFs is Denis Fogarty must undergo surgery.

That leaves us seriously short at hooker with Fla out and Mike Sherry also injured AFAIK.

She-ite. What kind of recovery needed?

buck65 · 20-09-2010 07:35AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

The word on MFs is Denis Fogarty must undergo surgery.

That leaves us seriously short at hooker with Fla out and Mike Sherry also injured AFAIK.

Poor throwing can be sorted with surgery now!?

redroar1942 · 20-09-2010 11:55AM

If they amputated both his arms his stats would improve.

Whats the gen on Leamy? I read somewhere that he popped a rib.

porterbelly · 20-09-2010 11:58AM

Very unlucky on Sherry, this was the opportunity he was looking for to show what he can do.

Otacon · 20-09-2010 12:33PM

Any word on Jones yet?

kensutz · 20-09-2010 03:14PM

Cruciate ligament injury

Risteard · 20-09-2010 03:17PM

Otacon wrote: »

Any word on Jones yet?

Initial tests have shown that Jones suffered cruciate ligament damage to his left knee while the full extent of the damage Dowling sustained to his right hip has yet to be fully determined. Both will seek further specialist advice but initial indications are that they face lengthy period of rehab. Hooker Denis Fogarty underwent a shoulder operation this morning in a Dublin clinic and he will be out of action until after Christmas.

Link

some_dose · 20-09-2010 03:20PM

Risteard wrote: »

Link

Shite

Riskymove · 20-09-2010 03:20PM

Risteard wrote: »

Link

balls

I had great hopes for Jones this season

Dowling and Fogs are a loss to squad strength primarily...we are now short at Hooker particularly

PhatPiggins · 20-09-2010 03:22PM

Dowling is no great loss, Fogarty wouldn't be either if we weren't short of 2's. Jones must be gutted, I presume he's done for the season again.

thomond2006 · 20-09-2010 03:57PM

+1 phatpiggins. When everyone is fit Dowling and Fogs are only losses when the internationals are away.

Poor Jones. Poor poor Jones. He must feel luckless at the moment. I was really looking forward to see him up against the likes of Toulon in the Heineken Cup. I'm gutted for him.

:( It looks like we'll be stuck with an out of sorts ROG at 10 and Warwick at fullback. Argh why, oh rugby gods, why?

FFS!

I hope Johne Murphy gets a run on the wing now when one of our regular centres (most likely Mafi) comes back. Hopefully Hurley will get gametime on the wing too, I think he's a good player and better than Dowling.

How bad is Fla's injury? It's disaster if we have to play Leinster and HEC 1&2 with one fit 'experienced' hooker.

PhatPiggins · 20-09-2010 04:12PM

I'd nearly chance Hurley at 15 this season. He really got his confidence back last year and we need another option to Wawrick and maybe Earls

thomond2006 · 20-09-2010 04:20PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I'd nearly chance Hurley at 15 this season. He really got his confidence back last year and we need another option to Wawrick and maybe Earls

Good point there, I'd give Hurley the 15 shirt for Glasgow. (Two years ago I definitely would not have said that! :pac:)

Of course, we won't ****ing see that match 'cause it's not televised. :mad:

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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