Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

wixfjord · 29-12-2011 01:46PM

Benny Cake wrote: »

I think if Ireland had a world class 7 (ala Warburton) it would make the back row selection extremely interesting and Heaslip could be the one lose out. As things stand, we have no such player so the best use of the talent available is: Ferris, O'Brien & Heaslip...

I await the selection of the the Lions back row in 2013 with baited breath!!

If we had a world class 7 it would be O Brien to lose out, as neither SOB or Ferris are near the calibre of an 8 that Heaslip is.

Tox56 · 29-12-2011 01:58PM

I think a Warburton/Pocock-esque 7 would just complete our back row. This one is great at ball carrying, but one of these groundhogs is what Ireland should be looking for. Not exactly easy to come by though..

phog · 29-12-2011 02:34PM

Otacon wrote: »

At the suggerstion of our illustrious mod, toomevara, I would like to open this thread up to Munster fans [and appreciators!] to discuss all things Munster.

Topics for discussion here include team news, transfers, rumours and upcoming matches.

Stand Up and Discuss!

What a great idea for a thread, wouldn't it be great if there was similar threads for the other provinces and one for the Irish team.

Brian · 29-12-2011 03:58PM

wat

thomond2006 · 29-12-2011 11:09PM

Denis Leamy has been ruled out of contention for a place in the Munster squad for tomorrow's game with Ulster after aggravating and old injury (hip) in training.

He had been named along with Sean Scanlon (shoulder) in the extended squad announced for this game but withdrew from training in Cork on Wednesday. Like Scanlon the injuries will be re-assessed early next week but at this stage neither are ruled out of contention with the Benetton Treviso game in mind.

Declan Cusack is another who has a shoulder injury keeping him sidelined just now bringing the number of walking wounded to eleven.

Good news however is that Peter O'Mahony (jaw) is expected back in time for the Treviso game, Mike Sherry (ankle) has resumed light training (jogging), Felix Jones (foot) is looking at a return sometime in late January/early February while Troy Smith (knee) and David Wallace (knee) are on schedule for a return in February.

Nothing can be confirmed about a return date for Jerry Flannery (calf) with Doug Howlett (achilles,6-8 months) gone for the season and Darragh Hurley (back injury) looking at up to four months out.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9919.php

It's look very ominous for Fla at this stage. He is out of contract at the end of this season AFAIK.

Good to hear Sherry is back training.

CatFromHue · 30-12-2011 12:17AM

No that's terrible for Flannery. It was the middile of September was when he had a relapse, nearly 17 weeks ago now. The IRFU must have activated the clause that when a player is injured for X amount of months per season his pay is then cut. So financially this has to be very worrying alone.

Good news on Wallace and Jones though. If they both come back in February it will give them a few games during the 6 Nations to get up to speed and then I presume they can be added to the HEC / Amlin squad for the quarters.

profitius · 30-12-2011 12:31AM

Darragh Hurley is another who is permanently injured.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 30-12-2011 12:47AM

profitius wrote: »

Darragh Hurley is another who is permanently injured.

I'd hate to see him let go though. I've been really impressed whenever I've seen him. He has the potential to become good enough for international rugby imo but, I doubt his body will ever allow him to fulfill it.

thomond2006 · 30-12-2011 12:59AM

CatFromHue wrote: »

No that's terrible for Flannery. It was the middile of September was when he had a relapse, nearly 17 weeks ago now. The IRFU must have activated the clause that when a player is injured for X amount of months per season his pay is then cut. So financially this has to be very worrying alone.

You'd wonder if the IRFU or Fla himself paid for his trip to specialists. From a financial pov (IRFU's), is it worth spending so much money on a player who at best has 3 seasons left in him?

Good news on Wallace and Jones though. If they both come back in February it will give them a few games during the 6 Nations to get up to speed and then I presume they can be added to the HEC / Amlin squad for the quarters

They'll be like new signings when they come back. Wallace back to his best would be awesome, he's probably my favourite player.

chooochooo · 30-12-2011 03:46AM

Benny Cake wrote: »

I think if Ireland had a world class 7 (ala Warburton) it would make the back row selection extremely interesting and Heaslip could be the one lose out. As things stand, we have no such player so the best use of the talent available is: Ferris, O'Brien & Heaslip...

I await the selection of the the Lions back row in 2013 with baited breath!!

'baited'

Benny Cake · 30-12-2011 09:21AM

chooochooo wrote: »

'baited'

Typagrafikal eror. Thanks for your kontribution!

PhatPiggins · 30-12-2011 01:31PM

chooochooo wrote: »

'baited'

:rolleyes:

That's the correct spelling of that word in the context he's using it

wixfjord · 30-12-2011 01:42PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

:rolleyes:

That's the correct spelling of that word in the context he's using it

Common mistake but it's actually bated, as in abated I think!

PhatPiggins · 30-12-2011 01:47PM

wixfjord wrote: »

Common mistake but it's actually bated, as in abated I think!

You learn something new everyday.

Thank you friend

phog · 03-01-2012 09:20AM

Injury Update - from the Independent

The Irish provinces are counting the cost after a bruising series of festive derby games, with Munster particularly hard hit ahead of the visit of Treviso to Thomond Park on Saturday.

Of the three players -- Damien Varley, Tom Gleeson and Tommy O'Donnell -- who were forced off in the course of the heavy defeat to Ulster in Belfast last Friday night, hooker Varley's shoulder injury looks to be the least serious.

However, Gleeson (shoulder) and O'Donnell (knee) will require further examination later in the week to establish the full extent of their injuries.

Peter O'Mahony (jaw) is expected to resume training this week, with a possible return, subject to medical clearance, against the Italians on the cards.

Denis Leamy (hip) and exciting young full-back Sean Scanlon, a try scorer on his full debut against Connacht on St Stephen's Day, are also facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday's game as Munster's injury list soars beyond double figures.

Mike Sherry (ankle) has resumed light jogging, Felix Jones (foot) is looking at a return sometime in late January/early February, while Troy Smith (knee) and David Wallace (knee) are on schedule for a return in February.

Sadly, nothing can be confirmed about a return date for calf-injury victim Jerry Flannery, with Doug Howlett (Achilles) already ruled out for the season, and the luckless prop Darragh Hurley, who has a back injury, looking at up to four months on the sidelines.

budhabob · 03-01-2012 12:11PM

That's some list of names.

Amazotheamazing · 03-01-2012 01:38PM

budhabob wrote: »

That's some list of names.

Crazy run alright. We're lucky Castres are out of the HEC and will probably send a weakened team.

phog · 04-01-2012 10:00AM

James Coughlan seems to have sat out training in UL yesterday, I hope I'm wrong.

Other photos here. Good to see POM back training.

theKramer · 04-01-2012 11:04AM

I wonder is this just Hugh Farrelly stirring the pot??

DESPITE an impressive season so far and growing support behind his continuing as Munster coach, Tony McGahan says his future with the province is unclear.The Australian has placed the province in a commanding position at the mid-point of the season but has told the Irish Independent a decision on his future has yet to be made, with discussions to take place in the near future.
"It is certainly a topic that will come up in the next period of time," said McGahan. "We will just have to wait and see how things pan out for myself and the club."

See the rest of the article here.

irishbucsfan · 04-01-2012 11:08AM

DESPITE an impressive season so far

Sorry?

smurphy29 · 04-01-2012 11:16AM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Sorry?

Bear in mind this is Hugh Farrelly and the picture should become clear...

phog · 04-01-2012 01:23PM

O'Connell Signs New Contract

The Irish Rugby Football Union is pleased to announce that Paul O'Connell has signed a new Ireland international contract that will see him remain in Ireland to play his rugby with Munster for a further two seasons until 2014.

Benny Cake · 04-01-2012 01:32PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Sorry?

Statistically speaking they're the best team in Europe

, just goes to show how misleading stats can be!!

durkadurka · 04-01-2012 05:51PM

phog wrote: »

James Coughlan seems to have sat out training in UL yesterday, I hope I'm wrong.

Other photos here. Good to see POM back training.

That third arm must come in fierce handy in the lineouts for POM

Amazotheamazing · 04-01-2012 06:43PM

Benny Cake wrote: »

Statistically speaking they're the best team in Europe , just goes to show how misleading stats can be!!

While Munster haven't been great, they haven't been bad either. Their set-piece is much improved and their defence has generally been good. Last week against Ulster was an aberration. They've conceded 19 tries in 16 games and scored 27.

They are somewhere outside the very top tier in Europe, but not very far outside it.

PhatPiggins · 04-01-2012 08:30PM

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

While Munster haven't been great, they haven't been bad either. Their set-piece is much improved and their defence has generally been good. Last week against Ulster was an aberration. They've conceded 19 tries in 16 games and scored 27.

They are somewhere outside the very top tier in Europe, but not very far outside it.

What would you think about McGahan staying on? Last season I would have said no way but he does seem to be moulding (all be it very slowly) a new team. Give him another year, see how it goes?

Benny Cake · 04-01-2012 08:37PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

What would you think about McGahan staying on? Last season I would have said no way but he does seem to be moulding (all be it very slowly) a new team. Give him another year, see how it goes?

For the first time in are while we a starting to see a bunch of youngsters coming through that could form the nucleus of Munster in years to come... Mcgahans big challenge is integrating these guys into the side while remaining competitive at home & in Europe. My biggest complaint in Munster is that our academy graduates don't appear to be as "first-team-ready" as their Leinster counterparts. I'd like to see Mcgahan get another year but I wouldn't be signing a long term deal with him just yet..

Amazotheamazing · 04-01-2012 10:36PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

What would you think about McGahan staying on? Last season I would have said no way but he does seem to be moulding (all be it very slowly) a new team. Give him another year, see how it goes?

I think we appointed him manager too soon and were we to fire him we'd be letting him go too soon too.

People forget he's only about 39 or 40. He's still a young man, particularly in coaching terms. He was promoted to head coach too soon and I think he's learned some painful lessons along the way.

The big questions for me are are Munster getting better and are Munster bringing through good enough players?

Set-piece wise we're streets better this season, defensively we're still sound. What we need is a new attack philosophy. I had hoped Jones would be the torchpaper to do that, but he's just too injury prone. I know Mafi can't do it, I don't trust Hurley to do it, I think Earls could but he's a better finisher so who'll be our playmaker. It's often pointed out that Leinster have several playmakers in their backs, Nacewa particular, do we have any?

thomond2006 · 04-01-2012 10:50PM

I'd keep McGahan but I'd drive Jason Holland to the airport. We really really need a new backs coach.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 04-01-2012 11:19PM

I'd ask McGahan who he wants as specialists coaches under him and if he says he wants to keep Holland I might fire them both. If McGahan has people in mind as specialist coaches that he thinks can improve things and that I would rate I would bring them in for him and judge him in a couple of years more

Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

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