Clermont vs Munster buildup thread **read post one

thomond2006 · 22-04-2013 09:15PM

Rightwing wrote: »

I'd like Clermont to be at full strength, but only provided that we are as well. Like last year, the winner of this tie will go on to win it.

Munster would have a good chance against Saracens (Ulster really let themselves down in the quarters IMO) but not Toulon. RCT have too much quality across the park and at some stage they're not going to **** up a final. Their depth on the bench is insane and would have a massive impact in the last 20 that we would struggle to match.

For the hell of it, my composite side:
Sheridan, Sherry, Hayman, Botha, POC, Lobbe, Armitage, POM;
Michalak, Wilkinson, Wulf, Giteau, Basteraud, Palisson, Zebo

Orioli, Jenkins, Botha, Ryan, Rossouw, Murray, ROG/Keatley, Earls

It's my dream lineup!

ed7890 · 22-04-2013 09:16PM

Quint2010 wrote: »

All smoke and mirrors I reckon. They'll all be fit (bar Archer) come Saturday.

It sounds like Dougie wont make it.

Rightwing · 22-04-2013 09:18PM

Munster by more than 10

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster would have a good chance against Saracens (Ulster really let themselves down in the quarters IMO) but not Toulon. RCT have too much quality across the park and at some stage they're not going to **** up a final. Their depth on the bench is insane and would have a massive impact in the last 20 that we would struggle to match.

For the hell of it, my composite side:
Sheridan, Sherry, Hayman, Botha, POC, Lobbe, Armitage, POM;
Michalak, Wilkinson, Wulf, Giteau, Basteraud, Palisson, Zebo

Orioli, Jenkins, Botha, Roussouw, Masoe, Murray, ROG/Keatley, Mermoz

It's my dream lineup!

Interesting, I'd still go with us to beat them in the Aviva, anywhere else I agree they'd be favourites.

Glass Prison 1214 · 22-04-2013 09:22PM

Clermont by 1-10

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster would have a good chance against Saracens (Ulster really let themselves down in the quarters IMO) but not Toulon. RCT have too much quality across the park and at some stage they're not going to **** up a final. Their depth on the bench is insane and would have a massive impact in the last 20 that we would struggle to match.

For the hell of it, my composite side:
Sheridan, Sherry, Hayman, Botha, POC, Lobbe, Armitage, POM;
Michalak, Wilkinson, Wulf, Giteau, Basteraud, Palisson, Zebo

Orioli, Jenkins, Botha, Roussouw, Masoe, Murray, ROG/Keatley, Mermoz

It's my dream lineup!

Murray would definitely start ahead of Michalak, I also think Ryan and Earls would make the squad, don't think I would have Botha in the squad though.

thomond2006 · 22-04-2013 09:23PM

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Murray would definitely start ahead of Michalak, I also think Ryan and Earls would make the squad, don't think I would have Botha in the squad though.

Michalak has been outstanding at nine for Toulon this season, it would be a close run thing.

Yikes, forgot about Ryan and Earls.

Rightwing · 22-04-2013 10:13PM

Munster by more than 10

A bit of S Barnes preview of the game:

Munster will have to engulf their opponents at the breakdown (risking much in the process), dominate the line outs and kick their goals. Conor Murray is perhaps playing for a Lions place. A masterful performance in Montpellier would clinch it. The same might just be said for both Peter O'Mahony and Simon Zebo, perhaps Donncha Ryan too. Victory in Clermont could throw all Warren Gatland's preconceptions overboard. Such is the size of the challenge

Rightwing · 22-04-2013 11:23PM

Munster by more than 10

Good read here: POC interview

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/apr/22/paul-o-connell-lions-munster-interview

And Rougerie:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/rougerie-wants-final-piece-of-jigsaw-229087.html

shuffol · 22-04-2013 11:43PM

Good point by Barnes, if Munster are to win you feel they're going to have to flood the breakdown and dominate that area, doing so is likely to leave space elsewhere so if they dont slow Clermonts ball down there's no better side in Europe at exploiting space. Refereeing will be hugely important too, against Quins the ref (Garces?) allowed Munster compete for the ball at the breakdown, whether Barnes allows as much competition will be a crucial factor.

Rightwing · 22-04-2013 11:46PM

Munster by more than 10

shuffol wrote: »

Good point by Barnes, if Munster are to win you feel they're going to have to flood the breakdown and dominate that area, doing so is likely to leave space elsewhere so if they dont slow Clermonts ball down there's no better side in Europe at exploiting space. Refereeing will be hugely important too, against Quins the ref (Garces?) allowed Munster compete for the ball at the breakdown, whether Barnes allows as much competition will be a crucial factor.

It's Owens who is the ref,,, unfortunately.

shuffol · 23-04-2013 12:06AM

Rightwing wrote: »

It's Owens who is the ref,,, unfortunately.

My bad, Owens can vary, gave the defending side plenty of leeway in the Munster-Leinster game but can be very quick to call ruck at other times.

duckysauce · 23-04-2013 12:13AM

Munster by more than 10

shuffol wrote: »

My bad, Owens can vary, gave the defending side plenty of leeway in the Munster-Leinster game but can be very quick to call ruck at other times.

Owens was pure crap for both teams , he is going downhill lately wants more to have a bit of banter and a laugh more than ref the games , twitter has gone to his head.

AngeGal · 23-04-2013 12:23AM

Stuart Barnes writing Munster off, it's in the bag for ye lads.

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,12062_8665269,00.html

Micky Dolenz · 23-04-2013 08:34AM

Munster by more than 10

The knot in my stomach grows bigger with every passing day.

totallegend · 23-04-2013 09:06AM

Clermont by 1-10

AngeGal wrote: »

Stuart Barnes writing Munster off, it's in the bag for ye lads.

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,12062_8665269,00.html

If Munster's cheerleader-in-chief can't see how a win is possible, things are definitely looking grim...

Rightwing · 23-04-2013 10:45AM

Munster by more than 10

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

The knot in my stomach grows bigger with every passing day.

Yep, biggest game of the year for me.

phog · 23-04-2013 11:34AM

Limerick's Live 95fm are in Fla's on Thursday evening previewing the game.

BIh4Q5FCEAAybYb.jpg:large

thomond2006 · 23-04-2013 11:47AM

ERC have refused Clermont's request to register Mike Delany: http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-d-europe/2012-2013/h-cup-lerc-refuse-de-qualifier-mike-delany_sto3724987/story.shtml

little173 · 23-04-2013 11:50AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

ERC have refused Clermont's request to register Mike Delany: http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-d-europe/2012-2013/h-cup-lerc-refuse-de-qualifier-mike-delany_sto3724987/story.shtml

Interesting and good news for Munster - will Skrela play at 10 then?

thomond2006 · 23-04-2013 11:51AM

little173 wrote: »

Interesting and good news for Munster - will Skrela play at 10 then?

The same article says Brock James could make his return. Otherwise it will be Skrela or Rado.

Buer · 23-04-2013 11:55AM

It was a joke even trying to register him. Radoslavjevic will start at 10, I'd say. He started the QF with Skrela on the bench. Parra has played 10 at club and international level.

Rightwing · 23-04-2013 12:02PM

Munster by more than 10

Buer wrote: »

It was a joke even trying to register him. Radoslavjevic will start at 10, I'd say. He started the QF with Skrela on the bench. Parra has played 10 at club and international level.

Absolutely, these moneybag teams with sugardaddys think they can do what they like.

trouttrout · 23-04-2013 12:05PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Absolutely, these moneybag teams with sugardaddys think they can do what they like.

They were just chancing their arm. Prob knew he wouldn't be allowed to be registered. Nothing to do with Clermont "thinking they can do what they want"

little173 · 23-04-2013 12:14PM

Buer wrote: »

It was a joke even trying to register him. Radoslavjevic will start at 10, I'd say. He started the QF with Skrela on the bench. Parra has played 10 at club and international level.

Cheers - Just shows what ridiculous strength in depth they have!

thomond2006 · 23-04-2013 12:22PM

Nothing wrong with trying to get him registered.

Glass Prison 1214 · 23-04-2013 12:30PM

Clermont by 1-10

Rightwing wrote: »

Absolutely, these moneybag teams with sugardaddys think they can do what they like.

This post shows ignorance of Clermont, as a club they are not like that at all, a real family club with great values that have gotten to the top through long term planning and hard work along with a bit of cash(but they aren't a money bag club). Great and loyal fan base as well. Not all French teams are like are moneybag teams you know. I have a lot of time for Clermont

Also nothing wrong with at least trying to get him registered, Munster would have done the same.

Buer · 23-04-2013 12:34PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Absolutely, these moneybag teams with sugardaddys think they can do what they like.

Not the point I was trying to make at all. It's a joke because it never stood a chance at all. Read up on the history of Clermont and you'll see that they're club with a superb history and have never had a sugar daddy come in and buy them out. It was set up as a social team for the employees of the Michelin company and retains its links right to this day.

totallegend · 23-04-2013 12:36PM

Clermont by 1-10

Oooohhhh, this isn't sitting well chez les Clermontois.
Manager du club, Jean-Marc Lhermet, s’est contenté de détailler les faits:
"L’ERC a son règlement et l’interprète. Il y avait dans cette situation précise un vide juridique. Nous ferons avec ces contraintes, Mike Delany ne pourra pas jouer en H Cup cette saison, le Munster, lui pourra utiliser Paul O’Connell ce week-end".

Club manager, Jean-Marc Lhermet, was happy to set out the facts:
"The ERC have their rule and have interpreted it, but there's a legal gap in this situation. We'll work within these limitations, Mike Delaney won't be able to play in the H-Cup this season and Munster, they'll be able to play Paul O'Connell this weekend..."

The "legal gap" is that the ERC have two rules, one of which stated that all additional players had to be registered by 21st March, the other that new players must be registered on or before the Tuesday preceding the game. ERC decided the 21st March rule takes precedence...

jamiedav2011 · 23-04-2013 12:45PM

Who will be Munster's sub TH this weekend given Archer's injury?

An injury to Botha could spell trouble.

thomond2006 · 23-04-2013 12:48PM

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Who will be Munster's sub TH this weekend given Archer's injury?

An injury to Botha could spell trouble.

John Ryan

.ak · 23-04-2013 12:49PM

Buer wrote: »

Not the point I was trying to make at all. It's a joke because it never stood a chance at all. Read up on the history of Clermont and you'll see that they're club with a superb history and have never had a sugar daddy come in and buy them out. It was set up as a social team for the employees of the Michelin company and retains its links right to this day.

If you're lucky enough to get a puncture on Rue Vaucanson, Aurélien Rougerie will change your tire for you.

Clermont vs Munster buildup thread **read post one

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