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Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread III

RuggieBear

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phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

Well Downey for me needs to produce more to warrant an extension and also Munster need to start using him more to get over the gainline. Perpignan are down three centres this weekend so it's an area we could target.

Extension or no extension currently, he offers more than Dineen does. I've been off al week supposedly doing some DIY but during breaks I also rewatched this seasons league games and for me Downey gets the nod over Dineen.

Fireball07

I dunno, I would have liked to see Dineen start too.... looks to free his hands for an offload more, and attacks gaps aswell as just running straight at defenders.

Happy with Sheridan on the bench, interesting that Holland is ahead of Foley for the bench spot.

PlayerTrader13

you would have hoped one of nagle/foley would be ahead of holland at this stage

phog

Fireball07 wrote: »

I dunno, I would have liked to see Dineen start too.... looks to free his hands for an offload more, and attacks gaps aswell as just running straight at defenders.

Happy with Sheridan on the bench, interesting that Holland is ahead of Foley for the bench spot.

Probably his biggest asset in comparison to Downey.

Holland can play in the 2nd or back row and that probably swung it for him.

former legend

I wouldn't be remotely inclined to give Downey an extension tbh.

Foxtrol

former legend wrote: »

I wouldn't be remotely inclined to give Downey an extension tbh.

If they could get someone a step up in then I'd agree but would you keep him if their only other option was to stick with what they have as backup at the minute (eg Dineen) or take on an NIQ who was at a similar level to Downey blocking a spot that could be used elsewhere?

former legend

Foxtrol wrote: »

If they could get someone a step up in then I'd agree but would you keep him if their only other option was to stick with what they have as backup at the minute (eg Dineen) or take on an NIQ who was at a similar level to Downey blocking a spot that could be used elsewhere?

I think Laulala's contract is up at the end of the season too (open to correction there) so they will have two NIQ spots to fill assuming Botha, Stander and VDH stick around. Plus no NIQ centres are contracted to other provinces next season yet so they should have a clear run.

I suppose the ideal situation is to sign an NIQ who is a step up from Downey but who could cover 12 or 13 to allow blooding of more younger guys. I don't mean to sound harsh but Downey will be 33 in March, he hasn't really delivered for Munster to date (IMO) and I'd question the value of giving him a new contract.

On a related note, is it now decided that Hanrahan is exclusively a 10 and not a 12? I always thought watching him at U20 that 12 suited him better.

The Lost Sheep

former legend wrote: »

I think Laulala's contract is up at the end of the season too (open to correction there) so they will have two NIQ spots to fill assuming Botha, Stander and VDH stick around. Plus no NIQ centres are contracted to other provinces next season yet so they should have a clear run.

I suppose the ideal situation is to sign an NIQ who is a step up from Downey but who could cover 12 or 13 to allow blooding of more younger guys. I don't mean to sound harsh but Downey will be 33 in March, he hasn't really delivered for Munster to date (IMO) and I'd question the value of giving him a new contract.

On a related note, is it now decided that Hanrahan is exclusively a 10 and not a 12? I always thought watching him at U20 that 12 suited him better.

with so few 10s in senior set up yes JJ is exclusively a 10 and he has said himself he prefers 10.
Laulala's contract is up at end of season

.ak

I'd gladly take Lualala to Leinster!

who_me

I'd have thought JJ at 12 would be a great addition, given our current gameplan of "get the ball to LLL and see what happens" is a bit predictable. Having said that, I prefer not to mess players around by shunting them around the backline. He's a nice asset to have in the match-day squad, in case of injuries / cards at 10 or 12.

Fireball07

But if Keatley is going to start at 10, I'd prefer to have JJ at 12 than not on the pitch at all.

I do think that Dineen is a good player, and is definitely a good replacement for Downey. A top-class NIQ signing at 12/13 would be nice tbf....ideally one who can cover both spots. Of course, there are rumours that Griffin is going to sign......

He's a very intelligent player, can cover both centre positions, and while he may not be top class, he'd be a very astute signing.

Would we be able to get an NIQ better than Laulala? Would like to see him sign u again.

who_me

Incidentally, it's come up on the Cork City forum that the land the Munster Branch have sold at Musgrave Park has been purchased by McDonald's for a drive-through. The site seems way too small for that (unless the training grounds are going to be moved), and it seems like a weird location right next to a busy junction.

Still, they'll get lots of business on match days!

Fireball07

Hearing some people talk about a BP at the weekend. I know that Perpignan are missing a few players, but I'd be shocked if we got a BP tbh. If we couldn't get one against the Gloucester reserves, can't see us getting one against Perpignan.

I think we'll be doing well to win by more than 7 tbh.

former legend

Fireball07 wrote: »

Hearing some people talk about a BP at the weekend. I know that Perpignan are missing a few players, but I'd be shocked if we got a BP tbh. If we couldn't get one against the Gloucester reserves, can't see us getting one against Perpignan.

I think we'll be doing well to win by more than 7 tbh.

I just can't see Perpignan having the same commitment that Gloucester had. They're not missing a few players either, they're decimated.

If Munster can get a lead going early, Perpignan will fold.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

CG tweeting that Archer to get the nod ahead of Botha this weekend

Fireball07

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

CG tweeting that Archer to get the nod ahead of Botha this weekend

Meh...

Wouldn't agree with that tbh, I think Botha's been good recently. Would much rather see a switch on the other side.

Fireball07

former legend wrote: »

I just can't see Perpignan having the same commitment that Gloucester had. They're not missing a few players either, they're decimated.

If Munster can get a lead going early, Perpignan will fold.

But I'm not sure we will get an early lead.... Bar a couple of games at the start of the season, I haven't seen anything to suggest we can rack up tries.

phog

Munster A take on Plymouth this evening in the B&I Cup.

There's a guy from MFs attending and will be updating MFs from the game.

If you're into twitter them @Munsterrugby and @AlbionRFC will probably be doing updates too.

ssaye2

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/12601.php

Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Johne Murphy; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Damien Varley, Stephen Archer; Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell(Capt.); Peter O'Mahony, Sean Dougall, James Coughlan
Replacements: Duncan Casey, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Billy Holland, CJ Stander, Cathal Sheridan, JJ Hanrahan, Denis Hurley

.ak

POC captain? Weird.

thomond2006

Hmm would have liked to see Stander start this one and maybe bring in Coughlan for next week for his experience.

Also Casey making his competitive debut if he is needed isn't exactly ideal.

Micky Dolenz

Misprint.

Riskymove

.ak wrote: »

POC captain? Weird.

yeah its a mistake

first line of release says:

Captain Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray are both included in the side for the first time since October.

thomond2006

Can't post it but Perpignan side is pretty strong but not as strong as it could have been. Ecochard at 9 is third choice and Vaha is on the bench. Strong at 10-15 though, Lopez, Hook and Guitoune all starting.

Will try to do a write up tonight.

ssaye2

thomond2006 wrote: »

Can't post it but Perpignan side is pretty strong but not as strong as it could have been. Ecochard at 9 is third choice and Vaha is on the bench. Strong at 10-15 though, Lopez, Hook and Guitoune all starting.

Will try to do a write up tonight.

all teams on erc site, linked
http://www.ercrugby.com/heinekencup/lineups.php

15. James Hook (capt), 14. Joffrey Michel, 13. Tommaso Benvenuti, 12. Watisoni Votu, 11. Sofiane Guitoune, 10. Camille Lopez, 9. Tom Ecochard, 1. Sébastien Taofifenua, 2. Romain Terrain, 3. Paulica Ion, 4. Luke Charteris, 5. Guillaume Vilaceca, 6. Jean-Pierre Perez, 7. Alasdair Strokosch, 8. Justin Purll,
16. Maxime Delonca, 17. Kisi Pulu, 18. Jean Baptiste Custoja, 19. Sébastien Vahaamahina, 20. Dewaldt Duvenage, 21. Tommy Allan, 22. Richard Haughton, 23. Dan Leo,

who_me

former legend wrote: »

I just can't see Perpignan having the same commitment that Gloucester had. They're not missing a few players either, they're decimated.

If Munster can get a lead going early, Perpignan will fold.

Most people couldn't see how we wouldn't get a winning bonus point against Edinburgh either. And most people thought we'd coast past an off-form Gloucester.

I admire the confidence, but most people don't seem to be Oracles of rugby analysis.. :P

thomond2006

Bookies are saying 13/14 point win for Munster, if Perpignan play for 80 then I'd take a 3 point win! I'm concerned that our back three will be starved with too many attacks dying in the centre, which happens too often. However if Jones can cut some lines off Laulala a la his try in Cardiff then we can score tries.

who_me

Cronin, Botha and Stander perhaps the unluckiest ones not to start, but there's a good bit of impact in the front row.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Worried about our scrum. With Cronin and BJ starting I think it could be a real weapon but seems to be an area for concern now

That said we should win

jamiedav2011

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

Worried about our scrum. With Cronin and BJ starting I think it could be a real weapon but seems to be an area for concern now

That said we should win

Think Kilcoyne is crucial though for making metres.