Munster Team Talk Thread - Beirne After Reading

20-04-2023 1:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499188#Comment_120499188

I've just noticed on it as well, Michael Lowry is listed as an out half (and included in your 6 OHs number for Ulster.

Does that make sense?

Or could we apply common sense and say that in reality, the guy who has played 18 of 18 games this season at full back, 21/22 games last season at full back, and 18/22 games the season before that at full back is actually a full back?

AdamD · 20-04-2023 2:15pm

You'd be pretty certain that Leinster wouldn't be overly worried if they had to start Frawley at 10 for a few weeks, but Munster would if they had to start Scannell there. Not very comparable

20-04-2023 2:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499451#Comment_120499451

Would depend on the context - for a couple of URC level games against weaker teams, then they probably wouldn't.

For European knock outs, I'd say they absolutely would.

He's started as many games at full back this season as he has at out half in the last 3 years.

aloooof · 20-04-2023 2:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499488#Comment_120499488

And therein lies the difference… Munster won’t want to have to start Scannell at 10 even in URC games.

phog · 20-04-2023 3:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499252#Comment_120499252

Once again, I'm not including anyone "in my figures". I'm using the clubs own classifications of their players, now, if you have an issue with that you're talking to the wrong people.

Jump_In_Jack · 20-04-2023 3:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499727#Comment_120499727

I’d imagine those positions are coming from the players rather than the club, because I would imagine Lowry would rather play fly-half than fullback etc.

Angus Curtis is down as a fly-half, but I think he is viewed as a 12 only by the coaches for instance.

If you go onto the URC Top 100 ranking list (it actually has 500 players) you can export the current players and the positions there are more accurate, it has Lowry as a fullback for instance. It also doesn’t seem to show players that haven’t played much, I think Frawley is missing for example if I’m not mistaken.

https://www.unitedrugby.com/about/top100

phog · 20-04-2023 3:27pm

But for injury he'd have a load more caps

https://twitter.com/Munsterrugby/status/1649051242478587906?t=YNu4x59TYRwQqtkAOjCWkg&s=19

20-04-2023 3:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499817#Comment_120499817

Yeah, this is true.

It's also known that the clubs play games with the classification of player's positions, to justify an argument for NIQs in positions. Munster did this when classifying Jason Jenkins as a back row, and it wouldn't be remotely surprising if Leinster were classifying Ciaran Frawley as an out half for those purposes to strengthen the justification for bringing in Charlie Ngatai as an NIQ 12.

pickarooney · 20-04-2023 3:44pm

Earls kind of looks like Donncha Ryan in that picture.

Neil3030 · 20-04-2023 4:20pm

50 unread posts... 'team must be announced', I naively thought...

Water John · 20-04-2023 4:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499828#Comment_120499828

That coffee is mighty tack.

aloooof · 20-04-2023 5:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120500046#Comment_120500046

Haven’t had it yet but really want to try the coffee stout he did with Treaty Brewing.

RichieRich_89 · 20-04-2023 6:21pm

Personally, I think Scannell is well able for outhalf. He's worn the #22 jumper 24 times for Munster and twice for Ireland, including coming on at outhalf for a good chunk of a game during the 2017 Summer tour, if memory serves.

aloooof · 20-04-2023 6:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120500410#Comment_120500410

Wearing the 22 jersey doesn’t mean he’s come on at 10 in those appearances tho.

I'd wager he's come on at centre when wearing the 22 jersey more often than not tbh; for example, the last time he wore 22 vs Glasgow, he came on at centre and Crowley moved to 10. Same story for Northampton (twice). And Leinster. And vs Connacht he came on for Goggin.

So that's every time this season alone he's worn the 22 jersey, he's come on at centre.

And tbh if you have to point to a good chunk of a game from 6 years ago… that’s nearly more evidence against the argument you’re making than for it.

Poorside · 20-04-2023 7:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120500202#Comment_120500202

It's decent enough, this year's batch was a step up from last year's.

He's the epitome of Limerick/Munster rugby, proper use of the word Legend.

phog · 20-04-2023 7:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120500410#Comment_120500410

Not going doing it again but today when I had to confirm what The URC site had on Frawley was the same as the Leinster site I noticed he too has worn the 22 jersey but some here argue he's not an outhalf.

aloooof · 20-04-2023 8:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120499828#Comment_120499828

One of my favourite ever players. He’s probably unlikely to get to 100 Ireland caps now, alas.

Legend tho, and a gent by all accounts.

phog · 20-04-2023 8:52pm

I was watching a clip today of Munster fans in SA for the two games, pretty sure I saw Quinny's mother with the group,. She's a brilliant supporter and travels everywhere following the team

sprucemoose · 20-04-2023 9:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120501133#Comment_120501133

i think hes mentioned on off the ball that they were both out there

leakyboots · 20-04-2023 11:37pm

Earls surprised me with how sharp he looked off the bench (I probably shouldn't be surprised as historically throughout his career he'd come back from injury firing on all cylinders). I think given his dip in form last time we saw him maybe he was edging towards the door but I'd love to see him get a start or two to see where he's actually at. With Ireland, who knows, he's in the thoughts of the coach I'd say but probably down the pecking order a tad too far.

Boscoirl · 21-04-2023 9:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120501133#Comment_120501133

Yeah, she is down there, apparently the last to go bed each night :D

Eod100 · 21-04-2023 11:39am

Team out: Mike Haley; Calvin Nash, Antoine Frisch, Malakai Fekitoa, Shane Daly; Jack Crowley, Conor Murray; Jeremy Loughman, Diarmuid Barron, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Fineen Wycherley; Peter O’Mahony (C), Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.

Replacements: Scott Buckley, Josh Wycherley, Keynan Knox, Edwin Edogbo, Jack O’Donoghue, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Keith Earls.

Former Former Former · 21-04-2023 11:42am

Jesus that is some slap in the chops for Carbery, three weeks ago he was first choice and now he's gone all the way to South Africa without even benching.

Excited to see Kendellen against what should be a good opposition.

Neil3030 · 21-04-2023 11:45am

BIG E

aloooof · 21-04-2023 11:48am

Great to see Edogbo back on the bench, especially with Snyman out, will bring that power off the bench that Fineen is a little bit lacking in.

aloooof · 21-04-2023 11:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120503022#Comment_120503022

Based on performances and form, I think it's probably justified tbh. You'd feel for him tho, his confidence must be thru the floor at the moment.

21-04-2023 12:13pm

Murray seems to have taken the 9 shirt back for the moment?

Carbery just needs the season to end and to go on holiday.

leakyboots · 21-04-2023 2:48pm

I'd say Murray is in for experience in a place like this, he was great the last day, showed great composure under the cosh. In good form which bodes well for the WC. It's neck and neck between him and Casey in red.

Neil3030 · 21-04-2023 3:09pm

"The Edogbo Era" has a waaaay better ring to it too.

snotboogie · 21-04-2023 3:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120504006#Comment_120504006

Need Sean to make the leap up for that to really happen. Seems to have stood still or regressed this season unfortunately. Unlikely he makes the academy this year when he viewed as a certainty by many 18 months ago.

phog · 21-04-2023 3:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120503902#Comment_120503902

Experience and defence, I think he's outstanding in defence.

In almost the first play last week, the ball came out of the ruck and he charged forward to prevent the pass, the Stormers player who had dived on the ball (probably a penalty in it's own right) was pinged for holding, we kicked to the corner and Barron got our first try.

21-04-2023 3:52pm

Murray is lean as you'd expect for a Scrumhalf but he's still a big lad and can take contact in the tight exchanges against forwards and hold his own. I think his kicking is still a ways ahead of Casey so in context not entirely surprising to see him start.

Hard to tell if it's horses and courses with Murray and Casey but definitely a territory and defence focus against the Sharks so the right call in my book. I thought a win last week was important given the table and the run of matches up to it so I was reluctant to buy into the idea that Carbery was being held back with tomorrow in mind. I was hopeful all the same because you want him going into the Summer with form and confidence before the RWC. It looks like something has gone quite wrong that he's been brought out to South Africa and hasn't gotten any time and I wonder is his time at Munster in question now. Anyone privy to his contract situation?

I think a narrow win tomorrow for Munster, Sharks running hot and cold and the visitors will have a chip on the shoulder after the last 16 game.

phog · 21-04-2023 4:03pm

I think a few people are reading too much into Joey travelling and not getting game time. I almost 100% sure he wasn't brought out there to be given a kick in the arse by the coaching team. I'd guess it could well have been the plan to keep him in the squad for the tour. In a recent clip Earls was talking about being away on tour is huge for squad morale as you socialise a lot more together and you're meeting guys outside of the normal match prep sessions.

Mind you if we had an injury out there he'd be back in at the drop of a hat.

Akrasia · 22-04-2023 10:56am

I think Rowntree is using this as an opportunity to make a point that he wants everyone to be fighting for their place on the team. Next season we'll have no choice but to play Carbery. We only have Ben till the end of the season so it's now or never to get that message across

Next year it looks like Tony Butler will be getting a lot of game time unless we sign someone over the summer. Carbery will default to the starting 10 if Crowley is in international camp