Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread.

bamboozle

Munster are going to be looking at Hayes, Wallace and Quinlan all retiring around the same time, with Horan and Flannery not too far behind.
Hopefully next season some young guns come through.

thehighground

According to munsterfans, Paul O'Connell & Emily had a baby son last night.

Fairplay Emily on the timing - and not the night before our semi-final clash with Biarritz. Think ROG's wife gave birth the morning after a game with Clermont - no wonder his kicking was a bit off.

Congrats to the proud parents.

athtrasna

bamboozle wrote: »

Munster are going to be looking at Hayes, Wallace and Quinlan all retiring around the same time, with Horan and Flannery not too far behind.
Hopefully next season some young guns come through.

Basically we need almost an entire pack!! Do we have quality forwards coming through are will we have to go on the market? Front row is a particular problem.

Aidric

bamboozle wrote: »

Munster are going to be looking at Hayes, Wallace and Quinlan all retiring around the same time, with Horan and Flannery not too far behind.
Hopefully next season some young guns come through.

The Bull is 36. He'll get one more season and then will probably retire off the back of the World Cup.
Quinlan is 35. He has another two seasons easily. Injuries is his main problem. Hasn't as much gametime as others his age with the injuries (and suspensions) he has clocked up.
Wallace is 33. Could very well go on for another 3 seasons. One of the fittest players on the panel.
Horan is 32. That health scare he had would be a concern but if that turns out to be ok in the medium term there is no reason he can't get another couple of seasons.
Fla is 31. He shows no signs of slowing down. The man is the best hooker in the country by a long way so fingers crossed he can stay injury free. Another 4/5 seasons easily.

buck65

I think you are being way too optimistic there. I think if we get another season out of Hayes and Quinlan we would be doing well. Wallace and Horan 2at most, Flannery 2/3.
After that some of them may still be around but surely as backup.

bamboozle

Aidric wrote: »

The Bull is 36. He'll get one more season and then will probably retire off the back of the World Cup.
Quinlan is 35. He has another two seasons easily. Injuries is his main problem. Hasn't as much gametime as others his age with the injuries (and suspensions) he has clocked up.
Wallace is 33. Could very well go on for another 3 seasons. One of the fittest players on the panel.
Horan is 32. That health scare he had would be a concern but if that turns out to be ok in the medium term there is no reason he can't get another couple of seasons.
Fla is 31. He shows no signs of slowing down. The man is the best hooker in the country by a long way so fingers crossed he can stay injury free. Another 4/5 seasons easily.

all the niggles flannery is picking up i'd say he's 2 more seasons at top level.

profitius

Irish players don't play as many games as French or English so they should last longer.

One benefit with niggly injuries is that the player isn't playing so less mileage.

Quinlan and Hayes will retire after next season I reckon. Although if they're playing brilliantly they might carry on for another year as backup to the younger players.

thehighground

Red Army recruitment drive here Nice illustrations.

http://www.mrsc.ie/red_army_recruiting.aspx

castie

Its really recruiting for the associate supports club.

buck65

Any word on Williams and Biuckley's injuries from Sunday?

Aidric

Fla is writing a column for this new Irish website. In this installment he talks about the Connacht game and the Hardy Bucks.

http://www.joe.ie/1/story/training-with-the-hardy-bucks

PhatPiggins

Aidric wrote: »

Fla is writing a column for this new Irish website. In this installment he talks about the Connacht game and the Hardy Bucks.

http://www.joe.ie/1/story/training-with-the-hardy-bucks

Thats not a bad site thanks for posting the link

conf101

Ha, I'd never heard of that site before you posted the link and then when I was reading Fla's blog I heard an ad for it on the radio. Random!

toomevara

Riki Flutey's returning to Wasps after a less than successful stint at Brive...thus ending any Munster Speculation:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/apr/21/riki-flutey-wasps-brive-return

Though it may be a case of Frying-pan to fire with reports in the English media today (denied by Wasps) that the London club are facing a winding-up order for non-payment of a £1 million pound tax bill.

PhatPiggins

toomevara wrote: »

Riki Flutey's returning to Wasps after a less than successful stint at Brive...thus ending any Munster Speculation:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/apr/21/riki-flutey-wasps-brive-return

Though it may be a case of Frying-pan to fire with reports in the English media today (denied by Wasps) that the London club are facing a winding-up order for non-payment of a £1 million pound tax bill.

The ultimate rugby mercenary moves to join club full of mercenaries, which is then threatened with closure for being too mercenary.

Oh the delicious irony

toomevara

PhatPiggins wrote: »

The ultimate rugby mercenary moves to join club full of mercenaries, which is then threatened with closure for being too mercenary.

Oh the delicious irony

Lol, Saucer of milk please....:D

2040

..and Wasps have to pay the last year of his contract: £400,000.:rolleyes:

profitius

He's played 5 games for Brive.

ScrubsfanChris

Speaking of transfers, is Johne Murphy's move to Munster 100% confirmed?

Thank God Flutey is going back to wasps and away from us.

Edit: Answered my own question
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2010/0201/1224263566547.html

PhatPiggins

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Speaking of transfers, is Johne Murphy's move to Munster 100% confirmed?

Thank God Flutey is going back to wasps and away from us.

Edit: Answered mu own question
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2010/0201/1224263566547.html

Who would you fancy instead? I think one of Deasy and Gleeson will be a regular starter at centre for Munster but next season is a bit too soon.

profitius

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Who would you fancy instead? I think one of Deasy and Gleeson will be a regular starter at centre for Munster but next season is a bit too soon.

Gleeson is a solid player but offers little in attack. Deasy has plenty of potential and the right attitude to do well.

dromdrom

Aidric wrote: »

Fla is writing a column for this new Irish website. In this installment he talks about the Connacht game and the Hardy Bucks.

http://www.joe.ie/1/story/training-with-the-hardy-bucks

Really good article about Ireland's propping prospects from Emmet Byrne, Ginger Mcloughlin and Poppewell.

PhatPiggins

dromdrom wrote: »

Really good article about Ireland's propping prospects from Emmet Byrne, Ginger Mcloughlin and Poppewell.

Sorry where is that article?

Podge_irl

http://www.joe.ie/1/story/the-future-of-the-ireland-front-row-part-1
http://www.joe.ie/1/story/the-future-of-the-ireland-front-row-part-2

toomevara

Looking Increasingly like Munster will be travelling to Biarritz without O'Connell, though the news on Earls looks good.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/oconnell-a-major-doubt-for-biarritz-but-earls-winning-fitness-race-2149449.html

Risteard

Earls is more important to Munster than POC IMO. That isn't to say we won't miss POC, but Earls gives a cutting edge that was notable in its absence against Leinster.

Otacon

I am not as worried as I usually am when I hear POC won't be available for a big game. MOD has been playing very well recently in the lineout and scrum. In fact, even if POC was available next week, I'm not sure I'd change it.

andrewdcs

Munster seem to be doing well enough, O'Driscoll has been very solid, without POC past few weeks, got away with it against Connacht anyway, but surely his leadership presence on the pitch would be felt in a massive HCup match?

TheTMO

andrewdcs wrote: »

Munster seem to be doing well enough, O'Driscoll has been very solid, without POC past few weeks, got away with it against Connacht anyway, but surely his leadership presence on the pitch would be felt in a massive HCup match?

If Mick O'Driscoll was a few years younger people would be screaming for him to start for Ireland on the back of his performances this season.
In fact, and I'm putting my neck out here, I think Munster actually benefit from starting O'Driscoll ahead of O'Connell, I think hes playing a lot better than O'Connell has this season.

Earls is a huge loss but if were honest this Biarritz team is very poor and are more or less of Northamptons level so a heavyweight like Munster should take this one comfortably. Don't want to jinx it but I'll eat my hat if Munster aren't in the final. Whoever wins Toulouse v Leinster will win it... And Leinster aren't going to beat Toulouse. No way in hell. In fact, and I don't want to offend Leinster fans, Leinster are going to be systematically demolished by that Toulouse team.

budhabob

TheTMO wrote: »

In fact, and I'm putting my neck out here, I think Munster actually benefit from starting O'Driscoll ahead of O'Connell, I think hes playing a lot better than O'Connell has this season.

I actually agree with you here, Micko has been immense this season. He seems alot more effective carrying aswell.

TheTMO wrote: »

Whoever wins Toulouse v Leinster will win it... And Leinster aren't going to beat Toulouse. No way in hell. In fact, and I don't want to offend Leinster fans, Leinster are going to be systematically demolished by that Toulouse team.

Dont know about that though, I think it'll be a tough/close game. Leinster are definitely up against it, but they are more than cabable.

Also, We most definitely need earls for the semi, I agree, his cutting edge is crucial.

TheTMO

andrewdcs wrote: »

Munster seem to be doing well enough, O'Driscoll has been very solid, without POC past few weeks, got away with it against Connacht anyway, but surely his leadership presence on the pitch would be felt in a massive HCup match?

Mick O'Driscoll has the most leadership presence of any other player in Ireland in my opinion.

buck65

TheTMO wrote: »

If Mick O'Driscoll was a few years younger people would be screaming for him to start for Ireland on the back of his performances this season.
In fact, and I'm putting my neck out here, I think Munster actually benefit from starting O'Driscoll ahead of O'Connell, I think hes playing a lot better than O'Connell has this season.

Earls is a huge loss but if were honest this Biarritz team is very poor and are more or less of Northamptons level so a heavyweight like Munster should take this one comfortably. Don't want to jinx it but I'll eat my hat if Munster aren't in the final. Whoever wins Toulouse v Leinster will win it... And Leinster aren't going to beat Toulouse. No way in hell. In fact, and I don't want to offend Leinster fans, Leinster are going to be systematically demolished by that Toulouse team.

Yes Mick has been his old reliable self but missing an inspirational leader like O Connell is a big blow. Let's not forget we are talking about our Lions captain and even though the form is patchy he usually pulls it out of the top drawer for games like this.
To say that the Biarritz team is very poor like Northampton is wrong on both counts. The Saints tested Munster this year in 3 highly charged frantic encounters, this is a team that have won a Challenge and Powergen cup this year. They are a quality outfit who deserve respect and could win the GP to boot. If you were at any of those games you would have seen how good a side Munster had to overcome.
Biarritz though not in the French playoffs have had a mixed season where they were top in France for a few weeks before slipping but have rebounded in form and at home (almost) will be very hard to beat.
And btw i haven't seen Leinster systemically demolished in a big game in a long time.

Podge_irl

It's hard to know who Munster would miss more, but I think it would be Earls. The Munster backline just seems to be a bit one-paced without him there and I think Munster really need to take on Biarritz and play a lot of rugby. MOD is playing well and and I think it's the kind of game where POC won't necessarily be missed as much.

Aidric

TheTMO wrote: »

Earls is a huge loss but if were honest this Biarritz team is very poor and are more or less of Northamptons level so a heavyweight like Munster should take this one comfortably.

Steady on. Biarritz are far from a very poor team plus they are at home. I still expect Munster to win but not comfortably.
You have some merit in your O Connell analysis. O Driscoll is very capable of doing a job but as someone else eluded to O Connell is a key motivator in the side when the chips are down.
Earls would be a huge loss, no doubt about that in my mind. Himself and JDV could make hay in midfield with that pace and offload game. Mafi won't offer the same threat.

budhabob

Munster: P Warwick; T Gleeson, L Mafi, J De Villiers, S Deasy; R O'Gara capt, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, B Holland, N Ronan, P Stringer, D Hurley, S Zebo

The wingers look a bit dodgy considering the Ospreys wingers.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7463.php

chupacabra

TheTMO wrote: »

If Mick O'Driscoll was a few years younger people would be screaming for him to start for Ireland on the back of his performances this season.
In fact, and I'm putting my neck out here, I think Munster actually benefit from starting O'Driscoll ahead of O'Connell, I think hes playing a lot better than O'Connell has this season.

Earls is a huge loss but if were honest this Biarritz team is very poor and are more or less of Northamptons level so a heavyweight like Munster should take this one comfortably. Don't want to jinx it but I'll eat my hat if Munster aren't in the final. Whoever wins Toulouse v Leinster will win it... And Leinster aren't going to beat Toulouse. No way in hell. In fact, and I don't want to offend Leinster fans, Leinster are going to be systematically demolished by that Toulouse team.

Mick O'Driscoll is a great ML player, an average HC player and a below average International player. Biarittz are a very strong side when they put their mind to it and Leinster have almost everything Toulouse have. So in short... i dont agree with your opinions.

sock puppet

budhabob wrote: »

Munster: P Warwick; T Gleeson, L Mafi, J De Villiers, S Deasy; R O'Gara capt, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, B Holland, N Ronan, P Stringer, D Hurley, S Zebo

The wingers look a bit dodgy considering the Ospreys wingers.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7463.php

It mentions that Buckley is injured. Is he expected to be back for the Biarritz game?

ScrubsfanChris

budhabob wrote: »

Munster: P Warwick; T Gleeson, L Mafi, J De Villiers, S Deasy; R O'Gara capt, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes; D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, D Wallace, J Coughlan. Replacements: D Varley, J Brugnaut, B Holland, N Ronan, P Stringer, D Hurley, S Zebo

The wingers look a bit dodgy considering the Ospreys wingers.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7463.php

Nice to see Hurley back, I'd expect him to come on around half-time.
Only 1 replacement prop?

chupacabra

Ospreys team:

15 Lee Byrne
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Andrew Bishop
12 James Hook
11 Shane Williams
10 Dan Biggar
9 Mike Phillips

1 Paul James
2 Huw Bennett
3 Adam Jones
4 Ian Gough
5 Jonathan Thomas
6 Jerry Collins
7 Marty Holah
8 Ryan Jones (Capt)

Replacements:
16 Ed Shervington
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Alun Wyn Jones
19 Filo Tiatia
20 Jamie Nutbrown
21 Sonny Parker
22 Nikki Walker

Thats a really strong Ospreys side. Its going to be a tough day out.

Aidric

chupacabra wrote: »

Its going to be a tough day out.

Has the makings of a cracking game. Hope conditions stay relatively dry for running rugby.

PhatPiggins

buck65 wrote: »

Yes Mick has been his old reliable self but missing an inspirational leader like O Connell is a big blow. Let's not forget we are talking about our Lions captain and even though the form is patchy he usually pulls it out of the top drawer for games like this.
To say that the Biarritz team is very poor like Northampton is wrong on both counts. The Saints tested Munster this year in 3 highly charged frantic encounters, this is a team that have won a Challenge and Powergen cup this year. They are a quality outfit who deserve respect and could win the GP to boot. If you were at any of those games you would have seen how good a side Munster had to overcome.
Biarritz though not in the French playoffs have had a mixed season where they were top in France for a few weeks before slipping but have rebounded in form and at home (almost) will be very hard to beat.
And btw i haven't seen Leinster systemically demolished in a big game in a long time.[/QUOTE]


We'll not since wednesday anyway but you could argue that it wasn't that big a game for them.

buck65

I think Leinster have already a home tie secured and travelled to Galway without the intensity needed for a derby game with one eye on the HCup. In short they weren't too bothered about losing and Conacht's hunger probably surprised them a bit.
Anyway back to Munster. Gleeson and Deasy on the wing doesn't exactly inspire fear. The Ospreys are travelling with their strongest team and probably need the win a bit more.
Pity Buckley is injured again. Munster have had a tough season of it this year with all their injuries , it might just start to catch up on them now.

Riskymove

buck65 wrote: »

I think Leinster have already a home tie secured and ......

I hope they dont have that attitutude as they might end up getting a surprise

bamboozle

TheTMO wrote: »

If Mick O'Driscoll was a few years younger people would be screaming for him to start for Ireland on the back of his performances this season.
In fact, and I'm putting my neck out here, I think Munster actually benefit from starting O'Driscoll ahead of O'Connell, I think hes playing a lot better than O'Connell has this season.

Earls is a huge loss but if were honest this Biarritz team is very poor and are more or less of Northamptons level so a heavyweight like Munster should take this one comfortably. Don't want to jinx it but I'll eat my hat if Munster aren't in the final. Whoever wins Toulouse v Leinster will win it... And Leinster aren't going to beat Toulouse. No way in hell. In fact, and I don't want to offend Leinster fans, Leinster are going to be systematically demolished by that Toulouse team.

POC has been a shadow of his former self this season, 10 knock-ons during the 6 nations tells it all, he needs a rest this summer to come back next season in true form.

PhatPiggins

bamboozle wrote: »

POC has been a shadow of his former self this season, 10 knock-ons during the 6 nations tells it all, he needs a rest this summer to come back next season in true form.

How many of his own lineouts did he win?

bamboozle

PhatPiggins wrote: »

How many of his own lineouts did he win?

i've no idea, the line out functioned well enough apart from scottish game where is capitulated. there's more to a 2nd row's game than winning lineout ball though. I'm not having a go at him, i think he's just been running on empty this season and needs a break.

PhatPiggins

bamboozle wrote: »

i've no idea, the line out functioned well enough apart from scottish game where is capitulated. there's more to a 2nd row's game than winning lineout ball though. I'm not having a go at him, i think he's just been running on empty this season and needs a break.

I'm not having a go at you either but I do think his form or supposed lack of it is being over hyped. POC at 70% is a far better player the MOD. It annoys me that so many of the posters who were outraged that MOD was anywhere near the Irish setup are now claiming he should be starting over POC.

bamboozle

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I'm not having a go at you either but I do think his form or supposed lack of it is being over hyped. POC at 70% is a far better player the MOD. It annoys me that so many of the posters who were outraged that MOD was anywhere near the Irish setup are now claiming he should be starting over POC.

i agree with you, POC on the pitch especially for Munster improves team performance, no doubt about it.

BUNK1982

Well given that MOd had a great game against Northampton and POC isn't 100%. Might it be a better option to start Mick and then if needs be introduce POC??

Biarritz will be a real test - the impact of POC coming off the bench could really provide impetus if required.

ScrubsfanChris

Munster A v. Ulster Ravens
Thomond Park - Saturday K.O. 3:30pm

Munster XV: | Ulster XV:
Mossy Lawler (Shannon)|David McIlwhaine (Queens University)
Ronan O'Mahony (Garryowen)|Chris Cochrane (Dungannon)
Danny Barnes (Dolphin)|Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins)
Jeremy Manning (Cork Con)|Johnny Shiels (Queens University)
Sean Scanlon (UCC)|Tommy Seymour (Ballymena)
Declan Cusack (Thomond)|James McKinney (Queens University)
Duncan Williams (Cork Con)|Ian Porter (Queens University)
|
Dave Ryan (Dolphin)|Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch)
Mike Sherry (Garryowen)|Nigel Brady (Dungannon) (C)
Stephen Archer (Cork Con)|Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon
Dave Foley (UL Bohs)|Andrew Linton (Queens University)
Ian Nagle (Cork Con)|Neil McComb (Belfast Harlequins)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohs)|Ali Birch (Dungannon)
Eoghan Grace (Shannon)|Stephen Dougall (Malone)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Con) (C)|Scott Lavella (Trinity College)
Munster Replacements:
Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohs), Sean Henry (UL Bohs), Dave O'Callaghan (UCC), Paddy Butler (Shannon), Conor Murray (Garryowen), Mike Kelliher (Richmond), Luke O'Dea (Shannon).

Ulster Replacements:
Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins), Paul Karayiannis (Queens University), Neville Magee (Dungannon), Stuart McKenzie (Dungannon), Michael Pyper (Queens University), Luke Marshall (Ballymena), Craig Gilroy (Dungannon).

http://munsterrugby.ie/news/7465.php