Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread II

jamiedav2011

Is there any truth to this Murray injury stuff? Anyone got a link?

He finished the game didn't he?

Also, Quins young guns play in LV Cup final today against Sale. Watch out for Luke Wallace, quality player.

Team is:

Harlequins: R Chisholm; T Williams, G Lowe, T Casson, S Smith; B Botica, K Dickson; M Lambert, R Buchanan, W Collier, S Twomey, C Matthews, M Fa’asavalu, L Wallace (captain), T Guest. Replacements D Ward, D Marfo, J Johnston, P Browne, J Trayfoot, J Burns, R Clegg, C Walker.

Rightwing

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Is there any truth to this Murray injury stuff? Anyone got a link?

He finished the game didn't he?

Also, Quins young guns play in LV Cup final today against Sale. Watch out for Luke Wallace, quality player.

Team is:

Harlequins: R Chisholm; T Williams, G Lowe, T Casson, S Smith; B Botica, K Dickson; M Lambert, R Buchanan, W Collier, S Twomey, C Matthews, M Fa’asavalu, L Wallace (captain), T Guest. Replacements D Ward, D Marfo, J Johnston, P Browne, J Trayfoot, J Burns, R Clegg, C Walker.

I haven't heard anything, so probably not too serious. Would be a major loss.

.ak

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Is there any truth to this Murray injury stuff? Anyone got a link?

He finished the game didn't he?

Also, Quins young guns play in LV Cup final today against Sale. Watch out for Luke Wallace, quality player.

Team is:

Harlequins: R Chisholm; T Williams, G Lowe, T Casson, S Smith; B Botica, K Dickson; M Lambert, R Buchanan, W Collier, S Twomey, C Matthews, M Fa’asavalu, L Wallace (captain), T Guest. Replacements D Ward, D Marfo, J Johnston, P Browne, J Trayfoot, J Burns, R Clegg, C Walker.

Actually got carded for the end, funnily enough. Looked grand to me tho.

Anatidaephobia

Speaking of cards, I didn't see the Murray or Ryan incidents. Can anyone explain what they did/were they warranted? Two unusual players to get cards.

awec

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

Speaking of cards, I didn't see the Murray or Ryan incidents. Can anyone explain what they did/were they warranted? Two unusual players to get cards.

Ryan's was for a dangerous tackle apparently, Murray for slapping the ball away.

I think.

There were no replays of the incidents on TV that I saw.

thomond2006

Looking ahead to the Connacht match, usually the international starters are given the week off. In that case Munster will be missing Ryan, POM, Murray while Earls and Zebo are injured.

Munster are more or less out of the Rabo so the reason rests on the Harlequins quarter-final.

I'd like to see:
Kilcoyne, Sherry, Botha, DOC, POC, Stander, TOD, Coughlan;
Sheridan, Keatley, LOD*, JJ, Laulala, Howlett, Jones/Hurley

Bench: Varley, du Preez, Archer, Holland, Butler, Williams, ROG, Jones/Hurley

*LOD came off in the A match last week, I don't know if he's fit.

rrpc

Rightwing wrote: »

We can beat Quins, English rugby will be reeling after today.

Quins just won the LV cup. They're after a treble and have one down already.

trouttrout

rrpc wrote: »

Quins just won the LV cup. They're after a treble and have one down already.

And some people think COS shouldn't be Irish coach because he suggested Ferris in the second row and Sexton at 12 on RTÉ!

athtrasna

Any thoughts on what two players to be added to HCup squad? Paulie & Stander guaranteed? Would love to see Strings there, I'd play better at 9 myself than Williams!

budhabob

athtrasna wrote: »

Any thoughts on what two players to be added to HCup squad? Paulie & Stander guaranteed? Would love to see Strings there, I'd play better at 9 myself than Williams!

When do they get added?

Deano7788

athtrasna wrote: »

Any thoughts on what two players to be added to HCup squad? Paulie & Stander guaranteed? Would love to see Strings there, I'd play better at 9 myself than Williams!

POC's already registered, but I'd say Stander is one definitely.

rrpc

trouttrout wrote: »

And some people think COS shouldn't be Irish coach because he suggested Ferris in the second row and Sexton at 12 on RTÉ!

Well that would be a black mark against him in my book, but I think he was just taking the piss

He's never done anything that silly at Quins. What he has done is got the Quins academy churning out a conveyor belt of young talent* and he's using it well.


*admittedly in place before he arrived.

athtrasna

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/rules/index.php

No deadline mentioned but 3 players can be added, one to cover front row and two others.

athtrasna

Deano7788 wrote: »

POC's already registered, but I'd say Stander is one definitely.

Did they not take him out? If not then Stander & Stringer please please please. Williams is a disaster.

thomond2006

(iii) after the completion of the pool stages, clubs involved in the knock-out stages may nominate three additional players. One of these players must be qualified to play in a front row position and the other two players can play in any position. These additional players must be fully and properly registered by a date specified by ERC. Clubs must ensure that these players have not been nominated in a match squad with another club for the Heineken Cup or Amlin Challenge Cup tournaments during the current season.

http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/heinekencup/rules/index.php

The rule for registering players after the pool stages is above. You can register 3 players but one of those three has to be a front row player.

For the 2 players in any position, Stander will be one of them. A player can come into the HEC squad for a player from any position, so if Earls is out for the season (god forbid!) then Stander might replace him.

I'd like to see Sheridan in for Duncan Williams. That would mean our three eligible scrumhalves would be Murray, Stringer (already in squad) and Sheridan.

Normally the squad changes are confirmed on the week of the HEC games.

Deano7788

athtrasna wrote: »

Did they not take him out? If not then Stander & Stringer please please please. Williams is a disaster.

Well he's included here anyway, as is Stringer actually, so I'm assuming they're both still included. I think the only change was Coughlan for Dineen.

I wouldn't trust that list 100%, though, as it does say that Grant Gilchrist is also included on the Munster squad for some reason.

athtrasna

You're right - am totally bemused at the Stringer thing. Could see no other reason to play Williams

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10879.php

trouttrout

Sheridan looks to be better than both of them

hendo12

After Munster announced the signing of Andrew Conway there were strong rumours they were after two other Leinster and I heard it's Luke Fitzgerald and Luke McGrath

decisions

hendo12 wrote: »

After Munster announced the signing of Andrew Conway there were strong rumours they were after two other Leinster and I heard it's Luke Fitzgerald and Luke McGrath

You's can keep your grubby hands off our Lukes!

hendo12

Up to Leinster to persuade them to stay if the rumours are true

jm08

hendo12 wrote: »

After Munster announced the signing of Andrew Conway there were strong rumours they were after two other Leinster and I heard it's Luke Fitzgerald and Luke McGrath

Luke Fitz started playing rugby at Cork Con - he was there until he went to Blackrock.

Luke McGrath has a far better chance of progressing staying at Lenster than moving to Munster bearing in mind that Murray is first choice Ireland SH and he is only 23.

rrpc

jm08 wrote: »

Luke Fitz started playing rugby at Cork Con - he was there until he went to Blackrock.

Luke McGrath has a far better chance of progressing staying at Lenster than moving to Munster bearing in mind that Murray is first choice Ireland SH and he is only 23.

When Luke FitzGerald joined Leinster first he did so on the back of a reputed contract offer from Munster that included an apartment if I remember correctly.

Still very unlikely seeing as he's first choice for Leinster when fit. I'd believe a move to France before I'd believe a move to Munster.

Rightwing

rrpc wrote: »

Quins just won the LV cup. They're after a treble and have one down already.

That's a mickey mouse competition in fairness.

decisions

Rightwing wrote: »

That's a mickey mouse competition in fairness.

Yes, but it's the second comp that their young players have won this season.

athtrasna

The Luke Fitzgerald rumour has been around for a few months. I would question whether we actually need him. Munster used to be a forward factory but we have brought some decent backs through in the last couple of years. But I guess with Dougie getting on...a dream wing pairing of Lukey & Zebo could be exciting.

trouttrout

Rightwing wrote: »

That's a mickey mouse competition in fairness.

It's not really. It's a very good barometer of the strength and depth of a club

Tox56

athtrasna wrote: »

The Luke Fitzgerald rumour has been around for a few months. I would question whether we actually need him. Munster used to be a forward factory but we have brought some decent backs through in the last couple of years. But I guess with Dougie getting on...a dream wing pairing of Lukey & Zebo could be exciting.

Or the Leinster exiles back 3 of Luke-Felix-Conway :P:D...:(

shuffol

I'd expect Mcgrath to at least stay at Leinster another season and have a proper crack at getting into matchday squads, doesnt strike me as a player who would be content spending a couple of seasons waiting for his turn though, he'd be 2nd choice straight away if he moved to Munster.

trouttrout

Sheridan has looked decent since he's made the step up.

athtrasna

trouttrout wrote: »

Sheridan has looked decent since he's made the step up.

He has but in fairness Williams makes anyone else look good

athtrasna

Luke Fitzgerald is out for the rest of the season, did his ACL in and needs surgery. With his injury record it would be a massive gamble to give him a contract

Deano7788

athtrasna wrote: »

He has but in fairness Williams makes anyone else look good

Except for the out-half.

jamiedav2011

athtrasna wrote: »

Luke Fitzgerald is out for the rest of the season, did his ACL in and needs surgery. With his injury record it would be a massive gamble to give him a contract

For Munster or Leinster?

trouttrout

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

For Munster or Leinster?

both sadly . Really hope he gets something though

jamiedav2011

trouttrout wrote: »

both sadly . Really hope he gets something though

It'd hardly be a 'massive gamble' for Leinster. I'd be very disappointed if they didn't stick with Fitz.

Benny Cake

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

It'd hardly be a 'massive gamble' for Leinster. I'd be very disappointed if they didn't stick with Fitz.

How is it not a gamble? The guys a train wreck, you couldn't in good faith give him anything but a pay-for-play deal. It's harsh but rugby is a business now, no room for sentimentality in a decision like this....

CIARAN_BOYLE

Benny Cake wrote: »

How is it not a gamble? The guys a train wreck, you couldn't in good faith give him anything but a pay-for-play deal. It's harsh but rugby is a business now, no room for sentimentality in a decision like this....

They already took a gamble on him and one level it didn't pay off. 5 Leinster starts, 1 WH cap and 3 international caps as a replacement.

I expect Leinster to make an offer but I hope Leinster aren't naive enough to rely on him being fit.

jamiedav2011

Benny Cake wrote: »

How is it not a gamble? The guys a train wreck, you couldn't in good faith give him anything but a pay-for-play deal. It's harsh but rugby is a business now, no room for sentimentality in a decision like this....

But a pay for play deal isn't a gamble. I agree, no room for sentimentality in pro sports, but he's certainly got a lot to give.

Should the medical team see him fit to play after the injury, it's not a gamble.

Should, for example, POC, Jones or Ferris be thrown on the scrapheap in that case?

Benny Cake

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

But a pay for play deal isn't a gamble. I agree, no room for sentimentality in pro sports, but he's certainly got a lot to give.

Should the medical team see him fit to play after the injury, it's not a gamble.

Should, for example, POC, Jones or Ferris be thrown on the scrapheap in that case?

Indications are that ferris won't get a contract to his liking and will be forced to go elsewhere....

awec

Pay as you play is bound to be tough on a professional player. The guy has bills to play I'm sure, it seems unlikely he'd be able to go for a pay as you play deal?

Benny Cake

awec wrote: »

Pay as you play is bound to be tough on a professional player. The guy has bills to play I'm sure, it seems unlikely he'd be able to go for a pay as you play deal?

Very few other options open to the province in this scenario... Flanery was offered a similar deal before he decided to retire.

awec

Benny Cake wrote: »

Very few other options open to the province in this scenario... Flanery was offered a similar deal before he decided to retire.

Flannery at the end of his career though I guess, and already made his money? Different situation to Fitz surely?

thomond2006

Benny Cake wrote: »

Very few other options open to the province in this scenario... Flanery was offered a similar deal before he decided to retire.

Flannery has plenty business interests to keep him busy, I'm not surprised he declined a pay as you play if he was offered one.

Clareman

I don't know if a pay for play offer would be good for a new player coming in, it would be more suited to an existing player that knew the setup inside and out already. You really have to feel for players though, injury can ravage a career, the likes of Luke Fitz and Ferris haven't gotten that many central contracts but have been very unfortunate with injuries.

Tigerandahalf

There may be insurance issues too. The players I presume are insured against injury for future career earnings. V sad for him to have such bad luck.

Benny Cake

awec wrote: »

Flannery at the end of his career though I guess, and already made his money? Different situation to Fitz surely?

The situation is immaterial really. Only consideration here is that the province can't have any faith in Fitz's ability to recover and perform consistently. Like I said, its a sh1tty situation but hard to see much else being put on the table at his next contract negotiation....

thomond2006

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11705.php

POC expected to feature against Connacht. Keith Earls is a major doubt for the QF, he will see a specialist next week.

athtrasna

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/injured-fitzgerald-set-to-sign-new-leinster-deal-29138449.html

Looks like injured or not, Luke F is staying a blue.

totallegend

athtrasna wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/injured-fitzgerald-set-to-sign-new-leinster-deal-29138449.html

Looks like injured or not, Luke F is staying a blue.

In fairness, the only place I've seen any mention of this 'rumour' of him going to Munster is on boards.ie. It was never remotely plausible.