POLL ADDED: Munster v Leinster, Thomond Pk, 13th April 6.30pm LIVE ON RTE2

Rightwing

Leinster

I hope we put out a weakened team, this match means nothing and we don't have the strength of depth Clermont have, D Ryan, Murray etc should be rested.

Chabals Beard

Leinster

As long as Williams isnt there I will be happy

LeeroyJones

Wouldn't blame Munster at all if they take their foot off the gas for this one. Bragging rights are all there is to play for from their perspective. I know if Leinster were in that situation I would have 1 1/2 eyes on the Clermont game

phog

Earls if fit will play, in the dying minutes of the game on Sunday Laulala was holding his thigh and kept moving away from the action so if he has any sort if niggle he'll be rested. Ryan will almost certainly not start. Will POC get another run, he's had a few high tempo games for a guy just back after a long injury. Also, I think I read somewhere thst Dougie is still out. After that it depends on if Penney wants to rest any of the rest of last week's team or try another combo somewhere. It's a short turn around after such a big game last week.

.ak

Leinster fielded as full strength squad in the Ulster fixture before the Clermont game last year didn't they? There's a lot of benefit for keeping as much consistency in a team before a big cup game. I reckon Munster will be near enough full strength.

Tomtom364

I'd like to see a team like this from Munster

15. Jones
14. Dineen
13. Earls
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. Zebo
10. ROG
9. Sheridan

1. Du prez
2. Sherry
3. Archer
4. DOC
5. Holland
6. Stander
7. Ronan
8. Coughlan

16. Sherry
17. Killer
18. Botha
19. POC
20. TOD
21. Murray
22. Downey (JJ to cover 10)
23. Hurley

Keeping the match day squad strong, resting players with niggles. And benching those that have played alot or are very vital to give them a mini rest :P

(That's a crazy strong bench...)

Rightwing

Leinster

.ak wrote: »

Leinster fielded as full strength squad in the Ulster fixture before the Clermont game last year didn't they? There's a lot of benefit for keeping as much consistency in a team before a big cup game. I reckon Munster will be near enough full strength.

We have to be looking at possible injury concerns though. I agree it's important to keep momentum going, but 1 or 2 key injuries would destroy any chance v Clermont

thomond2006

Leinster

Last home game at Thomond, Marcus should get a send off. Even if it's 20 minutes off the bench.

Grimebox

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

It will also be my first visit to Thomand or Limerick for that matter. Can't wait. Hopefully it won't be a dull game that sometimes happens between these two teams.

Leinster by 55

.ak

Grimebox wrote: »

It will also be my first visit to Thomand or Limerick for that matter. Can't wait. Hopefully it won't be a dull game that sometimes happens between these two teams.

Leinster by 55

:pac:

If that happens you're coming to Thomond park more often.

Chabals Beard

Leinster

Grimebox wrote: »

It will also be my first visit to Thomand or Limerick for that matter. Can't wait. Hopefully it won't be a dull game that sometimes happens between these two teams.

Leinster by 55

For the love of god and your family stay away from Hassits.

mohawk

.ak wrote: »

:pac:

If that happens you're coming to Thomond park more often.

If that happens he gets a lifetime ban from Limerick

duckysauce

.ak wrote: »

Leinster fielded as full strength squad in the Ulster fixture before the Clermont game last year didn't they? There's a lot of benefit for keeping as much consistency in a team before a big cup game. I reckon Munster will be near enough full strength.

Yep

Downey on the game on Sat



"I think we have just got to keep it going. We need a couple of back-to-backs wins and no better game to have than Leinster to be honest. That Harlequins game was a full performance, but it is about backing it up now and we have to back it up this week.

"We still have a chance of making the Pro12 play-offs. It's a long shot, but the chance is there and we haven't beaten them in a while. It's time we put that right, especially at home,"

phog

In the Professional era, Munster have met Leinster 35 times - here how we matched up.

Home Team Draw Leinster Win Munster Win Total
Leinster 1 11 5 17
Munster 1 5 12 18
Grand Total 2 16 17 35


L Tries L Conv L Pens L DGs L Points M Tries M Conv M Pens M DGs M Points
47 33 94 5 600 53 37 100 8 657

jamiedav2011

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Stander not playing anyway it seems:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=519059048152035&set=a.217479018310041.54882.217319784992631&type=1

totallegend

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Stander not playing anyway it seems

That event is on tonight, i.e. he could still be available for tomorrow. In fact, if they're wheeling him out for a preview, chances are he will be involved...

Just looking at the Rabo table, can Munster afford to focus solely on the HC? Connacht could push them for the third HC qualification spot were results to conspire appropriately. A long shot, but still...

Grimebox

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

When should we expect the teams to be announced?

twinytwo

.ak wrote: »

Leinster fielded as full strength squad in the Ulster fixture before the Clermont game last year didn't they? There's a lot of benefit for keeping as much consistency in a team before a big cup game. I reckon Munster will be near enough full strength.

we dont have the advantage of a squad like leinster has... we lose anyone and we are ****ed for clermont.

Dravokivich

Grimebox wrote: »

When should we expect the teams to be announced?

Usually between 12/1.

pajunior

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

thomond2006 wrote: »

Last home game at Thomond, Marcus should get a send off. Even if it's 20 minutes off the bench.

As long as he stays away from BOD

jamiedav2011

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

totallegend wrote: »

That event is on tonight, i.e. he could still be available for tomorrow. In fact, if they're wheeling him out for a preview, chances are he will be involved...

Just looking at the Rabo table, can Munster afford to focus solely on the HC? Connacht could push them for the third HC qualification spot were results to conspire appropriately. A long shot, but still...

Yes knew that, but I'd see it that it's fairly unlikely to have a guy that's going to be involved in a preview night.
I'd wager he won't be involved in the 22.

phog

From twitter

Peter O'Reilly ‏@petersuntimes 9m No Sexton in the #Leinster 23 for tomorrow. One more week's rest. O'Driscoll to start

Quint2010

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Gatland is going to be at Thomond tomorrow so expect POC to start.

molloyjh

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

phog wrote: »

From twitter

Here we go again with the "one more week" lark....

SebBerkovich

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

molloyjh wrote: »

Here we go again with the "one more week" lark....

It's not so bad with maddigan in form.

Teferi

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Pfft, Sexton is old news, I knew he was never really up for top level rugby anyway. Madigan is the new hotness.

molloyjh

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Teferi wrote: »

Pfft, Sexton is old news, I knew he was never really up for top level rugby anyway. Madigan is the new hotness.

You'd have loved the "Jonny, Jonny who" chant (to the tune of Daddy Cool) in Adams Park at the weekend!

All in jest. We still love you Jonny....

.ak

Kinda expected Sexton to miss this one, and probably be just getting a cameo off the bench anyhow, so not too bothered.

totallegend

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne , D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell , J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, J Cronin, BJ Botha, B Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, C Sheridan, I Dineen

So only Radge and Ryan rested, still no Earls...

Edit: Just noticed that the team announcement seems to be missing a sub so presume either O'Gara or JJ should be included on the bench.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11814.php

ssaye

totallegend wrote: »

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne , D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell , J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, J Cronin, BJ Botha, B Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, C Sheridan, I Dineen

So only Radge and Ryan rested, still no Earls...

First team basically

Hype710

As a Leinster fan I'm more worried about Keatley than ROG.

phog

.ak wrote: »

Kinda expected Sexton to miss this one, and probably be just getting a cameo off the bench anyhow, so not too bothered.

Sexton surely needs to get gametime to be included in the Lions squad

Risteard

No Horan or du Preez. Also no outhalf cover. Better hope Keatley doesn't get injured.

Tox56

Still no Hanrahan, is he injured? Very strange if not, would have got some big game expereince and would provide some outhalf cover

totallegend

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

LEINSTER:

15: Rob Kearney
14: Dave Kearney
13: Brian O'Driscoll
12: Gordon D'Arcy
11: Isa Nacewa
10: Ian Madigan
9: Isaac Boss

1: Cian Healy
2: Sean Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Quinn Roux
6: Sean O'Brien
7: Shane Jennings
8: Jamie Heaslip

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Richardt Strauss
17: Jack McGrath
18: Michael Bent
19: Devin Toner
20: Kevin McLaughlin
21: John Cooney
22: Andrew Goodman
23: Andrew Conway

Teferi

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

phog wrote: »

Sexton surely needs to get gametime to be included in the Lions squad

I reckon once he proves fitness he'll be on the plane. Still plenty of games left for him.

totallegend

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

McFadden ruled out with a calf strain, Sexton given another week to recover...

molloyjh

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

totallegend wrote: »

McFadden ruled out with a calf strain, Sexton given another week to recover...

Had hoped Ferg would be back for this one. Also, are Munster missing a replacement? I'm assuming it's ROG???

mohawk

totallegend wrote: »

Munster: F Jones; D Hurley, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray; D Kilcoyne , D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell , J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, J Cronin, BJ Botha, B Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, C Sheridan, I Dineen

So only Radge and Ryan rested, still no Earls...

Edit: Just noticed that the team announcement seems to be missing a sub so presume either O'Gara or JJ should be included on the bench.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11814.php

I was just gonna ask about who would be replacement outhalf. I am glad Keatley is playing (Murray will have far less to do defensively). Is Ryan still troubled by that shoulder? (I think it was his shoulder)

On Sexton not playing. Will it blow his lions chances if he doesn't get back playing soon? The longer Sexton is out the harder it gets to take jersey off Madigan.

Andrew Conway to score the winning try, then swap jerseys at the end with Howlett.


Destiny

prefer Hagan to bench ahead of Bent tbh

dregin

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Deleted User wrote: »

prefer Hagan to bench ahead of Bent tbh

Even though he's leaving soon?

ssaye

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/team/results/9634.php#.UWfso6Lvvzw

thomond2006

Leinster

Munster:
F Jones; D Hurley, C Laulala, J Downey, S Zebo; I Keatley, C Murray;
D Kilcoyne , D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell capt; P O’Mahony, T O’Donnell , J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, J Cronin, BJ Botha, B Holland, Dave O’Callaghan, C Sheridan, I Dineen.

One player missing from the bench, I assume it's ROG. Big chance for Keatley. Donnacha Ryan rested as expected. 11-15 stays the same with neither Howlett or Earls available.

Marcus Horan doesn't a sendoff.

dregin

dregin wrote: »

Even though he's leaving soon?

yup, this will be one of our toughest league games left this season, we're still within touching distance of a home semi final, and Hagan has been good.

Grimebox

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Sexton will be starting on the 27th against Biarritz no matter what

totallegend

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Deleted User wrote: »

Andrew Conway to score the winning try, then swap jerseys at the end with Howlett.


Destiny

He'll have to climb into the stands and hope that Howlett remembered to bring a jersey from home...

totallegend

Draw/I'm too much of a pansy to call it

Hanrahan on bench, ROG rested.

thomond2006

Leinster

totallegend wrote: »

Hanrahan on bench, ROG rested.

Cool. Get him on at centre for 20 minutes.

ed7890

Delighted to see Keatley get a run with Murray and the full team. Hope he has a great game. Decent looking team all round. Great to see Cronin get on the bench too, and JJ.

Archer vs Healy though . . . . that could be bad