Munster Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread IV

Cookiemunster

case885 wrote: »

Glasgow, Leinster Ospreys and Ulster do too so they will be up another level as well.

Glasgow have to go to Leinster, Ospreys and Connacht and play Ulster at home. Ulster also have to go to Connacht and have us and Leinster at home. Munster have a much handier run in. A home semi is very possible.

thomas anderson.

Can someone tell e noob like myself how you manage to get a home semi final?

Wang King

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Can someone tell e noob like myself how you manage to get a home semi final?

Win all your games

irishbucsfan

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Can someone tell e noob like myself how you manage to get a home semi final?

Practice!



(You finish in the top 2)

phog

thomas anderson. wrote: »

Can someone tell e noob like myself how you manage to get a home semi final?

When the league finishes, the top 4 teams get into the knockout games, 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3. 1 & 2 have home advantage.

The final is already decided for Belfast.

phog

No fresh injury concerns after the weekend and Ryan got 20mins rugby under his belt.

Just hope our Irish contingent arrive back in camp ready and fit for rugby.

I wonder will we be allowed play the lads v Connacht as we've a rest the following week during the Cup QFs.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

No fresh injury concerns after the weekend and Ryan got 20mins rugby under his belt.

Just hope our Irish contingent arrive back in camp ready and fit for rugby.

I wonder will we be allowed play the lads v Connacht as we've a rest the following week during the Cup QFs.

Probably a case by case basis. I'd hope we will have a stronger side than usual given it's Connacht-rest-Edinburgh-rest-Treviso. Three handy fixtures before the trip to Ravenhill.

evolving tipperary

Connacht are not handy this year...

thomond2006

evolving tipperary wrote: »

Connacht are not handy this year...

Toughest of the three but we have them at home.

phog

evolving tipperary wrote: »

Connacht are not handy this year...

That's why I was asking about the returning internationals being available, obviously we need the win but this one is a real banana skin, more so now with Connacht feeling hard done by and Lam being charged with misconduct.

evolving tipperary

Plus, they are the province least affected by the Six nations

Brianderunner

Connacht are like Scotland. Always destined to be crap and only beat you if you drop your level down to theirs. Nothing to be worried about.

Mahatma Geansai

Brianderunner wrote: »

Connacht are like Scotland. Always destined to be crap and only beat you if you drop your level down to theirs. Nothing to be worried about.

Very harsh on Connacht. Just have a look at the Pro 12 table; there hasn't been that much between Leinster and Connacht so far this season.

slingerz

I think Zebo, POC, POM, Murray a week after a possible grand slam wouldn't be of much use anywsy.

Felix and TOD should be back available then alright

Killer
Guinszau
Archer
Holland
DOC
JOD
TOD
CJ
Duncan
Keatley
Conway
Hurley
Earls
ROM
Jones

Wang King

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Very harsh on Connacht. Just have a look at the Pro 12 table; there hasn't been that much between Leinster and Connacht so far this season.

Ipso facto....Leinster are a little bit better than Scotland?

thomond2006

Alan Cotter is off to Aix-en-Provence next year. I lived there for a spell, beautiful town in a great region. The club are top in their pool in Federale 1 (third division) and there's a playoff phase between different pools after that. So Cotter could be playing in ProD2 next season.

http://www.parcrugby.com/site/actualites.php?idNews=1461

thomond2006

HOOKERS

Mike Sherry 2015
Damien Varley 2015 - RETIRING
Duncan Casey 2016
Niall Scannell 2015
Kevin O'Byrne 2015
Eusebio Guinazu 2015

Max Abbott Year 1

PROPS

James Cronin 2016
Dave Kilcoyne 2017

BJ Botha 2015
Stephen Archer 2018
John Ryan 2016
Alan Cotter 2015 - LEAVING (AIX-EN-PROVENCE)
Martin Kelly 2015

Niall Horan Year 2
Rory Burke Year 2
Brian Scott Year 1

LOCKS

Paul O'Connell 2016
Donnacha Ryan 2017
Donncha O'Callaghan 2016
Dave Foley 2017
Billy Holland 2016

Sean McCarthy Year 2
John Madigan Year 2
Darragh Moloney Year 1

FLANKERS

Peter O'Mahony 2018
Dave O'Callaghan 2016
Sean Dougall 2015 - LEAVING (PAU)
Tommy O'Donnell 2016
Barry O'Mahony 2015
Shane Buckley 2016
Jordan Coghlan 2016 - ARRIVING

Ryan Murphy Year 3

NUMBER EIGHTS

Robin Copeland 2016
Paddy Butler 2015 - LEAVING (TBC)
CJ Stander 2016
Jack O'Donoghue 2018

SCRUM-HALVES

Conor Murray 2016
Cathal Sheridan 2016
Duncan Williams 2017
Tomas O'Leary 2017 - ARRIVING

Jack Cullen Year 2
Ryan Foley Year 1
Jame Glynn Year 1

FLY-HALVES

Ian Keatley 2017
JJ Hanrahan 2015 - LEAVING (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS)
Tyler Bleyendall 2017 (contract tbc)
Johnny Holland 2017

Gearoid Lyons Year 2

CENTRES

Ivan Dineen 2015
Cian Bohane 2017
Denis Hurley 2016
Andrew Smith 2015

Rory Scannell Year 2
Dan Goggin Year 1

WINGERS

Simon Zebo 2016
Keith Earls 2016
Gerhard Van Den Heever 2015
Johne Murphy 2015
Andrew Conway 2016
Luke O'Dea 2015
Ronan O'Mahony 2017
Darren Sweetnam 2017

Alex Wootton Year 2
Greg O'Shea Year 2

FULLBACKS

Felix Jones 2017

David Johnston Year 2
Stephen Fitzgerald Year 1

granty1987

thomond2006 wrote: »

Alan Cotter is off to Aix-en-Provence next year. Lived there for a spell, beautiful town in a great region. The club are top in their pool in Federale 1 (third division) and there's a playoff phase between different pools after that. So Cotter could be playing in ProD2 next season.

http://www.parcrugby.com/site/actualites.php?idNews=1461

So does that mean we will only have Archer and Ryan on the senior books that can play tighthead next year?

Any word on Botha/BJ 2.0? How are Martin Kelly and the other lads on dev. contracts fairing?

EDIT: cheers Thomond for updating the contract tracker

thomond2006

granty1987 wrote: »

So does that mean we will only have Archer and Ryan on the senior books that can play tighthead next year?

Any word on Botha/BJ 2.0? How are Martin Kelly and the other lads on dev. contracts fairing?

EDIT: cheers Thomond for updating the contract tracker

Rory Burke is a good prospect at TH (had a great game in the one match I saw him play) but he got a season ending injury.

I don't think Botha will be kept on, I'd say he's done this season. I haven't heard a peep about Martin Kelly but I assume they'll give him another year.

slingerz

thomond2006 wrote: »

Rory Burke is a good prospect at TH (had a great game in the one match I saw him play) but he got a season ending injury.

I don't think Botha will be kept on, I'd say he's done this season. I haven't heard a peep about Martin Kelly but I assume they'll give him another year.

i disagree i think its very likely that BJ will be kept on tbh

CatFromHue

We're coming into the middle of March and there's still alot of guys with contracts ending this season.

thomond2006

CatFromHue wrote: »

We're coming into the middle of March and there's still alot of guys with contracts ending this season.

Mike Sherry 2015
Niall Scannell 2015
Kevin O'Byrne 2015
Eusebio Guinazu 2015

A lot depends on Creevy being signed or not. With Varley gone and Sherry's injury problems Munster will need an experienced hooker. Guinazu will be let go as he was just cover (although he's been pretty good). Sherry will get an extension if he recovers after three surgeries. Hard to know with regards to Scannell and KOB. If signed Creevy will be at RWC so we'll need cover.

BJ Botha 2015
Martin Kelly 2015

Botha has been inconsistent this season and Stephen Archer has gotten ahead of him for a lot of the big matches. I think Botha will be replaced. With Cotter gone I'd expect Kelly to be given a new deal, but who knows how he has played in the UBL this year.

Barry O'Mahony 2015
Ryan Murphy Year 3

BOM has had a lot of injuries but we're short at 7 so maybe he might get another year, particularly with both POM and TOD probably going to RWC. I don't know anything about Murphy.

Tyler Bleyendall 2017 (contract tbc)

Hopefully TB is passed fit. Then he'll sign.

Ivan Dineen 2015
Andrew Smith 2015

It's hard to know with Dineen. He hasn't had many opportunities but he has been decent when on the field. His cameo in the Sale match was impressive. Smith's been alright but won't be kept on.

Gerhard Van Den Heever 2015 (2016?)
Johne Murphy 2015
Luke O'Dea 2015

In an interview GVDH hinted he was contracted until 2016 but his official announcement from Munster said two year deal (2015). If out of contract this year the NIE quota might force Munster to let him go. Also he is recovering from knee surgery. Murphy hasn't played much this year and will be let go given the number of back three players we have. LOD is a tricky one, he clearly has the talent but is made of glass.

Pepp1989

Might be in the minority here but I actually like smith as a player. Solid and dependable and makes hard yards more often than not. Would like to see him kept for another year.

granty1987

Pepp1989 wrote: »

Might be in the minority here but I actually like smith as a player. Solid and dependable and makes hard yards more often than not. Would like to see him kept for another year.

apart from all of his knee woes...

Pepp1989

granty1987 wrote: »

apart from all of his knee woes...

I meant dependable when on the pitch!

Fireball07

thomond2006 wrote: »

Alan Cotter is off to Aix-en-Provence next year. I lived there for a spell, beautiful town in a great region. The club are top in their pool in Federale 1 (third division) and there's a playoff phase between different pools after that. So Cotter could be playing in ProD2 next season.

http://www.parcrugby.com/site/actualites.php?idNews=1461

I was there before too, pretty sure I saw their rugby team play too. Hard to blame someone like Cotter, maybe get a bit of money, play in a nice climate for a couple of years. Big loss for the Cookies though.

Pepp1989 wrote: »

Might be in the minority here but I actually like smith as a player. Solid and dependable and makes hard yards more often than not. Would like to see him kept for another year.

Smith's alright. Solid. But doesn't complement Hurley at all, it makes them both look very average. If we are to compete at the highest level, we need a NIQ of a much higher standard than him.

Wang King

I wouldn't have any huge confidence of Sherry coming back from his injury, its all gone quiet on TB also, not overly encouraging imo

Cookiemunster

Fireball07 wrote: »

I was there before too, pretty sure I saw their rugby team play too. Hard to blame someone like Cotter, maybe get a bit of money, play in a nice climate for a couple of years. Big loss for the Cookies though.

Between the A team and injury, I don't think he's played much for them this year (if at all), so the loss has already been felt.

Henry Ford III

Wang King wrote: »

I wouldn't have any huge confidence of Sherry coming back from his injury, its all gone quiet on TB also, not overly encouraging imo

I'd be optimistic on TB. Not so positive on poor Sherry.

thomond2006

6 month extension for Botha, 2 years for Scannell, 1 year for KOB.
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/20170.php#.VQBXjctyaHs

I've never seen a 6 month extension before, strange really. Foley suggests it's for the World Cup but Stephen Archer isn't in the frame right now. I'll be disappointed if it means Munster aren't bringing in a new face for TH.

HOOKERS

Mike Sherry 2015
Damien Varley 2015 - RETIRING
Duncan Casey 2016
Niall Scannell 2017
Kevin O'Byrne 2016
Eusebio Guinazu 2015

Max Abbott Year 1

PROPS

James Cronin 2016
Dave Kilcoyne 2017

BJ Botha January 2016
Stephen Archer 2018
John Ryan 2016
Alan Cotter 2015 - LEAVING (AIX-EN-PROVENCE)
Martin Kelly 2015

Niall Horan Year 2
Rory Burke Year 2
Brian Scott Year 1

LOCKS

Paul O'Connell 2016
Donnacha Ryan 2017
Donncha O'Callaghan 2016
Dave Foley 2017
Billy Holland 2016

Sean McCarthy Year 2
John Madigan Year 2
Darragh Moloney Year 1

FLANKERS

Peter O'Mahony 2018
Dave O'Callaghan 2016
Sean Dougall 2015 - LEAVING (PAU)
Tommy O'Donnell 2016
Barry O'Mahony 2015
Shane Buckley 2016
Jordan Coghlan 2016 - ARRIVING

Ryan Murphy Year 3

NUMBER EIGHTS

Robin Copeland 2016
Paddy Butler 2015 - LEAVING (TBC)
CJ Stander 2016
Jack O'Donoghue 2018

SCRUM-HALVES

Conor Murray 2016
Cathal Sheridan 2016
Duncan Williams 2017
Tomas O'Leary 2017 - ARRIVING

Jack Cullen Year 2
Ryan Foley Year 1
Jame Glynn Year 1

FLY-HALVES

Ian Keatley 2017
JJ Hanrahan 2015 - LEAVING (NORTHAMPTON SAINTS)
Tyler Bleyendall 2017 (contract tbc)
Johnny Holland 2017

Gearoid Lyons Year 2

CENTRES

Ivan Dineen 2015
Cian Bohane 2017
Denis Hurley 2016
Andrew Smith 2015

Rory Scannell Year 2
Dan Goggin Year 1

WINGERS

Simon Zebo 2016
Keith Earls 2016
Gerhard Van Den Heever 2015
Johne Murphy 2015
Andrew Conway 2016
Luke O'Dea 2015
Ronan O'Mahony 2017
Darren Sweetnam 2017

Alex Wootton Year 2
Greg O'Shea Year 2

FULLBACKS

Felix Jones 2017

David Johnston Year 2
Stephen Fitzgerald Year 1

phog

Botha has signed a 6 month contract with Munster - keeps him here until after the W/Cup. Must mean we're on the hunt for an NIQ prop or maybe coax one from Leinster.

case885

I think the 6 month contract would suggest we're after a player thats going to be away for the RWC, at least i hope anyway.
Great to see scannell being tied down.

Cookiemunster

thomond2006 wrote: »

I've never seen a 6 month extension before, strange really.

Ahem, a certain prop forward from Bruff signed a similar deal during the last world cup.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Botha has signed a 6 month contract with Munster - keeps him here until after the W/Cup. Must mean we're on the hunt for an NIQ prop or maybe coax one from Leinster.

case885 wrote: »

I think the 6 month contract would suggest we're after a player thats going to be away for the RWC, at least i hope anyway.
Great to see scannell being tied down.

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Ahem, a certain prop forward from Bruff signed a similar deal during the last world cup.

So Botha could tie us over until his replacement arrives. Sounds good!

total former

Can't imagine Botha is too chuffed with it but Munster need to find a new prop, asap. Foley's comment about cover during the RWC "when squad numbers will be reduced" is a bit hollow because they won't be missing any tight-heads, but hopefully it's a sign that Botha is keeping the jersey warm for a big signing post RWC.

irishbucsfan

That'll cover Munster until Mike Ross gets back from the world cup...

jm08

total former wrote: »

Can't imagine Botha is too chuffed with it but Munster need to find a new prop, asap. Foley's comment about cover during the RWC "when squad numbers will be reduced" is a bit hollow because they won't be missing any tight-heads, but hopefully it's a sign that Botha is keeping the jersey warm for a big signing post RWC.

I would not be too sure of a big signing - it sounds like the IRFU reluctantly gave Munster another 6 months. BJ will be 36 then.

BJ might do very well out of this - should be lots of injuries after the world cup (similar to how Stringer had no problem picking up teams on short term loans).

jm08

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Ahem, a certain prop forward from Bruff signed a similar deal during the last world cup.

They are building a monument in Bruff for the Bull!

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/john-hayes-to-be-honoured-with-monument-in-home-village-of-cappamore/16706

Thomond will have to get down there and get his photo 'riding it' wearing his John Hayes pajamas!

thomond2006

jm08 wrote: »

They are building a monument in Bruff for the Bull!

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/john-hayes-to-be-honoured-with-monument-in-home-village-of-cappamore/16706

Thomond will have to get down there and get his photo 'riding it' wearing his John Hayes pajamas!

Or I'll buy the statue and start charging others. :pac:

Cookiemunster

jm08 wrote: »

I would not be too sure of a big signing - it sounds like the IRFU reluctantly gave Munster another 6 months. BJ will be 36 then.

BJ might do very well out of this - should be lots of injuries after the world cup (similar to how Stringer had no problem picking up teams on short term loans).

That makes no sense. Why would the IRFU reluctantly give the go ahead to a 6 month extension if there's nobody coming in? In that case then it'd be a full year extension or nothing. As total former said, none of our tight heads are going to the world cup, so it looks exactly like he's holding the place for someone arriving after the world cup.

Fireball07

total former wrote: »

Can't imagine Botha is too chuffed with it but Munster need to find a new prop, asap. Foley's comment about cover during the RWC "when squad numbers will be reduced" is a bit hollow because they won't be missing any tight-heads, but hopefully it's a sign that Botha is keeping the jersey warm for a big signing post RWC.

Numbers will be down because we don't have many THs. Take BJ out of the squad now and we'd be scraping the barrel and next year, Cotter is gone too, and no word on Kelly who hasn't been utilised at all.


It would seem to infer that a TH who'll be at the WC will be signed but there's no guarantee that will be a big name.

jm08

Cookiemunster wrote: »

That makes no sense. Why would the IRFU reluctantly give the go ahead to a 6 month extension if there's nobody coming in? In that case then it'd be a full year extension or nothing. As total former said, none of our tight heads are going to the world cup, so it looks exactly like he's holding the place for someone arriving after the world cup.

Maybe they are giving Stephen Archer another 6 months to get up to speed and some of the younger THs another year in development.

Cookiemunster

jm08 wrote: »

Maybe they are giving Stephen Archer another 6 months to get up to speed and some of the younger THs another year in development.

But it doesn't give anyone another year. Botha will be gone after Christmas. Quite simply unless we sign a tight head we're down to Archer with John Ryan covering the bench. Numbers wise someone has to be coming in.

CatFromHue

Maybe they think that Munster will be out of Europe at Christmas so Botha can leave then.......

I'll get my coat!

total former

Fireball07 wrote: »

Numbers will be down because we don't have many THs. Take BJ out of the squad now and we'd be scraping the barrel and next year, Cotter is gone too, and no word on Kelly who hasn't been utilised at all.


It would seem to infer that a TH who'll be at the WC will be signed but there's no guarantee that will be a big name.

But numbers won't be down because of the World Cup, which is more my point.

Yeah, a "big name" is probably unlikely, it's not going to be du Plessis or Herrera, but there will be plenty of props at the RWC who would be more than capable of HC/Pro12 rugby

lazybones32

I've heard Munster were seeking a 12 mth ext. for BJ but the IRFU weren't too keen (why, I can't say). A 6 mth ext could as easily be extended for another 6 mths if Munster haven't acquired a TH that satisfies both Munster's and IRFU's criteria.

I don't see this as being a sign that a replacement is in the wings but more a case of IRFU playing hard.

lazybones32

I've heard Munster were seeking a 12 mth ext. for BJ but the IRFU weren't too keen (why, I can't say). A 6 mth ext could as easily be extended for another 6 mths if Munster haven't acquired a TH that satisfies both Munster's and IRFU's criteria.

I don't see this as being a sign that a replacement is in the wings but more a case of IRFU playing hard.

jm08

Cookiemunster wrote: »

But it doesn't give anyone another year. Botha will be gone after Christmas. Quite simply unless we sign a tight head we're down to Archer with John Ryan covering the bench. Numbers wise someone has to be coming in.

What about that TH (doctor) who came from playing AIL. Maybe they think he will be ready by then or maybe some young IQ player will be brought in instead.

BJ's contract is until Dec. They could also extend it again after that if both parties were willing.

Fireball07

total former wrote: »

But numbers won't be down because of the World Cup, which is more my point.

Yeah, a "big name" is probably unlikely, it's not going to be du Plessis or Herrera, but there will be plenty of props at the RWC who would be more than capable of HC/Pro12 rugby

I'd settle for anyone who is a pretty strong scrummager and can do work around the park. Preferably someone who can be here for a few years. The more destructive scrummaging-wise, the better, obviously, it hurt us in the end this year, Botha's given away too many penalties.

hendo12

What about convert James Cronin into a tight head