Munster v Leinster build up thread

molloyjh

vienne86 wrote: »

Now this is a bummer if we can't field our best teams. It is one of the most important fixtures in the Pro12 season. How could they have messed it up? I'll be away, but would certainly have made every effort to get to Thomond for this.....and I would say a lot of Leinster supporters won't be there. Bad scheduling.....it was fine the way it was IMO.

We always have an inter-pro this week. And we always have Irish camp this week. The only real difference is that we played Connacht in the last round. We normally don't have an inter-pro then. Last season we played Ulster on Christmas week and played pretty much a second string team at home. Why is it more of a big deal if we send a second string side to Thomond. Ulster are every bit as much a rival as Munster at this stage, and have been arguably more so in the last few seasons. Haven't we spoken on here of the possibility of having the Ulster derby game in the Aviva instead of the Munster one?

It's pretty standard scheduling really and we'll have pretty standard selection policies as a result. We have Ulster away in April instead which should be a full strength encounter.

vienne86

molloyjh wrote: »

We always have an inter-pro this week. And we always have Irish camp this week. The only real difference is that we played Connacht in the last round. We normally don't have an inter-pro then. Last season we played Ulster on Christmas week and played pretty much a second string team at home. Why is it more of a big deal if we send a second string side to Thomond. Ulster are every bit as much a rival as Munster at this stage, and have been arguably more so in the last few seasons. Haven't we spoken on here of the possibility of having the Ulster derby game in the Aviva instead of the Munster one?

It's pretty standard scheduling really and we'll have pretty standard selection policies as a result. We have Ulster away in April instead which should be a full strength encounter.

Yes, you are right about all of the interpros being important and that we have them at this time every year. Somehow the Munster Leinster fixture has that extra edge for a lot of people. It certainly draws the biggest crowd - I doubt that Leinster would get the same numbers in the Aviva entertaining Ulster.

BoardsMember

buck65 wrote: »

Continue through the Limerick tunnel, in the Clare side do a u turn at Cratloe and zoom back in the Meelick Rd. Traffic is never too bad on the Clare side. I leave Ennis 45 mins before kick off and am always in my seat on time.

Sounds like an ambush to me.

Buer

BoardsMember wrote: »

Sounds like an ambush to me.

That's more Cork's style.

aimee1

Laura Plain Transportation wrote: »

I don't know why they messed with the scheduling. This match had been in April for the last few seasons, always virtually full strength, just don't get it.

Could be to do with the new euro cup knockout stages?

.ak

There's also an element of it being unfair to Ulster having to play this fixture on a crappy date whilst Munster get the premier date at playing the top Irish team.....

Henry Ford III

Saint Joe seems to be dabbling in selections. An insult to the paying public.

.ak

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Saint Joe seems to be dabbling in selections. An insult to the paying public.

Not sure if serious... but there's an Irish camp every Christmas every year?

CatFromHue

The format is now

21 Mar last weekend 6N
27 Mar Pro12
3 April ERC QF
10 April Pro 12
17 April ERC SF
24 April Pro12
2 May ERF Final
8 May Pro 12
15 May Last regular season Pro 12

So if you did go with the Mun v Lein game at that end of the season you could be sandwiching it between some big European games.

thomond2006

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Saint Joe seems to be dabbling in selections. An insult to the paying public.

Joe didn't schedule the match for Stephen's Day. Everyone knows the internationals have to be given certain rest weeks to compensate for their Ireland workload. This is nothing new. I just think players will be rested in other matches and not now.

CatFromHue

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Saint Joe seems to be dabbling in selections. An insult to the paying public.

There's a Christmas meet up every year, remember the famous Christmas meeting before Kidney's 6N win?

jm08

.ak wrote: »

There's also an element of it being unfair to Ulster having to play this fixture on a crappy date whilst Munster get the premier date at playing the top Irish team.....

Ulster tend to put more emphasis on their home games than they do with their away ones (frequently sending 2nd/3rd string teams who sometimes come away with a good result/performance).

When/what is the premier date?

.ak

jm08 wrote: »

Ulster tend to put more emphasis on their home games than they do with their away ones (frequently sending 2nd/3rd string teams who sometimes come away with a good result/performance).

When/what is the premier date?

Anything not +1/-1 week around Christmas day?

Dravokivich

Has it been stated which broadcaster is going to carry this match yet?

ssaye2

http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/16298.php

At Thomond Park, 5pm. Live on TG4/BBC Alba
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 116th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Stuart Gaffikin (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

Mahatma Geansai

I've a feeling that we're going to see two very weakened sides take the field. Both sides have a rake of injuries, and a lot of the internationals will probably be rested.

Considering both sides form this season, Munster should be well placed for the win, but Leinster's wider squad is stronger, and that could make the difference considering the circumstances.

First and foremost, no injuries please.

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.pro12rugby.com/matchcentre/16298.php

At Thomond Park, 5pm. Live on TG4/BBC Alba
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU, 116th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Mark Patton, Stuart Gaffikin (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Eddie Walsh (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

Delighted to see Owens in charge. It will make a big difference to the game after the poor reffing performances in the last two meetings.

Swan Curry

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Delighted to see Owens in charge. It will make a big difference to the game after the poor reffing performances in the last two meetings.

Are you seriously still crying over Rolland? He was fine.

After the match in the Aviva I'd be happy just to see a close scoreline, but depending on what teams are named this could be a very good chance to pick up four points away from home. I hope the Leinster team that's named is a bit closer to the one that actually gets on the pitch this time :pac:

CatFromHue

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Delighted to see Owens in charge. It will make a big difference to the game after the poor reffing performances in the last two meetings.

Dave Kearney should be fit again :D

Quint2010

Munster should win this. They have been a good bit more cohesive than Leinster this year. They are at home and seem to be playing for each other and will have the crowd behind them. Munster by six.

buck65

I hope Munster win because I hate Leinster.

ssaye2

http://inpho.ie/assignment/Leinster-Rugby-Squad-Training-Monday/aPa1lPbl8foDqt6MTejRRw..a?ts=K9Z4w6Kgt9swCg-CdL3sTQ..a

http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1412123/

ssaye2

Great to see, cant wait until they are back

Quint2010

ssaye2 wrote: »

Great to see, cant wait until they are back

Any timescales on their return?

Tox56

ssaye2 wrote: »

Great to see, cant wait until they are back

Te'o and Moore also training in those pics, great to see

.ak

No Luke Fitzy?

molloyjh

.ak wrote: »

No Luke Fitzy?

He's not in Ireland camp by any chance is he?

ssaye2

Quint2010 wrote: »

Any timescales on their return?

Healy end Jan sob March sometime I think

thomond2006

buck65 wrote: »

I hope Munster win because I hate Leinster.

Leinster fans offer Munster supporters whiskey brownies and Malibu Cola bottles at matches. Don't be hatin'.

iDave

buck65 wrote: »

I hope Munster win because I hate Leinster.

Interesting, my rational for wanting Leinster to win is the same

Quint2010

ssaye2 wrote: »

Healy end Jan sob March sometime I think

March??? Seriously? Ah that can't be right. You mean to tell me he is back running but is still 10 weeks away from playing rugby???

Pudsy33

It was a shoulder injury so it stands to reason.

ssaye2

Quint2010 wrote: »

March??? Seriously? Ah that can't be right. You mean to tell me he is back running but is still 10 weeks away from playing rugby???

yep shoulder fecked being really cautious no contact until next month at earliest it was always 5/6 months out

Quint2010

ssaye2 wrote: »

yep shoulder fecked being really cautious no contact until next month at earliest it was always 6 months out

When did he have the operation?

ssaye2

First week oct

http://www.thescore.ie/sean-obrien-shoulder-injury-leinster-ireland-1702359-Oct2014/

buck65

iDave wrote: »

Interesting, my rational for wanting Leinster to win is the same

Maybe we're not so different afterall....no scratch that I forgot the accent.

.ak

molloyjh wrote: »

He's not in Ireland camp by any chance is he?

That's what I was thinking

Teams named tomorrow or the day after does anyone know?

thomond2006

Andrew Smith is definitely out while POM is a doubt.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/munster-s-andrew-smith-ruled-out-for-a-month-1.2046896?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Micky Dolenz

What time is kick off,please?

Larbre34

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

What time is kick off,please?

5 pm. Beo ar TG4 (súil eile)

thomond2006

It's a sell out. The last few stand tickets were going for €80 on ticketmaster due to the dynamic pricing.

thomond2006

LEINSTER:

15. Zane Kirchner
14. Darragh Fanning
13. Luke Fitzgerald
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Dave Kearney
10. Ian Madigan
9. Isaac Boss
1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Mike McCarthy
5. Kane Douglas
6. Dominic Ryan
7. Shane Jennings CAPTAIN
8. Jack Conan

16. Aaron Dundon
17. Maks Van Dyk
18. Jamie Hagan
19. Tom Denton
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Luke McGrath
22. Jimmy Gopperth
23. Noel Reid

The frontliners have been rested

Pudsy33

That's still a damn good team.

If Leinster could avoid being humiliated like earlier in the season I'd take it.

Team is ok. Bench won't give much impact though.

Nice to see Noel Reid rewarded for his good performance against Connacht.

ssaye2

I like our starting 15

Bridge93

Good team all things considered.

ssaye2

Replacements: O’Byrne, Guinazu, BJ, Dave O’Callaghan, Butler, Neil Cronin, JJ, Murphy. #MunVLei Tickets will not be on sale on match-day.


Mun XV:Jones (C),Conway,Howard,Hurley,R O'Mahony,Keatley,Williams, J Ryan,Casey,Archer,Don O'Callaghan,Holland, CJ, TOD, Copeland #MunvLei

thomond2006

Jones (C),Conway,Howard,Hurley,R O'Mahony,Keatley,Williams,
J Ryan,Casey,Archer,Don O'Callaghan,Holland, CJ, TOD, Copeland

O’Byrne, Guinazu, BJ, Dave O’Callaghan, Butler, Neil Cronin, JJ, Murphy.

Munster charge Champions Cup ticket prices and then play that team. That's a sham. It's appalling scheduling that the best league fixture of the season has been diluted like this.

ssaye2

Backrows going to be a battle, I think Leinster might have starting 15 advantage

jaansu

Would have like to see Mads, Reid and Fitz from the start but still that's a damn good team.