Munster vs Edinburgh, Fri 29th April 7:35pm; TG4

thomond2006

Munster:
Simon Zebo; Andrew Conway, Francis Saili, Rory Scannell, Keith Earls; Johnny Holland, Conor Murray;
Dave Kilcoyne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Dave Foley, Billy Holland; Dave O'Callaghan, Tommy O'Donnell, CJ Stander - capt.

Replacements: Mike Sherry, James Cronin, John Ryan, Robin Copeland, Jack O'Donoghue, Duncan Williams, Ian Keatley, Ronan O'Mahony.

Edinburgh:
15 KINGHORN Blair
14 HOYLAND Damien
13 SCOTT Matt
12 STRAUSS Andries
11 BROWN Tom
10 TOVEY Jason
9 KENNEDY Sean

1 DICKINSON Alasdair
2 FORD Ross (C)
3 NEL WP
4 BRESLER Anton
5 TOOLIS Ben
6 RITCHIE Jamie
7 HARDIE John
8 DU PREEZ Cornell

16 MCINALLY Stuart
17 SUTHERLAND Rory
18 ANDRESS John
19 TOOLIS Alex
20 BRADBURY Magnus
21 HIDALGO-CLYNE Sam
22 DEAN Chris
23 FIFE Dougie

Leinster 68
Connacht 68
Glasgow 66
Ulster 60
Scarlets 58
Edinburgh 53
Munster 53
Cardiff 52
Ospreys 49
Dragons 26
Zebre 19
Treviso 16

This is Munster's biggest match in a number of years. Lose and it is almost certain that they will be playing Challenge Cup rugby next season. It would stall the positivity amongst supporters following the appointment of Rassie Erasmus and deliver a crucial blow to Munster's finances and recruitment prospects.

Johnny Holland and Dave Foley start for Munster and with the Stand and East Terrace sold out, hopefully there is a good crowd to cheer the team on. They really need it.

freyners

I dont think Munster have had as much rising on a regular season game in years.

If this was away I couldnt see past a Edinburgh win, with it being at home I only slightly favour a Munster win.

This will be very close imo

lazybones32

We should win this. If we don't, we don't merit to be in Europe next Season.

Zzippy

No tables?

CatFromHue

It was Edin 14-16 Mun when they played early this season with a last min drop goal blocked down. From memory Edin were mucking about for ages in not going for the drop and then when they did it was half assed.

former total

Should be a win for Munster if the front five get parity, but that is a strong Edinburgh pack and they have an edge in the front row.

Zzippy

Scrum penalties cost Munster dearly 2 weeks ago, Kilcoyne in for Cronin may improve things, but Archer could be under pressure. If they can get parity and get the backrow involved they should get the win.

thomond2006

Munster Rugby wrote:

We welcome back Cara O'Sullivan and the Munster Rugby Supporters Club Choir who will perform Stand Up and Fight before kick-off. The Hit Machine drumming group will also take to the field pre-match, fusing Celtic, Brazilian and African influenced drumming styles.

COME ONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Akrasia

The Referee is Ian Davies. The game is impossible to call.

sydthebeat

SHC on the bench as cover for 9 and 10?

irishbucsfan

Is Niall Scannell starting a surprise?

thomond2006

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Is Niall Scannell starting a surprise?

It isn't particularly as he started against Zebre and Leinster.

former total

thomond2006 wrote: »

It isn't particularly as he started against Zebre and Leinster.

So is he first choice now, or is Casey out injured?

thomond2006

former total wrote: »

So is he first choice now, or is Casey out injured?

Casey is back fit, but he was out since November. I'm not sure there is a clear first choice right now.

phog

A must win game for both clubs, basically it's close to being a Champions Cup game. Munster need to play like we did v Leinster rather than how we played v Connacht to be in with a chance to win.

thomond2006

Sold out. Rare to see that this season but great for this game.

Goldstein

Friday evening bank holiday weekend traffic, a sold out stadium and Cork City F.C. kicking off against St. Pat's next door in Turner's Cross 10 minutes after our match starts. If there was ever a time you need to get to a match early this'd be the one. Should be a fantastic atmosphere. Hopefully they can respond to it and get the win.

Digifriendly

Am I right in saying there will be delayed rather than live coverage of this game on TG4? It looks from the timings of respective kick offs that Treviso vs Connacht will be shown live and in full from 6.30pm followed by full delayed coverage of Munster vs Edinburgh.

phog

Digifriendly wrote: »

Am I right in saying there will be delayed rather than live coverage of this game on TG4? It looks from the timings of respective kick offs that Treviso vs Connacht will be shown live and in full from 6.30pm followed by full delayed coverage of Munster vs Edinburgh.

I think the first half of the Connacht game is broadcast live on TG4 then the 2nd half is being streamed on the website while our game is being broadcast live on TG4 & BBC Alba

vienne86

phog wrote: »

I think the first half of the Connacht game is broadcast live on TG4 then the 2nd half is being streamed on the website while our game is being broadcast live on TG4 & BBC Alba

I think there's red button coverage on Saorview and presumably on satellite too.

irishbucsfan

Aw crap this isn't on television in the UK? BBC Alba you have let me down!

former total

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Aw crap this isn't on television in the UK? BBC Alba you have let me down!

It's being streamed on the BBC website.

thomond2006

John Andress might have mixed emotions tonight!

thomond2006

I'm hoping for a big game from Keet tonight, he's had been quiet on the try front: 1 try in 12 starts this season.

Zzippy

thomond2006 wrote: »

John Andress might have mixed emotions tonight!

"Hmm, if I don't defend this maul to the best of my ability I could be playing Champions Cup next season.... oh wait, I'm on the bench!"

former total

Zzippy wrote: »

"Hmm, if I don't defend this maul to the best of my ability I could be playing Champions Cup next season.... oh wait, I'm on the bench!"

Genuinely laughed out loud at this one.

Fireball07

A season-defining match, no doubt about. Kind of sad, really. We have to win. We should have enough to do it, although obviously there are no guarantees.

But I'm going to be confident and say we'll win by 7+.

budhabob

Is the Munster match gonna be delayed coverage? Connacht match on at the minute.

ThisRegard

Just came on to ask the same. They might have been planning to switch to Munster at half time as they expected Connacht to be at a canter.

Unless Connacht goes online for the second half.

molloyjh

Connacht second half streamed online with Munster game on TV.

Dog Botherer

Connacht match switches to an online stream at half time.

Rightwing

The ailing Champions cup badly needs Munster to win this 1

ThisRegard

Yeah, just checked their Twitter, red button or online for the rest of Connacht, full coverage of Munster online.

Tigerandahalf

ThisRegard wrote: »

Yeah, just checked their Twitter, red button or online for the rest of Connacht, full coverage of Munster online.

The red button is meant to come up on the corner of the screen when it is available.
Wait and see.

Felix Jones is God

Piece of piss, Munster by 8+

Rightwing

Munster by 12+

2smiggy

Any way of getting a half decent picture on Sky ?

Felix Jones is God

Úd !!!

LuckyGent88

Lovely stuff. Great play from Conway

budhabob

Lovely offload,but great support lines and carrying throughout that move

Fireball07

Conway did excellently twice in that move. Good start.

Anatidaephobia

Dumb from Sailli.

Anatidaephobia

Annoying mistake.

LuckyGent88

That's just way too easy ffs

budhabob

Woeful defense

ThisRegard

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

The red button is meant to come up on the corner of the screen when it is available.
Wait and see.

Only on Virgin unfortunately.

Felix Jones is God

Holland keeping his cool in front of the posts

Anatidaephobia

****ing hell. What a stupid penalty to give away.

Felix Jones is God

Boooommm!!

Fireball07

Very good from Conway, Zebo did well to take it in his stride too.

LuckyGent88

Thought he had a very short run up to take that conversion