The "Munster can't possibly lose this" Leinster v Munster build up thread

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119091827#Comment_119091827

You think wrong

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119091753#Comment_119091753

Snyman would be nice to have. Maybe he'll be back for the final

He can come on when Ahern gets tired

Clegg

I posted on the Leinster thread that I expect Munster to win. They've a stronger 23 overall and also have more to play for.

But we've put out a similar squad to the one that surprised the South African teams in the recent mini tour there. I think we've a coaching advantage there. We might sneak a losing bonus point if we hit all our markers.

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092432#Comment_119092432

good thing you arrived just in time to raise the level of the discourse

Lsdrugbyfan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092432#Comment_119092432

go back to the echo chamber so, im sure TRK will tell you what you want to hear.

Toner's last chance to take out another up-and-coming Munster star

Dave_The_Sheep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092596#Comment_119092596

You're assuming a few things.

1. Munster don't get a final or otherwise meet Leinster before that.
2. Leinster don't get a final or otherwise meet Munster before that.
3. Toner doesn't play both games.

I mean, if we're being realistic, Toner could have two games to perform career ending injuries on up and coming Munster stars.

But I suppose I'd be assuming things too.

1. He hasn't taken them out already.
2. Toner can be arsed to do so, but I suppose he's a loyal Leinster lock and has never signed with another club so wants to go out with a bang or whatever...
3. This whole thing isn't just made up in someone's head.

Of course, Toner could get injured in a freak rugby accident in training next week. In which case we'll never know.

One out of six isn't bad. Certainly better than Munster's record recently.

In case it wasn't clear, this post there is what I'm choosing to call "general silliness" given the week that is in it, and I'm only being 16.6% serious.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092570#Comment_119092570

Didn’t you say you subscribe yourself to TRK? Paying to be outraged, it’s a new one to me. ;)

RichieRich_89

The way Munster win this match is by getting their maul going and dominating collisions on both sides of the ball. Leinster have to be good enough to stop Munster doing those things. Their maul defence has to be on point, their defence needs to be accurate and aggressive, and they need to generate go-forward when they have the ball. They do have good tight carriers in Murphy and McCarthy, and good loose carriers in Cronin and Baird. And their starter plays off line-outs have caused Munster serious problems in recent seasons. The biggest reason to be optimistic is that Lancaster's training techniques pit these players against Leinster's first-choice players all the time in high-intensity sessions.

ionadnapokot

Nice to see Larmour at FB. First time since…Saracens 2020?

Murphy at Lock and Baird at 6 is odd to me

as is Murray over Casey. Maybe Palpatine is still HC after all.

Interested Observer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119092715#Comment_119092715

Nice to just see Larmour back playing really, he'd been very good this season up to getting injured. Hadn't really thought about Murphy & Baird but fair point.

aloooof

I think Larmour will need a really good run next season to put himself in with a chance of making the RWC squad. His ability to cover 13 as well is in his favour vs the competition for wing/fb, but he’s down the pecking order at the moment.

Lsdrugbyfan

Hopefully Larmour has improved his fielding.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119093392#Comment_119093392

Was it the first game back after Covid that he was quite poor? I think the game 2 weeks later then, Leinster did a better job of protecting him / “escorts”.

It’ll be interesting to see how he goes 2nite, you’d imagine it’s an area Munster will try to test him in, especially with Conway back too.

Lsdrugbyfan

would love to see Munster box kicking with murray instead of keeping the ball in hand.

Dubinusa

Larmour has been quite good this season. But, he's got a lot of ground to make up to be in contention for the rwc. His high ball fielding remains his weakness, otherwise he'd probably be a starter or thereabouts.

Today's tilt should be a Munster victory. The front row for Leinster will struggle due to Cronin having so little match time and Clarkson being low on minutes too. The 2nd row for Munster is a bigger unit and should retain their own line out ball while being disruptive to Leinster's line out. I think McCarthy and Murphy will put in a shift and front up. But it's tough to see Leinster getting on top in the forwards battle.

Munster should focus on what they're good at and attack the breakdown and maul when close to Leinsters line. Leinster will put up a good fight and will push Munster for about 60 minutes. But Munster should win with a cushion. I'm really looking forward to seeing Ahern play and McCarthy for Leinster. I hope Foley plays well and can start pushing on for next season.

It's disappointing that Casey didn't get the start. He's certainly earned it and it won't be long until he is starting.

typhoony

Not sure where the comfortable win for Munster comes from, there's enough players in that Leinster team who have been involved in putting them at the top of the league, I guess it will depend on how well the Leinster pack operate as a unit, it doesn't seem to matter whether it's 1st, 2nd or 3rd team Lancaster has them all trained well. Munster might just edge it based on the individuals they have but they are definitely not a well oiled unit like Leinster

TRC10

Larmour is a funny one, in that he's been on an upward trajectory over the last year, yet he's further down the Ireland pecking order than he was a year ago. Probably down to the emergence of Baloucoune and Hansen in that time, both who Farrell rates highly.

Farrell isn't as obsessed with having back three cover on the bench as Schmidt was. He's happy to have a centre in the 23 shirt, which doesn't favour Larmour.

Interested Observer

I'd actually spent most of the day oblivious to the fact this nothing game was on this evening. Might keep an eye on it.

aloooof

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119094265#Comment_119094265

Announcing it on a message board probably isn’t the best way to convince people ;)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119094265#Comment_119094265

I'm so excited I got a bottle of 7UP Free, the complete rebel that I am.

Honestly though I think this will be a tight enough affair. Until Munster run in their 4th.

What channel is it on?

Burkie1203

Tg4

Neil3030

Munster need a TBP win to secure 2nd after the result in Llanelli. Hopefully have that wrapped up by half time so they can rest a few players.

Can't see Munster losing this from here.

Clegg

WOW

Interested Observer

Bahahahahaha. Munster. Lol.

Clegg

That's genuinely dreadful defence from Carbery. He was scrambling, but fooled by Penney's sidestep and then bowled over in contact.

Burkie1203

Kleyn with a neck roll and high shot in space of 4 seconds there

Ball wasn't out there, I'd have given pen to Munster