Leinster v Munster match thread

21-10-2022 10:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119775034#Comment_119775034

And no brownie points for finding out who the ref is? Something that anyone with the IQ the size of a peanut - or larger - would regard as a lot more relevant to the outcome of tomorrow's game than whether or not the Munster players leave their physicality on the bus!

aloooof · 21-10-2022 10:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777250#Comment_119777250

I mean, I might’ve thought someone with the IQ the size of a peanut - or larger - would be able to use Google to find out the ref in this day and age, but you live and learn…

21-10-2022 10:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777243#Comment_119777243

Yeah, I think that's fair, but my point was it's not a full strength Leinster side you're up against either, just Leinster's depth looks to be a good bit better.

aloooof · 21-10-2022 10:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777301#Comment_119777301

Ah ya, but it’s not just the depth is my point. Leinster have been able to call on more of their starting 15 on top of that too. Not to mentions the bench…

John_Rambo · 21-10-2022 10:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777140#Comment_119777140

Fair enough! Looking forward to the match!

Akrasia · 21-10-2022 10:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777166#Comment_119777166

Edogbo would play 5 and Beirne would play 6 instead of JOD who should not make the match day squad based on recent performances.

The back 5 listed, maybe 2 of them wouldn't be in the squad. 6 2 split on the bench, Earls Conway Crowley as the back 3, with Murray and Nash as subs

Means Haley and zebo would miss out.

(For example)

Realistically every team has injured players for every game. Our injury list is much longer than the players I mentioned, lots of marginal squad players didn't make the list. Daniel Okeke, for example could have played given the injury list and he's a seriously good player unavailable after surgery on his leg)

We're playing academy players tomorrow not because we're throwing the game, it's because everyone else is injured (having said that Rudhan Quinn is an excellent prospect but our youngest ever capped player). And James French has lots of potential but is being thrown in at the deep end supported by a weakened pack. It's not how we would have intended to use him

Akrasia · 21-10-2022 10:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777250#Comment_119777250

What?

If the ref decides the outcome of a game in advance then why bother even turning up?

aloooof · 21-10-2022 10:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777372#Comment_119777372

I’d largely agree with that tbh; while FTD’s comment about not being able to select all 5 back-3 players in the starting 23 is correct, it really just shows that we’re also missing guys from the 2nd tier as well on top of missing the first choice guys.

Like, depending on whether Frisch is first choice 12, which remains to be seen, there’s a decent argument we’re missing 6 of our starting 7 backs.

21-10-2022 10:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777372#Comment_119777372

I'm not arguing Munster are missing more players, and equally, when I listed Leinster's injuries, I didn't kitchen sink, and didn't really list guys who wouldn't be in the 23. Munster are arguably missing at least 3 of their 5 most important players tomorrow (Beirne, O'Mahony, Casey - fwiw the other two on my list of Munster's top 5 would be Coombes and I guess Carbery), so I'm not taking away from that.

But - Leinster, despite having a close to a first choice tight 5, half backs and centres, definitely have a patchwork back three tomorrow (two centres back there), and our back row is younger and less experienced that the Munster back row too.

Downlinz · 21-10-2022 10:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119776916#Comment_119776916

Munster are in transition at the moment and need to focus on the basic targets of just making sure they qualify for the Champions Cup next season. They're just not in a place to realistically compete with Leinster at the moment so it makes sense to rest up anyone with minor sprains and knocks for the more winnable wins.

aloooof · 21-10-2022 10:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777417#Comment_119777417

Yes Leinster are missing some players too 2moro but there’s really no equivalence here imo.

Munster are missing more of their starting 15 and more of the guys who would normally replace them too.

You mention Leinster’s patchwork back-3 for example (it’s your worst affected area); but even there, Munster’s is entirely patchwork also. We’ve a 10 at FB and Liam Coombes on the wing, whose best performances have come at 13. We’re missing our 5 first choice back-3 players who’d all start ahead of them.

So even in your worst affected area, Munster have at least equivalent issues. (And arguably you still have guys higher up your depth chart than Munster do tbh, specifically JOB).

Akrasia · 21-10-2022 11:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777417#Comment_119777417

The back 3 won't be the deciding factor tomorrow. They only come in to play when the team is winning collisions. Munster won't win collisions if Murray spends ages pointing at balls or consulting about where to kick the ball

Our gameplan requires fast ball most of the time. Murray doesn't give us fast ball

TRC10 · 22-10-2022 1:04am

Munster fans getting their excuses in early as always 😉

I've seen the ref and injuries so far. Surely there are more than that lads. Come on, yous can do better!

Dubinusa · 22-10-2022 1:15am

It's probably worth remembering that Deegan and Penny have only seen recent action against poor opposition. Deegan has not been impressive as a blindside either.

ulsteru20s · 22-10-2022 1:37am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777916#Comment_119777916

Im not a munster fan but what exactly are people supposed to say? Do you have to have irrational belief as a fan, or can you just read two team sheets and be like ‘yea they should win easily’.

It is what it is.

I’m looking at these team sheets and there are 11 players on the leinster team who i consider to be better. About 10 of those are CLEARLY to MASSIVELY better. 7 of those are in the pack. And those numbers are as a result of me being really high on 3 of the munster players i picked. Alot of people would disagree with those.

It’s a big mismatch.. what are people supposed to say lol. And, thats before i look at the bench. Munster dont even have a lock on their bench! I dont think French has played since the wasps game last year. Quinn just turned 19. It’s an absolute mess of a team sheet.

TRC10 · 22-10-2022 1:51am

We've had Leinster being dirty cheats as well. Sorry lads, I missed that one.

ulsteru20s · 22-10-2022 2:06am

The most interesting thing to me about this game is how munster play in terms of physicality. Van Graan’s teams played very passive in this game last year.

The reality is for almost everyone on this team (bar Murray really) there is very little to lose. Whereas the leinster team is full of guys who will play against south africa probably. They do not want to get injured playing Munster C two weeks before.

The Munster coaching staff needs to get this team to a level of physicality that is on the very edge of acceptable or just past it, and see if Leinster are willing to get into that so close to a massive test match.

if they could set that tone early and maybe disrupt one set piece… eh… 25% chance? Max lol.

ulsteru20s · 22-10-2022 2:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777966#Comment_119777966

Complaining about a team being dirty is the ultimate of loser complaints in rugby. Its a dirty game.

aloooof · 22-10-2022 7:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119777916#Comment_119777916

This is pretty hilarious.

You think Munster fans should be positive despite the team sheets, and the bookies having them as 17 point underdogs?

Yet are relentlessly negative yourself when it comes to Leinster?

Jump_In_Jack · 22-10-2022 8:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119775755#Comment_119775755

Sheehan not Kelleher

Former Former Former · 22-10-2022 10:57am

43000 tickets sold apparently. Not bad.

Dave_The_Sheep · 22-10-2022 12:20pm

Speaking of, late notice I am unexpectedly unable to attend this game. Two tickets going free, usual caveat. I will say they're shite seats mind you, probably behind the end touchline to the left low down if tradition holds. But they're there if anyone's on the fence about going.

Clegg · 22-10-2022 3:37pm

Furlong drops out of the 23 with an ankle injury. Ala'alatoa starts and Thomas Clarkson moves up to the bench. Puts a massive dent in Leinsters front 3 advantage.

https://twitter.com/leinsterrugby/status/1583828019801509888?t=jPh-vTGEHbBtKg7y-lZs-g&s=09

ulsteru20s · 22-10-2022 4:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119779597#Comment_119779597

I partially expexted a last minute change with frawley moving to 10 and sexton being rested. Sexton seems like overkill against that team and it would be a great game to get Frawley some run at 10.

Clegg · 22-10-2022 5:16pm

Hopeful for a functioning lineout more than anything else today.

Clegg · 22-10-2022 5:17pm

McGrath was poor there. Had men outside but went for the snipe near the line.

22-10-2022 5:17pm

Big crowd in the end for all the shite talk.

Clegg · 22-10-2022 5:19pm

Ringrose subbed in for McGrath while the latter was at the bottom of the ruck for two consecutive phases. Great continuity in play there.

almostover · 22-10-2022 5:21pm

Aherne a little unlucky there, he had hands on the ball first and Ryan didn't release it. Shouldn't have gone for the 2nd time though

CIARAN_BOYLE · 22-10-2022 5:21pm

Can someone confirm who the Leinster 7 is. Scott Penney was named in the team but the commentator has said Connors twice when Leinster 7 was on the ball.

It looks like Penney to me.