Munster Team Talk Thread - Snymans are(n't) Forever

I would expect the other three provinces to always have less than Leinster in the academy.

In TH we will have Ryan, Archer and Salanoa next season as senior players. Gives us some breathing room to allow academy players to develop and provide some depth for the URC

We should have all 3 available during the international windows too, although Salanoa is a possible bolter

Rugby family

Munster family

Munsters season has already been a success. We've achieved all our pre-season objectives. Getting this far in year 1 of a new coaching team after the transformation they achieved this season is a win

That said, going to Capetown again and managing to beat the reigning champions on their home turf in a Championship final...

It would be epic

I wonder were the Foleys there as guests of the ERC, Leinster, IRFU or LAR. They obviously had access to the field.

As an aside, I remember Guy Noves being held to the ground and I think arrested for entering the playing field to celebrate with his team after Toulouse winning a final in Edinburgh. He had an access pass but gave it to someone else to use and the stewards/police must have thought he was a member of the public.

So how do we beat Stormers?

Fekitoa and Frisch back together in midfield will make a massive difference. But perhaps best not to get too enthusiastic on the blitz, as Libbok will be more than happy to exploit any gaps or creases you give him.

RG will hopefully be back so the pack can go full monster mode, i.e., back 5 of Kleyn, RG, Beirne, POM and Coombes. Should do the trick at shoring up the lineout and maul; scrum will always be a worry but hopefully Archer's decent recent form will continue.

9 is an interesting call. It'll be interesting to see if Casey's superb performance in the Aviva will be rewarded, or whether the steady hand and superior defense of Murray will be favoured.

Then do you put Nash back in, who has been superb this year, or does Earls keep his place?

A lot spots otherwise pick themselves:

Starters: Loughman, Barron, Archer, Kleyn, Snyman, Beirne, Deus Belli, Coombes, Murray, Crowley, Nash, Fekitoa, Frisch, Daly, Haley

Bench: Scannell, Wycherley, Salanoa, Wycherley, Hodnett, Casey, Healy, Earls

It'd be harsh on JOD and Scannell after two great performances last week, but I reckon they'll be the two to miss out.

I think you need to go 6-2 with Kendellan on the bench, but that is risky.

With Healy on the bench you could also push crowley to 12/15 if you had to.

If we have a healthy squad to pick from then I'd go with the 5-3 split on the bench, if there's a doubt with RGS or POM then I'd chance 6-2 but I think you shouldn't be risking anything with your bench for a final. Either way there's going to be a few players that will be disappointed not to be in the 23.

My 23 from that is

Loughman, Scannell, Archer

Kleyn, RG

Beirne, POM, Coombes

Murray, Crowley

Fekitoa, Frisch

Daly, Nash, Haley

Bench: Barron, Wycherley, Salanoa, Wycherley, Hodnett, Casey, Healy, Earls

Officials for Saturday

DHL Stormers v Munster

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 17.30 IRE & UK / 18.30 ITA & SA

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR, 36th league game)

AR 1: Mike Adamson (SRU) AR 2: Craig Evans (WRU)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

​

Happy enough with the ref, I thought Hollie Davidson might get to be involved somewhere in that group.

I'm having Earls in the 23 but that could well be heart over head

Saw somewhere (on Boards) that the URC isn't starting until later in the RWC this year

Are you only allowed to take a set number?

Well this season we had a break for the autumn internationals and we can run another week or two as the Top14 is still in progress.

For those who'll play in the knockout games next season and then go on Summer tour they're won't be much of a rest