Munster Team Talk Thread - New season title pending....

I was kind of hoping we would see one of the academy THPs get a game v either Quins, Crusaders or this fixture. With Ryan and Archer out of contract, Salanoa having a set back to his long term injury, it may have been a good opportunity to see what McSweeney is like. With that being said Rowntree was slightly implying that Munster could be looking at signing a THP, mentioning that just because they signed Jager, doesn’t mean they are done yet.

I though hooker or LHP would be more pressing needs but we’ve re-signed the likes of Clarke, Buckley and Donnelly so probably be done with those positions.

I dunno. A "Moneyball" approach would be getting guys who are under the radar and can do a very specific job for the team. It would be like bringing in a tighthead from Argentina on the cheap who is going to lock out every scrum. I'd say the three guys above are very well known, were on the radar of the Irish coaching team and sought after by teams particularly for the roles they were brought in for.

I'd say the closest example to the Moneyball approach (potentially without the lack of money) would be what ROG has done in La Rochelle. He has a specific plan. Crush opposition up front in the scrum and maul. His signings have gone hand in hand with that. Below are the lads signed by ROG (not including guys like Atonio who were already there). It's incredibly effective and shrewd. Even without lads like Skelton, Wardi, Atonio and Bourgarit at the moment they're obliterating teams in the scrum.

• Colombe - back up tighthead: 142kg
• Kuntelia - 3rd choice tighthead: 135kg
• Sclavi - back up loosehead: 135kg
• Sorin - Espoir prop who has featured in several T14 games this season: 134kg
• Skelton - starting lock: 145kg
• Dillane - back up utility forward who was a lock but has played most of his rugby at flanker including openside: 115kg
• Cancoriet - back up No. 8: 112kg (only a slip of a thing compared to some of them).

Muneygall?

Some very fast hard direct carrying tonight, Haley being asked to carry alot and it paid off. RGS has a lovely offload in all fairness.

Casey with a couple of good cover tackles

good game this

Makes me sick Snyman playing so well.casey with 2 great tackles within 2 seconds.great match.

Nankavill always makes metres.hes great

SOB has been a really solid signing, nothing outstanding but never shown up even when out of position

Casey right eye is almost fully closed!

He’s playing like JGP tonight!

really quick to the ruck and to get the ball away.

Quick taps and all.

thats when he plays his best

Yes and personally I think he is a better bench option for Ireland than Murray. Especially the way Ireland tire teams out with their attack, Casey brings more pace and tempo. Will refer to Farrell’s better judgement though.

Like that! Lovely dink over the defence

That's a terrible decision from the ref, even if the ball's goes forward its not a knock on if the player re-gathers it before it touches the ground or another player (which is doesnt). A laughable call really, a pretty basic law that he's decided to ignore.