Connacht v Munster 24/3/12 19:45 Live on TG4

porterbelly · 17-03-2012 09:59PM #1

The wounds of today may still be fresh but I for one am really looking forward to this game.

Word on the street is it's going to be a sellout, probably a record crowd for a Pro 12 game in Galway. Here's hoping for another memorable night in the Sportsground!

CatFromHue · 17-03-2012 10:05PM

While this is an inter pro game it's far more important for Munster to win than for Connacht with the way the league is working out. A Connacht win will put Munster in the middle of a very tough fight for a play off spot. Especially as both Glasgow and Ulster are playing Italian teams so in theory should be able to reduce the gap between them all.

its_phil · 17-03-2012 10:09PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

While this is an inter pro game it's far more important for Munster to win than for Connacht with the way the league is working out. A Connacht win will put Munster in the middle of a very tough fight for a play off spot.

Are you suggesting something Cat?

You give us Stringer and we gotta deal. :pac:

budhabob · 17-03-2012 11:51PM

Looking forward to this, heading across for it. Although the last connacht game I was at last year I think the sea was picked up and dropped on us....fun times

18-03-2012 12:08AM

I don't know how anyone can think of a provincial game after today, having said that by Wednesday or Thursday my attitude will probably have changed.

phog · 19-03-2012 05:15PM

I'm missing this game and it was to be my first visit there since the redevelopment. Another must win game for Munster, especially after our loss to Aironi.

Hopefully, we'll have nice dry day in the sportsground.

fatguy2k1 · 20-03-2012 11:50AM

Only tickets available for the College Road and Bohermore Terrace left for the match and the are selling quickley.

CatFromHue · 20-03-2012 07:39PM

This is a pretty important game for Connacht too. With 5 games left if they win 3 of them it would equal last seasons performance in Magners. Considering their performances in the HEC that would be a good season if you ask me. They've Munster, Ulster, and Aironi at home and Dragons and Glasgow away still to play. A win would also give them a lot of confidence going into the last block of games.

thomond2006 · 21-03-2012 03:56PM

Munster Squad:
D Varley, M Sherry, D Fogarty,
M Horan, W du Preez, J Ryan, S Archer, BJ Botha,
I Nagle, M O’Driscoll, B Holland,
Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, D Wallace, J Coughlan, P Butler,

D Williams, T O’Leary,
I Keatley, S Deasy,
D Barnes, L Mafi, S Tokula
L O’Dea, S Zebo, F Jones, J Murphy, D Hurley,

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10263.php

I'd like to see:
du Preez, Sherry, Ryan, Nagle, MOD, DOC2.0, Wallace, Coughlan;
Williams, Keatley, Zebo, Mafi, Barnes, Murphy, Jones

Bench: Varley, Horan, Botha, Holland, TOD, TOL, Deasy, Hurley

Traditionally this is a fixture where McGahan sends a very weakened team, giving a lot of youngsters gametime. However this season this fixture falls before two huge games in Munster's season, the Leinster derby and the HEC QF, so I fancy a pretty strong side will be sent from those available.

Love them or hate them, Duncan Williams is here to stay and TOL isn't. So Williams needs to play these games. I would have TOL ahead of Williams for Leinster and Ulster if Murray doesn't make it.

John Ryan has barely featured at all this season, only getting 10 minute cameos at best. I'd like to see him get a start. Sherry too could do with a game.

This is a pretty important game to secure a home Rabo semi.

wp_rathead · 21-03-2012 05:18PM

cannot wait to get back in the Clan Stand for this game
was some atmosphere at the Leinster game New Years Day- that should be replicated this Saturday..

Fireball07 · 21-03-2012 05:31PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster Squad:
D Varley, M Sherry, D Fogarty,
M Horan, W du Preez, J Ryan, S Archer, BJ Botha,
I Nagle, M O’Driscoll, B Holland,
Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, D Wallace, J Coughlan, P Butler,

D Williams, T O’Leary,
I Keatley, S Deasy,
D Barnes, L Mafi, S Tokula
L O’Dea, S Zebo, F Jones, J Murphy, D Hurley,

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10263.php

I'd like to see:
du Preez, Sherry, Ryan, Nagle, MOD, DOC2.0, Wallace, Coughlan;
Williams, Keatley, Zebo, Mafi, Barnes, Murphy, Jones

Bench: Varley, Horan, Botha, Holland, TOD, TOL, Deasy, Hurley

Traditionally this is a fixture where McGahan sends a very weakened team, giving a lot of youngsters gametime. However this season this fixture falls before two huge games in Munster's season, the Leinster derby and the HEC QF, so I fancy a pretty strong side will be sent from those available.

Love them or hate them, Duncan Williams is here to stay and TOL isn't. So Williams needs to play these games. I would have TOL ahead of Williams for Leinster and Ulster if Murray doesn't make it.

John Ryan has barely featured at all this season, only getting 10 minute cameos at best. I'd like to see him get a start. Sherry too could do with a game.

This is a pretty important game to secure a home Rabo semi.

Can't see John Ryan starting tbh, Archer might.

You think it's time for Wallace to start? I can the reasoning with the Leinster game coming up but I'd nearly prefer to see him get 30 minutes at the end again.

I think LOD should start on the wing.

Hope Nagle starts and Keatley has to start.

ed7890 · 21-03-2012 05:37PM

I'd love to see Ryan start at LH with Archer at TH, Sherry in at hooker, see how they get on.

CatFromHue · 21-03-2012 08:15PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

However this season this fixture falls before two huge games in Munster's season, the Leinster derby and the HEC QF, so I fancy a pretty strong side will be sent from those available.

This is a pretty important game to secure a home Rabo semi.

The more I look at this game the more it's in the must win category for Munster. Losing this and then the Leinster game becomes a must win. Losing both would put Munster in a bad position in the league, more than likely out of the top 4.

Considering Holland is usually ahead of Nagle I'd expect Nagle to be benching it this time around too.

Flincher · 21-03-2012 08:27PM

Hopefully McGahan picks as close to a full team as he can. The loss against Aironi drops us back into the pool of teams fighting for the playoffs. Still, a home-semi is in our hands.

I think the gap between Murphy and O'Dea is shrinking, and I definitely wouldn't have any complaints if O'Dea started. He has been really impressive in his appearances.

Zzippy · 22-03-2012 02:24PM

Can't wait for this one. Anyone know who's refereeing? At least with DOC not playing the breakdown should (hopefully) be a lot tidier, he destroyed our ruck ball in Thomond at Christmas and should have been binned about 40 minutes before he eventually did see yellow. Naoupu has broken his hand in training so looks like Muldoon at 8 and Kearney at 6, NOC still injured too.

According to Advertiser likely team is:
Wilko, Flavin, Loughney
Swift, McCarthy
Kearney, Ofisa, Muldoon
Murphy, Nikora
Griffin/Tonetti, Fa'afili
O'Halloran, Vainikolo
Duffy

f1dan · 22-03-2012 02:57PM

Zzippy wrote: »

Anyone know who's refereeing?

Neil Patterson from Scotland

Zzippy · 22-03-2012 03:08PM

f1dan wrote: »

Neil Patterson from Scotland

Ah sh!te....... :rolleyes:

Wexfordboy89 · 22-03-2012 03:17PM

f1dan wrote: »

Neil Patterson from Scotland

could be worse could have got an Italian the last one i saw on tv was crap

onlyrocknroll · 22-03-2012 03:32PM

CatFromHue wrote: »

The more I look at this game the more it's in the must win category for Munster. Losing this and then the Leinster game becomes a must win. Losing both would put Munster in a bad position in the league, more than likely out of the top 4.

I'd consider it an absolute must win.

If I was picking the team I'd wrap Botha in cotton wool and otherwise put the best side possible out.

Zzippy · 22-03-2012 03:39PM

The more I think about it the more I'm worried about our backrow - Naoupu and JOC missing and Mul out of position if he's played at 8. Coughlan almost singlehandedly won this game 2 years ago for Munster, he was immense that day, if he has a big day we might be in trouble.

Gonna be some atmosphere too, over 6,500 tickets sold, will be a record crowd for the Pro12 in the Sportsground (there was additional terracing for the HEC games).

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2012032282793/remaining-tickets-for-munster-clash-on-sale

Over 6,500 supporters packed out the Sportsground when Connacht faced Leinster on New Year’s Day setting a new attendance record for a League match. And with three days to go before the Munster clash internet and phone bookings have already surpassed that mark and there are now only a handful of tickets available for the Bohermore and College Rd Terraces.

onlyrocknroll · 23-03-2012 12:13PM

Munster team just announced on Twitter

Jones; Hurley, Murphy, Mafi, Zebo; Keatley, O'Leary; du Preez, Varley, Botha; Nagle, O'Driscoll, Dave O'Callaghan, Wallace, Coughlan

Replacements v Connacht: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, B Holland, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, L O'Dea

Delighted about Wally and Nagle.

Just wish we could cotton wrap Botha until the Ulster match.

CatFromHue · 23-03-2012 12:20PM

Good Munster back 3, back row, and front row. Connacht should be looking to get on top in the centres, second row, and half backs.

thomond2006 · 23-03-2012 12:29PM

Munster:
F Jones; D Hurley, J Murphy, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O'Leary;
W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; I Nagle, M O'Driscoll capt; Dave O'Callaghan, D Wallace, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, B Holland, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, L O'Dea.

Happy with that lineup, Barnes must not be fit yet so I'm happier that Murphy at centre instead of Tokula, who probably won't feature again.

DOC2.0 is playing for his place on the squad that will play Leinster & Ulster.

Connacht XV to face Munster (The Sportsground – Saturday 24th March – ko 19.45)
15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Kyle Tonetti
13 Eoin Griffin
12 Henry Fa’afili
11 Tiernan O’Halloran
10 Miah Nikora
09 Frank Murphy
01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Ethienne Reynecke
03 Ronan Loughney
04 Michael Swift
05 Mike McCarthy
06 Mick Kearney
07 Ray Ofisa
08 John Muldoon

16 Adrian Flavin
17 Finlay Bealham
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Eoin McKeon
20 Eoghan Grace
21 Paul O’Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 Dave McSharry

siltirocker · 23-03-2012 12:34PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster:
F Jones; D Hurley, J Murphy, L Mafi, S Zebo; I Keatley, T O'Leary;
W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; I Nagle, M O'Driscoll capt; Dave O'Callaghan, D Wallace, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, B Holland, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, L O'Dea.

Happy with that lineup, Barnes must not be fit yet so I'm happier that Murphy at centre instead of Tokula, who probably won't feature again.

DOC2.0 is playing for his place on the squad that will play Leinster & Ulster.

Connacht XV to face Munster (The Sportsground – Saturday 24th March – ko 19.45)
15 Gavin Duffy (C)
14 Kyle Tonetti
13 Eoin Griffin
12 Henry Fa’afili
11 Tiernan O’Halloran
10 Miah Nikora
09 Frank Murphy
01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Ethienne Reynecke
03 Ronan Loughney
04 Michael Swift
05 Mike McCarthy
06 Mick Kearney
07 Ray Ofisa
08 John Muldoon

16 Adrian Flavin
17 Finlay Bealham
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Eoin McKeon
20 Eoghan Grace
21 Paul O’Donohoe
22 Matthew Jarvis
23 Dave McSharry

Stick McSharry in there for Fa'afili and Layden on the bench and you have the ideal Connacht 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 23 jerseys for the next 2-3 years.

Zzippy · 23-03-2012 12:37PM

Eric finally engaging in a bit of rotation?

Finlay Bealham to make his first senior appearance? Is Buckley injured, he was doing ok the last few games... Rodney back in the squad too ahead of Rogers.

Tonetti on the wing too, he's not the speediest, better at centre, and prob facing Zebo who's not the slowest! Could be a mismatch there but otherwise given injuries that's as strong a team as we can muster...

CIARAN_BOYLE · 23-03-2012 12:37PM

siltirocker wrote: »

Stick McSharry in there for Fa'afili and Layden on the bench and you have the ideal Connacht 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 23 jerseys for the next 2-3 years.

Tonetti as a winger? I'm really not convinced by the idea but I suppose its worth a try.

CatFromHue · 23-03-2012 12:38PM

Interesting to see how Nikora gets on.

Fireball07 · 23-03-2012 12:45PM

onlyrocknroll wrote: »

Munster team just announced on Twitter

Jones; Hurley, Murphy, Mafi, Zebo; Keatley, O'Leary; du Preez, Varley, Botha; Nagle, O'Driscoll, Dave O'Callaghan, Wallace, Coughlan

Replacements v Connacht: M Sherry, M Horan, S Archer, B Holland, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, L O'Dea

Delighted about Wally and Nagle.

Just wish we could cotton wrap Botha until the Ulster match.

Pity LOD isn't starting and I'd love to see Hurley in the centre.

Back row looks very strong, great to see Nagle playing and that's our first-choice front row.

CatFromHue wrote: »

Good Munster back 3, back row, and front row. Connacht should be looking to get on top in the centres, second row, and half backs.

Half-backs?? TOL isn't great but I still rate him a lot higher than Murphy. And I think Keatley is better than Nikora too.

Connacht back 3 looks strong enough too.

siltirocker · 23-03-2012 12:58PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Tonetti as a winger? I'm really not convinced by the idea but I suppose its worth a try.

Tonetti's not the fastest, but his positioning and defence are immense. Word is that O'Halloran has been doing 75% of both wingers jobs. His own defensive priorities naturally but also a heavy amount of strike work which is usually left for Tuohy (savagely under-rated; always good for a try), Vainikolo or McCrea.

He has pretty much been doing their jobs for them anyway; so now the plan is to increase his attacking priorities and hand over some of his defensive ones to Tonetti whose defensive qualities notched him January's Player of the Month award.

Heard it from a coach's mouth at Area 22.

Tox56 · 23-03-2012 01:02PM

Be interested to see how Griffin goes.

its_phil · 23-03-2012 03:32PM

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Tonetti as a winger? I'm really not convinced by the idea but I suppose its worth a try.

Played most the game versus Gloucester there I think. He was okay, must be in for defensive work.

Would have preferred Henry on the wing and Tonetti at 12

Zzippy · 23-03-2012 03:51PM

its_phil wrote: »

Played most the game versus Gloucester there I think. He was okay, must be in for defensive work.

Would have preferred Henry on the wing and Tonetti at 12

Yep, and his lack of pace cost a try, if he'd been a bit quicker he would have been in in the corner. Call me old-fashioned but I like wingers to be quick. Hope he proves me wrong tomorrow!

porterbelly · 23-03-2012 03:52PM

its_phil wrote: »

Played most the game versus Gloucester there I think. He was okay, must be in for defensive work.

Would have preferred Henry on the wing and Tonetti at 12

He had an excellent game on the wing v Gloucester when he came on

Vainikolo was hitting a bit of form and notched his first try v Embra so I'm surprised he isn't involved, perhaps he's carrying a knock

Fa'afili over McSharry isn't that surprising, McSharry's form has hit a nosedive for the last couple of months, although he has been carrying a rather awkward facial injury which was very slow to heal.

its_phil · 23-03-2012 03:55PM

porterbelly wrote: »

Fa'afili over McSharry isn't that surprising, McSharry's form has hit a nosedive for the last couple of months, although he has been carrying a rather awkward facial injury which was very slow to heal.

That's why I said Tonetti. I think he's our best 12 right now. McSharry has been very poor recently, but he'll be back.

23-03-2012 03:58PM

its_phil wrote: »

That's why I said Tonetti. I think he's our best 12 right now. McSharry has been very poor recently, but he'll be back.

10. Jarvis
12. Tonetti

let Tonetti take the kicks.

a lot of problems sorted!

liam12989 · 23-03-2012 06:49PM

Whose this Bealham guy?
Anyone know anything about him?

And i think rodney has till end of season to earn a contract fr himself

irishbucsfan · 23-03-2012 06:50PM

liam12989 wrote: »

Whose this Bealham guy?
Anyone know anything about him?

And i think rodney has till end of season to earn a contract fr himself

Irish under 20 last season. Aussie originally I think? Was with Ulster briefly I think also.

porterbelly · 23-03-2012 08:00PM

liam12989 wrote: »

Whose this Bealham guy?
Anyone know anything about him?

And i think rodney has till end of season to earn a contract fr himself

He's sub academy, word is he's been given a contract for the next 2 seasons

Flincher · 23-03-2012 08:28PM

I'm a little bit worried about Johne Murphy defensively against Griffin. Johne isn't the most natural 13, and Griffin is a really intelligent player with a very good eye for a gap. If Johne gets caught out with his positioning, Connacht could get a few chances.

I'm also worried about Hurley defensively on the wing against O'Halloran. We saw against Aironi that Hurley could be exposed with chips in behind him, and O'Halloran's pace would be dangerous.

I do think Munster should have enough to win it. Hopefully Leinster can hang on this evening and we'll have a chance to open up a little bit of a gap between third. EDIT: Fitzy is giving us a helping hand in the RDS

thomond2006 · 23-03-2012 08:32PM

I'd much prefer if Hurley and Murphy's roles were reversed for this. IMO Hurley is more physical and has better handling skills while Murphy is a better kicker and has more pace.

Of course Hurley has never played at centre for Munster, so that's an important factor.

Flincher · 23-03-2012 08:42PM

I think Murphy is probably the safer call as he did a fair bit of rugby at 13 for us last season.

I'd almost swap Jones and Hurley to be honest. Hurley's best attacking play is when he is coming into the line from deep, like he did against Northampton. He doesn't offer a lot from the wing in attack. With Jones' pace, I think we'd get more from him on the wing that we would from Hurley, and I think it reduces the risk of us being exposed in defence.

wp_rathead · 24-03-2012 12:20PM

7 Hours and 25 Mins lads

cannot fécking wait

castie · 24-03-2012 03:14PM

Kick off is 3:45am for me...after that Aironi game dont know if I can put myself through a very late night for this!

PhatPiggins · 24-03-2012 03:50PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'd much prefer if Hurley and Murphy's roles were reversed for this. IMO Hurley is more physical and has better handling skills while Murphy is a better kicker and has more pace.

Of course Hurley has never played at centre for Munster, so that's an important factor.

Hurley is going to be the starting 15 come HC. To be honest I wouldn't even bother playing him in this fixture with the depth we have in back 3 players but I guess they want o keep him match fit.

I've seen a lot of this 'try Hurley in the centre' stuff and I don't agree with any of it. Grand he's got the physical requirements but he's a really good 15 and a decent winger. Turning a guy into a utility player when his natural position is in the back 3 is going to ruin him. Just ask Johne Murphy and Luke Fitzgerald.

castie · 24-03-2012 04:12PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Hurley is going to be the starting 15 come HC. To be honest I wouldn't even bother playing him in this fixture with the depth we have in back 3 players but I guess they want o keep him match fit.

I've seen a lot of this 'try Hurley in the centre' stuff and I don't agree with any of it. Grand he's got the physical requirements but he's a really good 15 and a decent winger. Turning a guy into a utility player when his natural position is in the back 3 is going to ruin him. Just ask Johne Murphy and Luke Fitzgerald.

Surely that would be Jones's spot

porterbelly · 24-03-2012 05:50PM

Serious evening for rugby in Galway. Hope we can give Munster a good fright, can't really see us winning it but I hope I'm wrong. Buzzing for this now, can't beat a home interpro in the Sportsground, atmosphere will be fantastic

COME ON CONNACHT

thomond2006 · 24-03-2012 05:54PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Hurley is going to be the starting 15 come HC. To be honest I wouldn't even bother playing him in this fixture with the depth we have in back 3 players but I guess they want o keep him match fit.

I've seen a lot of this 'try Hurley in the centre' stuff and I don't agree with any of it. Grand he's got the physical requirements but he's a really good 15 and a decent winger. Turning a guy into a utility player when his natural position is in the back 3 is going to ruin him. Just ask Johne Murphy and Luke Fitzgerald.

Jones will definitely start ahead of Hurley at fullback, unless Jones plays himself out.

PhatPiggins · 24-03-2012 07:35PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Jones will definitely start ahead of Hurley at fullback, unless Jones plays himself out.

I bet you a tenner Hurley starts at 15 against Ulster

You game?

thomond2006 · 24-03-2012 07:42PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I bet you a tenner Hurley starts at 15 against Ulster

You game?

I'm game.

seanin4711 · 24-03-2012 07:49PM

perfect night for rugby!
big george missing with busted hand
munsters back line!

hate to say it!
reality check for us connacht boys tonight!
this is the level we need to be playing at every week not in just fits and starts when the other provinces come calling!
please jesus losing bonus would be a huge one!

Fishooks12 · 24-03-2012 07:52PM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I bet you a tenner Hurley starts at 15 against Ulster

You game?

bad bet

Felix will start bar injury

Connacht v Munster 24/3/12 19:45 Live on TG4

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