HEC: Munster vs Gloucester, Sat 19 Oct 6pm; Sky Sports

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 12:35AM #1

Munster:
15 Felix Jones, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Peter O'Mahony (capt), 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.

Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 James Cronin, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 James Coughlan, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Cathal Sheridan, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Denis Hurley,

Gloucester:
15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Jonny May, 10 Jonny Bentley, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Matt Cox, 5 Will James (capt), 4 Lua Lokotui, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Darren Dawiduik, 1 Dan Murphy.

Replacements: 16 Daniel George, 17 James Gibbons, 18 Yann Thomas, 19 James Hudson, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Rob Cook,

So a much changed team from Gloucester to the side that edged out Perpignan. Hard to believe Gloucester would effectively concede a match so early in the pool stages, even the King of sending the seconds Castres have put out a full side! You'd understand Gloucester not caring about this match if they had lost last week.

Some very interesting selections to say the least from Penney, with the lineout operators significantly changed with Varley in for Sherry and Ryan in the backrow giving three recognised lineout options. With Botha in for Archer who offers more in the loose, this would seem to be a selection for keeping play tight and taking on the Gloucester pack as opposed to a pack who will help to throw the ball around.

Fireball07 · 19-10-2013 12:52AM

I don't think that's our strongest available 15. I think some of the selections are a bit strange. But still...should be good enough to beat Gloucester, who have put out a weakened side.

But we cannot afford to be complacent in any way. Have to be fully professional, go out there and get the job done. We were talking getting BPs against Edinburgh, we should just secure the victory and see what happens from there.

A loss is completely unacceptable, and to be honest, if the performance isn't massively improved, I'll be really disappointed. So many sloppy mistakes last week and some really pathetic defending. If we miss as many tackles this week, we'll struggle to win, weakened Gloucester or not. You can't defend like that and expect to win games.

POM back should improve us, expecting much better performances from Kilcoyne, Ryan and particularly POC up front. I mean he is our best player, a leader, a talisman...need him to perform.

In the backs, need Keatley to step up too. And Jones, in a big big way. Very lucky to hold onto his position.

Glad that he hasn't put Hurley on the wing, Murphy has deserved a chance all along imo.

kub · 19-10-2013 10:12AM

Does anyone have any idea what sin Stander committed not to get yet another start? Munster certainly need to win this game and Stander has a history of scoring tries.

I am delighted to see Johnie Murphy getting a start.

Bogota · 19-10-2013 10:48AM

Munster should walk this one, at home and against a not even full strength Gloucester. The defeat to Edinburgh last week will be fresh in the Munster's player's mind. I can't see anything other than a comfortable win.

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 11:36AM

A win, but maybe not by the 9-10pt handicap margin.

Benny Cake · 19-10-2013 11:39AM

I'm never again making a prediction after last weeks debacle....

funtime93 · 19-10-2013 11:41AM

BP win for Munster

Howard Juneau · 19-10-2013 11:45AM

I fully expect a tight first half, but Munster to pull away in the last 20 minutes.
JJ to make a huuuuge impression when he comes on

former legend · 19-10-2013 11:49AM

funtime93 wrote: »

BP win for Munster

Agreed. Hard to know what Munster will learn from it though.

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 11:53AM

Sun coming out here after a short shower, hopefully the weather will facilitate Munster to throw it around when there's an opportunity.

19-10-2013 11:58AM

Munster 31 - 11 Gloucester

Keatley to be a machine

phog · 19-10-2013 11:59AM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Sun coming out here after a short shower, hopefully the weather will facilitate Munster to throw it around when there's an opportunity.

Doubt we'll have sun.

http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Munster/Limerick/

Anyway, it's a game we have to win and can win but after last week it should be obvious that nothing is certain in sport.

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 12:03PM

We need to keep it tight, show composure & control the game.

former legend · 19-10-2013 12:16PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Sun coming out here after a short shower, hopefully the weather will facilitate Munster to throw it around when there's an opportunity.

I'd have said throwing it around would suit Glaws more. Munster should focus on grinding them into dust up front.

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 12:19PM

former legend wrote: »

I'd have said throwing it around would suit Glaws more. Munster should focus on grinding them into dust up front.

Note the use of "when there's an opportunity".

The objective of the selection is clear alright. It's not a pack picked for mobility around the park, although perhaps the presence of Ronan would contradict that argument.

On another note, it's a blow to Archer's chance of Irish selection to get dropped. Hopefully he gets 20 minutes.

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 12:22PM

First appearance of the season for Gloucester's number 10: http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/rugby/squad/squads_gloucester_first_xv.php?player=88479&includeref=dynamic

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 01:49PM

Niall Ronan out, Sean Dougall now starts.

Well CJ is definitely in the 'impact player' doghouse!

phog · 19-10-2013 01:50PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Niall Ronan out, Sean Dougall now starts.

No surprise there, Dougall was held back from the B&I cup game last night.

irishbucsfan · 19-10-2013 01:52PM

Dougall starts?

Below: 8 posts about CJ Stander

Fireball07 · 19-10-2013 01:56PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Niall Ronan out, Sean Dougall now starts.

Well CJ is definitely in the 'impact player' doghouse!

Ronan injured?

I still think that's weird... Dougall has never shone against big teams. Why not just put POM at 7, and Coughlan at 8 even?

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 01:58PM

Gloucester prob as good as any team we've faced this season, so everyone is going to have put in a serious shift to get a result.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 02:00PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Gloucester prob as good as any team we've faced this season, so everyone is going to have put in a serious shift to get a result.

You realise this is Gloucesters B team?

So you're essentially saying they're as good as Leinster

the mind boggles

irishbucsfan · 19-10-2013 02:00PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Gloucester prob as good as any team we've faced this season, so everyone is going to have put in a serious shift to get a result.

This is Gloucester's 2nds

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 02:03PM

CJ to run in a 100m try for the bonus point in the last minute just to stick it to Penney!

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 02:05PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

This is Gloucester's 2nds

We saw what happened last week when folks took a result for granted.

Buer · 19-10-2013 02:06PM

Rightwing wrote: »

We saw what happened last week when folks took a result for granted.

So that makes this Gloucester side as strong as Leinster?

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 02:06PM

Except Edinburgh played their firsts and were at home.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 02:07PM

Rightwing wrote: »

We saw what happened last week when folks took a result for granted.

Doesn't make your statement about Gloucester being the best team we've faced this season any less ignorant

irishbucsfan · 19-10-2013 02:11PM

Rightwing wrote: »

We saw what happened last week when folks took a result for granted.

No one is taking a result for granted. But saying that Gloucester's seconds are as good as anyone you've faced this season is wrong. Not beating them would be a major embarrassment. Not even Gloucester fans are rating their own chances.

For the young guys involved, Robson and Mills are great players. Not sure if they're ready (they've played against Hanrahan before though)

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 02:16PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

No one is taking a result for granted. But saying that Gloucester's seconds are as good as anyone you've faced this season is wrong. Not beating them would be a major embarrassment. Not even Gloucester fans are rating their own chances.

For the young guys involved, Robson and Mills are great players. Not sure if they're ready (they've played against Hanrahan before though)

Sometimes chaps like these can be better and more dangerous than the ones they are replacing.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 02:20PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Sometimes chaps like these can be better and more dangerous than the ones they are replacing.

yet another climbdown from another ridiculous statement.

Looking forward to the next one

irishbucsfan · 19-10-2013 02:21PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Sometimes chaps like these can be better and more dangerous than the ones they are replacing.

Dan Robson is replacing an All Black and Ryan Mills is replacing a Lion

Buer · 19-10-2013 02:24PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Dan Robson is replacing an All Black and Ryan Mills is replacing a Lion

Which is the last thing Munster would expect. Oh yes.

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 02:25PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Dan Robson is replacing an All Black and Ryan Mills is replacing a Lion

Obviously not seen to be up to the job, or the young boys are seriously impressing. Take your pick.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 02:30PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Obviously not seen to be up to the job, or the young boys are seriously impressing. Take your pick.

dig up man

they're being rested for a big premiership game against Bath next weekend.

When have you seen these young guys playing btw?

Fireball07 · 19-10-2013 02:30PM

Buer wrote: »

Which is the last thing Munster would expect. Oh yes.

Very cunning. Maybe Cowan and Twelvetrees are just wearing masks, by the time Munster realise they're playing, it'll be too late....

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 02:31PM

ffs Gloucester clearly are conceding the game. They have a 10 who hasn't played a minute of competitive rugby this season.

irishbucsfan · 19-10-2013 02:32PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Obviously not seen to be up to the job, or the young boys are seriously impressing. Take your pick.

No, they're being rested.

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 02:39PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

No, they're being rested.

Biggest game of the season and resting players ? I'll reserve judgement on that one.

irishbucsfan · 19-10-2013 02:42PM

Rightwing wrote: »

Biggest game of the season and resting players ? I'll reserve judgement on that one.

Right ok, so what you're saying is that they dropped half their team in reaction to beating Perpignan!? :pac:

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 02:43PM

They are a derby next week at Bath, a big game in itself. They don't think they will beat Munster in Limerick anyway.

There's no way you make 11 changes to a side that won the previous week if you are targeting a win this week.

phog · 19-10-2013 02:46PM

About to head off for the game.

G'wan Munster

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 02:49PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Right ok, so what you're saying is that they dropped half their team in reaction to beating Perpignan!? :pac:

Oh dear.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 03:00PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

They are a derby next week at Bath, a big game in itself. They don't think they will beat Munster in Limerick anyway.

There's no way you make 11 changes to a side that won the previous week if you are targeting a win this week.

It's a ludicrously inaccurate statement designed to get a reaction

No one with any grasp on reality would sat that this is their first choice team

Fireball07 · 19-10-2013 03:03PM

Chances of getting tickets outside the ground?

Don't know why I leave it so late, were on ticketmaster a couple of hours ago.

Rightwing · 19-10-2013 03:05PM

Fireball07 wrote: »

Chances of getting tickets outside the ground?

Don't know why I leave it so late, were on ticketmaster a couple of hours ago.

Can't see you having any difficulty in getting them.

Looking forward to this one, nice dry sunny day.

The Lost Sheep · 19-10-2013 03:10PM

Fireball07 wrote: »

Chances of getting tickets outside the ground?

Don't know why I leave it so late, were on ticketmaster a couple of hours ago.

No problem. will be plenty of tickets around

OldRio · 19-10-2013 04:44PM

C'mon Munster. 3 out of 4 today for the provinces. Make it 4.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 04:52PM

Went for Munster -14. They fecking owe me after last week!

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience · 19-10-2013 04:54PM

Nigel Davies admitted Gloucester are resting players ahead of next week, Quinlan also noting how it is a second string side. Take note rightwing

thomond2006 · 19-10-2013 04:54PM

At the ground, good atmosphere.

HEC: Munster vs Gloucester, Sat 19 Oct 6pm; Sky Sports

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