A great big Munster thread

[munstermuffin]

Right lads hardly news really but Douggie and ROG have all but retired it seems. Cleaned out everything from CIT base and I expect Howlett will probably be in coaching capacity next season. Don't know when there'll be an announcement and well it isn't even 100% but as good as. And well I think both deserve special praise for what they've done for us.

 

[Gavin]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11927.php

Main training centre at University of Limerick. Would imagine this is a good move.

 

[munstermuffin]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11927.php

Main training centre at University of Limerick. Would imagine this is a good move.

Well it helps us now that squad don't train in 2 seperate bases and only meet twice a week.
All administration side though will be based in Musgrave Park and I'm expecting our Academy may well be based down there

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/8666895/Dave-Rennie-Player-exodus-is-a-huge-issue

Rennie said the Chiefs were only one more injury away from being exposed in that area yet again but the franchise was knocked back by the NZRU in their bid to seek dispensation to bring former Chief Casey Laulala back from Irish giants Munster during the European off-season because of an April 1 deadline. They must instead hunt for a replacement from within New Zealand where the options are extremely limited due to injuries in the Kiwi franchises and the offshore talent drain.

I can't see how Munster would have gained from allowing this to happen. If Laulala played Super 15, he'd come back to Munster after his stint with a lot of rugby under his belt.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed Snoop and we never agreed. The only way it was viable is if we were financially well looked after

 

[munstermuffin]

Just to add Wian Du Preez going home and Botha signed 2 year deal

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

In The Sunday Times today, Peter O'Reilly is talking about the Leinster v Stade Francais game. Paul Warwick was interviewed and comfirmed that Paul O'Connell approached him about returning to Munster once Ronan O'Gara announced his retirement. Warwick is committed to joining Worcester.

 

[profitius]

Academy players have been named for next season. 9 in and 10 out.

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/11959.php

 

[Peat]

Read o planet rugby that only gives Munster one academy prop next season - true?

 

[Feicarsinn]

Yep, just Niall Horan from Shannon I'm led to believe.

 

[profitius]

Theres no panic with the props yet and I'd say they're looking at things from a long term point of view. Archer, John Ryan, Cotter, James Cronin and Kilcoyne will all be around for the next 5 years minimum. Botha is there for 2 more seasons. Munster might just want to spend an extra season examining AIL props.

The second row is a different story. They've included 3 new second rows in this squad. Thats because POC and DOC will only be around for 2 more seasons and Nagle or Foley still have not established themselves.

 

[Groundhog]

We need tightheads. A lot of depth at loosehead. I have heard a lot of good things about Cotter in particular

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads there'll be few props in sub academy which is announced mid June

 

[big ginger 8]

PO'C planning on sticking around until the WC.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/lions-2013-paul-oconnell-932356-May2013/?utm_source=facebook_short

 

[Groundhog]

PO'C planning on sticking around until the WC.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/lions-2013-paul-oconnell-932356-May2013/?utm_source=facebook_short

Fair play to him. As long as his injury doesn't end his career for him, I don't see why not. Even having a leader like him in the squad for the next few years is a huge boost.

 

[Munster13]

Itll be interesting to see how many other props will join the Ireland academy squad, but there are a number of good second rows in the academy, Madigan looks really good and so does O'Shea, but dont forget, Nagle is a good player, but so is Dave O'Callaghan, he will be a really good second row for us, all he has to do is get bigger, and that is what he, CJ and Butler have been and will continue to do this summer

 

[Gavin]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/12108.php#.UfjqQI1MTpU

New captain in O'Mahony

 

[lynam1104]

It seems like the right choice obviously hes been seen as captain material and will be around for the long term.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yep great call and was only realistic name when Paulie asked not to be considered. Excellent too as he was always a captain in making and for first year of 2 he will have Paulie for help. Although he's no stranger having done the gig a few times already and captained Ireland in summer.
The lads now on a 2 day bonding around Munster and have 2 days (in various teams) to go to certain locations get pictures but also bum lifts, food and shelter between start point and Youghal. Great idea really

 

[Amiga500]

Terrible call. The man is a clown - aptly showed when he "captained" Ireland against Canada.

If the referee was anyone but Leighton Hodges, Ruck Inspector in Chief with Portfolio of being a Faux Hardman would have got the line.


Coughlan would have been a better bet. It'd at least give the kid a year or two to grow up. Or for someone else more mature in personality to emerge.