A great big Munster thread

[profitius]

Anthony Foley is the new forwards coach.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Good appointment. He seems to have the A team well drilled.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I've just taken a trip over to MF.com to gauge the reaction to Foley's appointment and am surprised at how negative it is. The main thoughts seem to be that Foley is too inexperienced and too close to the current squad. I disagree fully.

He's earned his coaching spurs in the B&I Cup and regularly presides over Munster A teams who beat Leinster, Ulster and Connacht. With Munster needing an injection of youth, he's perfectly placed to implement these changes since he's coached many of the next generation of players. His age isn't an issue since he's older and more experienced than Leinster's current forwards coach Jono Gibbes was when Gibbes got that job. He's also roughly the same age as Richard Cockerill who's just as close to the Leicester squad that he head coaches so successfully.

 

[munstermuffin]

From a person within the Munster Rugby brand I'm delighted that Axel is in. It was always expected but as Snoop said he has earned his stripes and done so well. I believe the Cork crowd are the unhappy ones and it shows the divide. We also hope to announce an assistant coach soon too.

 

[munstermuffin]

James Coughlan has signed a new deal

 

[munstermuffin]

Zebo, Cusack and Micko all sign new deals too

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Zebo, Cusack and Micko all sign new deals too

Unless I'm mistaken, Munster/Ireland have signed up second rows Donncha O'Callaghan, Mick O'Driscoll, Ian Nagle and Dave Foley in the last three months. There's no way they're letting Paul O'Connell go anywhere either. What are the chances of Donnacha Ryan moving elsewhere since he's going to be starved of gametime?

Cusack's shite. Signing up Zebo is vital for the future because he appears to be a fine player. O'Driscoll is a very valuable squad player.

 

[coonor]

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8803.php

A four try 28-3 victory for Munster at Shaws Bridge that heralded the return yto action of Felix Jones who almost marked that milestone with a try in the opening minute after a surging run from his own 22, the full back only denied by a bad bounce
Otherwise it was a workmanlike performance whose foundation was based on a rock solid scrum and near flawless lineout.

Munster: F Jones (T Smith 51 min); S Scanlon, D Barnes, S Tuitupou, L O’Dea; D Cusack (S Deasy ht), D Williams capt (P Rowley 60 min); D Hurley (M Horan ht), M Sherry (D Fogarty ht), S Archer (J Hayes, temp & 46 min); D Foley, I Nagle; A Quinlan (B Holland 51 min), N Ronan (T O’Donnell 51 min), P O’Mahony (P Butler 51 min).

Ulster: J Smith; D McIlwhaine, D Cave, I Whitten, C Cochrane; N O’Connor, M Heaney; C Carey, J Burns, A Macklin; D Tuohy, N McComb; T Anderson, D McGuigan, A Birch. Replacements: K McCall, A Whitten, F Beacham, D Huston, P Pritchard, C Spence, R McBurney, M Allen, J Shiels.

I hear Felix Jones had a great return. Maybe he could have something to say about the Irish Fullback jersey.

 

[Peat]

Woefully weak Ulster team that. And fingers crossed Jones' injury woes are over

 

[profitius]

MM, any players signed up for next seasons academy?

I was very impressed with JJ Hanrahan the other night against England U20's. Every time he got the ball he looked very good and it was even more impressive considering Englands dominance of possession.

 

[munstermuffin]

JJ in academy already. A few lads will be approached in coming weeks I don't know who exactly but I do know they generally deal with that in mid April when they've monitored the Schools competitions and AIL.
Also just seen their about A game and must say Jones had an excellent game but Nagle and Luke O'Dea were impressive.

 

[ormond lad]

JJ in academy already. A few lads will be approached in coming weeks I don't know who exactly but I do know they generally deal with that in mid April when they've monitored the Schools competitions and AIL.
Also just seen their about A game and must say Jones had an excellent game but Nagle and Luke O'Dea were impressive.

from what ive heard munster are also looking at several of the lads who made the irish youths squad for academy or sub academy spots

 

[profitius]

How many academy places are up for grabs this year? Is it a set amount or does it depend on the quality of players out there?

 

[munstermuffin]

No set amount but obviously we have to factor in costs etc but I'd expect maybe 9/10 players will possibly be added but nothing usually decided until next month. Getting senior players contracts sorted is usually first and then it works down

 

[profitius]

9/10 would be good. A few centers would be nice.

I'd imagine Cathal O'Flaherty and Shane Buckley will be certainties to be there.

 

[profitius]

Alan Quinlan to announce retirement.

 

[durbutter]

Also Flannery is out for the rest of the season, massive blow

 

[munstermuffin]

Nothing surprising there lads Fla couldve rushed back and made last game but no point rushing the injury especially after surgery when there is a World Cup.

Quinny has been up and down to Dublin the last few weeks getting his coaching badges and I expect Munster will offer him a post maybe as A team coach or part of team

 

[munstermuffin]

Gareth O'Sullibhean is first player signed for academy lads just to update ye

 

[Logorrhea]

What about Andrew Small? Will there be a formal announcement of his Munster contract?