Munster v London Irish

[Teh Mite]

Thomond Park
Limerick, Ireland
Sat Jan 22 2011
at 15:30 (local)​

 

[munstermuffin]

Big game - hope to see lads bounce back. We may be out but still alot to play for

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There's an Amlin Cup spot up for grabs. That should see both teams interested in winning the fixture despite disappointing Heineken Cup campaigns.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed with that Snoop and let's not forget ERC ranking points

 

[munstermuffin]

Ian Nagle registered and replaces Dowling in European squad - could play a part Saturday

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

That's good to hear. Hopefully Donncha O'Callaghan is punished for yet another act of gross stupidity and dropped from the squad for this game. Stick Ian Nagle in alongside Paul O'Connell with Mick O'Driscoll on the bench (or at the very least give Nagle 30 mins off the bench) and have Donnacha Ryan replace James Coughlan at blindside flanker.

 

[durbutter]

Still cannot see why we were playing Coughlan at 6 and Leamy at 8. Maybe orders from above.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If Tony McGahan is playing Denis Leamy at 8 at the request of Declan Kidney then he's a weak coach. I suspect he (wrongly) thinks this is his best combination. This is yet another reason to blood Paddy Butler at 8 with Denis Leamy alongside him at 6.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop I'm expecting Nagle to see the pitch at some stage and Coughlan is at 6 because Leamy has been instructed that he is an 8 and then a 6.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

No Ian Nagle. I guess he isn't old enough for Munster to pick him yet. Apparently Mafi, O'Leary, O'Driscoll and Ronan coming into the team is going to re-energise Munster. On a more positive note, Denis Hurley deserves his chance.

For the most part Munster retain the same personnel as were involved in Toulon, for Saturday's clash with London Irish (Thomond Park Stadium 3.30).

The three absentees are Donnacha Ryan who tweaked a hamstring last Sunday, Paul Warwick who suffered a heavy knock in that game and Sam Tuitupou who also strained a hamstring in training this week. While the additions are Denis Hurley who starts on the left wing and on the bench, Scott Deasy and Tom Gleeson who along with Hurley, featured in the British & Irish Cup win over Nottingham the Friday before the Toulon match, Deasy landing all of Munster's points that evening in Meadow Lane.

Munster coach Tony McGahan makes seven changes, two of those positional for Saturday's game, Johne Murphy taking over at full back from Warwick with David Wallace switching to blindside flanker in place of James Coughlan while Niall Ronan is handed the number 7 shirt.
The only other change up front sees Mick O'Driscoll preferred to Donncha O'Callaghan as lock partner for Paul O'Connell.

In the backs Lifeimi Mafi replaces Sam Tuitupou and Tomas O'Leary starts ahead of Peter Stringer on this occasion.

The recall of Hurley was fairly predictable given his current good form that has seen him named in the Ireland Wolfhounds squad. The decision by management for a 6:2 forwards backs split on the bench for the Toulon game meant Hurley missing out but ensured him a hectic weekend. He flew out with the B&I Cup side to Nottingham last Friday morning, then back to Shannon early Saturday morning to join the senior squad as cover for the flight to Marseille.

Now restored to the side his is a positive midset in the midst of the gloom surrounding Munster failure to qualify for the knock-out stages.
"Of course I understand the supporter's disappointment. We feel it just as keenly. People went to extraordinary lengths and huge expense in difficult times to support us last weekend. And you like to repay that sort of loyalty. But I think we still can.

" I'd like to see last Sunday's game, not as the ending that some people might, but as a starting point for us for the rest of the season. There's a huge game ahead of us on Saturday. There's our goal, set out at the start, to win our home games. There's our record here in Thomond Park and the possibility of a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

There's the Magners League after that so really we have a lot that we can deliver on. Let's start the process on Saturday"

Munster: J Murphy; D Howlett, K Earls, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; W du Preez, D Varley, J Hayes; M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell; D Wallace, N Ronan, D Leamy capt. Replacements: M Sherry, D Hurley, T Buckley, D O'Callaghan, J Coughlan, P Stringer, S Deasy, T Gleeson.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Is it wrong to stroke oneself when john hayes bends over for a scrum?

Is a question that strange people may ask.

Not me.

One's sexuality is not wrong.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think we maybe shouldve put Nagle on the bench but well he is with A team now. As for the team there is some good changes but well our backrow is bit tricky to call.

DOC is dropped for his discipline but it's qualify for Amlin is our main target. Then if we blood in youngsters in Amlin it will be good sign

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What do Munster have to do to get an Amlin spot?
BP Win or just win? Or even draw?

 

[lynam1104]

win I believe.

 

[Feicarsinn]

What do Munster have to do to get an Amlin spot?
BP Win or just win? Or even draw?

Take more points this week than Castres.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Why wait until the Amlin Cup to blood younger players? Munster need to inject new talent into their team now! I could be wrong but a quick glance at Munster's team shows Keith Earls as the only player under 26. By contrast with the other Irish teams, Ulster who look likely to get a HC quarter final have 5 (D'arcy, Spence, Tuohy, Ferris, Faloon) and Leinster have 6 (Fitzgerald, Sexton, Healy, Strauss, Ruddock, O'Brien). Nagle should be in the team.

 

[munstermuffin]

Johne Murphy too snoop and well on the bench we have few youngsters but in terms of what your saying I agree but also think Nagle probably needed as the A team have to win and maybe Foley had word.

But we need to match Castres result and win

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Johne Murphy too snoop and well on the bench we have few youngsters but in terms of what your saying I agree but also think Nagle probably needed as the A team have to win and maybe Foley had word.

But we need to match Castres result and win

Murphy has already turned 26.

Who cares if the As have to win? The B&I Cup is about player development in a competitive environment rather than results.

Munster are playing at home. They'll beat London Irish. They still would have beaten London Irish with Nagle in the team.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree but while I agree the B&I Cup about development we still try to win it. And yes Nagle wouldve been a fine addition it fact we wanted to drop DOC for poor discipline but can't leave him out of 23 because of IRFU and fact he is pulled next week due to Irish Squad. And it was infair to drop Micko out of squad and maybe a big ask to start Nagle from the off.
But i still expect him to contribute big time over next few months.
And I misread I thought you meant it as 26 and down but on bench we do have 4 under 26

 

[Gavin]

Ah the Munster selection never seems to get old. Perhaps this might be a final swan-song for the older players of the squad in the Heineken Cup. A final game at Thomand, along with a win in Europe, will make them sleep easier than being completely dropped after the Toulon fixture.