Munster v Ospreys

[Draggs]

Munster v Ospreys
Thomond Park, Limerick
Kickoff 1900GMT

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Home advantage could swing this Munster's way but the Ospreylians have a more talented team. This could come down to whether Biggar or O'Gara is in better kicking form.

 

[Draggs]

O'Gara isn't even starting.
This is a good Ospreys side out, and I can see it being a very close match.
I think the Ospreys definitely could win it, but it comes down to what team shows up.

 

[durbutter]

Good few players missing for Munster. We'll really have to target the set piece, try and starve O's of possession.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No Cai Griffiths
S4C are showing this after the Dragons match,
Got to drive back to Aber tonight, hopefully make it back in time for this

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Great backline from the Ospreys, although it's hwther or not the pack can front up that will decide the match.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

We'll really have to target the set piece, try and starve O's of possession.

With Horan and Hayes at prop I can't see Munster getting parity in the scrum. If Munster win more than 70% of their lineout ball with Fogarty throwing in, I'll be quite surprised. Munster need strong 30 minute shifts from Du Preez, Varley and Buckley to get parity up front in my opinion.

I don't know why I thought O'Gara was starting. The same hold true for Warwick though. In fact O'Gara tends to phone in his performances in the ML so starting Warwick may be better for Munster. Warwick can't control a game as well as ROG but he can be more of a running threat.

 

[cyRil]

With Horan and Hayes at prop I can't see Munster getting parity in the scrum. If Munster win more than 70% of their lineout ball with Fogarty throwing in, I'll be quite surprised. Munster need strong 30 minute shifts from Du Preez, Varley and Buckley to get parity up front in my opinion.

You seriously overestimate our pack.

 

[Draggs]

You seriously overestimate our pack.

Adam is on the bench, we will see when he gets on.

Looking forward to getting Hook back, this is the third centre change in three matches.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Not really. This O's front row is quite poor but Munster have two clapped out props and a hooker who can't throw straight in the 1 to 3 shirts. Add to that a glorified flanker playing openside and a still good but ageing blindside flanker (Quinlan can play for 40-50 minutes but may not have the stamina for 80 any more) and Munster's pack is nowhere near as good as it was. Du Preez, Varley (or Flannery), Buckley, O'Connell and Wallace will improve their options up front massively. In short, the O's pack is average but Holah and Collins provide enough spark to get the better of Munster's 8.

 

[Dai26]

Ospreys cant win this playing like they have the last two games, We've made too many simple mistakes. Glad to see Cai Griffiths dropped finally and hope we dont have to see him again in an Ospreys shirt! Am i missing something because i cant think of a reason not to include Ryan Jones in the squad instead of Lewis. I have a horrible feeling this could be a very frustrating games for the Ospreys, with some good chances but an inability to finish them.

 

[Draggs]

Ospreys cant win this playing like they have the last two games, We've made too many simple mistakes. Glad to see Cai Griffiths dropped finally and hope we dont have to see him again in an Ospreys shirt! Am i missing something because i cant think of a reason not to include Ryan Jones in the squad instead of Lewis. I have a horrible feeling this could be a very frustrating games for the Ospreys, with some good chances but an inability to finish them.

Ryan is out injured still.
Picked up a knock against the AB's this June.
Ospreys have some notably cringe-worthy performances, but also some truly fantastic ones.

Welcome to the forum, by the way!

 

[TRF_Cymro]

You seriously overestimate our pack.

Craig Mitchell is not a bad player, rate him more than Griffiths!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not a bad match so far, Bowe's bossing at 13
Fitzgerald/Bowe Irelands next centre partnership?

Where's Warwick shifted to? Wing or FB?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Think Ospreys have a right to be ****** off with the yellow card Holah got because Munster all night have nit been releasing the tackle ... FACT!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

As expected, Munster's scrum improves when they replace the three starters. It's not powerful by any means but it's at least relatively solid (ie not going backwards at a rate of knots) on it's own ball. The home team are good value for their lead.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair play to Munster for taking the points whenever they can get them, Ospreys discipline has been pretty poor in their own half.
Making for pretty boring viewing though

 

[durbutter]

What an awful match. Munster were less bad than the O's.

Really hope Felix is ok though.....

 

[cyRil]

Rubbish game. We were awful. Never a threat. Knew it would happen, no matter how often we play Munster it never seems to click with our ******* coaches that we can't commit 2 forwards to a ruck and hope to retain the ball when you're playing MUNSTER in IRELAND. Bunch of ******* losers.

 

[Dai26]

Well that was horrible. While I would debate some of the decisions, there is no denying that munster won it because they cared more. Ospreys looked lacklustre in all facets of play. They fell off far too many first up tackles and were bullied at the breakdown. Hartening at least to get the second try but the players need to start justifying their price tags soon or the crowds at the liberty are going to be awful.

Alun-wyn jones was very honest in his interview and looks like he will make a very good skipper. He mentioned the inefficiency at recycling possession, but this was more a matter of poor positional play by many of the forwards. At many of the rucks at which they were turned over there were 3 or 4 forwards standing in the centre of the pitch. No one can expect centres and wings to recycle good ball against munster!!