Ulster v Munster

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Munster: Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Ian Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley,T Buckley; M O'Driscoll, D Ryan; B Holland, N Ronan, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, S Archer, P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, T Gleeson.

Ulster: TBA

I'm slightly surprised to see Denis Hurley given a shot at fullback. Perhaps his good form on the wing has imbued him with more confidence for a move back to 15 on a temporary basis but I'd be shocked if Ulster don't rain down high balls on the Meath man.

Given so many players are unavailable, it's a strong team. The only area of weakness is the backrow which could lead to Ulster dominating the breakdown. Hopefully Duncan Williams, Peter O'Mahony and Tommy O'Donnell get significant playing time.

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Dec 31 2009, 04:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Munster: Denis Hurley; Doug Howlett, Lifeimi Mafi, Jean de Villiers, Ian Dowling; P Warwick, P Stringer; W du Preez, D Varley,T Buckley; M O'Driscoll, D Ryan; B Holland, N Ronan, J Coughlan.

Replacements: M Sherry, S Archer, P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, D Williams, S Deasy, T Gleeson.

Ulster: TBA

I'm slightly surprised to see Denis Hurley given a shot at fullback. Perhaps his good form on the wing has imbued him with more confidence for a move back to 15 on a temporary basis but I'd be shocked if Ulster don't rain down high balls on the Meath man.

Given so many players are unavailable, it's a strong team. The only area of weakness is the backrow which could lead to Ulster dominating the breakdown. Hopefully Duncan Williams, Peter O'Mahony and Tommy O'Donnell get significant playing time.[/b]

What he said.

Is Jeremy Manning injured or are they just persueing Deasy as an option?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think Manning is injured. Again. Deasy covering 10 and 15 presumably?

 

[MunsterMan]

Woohoo! Peter O'Mahony in the 22, a week after Deasy and Williams get their debuts, G'wan Cork

O'Mahony looks like the second row cover, which is interesting, he is a fantastic lineout operator (From what I remember of him in the U20's mainly), reminds me a bit of Harinodquy, a mobile #8/lineout operator type player, but doesn't have the grunt for the second row IMO.

Hurley will do fine at fullback IMO, his creative spark will be vital, and he has improved under the high ball. Confidence plays a big part, and he has plenty of it at the moment. Then again if he drops the first one it could be a long day.

I guess Nick Williams isn't fit enough to play, which was evident the way he strolled around the park last week. Terrible signing.

Hopefully we can do a '2007 on it, what a game that was, but I'm not too optimistic. Strong, strong backline, weak pack, and playing away from homel.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Dec 31 2009, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

O'Mahony looks like the second row cover[/b]

Could be but I think Billy Holland is the most likely option to come into the 2nd row. Holland has played for Munster a few times in that position (without distinction it should be said) unless I'm mistaken.

If it's tight, Munster will likely keep the starting 15 on the field for as long as possible. There's plenty of talent on the bench but is it likely to win you a game in Ravenhill?

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Dec 31 2009, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Dec 31 2009, 05:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

O'Mahony looks like the second row cover[/b]

Could be but I think Billy Holland is the most likely option to come into the 2nd row. Holland has played for Munster a few times in that position (without distinction it should be said) unless I'm mistaken.

If it's tight, Munster will likely keep the starting 15 on the field for as long as possible. There's plenty of talent on the bench but is it likely to win you a game in Ravenhill?
[/b][/quote]

Does he ever do anything with distinction? Though to be fair he does a lot of the work you can't see.But still...there's other player's I'd rather see there.

Our backrow is gonna get eaten allive by 6.Ferris 6. Pollock/Falloon/Anderson 8. Henry.

Do they still have Diack on the books?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Diack is either injured or on his way back from injury. Chris Henry has usurped him but Diack is an excellent backup 8 (good enough to start in many teams), certainly better than any backup Leinster or Munster have.

 

[feicarsinn]

Looking through that Munster team I though "oh this is a strong-ass team", and then I saw the pack. I'd expect Connacht to dominate the scrum and at the breakdown but Munster could hurt them out wide(wow never thought I'd say that). C'mon Ulster!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

ULSTER TEAM

(15-9) Jamie Smith, Andrew Trimble, Ian Whitten, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli, Ian Humphreys, Isaac Boss

(1-8) Tom Court, Nigel Brady, BJ Botha, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry (Capt)

Replacements

(16-22) Andy Kyriacou, Declan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Caldwell, T.J. Anderson, Cillian Willis, Niall O'Connor, Timoci Nagusa[/b]

Munster are slightly stronger in the outside backs, the halfbacks are relatively even, the tight five's are even but Ulster are far, far stronger in the backrow. Given the dreadful weather conditions (is it ever otherwise in Belfast?), Ulster's superiority at the breakdown should see them shade the game.

 

[cyRil]

Where's Barry Murphy gone?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Murphy is injured again. It's a shame for him because he has some talent. He's good enough to do a solid job at Heineken Cup level.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cyRil of Ospreylia @ Jan 1 2010, 09:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Where's Barry Murphy gone?[/b]

Barry Murphy was supposedly released at end of last season but they are still listing him in program squad profile pic's.

But lads how can we say Munster have better team when we playing practically a full strength Ulster team in their 'fortress' up there.
I glad we got likes of O'Mahony and Williams on bench as they could benefit massively from game-time and start the 'blooding-in' period.

And also a massive game for Coughlan at 8 as I've heard Williams knee isn't looking good for H'Cup (He can enjoy **** up now)
Although I expect now Wally will be 8 and Ronan 7.

 

[cyRil]

Considering Mafi's dip in form, would you have Murphy outside de Villiers ideally?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Keith Earls is the likely choice at 13 if McGahan decides on to drop Mafi and go with De Villiers at 12 but he's suffering a slight "sophomore slump" this season. I'd go with Earls ahead of Murphy because he offers more gamebreaking potential. Mafi offers more off the bench than Murphy will so Murphy will probably be consigned to Magners League duty when he recovers.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Mafi will be relegated to the benchfor H'Cup as Earls is our best 13 at the moment and JDV really is finally finding some form.

Also we gotta realize Barry Murphy had massive potential but injury has been cruel to him.

 

[MunsterMan]

True, although it is a good thing he isn't playing in this game, he always seems to pick up a long term injury in Raving Hell.

To be honest, I don't care about the result of this game, I just want to be entertained and the youngsters on both sides to shine.

I'd take 40-30 to Ulster way before I'd take 9-8 to Munster!

I think Duncan Williams and TpommY O'Donell are impact subs and should get a decent amount of gametime, if It's a close game I can't see O'Mahony, Archer, Sherry or Deasy getting a run without an injury as much as I'd like them to.

Jamie Smith looked good last weak the tackle on Heaslip aside, but Ulster will know Kidney is watching, Court is going to murder Buckley, our back row will be murdered with Henry and Faloon looking towards the Irish squad, Paddy Wallace wants that 12 jersey and will let De Villiers know about it, Ulster should win without too much trouble to be honest.

 

[cyRil]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Jan 1 2010, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I think Mafi will be relegated to the benchfor H'Cup as Earls is our best 13 at the moment and JDV really is finally finding some form.

Also we gotta realize Barry Murphy had massive potential but injury has been cruel to him.[/b]

I thought he was too small to play centre?

 

[feicarsinn]

I always thought Barry Murphy was kinda cack. He got a lucky try against Sale and people from the South began making him out too be the second coming of BOD or something. I'll admit injury wasn't kind to him but, meh, I never saw what some people did in him.

EDIT: Oh and before I forget, I don't think anyone said that Munster have a better team?

 

[MunsterMan]

He is quick and a lovely mazy runner, no real international potential but a very good HEC 13.

 

[cyRil]

Is that lucky try the one in Monkeypidgeon's avatar? cuz that's flipping quality!