The Munster Rugby Thread 24/25

[How bad boy]

Did anyone else notice how the line out seemed to improve after Scannell was subbed ?

I do think Scannell is a bit of a victim of the perception of him.

Have looked again at the Benetton lineout for that last try, the Benetton jumper is literally taking it on his outside hand, it's nowhere near straight.

Crooked lineouts don't generally seem to be called much, but because Scannell has a reputation as a shit lineout thrower, refs ping him constantly for crooked throws

 

[Barry K O Bama]

Crowley was really struggling. Jackman said it might be a groin strain.

Waste of time going to Durban without Jack. Tony Butler isn't up to the job. Probably have to play Conor Murray at OH

Edit - just read that Cossie says he hurt ribs but will be ok for QF

 

[Cormac]

I was thinking last night how the make-up of next seasons Munster team could be constructed is going to be vastly different to let's say the one that last won the HEC in 08.
The team in 08 had 11 Munster born players along with Ian Dowling, Tipoki, Mafi and Howlett. The entire bench was Munster born bar Paul Warwick.

Next seasons strongest starting team could look something like this..

1. Milne (Leinster)
2. Barron (Leinster)
3. ? (Possible NZ if rumours are true)
4. Kleyn (SA)
5. Beirne (Leinster)
6. Ahern (Munster)
7. Hodnett (Munster)
8. Coombes (Munster)
9. Casey (Munster)
10. Crowley (Munster)
11. Kilgallen/O'Brien/Smith (all Leinster)
12. Tom Farrell (Leinster)
13. Nanks (NZ)
14. Nash (Munster)
15. Abrahams (SA)

So possibly as little as 6 of the starting team could be Munster born players. Less than half.
That's a big shift for a team that in its hay day prided itself on its gaa-esque, "from the parish" and "local" identity.

The reality is though, given how the game is structured in Ireland now and the advantages that Leinster have and the sheer volume of players they are producing, transferring the best of their rest to Munster and the other Province's is the only viable way to try and stay competitive.

It is still quite sad though and just highlights how lucky we were with that generation of players in the 00's and how we might never see the likes again.

I won't lie, it does bother me but it's also a reality I've accepted and I've had to shift my attitude accordingly.

So I'm curious to know from other Munster fans on here, does this shift in identity bother you? Would ye just be happy as long as Munster are winning irregardless of the make-up of the team?

 

[Jukka]

It's necessary given what a mess Munster have made of producing playing in recent years. There's evidence that is changing, but this management team have a terrible record of actually giving minutes to very promising young players.

In the front row we're looking very light on prospects, but at least at hooker Sheehan is massively rated.

Edogbo and O'Connell could be an Irish second row in a few years, and are timed well age wise to take over from Beirne/Kleyn.

We're very well stocked at backrow, and there are very good talents coming through across the backline.

The biggest issue here is that Limerick has died on a branch. The 2006-2008 team had Horan, Flannery, Hayes and O'Connell in the front five. If Limerick was still producing forwards of that calibre life we'd be a great spot.

 

[Handy Run]

The biggest issue here is that Limerick has died on a branch. The 2006-2008 team had Horan, Flannery, Hayes and O'Connell in the front five. If Limerick was still producing forwards of that calibre life we'd be a great spot.

Thankfully we went massively into debt to finance a stadium in a small, economically backward, inaccessible city producing fock all talent.

 

[Meridian]

I was thinking last night how the make-up of next seasons Munster team could be constructed is going to be vastly different to let's say the one that last won the HEC in 08.
The team in 08 had 11 Munster born players along with Ian Dowling, Tipoki, Mafi and Howlett. The entire bench was Munster born bar Paul Warwick.

Next seasons strongest starting team could look something like this..

1. Milne (Leinster)
2. Barron (Leinster)
3. ? (Possible NZ if rumours are true)
4. Kleyn (SA)
5. Beirne (Leinster)
6. Ahern (Munster)
7. Hodnett (Munster)
8. Coombes (Munster)
9. Casey (Munster)
10. Crowley (Munster)
11. Kilgallen/O'Brien/Smith (all Leinster)
12. Tom Farrell (Leinster)
13. Nanks (NZ)
14. Nash (Munster)
15. Abrahams (SA)

So possibly as little as 6 of the starting team could be Munster born players. Less than half.
That's a big shift for a team that in its hay day prided itself on its gaa-esque, "from the parish" and "local" identity.

The reality is though, given how the game is structured in Ireland now and the advantages that Leinster have and the sheer volume of players they are producing, transferring the best of their rest to Munster and the other Province's is the only viable way to try and stay competitive.

It is still quite sad though and just highlights how lucky we were with that generation of players in the 00's and how we might never see the likes again.

I won't lie, it does bother me but it's also a reality I've accepted and I've had to shift my attitude accordingly.

So I'm curious to know from other Munster fans on here, does this shift in identity bother you? Would ye just be happy as long as Munster are winning irregardless of the make-up of the team?

I never liked GAA so that point about locals etc mean nothing to me.
Rugby is a professional sport, therefore only the best people should be on a team regardless of where they are from.
That same policy should apply to the coaches

 

[jeepers]

It's necessary given what a mess Munster have made of producing playing in recent years. There's evidence that is changing, but this management team have a terrible record of actually giving minutes to very promising young players.

We've definitely regressed on that front. They are not getting the minutes is have expected them to get at all. No offence to JOD, but seeing him consistently getting game time ahead of Gleeson and Quinn is puzzling.

 

[Barry K O Bama]

We've definitely regressed on that front. They are not getting the minutes is have expected them to get at all. No offence to JOD, but seeing him consistently getting game time ahead of Gleeson and Quinn is puzzling.

The bad start reduced the options of management.

From Xmas, games became must win.

Against Zebre, Tony Butler cost us 2 tries. Shay McCarthy cost us 2 tries v Edinburgh.

Management could not take chances. Gleeson got a start but dudn't play well.

We got 14 playets back within a week or so - that and the loans of Barron and Milne turned our season around

 

[Meridian]

We've definitely regressed on that front. They are not getting the minutes is have expected them to get at all. No offence to JOD, but seeing him consistently getting game time ahead of Gleeson and Quinn is puzzling.

JOD is just a below par player and that is his benchmark

 

[How bad boy]

We've definitely regressed on that front. They are not getting the minutes is have expected them to get at all. No offence to JOD, but seeing him consistently getting game time ahead of Gleeson and Quinn is puzzling.

I'm not so sure about that. The various injury crises of the past few years alone has forced the use of academy. Problem is it hasn't been planned because management's hand has been forced.