Racing Metro v Munster; Heineken Cup Round 1

First topic message reminder :

This should be an interesting match. Munster and Racing have both lost two matches in a row although it is fair to say that Munster probably look the stronger team.

I'm not sure we are likely to see massive change from a Munster point of view although personally I would love to welcome Keatley and Downey to the starting team.

Possible Racing Metro Team:

01 Eddy Ben Arous
02 Dimitri Szarzewski
03 Luc Ducalcon
04 Karim Ghezal
05 Francois van der Merwe
06 Antoine Battut
07 Bernard le Roux
08 Jacques Cronje
09 Maxime Machenaud
10 Ollie Barkley
11 Julien Saubade
12 Fabrice Estebanez
13 Mirco Bergamasco
14 Sereli Bobo
15 Benjamin Fall

16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Fabrice Metz, 19 Masinivanua Matadigo, 20 Sebastien Descons, 21 Mathieu Belie, 22 Alexandre Dumoulin, 23 Salemane Sa

Preferred Munster Team:

01 Wian du Preez
02 Mike Sherry
03 BJ Botha
04 Donnacha O'Callaghan
05 Donnacha Ryan
06 Dave O'Callaghan
07 Sean Dougall
08 Peter O'Mahony
09 Conor Murray
10 Ian Keatley
11 Simon Zebo
12 James Downey
13 Casey Laulala
14 Doug Howlett
15 Keith Earls

16 Damien Varley, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Paul O'Connell, 20 Paddy Butler, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Denis Hurley

Racing have a serious amount of injuries (Wisniewski, Dambielle, Steyn) as well as having to deal with their Argentines out in the Rugby Championship - they may or may not be back but it would seem bizzare to chuck them straight in. This might be a good chance for Barkley to make his first start. The front row is very very strong and definitely my biggest worry. I am very glad that Sebastian Chabal and Leo Nallet have left the club - those big bulky lads in the engine room would make mince meat of our front five.

From a Munster point of view another concern is the 10-12 axis and who we pick. I think Ian Keatley is a must in this team and both Earls and Laulala appear to have played better when paired with the physical Downey.

If we pick the right team then I do think we are capable of getting an all important away win. However by the same token Racing have strong centres, some big South African forwards and a good scrum. They may be missing Frans Steyn and Juan Hernandez but Olly Barkely is well able to kick the penalties.

With Munsters backs coach, Simon Mannix, being the former Racing Metro backs coach this makes things very interesting.

NOTE: Those teams are speculation. I will update with proper teams once announced.

Try from the scrum.. Great work Munster

Oh dear very poor from Munster.

Conor Murray should've been yellowed for that.

How on earth did the referee miss that?

For a team that can look so tough one minute, Munster also have a self destruct button.

Munster exceptionally lucky to have 15 men still on the field!

That knock-on over the try line might be crucial.

C'mon Munster, focus that aggression...

They have been the architects of their own downfall in the last 15 minutes. They need to get back to doing what they were doing for the first 20. Half time couldn't have come at a better time for Munster, gives them a chance to re group.

Munster trailing at half-time and the frustrating thing is Racing haven't had to play well to get that lead. Just capitalise on stupid errors.

Talk about losing the plot. From dropping the ball over the line to gifting Racing 7 pts its been a calamitous ending to the half.

Hopefully Munster can refocus at half time. They can win this one, and they know they can.

Saracens 16-0 up against Edinburgh in the other match in this pool.

What did Murry do ? I have only just got in from work and I am getting ready for the second half.

A cynical tackle 5m from own try-line.
YC indeed.

Oh well, if you can get away with it then there nothing wrong, Munster have had it against them in the past, hand of Back, I thought he tried to hurt some one they way people are going on about it on here.

This is a terrible match now, really dour.

That should have been another yellow card for Murray for the block there on the Racing full back.

Murray

Conor Murrays second yellow card offence of the game. Again he gets away with it!

Murry needs a brain transplant, he is going to cost Munster being an @rse like this, he might look like Mike Phillips, but he is not as crafty as him.

To be fair munster should have had a penalty try. These things even themselves out.

Thankfully Varley is off. Also Murray is another limerick dope. Can someone tell me if Downey is playing...the great white hope of Irish inside centres...

I suspect that I will get some abuse form a few Munster fans for this, but Paul O'Connell looks a shadow of the player who captained the Lions in 2009 and I think may be a spent force at this level now.

Oh and Keatley clearly should be starting instead of ROG....even the french commentators were commenting on how RM had a great chance now that ROG was off.

How many games has POC played before this match? (genuine question).

DOD, I think you're confused. The centre you speak of is JJ Hanrahan not Downey .

Scrum in the racing half... About time to patiently slip through the phases and apply the pressure.. Munster are the better team...

Awful conditions

Ozzy3213 wrote:Great intensity from Munster, as you say maesteg, looks like the Munster of old.

He's played 60 minutes of his first match in 6 months and its terrible conditions to be make your first match in that time in, wouldn't read too much into it yet

O'Connell is clearly not fit...he was excellent for the first 20 - 30 mins.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I suspect that I will get some abuse form a few Munster fans for this, but Paul O'Connell looks a shadow of the player who captained the Lions in 2009 and I think may be a spent force at this level now.

Don't you think thats a bit harsh considering this is the very first rugby he's played in six months? He's been rushed back for this one to a certain extent.

Terrible game.

At least Dave Kilcoyne is playing well at loosehead...

Terrible match...terrible conditions more like its a mudbath

Look, I fully take on board that he has been out for a while and may not be up to match speed and perhaps it is a bit early for me to make that judgement. However, I don't see from him the steely eyed intensity that he once had, or the ability to lead and inspire others, which were two of the major facets of his game.

I stand to be proved wrong in time, but I think we have seen the best of Paul O'Connell and he is now on the downward slope in his career.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Look, I fully take on board that he has been out for a while and may not be up to match speed and perhaps it is a bit early for me to make that judgement. However, I don't see from him the steely eyed intensity that he once had, or the ability to lead and inspire others, which were two of the major facets of his game.

I stand to be proved wrong in time, but I think we have seen the best of Paul O'Connell and he is now on the downward slope in his career.

Yawn

Excellent mature response DOD.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Excellent mature response DOD.

Yawn *2

Ozzy3213 wrote:Excellent mature response DOD.

I wouldn't expect much more from DOD mate. Most of his posts are of the same quality..

Though I do think O'Connell was playing some of his best rugby last season before his injury.

Just taken a quick peek at this game as the other is a formality now with Sarries getting a TBP!!

Lord that pitch in Paris looks heavy. The skill levels looked poor as well. Is it the conditions hindering the players or a lack of ambition that has you all moaning about the game (and even yawning )

The kicking from Munster since O'Gara went off has been nothing short of schoolboyish

CMON MUNSTER SHUT THIS DOWN!!

ZEEEEBBBOOOOO!

What a try. This is what happens when he runs the ball back.

Great wheels from Zebo for the try there.

ZEBO! Class try. Go on Keats. Get your team out of jail!

AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

17-16 to Munster

Great try well done munster

Zebo silences his critics. Hes played well all game

Conor Murray.

He is not having a good game.

Oh dear Conor Murray what are you at....

Murray/Varley.....two dumb f...s from Limerick...

Incredibly unimpressed with Murray today. Paul Marshall has him under pressure. And I don't even rate Marshall as much as some others do.