Edinburgh v Munster HC

First topic message reminder :

 Is this the non event of the weekend? Are there any Munster posters here? Can Edinburgh put up any sort of contest? Why is the sky blue?

Only injury concern for Munster is POM with the "alleged" concussion last weekend.....

Munster team and Edinburgh team below...Butler on instead of POM who is ruled out...

Munster:  Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Donncha Ryan, Paul O’Connell Capt.; Paddy Butler, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan. Replacements: Damien Varley, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Denis Hurley.

15 Cuthbert
14 Fife
13 De Luca
12 Scott
11 Visser
10 Leonard
9 Laidlaw CAPTAIN
1 Dickinson
2 Ford
3 Nel
4 Gilchrist
5 Cox
6 Basilaia
7 Du Preez
8 Denton

Embra subs – 16 Lutui 17 Blaauw 18 Cross 19 Atkins 20 Grant 21 Kennedy 22 Dominguez 23 Hidalgo-Clyne

Short answer is they were picked...

Based on a couple of cameos last year and this year Stander hasn't done a whole deal to justify selection over those. I wouldn't exactly say he is X amount better than Butler for example....

Someone got the actual team sheet?

ME-109 wrote:Short answer is they were picked...

Based on a couple of cameos last year and this year Stander hasn't done a whole deal to justify selection over those. I wouldn't exactly say he is X amount better than Butler for example....

Where x = 500% No. I wouldn't say that either. True enough.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Someone got the actual team sheet?

Team at the top of the page (about 3 posts up) Same team as last week bar Murray starting and Butler in for O'Mahony

But what has Butler and Ronan done to be picked ahead? They haven't played a whole lot of rugby themselves. Stander has been good in his cameos and has scored plenty of tries.

I can't see Munster being able to hold onto him once his contract is up at the end of this season.

Strong Munster team - I'm not overly looking forward to Earls and Zebo running our aimless kicks back at us!

Lineout will get a stern test too - gonna be a big challenge for Edinburgh. Let's hope our set piece is as good as it has been all season, as it has actually been pretty decent.

A reminder of the team

Munster: Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Donncha Ryan, Paul O’Connell Capt.; Paddy Butler, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan.

Replacements: Damien Varley, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Denis Hurley.


Murray being back will add a new dimension to Munsters attack play. The backrow looks lightweight in terms of physicality but are suited to an open game.

Btw, only 1 non Irish player starting for Munster!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:But what has Butler and Ronan done to be picked ahead? They haven't played a whole lot of rugby themselves. Stander has been good in his cameos and has scored plenty of tries.

I can't see Munster being able to hold onto him once his contract is up at the end of this season.

So far this year all three have played the same amount. Ronan is a recognised openside and Penney obviously prefers to play one. The only change I could have seen was with POM at 7. Butler has been prominent as well this year so far and clearly Penney is seeing something else in training. Must admit myself that it wouldn't have meant a whole lot if CJ was picked over Butler or whatever but I don't see anything too strange in the call. The only other option was CJ at No.8 and given Coughlan was outstanding again last week he will have a battle on his hands to take that spot. Its up to CJ to be consistent and worthy of a starting place, like I said outside of cameos that is all we have seen so far. It is also clear that the first choice back row is POM, TOD and Coughlan. If he leaves next year so be it that is his choice I guess.

It is strange not seeing Stander get more of a run though. He was seriously rated in SA and even Biltong made a thread about him on here. You have to trust your coach though. I wouldn't mind Ulster taking a chance on him if he wants to move on from Munster but its really early days and lets not forget TOD has looked a serious takent which maybe he wasnt quite showing when stander was signed initially. Was he signed on a 2 year or 3 year deal?

Standulstermen wrote:It is strange not seeing Stander get more of a run though. He was seriously rated in SA and even Biltong made a thread about him on here. You have to trust your coach though. I wouldn't mind Ulster taking a chance on him if he wants to move on from Munster but its really early days and lets not forget TOD has looked a serious takent which maybe he wasnt quite showing when stander was signed initially. Was he signed on a 2 year or 3 year deal?

Apparently his deal is up this year according to LFan4life. Sin É would know better. My guess is that he is in to replace Coughlan eventually but again that doesn't look likely this year. I agree it is funny that Stander isn't getting more outings but considering the injury last year and he was fairly tubby after that then I think there is still an unknown about him (despite his obvious potential).

CJ signed for 2 years (with an option on a 3rd I think).

If he wasn't happy in Limerick its highly unlikely that his old team mate van den Heever would be coming to Munster in similar circumstances.

CJ's wife is a swimmer and she is now training with the Irish squad in the High Performance Unit in Limerick. Not many places you can go that would have facilities at your doorstep like that (50 metre pool in UL and kiwi coach) so I can't see them rushing away if only for that reason.

RDW_Scotland wrote:
I’m wondering what kind of crowd we’ll get on Saturday.  Given that we’ve had a rubbish start to the season and the game is on a Saturday afternoon – probably the least popular time with Edinburgh fans (club rugby games on, people doing other things) – I think 5k would probably be a decent turnout.  Can’t see us getting much more unless there is a big Munster travelling support.

My guess is that Munster will outnumber Edinburgh fans! munster rarely have less than 5k for games in uk and given that its Edinburgh on sat I'd imagine this weekend will be no different!

Really annoyed to see butler start ahead of cj who in my opinion has not had one bad game that he has played and has a bag full of tries to boot.

Jeez BM he has two tries against Zebre and Butler has one...not exactly a bag full

Butler was poor in his last game for Munster. He has talent but he needs to show something. DOC2 would have been my choice.

ME-109 wrote: Is this the non event of the weekend? Are there any Munster posters here? Can Edinburgh put up any sort of contest? Why is the sky blue?

Only injury concern for Munster is POM with the "alleged" concussion last weekend.....

Munster team below...Butler on instead of POM who is ruled out...

Munster:  Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Donncha Ryan, Paul O’Connell Capt.; Paddy Butler, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan. Replacements: Damien Varley, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Denis Hurley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering

Munster have to be on a 5 pointer here. With a fairly handy game to come next week in Thomond and then back to backs against a French team who are only in the comp because Toulon won the Heino.

Home qf in their sleep.

Anyone on here going tomorrow?

Edinburgh Rugby team v Munster:

15 Cuthbert
14 Fife
13 De Luca
12 Scott
11 Visser
10 Leonard
9 Laidlaw CAPTAIN
1 Dickinson
2 Ford
3 Nel
4 Gilchrist
5 Cox
6 Basilaia
7 Du Preez
8 Denton

Embra subs – 16 Lutui 17 Blaauw 18 Cross 19 Atkins 20 Grant 21 Kennedy 22 Dominguez 23 Hidalgo-Clyne

Pretty much as expected - didn't realise Tonks was injured.

Also, thought Du Preez was a 6/8 yet he's playing 7 for us?

Ohter than scrum half our backs subs are fairly uninspiring - 2 scrum halfs and an Argentinian centre who is on a trial!

Tell you what that’s a fairly hefty Edinburgh back row –

6 Basalaia – 6ft3, 17.5 st
7 Du Preez – 6ft 4, 17 st
8 Denton – 6ft 5, 18 st

How does the Munster backrow compare?

Munster:
5. Felix Jones, 14. Keith Earls, 13. Casey Laulala, 12. James Downey, 11. Simon Zebo, 10. Ian Keatley, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Dave Kilcoyne, 2. Mike Sherry, 3. Stephen Archer, 4. Donnacha Ryan, 5. Paul O'Connell (capt), 6. Paddy Butler, 7. Niall Ronan, 8. James Coughlan,
16. Damien Varley, 17. James Cronin, 18. BJ Botha, 19. Donncha O'Callaghan, 20. CJ Stander, 21. Duncan Williams, 22. JJ Hanrahan, 23. Denis Hurley,

RDW_Scotland wrote:Tell you what that’s a fairly hefty Edinburgh back row –

6 Basalaia – 6ft3, 17.5 st
7 Du Preez – 6ft 4, 17 st
8 Denton – 6ft 5, 18 st

How does the Munster backrow compare?

6 Butler - 6ft3, 16.5st
7 Ronan - 6ft1, 16st
8 Coughlan - 6ft3, 17st


So smaller - but quicker perhaps.

Mickado wrote:

ME-109 wrote: Is this the non event of the weekend? Are there any Munster posters here? Can Edinburgh put up any sort of contest? Why is the sky blue?

Only injury concern for Munster is POM with the "alleged" concussion last weekend.....

Munster team below...Butler on instead of POM who is ruled out...

Munster:  Felix Jones; Keith Earls, Casey Laulala, James Downey, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, Stephen Archer; Donncha Ryan, Paul O’Connell Capt.; Paddy Butler, Niall Ronan, James Coughlan. Replacements: Damien Varley, James Cronin, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, CJ Stander, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Denis Hurley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering

Why thank you...

VietGwentRevisited wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Tell you what that’s a fairly hefty Edinburgh back row –

6 Basalaia – 6ft3, 17.5 st
7 Du Preez – 6ft 4, 17 st
8 Denton – 6ft 5, 18 st

How does the Munster backrow compare?

6 Butler - 6ft3, 16.5st
7 Ronan - 6ft1, 16st
8 Coughlan - 6ft3, 17st


So smaller - but quicker perhaps.

Quicker, more aggressive, better contact skills and better ball handling too most likely!

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Munster have to be on a 5 pointer here. With a fairly handy game to come next week in Thomond and then back to backs against a French team who are only in the comp because Toulon won the Heino.

Home qf in their sleep.

This is exactly why it is possible that we will lose in one of those games where a comedy of errors gives it to the opposition ...I,e Racing last year.

If Du Preez hits the ground running then You'll be impressed by him

I think edinburgh may be looking at playing a bit of 10 man rugby here. Out backrow, and cox, will be effective ball carriers. Keep it tight, attack around the fringes of the rucks with these big ball carriers and look to bring Visser and matt Scott to change the angle of attack when the Munster defense has been drawn in tight?

I dunno. Just saying!

Yeah but is he a 7 tattie?

Just got a ticket for my birthday, I feel like I've been conned

Tramptastic wrote:Just got a ticket for my birthday, I feel like I've been conned

Lucky you!!!!!

nah RDW, he is a 6/8 not an out and out 7.

Yes we all like a 7 to go fetching and distrupting but I think with the backrow we have available then our aim may be to keep possesion so you dont "need" a fetcher!

I'm trying to be optimistic here that it means we are not going to be kicking and chasing all day!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Tell you what that’s a fairly hefty Edinburgh back row –

6 Basalaia – 6ft3, 17.5 st
7 Du Preez – 6ft 4, 17 st
8 Denton – 6ft 5, 18 st

How does the Munster backrow compare?

Munster will try to play the game at pace.

Have they been playing that backrow in their previous games?

Basalaia and Denton have played most games this season in those positions - Du Preez only arrived in the country just over a week ago!

That's about as good a team as we can field. Think we'll get demolished at the breakdown though, and Downey and Lualua are going to be very direct and physical in midfield, so there could be some excellent front foot ball for Munster.

Am abroad so will miss this one. Hoping to receive good news from afar.

I'll be there, hopefully Edinburgh put in a decent performance.

Du Preez had at least 3 Super franchises and a handful of French clubs all chasing him, so don't worry about him - he's'quality and can run all day. I am more worried about the Mad Georgian getting carded.

That's'a perfectly respectable Edinburgh team - I want them to be properly competitive and they should be. There's'no pressure on them at all and zero expectations. Ideal.

I'm starting to worry slightly. I've been watching videos of some of Munster's best wins in the HC in recent seasons (and it's still 5 hours to KO!) , and I've made a worrying observation from a Munster point of view...

The common denominator in all those games was that Peter O'Mahony played out of his skin for the full 80 minutes. He's an absolutely massive player for us, particularly in Europe. I don't think it's any disrespect to Butler to say that we're going to really miss him today. In light of his absence I really hope that we can match Edinburgh physically. I think it'll be a lot closer than some on here are expecting. Looking at the respective benches though, Munster have a very strong bench to call upon in the latter stages and that might prove decisive.

One quick note on Peter O'Mahony's non-selection: I think it's absolutely the right call not to play him. A player's health must always come first, no matter how big the game. Kudos to Penney and the medical staff on making the braver call.

Good luck to my eastern brethren. It's a decent looking pack today and it's great to see Scott back in the fray. I think that with a bit of heart you could take the Munstermen up front. The key will be controlling the ball and playing your game, not chasing their backs all day. I hope you get something out of it today, a decent couple of performances in the HC will alter how your season is perceived.
 

Cheers pip - nice to hear you say something positive about us! It won't last.....  

It'll be close, but Edinburghs recent form just means they lack a little bit of the confidence and mental strength needed to edge close games in the Heineken Cup.

I think they'll give Munster a tough enough afternoon but fall just short.

I certainly hope so notch - all the talk from the Edinburgh players has been about a siege mentality building within the squad.

I just hope we put up a good fight!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Cheers pip - nice to hear you say something positive about us! It won't last.....  

I took MrsPip to see Sunshine on Leith, loved it. I said to herself that Edinburgh photographed well and she replied, " No wonder they call it the Glasgow of the East" 

We will need Coughlan and POC to show the way. If Edinburgh get in Keatleys face they might rattle him into making mistakes. I can see us losing this as much as winning. I fully expect an attempted mugging.

Lots of Munster fans out and about!

Anyone able to send me a link?

found one!

The Refs about 10 years old !!!!

Welcome back european rugby .

Messy start from Munster

Great try from Edinburgh!

Matt Scott making himself known in the early stages!