Will Chambers Arrives at Munster

Queensland Reds centre/winger Will Chambers arrived in Cork Airport today and is ready to start playing for Munster.

He had apparently flown out to Edinburgh about 2 weeks ago to meet the team when they played there.

"I'm pretty excited to be over here." he continued. "It's a very prestigious club and when I was presented with the opportunity to come over I took it with both hands. Most footy players dream of playing with a club like Munster, pulling on that red jersey and it's something I'm looking forward to. To actually be over here now and getting in and mingling and meeting all the boys is something I'm very excited about."

"I did a bit of research and spoke to a few people and they made me aware it's one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. How the whole place is set up. How crazy the fans are!. Oh I know they love their footy over here, I know the fans get right behind them and I know it's something I'm looking forward to."

How do people think he'll do in his short time here. Will he play in the high profile games and if so in what position?

I've heard very little of him.. what position do you see him filling in stag? Would he get in the starting lineup?

Hi Rory, I suspect Munster will play him at 13 ahead of Danny Barnes. If he is to play I think there are 3 different options that we have:

1 - Play him at 12 ahead of Mafi

2 - Play him at 13 ahead of Barnes.

3 - Play him at 11 instead of Earls who plays fullback (don't forget that Jones is injured).

Personally I think Munster will pick him at 13. I'd prefer to see him at 12.

When will Jones be back? Hope he can remain injury free when he returns, I think he is outstanding and has massive potential on the international stage.

I agree with you. I think that a Munster backline of:

09 Conor Murray

10 Ian Keatley

11 Keith Earls

12 Will Chambers

13 Danny Barnes

14 Doug Howlett

15 Felix Jones

21 Tomas O'Leary

22 Ronan O'Gara

23 Johne Murphy

is a set of backs capable of doing very well.

Oh and Jones should be back in about 4 weeks

That is a very strong backline you have. I think most of the Irish backline over the next few years will consist of munster players. Good to hear about Jones returning soon.

BTW Rory,

I see on another thread you asked what I saw the Munster starting team as being:

I think in a lot of position it is very hard to call. To me Munster have a squad all of whom are around the same level. Here are two Munster XVs that aren't all that much different in ability.

Horan, Varley, Archer

O'Callaghan, O'Connell

O'Mahony, Coughlan, Ronan

Murray, O'Gara

Chambers, Gleeson

Earls, Jones, Howlett

or else

du Preez, Sherry, Botha

Nagle, M.O'Driscoll

Ryan, Leamy, Wallace

O'Leary, Keatley

Mafi, Barnes

Zebo, Murphy, D.Hurley

Very hard to call. Its a reason Munster have done so well in recent Celtic Leagues.

Whats the story with Jones,is he just extremely unlucky or is he one of the unfortunate people who have the talent but their bodies just can't stand up to the rigours of professional sport?

I think all his injuries have been impact injuries so that would seem to suggest he's just been unlucky rather than say the problems Flannery is having lately.

I thought Ulster/Leinster had the better strength in depth over Munster, but I am starting to disagree for sure, some of the Munster players really have caught my eye. POM, Keatley, Murray and Jones especially.

seams like a big strong Center/wing.

can see him being used at 12 as a Jamie Roberts style crash ball center.
will keep teams guessing.
Will Munster use the center crash ball to tie in defenders in the centre and them pass it out to the deadly wings of Earls and Howlett

I think Jones is just unlucky but who knows. Rory - Munster definitely have the best depth IMO - but we lack the standout players that Leinster or maybe even Ulster have.

I'd say Munster have a squad who should be coasting playoffs in the Pro 12. But we might struggle in Europe unless we get home draws.

I'm not sure Leinster have as good standout players as I previously thought.. when the veterans like BOD, D'Arcy, Horgan etc leave I'm not sure their replacements are just as talented. The backrow which I thought was Leinster's strength was poor while the internationals were away, and people had been rating Ruddock, Ryan and McLaughlin very highly up until that point.

Thats very true. I have to say I'm happy enough for Munster future:

Sherry, Archer, Nagle, O'Mahony, Murray, Keatley, Zebo, Barnes, Earls, Jones.

Thats a young spine I'm very happy with.

Also two youngsters who I think we be amazing are JJ Hanrahan and Greg O'Shea (he's only 16 but for me has the talent - Back 3 player). Hanrahan is still very young only a teenager and has always impressed me. O'Shea scored a brace in the Munster Schools Cup final last year and I watched him turn in a super performance in Munster U18 v Ulster U18 getting the winning try.

Both look good. However the game is still won and lost up front and theres where we may struggle. Im hoping BJ Bothas influence will rub off.

Well up front there seems to be good leadership under POM, he shows great passion and commitment to the team. Add POC to the mix and the other internationals and I think you have one of the best packs in Europe. The front row I think will do fine with Botha, he was great for Ulster.

Will be interesting to see how POM does against O'Brien and co. for Leinster.

I think we have one of the weakest packes in Europe. I really hope that when Chamber leaves we forget about signing a centre and bring in an international class backrow - somebody like Rocky Elsom was for Leinster. IMO our pack is extremely not all that good.

Really? I would have definitely disagreed there. If all players are fit and when the internationals return if you field:

1) Du Preez
2) Sherry
3) Botha/Archer
4) Ryan/DOC
5) POC
6) Leamy/Coughlan
7) Wallace/Ronan
8) O'Mahoney

That looks as good as any pack in europe as far as I'm concerned. POC is back to his best, Wallace was at his best before his injury and POM has been a revelation in my eyes. Botha is a fantastic scrummager and Sherry is a real prospect.

Just to compare to the Ulster/Leinster packs:

1) Court/McAllister
2) Best
3) Afoa
4) Muller
5) Touhy
6) Ferris
7) Faloon
8) Wannenburg

1) Healy
2) Strauss
3) Ross
4) Toner
5) Sykes
6) O'Brien
7) Jennings
8) Heaslip/Ruddock

Munster I would say is definitely the best. Heaslip is out of form, Ruddock/Dom Ryan/McLaughlin don't seem to quite cut it just yet, and the Ulster pack has been dire so far this season, but I'm sure will improve when the internationals return. Still seems to be no great opensides being developed yet, and the second rows look a little bare.

You've managed to get my hopes up Rory. Thanks a bunch. I'll remember this when we crash out of Europe

red_stag wrote:You've managed to get my hopes up Rory. Thanks a bunch. I'll remember this when we crash out of Europe

In fairness, it was the scrum that caused most problems last season. Botha should sort that one out. The fact that we had a very unsettled centre partnership with injuries and suspensions (remember Barry Murphy is gone now) also impacted.

Its a pity Wally won't be around for a while, but this might give some of the younger backrowers their chance to break through.

I had written off Munster for a bad season and Leinster/Ulster to both have great ones.. so far I seem to be wrong and watching Munster the last few matches I have seen how silly I was to write them off. Add the fact that Keatley has a fantastic boot and any team that writes off Munster would be very foolish indeed.

Sin, who do you fancy do do well this year. I had said it on antoher thread - I think Nagle has always been over rated personally (remember calls that he should be starting HEC matches). I think Dave (as opposed to Donners) O'Callaghan could have a good year.

I'd say the jury is still out on Keatley. Not too sure if he has that real tough uncompromising, mean bar stewart streak to be a top OH. Ditto for Nagle. Not half aggressive enough.

I think POM & Donncha Ryan will do well. I also think Tomas O'Leary will come back to good form, now that his injuries will be sorted. Haven't seen a lot of DOC No. 2 to comment really.

Edit: Zebo looks as if he could do well and JJ Hanrahan could be the surprise package. He seems to be well up for it. Really impressed with him in the U20s against England in the 6Ns.

Zebo should be getting more game time in my view. O'Mahoney looks like he could snag Leamy or Ryan's spot at 6 or get the number 8 jersey. Dave looked decent in preseason. Sherry will become no.1 hooker for Munster and could break into 6N squad.

Agree with all that. I'm hoping to see Shane Buckley come into the team with one or two small cameos during 6 Nations absenses.

I don't know if I'd say Munster had the best pack

1) Du Preez Court/McAllister Healy = Healy
2) Sherry Best Strauss = Best
3) Botha Afoa Ross = Botha/Afoa
4) POC, Muller, Cullen = POC
5) DOC, Touhy Skyes = 3 way tie
6) Coughlan Ferris SOB = Ferris/SOB
7) Wallace Falloon Jennings = Wallace
8) Leamy Wannenburg Heaslip = Heaslip

each Province has 4 players mentioned in the selected section. I'd say it's very tight between them when at full strength.

I think DOC, Tuohy, Sykes as a three way tie is a bit far fetched.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I had written off Munster for a bad season and Leinster/Ulster to both have great ones.. so far I seem to be wrong and watching Munster the last few matches I have seen how silly I was to write them off. Add the fact that Keatley has a fantastic boot and any team that writes off Munster would be very foolish indeed.

I don't see how Munster could have a bad season,they have a consistent level of player right through the squad,I don't know if they have enough to challenge for the Heineken but Botha and O'Mahoney if he lives up to the promise are a huge step in the right direction.

I'm worried about Leinster in the 2nd row,that team you listed was missing Cullen but it's frighteneing to think that one injury could make Toner/Sykes our second row combo for the big games.Neither have shown enough to inspire any confidence.

Ulster are still lacking depth,they're a few years behind both Leinster and Munster in developing a squad but they now have a 1st team thats strong,it'll take time to fill the squad out.

Don't know DOC hasn't been as good recently and can give away silly penelties, Sykes is a bit of and unknown yet, Tuohy started the season well but has dropped off a bit, but looks like could be good this year

red_stag wrote:I think DOC, Tuohy, Sykes as a three way tie is a bit far fetched.

Swap DOC to 4 and POC to 5.It makes more sense to me then you have Cullen,Muller and DOC in a tie.(not my opinion but it's a way that makes his post work)

Ulsters big problem is that they have great youngsters but they are also their best team. They lack depth and injury will hit them harder than most.

I stil can't figure out exactly where Chambers slots in.

Kingshu wrote:I don't know if I'd say Munster had the best pack

1) Du Preez Court/McAllister Healy = Healy
2) Sherry Best Strauss = Best
3) Botha Afoa Ross = Botha/Afoa
4) POC, Muller, Cullen = POC
5) DOC, Touhy Skyes = 3 way tie
6) Coughlan Ferris SOB = Ferris/SOB
7) Wallace Falloon Jennings = Wallace
8) Leamy Wannenburg Heaslip = Heaslip

each Province has 4 players mentioned in the selected section. I'd say it's very tight between them when at full strength.

I think Healy is still very inconsistent (to be expected at his age) with his scrummaging, though still better around the pitch. A much of a much between them all.

No. 6 would be Leamy/Ferris/SOB
No. 8 would be Coughlan, Wannenburg Heaslip and I'd pick Coughlan. Heislip has not been right since his injury last Dec.

I think Keatley is tough. Can't tell really now but I think he will surprise people in the next few seasons to come.

O'Mahoney I think should be selected ahead of either Leamy or Coughlan and should play at 8, where I think his future lies.

red_stag wrote:Ulsters big problem is that they have great youngsters but they are also their best team. They lack depth and injury will hit them harder than most.

I stil can't figure out exactly where Chambers slots in.

Sammy & Barry Murphy are gone and we've only gained Barrnes. Chambers is only on a short term contract which probably suits him as it puts him in the shop window in Europe.

Yea but in which position does he play.

12 instead of Mafi

13 instead of Barnes

14 instead of Howlett

11 instead of Earls*

*Earls can move to 15

red_stag wrote:Yea but in which position does he play.

12 instead of Mafi

13 instead of Barnes

14 instead of Howlett

11 instead of Earls*

*Earls can move to 15

I think he will play in the centre - we are very thin with centre cover. Remember last season we were down to Johne Murphy partnering Earls in the centre for a Heineken Cup game when both Sammy & Mafi were out.

So it could be 2 of Mafi/Barnes/Chambers starting and one on the bench. Simples!

Oh it will be 2 of Mafi/Barnes/Chambers I just don't know which of them.

I'd like to see a HEC Team of: Du Preez, Sherry, Botha, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Leamy, Wallace, O'Mahony, Murray, O'Gara, Earls, Chambers, Barnes, Howlett, Jones

And a Pro 12 Team of: Horan, Varley, Archer, Nagle, O'Driscoll, Ryan, Ronan, Coughlan, O'Leary, Keatley, Zebo, Mafi, Gleeson Hurley, Murphy

Reserves Team: Hurley, Fogarty, Borlase, Holland, Foley, O'Callaghan, O'Donnell, Butler, Williams, Cusack, Smith, Hanrahan, Dineen, Deasy, Scanlon

Its a good squad of 45 but I still think we need a new backrow signing though - preferrably at 7 or 6.

this is hilarious

leinster have no pack, ulster and munster have all the young stars coming through at the backs aswell, whatever will the european champions do.

with the exception of second row( and we still dont know what sykes will be like) we will have the best team and will get to a quarter final of the heineken cup at least

ulster and munster may not, so this little love in that has been going on between the lower level irish sides about how good the future is, is very nice, and you might be nearly convincing yourselves but alas i dont think you are looking at the full picture.

Munster were well and truly beaten up in the important hcup games and at home in the amlin, so much so they had to fling the ball wide at every opportunity to avoid any forward battle, botha is a good addition but the problem is deeper then that and without wally there is a chance niall ronan might have to play.

Ulster have stood still since last year swapping botha for afoa and bringing in payne(good siging but i liked darcy) getting out of there group will be hard.

so try and convince yourselves but the future is blue for a while yet

oh and ps, heislips game has not dipped that much at all
he was winning turnovers and making tackles he was covering the backrow while ferris and SOB did the glory stuff, when he gets back into the best backrow in club rugby he will shine again.

D24tress

The Clongowes Cup team would get to a QF in the Heineken Cup in the group that Leinster is in.

Sin é wrote:D24tress

The Clongowes Cup team would get to a QF in the Heineken Cup in the group that Leinster is in.

after all that effort thats all i get out of you

god this 1/4 final defeat has hit us worse than i thought.

D24tress wrote:

Sin é wrote:D24tress

The Clongowes Cup team would get to a QF in the Heineken Cup in the group that Leinster is in.

after all that effort thats all i get out of you

god this 1/4 final defeat has hit us worse than i thought.

Conserving energy until we meet.

Seriously though, you should walk your pool. Montpellier has lost most of their matches already this season so will be in a relegation battle.

Munster & Ulster have the form French teams in their pools (Clermont & Castres - 2nd & 3rd in the Top 14).

D24 - Leinster clearly have good young players. This isn't a Leinster thread. They have a kind draw and a good team. They will do well.

However we are seeing major change in Munster which should hopefully only be good.

D24tress wrote:
ulster and munster may not, so this little love in that has been going on between the lower level irish sides about how good the future is, is very nice, and you might be nearly convincing yourselves but alas i dont think you are looking at the full picture.

Hey good points D24tress......hey wait a minute... "lower level Irish sides"!

The way I see it Leinster should always be in the top 2 teams in Ireland, and Munster and Ulster will take it in Cycles to challange them to be top team.

Munster or Ulster don't have the population or player numbers to compete all the time, with Leinster. Think we are seeing the point now where Munster are declining a little and Ulster are rising, in 5 years time, it will be Leinster V Ulster that are the biggest games in Ireland with both competing with each other for honours, then in 10 years time it will be back to Leinster V Munster and so the cycle goes on.

yeah we should, bath are better then they were last year i think though.

The one thing that i havent taken into account is the drive the WC squad players will have

Best and POC will come back flying for ulster and munster and it could drive them on

[quote="red_stag"]This isn't a Leinster thread. quote]

i know stag but i feel like there is something missing since we got knocked out, there is nothing to discuss, i havent gone into one wales thread as i dont want to see the joy and optimism, it would make me sick.

i could go discuss ROG and sexton, but even that is boring at this stage.

What is the strength in depth in the munster props like, botha is going to be crucial but he is a bit injury prone.

A bit injury prone?? You'll be lucky if you get one 80min performance from him this season....

D24tress wrote:this is hilarious

leinster have no pack, ulster and munster have all the young stars coming through at the backs aswell, whatever will the european champions do.

with the exception of second row( and we still dont know what sykes will be like) we will have the best team and will get to a quarter final of the heineken cup at least

ulster and munster may not, so this little love in that has been going on between the lower level irish sides about how good the future is, is very nice, and you might be nearly convincing yourselves but alas i dont think you are looking at the full picture.

Munster were well and truly beaten up in the important hcup games and at home in the amlin, so much so they had to fling the ball wide at every opportunity to avoid any forward battle, botha is a good addition but the problem is deeper then that and without wally there is a chance niall ronan might have to play.

Ulster have stood still since last year swapping botha for afoa and bringing in payne(good siging but i liked darcy) getting out of there group will be hard.

so try and convince yourselves but the future is blue for a while yet

oh and ps, heislips game has not dipped that much at all
he was winning turnovers and making tackles he was covering the backrow while ferris and SOB did the glory stuff, when he gets back into the best backrow in club rugby he will shine again.

Heaslip has been weak imo.. I am not the only one to see that.

I think you are being a wee bit touchy here mate.. it hasn't been said that Ulster/Munster are suddenly the best and Leinster have no pack. You are making stuff up to back up your own argument. I have said that the young Leinster backrow, who I expected big things from, did not deliver. I have also said the Munster pack I think is one of the best. Didn't mention Ulsters (who don't deserve any praise right now for their pack) or Leinsters. When the internationals return the Leinster backrow will be totally different (though as I've said Heaslip is out of form).

"lower level irish sides".. don't even have anything to say to that, just makes yourself look stupid.

Oh god if I have to deal with O'Gara/Sexton shoite on a Will Chambers thread I think I'll explode!!!

Munster are lacking in props and it could be vital as the year goes on.

Loosehead - Du Preez, Horan, Hurley (injured), Kilcoyne.

Tighthead - Botha, Archer, Borlase (injured), Ryan

I think loosehead is ok if Hurley comes back. He's a very good prop IMO who has already played Ireland A and HEC matches. Still young enough at 25