Munster Announce European Cup Squad 2011/2012

Sin é wrote:
I'd think our weather could be a massive problem for him though.

roddersm wrote:

Sin é wrote:
I'd think our weather could be a massive problem for him though.

Can't he just buy an umberella?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Hopefully he will be able to get you the go forward ball that you could be missing due to Wallace's injury.

I really hope he is that kind of player cos you guys are so short on ball carriers. It may afford ROG the chance to stand flatter if he is an option coming hard and straight attacking the line.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I do think it is a weak Munster squad I have to say, not too many weaknesses but not too many strengths either. Just my opinion and am basing that on previous Munster squads.

red_stag wrote:I'd say that Saints are probably pretty sick of getting knocked out of Europe against us

I find the different views interesting. To me Im more worried about Castres (south of France is a very tough place to travel, they finished in 3rd place in France last year, this year they are currently in 2nd place) and also Scarlets.

Saints faced pitiful opposition in Europe last year usually reliant on home advantage. You can only beat whats in front of you and they did that. However its a tougher pool this year IMO. Far from dominating the league they came in 4th place and are 9th this year. Munster have faced them in Europe in two seasons and sent them home twice. Sky Sports has over hyped them as they have young English players.

Emerging red giant has 'mccaw-like' quality
Wednesday October 26 2011

PETER O'MAHONY'S club coach believes he has a "Richie McCaw-like" quality and should be played regularly in the No 7 role, WRITES HUGH FARRELLY.

Brian Walsh coached O'Mahony straight out of school with Cork Constitution in the All-Ireland League and has not been surprised with the youngster's rapid development which saw him made Munster captain on this 22nd birthday last month.

"Peter is developing that all the time and he brings a Richie McCaw-like approach in his size, athleticism, aggression and the way he plays the breakdown," said Walsh.

"He is an extremely athletic player, a very good line-out option and a very physical player, he is seen as the next Alan Quinlan for Munster -- although he has a way to go to reach Quinlan's cuteness.

"There is a raw edge to his game which has got him quite a few yellow cards -- in his first two games for us, he was carded in both. We had a chat with him after that. We didn't want him to lose that edge, just to control it a bit better.

"It was very clever and a very progressive move by Munster management to make him captain," added Walsh. "He has a history of captaincy and is comfortable in that role and I would say one of his strongest qualities is his work ethic, which sets a good example.

"I definitely think it would be a very important part of Peter's development to play at 7 at a higher level. There is a role for the hybrid No 7 where, as you saw with McCaw at the World Cup, you can marry ball-carrying with breakdown skills."

Irish Independent

Sin é wrote:The heir to David Wallace's throne?

Emerging red giant has 'mccaw-like' quality
Wednesday October 26 2011

PETER O'MAHONY'S club coach believes he has a "Richie McCaw-like" quality and should be played regularly in the No 7 role, WRITES HUGH FARRELLY.

Brian Walsh coached O'Mahony straight out of school with Cork Constitution in the All-Ireland League and has not been surprised with the youngster's rapid development which saw him made Munster captain on this 22nd birthday last month.

"Peter is developing that all the time and he brings a Richie McCaw-like approach in his size, athleticism, aggression and the way he plays the breakdown," said Walsh.

"He is an extremely athletic player, a very good line-out option and a very physical player, he is seen as the next Alan Quinlan for Munster -- although he has a way to go to reach Quinlan's cuteness.

"There is a raw edge to his game which has got him quite a few yellow cards -- in his first two games for us, he was carded in both. We had a chat with him after that. We didn't want him to lose that edge, just to control it a bit better.

"It was very clever and a very progressive move by Munster management to make him captain," added Walsh. "He has a history of captaincy and is comfortable in that role and I would say one of his strongest qualities is his work ethic, which sets a good example.

"I definitely think it would be a very important part of Peter's development to play at 7 at a higher level. There is a role for the hybrid No 7 where, as you saw with McCaw at the World Cup, you can marry ball-carrying with breakdown skills."

Irish Independent

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I have to disagree about POM at 7. From what I have seen, he is our perfect heir to number 8. He is very aggressive, a great ball carrier, great tackler and a hard working player. An all around monster basically. The aggression especially is what we have missed from Heaslip, so I do see him taking over fairly soon if Heaslip doesn't get his act together.

Wanting to play him at 7 just seems to me a desperate attempt to create an answer to having an openside, or our own Richie McCaw (I don't understand the resemblance one bit).

MBTGOG wrote:I can see him playing at 7 for a year or two. Remember that Coughlan has been one of our stand out players for the past two seasons.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:But when Wallace returns (I think he will for a few seasons more) POM won't be playing 7.. Coughlan I agree has been playing very well though I think POM should definitely be challenging him for the 8 shirt instead of just moving to 7 to keep both in the team. I don't think he is like Harinordoquy myself.. I would say POM is much more aggressive and robust.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Don't agree about the Harinorduquy comparison, who I think Heaslip is more comparable with but yeah I hope he is developed as a future 8 for Ireland.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Once again I have to disagree :P Heaslip is what you described above, the dynamic style of number 8 that Harinordoquy is. POM to me is more like Kieran Read or Parisse. But yeah, we just have different opinions I think!