Pro12: Munster v Leinster, Shelbyville, Sat 13th

[AdamK]

So, bored, wanted to get the ball rolling on this. Last attempt to rescue our league season and it's against our rivals. A lot will hinge on how they get on tomorrow. The best result we can hope for, win or lose for them, is that it's a bruising encounter and our extra few days off will give us an extra zip. Providing there's been no knocks or bangs I'd guess our first team will be rolled out again, along the lines of:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Leo
5. Toner
6. Locky
7. SOB
8. Heaslip
9. Boss
10. Madigan/Sexton
11. Isa
12. Darce
13. BOD
14. Ferg
15. Rob

16. Cronin
17. McGrath/HVDM
18. Hagan
19. Roux
20. Ruddock/Dippy
21. Cooney
22. Sexton/Madigan/Goodman
23. Conway

So nothing new there, except perhaps Sexton and BOD coming back into the mix. I think that'd be massive for us, especially considering our defensive issues. The Sexton thing is funny though, if he is fit this week he'd be a massive boost and yet at the same time could be totally off the boil considering it's a big derby and he's been out almost 2 months. Plus the Messiah has risen again in the form of Madigan. I don't know, Madigan is fast becoming one of my favourite players, and a real fruit of the Leinster ideology and system, he represents everything I played for as a kid - throwing the ball around and running around the bigger lads in my class for fun, on the other hand, he still is a million miles off Sexton's ability to control a game, read a game, and his foresight is completely off Sexton's. I thought in the Glasgow game, Ulster game, and Wasps game we got butchered out wide and apart from the Wasps game we didn't look like penetrating the game attack wise because of his inability to look up and put players into space whilst running. He needs to learn when to pass and when to show and when to run and pass.

Munster are off the boil, but it's still not the best place to go for a young OH who's still missing all of the above skillsets. If Sexton's fit, I'd start him.

[Donny B.]

I would see a lot of merit in starting Sexton for the remaining League games and Mad Dog for the remaining Amlin games....

[[Jackass]]

Win, lose or draw, our league campaign is still pretty much unchanged. Chances are we'll have an away semi at this rate anyway, but we will definitely make the play-offs.

As for the game it's self, with all due respect, Munster are an absolutely dire team. Their season will without question be over tomorrow, so the visit of Leinster will be their cup final, but I still think we should win handy enough.

As good as Madigan has been, I would go with our best team, which would be Sexton at 10. Perhaps Madigan at 15 and Rob and Isa on the wings? I'm not sure, probably not, but in terms of quality, Munster dont even compare imho, but sadly this will be their entire season next weekend, as they'll have nothing to play for. Either way, meh, wouldn't worry about it, a win would be nice, but at this point I don't think it will change much. Two more wins, we get third and lets just go for 2 trophies.

[blockhead]

Glasgow are not home n hosed yet for a home semi. Some tricky games to come. We need to win to have a chance of catching them however. Madigan or Sexton, that's a tough call.

[Bones]

For this match I'd start with Carlos Madigan and have Johnny on the bench. For 2 reasons, firstly match fitness and secondly I think it sends out the wrong signals to the wider squad when an understudy is replaced, after some superb performances, the minute the numero uno is fit again.

[Cianostays]

For this match I'd start with Carlos Madigan and have Johnny on the bench. For 2 reasons, firstly match fitness and secondly I think it sends out the wrong signals to the wider squad when an understudy is replaced, after some superb performances, the minute the numero uno is fit again.

Whilst true it may be no harm to give Madser a breather also. How many games has he started on the bounce for us recently? Though maybe the time to have him on the bench with Jonny starting is for Zebre.

[Sauvignon Blank]

For this match I'd start with Carlos Madigan and have Johnny on the bench. For 2 reasons, firstly match fitness and secondly I think it sends out the wrong signals to the wider squad when an understudy is replaced, after some superb performances, the minute the numero uno is fit again.

+1.

Madigan deserves to start but i'd deffo bring on Johnny at some stage to run amok, cos' as sure as night follows day, Johnny will relish putting them to the sword and finishing off their season.

[Peg Leg]

For this match I'd start with Carlos Madigan and have Johnny on the bench. For 2 reasons, firstly match fitness and secondly I think it sends out the wrong signals to the wider squad when an understudy is replaced, after some superb performances, the minute the numero uno is fit again.

+1.

Madigan deserves to start but i'd deffo bring on Johnny at some stage to run amok, cos' as sure as night follows day, Johnny will relish putting them to the sword and finishing off their season.

This

[olaf the fat]

I reckon Mads will get more from this start, long term. Every chance to start in the 'Hot' atmosphere of somewhere like Thomond is experienced banked.

It's not really a must win game, Mads is in great form and Jonny is not match fit.
Anyway, let Racing worry about getting Jonny match fit. Well done Jonny for his Paris deal, but our successful HCup campaign next season will be based on Mads.

[Justtoby]

I'd like to see Madigan and Boss given a breather this week and Leinster go with Sexton and Cooney. See what Cooney's made of starting in a big game but surround him with plenty of experience.

[sid]

Win, lose or draw, our league campaign is still pretty much unchanged. Chances are we'll have an away semi at this rate anyway, but we will definitely make the play-offs.

As for the game it's self, with all due respect, Munster are an absolutely dire team. Their season will without question be over tomorrow, so the visit of Leinster will be their cup final, but I still think we should win handy enough.

As good as Madigan has been, I would go with our best team, which would be Sexton at 10. Perhaps Madigan at 15 and Rob and Isa on the wings? I'm not sure, probably not, but in terms of quality, Munster dont even compare imho, but sadly this will be their entire season next weekend, as they'll have nothing to play for. Either way, meh, wouldn't worry about it, a win would be nice, but at this point I don't think it will change much. Two more wins, we get third and lets just go for 2 trophies.

So if Munster are rubbish and the game isn't that important, why do we need to play our best team?

[Bones]

So if Munster are rubbish and the game isn't that important, why do we need to play our best team?

I wouldn't be writing Munster of for either today's or next week's matches. On their day they have enough to beat a Quins team who are experiencing a bit of a dip in form and they can certainly make our life very difficult on their home patch next week.

[AdamK]

Funny thing is, if they beat Quins they will more than likely rest their team next week! If they lose... It'll be a bitter grudge match as always.

[cormac]

For this match I'd start with Carlos Madigan and have Johnny on the bench. For 2 reasons, firstly match fitness and secondly I think it sends out the wrong signals to the wider squad when an understudy is replaced, after some superb performances, the minute the numero uno is fit again.

+1.

Madigan deserves to start but i'd deffo bring on Johnny at some stage to run amok, cos' as sure as night follows day, Johnny will relish putting them to the sword and finishing off their season.

Agree. Johnny to start the following week against Zebre.

[AdamK]

It'll be interesting, either way, and I trust Joe to make the right call.

[Bones]

News of Munster's demise has been greatly exaggerated.

[Exley]

They could put out a shell of a team against us at this rate, which would be no bad thing for us...

[sheepshagger]

Funny thing is, if they beat Quins they will more than likely rest their team next week! If they lose... It'll be a bitter grudge match as always.

They have the win at the Stoop, they'll still care about this game.

[thomond2006]

Munster are an absolutely dire team. Their season will without question be over tomorrow, so the visit of Leinster will be their cup final, but I still think we should win handy enough.

Sorry to burst your bubble

[tones]

AdamK, why do you state resuce our league season? Guaranteed play-off spot. Think we've learned topping the league is not a pre-requisite.