Munster v Leinster URC Sat 2nd 7pm RTE

[Flash Gordon]

I very much doubt he's being punished for his performance against Connacht, yellow card or otherwise. He's just not better than the other options yet and since we've gone for a forward heavy split on the bench he doesn't make that since he can't play outhalf/kick.

Plenty of time for the kid to make his mark.

I don’t really get your point about not being better than the other options, it’s not like any back has really been picked ahead of him.

Given that Osbourne misses out as well I’m guessing the starting point was that we wanted 6 forwards rather than just not wanting either of them playing.

It would have been a nice game to see Harry in as well, I’m guessing he’ll have to wait until SA now.

He plays wing or 13, Lowe, O'Brien and Ringrose have been picked ahead of him is what I mean. So the point I was trying to make was that they are better than him currently. AS I said, given the split on the bench there were only 2 spots for backs so you have to pick a SH and and OH who can kick so the bench selection takes care of itself unless Harry Byrne comes into play.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I very much doubt he's being punished for his performance against Connacht, yellow card or otherwise. He's just not better than the other options yet and since we've gone for a forward heavy split on the bench he doesn't make that since he can't play outhalf/kick.

Plenty of time for the kid to make his mark.

I don’t really get your point about not being better than the other options, it’s not like any back has really been picked ahead of him.

Given that Osbourne misses out as well I’m guessing the starting point was that we wanted 6 forwards rather than just not wanting either of them playing.

It would have been a nice game to see Harry in as well, I’m guessing he’ll have to wait until SA now.

He plays wing or 13, Lowe, O'Brien and Ringrose have been picked ahead of him is what I mean. So the point I was trying to make was that they are better than him currently. AS I said, given the split on the bench there were only 2 spots for backs so you have to pick a SH and and OH who can kick so the bench selection takes care of itself unless Harry Byrne comes into play.

Oh I see the “confusion” now, I was only talking about the bench when I said about him being involved, wouldn’t have expected/wanted him to start.

I had also mentioned the split being a possible factor in my original post btw, you seemed to not realise which is why I mentioned it again.

[hugonaut]

Jeez that's a much stronger side than expected.

Starting front 5 is a bit meh alright. A shame McCarthy doesn't get a start. Is he injured?

That's a great bench to be bringing in though. I wonder do Leo/Stu expect the first 55 to be tight and cagey then unleash guys. It's similar to how we would've won last time in Thomond with Larmour's try.

Very interested to see how Jenkins goes.

Munster back three is pretty poor, bench looks good too though.

I'd say that they're just giving him a week off in the likelihood that he will be selected in three matches in a row for us over the next couple of weeks [Connact/A, Connacht/H, Munster/H].

I think that that's the reason Ross Molony is on the bench as well. He has averaged 77mins/start for us this season [13+2]. If he is on the sub end of a 55/25 split, it's a 67%-ish reduction in his minutes on the pitch compared to a start, which is a big energy saving.

[wixfjord]

Jeez that's a much stronger side than expected.

Starting front 5 is a bit meh alright. A shame McCarthy doesn't get a start. Is he injured?

That's a great bench to be bringing in though. I wonder do Leo/Stu expect the first 55 to be tight and cagey then unleash guys. It's similar to how we would've won last time in Thomond with Larmour's try.

Very interested to see how Jenkins goes.

Munster back three is pretty poor, bench looks good too though.

I'd say that they're just giving him a week off in the likelihood that he will be selected in three matches in a row for us over the next couple of weeks [Connact/A, Connacht/H, Munster/H].

I think that that's the reason Ross Molony is on the bench as well. He has averaged 77mins/start for us this season [13+2]. If he is on the sub end of a 55/25 split, it's a 67%-ish reduction in his minutes on the pitch compared to a start, which is a big energy saving.

That makes sense alright. It looks like a 'risk free' second row selection. Wouldn't be my choice but obviously with the next few weeks in mind.

Am interested to see what we do if Ryan and Baird aren't fit next week. Molony clearly starts but do you go with Murphy or McCarthy to partner? I'd back Joe tbh.

[LeinsterLeader]

Jeez that's a much stronger side than expected.

Starting front 5 is a bit meh alright. A shame McCarthy doesn't get a start. Is he injured?

That's a great bench to be bringing in though. I wonder do Leo/Stu expect the first 55 to be tight and cagey then unleash guys. It's similar to how we would've won last time in Thomond with Larmour's try.

Very interested to see how Jenkins goes.

Munster back three is pretty poor, bench looks good too though.

I'd say that they're just giving him a week off in the likelihood that he will be selected in three matches in a row for us over the next couple of weeks [Connact/A, Connacht/H, Munster/H].

I think that that's the reason Ross Molony is on the bench as well. He has averaged 77mins/start for us this season [13+2]. If he is on the sub end of a 55/25 split, it's a 67%-ish reduction in his minutes on the pitch compared to a start, which is a big energy saving.

Them's good sums hugo! You sound like one of them guys trying to get me to change my utility bills

[munster#1]

I am very fearful of the selected Leinster team.
Especially when you see what is on the benches for both teams.

Munster have started slow in a fair few games to date, and the only way I can see a Munster win is if they come out of the blocks at speed.

The loss of Earls, Zebo, Conway and Haley in the back 3 along with Killer and JOD definitely weakens the Munster team.

[limecat]

Match Preview

So it's not often that you have to wait until April for the first Leinster v Munster game of the season.

This fixture was meant to take place last Christmas but Covid forced it off. Then an Ed Sheeran concert in May meant that this date, which was originally meant for the game at the Aviva, was switched to Thomond. But we're here eventually and it will be interesting to see how the sides match up.

Read more...

[hugonaut]

Jeez that's a much stronger side than expected.

Starting front 5 is a bit meh alright. A shame McCarthy doesn't get a start. Is he injured?

That's a great bench to be bringing in though. I wonder do Leo/Stu expect the first 55 to be tight and cagey then unleash guys. It's similar to how we would've won last time in Thomond with Larmour's try.

Very interested to see how Jenkins goes.

Munster back three is pretty poor, bench looks good too though.

I'd say that they're just giving him a week off in the likelihood that he will be selected in three matches in a row for us over the next couple of weeks [Connact/A, Connacht/H, Munster/H].

I think that that's the reason Ross Molony is on the bench as well. He has averaged 77mins/start for us this season [13+2]. If he is on the sub end of a 55/25 split, it's a 67%-ish reduction in his minutes on the pitch compared to a start, which is a big energy saving.

Them's good sums hugo! You sound like one of them guys trying to get me to change my utility bills

Nobody is offering you a saving like that these days, unfortunately!

[Morf]

Is that the heaviest second row Leinster have fielded? Definitely a real Top 14 vibe about it.

Am I reading it wrong or is Wycherly playing TH lock instead of Jenkins? Would seem odd the guy with 4" less and several times that fewer kgs would play there unless he's got Thorn's freakish scrum output for a not huge guy.

[joooooe]

James Lowe
“As much as the friendships that we have created over the last 10 weeks in (Ireland) camp, those are put at the door and it’s about being ready to rumble. Everyone is feeling the same but as soon as you put on a different colour jumper you want to kick the bollix out of each other. Come Saturday, hopefully we kick them more than they kick us.”

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... -1.4841102

Gawd I love this man.

[wixfjord]

Given Munster have Cloete, POM and Coombes, as well as two hybrid sixes in the second row, breakdown will obviously be critical for us.

Slight worry is the lack of pace and dynamism in second row to stop them getting over the ball. Backrow and Henshaw in particular will be important here.

If we can manage to do that and get parity in scrum & lineout then I think our backline looks far more likely to cause problems.

Scrum wise, we should have a weight advantage so will be interesting to see how this plays out. Big Mike's form has dipped a bit and I'd like to see him go after Loughman given he'll have F. Wycherly and Cloete behind him at times.

[enby]

Weird reffing so far. We look offside in defence, Munster side entering at almost every breakdown

[cormac]

Our poor kicking is putting us under pressure

[Serb]

Gifting them four penalties right in front of the posts isn’t ideal. We’re looking pretty good overall.

[enby]

Great scrum

[Hippo]

We've certainly handed them everything so far. Much better 2nd half needed

[leinsterforever]

Score?

[cormac]

Munster 12 Leinster 14 HT

[wixfjord]

We’ve looked the better side, certainly in attack.

Our scrum and lineout have both been solid and some of the attacking moves causing havoc for Munster.

Stupid pens in our half have cost us.

I think with the bench to come on and with Coombes off we should have enough to win this if we can tighten up on pens.

That last scrum and turnover was class.

IVDF and Doris clearly the best backrows on the pitch so far.

[enby]

Ross outplaying Joey. Good match all the same