Big game on in the Aviva friday night. Both have started the league well without their internationals, with munster in 2nd place and leinster in 3rd. This will be the only game where both sides are full strength before the heineken cup starts and as usual will be a very physical encounter. Munster have had a super defence so far in the league only conceding 4 trys in 7 games easily the best defence with the next best having conceded 9 trys

Munster will announce their side for the game at lunchtime tomorrow shortly before the squad departs for Dublin.

Munster Squad: M Horan, W du Preez, J Hayes, BJ Botha, S Archer, D Varley, D Fogarty, M O'Driscoll, D Ryan, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, B Holland, D Leamy, N Ronan, P O'Mahony, T O'Donnell, J Coughlan, T O'Leary, C Murray, D Williams, P Stringer, I Keatley, R O'Gara, K Earls, D Barnes, L Mafi, W Chambers, D Howlett, D Hurley, J Murphy, S Deasy,
(Not considered due to injury: David Wallace, Troy Smith, Felix Jones, Jerry Flannery, Peter Borlase, Darragh Hurley, Mike Sherry, Dave O'Callaghan)

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 02/11/2011 12:37:21    1061927

Should be a good one Ormond.

Always titanic battles the Leinster Munster games and ideal preparation for the Heineken Cup. I think Leinster may sneak this win. It's going to be close on a sellout and there will be a great atmosphere at it.

Both have made great starts but Leinster had a great win last week in Scotland, a notoriously difficult place to go and get points. I think that bit of momentum might drive them on, although form usually means nothing in these games.

Then there is another little game going on on Saturday between ourselves and Ulster. To be honest both teams need a win. Our form has tailed off a bit of late and while we are still picking up points we really should have another 8/9 on the board at this stage with the ways some of our games have gone. I'd love to see us win in Ravenhill but it's a place we always struggle in. I think it'll be a tightish game and we may come away with another losing bonus point.

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 02/11/2011 14:00:51    1061998

LEINSTER:
Rob Kearney, Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jonathan Sexton, Isaac Boss
Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Devin Toner, Sean O'Brien, Shane Jennings, Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
Sean Cronin, Heinke van der Merwe, Jamie Hagan, Kevin McLaughlin, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Eoin O'Malley

MUNSTER: Johne Murphy; Doug Howlett, Will Chambers, Lifeimi Mafi, Keith Earls; Ronan O'Gara, Conor Murray; Wian du Preez, Damien Varley, BJ Botha; Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy
REPLACEMENTS: Denis Fogarty, Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Peter O'Mahony, James Coughlan, Tomas O'Leary, Ian Keatley, Danny Barnes

Some predictions:

Scrum: see this as 50:50. Leinster, Ross/Healy were on a whole in good form at the world cup. BJ/WDP together we'll finally see are they worth having here. Hopefully they perform and put down a marker for next week.

Lineout: Munster with 3 recognised jumpers should have the edge here hopefully. Beanpole(toner) coul be eaten by DOC if on form. POC should have edge over Leo and Ryan better jumper than Heaslip. Only worry is Varleys throwing as always.

Back Row: Huge advantage to Leinster here. More power and more explosive that Munster. OBrien has potential to steam roll over the whole backrow if on form. Jennings a better 7 than Ronan. Heaslip a better 8 than Leamy (a natural 6, NOT 8). Pity Coughlan isn't at 8 since he outplayed Heaslip in Magners final and I feel POM deserved a chance to show us what he can do at 7

Half backs: Again should be 50:50. Boss chosen for his physicality and after world cup both him and sexton have a point to prove an could be dangerous as a result.

Centres: Darcy and mc fadden untried combination and BOD's defensive organisation will be missed. Munster trying out completely new partnership. Could go either way.

Back3: A very interesting battle. Earls marking the physical Nacewa could go anyway and really looking forward to this. Also big chance for Fitz to show us he still has some talent left in him. Full back is big problem for us right now as Johne isn't a 15! At the same time Leinster have had to move the best fullback in Europe to accommodate the national team but overall advantage Leinster.

Overall I would predict a 10+ point victory for Leinster unfortunately but I really hope I'm wrong and really hope the lads turn up with a Magners final-esque performance again. I'd rather lose tomorrow and beat Northampton and Castres if given the choice!

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 03/11/2011 14:49:24    1062623

Will be a cracker as usual. Good to see Ronan in at 7. He had a poor year last year but on his day is the best out and out 7 in the country.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 04/11/2011 09:35:10    1062956

04/11/2011 09:35:10
jonny1951
County: Mayo
Posts: 1003

1062956 Will be a cracker as usual. Good to see Ronan in at 7. He had a poor year last year but on his day is the best out and out 7 in the country.

No he is not the best out and out 7 in the country, there is several 7s in the country better including connachts jonny o connor, leinsters dominic ryan and a few more who are better. While he weighs 100kg he seems very lightweight and isnt top class at the breakdown and isnt a great or destructive ball carrier. It would be much better for munster in the long run if peter o mahony was at 7. Ronan is not the type of player that will help munster get back to the top in europe, players like o mahony might be, so need to be played in games like this weekends against leinster, to see how good they are

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 04/11/2011 12:11:08    1063062

ON HIS DAY Ormond. He is the best at the breakdown in my opinion just he had a bad year last year. Against Clermont the year before he was unreal as he was in the All Black game, unfortunately he has not been consistent.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 04/11/2011 13:08:35    1063095

04/11/2011 13:08:35
jonny1951
County: Mayo
Posts: 1004

1063095 ON HIS DAY Ormond. He is the best at the breakdown in my opinion just he had a bad year last year. Against Clermont the year before he was unreal as he was in the All Black game, unfortunately he has not been consistent.

Not on his day, not ever. Hes provincial standard but not up to top club level(HEC) or international level. If he is as good as you are saying then why doesnt he have more than 4 caps..... maybe because the coaches of ireland dont think he is good enough. To be the best you have to produce the goods consistently but as you said hes good on his day

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 04/11/2011 13:27:45    1063111

I agree he hasn't produced it often enough, no doubt. I'll be watching him close tonight.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 04/11/2011 13:52:10    1063128

Welll lads, surprised noone has posted yet about the big game last night, though maybe thats because it was a bit flat. Good win for Leinster and Sexton impressed with his kicking

stranmillis29 (Antrim) - Posts: 788 - 05/11/2011 13:56:33    1063598

05/11/2011 13:56:33
stranmillis29
County: Antrim
Posts: 736

1063598 Welll lads, surprised noone has posted yet about the big game last night, though maybe thats because it was a bit flat. Good win for Leinster and Sexton impressed with his kicking
If munster can cut out silly penalties we'll do well as our defence is superb. We need to find more tries and stop all lapses in concentration.
We may not score many tries but it'll take a very good side to cut us open at the moment. Our scramble defence is excellent. Now if we can only stop giving away the needless penalties

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 06/11/2011 17:16:19    1064091

Couldn't believe the lack of numbers they committed to the breakdown, not sure what McGahans game plan was?

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 06/11/2011 18:43:56    1064155

With Brian confirmed as out for leinster for next 6 months, it will be interesting to see who is used to fill the huge void left with him gone.
Will they use mcfadden, luke fitz, o malley...
And ireland will kidney try earls(wouldnt even think of it if it was me), bring nevin spence from ulster in or 1 of the leinster lads

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 07/11/2011 15:04:28    1064576

Nevin Spence is a future star for Ireland and should be given game time in my, admittedly biased, view. Drico is a huge loss for province and country but you could see at the World Cup he was playing with one arm. Hopefully this will sort it out once and for all. Think Leinster will certainly have enough to qualify anyway without him, it's not the most difficult HC group they have

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 07/11/2011 15:33:39    1064595

Gutted for O'Driscoll. And maybe i'm being pessimistic here but have we seen the end of him in an Ireland shirt. I hope not. One of the greatest sportsmen to ever be produced by our fine country, and a gentleman to boot.

It will be interesting to see now who steps up to the plate for club and country. The obvious replacement would be McFadden, but i have to agree with Pomeroy, Nevin Spence is a real talent and if he's utilised correctly will be a huge player for province and country.

Fair play to Ulster at the weekend, absolute nightmare from a Galway persons point of view with United going down and Connacht getting a hiding.

But on Friday we'll be playing a Heineken Cup match!!!!!!!

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 08/11/2011 09:45:14    1064910

08/11/2011 09:45:14
tribeinbrum
County: Galway
Posts: 937

1064910 Gutted for O'Driscoll. And maybe i'm being pessimistic here but have we seen the end of him in an Ireland shirt. I hope not. One of the greatest sportsmen to ever be produced by our fine country, and a gentleman to boot.

It will be interesting to see now who steps up to the plate for club and country. The obvious replacement would be McFadden, but i have to agree with Pomeroy, Nevin Spence is a real talent and if he's utilised correctly will be a huge player for province and country.

Fair play to Ulster at the weekend, absolute nightmare from a Galway persons point of view with United going down and Connacht getting a hiding.

But on Friday we'll be playing a Heineken Cup match!!!!!!!

Doubt we've seen the last of him in green, IMO he'll play international rugby til 2013 when he'll retire after (hopefully) helping the lions win a test series in Oz.
There is many options for ireland to look at
1. Darcy - Earls
2. Darcy - McFadden
3. Darcy - Bowe
4. Wallace - McFadden
5. McFadden - Earls
6. McFadden - Bowe
7. Wallace - Bowe

I dont know what kidney will do but as long as he keeps earls in his rightful place on the wing i wont mind.
Moving Tommy to 13 and bringing trimble to 14 with keith at 11 could be the best solution

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/11/2011 10:46:28    1064940

Has the idea of Trimble being a centre been completely abandoned?

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12427 - 08/11/2011 10:50:01    1064942

I'd say Ormond, if D'Arcy and McFadden form Leinsters centre pairing they will be in pole position come 6 Nations time. I really like McFadden, he's a decent player and he can kick aswell. I tend to agree with Earls. His best place is on the wing. Tommy Bowe would be an interesting option, but i don't think he gets any gametime in the centre positions so you'd have to give it too players that are doing the role week in, week out if they are performing.

What's you're outlook for Munster at the weekend. Could not have asked for a tougher start to the H Cup, even though it's at Thomond.....

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 08/11/2011 10:55:08    1064945

08/11/2011 10:55:08
tribeinbrum
County: Galway
Posts: 939

1064945 I'd say Ormond, if D'Arcy and McFadden form Leinsters centre pairing they will be in pole position come 6 Nations time. I really like McFadden, he's a decent player and he can kick aswell. I tend to agree with Earls. His best place is on the wing. Tommy Bowe would be an interesting option, but i don't think he gets any gametime in the centre positions so you'd have to give it too players that are doing the role week in, week out if they are performing.

What's you're outlook for Munster at the weekend. Could not have asked for a tougher start to the H Cup, even though it's at Thomond.....

Will be a tough game but i think we'll win especially after our performance v leinster at the weekend. The loss of keith is huge but i think our pack has improved and we will win in a dour enough contest that will be decided by the boot of ROG.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/11/2011 13:08:07    1065053

Connacht XV to face Harlequins, Friday 11th November 8pm, The Twickenham Stoop:

Gavin Duffy (c), Brian Tuohy, Eoin Griffin, Dave McSharry, Tiernan O'Halloran
Miah Nikora, Paul O'Donohoe
Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Rodney Ah You
Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy
John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu

Replacements:
Ethienne Reynecke, Ronan Loughney, Dylan Rogers, Dave Gannon, TJ Anderson, Frank Murphy, Niall O'Connor, Henry Fa'afili

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 10/11/2011 12:01:12    1066539

Munster 23 for northampton
J Murphy; D Howlett, D Barnes, L Mafi, D Hurley; R O'Gara, C Murray;
W du Preez, D Varley, BJ Botha; D Ryan, P O'Connell capt; P O'Mahony, N Ronan, J Coughlan.
Replacements. D Fogarty, J Ryan, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, D Leamy, T O'Leary, I Keatley, W Chambers

Ryan for DOC is a clear form call, and will be a welcome kick up the hole for DOC too.
You cant argue with the call for barnes over chambers, who hasnt really clicked yet.
Delighted for Donnacha and Danny, But cant understand Ronans inclusion,
he is too light and not good enough to play in our back row especially as it means excluding O Mahony.
If Leamy was dropped because of penalties, cards given away etc then why wasnt Ronan who gave away 3 really stupid penalties.
Hopefully leamys impact of the bench will be massive.

the Bull is on the bench hopefully he comes on for HEC cap 100 at some stage. Gwan the Bull!!!

Leinster 23 to face Montpellier
Rob Kearney, Isa Nacewa, Fergus McFadden, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Jonathan Sexton, Isaac Boss
Heinke van der Merwe, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross, Leo Cullen, Damian Browne, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip
REPLACEMENTS:
Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Nathan White, Devin Toner, Shane Jennings, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Eoin O'Malley

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 11/11/2011 12:28:43    1067205