Munster v Leinster 27th Dec 17.15

[outcast eddie]

Let's get back on the horse with renewed focus and what better opportunity to create some good vibes than a win in Thomond.

With no regard to Schminutes here's what I'd like to see:

1. Jack Mack (because he's way out in front now)
2. Strauss
3. Marty
4. Dev
5. Mike Mack
6. Rhys
7. JVDF
8. Jamie
9. ER (who looks to be regaining some form, maybe)
10. JS
11. Luke (we need him on the wing)
12. Maddog (he needs some starts FFS)
13. Ringer
14. DK
15. ISA

16 Seanie
17 Cian Healy
18 Bent
19 Ross Moloney (Dom Ryan if RM is injured (Christ we are sparse here!))
20 Jordi
21 Nick Mc Carthy (even sparser here!!)
22 Fanj
23 RK

We need to win this for all kinds of reasons.

[brenno]

Sad to say this is like two bald men arguing over a comb, will only decide who is 3rd best in Ireland and who is 4th. Ulster under Kiss and Connacht under Lam streets ahead of both Munster and leinster

[Ruckedtobits]

Sad to say this is like two bald men arguing over a comb, will only decide who is 3rd best in Ireland and who is 4th. Ulster under Kiss and Connacht under Lam streets ahead of both Munster and leinster

Not yet. Watch this space. Both the most improved but they started a long way back and they may both have to worry about Jan. Neither Mun or Leinster will have that worry and both now need Pro12 points

[wixfjord]

Sad to say this is like two bald men arguing over a comb, will only decide who is 3rd best in Ireland and who is 4th. Ulster under Kiss and Connacht under Lam streets ahead of both Munster and leinster

Let's relax here a little bit.
Despite a great start to the season (due partly to other sides losing players to the WC and partly to great coaching), Connacht aren't exactly streaking ahead of us, and still have to visit us, Scarlets and Kingspan.

We've already beaten Ulster this year.

A repeat of yesterday's second half, and getting some key players back fit or in form (Sexton, L McGrath, SOB, Healy) and we'll go close to a league title this year.

[fourthirtythree]

First half!

[simonokeeffe]

Connacht will be distracted by being the only Irish province left in Europe

[COYBIB]

It'll be interesting to see which team is less sh!t.

[Donny B.]

Two bald men fighting over a comb

[fourthirtythree]

Two bald men fighting over a comb

Borges described the Falklands war as that. People have died for less.

The league was always my priority this year, if we flukes a run in the Heineken like last year I would have been delighted, but the league was the realistic target.

Plus Munster are getting into a habit of beating us. Need to stop that.

Part of the process of getting your attitudes and performance where they should be.

[glorob]

It is not yet Christmas and you are now focused on the Pro 12. Down in Munster we are not much better still having the mathematical chance of an away quarter final.

Performance in Europe is how we measure success and it is very clear both Leinster and Munster are in very big difficulty.

[Aussiedub]

Let's get back on the horse with renewed focus and what better opportunity to create some good vibes than a win in Thomond.

With no regard to Schminutes here's what I'd like to see:

1. Jack Mack (because he's way out in front now)
2. Strauss
3. Marty
4. Dev
5. Mike Mack
6. Rhys
7. JVDF
8. Jamie
9. ER (who looks to be regaining some form, maybe)
10. JS
11. Luke (we need him on the wing)
12. Maddog (he needs some starts FFS)
13. Ringer
14. DK
15. ISA

16 Seanie
17 Cian Healy
18 Bent
19 Ross Moloney (Dom Ryan if RM is injured (Christ we are sparse here!))
20 Jordi
21 Nick Mc Carthy (even sparser here!!)
22 Fanj
23 RK

We need to win this for all kinds of reasons.

Why does Maddog need some starts and why at 12 and why move Luke from a position he is going well in?

[hugonaut]

It is not yet Christmas and you are now focused on the Pro 12. Down in Munster we are not much better still having the mathematical chance of an away quarter final.

Performance in Europe is how we measure success and it is very clear both Leinster and Munster are in very big difficulty.

Not really, we have always put a big emphasis on the league in Leinster – both supporters and organisation. If we measured success solely by performance in European competition, Matt O'Connor would still have a job here, because he took us to extra time in a semi-final last year. He doesn't have said job because we finished fifth in the league.

[outcast eddie]

Let's get back on the horse with renewed focus and what better opportunity to create some good vibes than a win in Thomond.

With no regard to Schminutes here's what I'd like to see:

1. Jack Mack (because he's way out in front now)
2. Strauss
3. Marty
4. Dev
5. Mike Mack
6. Rhys
7. JVDF
8. Jamie
9. ER (who looks to be regaining some form, maybe)
10. JS
11. Luke (we need him on the wing)
12. Maddog (he needs some starts FFS)
13. Ringer
14. DK
15. ISA

16 Seanie
17 Cian Healy
18 Bent
19 Ross Moloney (Dom Ryan if RM is injured (Christ we are sparse here!))
20 Jordi
21 Nick Mc Carthy (even sparser here!!)
22 Fanj
23 RK

We need to win this for all kinds of reasons.

Why does Maddog need some starts and why at 12 and why move Luke from a position he is going well in?

Without wanting to open up the Ian Madigan pandora's box again, he's too talented a player to bench week in week out. I've always liked him at 12 although I'm fully aware of his frailties and his defence puts him ahead of Noel Reid in that position for me. Luke may be going ok at 12 but he hasn't lit the place up there, how many tries from inside centre so far this season? We need some attack minded back to find some space and I think Luke is our best bet on the wing. Is it 100% the solution to all our problems? No - but it's the old chestnut of getting our best players on the pitch while getting the worst players off it.

[Leoslovechild]

Let's get back on the horse with renewed focus and what better opportunity to create some good vibes than a win in Thomond.

With no regard to Schminutes here's what I'd like to see:

1. Jack Mack (because he's way out in front now)
2. Strauss
3. Marty
4. Dev
5. Mike Mack
6. Rhys
7. JVDF
8. Jamie
9. ER (who looks to be regaining some form, maybe)
10. JS
11. Luke (we need him on the wing)
12. Maddog (he needs some starts FFS)
13. Ringer
14. DK
15. ISA

16 Seanie
17 Cian Healy
18 Bent
19 Ross Moloney (Dom Ryan if RM is injured (Christ we are sparse here!))
20 Jordi
21 Nick Mc Carthy (even sparser here!!)
22 Fanj
23 RK

We need to win this for all kinds of reasons.

Was taking this team selection seriously till I saw Fanning on the bench...Never never never!!!

[outcast eddie]

Let's get back on the horse with renewed focus and what better opportunity to create some good vibes than a win in Thomond.

With no regard to Schminutes here's what I'd like to see:

1. Jack Mack (because he's way out in front now)
2. Strauss
3. Marty
4. Dev
5. Mike Mack
6. Rhys
7. JVDF
8. Jamie
9. ER (who looks to be regaining some form, maybe)
10. JS
11. Luke (we need him on the wing)
12. Maddog (he needs some starts FFS)
13. Ringer
14. DK
15. ISA

16 Seanie
17 Cian Healy
18 Bent
19 Ross Moloney (Dom Ryan if RM is injured (Christ we are sparse here!))
20 Jordi
21 Nick Mc Carthy (even sparser here!!)
22 Fanj
23 RK

We need to win this for all kinds of reasons.

Was taking this team selection seriously till I saw Fanning on the bench...Never never never!!!

I understand but then so many of our players are devisive. He get's the nod from me (as if that counts for fock all) because of his impressive try scoring stats which were admittedly last season but the alternative is Zane who's stats are less impressive. I prefer a tryer with limited talent over a 'headliner' who, lets face it, isn't really arsed.

[simonokeeffe]

Fanning cant even get into the article about what players we're keeping or releasing

Healy appeal hearing is Wednesday, Sexton a doubt with a quad strain, Ross a doubt for 6n so he must be out
Luke McGrath pictured training

[tate]

Let's get back on the horse with renewed focus and what better opportunity to create some good vibes than a win in Thomond.

With no regard to Schminutes here's what I'd like to see:

1. Jack Mack (because he's way out in front now)
2. Strauss
3. Marty
4. Dev
5. Mike Mack
6. Rhys
7. JVDF
8. Jamie
9. ER (who looks to be regaining some form, maybe)
10. JS
11. Luke (we need him on the wing)
12. Maddog (he needs some starts FFS)
13. Ringer
14. DK
15. ISA

16 Seanie
17 Cian Healy
18 Bent
19 Ross Moloney (Dom Ryan if RM is injured (Christ we are sparse here!))
20 Jordi
21 Nick Mc Carthy (even sparser here!!)
22 Fanj
23 RK

We need to win this for all kinds of reasons.

Why does Maddog need some starts and why at 12 and why move Luke from a position he is going well in?

Without wanting to open up the Ian Madigan pandora's box again, he's too talented a player to bench week in week out. I've always liked him at 12 although I'm fully aware of his frailties and his defence puts him ahead of Noel Reid in that position for me. Luke may be going ok at 12 but he hasn't lit the place up there, how many tries from inside centre so far this season? We need some attack minded back to find some space and I think Luke is our best bet on the wing. Is it 100% the solution to all our problems? No - but it's the old chestnut of getting our best players on the pitch while getting the worst players off it.

Stopped reading after the highlighted part. Luke in centre has been a rare blossoming flower in the steaming sh!t heap that is leinster atm. He should have stuck with it years ago imho.

And Fanj? Look fair play to him for nabbing a few tries, it's a hell if lot more than I'll ever do for leinster, but he's an average AIL winger. He shouldn't be next, nigh nor near our match day squad

[rooster]

Annual post Christmas Irish training camp might have a few changes to that side, I know that some Ulster players are excluded from our match with Connacht

[The Doc]

Annual post Christmas Irish training camp might have a few changes to that side, I know that some Ulster players are excluded from our match with Connacht

As was said on one of the radio shows - possibly the best thing for the 4 provinces would be to play the Christmas derbies with a full contingent and no refs - get the frustrations out

[rooster]

Annual post Christmas Irish training camp might have a few changes to that side, I know that some Ulster players are excluded from our match with Connacht

As was said on one of the radio shows - possibly the best thing for the 4 provinces would be to play the Christmas derbies with a full contingent and no refs - get the frustrations out

They might as well just come straight and say that the Christmas matches will be a battle of the A sides, the punters are really cheated of decent provincial rivalry in these matches.