Munster in the Aviva 2018 Edition

[mildlyinterested]

Injury report suggests Leavy & Ryan good to do.

Maybe J McGrath too.

Larmour an injury doubt(Hip).

SOB available also.

Sexton to be rested?

[riocard911]

Injury report suggests Leavy & Ryan good to do.

Maybe J McGrath too.

Larmour an injury doubt(Hip).

SOB available also.

Sexton to be rested?

Why not? I would love to see Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery go head to head.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I'd go with...

Jack (if fit)/Ed Byrne
Tracy
Porter
Fardy
Ryan
Rhys (if fit)/Deegan
Leavy
SOB

BFG
Ross Byrne
Ferg
Henshaw
ROL
Adam Byrne
Rob

BB
Ed Byrne/Dooley
Bent
Molony
Deegan/Doris
Luke
Frawley
Tomane

I'd say DK will start and McCarthy will bench. If Rob doesn't perform then I'd go with Larmour at fullback next week.

[wixfjord]

That'd be what I'd go with too.

Starting a back three of DK, Ferg and RK might be what we end up going with, but to be charitable they'll be giving up a few yards speed to their opposing counterparts!

Rhys and particularly Jack Mc being fit would be a big boost to the side.

Interesting to see if Munster will put out guys like POM and Carbery.

[curates_egg]

We presumably won't be 'allowed' to start Sexton again? The same should in theory apply to Carbery (who has started three in a row and played the last 4/5), but we all know there's one rule for three of the provinces and another for Munster.
Their new scrumhalf looks lively. Got a very easy introduction though.

What did Ruddock go off with? I lost coverage for that moment. I really hope it is nothing serious. That poor b$&%@#d just can't catch a break.
Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

Is Barry Daly still injured? I'm not sure I'd want to see Byrne start this one.

[joooooe]

I'd go with...

Jack (if fit)/Ed Byrne
Tracy
Porter
Fardy
Ryan
Rhys (if fit)/Deegan
Leavy
SOB

BFG
Ross Byrne
Ferg
Henshaw
ROL
Adam Byrne
Rob

BB
Ed Byrne/Dooley
Bent
Molony
Deegan/Doris
Luke
Frawley
Tomane

I'd say DK will start and McCarthy will bench. If Rob doesn't perform then I'd go with Larmour at fullback next week.

Not a bad mix considering the number of changes from last weekend. I wonder will they save Fardy for Europe and start Lowe. Kearney would come into the mix in that case and Adam Byrne would likely drop out.

[joooooe]

Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

He played there for a couple of Euro games in 2011/12 covering for an injured Heaslip. He was European player of the year that year too!

[Leoslovechild]

Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

He played there for a couple of Euro games in 2011/12 covering for an injured Heaslip. He was European player of the year that year too![/quote

Fairly sure he also played their twice in Ravenhill in the past and we won both matches

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

He played there for a couple of Euro games in 2011/12 covering for an injured Heaslip. He was European player of the year that year too!

I actually agree with you that it's an odd selection curates. Part of the reason I did it that way was because I'm unsure about Ruddock's fitness, but the main one was because of other people mentioning him as an 8 and the idea getting in my head that it actually makes sense to move him given that we have Leavy and VDF. It's not an idea I particularly like, but I can definitely see Joe being a fan of it, and given that this isn't a must win game I'd say it's worth trying out. If Conan is injured then realistically there's more chance of SOB being picked at 8 for a European game than Deegan.

If Conan was to miss a European game then personally I'd start Deegan, but it won't happen unless there are other injuries.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Also think Deegan will be unlucky not to start this weekend if he doesn't. Had Rhys stayed on on Saturday then SOB could have replaced Josh and it would have made sense for Deegan to come in this weekend. The way it worked out Rhys could probably do with the game time if he's fit.

[cormac]

We presumably won't be 'allowed' to start Sexton again? The same should in theory apply to Carbery (who has started three in a row and played the last 4/5), but we all know there's one rule for three of the provinces and another for Munster.
Their new scrumhalf looks lively. Got a very easy introduction though.

What did Ruddock go off with? I lost coverage for that moment. I really hope it is nothing serious. That poor b$&%@#d just can't catch a break.
Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

Is Barry Daly still injured? I'm not sure I'd want to see Byrne start this one.

Ruddock and Larmour both reported to have hip injuries. Barry Daly is still injured.

Full report here: http://www.the42.ie/leinster-munster-in ... =shortlink

[joooooe]

Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

He played there for a couple of Euro games in 2011/12 covering for an injured Heaslip. He was European player of the year that year too!

It was 2010/11, of course. My bad.

[leinsterforever]

Someone said a while back they'd like to see a Molony, Ryan partnership because they'd complement each other well. I agree with that and it could be a good fit in this game.

Fardy at blindside might be a possibility if Ruddock is injured. 6. Fardy, 7. O'Brien, 8. Deegan; 20. Leavy would be a good unit.

[cormac]

Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

Technically true over the last four seasons, Ruddock has started 6 matches at 8 compared to O'Brien's 3, but SOB has started more games in that position overall (18 v 16).

O'Brien also started at 8 twice last season (home to Edinburgh and away to Ulster) compared to Ruddock's zero appearances in the 8 jersey.

[curates_egg]

Technically true over the last four seasons, Ruddock has started 6 matches at 8 compared to O'Brien's 3, but SOB has started more games in that position overall (18 v 16).

O'Brien also started at 8 twice last season (home to Edinburgh and away to Ulster) compared to Ruddock's zero appearances in the 8 jersey.

He played there for a couple of Euro games in 2011/12 covering for an injured Heaslip. He was European player of the year that year too!

It was 2010/11, of course. My bad.

That season when he played at 8 cos the Wolfman got his only other injury, I thought he was outstanding. I honestly thought that was where his future was. But it hasn't been.
I guess, in part, that was because Heaslip was so good; but clearly coaches have preferred him as a sux-and-a-half.

But we now have two very good 8s, who bring very different skills, and have shown they can mix it; and we also have Doris. Is now really the time to move him back?

If Conan is injured then realistically there's more chance of SOB being picked at 8 for a European game than Deegan.

If Conan was to miss a European game then personally I'd start Deegan, but it won't happen unless there are other injuries.

I guess that is the question: who do you play at 8 in the big games if Conan is injured. I really like what I've seen of Deegan. I think a backrow of Deegan with SOB/Ruddock and Leavy/VDF has everything you need - just typing that, it's amazing to see what options we have!

I would argue this weekend is a perfect opportunity to test Deegan and see if he has what it takes to start in Europe if necessary.

[BlueBlue]

This is a must win game. Maybe not in the context of us needing the league points, but in every other way its a must win game. If you don't believe me, ask Johnny.

[riocard911]

My wish for this match is Adam Byrne to start and for him to put Wooton in his box with a series of suitably forceful tackles!!!

[RoboProp]

Injury report suggests Leavy & Ryan good to do.

Maybe J McGrath too.

Larmour an injury doubt(Hip).

SOB available also.

Sexton to be rested?

Why not? I would love to see Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery go head to head.

Rosser seen jogging in the Dublin/Wicklow moutains trying to lose his KGB tail. Joey spotted working out in a high tech gym while Brigitte Nielsen looks on approvingly.
Carboooooooo!

CARBOOOOOO!!!

[Peg Leg]

Injury report suggests Leavy & Ryan good to do.

Maybe J McGrath too.

Larmour an injury doubt(Hip).

SOB available also.

Sexton to be rested?

Why not? I would love to see Ross Byrne and Joey Carbery go head to head.

Rosser seen jogging in the Dublin/Wicklow moutains trying to lose his KGB tail. Joey spotted working out in a high tech gym while Brigitte Nielsen looks on approvingly.
Carboooooooo!

CARBOOOOOO!!!

Prob a good idea for Rosser and KGB to be training together, good to hear. They have had a Rocky enough relationship on the pitch thus far.

[curates_egg]

We presumably won't be 'allowed' to start Sexton again? The same should in theory apply to Carbery (who has started three in a row and played the last 4/5), but we all know there's one rule for three of the provinces and another for Munster.
Their new scrumhalf looks lively. Got a very easy introduction though.

What did Ruddock go off with? I lost coverage for that moment. I really hope it is nothing serious. That poor b$&%@#d just can't catch a break.
Seen it on a few threads now, but why are people selecting SOB at 8 (and Deegan at 6)? We've three 8s in the squad and Ruddock has played there more than SOB over the past 4 years (can only remember SOB playing there once).

Is Barry Daly still injured? I'm not sure I'd want to see Byrne start this one.

Ruddock and Larmour both reported to have hip injuries. Barry Daly is still injured.

Full report here: http://www.the42.ie/leinster-munster-in ... =shortlink

Not great hearing Ruddock has a hip issue. My memory (granted that this has been demonstrated to be extremely poor when it comes to players' injuries) is telling me he's had a few of those before, and even an operation. If he injures it after one game, it sounds worryingly chronic. Such an unsung hero, but also the de facto captain for a large chunk of the season; I really hope it is a big fat nothing burger.