Munster 2013/2014

[simonokeeffe]

They are out of the transfer market, but do they not already have their business done?

Are the replacements for departing players not already sorted?

for the most part they have

Munster

In: Copeland 8, Kelly 1, Smith 13, Tyler Durden 10/12
Out: Laulala 13, Nagle 5, Ronan 7, Downey 12, Coughlan 8

[rookie]

They are out of the transfer market, but do they not already have their business done?

Are the replacements for departing players not already sorted?

for the most part they have

Munster

In: Copeland 8, Kelly 1, Smith 13, Tyler Durden 10/12
Out: Laulala 13, Nagle 5, Ronan 7, Downey 12, Coughlan 8

Who is this Tyler Durden you speak of?

[simonokeeffe]

They are out of the transfer market, but do they not already have their business done?

Are the replacements for departing players not already sorted?

for the most part they have

Munster

In: Copeland 8, Kelly 1, Smith 13, Tyler Durden 10/12
Out: Laulala 13, Nagle 5, Ronan 7, Downey 12, Coughlan 8

Who is this Tyler Durden you speak of?

much easier to spell than Tyler Hareenhall or whatever his real name is

[Peg Leg]

for the most part they have

Munster

In: Copeland 8, Kelly 1, Smith 13, Tyler Durden 10/12
Out: Laulala 13, Nagle 5, Ronan 7, Downey 12, Coughlan 8

Who is this Tyler Durden you speak of?

much easier to spell than Tyler Hareenhall or whatever his real name is

Ed Norton

[offshorerules]

Would not be thrilled with that draw for Munster. Away to Clermont and Sarries will not be easy matches but the bitterness might just get them through against Sarries. Thereafter it will probably depend on how other results/groups go for them.

[Munsterboy]

Would not be thrilled with that draw for Munster. Away to Clermont and Sarries will not be easy matches but the bitterness might just get them through against Sarries. Thereafter it will probably depend on how other results/groups go for them.

It's a fairly brutal draw but I rate our chances as highly as anybody's in the group. I think we're more likely to beat either of them away than they are to beat us at Thomond. Will probably go down to the wire though.

Ulster's draw is marginally worse I reckon.

[paddyor]

9pts each from Sale x 2
4+1 from the home games x 2

leaves all 3 on 14pts with Sale on nothing. Think a lot of it will come down to bps. Scheduling of the groups will be crucial. Lose 3 and you're out so 1 or 2 teams may just drop the heads. Still only see 1 qualifier but I think you can do it.

[ratpack]

9pts each from Sale x 2
4+1 from the home games x 2

leaves all 3 on 14pts with Sale on nothing. Think a lot of it will come down to bps. Scheduling of the groups will be crucial. Lose 3 and you're out so 1 or 2 teams may just drop the heads. Still only see 1 qualifier but I think you can do it.

Certainly wouldn't be writing Sale off that easily, really improved this season, home form impressive, they've enough about them to give teams trouble. Someone will slip up there.

[deco]

Can't believe the whinging. They can't expect handy draws every year. They're only a 2nd seeded team but avoided the big hitting 1st seeds of Leinster, Toulon and Northampton. Sarries only just beat 14 man Ulster and would've been 2nd seeds but for the luck of the draw. Clermont are not the force they were a few years ago, and if Sale trouble Munster they may as well throw their hat at it...liginds or not.

[Oldschool]

Would not be thrilled with that draw for Munster. Away to Clermont and Sarries will not be easy matches but the bitterness might just get them through against Sarries. Thereafter it will probably depend on how other results/groups go for them.

It's a fairly brutal draw but I rate our chances as highly as anybody's in the group. I think we're more likely to beat either of them away than they are to beat us at Thomond. Will probably go down to the wire though.

Ulster's draw is marginally worse I reckon.

Ulster's draw is a lot worse.
Sarries scraped thru as best runner up this season. They had Zebre and Connacht in their group FFS and nearly blew it.
They got a 14 to 15 man advantage v Ulster in the QF and nearly blew that too.
Clerment are in transition both on and off the field. Ye know all about that so what are you worrying about.
Stop building yourselves down as underdogs and start standing tall.
It's up to them to come up to your standards not the other way around.

[simonokeeffe]

Sale have a rubbish front five except for Hines, no squad depth, very good backrow and halfbacks and 2 boshy centres

[offshorerules]

Sale have a rubbish front five except for Hines, no squad depth, very good backrow and halfbacks and 2 boshy centres

2 boshy centres could cause damage especially if Munsters centres are a converted inexperienced out half and Keet. Wouldn't write any team in that group off especially at home. Ulsters group is just as tough though I agree.

[simonokeeffe]

Sale have a rubbish front five except for Hines, no squad depth, very good backrow and halfbacks and 2 boshy centres

2 boshy centres could cause damage especially if Munsters centres are a converted inexperienced out half and Keet. Wouldn't write any team in that group off especially at home. Ulsters group is just as tough though I agree.

Think JJ can definitely handle people running straight at him, Earls defending problem at 13 was more positional/system

[offshorerules]

Can't see JJ playing at 12. Might be Keatley or Bleyenthall (or however his name is spelt) and Earls' problem in my view is that his inside shoulder is vulnerable. Nothing really to do with positioning. Anyway no need to debate it, but I just think that as with our group there are no gimmies this year for Munster.

[munster#1]

I wonder if munster will take the risk of playing their new 13 at 13?

[simonokeeffe]

I wonder if munster will take the risk of playing their new 13 at 13?

that too

[paddyor]

Some interesting figures:
http://gameoverballburst.me/2014/06/06/ ... is-bright/

THE MUNSTER rugby AGM for 2014 took place last night, June 5 at UL Bohemians RFC Limerick. The main order of business on the night was the election of Mick Goggin (pictured) as Branch President for the incoming year.

.......

One way to save money is to not train at night.

[offshorerules]

I wonder if munster will take the risk of playing their new 13 at 13?

Are you referring to Andrew Smith? I thought he was an inside centre, no? Maybe I've missed another signing but my only memory of seeing Smith play was against the Lions on the last tour and he played at 12 in that game. Would be interested to hear though if you know differently. Also I see to remember that he was signed on a one year deal which might have been an interim thing until after the world cup next year, and that he was going to see out the Super 15 season first. So it's hardly a key appointment is it? So unless I've missed something I still think Munster have a bit of an issue at 13. Then again there not the only side in that position in Ireland are they?

[Donny B.]

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 44,00.html

Not entirely sure why they want him as they seem fairly well stocked at centre. This will make Downey one of, if not the, most well-travelled Irish professional rugby players around.

[blockhead]

[quote="Donny B."]http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 44,00.html

Not entirely sure why they want him as they seem fairly well stocked at centre. This will make Downey one of, if not the, most well-travelled Irish professional rugby players around.[/quote

Good luck to the lad. 2 years extension to his career. And now he has a chance of getting a medal or two.