The O'Classico- Leinster v Munster!

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LEINSTER

15. Rob Kearney
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Gordon D'Arcy
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Ian Madigan
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Michael Bent
2. Richardt Strauss
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. Kevin McLaughlin
7. Shane Jennings
8. Jamie Heaslip (c)

16. Sean Cronin
17. Jack O'Connell
18. Ed Byrne
19. Leo Cullen
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Jimmy Gopperth
23. Zane Kirchner

MUNSTER

15. Felix Jones
14. Keith Earls
13. Casey Laulala
12. Denis Hurley
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Damien Varley
3. BJ Botha
4. Dave Foley
5. Paul O' Connell
6. Peter O'Mahony (c)
7. Tommy O'Donnell
8. James Coughlan

16. Duncan Casey
17. James Cronin
18. Alan Cotter
19. Donncha O'Callaghan
20. CJ Stander
21. Duncan Williams
22. JJ Hanrahan
23. Gerhard van den Heever

At Aviva Stadium, 7pm. Live on TG4

Referee: Alain Rolland
Assistant Referees: David Wilkinson, Michael Black (both IRFU)
Citing Commissioner: Peter Ferguson (IRFU)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)

Trimble and Bowe are starters for me with Kearney, McFadden and anyone else good enough in reserve.

If Schmidt had to pick the WC squad now, and everyone was fit, I don't think either Zebo or Kearney would make it

I think Bowe, Trimble and Earls are ahead of them in the pecking order and Schmidt also likes a utility winger - like McFadden - to complete the squad

geoff998rugby wrote:If Schmidt had to pick the WC squad now, and everyone was fit, I don't think either Zebo or Kearney would make it

I think Bowe, Trimble and Earls are ahead of them in the pecking order and Schmidt also likes a utility winger - like McFadden - to complete the squad

Wouldn't be so sure Earls is ahead of Fitzgerald in the pecking order!Having talked to Leinster players during Schmidt's reign, I got the impression he rates Fitz very highly.

Love for Zebo seems to be directly correlated to Kearney hate.
If we take Zebo's (flukey) flick against Wales out of the equation, he hasn't really done anything at int level.So basing them both on club level, there isn't a lot between them in terms of attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD7LnCAjbbU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHjbRAijZFQ-Zebo could only dream of doing that.
On a side note, at u20 level, he was outshone by Andrew Conway in every facet of his game.

I get all the love for Dave from the blue rinsed brigade, but he's still just so average

PredictorofTeams wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:If Schmidt had to pick the WC squad now, and everyone was fit, I don't think either Zebo or Kearney would make it

I think Bowe, Trimble and Earls are ahead of them in the pecking order and Schmidt also likes a utility winger - like McFadden - to complete the squad

Wouldn't be so sure Earls is ahead of Fitzgerald in the pecking order!Having talked to Leinster players during Schmidt's reign, I got the impression he rates Fitz very highly.

Earls got a central contract whilst Schmidt was in charge.
Earls was the form winger in Ireland prior to his injury.

Fitzgerald is going head to head with McFadden for the utility spot I reckon
And with due respect players are not going to talk to any of us and say the coach doesn't rate a team mate - I would take such observations with a pinch of salt

Hell Rory Best told me he though Mike McCormish was a useful squad player - mind you he did have his pinkies crossed at the time  

I don't see what Earls has done at international level to suggest he is better than any of those wingers. Id have him ahead of McFadden thats it.

Schmidt won't have a back who can't pass in the team.

Schmidt oked a central contract - what other wingers have central contract - Bowe, Trimble do
Zebo I don't know - no one else.

There's a lot of players without central contracts who get picked. I'm not sure Earls is well rounded enough to really catch Schmidts eye.

Every player is paid by the IRFU. Having a Central contract doesn't mean you are definate starter or better than everyone else.

I'm watching Chiefs vs Bulls in Super Rugby. I don't understand why Van Den Heever would rather sit on the Munster bench for big games in a climate that doesn't suit him as well as opposed to be starting in big games like this.

Not a dig at Munster- whether or not their wingers are the best options for Ireland, they are definitely very classy players at this level. Just an odd career move.

RTE lose the rights to show Pro 12 rugby and more detail on Sky's deal.

http://www.irishtimes....-tv-rights-1.1740847

Notch wrote:I'm watching Chiefs vs Bulls in Super Rugby. I don't understand why Van Den Heever would rather sit on the Munster bench for big games in a climate that doesn't suit him as well as opposed to be starting in big games like this.

Not a dig at Munster- whether or not their wingers are the best options for Ireland, they are definitely very classy players at this level. Just an odd career move.

Ditto Stander.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:RTE lose the rights to show Pro 12 rugby and more detail on Sky's deal.

http://www.irishtimes....-tv-rights-1.1740847

It's a shame that RTE are pulling out and TG4 are staying in. But good news that Sky can't have the same fixture home and away. At least half of all the really big box-office games will be free to air and there will be a good amount of free to air rugby on each weekend.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:RTE lose the rights to show Pro 12 rugby and more detail on Sky's deal.

http://www.irishtimes....-tv-rights-1.1740847

Link doesn't work

Maybe RTE should cut some of the rediculous wages they give out to top presenters etc. to be able to afford keep the sports.

Sky are also believed to have signed a deal to start showing GAA games.

geoff998rugby wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:RTE lose the rights to show Pro 12 rugby and more detail on Sky's deal.

http://www.irishtimes....-tv-rights-1.1740847

Link doesn't work

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/rt%C3%A9-still-in-mix-for-rugby-world-cup-tv-rights-1.1740847

Golden wrote:

Notch wrote:I'm watching Chiefs vs Bulls in Super Rugby. I don't understand why Van Den Heever would rather sit on the Munster bench for big games in a climate that doesn't suit him as well as opposed to be starting in big games like this.

Not a dig at Munster- whether or not their wingers are the best options for Ireland, they are definitely very classy players at this level. Just an odd career move.

Ditto Stander.

Money - makes me question their desire to play the game though

Golden wrote:

Notch wrote:I'm watching Chiefs vs Bulls in Super Rugby. I don't understand why Van Den Heever would rather sit on the Munster bench for big games in a climate that doesn't suit him as well as opposed to be starting in big games like this.

Not a dig at Munster- whether or not their wingers are the best options for Ireland, they are definitely very classy players at this level. Just an odd career move.

Ditto Stander.

I dunno about VDH but Stander is certainly better than a lot of the options being selected ahead of him. Very strange.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Every player is paid by the IRFU. Having a Central contract doesn't mean you are definate starter or better than everyone else.

Can you explain the logic of why you would pay someone an international wage rather than a provincial wage if you were not going to use this player to play in internationals?

edit: Has Daverage signed a new contract yet with Leinster/IRFU? If so, what is it?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Golden wrote:

Notch wrote:I'm watching Chiefs vs Bulls in Super Rugby. I don't understand why Van Den Heever would rather sit on the Munster bench for big games in a climate that doesn't suit him as well as opposed to be starting in big games like this.

Not a dig at Munster- whether or not their wingers are the best options for Ireland, they are definitely very classy players at this level. Just an odd career move.

Ditto Stander.

I dunno about VDH but Stander is certainly better than a lot of the options being selected ahead of him.  Very strange.

He isn't better than POM or Coughlan (just yet).

Van den Heever was benching for Super Rugby (3 starts out of 11 last season). He had moved to the Stormers from the Bulls, so maybe the Bulls didn't want him.

Sin é wrote:Can you explain the logic of why you would pay someone an international wage rather than a provincial wage if you were not going to use this player to play in internationals?

Well you yourself are the one who's always saying that certain players get central contracts to 'balance' the wage bills for the provinces   

Stander has had one good game and a few cameos but is not near starting yet as sin e said. In fact he has had a few shockers as well. What's weird is that the lulster brigade seem to love him based on nothing much. Don't see any clamoring from Munster supporters yet.

Just seems odd that he was starting a lot of games for the Bulls before going to Munster.

He hardly gets any game time at Munster despite playing well and scoring tries and then he signs a new contract. Maybe Foley rates him more than Penney does.

I don't love Stander, the best games I've seen him play for Munster has been when he comes on as an impact player.

Notch wrote:

Sin é wrote:Can you explain the logic of why you would pay someone an international wage rather than a provincial wage if you were not going to use this player to play in internationals?

Well you yourself are the one who's always saying that certain players get central contracts to 'balance' the wage bills for the provinces   

Yep. Except Munster have a couple already - POC, Ryan, POM & Murray -

Golden wrote:Just seems odd that he was starting a lot of games for the Bulls before going to Munster.

He hardly gets any game time at Munster despite playing well and scoring tries and then he signs a new contract. Maybe Foley rates him more than Penney does.

We only saw his highlights with the Bulls though. The hard ground probably suited him. He had to get used to a completely different game up here. His defence wasn't good enough and he looked sometimes to have lost concentration. I think it has been a difficult transition for him, but he is very young and he just wouldn't have the same cop-on as someone like Coughlan. He has plenty of competition, but I do think he will turn into a very good player for Munster.

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Every player is paid by the IRFU. Having a Central contract doesn't mean you are definate starter or better than everyone else.

Can you explain the logic of why you would pay someone an international wage rather than a provincial wage if you were not going to use this player to play in internationals?

edit: Has Daverage signed a new contract yet with Leinster/IRFU? If so, what is it?

Maybe at the time he signed it he was considered one of the top wingers in Ireland. He certainly isn't now and just because he has one doesn't mean he will make the matchday 23.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Sin é wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Every player is paid by the IRFU. Having a Central contract doesn't mean you are definate starter or better than everyone else.

Can you explain the logic of why you would pay someone an international wage rather than a provincial wage if you were not going to use this player to play in internationals?

edit: Has Daverage signed a new contract yet with Leinster/IRFU? If so, what is it?

Maybe at the time he signed it he was considered one of the top wingers in Ireland. He certainly isn't now and just because he has one doesn't mean he will make the matchday 23.

Earls just signed his last 2 year contract extension (announced on 21 January 2014).

Since when do the IRFU throw good money away? They even know that it is highly unlikely that Earls would dream of moving away from Limerick.

You do know that the IRFU pays every player in Ireland? Central contracts don't mean a whole a lot. I know that SOB refused a central contract for years.

Right..game on. Getting to see the first half only..we should have it wrapped up by halftime

POC bleeding already... very poor scrum by Leinster

Zebo caught from behind by a forward??   
Surely not......

I cant stop thinking about that Irish pitch-side stunner. Speaking Irish. Jeezez, Id do her washin.

Mon Leinster! Angry Munster need a lesson here.

A lot of sloppy mistakes so far.

Its all Munster in the 1st 20, as expected. We are used to this. We'll  take any chance that comes.

Oh Lord its hard to be humble...    

And one for Messerschmidt.   

Best ref for the jobs lads. He knows all about it. Should let it flow.

Gowan Fadders! See Simple Simon, thats what it takes.

Funny to see BOD getting dressed down by a ref at this stage in his career.

Golden wrote:Funny to see BOD getting dressed down by a ref at this stage in his career.

Healthy, I think Gold. Still shows the hunger.

Yup indeed Gibbo. Good to see Rollaind not taking any sh1te too

Woooooo. Rolland is running it like Nige. Love it!

Good kicking Keatley. Munster the smerter side so far. Reddan is trying to unlock them. Fascinating.

Good to see Fitz back, eh Deccie? I know you rate him. If he can get an injury-free run to the RWC2015, he's in. At 11 or 13.  

Felix Jones is really coming back. Great to see. Always rated him.

   BOD is playing like it his 1st game v Munster. Or is it because its maybe his last? He's like a kid with the passion already. 

Love it. We wont see his like for another 20/30 years.

McFadden straight through Zebo there. Theyre having some contest

Keatley is rock-solid. Get em going Madigan!

Leinster about as inaccurate as I've ever seen them. Munster aggression could pile on some points here. Worry about Leinster under O Conner, it's all a bit directionless

Rolland gives a penalty to his team when killer puts pressure on Ross...

Still thing Fergs a centre Gibbo?

Have to say I much prefer him on the wing. Top player