The Official Irish Rugby Thread

[DeDoc]

The problem with centralising is the players get less exposure to the senior squads and less chance of gametime. It would break the link to the province which is both a good and bad thing.

It might work at sub-academy level as I indicated above - you basically create a single centralised sub-academy that acts as a feeder to the academies, with some limited 'first dibs' for the province that 'supplied' them to the national sub-academy. So academy level players are still training with the provincial squads, but the level below that is grouping together all the best players in the country and centralising the support for them. Positively it would have the benefit that if one province (currently Leinster) is churning out good players they are getting more evenly spread, but Leinster would still have some cherry picking of the best (currently), but the ones that take longer to mature etc could get a shot in another provinces academy. Negatively, you'd wonder would all the provinces be incentivised to develop their feeder systems to provide players to the national academy, or would they all just sit back and wait for the latest crop of St. Michaels lads to enter the system.
I really do think it would be a big retrograde step to lose the strength of the attachment/aspiration that young lads have to play for their home province

[irishrugbyua]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Colm Reilly(Connacht) -u22

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

[Conspicuous]

Not that I agree with him, but if you listen to the interview, rog basically says that cooney would be his number 2, but wouldn't see the reason behind having cooney and Murray in the same squad.

Also says that cooney and sexton don't work well together.

Was a bit too much of a Murray love-in though

I read some of the extract. He also said that Cooney is of much more value to Ulster than Ireland because he acts as their general and kicks goals , neither of which he’s be required to do for Ireland

[HighKingLeinster]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

1 Leinster? GTFO

[Conspicuous]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

It will be interesting to see how the scrum half situation develops at Ulster with Doak and Finlay, two very different players. I suspect Finlay might be a bigger prospect as the better passer but it’s too early to say
I really like the look of Callum Reid, proper rampaging loosehead with good handling skills. Obviously Wycherley has proved it at a higher level so you’d have to go with him for now

[irishrugbyua]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

1 Leinster? GTFO

not a particularly strong academy group in the current leinster academy at the minute which has been reflected in A results.

Probable combined academy team might look something like this:

1. Wycherley(Munster)
2. Stewart(Ulster)
3. Clarkson(Leinster)
4. Izuchukwu(Ulster)
5. Aherne(Munster)
6. Soroka(Leinster)
7. Hodnett(Munster)
8. McCann(Ulster)
9. Reilly(Connacht)
10. Healy(Munster)
11. McIlroy(Ulster)
12. Crowley(Munster)
13. Hyde(Ulster)
14. Sexton(Ulster)
15. Flannery(Munster)

[Jim Lahey]

So what we are saying is that it’ll only be another couple of years before proper order is restored in Irish rugby?

[rialtoblue]

So what we are saying is that it’ll only be another couple of years before proper order is restored in Irish rugby?

You've been talking about overtaking Munster for years now

[hermie]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

1 Leinster? GTFO

not a particularly strong academy group in the current leinster academy at the minute which has been reflected in A results.

Probable combined academy team might look something like this:

1. Wycherley(Munster)
2. Stewart(Ulster)
3. Clarkson(Leinster)
4. Izuchukwu(Ulster)
5. Aherne(Munster)
6. Soroka(Leinster)
7. Hodnett(Munster)
8. McCann(Ulster)
9. Reilly(Connacht)
10. Healy(Munster)
11. McIlroy(Ulster)
12. Crowley(Munster)
13. Hyde(Ulster)
14. Sexton(Ulster)
15. Flannery(Munster)

True but largely because Leinster promoted the likes of Baird, Penny, Byrne jr and Sheehan. With Larmour, Doris and Kelleher not much older.

[Mr. Very Popular]

Would be hopeful we put out our strongest team possible on Saturday.

Killer
Scannell, or Marshall
Ryan
Kleyn
Beirne
CJ
Pom
Coombes.
Murray
JJ or Healy
Earls
DDA
Farrell
Daly
Haley.

KOB
Whycherly
Archer/ Knox
Whycherly
JoD
Casey
Healy/JJ
Conway ( seems to be back training).

[irishrugbyua]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

1 Leinster? GTFO

not a particularly strong academy group in the current leinster academy at the minute which has been reflected in A results.

Probable combined academy team might look something like this:

1. Wycherley(Munster)
2. Stewart(Ulster)
3. Clarkson(Leinster)
4. Izuchukwu(Ulster)
5. Aherne(Munster)
6. Soroka(Leinster)
7. Hodnett(Munster)
8. McCann(Ulster)
9. Reilly(Connacht)
10. Healy(Munster)
11. McIlroy(Ulster)
12. Crowley(Munster)
13. Hyde(Ulster)
14. Sexton(Ulster)
15. Flannery(Munster)

True but largely because Leinster promoted the likes of Baird, Penny, Byrne jr and Sheehan. With Larmour, Doris and Kelleher not much older.

Yep.

[Conspicuous]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

1 Leinster? GTFO

not a particularly strong academy group in the current leinster academy at the minute which has been reflected in A results.

Probable combined academy team might look something like this:

1. Wycherley(Munster)
2. Stewart(Ulster)
3. Clarkson(Leinster)
4. Izuchukwu(Ulster)
5. Aherne(Munster)
6. Soroka(Leinster)
7. Hodnett(Munster)
8. McCann(Ulster)
9. Reilly(Connacht)
10. Healy(Munster)
11. McIlroy(Ulster)
12. Crowley(Munster)
13. Hyde(Ulster)
14. Sexton(Ulster)
15. Flannery(Munster)

That’s a pretty strong team tbf. I think there’s plenty of good prospects in the Leinster academy, I wouldn’t judge them too harshly on the A results as they’ve often been playing other provinces backboned by more experienced players

[Conspicuous]

Good point Hermie on early promotions and recent graduates

Leinster u23 side ?

1.Milne
2.Kelleher/Sheehan
3.Clarkson
4.Baird
5.Dunne
6.Soroka
7.Penny
8.Dorris
9.Patterson
10.Byrne
11.Smith
12.Frawley
13.TOB
14.O’Sullivan
15.Larmour

[irishrugbyua]

Good point Hermie on early promotions and recent graduates

Leinster u23 side ?

1.Milne
2.Kelleher/Sheehan
3.Clarkson
4.Baird
5.Dunne
6.Soroka
7.Penny
8.Dorris
9.Patterson
10.Byrne
11.Smith
12.Frawley
13.TOB
14.O’Sullivan
15.Larmour

I'd get Osborne in the team at 14 or 15.

Prob take o'sullivan at 9.

[Conspicuous]

Good point Hermie on early promotions and recent graduates

Leinster u23 side ?

1.Milne
2.Kelleher/Sheehan
3.Clarkson
4.Baird
5.Dunne
6.Soroka
7.Penny
8.Dorris
9.Patterson
10.Byrne
11.Smith
12.Frawley
13.TOB
14.O’Sullivan
15.Larmour

I'd get Osborne in the team at 14 or 15.

Prob take o'sullivan at 9.

Osbourne looks class alright, what position did he play at schools level ?
Much of a muchness with Patterson and and HOS, I doubt either will set the world alight . Foley looked very poor on Friday

[Willie Falloon]

So what we are saying is that it’ll only be another couple of years before proper order is restored in Irish rugby?

You've been talking about overtaking Munster for years now

We already have.

[Willie Falloon]

Best academy prospects by position:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster) -u22

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster) -u21

Hooker
Tom Stewart(Ulster) -u20

Lock
Tom Aherne(Munster) -u21

Backrow
John Hodnett(Munster) -u22

Scrumhalf
Nathan Doak(Ulster) -u20

Outhalf
Ben Healy(Munster) -u22

Centre
Hayden Hyde(Ulster) -u21

Back Three
Ethan McIlroy(Ulster) -u21

1 Leinster? GTFO

not a particularly strong academy group in the current leinster academy at the minute which has been reflected in A results.

Probable combined academy team might look something like this:

1. Wycherley(Munster)
2. Stewart(Ulster)
3. Clarkson(Leinster)
4. Izuchukwu(Ulster)
5. Aherne(Munster)
6. Soroka(Leinster)
7. Hodnett(Munster)
8. McCann(Ulster)
9. Reilly(Connacht)
10. Healy(Munster)
11. McIlroy(Ulster)
12. Crowley(Munster)
13. Hyde(Ulster)
14. Sexton(Ulster)
15. Flannery(Munster)

True but largely because Leinster promoted the likes of Baird, Penny, Byrne jr and Sheehan. With Larmour, Doris and Kelleher not much older.

Yep.

Sheehan and Penny aren't within an arses roar of Stewart and McCann.

Ulster could argue Stewart Moore, Doak, Otoole, Balcoune and Lowry would make that team also

[irishrugbyua]

Leinster u23 XV
1. Milne
2. Kelleher
3. Clarkson
4. Baird
5. Dunne
6. Soroka
7. Penny
8. Doris
9. HOS
10. Byrne
11. Smith
12. Frawley
13. TOB
14. Osborne
15. Larmour

Ulster u23 XV
1. Reid
2. Stewart
3. O'Toole
4. Sheridan
5. McMenamin
6. Rea
7. Crothers
8. McCann
9. Doak
10. Lowry
11. Balacoune
12. Moore
13. Hume
14. McIlroy
15. Sexton

[irishrugbyua]

Good point Hermie on early promotions and recent graduates

Leinster u23 side ?

1.Milne
2.Kelleher/Sheehan
3.Clarkson
4.Baird
5.Dunne
6.Soroka
7.Penny
8.Dorris
9.Patterson
10.Byrne
11.Smith
12.Frawley
13.TOB
14.O’Sullivan
15.Larmour

I'd get Osborne in the team at 14 or 15.

Prob take o'sullivan at 9.

Osbourne looks class alright, what position did he play at schools level ?
Much of a muchness with Patterson and and HOS, I doubt either will set the world alight . Foley looked very poor on Friday

came through the club game.. played wing/fullback for leinster underage but centre/outhalf for his club. Has played multiple positions for leinster A to date.

[Willie Falloon]

Leinster u23 XV
1. Milne
2. Kelleher
3. Clarkson
4. Baird
5. Dunne
6. Soroka
7. Penny
8. Doris
9. HOS
10. Byrne
11. Smith
12. Frawley
13. TOB
14. Osborne
15. Larmour

Ulster u23 XV
1. Reid
2. Stewart
3. O'Toole
4. Sheridan
5. McMenamin
6. Rea
7. Crothers
8. McCann
9. Doak
10. Lowry
11. Balacoune
12. Moore
13. Hume
14. McIlroy
15. Sexton

Rob Lyttle at 15

[Jim Lahey]

Are you southerners even going to bother to create a bit of spite about tomorrow or has covid/a general apathy toward provincial rugby killed any interest?

In days gone by during the build up to the “Big 2” there might have been a few flounce bets, several final written warnings from mods over a banning and a few posters making big claims that Conor Murray would never amount to much or Balcony Bob was f**king shite.

Shit craic altogether lads. I’m not angry at ye’s, just disappointed.

[onesolidunit]

The issue around the spite levels is that there has been a concerted effort by the irfu and the Munster controlled sporting media to kill off the concept of rivalry between the two sides. When Munster were on top it was glorified as an end of history type scenario and all was right in the rugby world. Glorify Munster, denigrate Leinster was the MO and it went down a treat with all the miserable boggers who spent their whole lives looking to get one up on the 'haves' in the big smoke. Then 2009 happened, Leinster gain the upper hand and the narrative is suddenly that the rivalry is toxic and why can't we all just get along. Then the drumbeat of Leinster have to share their toys began and you have the likes of Carberry being frogmarched down the N7. Now there is talk of a national academy because the have nots feel they have a god given right to success without putting in the same level of groundwork that Leinster have committed to. Now that is an end of history scenario, Leinster are too far ahead so let's try remove the very notion of provincialism, we'll just all have a lucky dip in the Leinster goldmine, slap a red jersey on them and eventually we'll get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recovering from the beating of a lifetime in Croke Park. Munster's form always seems to peak in the off season when the usuals in the media turn a blind eye to the shameless poaching and desperate signings for which they would criticise the french clubs for and trumpet how next season Munster will be back at their rightful place at the top. The galactico approach is suddenly tolerated and last summer was like the second coming of gabbo re Snyman. A national academy in my view is like the ultimate white flag, if you can't beat them, be them.

[irishrugbyua]

Munster U23 XV

1. Wycherley
2. Barron
3. French
4. Wycherley
5. Aherne
6. Coombes
7. Hodnett
8. O'Sullivan
9. Casey
10. Healy
11. Coombes
12. Crowley
13. French
14. Nash
15. Flannery

[Jim Lahey]

The issue around the spite levels is that there has been a concerted effort by the irfu and the Munster controlled sporting media to kill off the concept of rivalry between the two sides. When Munster were on top it was glorified as an end of history type scenario and all was right in the rugby world. Glorify Munster, denigrate Leinster was the MO and it went down a treat with all the miserable boggers who spent their whole lives looking to get one up on the 'haves' in the big smoke. Then 2009 happened, Leinster gain the upper hand and the narrative is suddenly that the rivalry is toxic and why can't we all just get along. Then the drumbeat of Leinster have to share their toys began and you have the likes of Carberry being frogmarched down the N7. Now there is talk of a national academy because the have nots feel they have a god given right to success without putting in the same level of groundwork that Leinster have committed to. Now that is an end of history scenario, Leinster are too far ahead so let's try remove the very notion of provincialism, we'll just all have a lucky dip in the Leinster goldmine, slap a red jersey on them and eventually we'll get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recovering from the beating of a lifetime in Croke Park. Munster's form always seems to peak in the off season when the usuals in the media turn a blind eye to the shameless poaching and desperate signings for which they would criticise the french clubs for and trumpet how next season Munster will be back at their rightful place at the top. The galactico approach is suddenly tolerated and last summer was like the second coming of gabbo re Snyman. A national academy in my view is like the ultimate white flag, if you can't beat them, be them.

Now that is a gloriously spiteful post
Best I’ve read on here in a while.
Should draw a few CFs out.

[diarm]

Would be hopeful we put out our strongest team possible on Saturday.

Killer
Scannell, or Marshall
Ryan
Kleyn
Beirne
CJ
Pom
Coombes.
Murray
JJ or Healy
Earls
DDA
Farrell
Daly
Haley.

KOB
Whycherly
Archer/ Knox
Whycherly
JoD
Casey
Healy/JJ
Conway ( seems to be back training).

Solid team - although on this years form, I'd have O'Byrne ahead of Marshall and definitely ahead of Scannell in our strongest side.

[Munster-fogs]

The issue around the spite levels is that there has been a concerted effort by the irfu and the Munster controlled sporting media to kill off the concept of rivalry between the two sides. When Munster were on top it was glorified as an end of history type scenario and all was right in the rugby world. Glorify Munster, denigrate Leinster was the MO and it went down a treat with all the miserable boggers who spent their whole lives looking to get one up on the 'haves' in the big smoke. Then 2009 happened, Leinster gain the upper hand and the narrative is suddenly that the rivalry is toxic and why can't we all just get along. Then the drumbeat of Leinster have to share their toys began and you have the likes of Carberry being frogmarched down the N7. Now there is talk of a national academy because the have nots feel they have a god given right to success without putting in the same level of groundwork that Leinster have committed to. Now that is an end of history scenario, Leinster are too far ahead so let's try remove the very notion of provincialism, we'll just all have a lucky dip in the Leinster goldmine, slap a red jersey on them and eventually we'll get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recovering from the beating of a lifetime in Croke Park. Munster's form always seems to peak in the off season when the usuals in the media turn a blind eye to the shameless poaching and desperate signings for which they would criticise the french clubs for and trumpet how next season Munster will be back at their rightful place at the top. The galactico approach is suddenly tolerated and last summer was like the second coming of gabbo re Snyman. A national academy in my view is like the ultimate white flag, if you can't beat them, be them.

Quality rant.

[Munster-fogs]

Would be hopeful we put out our strongest team possible on Saturday.

Killer
Scannell, or Marshall
Ryan
Kleyn
Beirne
CJ
Pom
Coombes.
Murray
JJ or Healy
Earls
DDA
Farrell
Daly
Haley.

KOB
Whycherly
Archer/ Knox
Whycherly
JoD
Casey
Healy/JJ
Conway ( seems to be back training).

Solid team - although on this years form, I'd have O'Byrne ahead of Marshall and definitely ahead of Scannell in our strongest side.

If Conway is back training then he'll start. I don't think it was an injury keeping him out the last few weeks.

[Luckycharmer]

1 Leinster? GTFO

not a particularly strong academy group in the current leinster academy at the minute which has been reflected in A results.

Probable combined academy team might look something like this:

1. Wycherley(Munster)
2. Stewart(Ulster)
3. Clarkson(Leinster)
4. Izuchukwu(Ulster)
5. Aherne(Munster)
6. Soroka(Leinster)
7. Hodnett(Munster)
8. McCann(Ulster)
9. Reilly(Connacht)
10. Healy(Munster)
11. McIlroy(Ulster)
12. Crowley(Munster)
13. Hyde(Ulster)
14. Sexton(Ulster)
15. Flannery(Munster)

True but largely because Leinster promoted the likes of Baird, Penny, Byrne jr and Sheehan. With Larmour, Doris and Kelleher not much older.

Yep.

Sheehan and Penny aren't within an arses roar of Stewart and McCann.

Ulster could argue Stewart Moore, Doak, Otoole, Balcoune and Lowry would make that team also

Penny the 2nd top try scorer in the Pro 14 who scored 3 tries against Ulsters Senior team last season isn't within an arses roar of Mccann who did well against Leinsters kids and hasn't proven himself yet for the Senior team- you lost it son

[Jim Lahey]

Did he ever have it?

[Luckycharmer]

Good point Hermie on early promotions and recent graduates

Leinster u23 side ?

1.Milne
2.Kelleher/Sheehan
3.Clarkson
4.Baird
5.Dunne
6.Soroka
7.Penny
8.Dorris
9.Patterson
10.Byrne
11.Smith
12.Frawley
13.TOB
14.O’Sullivan
15.Larmour

I'd get Osborne in the team at 14 or 15.

Prob take o'sullivan at 9.

Osbourne looks class alright, what position did he play at schools level ?
Much of a muchness with Patterson and and HOS, I doubt either will set the world alight . Foley looked very poor on Friday

came through the club game.. played wing/fullback for leinster underage but centre/outhalf for his club. Has played multiple positions for leinster A to date.

I haven't been completely bowled over by Osbourne yet not at centre anyway, in the both Ulster and Munster game there were alot of clean breaks through our centres.

[ticketlessinseattle]

Not that I agree with him, but if you listen to the interview, rog basically says that cooney would be his number 2, but wouldn't see the reason behind having cooney and Murray in the same squad.

Also says that cooney and sexton don't work well together.

Was a bit too much of a Murray love-in though

None of that makes any sense
So he was high then

yeah, I listened to it too ; he didn't make any sense really ; I think he might actually have forgotten Cooney and then doubled down

listened to the rest of that ROG interview - in fairness to him he had a good laugh at himself about his conversation with Jack Crowley trying to recruit him to La Rochelle ; said Jack put him "back in his box" fairly sharpish

[ticketlessinseattle]

Would be hopeful we put out our strongest team possible on Saturday.

Killer
Scannell, or Marshall
Ryan
Kleyn
Beirne
CJ
Pom
Coombes.
Murray
JJ or Healy
Earls
DDA
Farrell
Daly
Haley.

KOB
Whycherly
Archer/ Knox
Whycherly
JoD
Casey
Healy/JJ
Conway ( seems to be back training).

pretty much ; Conway would be in you'd think if he was further down the fitness path ; I havent been a fan of Haley but had a great game vs Clermont ; JJ/Healy will be an interesting one - again JJ picked up a lot of credit vs Clermont....if only he can manage to hit the 100 yard target with his penalties for an entire game ; good to have Killer back with Josh you have him waiting in the wings ; will be interesting to see how Scannell gets on either starting or from bench ; Marhsall another one that picked up brownie points vs Clermont but cant fault O'Byrne either which all in all looks like we'll have a decent enough bench ; the optimist in me is saying we might sneak a losing bonus point

[ticketlessinseattle]

Would be hopeful we put out our strongest team possible on Saturday.

Killer
Scannell, or Marshall
Ryan
Kleyn
Beirne
CJ
Pom
Coombes.
Murray
JJ or Healy
Earls
DDA
Farrell
Daly
Haley.

KOB
Whycherly
Archer/ Knox
Whycherly
JoD
Casey
Healy/JJ
Conway ( seems to be back training).

Solid team - although on this years form, I'd have O'Byrne ahead of Marshall and definitely ahead of Scannell in our strongest side.

If Conway is back training then he'll start. I don't think it was an injury keeping him out the last few weeks.

actually, yeah, wasn't it a "family matter" keeping Conway out

[Luckycharmer]

The issue around the spite levels is that there has been a concerted effort by the irfu and the Munster controlled sporting media to kill off the concept of rivalry between the two sides. When Munster were on top it was glorified as an end of history type scenario and all was right in the rugby world. Glorify Munster, denigrate Leinster was the MO and it went down a treat with all the miserable boggers who spent their whole lives looking to get one up on the 'haves' in the big smoke. Then 2009 happened, Leinster gain the upper hand and the narrative is suddenly that the rivalry is toxic and why can't we all just get along. Then the drumbeat of Leinster have to share their toys began and you have the likes of Carberry being frogmarched down the N7. Now there is talk of a national academy because the have nots feel they have a god given right to success without putting in the same level of groundwork that Leinster have committed to. Now that is an end of history scenario, Leinster are too far ahead so let's try remove the very notion of provincialism, we'll just all have a lucky dip in the Leinster goldmine, slap a red jersey on them and eventually we'll get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recovering from the beating of a lifetime in Croke Park. Munster's form always seems to peak in the off season when the usuals in the media turn a blind eye to the shameless poaching and desperate signings for which they would criticise the french clubs for and trumpet how next season Munster will be back at their rightful place at the top. The galactico approach is suddenly tolerated and last summer was like the second coming of gabbo re Snyman. A national academy in my view is like the ultimate white flag, if you can't beat them, be them.

Quality post - European champs elect should be winning this game on Sat sure even the ref is a Munster clubman just to make sure they get across the line

[Willie Falloon]

Did he ever have it?

Go you to fudge.

We’ll which players ends up with the most Irish caps. Tom Stewart/David McCann or Sheehan/Penny

[Luckycharmer]

Did he ever have it?

Go you to fudge.

We’ll which players ends up with the most Irish caps. Tom Stewart/David McCann or Sheehan/Penny

You mean future Lions captains, so you think McCann is a far better player than Penny?

[Jumper]

The issue around the spite levels is that there has been a concerted effort by the irfu and the Munster controlled sporting media to kill off the concept of rivalry between the two sides. When Munster were on top it was glorified as an end of history type scenario and all was right in the rugby world. Glorify Munster, denigrate Leinster was the MO and it went down a treat with all the miserable boggers who spent their whole lives looking to get one up on the 'haves' in the big smoke. Then 2009 happened, Leinster gain the upper hand and the narrative is suddenly that the rivalry is toxic and why can't we all just get along. Then the drumbeat of Leinster have to share their toys began and you have the likes of Carberry being frogmarched down the N7. Now there is talk of a national academy because the have nots feel they have a god given right to success without putting in the same level of groundwork that Leinster have committed to. Now that is an end of history scenario, Leinster are too far ahead so let's try remove the very notion of provincialism, we'll just all have a lucky dip in the Leinster goldmine, slap a red jersey on them and eventually we'll get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recovering from the beating of a lifetime in Croke Park. Munster's form always seems to peak in the off season when the usuals in the media turn a blind eye to the shameless poaching and desperate signings for which they would criticise the french clubs for and trumpet how next season Munster will be back at their rightful place at the top. The galactico approach is suddenly tolerated and last summer was like the second coming of gabbo re Snyman. A national academy in my view is like the ultimate white flag, if you can't beat them, be them.

Now that is a gloriously spiteful post
Best I’ve read on here in a while.
Should draw a few CFs out.

They need to add paragraphs if they want people to read it

[Luckycharmer]

So Jumper it would embarrassing if Munster don't win tomorrow at home with a Munster ref? NO whining all the way through the match about decisions made by said Munster ref.
Can we predict now which player you are going to say should be banned for life for something only you see and never gets cited?

[onesolidunit]

The issue around the spite levels is that there has been a concerted effort by the irfu and the Munster controlled sporting media to kill off the concept of rivalry between the two sides. When Munster were on top it was glorified as an end of history type scenario and all was right in the rugby world. Glorify Munster, denigrate Leinster was the MO and it went down a treat with all the miserable boggers who spent their whole lives looking to get one up on the 'haves' in the big smoke. Then 2009 happened, Leinster gain the upper hand and the narrative is suddenly that the rivalry is toxic and why can't we all just get along. Then the drumbeat of Leinster have to share their toys began and you have the likes of Carberry being frogmarched down the N7. Now there is talk of a national academy because the have nots feel they have a god given right to success without putting in the same level of groundwork that Leinster have committed to. Now that is an end of history scenario, Leinster are too far ahead so let's try remove the very notion of provincialism, we'll just all have a lucky dip in the Leinster goldmine, slap a red jersey on them and eventually we'll get to pat ourselves on the back for finally recovering from the beating of a lifetime in Croke Park. Munster's form always seems to peak in the off season when the usuals in the media turn a blind eye to the shameless poaching and desperate signings for which they would criticise the french clubs for and trumpet how next season Munster will be back at their rightful place at the top. The galactico approach is suddenly tolerated and last summer was like the second coming of gabbo re Snyman. A national academy in my view is like the ultimate white flag, if you can't beat them, be them.

Now that is a gloriously spiteful post
Best I’ve read on here in a while.
Should draw a few CFs out.

They need to add paragraphs if they want people to read it

I bet you said that about Ulysses

[irishrugbyua]

Munster: Mike Haley; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Damian de Allende, Shane Daly; JJ Hanrahan, Conor Murray; James Cronin, Rhys Marshall, John Ryan; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne; Gavin Coombes, Peter O’Mahony (C), CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Stephen Archer, Fineen Wycherley, Jack O’Donoghue, Craig Casey, Ben Healy, Rory Scannell.