Planet Rugby Forum

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

Russell at 10, too. The other 13 are reasonable choices.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

DOB wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:36 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

Russell at 10, too. The other 13 are reasonable choices.

Russell at 10 would at least make it entertaining. Plus we'd get the usual 2-3 close up shots of him laughing after f**king up in each game.

JJ confirmed by Munster: https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2021/03/29/ ... confirmed/

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:56 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

And if he plays at the level he did against Leinster the Lions might as well concede. I don't actually think he was that great against England personally but I'm on my own there, so be it.

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:08 pm

crouchy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:05 pm

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:47 pm SOB is alive: https://youtu.be/yb3shF4r6Xg?t=155

How many appearances has he made for LI in the 2 years he's been there?

4 appearances it would appear.

It's more than that (but not many more). He's on 9.

Funny thing is that he seems to be okay with his hip since he came back from that last March. Since then it's other issues he's been picking up.

He's looked decent when he has played this season tbf.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:25 am

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:56 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

And if he plays at the level he did against Leinster the Lions might as well concede. I don't actually think he was that great against England personally but I'm on my own there, so be it.

Who do you pick though? Sneak Dupont in through the back door and give him a pipe and bowler hat? All of the SHs have their issues. Still reckon Murray is favourite but ironically along the same lines as Philips in 2013.

Mullet 2 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:57 pm

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:47 pm SOB is alive: https://youtu.be/yb3shF4r6Xg?t=155

How did they score once against 13 blokes

It didn't stay like that for long. Bath took it tight and got a few LI forwards yellowed for maul offences. Finished full Rugby League at 13 men each.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:25 am

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:56 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

And if he plays at the level he did against Leinster the Lions might as well concede. I don't actually think he was that great against England personally but I'm on my own there, so be it.

Lads you missed the only call that mattered to Willie
5. Henderson

I think Keenan is on the plane. Given his record Bronco test he will be laughing at the Highfeld’s rarified air’s attempt to slow him down.

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm Really like the look of Mcgeegans lions side.
15. Hogg
14. Williams
13. North
12. Henshaw
11. LRZ
10. Russell
9. Murray
1. Wyn Jones
2. Owens
3. Furlong
4. AWJ
5. Henderson
6. Beirne
7. Curry
8. Faletau

Isn't that Greenwood's side too with Russell instead of Sexton?

Tbh hadn't thought about the Lions too much but there are some seriously competitive areas. At least one of Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Hendo isn't going to make the 23.

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:33 am I think Keenan is on the plane. Given his record Bronco test he will be laughing at the Highfeld’s rarified air’s attempt to slow him down.

While Keenan can cover wing, you wouldn't really go out of your way to pick him there and it's unfortunate for him that there's two test Lions ahead of him for FB with one able to cover wing to a much higher standard.

Definitely next in line but loses out due to squad constraints.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:37 am Tbh hadn't thought about the Lions too much but there are some seriously competitive areas. At least one of Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Hendo isn't going to make the 23.

Itoje shouldn't from that list. It might be a bit like saying a young BOD shouldn't make the team to some but I don't remember BOD having such a consistently poor 6N in his prime as Itoje did and with no games of significance left to play, he's not going to play himself back into form.

Of course if it was a proper tour he'd have a chance to stake a claim but that's not really how it's panned out in recent years.

Commenting on this hurts and we’ll not pretend otherwise. What we witnessed in the RDS on Saturday was a cakewalk. A match in which the difference on the scoreboard at the final blast of referee Mike Adamson’s whistle, who was excellent, masked a multitude.

The beauty of sport in general is its unpredictability and for the second week running I confess to getting it badly wrong. Just as I expected England to overpower us at Lansdowne Road the previous week so did I anticipate a big show, possibly culminating in that long overdue victory for Munster over their greatest rivals in a match of real consequence, up the road at the RDS.

I couldn’t have been further off the mark as Munster from one to 23 were out-thought, outclassed and sadly, more than anything, outmuscled. For England at the Aviva read Munster at the RDS.

In the numbers game Leinster on this island lead the way with the quantity and quality of their underage players, specifically those coming though the underage schools ranks, ensuring a constant supply. But that is as it has always been. The difference is in how that developing talent is being handled and specifically the roles played by Mick Dawson, Joe Schmidt, Leo Cullen and Stuart Lancaster in taking the province (sorry but the moniker ‘club’ still pains) to this point.

Read More

Brendan Fanning:
Leinster striving to get back to the summit
Eamonn Sweeney:
Why Sexton and Murray deserve one more stint at the helm
As one privileged to have represented both provinces in my time, Saturday’s defeat and the manner of it hurts. I make no apologies for being Leinster by birth but Munster by the grace of God. I love Munster rugby and almost everything it stands for but whereas Leinster and its hugely proficient organisation has moved with the times, Munster, in playing terms, has stood scarily still.


Yet again when opportunity knocked to put one over on their greatest rivals in the top domestic cup final, and in their D4 backyard, they choked and did so badly. Johann van Graan and Peter O’Mahony can babble on about the constant (as they see it) of there ‘being just a single try between the teams in this fixture yet again’. They are deluding themselves. And if they really believe that then therein lies the problem.

Make no mistake, and it pains me to repeat, but they were chewed up and spat out in the only test of re-emergence that mattered. Every Leinster player called into action delivered, I can say but the same of two wearing red – Jean Kleyn and Gavin Coombes. However, if pressed to select a combined side in the aftermath, both of Munster’s most meaningful contributors would struggle to make it.

Indeed for the emerging talent that is Coombes this will have been a massive learning experience given that his immediate opposite, Rhys Ruddock, was the game’s outstanding individual for me and I say that with the greatest of respect to Jack Conan, Robbie Henshaw, Josh van der Flier, Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Dave Kearney and Hugo Keenan, all in the frame as contenders for the overall man of the match.

Right from the start they imposed themselves with Ruddock and Henshaw every bit the bullies the Vunipola brothers have been when white confronts green at the highest level. Henshaw in particular is on fire with his ball presentation at contact exemplary and Luke McGrath very much the main beneficiary on the back of it.

Time too to shake off the apparent preconceived notions where the Leinster scrum-half is concerned. There are many candidates from Conor Murray and Jamison Gibson-Park through Kieran Marmion, John Cooney, Craig Casey and the rest but I defy anyone to suggest a more influential presence maximising the quality of front-foot ball than McGrath. If there is any justice then Andy Farrell has to reconsider the case for McGrath at the highest level.


Credit Munster for hanging in and finishing level at the break. In fact they might well have been ahead given the three penalty kicking opportunities in the final minutes of the half. But it was a distortion and in the second period, while not in points, Leinster put the picture right. That vice-grip hold was never loosened. Indeed I’m not being flippant when I ask: was Tadhg Beirne out there? Absolutely our outstanding player of the Six Nations Championship, with only Henshaw coming close, but he was at best inconspicuous.

Then once the ‘Hail Mary boxer’ re-appeared the white flag was raised. In all honesty what is Stephen Larkham, Van Graan and the rest doing in training on a daily basis at UL? Significantly, the match finished as it had begun with Leinster pummeling the Munster line and with McGrath and Byrne brilliantly charting the victors’ course just as Murray and Johnny Sexton had done to the English seven days before.

But on this day in this game, the biggest in Irish rugby, the final difference of 10 points and that so-called ‘single try’ was a travesty and let nobody but nobody kid you otherwise.

Tony Ward

Margin_Walker wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:27 am

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:08 pm

crouchy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:05 pm

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:47 pm SOB is alive: https://youtu.be/yb3shF4r6Xg?t=155

How many appearances has he made for LI in the 2 years he's been there?

4 appearances it would appear.

It's more than that (but not many more). He's on 9.

Funny thing is that he seems to be okay with his hip since he came back from that last March. Since then it's other issues he's been picking up.

He's looked decent when he has played this season tbf.

ah sorry, just checked the website and he is listed at 4.

I'd love nothing more for him to get back and finish his career on a high.

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:33 am I think Keenan is on the plane. Given his record Bronco test he will be laughing at the Highfeld’s rarified air’s attempt to slow him down.

SA tour really does line up well for Keenan's skills, like it did for Rob in 09.

EverReady wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:51 am

Leinster by birth but Munster by the grace of God

He's an Uncle Tom alright

Mullet 2 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:52 am

EverReady wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:51 am

Leinster by birth but Munster by the grace of God

He's a Uncle Tom alright

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:51 am

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:33 am I think Keenan is on the plane. Given his record Bronco test he will be laughing at the Highfeld’s rarified air’s attempt to slow him down.

SA tour really does line up well for Keenan's skills, like it did for Rob in 09.

A FB who is good in the air against a team that loves high balls, who set a record in a fitness test, playing matches at 1700m above sea level on hard pitches. Seems to tick a few boxes.

Does he know any of the Joyce’s?

Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He needs to straighten the line and pass more To bring the other outside backs into play (along with our centres) but he’s come out of nowhere and leaped to take his chance so to speak.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

That was probably me. Who do you have him ahead of? He's playing to a Lion's standard but then so are two others.

themaddog wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:30 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:25 am

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:56 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

And if he plays at the level he did against Leinster the Lions might as well concede. I don't actually think he was that great against England personally but I'm on my own there, so be it.

Lads you missed the only call that mattered to Willie
5. Henderson

Form second row in 6N is picked in Lions squad shock.

I'd say Keenan needs a an injury to get really into the mix.

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:26 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He needs to straighten the line and pass more To bring the other outside backs into play (along with our centres) but he’s come out of nowhere and leaped to take his chance so to speak.

I do wonder what Felipe does with the leinster backs in terms of attack...

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:31 am

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:26 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He needs to straighten the line and pass more To bring the other outside backs into play (along with our centres) but he’s come out of nowhere and leaped to take his chance so to speak.

I do wonder what Felipe does with the leinster backs in terms of attack...

When you see SOB draw and pass, support, then execute another perfect pass and then look at what ROL was offering up.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

I think he'll be on standby and Williams and Hogg will go.

What he lacks compared to the other two is a bit of gas and he's not as good in attack, but he is absolutely safe as houses.

CM11 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:44 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:37 am Tbh hadn't thought about the Lions too much but there are some seriously competitive areas. At least one of Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Hendo isn't going to make the 23.

Itoje shouldn't from that list. It might be a bit like saying a young BOD shouldn't make the team to some but I don't remember BOD having such a consistently poor 6N in his prime as Itoje did and with no games of significance left to play, he's not going to play himself back into form.

Of course if it was a proper tour he'd have a chance to stake a claim but that's not really how it's panned out in recent years.

Of those 4 I'd say one of the 2 Irish lads will miss out, and on 6N form that would be Ryan, but if he smashes the NTHCSBH games then that could change.

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He's beginning to remind me of Girve.

Just does everything neatly and glides with surprising grace and alacrity.

anonymous_joe wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:40 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He's beginning to remind me of Girve.

Just does everything neatly and glides with surprising grace and alacrity.

Thats it

Dont stop

Keep going

CM11 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:32 am

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:31 am

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:26 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He needs to straighten the line and pass more To bring the other outside backs into play (along with our centres) but he’s come out of nowhere and leaped to take his chance so to speak.

I do wonder what Felipe does with the leinster backs in terms of attack...

When you see SOB draw and pass, support, then execute another perfect pass and then look at what ROL was offering up.

quality of passing from leinster backs often leaves quite a bit to be desired..

I thought Felipe leaving and a new voice coming in would have helped freshen things up and iron out some of the issues in the back play.. someone like McNamara but obviously that's not happening so we can only hope it gets resolved with players and coaches getting more training time together uninterrupted by irish camps/games..

Not sure I agree.

The patterns, lines and moves from the great one are all top notch.

Skills coaching is a different thing now. There is also the issue that outside of Europe and interpros they have no pressure on them to hone the skills.

themaddog wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:30 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:25 am

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:56 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:29 pm
9. Murray

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

And if he plays at the level he did against Leinster the Lions might as well concede. I don't actually think he was that great against England personally but I'm on my own there, so be it.

Lads you missed the only call that mattered to Willie
5. Henderson

Seems to matter more to you.

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:39 am

themaddog wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:30 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:25 am

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 8:56 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:49 am

wat

9 is weak, if Murray plays at the level of the England game then he's the best option.

And if he plays at the level he did against Leinster the Lions might as well concede. I don't actually think he was that great against England personally but I'm on my own there, so be it.

Lads you missed the only call that mattered to Willie
5. Henderson

Seems to matter more to you.

You think he'd be happy someone from his own province is being put forward by a Lions legend....

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:37 am Tbh hadn't thought about the Lions too much but there are some seriously competitive areas. At least one of Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Hendo isn't going to make the 23.

You’d have to assume AWJ is nailed on. Itolji should be, but IMO when in this form is he big enough to be trusted vs these Bok locks? When things don’t go his way he is a penalty machine (the RWC final and this six nations)

Willie Falloon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:41 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:37 am Tbh hadn't thought about the Lions too much but there are some seriously competitive areas. At least one of Itoje, AWJ, Ryan, Hendo isn't going to make the 23.

You’d have to assume AWJ is nailed on. Itolji should be, but IMO when in this form is he big enough to be trusted vs these Bok locks? When things don’t go his way he is a penalty machine (the RWC final and this six nations)

What rugby will he be playing between now and selection? Thrashing Nottingham is hardly going to return him to good form. When is selection being finalised?

CM11 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:32 am

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:31 am

Flametop wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:26 am

danthefan wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:15 am Someone mentioned Keenan a few weeks ago and in my head I sort of dismissed it but he's going from strength to strength really, I'm not sure he'll make it but the selectors will have to make a decision there at least. He's on a list anyway.

He needs to straighten the line and pass more To bring the other outside backs into play (along with our centres) but he’s come out of nowhere and leaped to take his chance so to speak.

I do wonder what Felipe does with the leinster backs in terms of attack...

When you see SOB draw and pass, support, then execute another perfect pass and then look at what ROL was offering up.

Has there ever been a better Irish forward than SOB though? I rate him higher than POC, McBride, furlong and Wood. SOB is and was a phenomenal player. Prime SOB was unplayable IMO.