Munster, celtic league, heineken cup, general and tag rugby thread 🐐

Sport
6041

[quote=“dancarter”]Leinster have played well WBY, but they have only beaten Scarlets home and away who are second from bottom of the ML. They were beaten in the only home game of consequence. Unreal physicality in their game but I wouldn’t get overly carried away. They are fooked without Sexton I think.

Fear for me is four French sides in Toulouse, Stade, BIarritz & Clermont all looking ominously good. Clermont were v good at the weekend and I felt if they had really wanted to win it they could have. They have a massive squad and are my favourites now, albeit they still need to come out of a tough group. They are 7/1 and that is the best value left in it I think. Couldnt back either Munster or Leinster who both have a bit to do to win the group, either or both could end up away to a french side in the quarters and youd want more than 3/4 to 1 to get on them now[/quote]

We’ll be alright when push comes to shove. We’re nicely ticking over at the moment. No Rocky (its taking me a long time to get over his departure) and no Sexton and 2 bonus points got. You’d take that anytime. I think we’ll be well up for the exiles and will do the needful to grind out a result, it would be nice if it was a la Bath away in '06.

Time enough to worry about the French if that comes to pass, I wouldn’t be as pessimistic as you Dan, we could both top our groups and get home draws. Biarritz are the only ones with a clean record.

6042

[quote=“Mac”]In fairness to Kev, he’s never wrong :thumbsup:

[/quote]

The players that i thought were going to cause him problems were NOT playing Mac.

But in fairness, Horgan has shown more form than i thought was in him, and i’ve been mightily impressed with his new lease of life, long may it continue.

6043

[quote=“caoimhaoin”]The players that i thought were going to cause him problems were NOT playing Mac.

But in fairness, Horgan has shown more form than i thought was in him, and i’ve been mightily impressed with his new lease of life, long may it continue.[/quote]

Ah for fook sake. Where’s the real Kev gone?

6044

I have admitted wrongness and mistakes in the past Mac, a real man accepts he can’t be right all of the time.:wink:

6045

Guys, I’m calling for a bot of perspective in the Shane Horgan debate. Some, or maybe even many, were writing him off last year completely when he was still playing very well. Now he’s being proclaimed in a few different quarters as being completely rejuvenated on the back of running in two tries. Don’t get me wrong, he took both tries very impressively but closer inspection of his performances against Llanelli reveal several knock ons under both the high ball and in passing moves, poor alignment in defence and quite a degree of uncertainty when kicks have been placed in behind him. I’ve an awful lot of time for him, and he’s been a wonderful Leinster servant, but Tommy Bowe’s one of the most improved players in world rugby football over the past 18 - 24 months and I hope Leinster move heaven and earth to sign him.

6046

Tommy has re-signed for Ospreys i believe. He did tell one Munster player that he’d only play for Munster if he came back at all.

Did he get fucked over or something at Ulster?

6047

He should leave before they make him wear this abomination

http://images.nitrosell.com/product_images/8/1959//large-ospreys_third_jersey.jpg

6048

Bow hasn’t resigned with Ospreys yet. I wouldn’t rule him out of resigning for us to be honest.
Both Leinster and Ulster squads have been announced for Stephens Day match. Leinster are pretty much full strength while we are resting Ferris, Court, Trimble, Wallace. Pity really as having beaten Leinster already with a full team out it could have been a great game.

LEINSTER SQUAD (v Ulster):

FORWARDS: Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Bernard Jackman, Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Malcolm O’Kelly, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Stan Wright

BACKS: Shaun Berne, Gordon D’Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Chris Keane, David Kearney, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O’Donohoe, Brian O’Driscoll, Eoin Reddan

ULSTER SQUAD FORWARDS
Declan Fitzpatrick, Bryan Young, BJ Botha, Nigel Brady, Andy Kyriacou, Ed O’Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Ryan Caldwell, Chris Henry, David Pollock, Willie Faloon, TJ Anderson

ULSTER SQUAD BACKS
Jamie Smith, Clinton Schifcofske, Simon Danielli, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Timoci Nagusa, Ian Humphreys, Niall O’Connor, Isaac Boss, Paul Marshall, Cillian Willis, Jonny Shiells

6049

Just did a search on Ian Keatley to see what the consensus on this guy was. Now, I’m a Belvo supporter and I really wanted him to do well but he’s clearly not delivering on his early promise.

But here’s a sample of some of the comments from October 2008 - Sexton came up in conversation while Keatley was being discussed. Myself and dancarter have had our ups and downs but we remain the definitive voices on rugby football, as we always were:

[quote=“treaty_exile”]doesn’t say much for sexton, i’d imagine he’s now 3rd choice out-half for leinster behind nacewa.
come to think of it, when a guy who was described as a “utility back” in NZ is your no.1 outhalf and he only in the country a wet week, it doesn’t say much for any of the team or coaching staff.[/quote]

:rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

[quote=“dancarter”]Small bit of an overblown reaction methinks to the last month of rugby here.

Sexton was excellent last season in a lot of games, two victories over Munster included. Keatley played very very well last weekend but isnt gteed first choice at Connacht yet (maybe after last weekend he is in a srong position alright).

Sexton has hit a road bump in his form but I wouldnt write him off yet, and definately not at Keatleys expense.[/quote]

Carter knew the score.

:clap:

[quote=“myboyblue”]Dan my point was we can pretty much be assured that Sexton is not going to see much front line rugby between now and the 6 Nations, agreed?

Keatley at least is playing some frontline rugby, albeit in the much maligned, but at least worthy Challenge Cup.

Sexton is gone severely off the boil this season, and this has been reflected in Cheika’s desperation ploy of dragging Luke off the wing and putting Phil at 10. This wont do Sextons confidence any good whatsoever.

I always liked the cut of Keatley gib, and am delighted to see him getting games.

As back up for ROG, we have nothing, still. Looking like its going to be Paddy again, which is a shame because I was looking forward to seeing him get a run at 12 with Ulster at least.[/quote]

Shockingly premature write-off of Sexton based on a brief dip in form.

:rolleyes:

Bandage knew the score in saying dancarter knew the score.

:clap:

:rolleyes:

A barb that came back to bite.

'Mon the fucking Leinster and 'mon the Johnny Sexton.

WBY, as a fellow Belvo man, what are your thoughts on Keatley now?

6050

Sexton had been sent back to the Club at that stage Bandage, he’d gone through a huge crisis of confidence, something the man himself has credited Declan Kidney for pulling him out of in fact. In Kidney we trust.

6051

Kidney gave him a boost by selecting him for that Ireland ‘A’ game, for sure. But come on, Sexton oozes natural ability so it was hardly ever going to be a case of him falling away into obscurity only for Kidney saving him. I had/have every faith in Sexton and he deserves immense personal credit for recovering from the dip and establishing himself as Ireland’s premier #10 (outwith Robbie Keane).

6052

Can we talk hookers for a moment? I think Leinster need to strengthen here. What are the viable options? Anything coming through the academy? I dare say we would need some experience what with Cian Healy being relatively young too and the front row not somewhere you should overload with youth.

6053

Never knew you had the black and white of Sir Anthony O’Reilly’s beloved alma mater flowing through your veins Bandage. We’re just six weeks away from the start of the great competition again. I bet you’re eagerly anticipating getting the half day from work to get down to Donnybrook, Stradbrook or wherever to support the boys. Don the sheepskin coat, black and white scarf and trilby hat with pride. Exhale the celebratory cigar smoke with an air of superiority as this year’s crop of youngsters run in their sixth try of the day. Bravo, chaps. Look forward to those post match pints with the old boys. All will be right with the world again.

6054

You said it, Sid. I think I mentioned on this thread before that I was like any other child around the country growing up. I remember the first time I was old enough to really appreciate the Leinster Schools’ Cup was when I was around 7. I have vague memories of my Dad going through the 48 page LSC supplement in that day’s Irish Independent when I got home from school and telling me to choose my team carefully because I would have to stay with them forever. I picked Belvedere and I’ve never regretted it, ever.

It was gas growing up on a housing estate in Wexford town during the LSC. I was Belvo, my older brother was Clongowes through and through, a group of lads from up the hill were huge Terenure supporters and another gang down the road were Blackrock to the core. The banter in school was tremendous and then we’d re-enact the action from the previous day’s LSC fixtures in the yard at lunchtime. Great memories.

6055

Leamy has fucked up his knee again and is out of the 6 nations…big blow, Jamie Heaslip is a lucky man

6056

Is that the same knee that has been heavily strapped for the last 12months? As far as I know he had a slight tear in the cruciate but opted against surgury and decided to build up the muscles around it

6057

Disaster. Poor bastard was just getting back to it.

6058

Chris Henry has been having an excellent season so will probably come into the reckoning now. Leamy had been playing very well of late so unfortunate for him.

6059

is henry a specialised 8 larry…Big chance for the likes of him and Sean O’Brien now…

6060

Ya, even though i believe you over hype Ulster guys, i think you could be on the nail with Henry, very impressive player.

Heaslip needs a kick up the ass.