Podge57 wrote:

beatthedeck wrote: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran (114)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (45)
13 Rory Parata (22)
12 Peter Robb (22)
11 Matt Healy (80)
10 Jack Carty (68)
9 Kieran Marmion (112)

1 Denis Buckley (104)
2 Tom McCartney (52) (captain)
3 Finlay Bealham (68)
4 Quinn Roux (43)
5 James Cannon (5)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (14)
7 Jake Heenan (44)
8 Naulia Dawai (2)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (71)
17 JP Cooney (40)
18 John Andress (0)
19 Lewis Stevenson (
20 Danny Qualter (14)
21 Caolin Blade (34)
22 Ciaran Gaffney (1)
23 Rory Moloney (1)

interesting caveat in announcement - * this team is subject to the return of certain players from illness and minor injury. Changes may occur on match day.

Is this the norm?

Haven't seen this before so I would be expecting changes !

Podge57 wrote: short term signing as "emergency" cover.

He was retiring from Munster but...... ( cumulative injury & fatigue I think)

hopefully he can do a short terrm job for us

John Andress confirms his retirement from rugby

Having joined the province at the start of the season tight-head prop John Andress has today confirmed his retirement from the game.

The 32-year-old Ulster native issued the following statement:

The time has finally come to announce my retirement from professional rugby.

After 12 seasons I no longer feel that my body is capable of the rigours that the pro game requires. I feel extremely privileged to have been able to live out my childhood dream. I am also proud of the fact I played in over 200 pro games for Exeter, Harlequins, Worcester and Edinburgh Rugby.

Although my time at Munster Rugby hasn't worked out the way I would have hoped for I am glad to have experienced such a special environment. I only wish I had been here in my prime. Munster Rugby truly is a club that embodies all the core moral values that this great game teaches us. I wish Rassie and the lads all the best and I am positive the squad will enjoy continued success.

I have many fond memories of big matches and occasions but nothing is more memorable than the people you meet and the bonds you share. The camaraderie in rugby really is special and unique, and will no doubt be the hardest void to fill.

Special mention goes to Belfast Harlequins, where the journey started, Andre Bester, Alan Solomons and Rob Baxter. These three coaches truly inspired me with their hard work, commitment and passion for the game, and in doing so, I feel they got the best out of me.

I would also like to thank my agent Shaun Longstaff who continually worked hard for me, supporting me in rugby and life.

Here is to the next chapter, whatever that maybe. I will continue to keep an eye on the game I love

short term signing as "emergency" cover.

He was retiring from Munster but...... ( cumulative injury & fatigue I think)

hopefully he can do a short terrm job for us

Team is strong enough to win, no18 on the bench where did he come from

Podge57 wrote:

beatthedeck wrote: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran (114)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (45)
13 Rory Parata (22)
12 Peter Robb (22)
11 Matt Healy (80)
10 Jack Carty (68)
9 Kieran Marmion (112)

1 Denis Buckley (104)
2 Tom McCartney (52) (captain)
3 Finlay Bealham (68)
4 Quinn Roux (43)
5 James Cannon (5)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (14)
7 Jake Heenan (44)
8 Naulia Dawai (2)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (71)
17 JP Cooney (40)
18 John Andress (0)
19 Lewis Stevenson (
20 Danny Qualter (14)
21 Caolin Blade (34)
22 Ciaran Gaffney (1)
23 Rory Moloney (1)

interesting caveat in announcement - * this team is subject to the return of certain players from illness and minor injury. Changes may occur on match day.

Is this the norm?

Haven't seen this before so I would be expecting changes !

beatthedeck wrote: 15 Tiernan O’Halloran (114)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (45)
13 Rory Parata (22)
12 Peter Robb (22)
11 Matt Healy (80)
10 Jack Carty (68)
9 Kieran Marmion (112)

1 Denis Buckley (104)
2 Tom McCartney (52) (captain)
3 Finlay Bealham (68)
4 Quinn Roux (43)
5 James Cannon (5)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (14)
7 Jake Heenan (44)
8 Naulia Dawai (2)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (71)
17 JP Cooney (40)
18 John Andress (0)
19 Lewis Stevenson (
20 Danny Qualter (14)
21 Caolin Blade (34)
22 Ciaran Gaffney (1)
23 Rory Moloney (1)

interesting caveat in announcement - * this team is subject to the return of certain players from illness and minor injury. Changes may occur on match day.

Is this the norm?

15 Tiernan O’Halloran (114)
14 Niyi Adeolokun (45)
13 Rory Parata (22)
12 Peter Robb (22)
11 Matt Healy (80)
10 Jack Carty (68)
9 Kieran Marmion (112)

1 Denis Buckley (104)
2 Tom McCartney (52) (captain)
3 Finlay Bealham (68)
4 Quinn Roux (43)
5 James Cannon (5)
6 Nepia Fox-Matamua (14)
7 Jake Heenan (44)
8 Naulia Dawai (2)

Replacements:

16 Dave Heffernan (71)
17 JP Cooney (40)
18 John Andress (0)
19 Lewis Stevenson (
20 Danny Qualter (14)
21 Caolin Blade (34)
22 Ciaran Gaffney (1)
23 Rory Moloney (1)

The bookies don't often get it wrong and after seeing the munster team I can see why we are favorites, at home as well

We have a Munster team...

Cronin
Marshall
Archer
Kleyn
Foley
Holland (c)
O Donnell
O Donoghue
Williams
Kealley
O Mahony
Goggin
Saili
Earls
Conway

Replacements
O Byrne
Kilcoyne
Du Toit
Copeland
Oliver
Toma
R Scannell
Taute

In fairness I doubt our opposition were odds against when we were losing 8 and 14 games in a row. Still think the bookies have marked it up wrong. Maybe they'll realise when the teams are named today.

dobby wrote:

Conn Not 65 wrote: Bookies deal with reality. We deal and live in hope. I hope......

In ten years this is the first time i have ever bet against connacht. and its simply because the outcome is just a definite. so connacht players I ask you to prove me wrong. i will happily lose my money. i really have reached a point. examples, denis is nothing like denis of old, adeolokun is all over the shop. tiernan, niyi, matt don't even equate any more. we have no centre partnership, we have an outhalf that cant kick in any direction, we have a decimated team, and simply no confidence. harsh words. go and prove me wrong

So top to bottom here it is. The Denis that turned a ball over so often these days is hardly evident. The Tom that made those bludgeoning runs is hardly recognizable. The Finlay that made the Irish team deserves no spot on the Connacht team. The Ultan/Quinn/Andrew second row. Well lets be honest. Andrew Browne looks like no Aly Muldowney anytime soon. And Ultan just looks simply plain without him. And then Jake has not fired at all this year. John is very much John, a decent player, nothing more.

Kieran is a fantastic scrum half. Jack is. We have no centres and we have nobody that can fire our backline at all. And thats the analysis as per dobby.

**Anymore of that type of rubbish and you are heading for a long ban**
**This is your last Warning!!**
**Sea_point**.

So you never bet against Connacht even hen we were on losing streaks of 8 and 14 games even when we used to send our second string team to away games ...... strange very strange . Maybe your not a gambler , there was no value to be got or you're using " I have never bet " for introductory purposes to get your little spiel in!

Conn Not 65 wrote: Bookies deal with reality. We deal and live in hope. I hope......

In ten years this is the first time i have ever bet against connacht. and its simply because the outcome is just a definite. so connacht players I ask you to prove me wrong. i will happily lose my money. i really have reached a point. examples, denis is nothing like denis of old, adeolokun is all over the shop. tiernan, niyi, matt don't even equate any more. we have no centre partnership, we have an outhalf that cant kick in any direction, we have a decimated team, and simply no confidence. harsh words. go and prove me wrong

So top to bottom here it is. The Denis that turned a ball over so often these days is hardly evident. The Tom that made those bludgeoning runs is hardly recognizable. The Finlay that made the Irish team deserves no spot on the Connacht team. The Ultan/Quinn/Andrew second row. Well lets be honest. Andrew Browne looks like no Aly Muldowney anytime soon. And Ultan just looks simply plain without him. And then Jake has not fired at all this year. John is very much John, a decent player, nothing more.

Kieran is a fantastic scrum half. Jack is. We have no centres and we have nobody that can fire our backline at all. And thats the analysis as per dobby.

**Anymore of that type of rubbish and you are heading for a long ban**
**This is your last Warning!!**
**Sea_point**

Bookies deal with reality. We deal and live in hope. I hope......

Borders no.2 wrote: Especially with Ospreys away next up I think if we want to keep any faint hopes of Top 6 alive we need to win this one. There's a chance to make significant ground during the 6 nations but we have to ensure we are not too far back. Even in terms of 7th it'd be great to strengthen our position before that Cardiff away game in February which looks crucial.

We'll have to see what team we can get on the field. Front row depth particularly at tight head doesn't look good and Munster will prey on that. Dillane will be a big loss. Midfield is a significant cause for concern also. Munster will certainly not be starting as strong a team as they did for Leinster. Regardless of what team they field though they look in a good frame of mind at the minute, defensively they look much improved and they'll relish taking us on up front.

This isn't the Munster of last season unfortunately. It'll take a massive effort to win here.

Couldn't agree more. Connacht 4/6 on to win this game. In what reality?

Especially with Ospreys away next up I think if we want to keep any faint hopes of Top 6 alive we need to win this one. There's a chance to make significant ground during the 6 nations but we have to ensure we are not too far back. Even in terms of 7th it'd be great to strengthen our position before that Cardiff away game in February which looks crucial.

We'll have to see what team we can get on the field. Front row depth particularly at tight head doesn't look good and Munster will prey on that. Dillane will be a big loss. Midfield is a significant cause for concern also. Munster will certainly not be starting as strong a team as they did for Leinster. Regardless of what team they field though they look in a good frame of mind at the minute, defensively they look much improved and they'll relish taking us on up front.

This isn't the Munster of last season unfortunately. It'll take a massive effort to win here.

I know we've huge injury concerns but believe we can still hand Munster their asses. Our skill levels are higher, our attack minded philosophy is better, and we're at home. Can't wait for this one.