This idea of the top14 flogging their players to bits is out of touch with reality, I assume it had some basis at one point but not any more. As POC supposedly put it in that article they have larger squads which allows for more rotation. He wouldn't be going to a small team, so the likes of clermont, toulon, toulouse, racing that might be interested would have enough depth to rotate often. Now so far this season Sexton has played a lot but literally all their other 10 options have been injured that's a freak occurrence and I would think over the course of the season it will even out.

Wilkinson is the poster boy for foreign players extending their careers by going to France. You could argue Hines and Cudmore are examples as locks.

POC going abroad could potentially be good for both him and munster, as it removes the issue of having to drop a 'ligind' in decline (when/if he begins to visibly decline). Whether any french club would want him with his recent history of injuries, and whether he would still be playing for Ireland or even want to are separate questions.

From the fan's pov at least I think everyone is looking towards the world cup 2015 with a fit POC as one of the nailed on squad members/starters, so a move to france and possibly international retirement could really put the cat amongst the pigeons.

See in the media that there's talk of O'Connell finishing his career in France.

www.espn.co.uk/ireland/rugby/story/203053.html

Smacks of his agent angling for a final big pay out from Munster really. Realistically at his age [35 next season] and with his injury history I can't see there being many if any big French clubs keen to sign him especially on the wages he will be expecting. His body could not take the demands of week t o week Top14, especially without the protection afforded by being with an Irish province...

He tries to dribble it over the line and doesn't have the footwork, nothing else.

I disagree I think it was on purpose but it's one for the philosophers.

As for O'Mahoney he's a big unit for a winger and looks very promising. My brother was at the game and said that Dave O'Callghan put on a ton more muscle as well. Have to give mention also to James Cronin who looks like he could surpass Kilcoyne in the near future really made a nuisance of himself in the loose.

Would ya stop, that was not remotely deliberate. At best it hit his leg, but there was no act of control or skill in that. Complete fluke. But great supporting run by Coughlan to be there for the breaking ball...

Ronan o Mahoney not Murphy but it was sublime! And on his 2nd competitive start too. He's a brother of Barry who's a 7.
Some great rugby played by Munster mixed in with some poor defence. Refs interpretation of scrum was interesting. Both front rows stood up all night but only one team penalised. Keats was excellent but placekicking still a worry. S

If anyone missed tonight's game Munster V Edinburgh watch the second try by Coughlan. Murphy backheels the ball into his hands for him to score. Sublime!

Munster beat Gloucester 28-17 in TP. Tries for Conway, Hurley, JJ and cj. 18 changes made by Munster.

Declan kidney appointed director of sport at ucc. Congrats deccie ..

Thomond park voted greatest rugby stadium in world in online poll on in the loose.com. tell me something I didn't know! Lol.

Saw that POM got the job. I don't rate him that highly but obviously other people do. He's the right age for it and I'm sure others like POC and Coughlan will give him help. Think Penney is laying down a marker by promoting him and skipping over the likes of Coughlan. Hope it works out for him.

Condon is a prop.

Peter o Mahoney named Munster captain.

Christy Condon (released)

Is this lad a prop or am I getting him confused with the Cotter lad?

connachtexile wrote: Has anyone seen the new academy guys for Munster? There beasts! McCarthy, Madigan and O'Shea are huge locks with already serious muscle on them.

John Madigan is 6'6 and 18 st 5lb
Sean McCarthy is 6'6' and 17st 8lb
Darren O'Shea is 6'9' and 17st 11lb

Munster seem to be producing locks like their is no tomorrow. Really makes you wonder will all these guys stay with them or will one/two of them be heading for us or Leinster in a few seasons time.

they'll need them all when the 3 years of academy is done with.
locks at munster and age

D ryan 29 (will be 32 start of 2016 season)
POC 33 (will be retired in 2016)
DOC 34 (will be retired)
DOC2 23 (26 at start of 2016 season)
Nagle 24 (was nearly let go few months ago)
Holland 27 (31 start of 2016 season, is he a back row tho)
Foley 25 (28 at 2016, 8 starts and 9 subs in 4 seasons)

Has anyone seen the new academy guys for Munster? There beasts! McCarthy, Madigan and O'Shea are huge locks with already serious muscle on them.

John Madigan is 6'6 and 18 st 5lb
Sean McCarthy is 6'6' and 17st 8lb
Darren O'Shea is 6'9' and 17st 11lb

Munster seem to be producing locks like their is no tomorrow. Really makes you wonder will all these guys stay with them or will one/two of them be heading for us or Leinster in a few seasons time.

I believe they are not allowed sign a niq 9,10 or centre because of various other players in the 4 provinces taking up those slots. Seems a little harsh I don't think a niq/e scrumhalf would have upset the applecart but anyways, it pretty much means the only option they had left to sign was a wing. Munster might end up trying him in the centre for lower level opposition, and/or end up swapping around keatley/earls/laulala in various combinations.

Might slightly open up the possibility of seeing one of the extra young backrowers played at 12 like Leinster have tried this year? Getting ahead of myself here but I think someone like Stander could do a job off the bench at the very least like connacht have done with fafita.