Tigers v Munster

[ourla]

Excellent sh.it or bust selection from MOC

If it clicks and the ref does his job we'll win. But there is a lot could go wrong here.

Decent bench.

[ourla]

Munster: It’s a first European start for hooker Kevin O’Byrne as he and winger Darren Sweetnam are promoted from the bench this weekend with Andrew Conway and Rhys Marshall continuing to follow return to play protocols.

Keith Earls and Niall Scannell are notable returnees from respective hamstring and thumb injuries and are included in the match-day 23.

Billy Holland again continues in the second row having already started all 13 of Munster’s games so far this season.

Munster: Simon Zebo; Darren Sweetnam, Sammy Arnold, Rory Scannell, Alex Wootton; Ian Keatley, Conor Murray; Dave Kilcoyne, Kevin O’Byrne, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Billy Holland; Peter O’Mahony (C), Chris Cloete, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Brian Scott, John Ryan, Darren O’Shea, Jack O’Donoghue, Duncan Williams, JJ Hanrahan, Keith Earls.

[chewbacca]

Great to see Manu and Matt T back. No miracles expected just hope they get a decent half under their belts and come off uninjured.

[drc_007]

Big back-row great for ball carrying but may struggle at the breakdown, Tuilagi and Toomua may have to help out there.

Time for the tight-five to put in a big performance.

[L Smith]

We need a big gap by 60 minutes when we’ll be relying on the finishers

[Leicestertinytiger]

Also a very good bench, especially in the forwards with Mulipola, Polata-Nau, Barrow and Hamilton to come on!

[Roly]

Its a team that could win by 20 or lose by 20.

We'd hope for the former.

Nothing less than 5 points for Tigers and nil for Munster will do, otherwise, that's Europe done for this year.

[Coops]

Excellent sh.it or bust selection from MOC

If it clicks and the ref does his job we'll win. But there is a lot could go wrong here.

Decent bench.

"Sir" for the match is Mathieu Raynal

[DeadlyDunc]

Whether we win or lose I don’t think we can argue with the selection on the face of it, particularly considering the performance and result last week.

I agree it could be win by a few or lose by a few but I can’t see any better selection available with the paucity of options in the front row and midfield in particular.

[mol2]

For me the second row looks short on grunt. I know Traynor is an international but I'm unconvinced from what I've seen and having locks who provide the grunt in the engine room might help while Genge is injured.

Glad to see the first choice centres back but are they fully fit given that they are unlikely to be match fit?

[ourla]

"Sir" for the match is Mathieu Raynal

He's got a bit of form:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opi ... s-reignite

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/ ... r-12342491

[Robespierre]

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"Sir" for the match is Mathieu Raynal

Merde, alors!!!

[ourla]

Glad to see the first choice centres back but are they fully fit given that they are unlikely to be match fit?

They clearly won't be match fit. On the other hand there will be only dead rubbers for them to play in if we don't win so w-t-f.

Plus we've tried the let's ease them in and protect route before and it clearly didn't work.

[baz1664]

Looks a great team, one concern, is this sort of match the one to bring Manu back into after being out for so long, high intensity, a massive physical Munster pack, let’s hope he doesn’t get crocked again!! If George and Matt can re spark that partnership then anything is possible with this back line, I am going tigers by 7, try bonus point but Munster to nick a losing bonus point.

[Robespierre]

.

"Sir" for the match is Mathieu Raynal

Merde, alors!!!

Ok, so he's the ref so let's accept it!
I think that Tigers should have what it takes to win the game, although whether it'll be 5 points and nowt for Munster is another matter. A hell of a lot will be on the shoulders of Ford, Tuilagi and Toomua and if they get it together then the unlikely could happen.
As always, I remain the eternal optimist!
ALLEZ LES TIGRES!!!