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Normally i'd write up a review of the match but today I took the family to Thomond to freeze our collective asses off. Answering questions, buying chips and drinks and generally minding the little one meant I didn't get to watch the game in as much detail as would have liked and i haven't had a chance to watch the game back on tv yet. Instead of looking back at the Pro 14 game I'm going to look forward to the opening two rounds of the Champions Cup.
Tonights game may well have a huge impact on Munster's european hopes this season. If JJ Hanrahan is out for a few weeks, or god forbidding any more than that, then Munster could be in serious trouble at half back. Carbery is unlikely to be back until round 5 at the earliest, Tyler's current skillset just doesn't suit what Munster are trying to do with ball in hand and beyond that we are looking at promoting Ben Healy or getting a medical joker. Get the rosary beads out lads, they'll be needed.
The one option that may solve the out half problem is Rory Scannell. He has previous experience at 10, although fairly limited, and is well used to Larkam's game plan at this point. Rory played well tonight and he carried the attacking threat when Tyler was on the pitch. He stepped into first receiver or the ball was just aimlessly shipped to him at 12 and he became the decision maker in attack but with less options.
Killer is looking doubtful for the Ospreys game so I'd be inclined to start Cronin and use Boomer off the bench. Both are solid in the scrum and their skill sets with ball in hand suit the attacking game plan. I'd have no problem with Loughman being chosen in the 23 either. I thought Cronin was extremely unlucky against Marty Moore. Moore was in trouble in the scrum for most of the game and only Frank Murphy saved him. To be honest I had to see if was Frank Murphy of the Cork County Board fame making the scrum calls they were so poor. Moore constantly went with the short bind and was dropping the elbow down and in to collapse the scrum while he was shunted backwards at pace. Frank somehow decided this was Cronins fault and penalised him on a regular basis.
Scannell is likely to start at hooker, mainly on reputation and past performances but Kevin O'Byrne is pushing him hard and should be on the bench. Ryan should start at tight head with Archer benching.
Beirne unfortunately is also looking doubtful so its likely to be Wycherley, Holland and Kleyn for the second row. Kleyn will need to improve his skillset further to get comfortable with the new attack but Wycherley continues to improve with every minute of gametime. I would start him alongside Kleyn next week and have Holland to come off the bench.
Backrow is going to be interesting. Jack O'Donoghue has been the pick of the back rows so far this season and its hard to envision a Munster back row without CJ or POM. POM was excellent tonight in defense and in the lineout but again he and CJ looked understandably out of sorts in attack. Neither could get the timing right and too often carries were head down looking for contact, not for offload or tip ons. POM in particular struggled with the pull back pass when he did try it and there was no disguise in what he was doing so much so that the defenders just went around and stood in front of the Munster player about to get the ball. There will need to be a lot of work done during the week to get it sorted. Botha is likely to be on the bench but if Munster wish to play a wide game would understand having Cloete there instead.
Murray will take the starting 9 jersey and Alby will be on the bench. Another strong performance from Alby tonight would have seen him really press his case to start ahead of Murray but he had one of his poorer games for Munster. If JJ is fit, the 10 jersey is his. He is playing some fantastic rugby and the injury couldn't have come at a worse time. If he can't make it i'd have Scannell start because if Tyler plays against Racing the following week Munster face a huge uphill task. Scannell will need the gametime to settle at 10 this week to prepare for the Racing game. I think Munster may stick with Tyler at 10 and have Scannell at 12.
My first choice centre pairing would be Goggin and Farrell but think Scannell may play 12 with Goggin on the bench. I'd also have Earls and Daly on the wing with Conway at full back. I don't see that happening either. Haley will remain at full back with Earls and Conway on the wing and Daly hopefully on the bench. Conway once again was excellent tonight and it was good to see Earls as the 24th man. Munster need to find more ways to get Conway and Earls into space and/or one on ones to utilize their pace and skills to punish teams.
Assuming Killer, Beirne, Carbery and Hanrahan are unavailable.
My team vs Ospreys
Cronin, O'Byrne, Ryan, Kleyn, Wycherley, POM, JOD, CJ, Murray, Scannell, Earls, Goggin, Farrell, Daly, Conway
Subs: Scannell, O'Connor, Archer, Holland, Botha, Mathewson, Tyler, Haley.
Expected team vs Ospreys
Cronin, Scannell, Ryan, Kleyn, Holland, POM, JOD, CJ, Murray, Tyler, Earls, Scannell, Farrell, Conway, Haley.
Subs: O'Byrne, Loughman, Archer, Wycherley, JOD, Mathewson, Goggin, Botha.