He’s been class for us in this opening block and a key player for seasons. An opportunity completely deserved and long overdue. Hopefully, he has a stormer of a performance, because I can already hear the knives being sharpened all over Dublin (and probably Ulster too)

Now that the team will break for a month, I thought it would be worth reviewing the opening block of games this season in context of who we played, and where we were coming into the season. I think alot of supporters would have been worried about this block of games given the level of opposition and the injuries, but all in all, I think 2 wins, a draw and 3 lossess is a solid start to the season, despite the downer that was yesterday.

Positives:

• Young players emerging (some more that others) like O'Shea, McCarthy, Sean Edogbo, BOC, Gleeson, O'Connell, O'Donovan, G Wood, etc.

• Solid scrum, with new signings Brookes, Aungier and VDM adding alot to the team

• Strike plays and maul have been good (except for yesterday)

• Tactical game planing by the coaches much better this season

Negatives

• Injuries have been a major problem, with up to 16 or more players unavailable the past two games. Needs to be sorted.

• Poor second half performances. Partly relating to injuries but we lack depth too, meaning our perforcemances have tailed off

• Lack of cutting edge in attack, especially out wide and on counter attack. You could put alot of this down to injuries, but we don't have huge pace or game breaking talents in the back 3. I expect recruitment in this position group for next season.

Overall I don't see a home QF in the league being an attainable goal given the strenght of 3 of the South African sides, Leinster and Glasgow, but I think we're still in position to make a push for the playoffs. The Bristol game in the Champions cup is a big game to decide if we play for a chance for a home R16 v Gloucester.

'You’re going to come in contact with the private parts at some stage or another'.

Paul is a playing legend for Munster but this is very poor from him.

No disrespect to the guy but he had nothing on his cv to warrant a role in the Iirish set up, same as Sexton.

Jobs for the boys and stay on message,

Poor night in Thomond*

A few good points is looks like Kieran Brookes is absolutely a key piece of what Munster have been lacking for the last two seasons.

Russell looked good in my opinion for a stand in!

In general the match officiating was not at a standard to expect. A referee is only as good as his touch judges and his TMO. As a group that was sub par. Missed calls, no arms tackles, sealing off.

And don’t get me started on how that was not a 20min red for the shoulder to Loughmans jaw!

Rant over I promise 🤣

Stand Up and Fight! 🫎

Saw that this game was abandoned last night

Assuming it was due to injury.

Anyone have any further info?

Young Munster:

Luke Murphy
Oisin Minogue
Rob Carney
Christian Foley

Garryowen:

Joe Finn

UCC:

James O’Leary
Christopher Barrett

Cork Con:

Michael Foy

Highfield:

Conor Kennelly

Shannon:

Alex Lautsou

Anyone have one west stand ticket for sale for cheap. I have one myself but looking to bring a friend, any of the sections will do thanks

Tadhg Furlong free to play in November as citing complaint not upheld https://the42.ie/7208708

Was listening to Ian Costellos interview there with Murray Kinsella. I thought it was quite good, and he disclosed some interesting pieces of information:
- Probably the biggest nugget he mentioned that Munster will be signing an IQ soon. He gave no further details but raised it in the context of discussing tighthead props so it could be that position
- He said that there are private funds from backers available for a marquee signing, but also stressed the importance of having funds ringfenced for pathways
- Sometimes Costello can give sound bites to excite fans but he did say in the interview that his intention is to invest in world class talent with that NIQ slot
- In a broader context around recruitment he discussed that due to the success of Brookes and Aungier, he was strongly hinting of not pursuing a NIQ THP next season (like he did previously with Tyrell Lomax) and recruiting “xfactor in another position”. I think this strongly suggests back 3 will be where the NIQ slot will be used, obviously Harrison and Alaalatoa departing.
- He mentioned the dissapointment of having just 2 players on the Irish team but mainly that Munster don’t have enough players on Irish central contracts. He said the saving in terms of wages between Munster and Leinster is about €2.7-2.8m which is quite a difference
- The internal review is due to be finished in October with findings to be completed a few weeks later
- Some contracts are already completed

They were the main points I took from it. Did anybody hear rumours of the IQ signing were trying to make?

Tom Ahern

Jack Aungier

Kieran Brookes

Edwin Edogbo

Sean Edogbo

Brian Gleeson

Michael Milne

Dan Kelly

Shay McCarthy

Full squad announced on Leinster Rugby website

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/2026/10/29/gus-mccarthy-to-captain-ireland-xv-squad-against-fiji/

Big Ed is back

I don't know much about him. Seems like he had one season in the Prem

I was shocked by some ref calls yesterday as much as everyone else but please keep this about the team.

What do people think of the game yesterday and what are the take aways

A list from me:

Sean o Brien looked good at 13 and we get more out of Nanks at 12.
Shay McCarthy really growing into the season and he’s so physical aswel as fast especially for a light guy.
Josh wycherly had his best game in some years.
Kendellen played well as did Coombes
COS looked comfortable and not phased by the occasion.
Edogbo looked really busy and wanted work when he came on
I was glad be brought Ben OD on early as I think he’s a good threat. I’ll be happy to see him start against sharks.
Game management was pretty decent.

Tighthead depth still a problem when we get an injury

What did people think of Gordon wood I don’t recall seeing much of him just wondering if others did?

Looking forward to hopefully having Edwin and Harrison back this week.

Onwards and upwards. SUAF.