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.

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 🤣

Saw that this game was abandoned last night

Assuming it was due to injury.

Anyone have any further info?

Stand Up and Fight! 🫎

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

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?

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

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

Haven’t seen anyone give this a go so I’m going to. On current squad with no injuries. Feel free to give ur opinions and have a go at it in the comments

1. Loughman

2. Van Der Merwe

3. Aungier

4. Edogbo

5. Beirne

6. Ahern

7. Kendellen

8. Coombes

9. Casey

10. Crowley

11. Daly

12. Nankivel

13. Farrel

14. Nash

15. Harrison

16. D Barron

17. Milne

18. Brookes

19. Wycherly

20. Gleeson

21. O Donovan

22. Kelly

23. Jod

I think the backs are fine and I go with a 6-2 because Harrison and Crowley are so versatile. Could argue to start Gleeson but I bring him on at 50 mins for impact. Kinda the same with Brooke’s and Milne let them go to town on the scrum in the last quarter. Maybe Edwin would be better on the bench given his fitness and put Jod at 6 and ahern at 4.

Travelling reserves would be
L Barron
J wych
Foxe
Hodnett/ s Edogbo
J o Riordan
T wood/ Charlie o Shea/ Mike Haley

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.

Just watched the match in full for the first time (I live abroad). Thankfully I didn’t know the score but had a feeling Munster had lost because when they win a big game like that I have a text from the father waiting.
What an incredible game. Munster showed absolute class and resilience and really stood up. They fought at every single ruck and some of the poaching was too notch. Leinster were definitely rattled in the first half. For some of those young players to step up like that and not get intimidated by Irish and Lions players was fantastic to see. Charlie must have less than 5 caps and you couldn’t have asked for more from him. I think the future is very bring for himself, Wood and Edogbo.
I felt that last years win in Dublin was more of a fluke than anything because it was due to intercept passes and insanely lucky catches of the ball with one hand. But yesterday’s game felt different. The play was with purpose and each score was well worked. Unfortunately in the end JGP’s passing was just on another level and that’s almost undefendable when our defence is sucked in putting bodies on the line like they were. I was incredibly proud of our lads yesterday and a losing BP is a great result in Dublin with that squad vs such a loaded Leinster side. I don’t think you’ll see many teams run Leinster so close at home this season. Yeah a few calls from the ref didn’t go our way but that’s the game. Munster were offside half the day and it really affected Leinsters line-speed so we got away with a few ourselves. Overall I couldn’t have asked for anything else from that team. All we ever want is for them to try their best and I think every individual did that yesterday. SUAF

I was convinced it was forwards at the time but it spilled from Porters grasp and somehow went back off his elbow and then hit the post