Edinburgh v. Munster here.....

[grimoald]

My issue with Downey, who I maintain will be effective but average, is that we really should have used our NIQ signing on a top class 12 as we had Earls for 13. Laulala is a very good player, but signing him and Downey was just bad personnel management which smacks of - we've seen people do well at this level already and can't be bothered to scout the SH - and the consequence is that one of LOD or Zebo wont make the matchday 23, and there is a chance nether will start if Keet plays 11.

I expect Keet will be playing 15 though.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Originally Posted by grimoald

My issue with Downey, who I maintain will be effective but average, is that we really should have used our NIQ signing on a top class 12 as we had Earls for 13. Laulala is a very good player, but signing him and Downey was just bad personnel management which smacks of - we've seen people do well at this level already and can't be bothered to scout the SH - and the consequence is that one of LOD or Zebo wont make the matchday 23, and there is a chance nether will start if Keet plays 11.

I expect Keet will be playing 15 though.

That would be weird given he's certainly not your best 15.

[grimoald]

Who is? Jones is out for another few months and Hurley is too slow for HEC rugby

Zebo 11 and Earls at 15 is probably the best use of resources atm. And again it shows up the poorly thought out signings.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Originally Posted by grimoald

Who is? Jones is out for another few months and Hurley is too slow for HEC rugby

Zebo 11 and Earls at 15 is probably the best use of resources atm. And again it shows up the poorly thought out signings.

Had completely forgotten that Felix was injured again. I ought to just assume injury.

[overthehillprop]

Originally Posted by grimoald

My issue with Downey, who I maintain will be effective but average, is that we really should have used our NIQ signing on a top class 12 as we had Earls for 13. Laulala is a very good player, but signing him and Downey was just bad personnel management which smacks of - we've seen people do well at this level already and can't be bothered to scout the SH - and the consequence is that one of LOD or Zebo wont make the matchday 23, and there is a chance nether will start if Keet plays 11.

I expect Keet will be playing 15 though.

Downey will be extremely effective for us and will be a vital part of what was missing for the last few seasons - go forward ball and someone who can suck in defenders. Casey is a very good player but agree that with Earls he was yet another unnecessary signing. I honestly believe keeping Dougie on was a mistake as well. We have Zebo, Hurley, LOD, Murphy and Earls at wing.

Downey showed some good hands and I think that we should be looking to play LOD at full back with a view towards the HEC cup. Whatever the centre pairing it needs plenty of gametime to get on the right wavelength defensively.

The IRFU will have a huge say in where Earls plays and have already heard that Deccie and Penney have had some heated debate about this. Earls has stated 13 is his preference, Deccie sees him as the back up to BOD but wants him to play wing for the moment and it seems Penney thinks his open field running is best suited to full back.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

1 game in when between them Downey and Lualala only put 1 head wrong and we're lining up to say that it was a mistake to bring them in.

Considering he must have thought he was up in the north stand for much of the 1st half, Casey was on good form and Downey did a little more than many. His run and off load for Luke's try was top-drawer stuff.

It is quite an aul pain in the arse having such an embarrassment of riches isn't it? Still, Dougie will be broke by Haloween, Felix will come back just in time to get himself wrecked immediately and I have it on the very highest authority that Gatland has asked that Keet gets a run at Number 8 so that all the options are covered for the Lions.

[bilston]

Originally Posted by overthehillprop

The IRFU will have a huge say in where Earls plays and have already heard that Deccie and Penney have had some heated debate about this.

If Kidney insists that Earls plays 13 does Penney not have to comply?

[overthehillprop]

Originally Posted by SerjeantWildgoose

1 game in when between them Downey and Lualala only put 1 head wrong and we're lining up to say that it was a mistake to bring them in.

Considering he must have thought he was up in the north stand for much of the 1st half, Casey was on good form and Downey did a little more than many. His run and off load for Luke's try was top-drawer stuff.

It is quite an aul pain in the arse having such an embarrassment of riches isn't it? Still, Dougie will be broke by Haloween, Felix will come back just in time to get himself wrecked immediately and I have it on the very highest authority that Gatland has asked that Keet gets a run at Number 8 so that all the options are covered for the Lions.

I've always said Downey would be a very good signing for us and he was excellent against Edinburgh. Casey is a very good player as well but this is just an extension of the ty recruitment policy of our Aussie coaches. It also seems that this was McGahans final act of a coach trying to get one over on the national coach (Deccie and McGahan weren't on the best of terms towards the end).

Both players will be extremely important for Munster and its fantastic to see a centre who can run straight, suck in defenders and offload (missing since Halstead left) but we now have far too many wingers and a big NIQ signing in the position where our best back wants to play and where the current national coach may want him to play.

[overthehillprop]

Originally Posted by bilston

If Kidney insists that Earls plays 13 does Penney not have to comply?

Pretty much. Thats why there have been heated debates about this already between Penney and Deccie. Penney by the way had no influence or say in any of Munsters signings or contract extensions for this season.