If Lionel Messi produced a touch of the grace and skill that facilitated Keith Earls’ try against Glasgow Warriors this past weekend, our time-line would be inundated with football fans praising his footballing ability.

A raking Ian Keatley kick found the Irish international out wide and his first touch, which oozed of class, bounced the ball into his hands for a try of brilliant proportions.

Youtube Credit: Pro12 Rugby

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Munster closing in on Creevy signing

According to reports in the Irish Independent, Munster are closing in on the prestigious signings of Southern Hemisphere duo, Augustin Creevy and Francis Saili.

With the future of Munster hooker Damien Varley looking increasingly uncertain after a spate of injuries, the Thomond Park side have targeted Worcester Warriors former Argentinian captain Creevy, who has been capped thirty six times for his country.

Creevy has considerable experience playing in European club Rugby, having previously represented the French trio Biarritz, Clermont and Montpellier. Creevy is likely to replace his compatriot, Eusebio Guinazu, who was temporarily drafted in by Munster this season to cover for the aforementioned Varley.

Saili is rumoured to be closing in on a switch to Munster

Meanwhile, Munster will attempt to fix their long standing issues at centre with the signing of the Blues and two time All Black capped centre, Francis Saili.

The twenty three year old Saili, who made his international bow for New Zealand against Argentina in 2013, is thought to be in advanced discussion with Munster representatives regarding a move to the two time European Champions.

Centre has been a problem position for Munster in recent years, with their recent attempts to convert winger Denis Hurley into a first centre yielding mixed results and Saili’s apparent signature would represent a significant coup.

Source: Irish Independent

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Munster have today confirmed that they will sign Western Province and former South Africa U20 centre Patrick Howard on a three month deal.

Howard, 22, was a part of the the Springboks victorious Junior World Cup squad of 2012 and will provide much needed depth in Munster’s midfield, after injuries to Keith Earls, Cian Bohane and the deferral of Crusader utility back Tyler Bleyendaal’s arrival as he recovers from a serious neck injury.

Speaking on Howard’s signing, Munster coach, Anthony Foley, is pleased with the support that the South African can offer his squad at a key juncture in their season.

With players ruled out due to injury and a few other niggles we want to make sure we have a full spread available to us before we enter the next crucial period and Howard can provide that additional support.”

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Thirty six years on, Munster’s 12-0 victory over New Zealand is still a source of massive pride for not only Munster fans, but also Irish Rugby fans in general.

Styled as a David versus Goliath clash, Munster upset all the odds and toppled the All Blacks in front of a vociferous Thomond Park crowd.

To commemorate that day, Guinness have released an awesome video celebrating one of the most famous days in the storied history in Munster Rugby.

Youtube Credit: GuinnessEurope

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Hilariously, during Leinster’s Pro12 defeat to Munster recently, Isaac Boss, the Leinster scrum half, loses sight of the ball and goes on an impromptu search mission for it.

Boss does a 360 degree turn in search of the ball before he realized that ball was, where it invariably is, in the ruck.

Boss, born in New Zealand but capped by Ireland, has had a stellar career, but this surely isn’t one of his finer moments.

Clip Credit: Le Rugbynistere- Daily Motion

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Inspired by a selection of Munster players’ keepy uppy challenge in aid of the charity Blue September, a young Irish fan, Ciaran Duffy, decided to do his own keepy uppy challenge, all to the dulcet soundtrack provided by his Piano playing grandfather.

Impressively, the youngster does over thirty keepy uppy’s and, unlike most people who try such a feat with a Rugby ball, doesn’t fumble and end up breaking some house hold ornaments.

Ciaran, you’ve earned an official RBP thumbs up.

Youtube Credit: This is Mini Messi Ciaran Duffy Ireland

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Youtube Credit: Pro12Rugby

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Finally, after what felt an eternity Pro12 Rugby is back and with a shiny new sponsor to boot.

Indeed, over the summer break, the League has been rebranded the Guinness Pro 12. Fitting, then, that the competition’s first game under it’s new moniker will take place in the home of Guinness, Ireland.

Munster, under the tutelage of new coach, Anthony Foley, will be hoping to go one better next season and make the final after they were defeated by the Glasgow Warriors in last season’s semi final.

The Thomond Park side invariably start the season well and have won all of their opening fixtures, bar one, since 2006

Edinburgh, on the other hand, will be looking for their first win away in Ireland since they defeated Connacht in 2012.

Despite their abysmal record in Ireland, which stands at one victory in 23 visits, Edinburgh coach Alan Solomons is confident that his charges can ruin Anthony Foley’s first competitive game in charge of the two time European Champions.

“What it’s about is to start out getting our performance right,” he said. “Sides that have been together for a long period will have no problem; sides that haven’t will be a little bit undercooked at the start of the season.

“I know we’re a little bit undercooked but that doesn’t concern me. It’s important we go out and give a good performance against Munster and that’s what we will be focusing on, ” said the South African.

Edinburgh will be boosted by the timely return of veritable try machine Tim Visser, who only made nine Pro12 appearances because of injury last season, and this will only add to Solomon’s conviction that his team can upset the Munster applecart.

The omens are not good for Edinburgh, however, as Munster, who have lost their last two home games, have never in their history lost three consecutive home games.

The men in red have named a strong team, which includes Lions winger Simon Zebo, veteran lock Donnacha O’Callaghan and impressive South African back-row CJ Stander.

Stander, who will be eligible for Ireland via residency next season, is wary of the threat posed by the Scots.

“They are a good team,” he said. “We played them four times last year but we don’t really look back on that.

“It is a new season and it’s a new competition, they have a lot of new staff, we have a lot of new staff and I think they are a very good team and they are exciting. I’m looking forward to it,” said the former Bull.

MATCH DAY SQUADS:

MUNSTER:

Ronan O’Mahony; Andrew Conway, Johne Murphy, Andrew Smith, Simon Zebo; Ian Keatley, Duncan Williams; John Ryan, Kevin O’Byrne, BJ Botha; Donncha O’Callaghan (capt), Billy Holland, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, Shane Buckley.

MUNSTER REPLACEMENTS:

Duncan Casey, Alan Cotter, Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Tommy O’Donnell, Cathal Sheridan, Johnny Holland, Ivan Dineen.

EDINBURGH :

Jack Cuthbert; Dougie Fife, Sam Beard, Andries Strauss, Tim Visser; Greig Tonks, Sean Kennedy; Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (capt), John Andress, Fraser McKenzie, Ollie Atkins, Tomas Leonardi, Hamish Watson, Cornell Du Preez.

EDINBURGH REPLACEMENTS:

James Hilterbrand, Rory Sutherland, W P Nel, Ben Toolis, Mike Coman, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Nick McLennan, Phil Burleigh.

INFORMATION:

KICK OFF: 19:35

BROADCAST ON TG4 & BBC ALBA

REFEREE: LEIGHTON HODGES (WALES)

ASSISTANTS: NIGEL CORRELL & JOHN CARVILL(BOTH IRELAND)

CITING COMMISSIONER: EDDIE WALSH(IRELAND)

TMO: JUDE QUINN(IRELAND)

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MUNSTER have played down the effect of a highly sensitive and critical player review document which was accidentally distributed to the whole squad last week.

On Wednesday, the report, detailing comments on each player, was emailed to all squad members. Some of the comments were highly critical, and, in a couple of instances, personalised, the Sunday Independent understands.

The document also revealed through colour-coding whether the management considered each player to be first choice or second choice and, in the case of one player, questioned why he was even in the squad at all. It is understood the issue of contracts was also mentioned.

“It was an attachment to a weekly schedule and it was not supposed to go out,” a senior source in Munster said yesterday.

“But it’s not a crisis or anything like it. The senior players met to talk about it, and, yes, it might have been hurtful to one or two players, but we’ve moved on.

“We’ve spoken to the players, and the vast majority have accepted it was a mistake and have put it behind us. In no way did it have any negative effect on the way we played last night (against London Irish on Friday) — maybe the opposite in that they pulled together.”

The source, who did not wish to be named, declined to mention those players for whom it may still be an issue.

He also denied that a senior player had been accused in the document, which he said was updated on a weekly basis, of being on “a gravy train”, and that another was classed as “mentally weak”.

“Anthony (Foley) spoke to the group and said that it is what it is and it shouldn’t have happened, rather than try to bullshit the players,” the source added.

Inescapably, it makes for a difficult start to Foley’s tenure as head coach, having succeeded Rob Penney after two seasons as his assistant.

Munster have also parted company with their head of fitness Adam Trypas, who took up the role in January.

He will be succeeded by Aled Walters, the senior strength and conditioning coach, who is going into his third season with the province.

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After injuries to the incumbent hookers, Mike Sherry and Damian Varley, Munster have signed Argentinian international Eusebio Guinazu on a four month contract.

The thirty three year old, formerly of Bath and Biarritz, has earned thirty six caps for his country and the Munster coach, Anthony Foley, is looking forward to the Argentinian adding some experience and nous to the group

“We have short-term setbacks with Niall Scannell rehabbing from wrist injury and Damien Varley managing a foot injury, but with Sherry ruled out until next year it is great that we can call on the services of an experienced versatile player such as Eusebio.

“His availability will certainly help us get through the opening period of the season, ” said the man affectionately known as Axel to the Munster faithful.

Article Source: The Irish Times

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