The Longshot: Reds facing a big test up in Ulster as injuries pile up

MUNSTER fans could take some solace from the World Cup win by South Africa, in that the management ticket included two former coaches and a former player.

The starting team had a former player and two of the subs were present Reds, Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman.

The latter’s last three years with the province have of course been plagued by injuries.

His debut for Munster in their 27-25 defeat against Leinster, in August 2020, lasted only seven minutes after he suffered a torn ACL during a lineout.

He was then nearing a return from the injury, the following year, but suffered a setback during his rehabilitation that required further surgery. Before he returned, he then sustained substantial burns following a firepit accident.

He next made his long-awaited return from injury in Munster’s opening URC fixture against the Sharks in September 2021, coming on as a replacement for Fineen Wycherley in their 42-17 win against the South African side, and scored his first try for the province a week later in their 34-18 win against the Stormers.

In what was only his third game back for Munster, and his fourth appearance overall for the province, he then suffered a re-rupture of his cruciate ligament 10 minutes after coming on as replacement.

And now? He is to undergo surgery after injuring his “chest/shoulder” (well which is it?) during the Springboks’ World Cup final win over New Zealand. Snyman made six appearances during the Boks’ successful World Cup defence, yet has only made 10 appearances in red. That’s some going.

Joey Carbery also now needs surgery on a wrist injury, and Andrew Conway is back on the rehab list with a knee problem, while head coach Graham Rowntree will be crossing his fingers that Calvin Nash only suffered a slight knock when scoring late in last Saturday’s comfortable win over the Dragons at Musgrave Park.

The Reds face their first inter-provincial test this weekend when they travel to Ravenhill to take on Ulster, who were stunned by a second-half comeback by Connacht last weekend.

The Westerners were 17 points behind early in the second half, but three second-half tries brought them back into the contest, as Ulster looked out on their feet at the end and could only take a losing bonus point at the Sportsground.

Ulster now sit seventh in the URC table, with 10 points from the opening three matches, that has seen two bonus-point wins against Zebre and the Bulls, before the defeat against Connacht.

Munster sit in second, on 12 points, after two bonus-point wins against the Sharks and Dragons, as well as an away draw against Benetton, but they are looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches in the United Rugby Championship.

This trip to Belfast is the first in a run of three extremely difficult looking games for the club, with the visit of the Stormers next weekend to Thomond Park, before Munster travel to Lansdowne Rd to face Leinster on November 25.

Ulster fans will need no reminder about what happened last time in the same fixture, as Munster won after a last-minute converted try.

Returning Ireland internationals Craig Casey and Jack Crowley featured for Munster for the first time this season last Saturday night, in the win against the Dragons in Cork. Munster are 6/5, while the hosts are 4/5, with the draw 25/1.

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IT was my wife’s nephew’s 21st last week and his girlfriend bought him flights and tickets to see Man United take on Luton at Old Trafford.

The obvious response to hearing this was United might have a chance of winning that one.

Luton’s draw with Liverpool and United’s struggles to overcome Fulham in London might give him second thoughts on that.

Luton were 5/1 to draw last Sunday and are the same price for tomorrow’s 3pm kick-off.

The Hatters are much shorter to win this one, 8/1 compared to the 14/1 they were to beat Klopp’s men at home, something they were so close to doing. United are 1/3 to win.

Marcus Rashford gave out about some online comments (shouting into a long, dark cave there) linking him to a move away from the club this week.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a stellar campaign last year, scoring 30 goals and adding 11 assists in all competitions but he hasn’t been able to replicate that form this season. 

In July, before signing a new contract at Old Trafford until 2028 in July, Rashford reportedly turned down an astonishing £400,000-a-week deal to sign for Ligue 1 giants PSG and partner Kylian Mbappe up front in Paris. 

He is 6/1 to move there next, but for tomorrow, following his midweek sending off. he is 5/1 to score first and 13/10 to score anytime.

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ANYONE familiar with being called in as a ringer for a five-a-side game will have some understanding of the situation Josh Dobbs found himself in last weekend.

The quarterback was not expected to be much of a factor for the Minnesota Vikings’ game against the Atlanta Falcons after just being acquired in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week.

But when starter Jaren Hall suffered a concussion, Dobbs got the call to enter the fray.

Not only was he not overly familiar with the plays he was expected to complete after the huddle, he also admitted afterwards to hardly knowing any of the names of the men in helmets around him.

Despite this disadvantage, the 28-year-old was able to lead the Vikings to a 31-28 win over the Falcons. Speaking after the game, Dobbs said not only did he not know many of his teammates’ full names, he’d never even logged a single snap with the first-string offence during practice, never thrown a pass to any of his them, and had never even taken a practice snap from center Garrett Bradbury. Incredible stuff.

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THERE was a rumour going round this week that by the end of the month this Friday betting page will be jettisoned, presumably because our weekend tips have been shoddy and unprofitable.

Well I am glad to announce that I have got the exclusive on this one and can confirm that the grapevine is indeed squeezing out wine and next week will be the penultimate preview on a Friday. This won’t mean that standards are going to drop of course, as it will surely mean I will redouble my efforts when our output is down to one day. Surely.

Eventually of course, even our Tuesday piece will be taken over by an AI tipster, as algorithms just have a greater appetite for work these days.

Reducing our output to one day will of course mean cutbacks. What’s often unknown by those outside the newspaper industry is that although it is my mug that goes on the top of this page, there is a team of us working on each column behind the scenes. To a man they shun the limelight, but I think it’s only fair I acknowledge their contribution so they can share in the past glory/blame now that I am getting rid.

Patrick: Pat’s the stat man. He has got info on everything from how many shots Haaland took last season to how often Ryan Moore sneezed while in the saddle. He’s also the team’s biggest ladies man and loves nothing more than finding that perfect figure.

Eddie: The guy who was responsible for that last sentence. That’s right, Eddie’s the joke writer. Nobody wants to read reams of dour betting advice so it’s his job to inject some humour. He’s the third person to fill the role since May (the job has a quick turnover) after some dire jokes slipped through over the summer.

Paul: Paul liaises with the bookies. If you are looking for the best price, he is the man to get on to. He is also the man to get on to if you want to tune in illegal TV streams.

Ken: Ken joins up the dots. Let’s say it’s the first day of the Leaving Cert. Ken will find the horse with the name Paper Seal. Or find out quirky things like Mo Salah’s favourite smell is mustard.

All four gave their time for a pittance but they would certainly appreciate any contributions (money, advice, alcohol) readers would like to send in now in their hour of need.

The most important contributor of all, of course, is you the reader and the good news is that I’m keeping you on, for now.

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WILLE Mullins’ Vauban proved disappointing down under and Newcastle’s failure to pick up a draw in Dortmund means our accumulators for the week gone by didn’t perform as hoped. We’ll shift to rugby this weekend and take on a five-timer for the URC and go for Munster, Glasgow, Benetton, the Sharks and the Bulls to all win at 12/1 all in.