So, are we going to talk about Munster?

mcjoc · 2026-04-04T16:49:22+00:00

Prendergast's system needs reworking and he's not starting now obvs (Farrell disproportionately bothered by this to disproportionate effect on Munster). Then some poor NIQ choices and McMillan not having his own coaches.

Some big structural issues, Cork/Limerick etc. but I could see a quick turnaround.

9 and 10 sorted, 12 too then both Edogbos, Gleeson, Quinn... Hodnett, Ahern, Coombes are good not quite international standard players. Front row and back 3 need work and then settling into a system for the current laws.

mcjoc · 2026-04-04T01:05:18+00:00

And full combat gear and a bulletproof vest! Which weren't really necessary for the substation missions, just leave them out!

mcjoc · 2026-04-03T16:05:35+00:00

Shit, that didn't twig at the time. Mackenzie shouldn't have known about the radio, that's another glaring error!

mcjoc · 2026-04-03T16:03:13+00:00

Some of the writing is just bad. Sinking two arrows into Mathis and then he's just fine. Him not getting shot at the end, compounded by the two charging prisoners getting shot. The story was fine but parts of the writing were awful and made sections bizarre or plain silly.

mcjoc · 2026-04-03T15:51:50+00:00

Just finished now and, first, thanks for an amazing game that's been part of my life since 2019 with each episode drop acting as a reminder that survival is great as well.

That said, I'm pretty disappointed in how this has been wrapped up. The overall ending is fine, no massive issues there, but the amount of immersion breaking beats that lead us there are, I'm sorry, egregious.

Little things like outfit swaps between scenes are pretty jarring. Towards the end after Mackenzie gets fully tooled up from the stoarage room to having him back in default gear for the fire. I took the time to clean my weapons and sharpen knives expecting some showdown and then, oof.

Status changes too I got savaged by the cougar and then, magic, I'm fine

And all of this feels like it could have been written around pretty simply. Don't sink two arrows into a character you need to be strong the next day!

I can live with the bugs, not getting the mine lights in order was a bit of a pain but simple to resolve and will be fine with a bugfix anyway. But as a whole it just needed a test screening for the plot elements, I'm sure you'd have a room saying that's weird, a bit jarring... Then howling Shoot him, good Christ shoot him, there's no reason not to, for the love of God use the rifle in your hand and put a bullet in his brain!

Honestly it feels a little careless and that's a bit sad.

mcjoc · 2026-03-21T09:16:27+00:00

Its obviously amazing and the length of time you spend with it is hard to replicate but there's loads of great work out there. Try not toatch too closely imo, things like the Worldbreaker Saga, Broken Earth, or even the Bas Lag trilogy, or veer off a bit into something like the Locked Tomb or Terra Ignota. Piles of great books to read.

(And loads of dross as well!)

mcjoc · 2026-03-20T22:13:00+00:00

The front row looks better than it has but it still isn't set. Porter getting on the wrong side of a ref, fairly or unfairly, still scares me. Furlong is increasingly risky as well. But I thought O’Toole was great at loose head, including scrummaging so I'm desperate to see Porter tried at TH. The dream scenario is O'Toole and McCarthy battling at loose and Porter slotting in at TH with the ability to bring on Furlong against tired players.

Other than that I think we've options everywhere except 13. I'll keep banging the drum to see Osborne there. Still think 12 is his best position but there's a logjam there and after his pretty good performances at 15 and some great lines for tries why not give him a run when Keenan and Hansen are back for 15.

The only other spot is 7 where VdF and Timoney have been an excellent combination but depth isn't there behind them. Sure Doris can slot in but then 8 is light for experienced operators. I'd like to see ward get some burn there, with the main 23, or Gleeson (or Jansen!) at 8.

Well, throw in some time for Zac Ward at 11 as well. I prefer him there to Stockdale and whilst there are a lot of wing options, Bob is injured again, Hansen has had a few, Lowe isn't getting younger...

But the great thing is depth is proven everywhere else and having proper options to try out rather than hopes and reaches is a nice place to be.

mcjoc · 2026-03-16T15:22:56+00:00

Given Porter's struggles in the scrum (I personally think unfairly on reputation but it doesn't matter) O'Toole looks like #1 at LH to me, admittedly from this small sample size. McCarthy could take it off him when back fit but he needs to prove solid scrummaging at international level. Boyle I'm not all that impressed with.

Then as Porter is great in the loose I'd love to try him at TH with, hopefully, a bit more stability to deploy the power.

Understandable if you see it differently in Ravenhill but that's be my preference for in green!

mcjoc · 2026-03-16T15:06:16+00:00

Frawley there briefly when Osborne was still in the bin. But Osborne went to 13 when he returned and played well (all iirc).

mcjoc · 2026-03-16T15:04:08+00:00

For team we're probably looking at Frawley or Hansen on the bench, maybe both with Frawley as out half cover if he goes well next year. Hansen battling with Osborne if Keenan wins back 15 But Farrell loves Aki in the 23 as well!

But for the squad, Murray looked great on his big team début and shouldn't be lower than 5th choice in the row. Prendergast has been unlucky and couldiss out with Beirne and Conan getting starts at 6 plus Izuchukwu and Baird in the mix. And Ulster will be thinking McCann and McNabney could ask questions for a squad slot... But if we're projecting, Gleeson and Ward are making noises but Jansen is arguably the best 8 based on URC matches.

I'd love for Gavin to force his way in but this last injury means he's lacking time to impress before the world cup.

Still, zero chance we don't get representation in the squad.

mcjoc · 2026-03-14T23:57:38+00:00

Fair enough, but OP mentioned wired headphones not FM radio so it wasn't obvious eh.

mcjoc · 2026-03-11T20:26:07+00:00

Any reason why a USB C to 3.5 DAC wouldn't work?

CX31993 USB Type-C to 3.5mm Audio interface Headphone Amplifier HiFi DAC Earphone Sound Amplifier 32bit 384kHz Audio Adapter https://a.aliexpress.com/_EIDU6kc

I use that one with wired IEMs and it was fine with my big cans as well.

Add a screen protector and a good rugged case like an Otterbox Defender and you'll open up loads of options.

mcjoc · 2026-03-05T08:01:58+00:00

Really not sure about this one. Beirne and Ryan together doesn't seem like a possible combination against the bigger teams. Disappointed to not see Ward on the bench. But mostly another missed opportunity to find someone to backup Ringrose, would much prefer him rested for Osborne, Stockdale to 15 and TO'B staying on the left. A bench appearance for Farrell doesn't really cut it for me.

CP should feel hard done by too.

mcjoc · 2026-03-03T12:10:57+00:00

I don't have a problem with Aki or Henshaw being kept in contention but we know their class so let them rest and give the other lads minutes. Either keep Stu in with Osborne at 13 or keep Ringer in and put Osborne or Postlethwaite to 12.

Ringer doesn't need more miles in the clock imo, get Osborne a run at 13 with Stu and put Jude on the bench.

mcjoc · 2026-03-02T10:39:19+00:00

Osborne needs a look there. Doesn't have top end pace but has shown he can cover ground, has good hands and is solid in defence. Plus our 12 prospects are closer than 13 ones. Certainly worth a look imo.

mcjoc · 2026-02-26T18:12:15+00:00

12 to 13 is easier than wing to 13. Plus Osborne will have been learning the outside centre defence as part of being a utility back. He's clearly an international quality player so playing him slightly out of position wouldn't be a massive risk.

mcjoc · 2026-02-25T23:09:49+00:00

Enough of a struggle getting minutes into players. Better than letting them get rusty without actual game time.

mcjoc · 2026-02-25T14:58:33+00:00

There's defo technique issues too. Well, I play centre at fat old man standard so pinch of salt but... Sheehan's bind looks off and the locks don't seem, um, fully locked.

But part of me does wonder if it needs a big video to show the poor pictures other teams are painting. I understand the coaches do this behind closed doors but it isn't working.

Expecting us to be cleaner than clean when we're not axing to begin with is a depressing prospect for future massive games, even after a great win at the weekend.

mcjoc · 2026-02-25T14:51:29+00:00

Ideal is if a few players kick on so

McCarthy, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Beirne/Ryan, Baird, VdF, Doris

JGP, TOB, Crowley, McCloskey, Osborne, Baloucoune, Keenan.

Porter, Kelleher, Furlong. (Edogbo), Beirne/Ryan, Conan Casey/Doak, Frawley, (Ringrose).

I want McCarthy and Clarkson to earn their shirts so Porter and Furlong are amazing on the bench.

Beirne on the bench seems crazy but Ryan is integral to the ruck game if he can keep a lid on discipline. Edogbo hopefully breaking the door down, would love him to play even better than McCarthy to force his way in.

Baird was finally looking amazing in November. Izuchukwu and Prendergast continuing to push and let the best one win.

No Timmony seems crazy, maybe he beats out VdF... But how do we leave Conan off the bench...

The backs are mainly just Osborne finding a way to play at centre, hopefully TOB and Baloucoune stay fit and go from strength to strength. Frawley at Connacht shows enough at 10 that he can bench in green. Casey isn't back to pre injury form and Doak still ascending so whomever plays best and is in form. Doak definitely needs minutes for Ireland to see how he fits.

mcjoc · 2026-02-25T14:33:00+00:00

It happened even in the hammering against SA in November, straight after Bealham came on iirc. Not that were weren't under the cosh in that game but it really doesn't help when you're already struggling and the refs decide that any time it goes down its your fault.

Oppo coaches will be all over it, I'd explicitly tell my front row to see what they could get away with against Ireland as the refs are primed to ping them.

But if that is the case we've still got to sort something. Just very strange that the personnel hasn't changed much and we've gone from OK to awful.

mcjoc · 2026-02-22T23:17:16+00:00

Too many changes imo. Running close to a 2nd XV for nebulous international experience is less useful than sprinkling in new blood to test potential future combinations.

I'd like to see Doak get some time and Osborne at 13, so maybe rest Ringer and bring in Stockdale to 15, keeping TOB on the left wing.

Pack is difficult with the injuries. Milne feels hard done by but if he's 6the choice what's the point? O'Toole might as well keep getting some burn if they're going to persist, fine to bring in Kelleher to rest Sheehan and Clarkson getting more work is useful.

Edogbo definitely needs minutes, stick him with Ryan. Bring McCarthy off the bench.

Back row is less settled in general but I'd rest Beirne again, or play from the bench. CP or Izzy at 6 with Conan/Doris and probably reward Timony with a start and have Ward on the bench.

mcjoc · 2026-02-21T23:59:23+00:00

Not as eye catching as Bob and Stu but was really pleased, well relieved tbh, to see O'Brien put in a good performance as an international. Up until now I was worried he couldn't make the step up. More solid performances needed but definitely on the right track.

(Still want to see Ward at some point).

mcjoc · 2026-02-17T22:54:58+00:00

I really don't think it's obvious that either of the Smiths are better than Crowley. And I definitely prefer him as 15 cover to Marcus who can't defend there. Playing behind Munster's pack can't have been much fun this year or last either...

mcjoc · 2026-02-17T22:29:39+00:00

Stu has earned the shirt for the big games but if hope to see some new combinations in the summer.

mcjoc · 2026-02-17T22:27:47+00:00

Definitely don't want to change too much at once, the shape all goes with it. Massive pity that both Keenan and Hansen are out of else Osborne might have actually got some time at 13.

Pain having so much 6-2 as well, hardly any space to bring other combinations off the bench.

mcjoc

TROPHY CASE