Ireland team to play Scotland

Downtime

A bit of a mix and match as we expected

15 - Geordan Murphy Leicester (48)
14 - Brian Carney Clonakilty/Munster (2)
13 - Brian O’Driscoll Captain UCD/Leinster (74)
12 - Gavin Duffy Galwegians/Connacht (6)
11 - Tommy Bowe Belfast Harlequins/Ulster (9)
10 - Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster (4)
9 - Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster (8)

1 - Bryan Young Ballymena/Ulster (7)
2 - Jerry Flannery Shannon/Munster (15)
3 - Simon Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster (18)
4 - Malcolm O’Kelly St.Mary’s College/Leinster (85)
5 - Paul O’Connell Young Munster/Munster (43)
6 - Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster (12)
7 - Stephen Ferris Dungannon/Ulster (3)
8 - Jamie Heaslip Clontarf/Leinster (2)
Replacements:
16 - Rory Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster (12)
17 - John Hayes Bruff/Munster (73)
18 - Alan Quinlan Shannon/Munster (24)
19 - Keith Gleeson St.Mary’s College/Leinster (26)
20 - Eoin Reddan Wasps (2)
21 - Ronan O’Gara Cork Constitution/Munster (71)
22 - Shane Horgan Lansdowne/Leinster (55)

bugler

It's stronger than I expected - I thought EOS would leave most of the main guys out. I'm glad that the need for gametime for the likes of POC and BOD is being followed though.

Quinlan being used as lock cover too.

Jilm

15 Rory Lamont (Sale Sharks)
14 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints)
13 Rob Dewey (Ulster Rugby)
12 Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors)
11 Simon Webster (Edinburgh Rugby)

10 Chris Paterson (Gloucester)
9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby)


1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby)
2 Ross Ford (Glasgow Warriors)
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints)
4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan)
5 Jim Hamilton (Leicester Tigers)
6 Jason White (Sale Sharks) CAPTAIN
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais)
7 Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Rugby)

Substitutes

16 Fergus Thomson (Glasgow Warriors)
17 Craig Smith (Edinburgh Rugby)
18 Scott MacLeod (Llanelli Scarlets)
19 Kelly Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Chris Cusiter (Perpignan)
21 Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors)
22 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Rugby)

Good line up for Scotland. I still think Ireland should nick this one.

Hippo

bugler wrote:

It's stronger than I expected - I thought EOS would leave most of the main guys out.

He has...

bugler

Well for 'most' read 'all'. I didn't expect the likes of Flannery, N Best, POC and BOD to figure.

hefty_langer

bugler wrote:

Quinlan being used as lock cover too.

I bet I'm not the only one who read that differently the first time?

Stev_o

Somehow i dont think we are going to win by much with that line up....Happy though that Murphy's starting

shoutman

Whats with O'Driscoll being shown as a UCD/Leinster player, I always thought he was a blackrock man, not that it matters at all.

LFC5Times

He could be playing BOD,so as to get an expert opinion on Duffy as a 1st centre or else just for BOD to give him some help.

Downtime

shoutman wrote:

Whats with O'Driscoll being shown as a UCD/Leinster player, I always thought he was a blackrock man, not that it matters at all.

Yeah - mistake there from irish Rugby - he is a Blackrock player and was UCD player.

Interesting to see that Shane Byrne will be back with Blackrock next season.

Killme00

Is this game on tv at the weekend

Amz

Yes, it's on RTE2

theKramer

Stev_o wrote:

Somehow i dont think we are going to win by much with that line up....Happy though that Murphy's starting

As long as he is not playing against France! He always does something retarded to give a try away when we play them.

Was watching the reaching for glory dvd at the weekend. His lack of a tackle on Ibanez for the 6 Nations game earlier this year was appalling. Fantastic player, but prone to serious blunders.......

Sangre

Wish EOS would try Trimble out in the centre. I think he should be the one who slots in for an injured BOD/Darcy, rather than taking Horgan and Darcy out of position.

EdgarAllenPoo

I have a minor gripe. Why is it that whenever someone posts an Irish team they post the clubs the players used to play for? What is the point? I hardly think Brian O'Driscoll is going to play for UCD again or that ROG will play at 10 for Cork Con, it's pointless and gets on my nerves.

Back on topic, I'll be very interested to see how the new front and back row combinations work out.

Other than a good showing in the scrum against Argentina I don't see Simon Best as anything other than a sub in the RWC so it will be interesting to see if his performance earns him a spot.

marco_polo

Sangre wrote:

Wish EOS would try Trimble out in the centre. I think he should be the one who slots in for an injured BOD/Darcy, rather than taking Horgan and Darcy out of position.

Think that he may have played if it were not for the fact that BOD badly needs all the match practice he can get between now and RWC time.

Should be a tight game the Scots lineup definately looks stronger on paper than the 6 Nations lineup. Will probably be a score in it either way.

Stev_o

theKramer wrote:

As long as he is not playing against France! He always does something retarded to give a try away when we play them.

Was watching the reaching for glory dvd at the weekend. His lack of a tackle on Ibanez for the 6 Nations game earlier this year was appalling. Fantastic player, but prone to serious blunders.......

He is a great player and i hate when every remembers that tackle yes it was bad but no one remembers the great turn over he manged 15 minutes later when the french WERE going to get a try so in my books the try he let in would makes no difference because Girve wouldnt have made the turnover when murphy did

EdgarAllenPoo

I hope they don't bring ROG on as a sub, the Scots will be just itching to give him a kicking.

buck65

Read in the paper saturday (times I think) that G Murphy is in the last chance saloon and needs a good game at least to cement his squad place!

Good to see Carney get another chance too.

thebaz

Glad Carney is in , looking good for his inclusion in squad -- does anyone else think Bowe is pedestrian , and shouldn't be near the squad -- i know if i was a Scottish winger who i'd prefer to mark -- O'gara should be wrapped up in cotton wool till we play Argentina , not even used as sub

EdgarAllenPoo

One positive about this selection is that we'll get to see if Paddy Wallace is up to being the replacement 10. Seeing as it's not his primary position and that his kicking game is patchy at best it will be interesting.

He can't be any worse than Staunton....or can he?

carlowboy

Stev_o wrote:

He is a great player and i hate when every remembers that tackle yes it was bad but no one remembers the great turn over he manged 15 minutes later when the french WERE going to get a try so in my books the try he let in would makes no difference because Girve wouldnt have made the turnover when murphy did

You're right, Girv would have made the tackle that Murphy missed in the lead-up to it.


Must be Murphy's last chance saloon. He hasn't played well for us since before the last World Cup.

Nukem

Reddan not starting again? EOS is playing a dodgy game here, reckon Reddan shades Boss at the mo. interesting backrow. Fairly dynamic, hope it works.

carlowboy

I'd say Redden should start the next warm-up....if there is one of course!

Hippo

thebaz wrote:

Glad Carney is in , looking good for his inclusion in squad -- does anyone else think Bowe is pedestrian , and shouldn't be near the squad -- i know if i was a Scottish winger who i'd prefer to mark -- O'gara should be wrapped up in cotton wool till we play Argentina , not even used as sub

Agreed, Bowe is a mystifying choice, slow and anything but penetrative, EOS must love him. I think we'll do well to be within a score of Scotland, it's a messy looking backline. Hope I'm wrong, I want the team on a good run going into the RWC

tHE vAGGABOND

I hope Carney and Gavin Duffy have stormers and play themselves onto WC bench, and that Boss has a mare and that Redden comes on, and also has a stormer, as I think he could be a great first 9, let alone a better sub than boss..

marco_polo

carlowboy wrote:

I'd say Redden should start the next warm-up....if there is one of course!

The next one is against Italy at Ravenhil, I heard that that is going to be a runout for the first XV though, so it is unlikely that Reddan will feature.

Steffano2002

hefty_langer wrote:

I bet I'm not the only one who read that differently the first time?

LOL hefty_langer!

Hermy

Hippo wrote:

I think we'll do well to be within a score of Scotland

Considering what Italy did to Scotland in their previous encounter, if we really are to be taken seriously as World Cup contenders, surely nothing short of convincing victory against the Scots is acceptable.

Hippo

Under normal circumstances I'd agree, but that's not in any way a 'normal' team, and against any kind of organised international unit they might find it difficult.

Hermy

I understand that the Irish selection is not 'normal' but why are the Scots such a threat to us?

marco_polo

Hermy wrote:

Considering what Italy did to Scotland in their previous encounter, if we really are to be taken seriously as World Cup contenders, surely nothing short of convincing victory against the Scots is acceptable.

Aside from the three freakish early intercept tries there was nothing between Italy and Scotland that day.

Hermy wrote:

I understand that the Irish selection is not 'normal' but why are the Scots such a threat to us?

Because the Scottish team it is a much better balanced side than the one we faced in the 6 Nations. The backrow looks exceptionally strong, they have picked a much better half back combination and have one or two dangerous backs to boot. Sure it is not a world class XV but they will be no mugs. I would say that to come away with any sort of a win would be a good days work for what is essentially a B team.

Also it's not like we humped them with our first choice XI in the 6 Nations is it?

kevmy

I reckon that Eddies only playing Bowe to give him his last chance saloon. If Duffy plays halfway decent at all he'll prob be going. Add to that the fact that we have Horgan, Trimble and Hickey on the wings with Girve unmoveable and Murphy definitely ahead of Bowe. If Duffy has a mare and Bowe plays well though Eddie might think of bringing Bowe as backup winger and using Trimble primarily as backup centre.

Good to see Jerry Flannery back in. Hope he plays a stormer and gets himself in there ahead of Best he's a much better player IMO. Also is he ever going to give Glesson a run?

Stev_o

Considering we just about beat them during the 6 Nations with a full strength squad and now playing them with a completely mixed up squad kinda scares me. I dont think EOS should be trying this whole mix and match approach now he had time to that during the summer what we need now is the full squad out and get a good victory over the Scots to give the team a good confident win heading into the RWC. Just my 2 cents

Hippo

In two minds about all of this really. I'm not in favour of playing the first team at all, cos if we lose ROG and/or BOD our world cup is effectively over. However, neither do I want the squad to suffer a morale-sapping defeat to Scotland; and seeing as we hockeyed them by er, one point in the 6n we'll be doing well to repeat that with this mess of a team. The Scots are nowhere near as bad as people think, and Lamont will love having a run at Duffy and Bowe.

I'm also keen to see Flannery play well, he's great to watch, but he's nowhere near as good in the scrum as Best, and that's why he's not in the first XV

marco_polo

TBH I think that a defeat would not have too big an impact on morale.

Whatever way he decides is best to prepare the team for the RWC, and I have full confidence that EOS will make the right calls. He has a fine line to tread in the next four games between keeping the boys match fit and wrapping key players up in cotton wool.

I will be holding my breath each time BOD goes into contact this weekend, but what can you do, he hasn't played since March and needs all the game time he can get between now and the RWC.

Amazotheamazing

Hippo wrote:

I'm also keen to see Flannery play well, he's great to watch, but he's nowhere near as good in the scrum as Best, and that's why he's not in the first XV

I wonder how this rumour got started?

A front row of McGovern, Flannery and Buckley destroyed Ulster's first choice front row of Young, Best and Best in Ravenhill in March.

Flannery hasn't started for Ireland because he never got fully fit due to injuries all last season, he was even rested for Munster when he was available despite Sheahan's poor form.

NotWormBoy

Does anyone know if this match is being shown on terrestrial TV at all? Apologies if this was already mentioned, I only skimmed the thread...

marco_polo

NotWormBoy wrote:

Does anyone know if this match is being shown on terrestrial TV at all? Apologies if this was already mentioned, I only skimmed the thread...

Definately on BBC One, I think it is on on RTE also but I have not been able to confirm this so far.

**EDIT ** Just read Daveirl's Rugby on TV thread and it is defo on RTE too ****

Goodluck2me

Downtime wrote:

Yeah - mistake there from irish Rugby - he is a Blackrock player and was UCD player.

Interesting to see that Shane Byrne will be back with Blackrock next season.

im afraid your are incorrect there and irishrigby.ie is right, O Driscoll had renewed his acquaintences with UCD again this year and had left blackrock.

TarfHead

Hippo wrote:

I'm also keen to see Flannery play well, he's great to watch, but he's nowhere near as good in the scrum as Best, and that's why he's not in the first XV

Amazotheamazing wrote:

I wonder how this rumour got started?

Don't know about a rumour but I heard Paul Wallace say the same thing on The Last Word on Today FM some months back. And he's from Munster so don't wave THAT flag

Amazotheamazing

Anyone who listens to Paul Wallace will quickly conclude he'll say whatever comes into his head, regardless of his accuracy. He seems like a decent sort, but I don't particularly rate him as a pundit.

bugler

I've also wondered about the emphasis put on R Best's scrummaging. I'm not saying he isn't a better scrummager, but I don't see the evidence that he significantly improves the Irish scrum.

The Irish scrum with Best in it has pretty much been the same as the Irish scrum over the past couple of years i.e. holds up fine against Scotland, Wales etc, and then comes under pressure against Italy/France/stronger scrummaging nations. The most pleasing scrummaging performance recently was against England, when we dominated every facet of play, and they had a weak TH.

The scrum against Australia last Autumn was very disappointing.

The Irish scrums performance in Argentina was heartening, but bear in mind that the Argie TH and hooker weren't of the highest calibre. S Best (and even T Buckley's cameos) takes most of the praise rather than B Young or Flannery, as there is no question Ayerza is a tough opponent.

There's no doubt R Best is a fine hooker, but for me its Flannery every time. Whatever we might lose in the scrum I believe is outweighed by his contribution in the loose and his throwing technique (which I think is the best of the NH hookers). I also would play N Best at 6, as I think his aggression and counter-rucking gives us an element we lack without him. Again Easterby is a very good player, but I think N Best gives this Irish side more.

Oh and tarfhead, Paul Wallace made his Leinster loyalty clear around the time of the HC semi-final

Danie Gerber

Bugler, I agree about Flannery. I would certainly rate him ahead of Best. The irish scrum will win Ireland any matches anyway. Steady clean ball is all that's required.

Flannery's worth in the loose and open play should be more important than Best's scrumming.

Also, N Best should be an impact player. Come on in the last 20 min to smash and ruck tired oppo legs off the park. I have yet to see him keep up that intensity that he has for 80 min. Not sure he can but as a super sub, yes.