Irish Squad

Podge_irl · 15-01-2008 1:06pm #1

Healy and Sexton in Ireland squad
Cian Healy (left) and Jonathan Sexton
Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton are included in Ireland squad
Uncapped Leinster duo Cian Healy and Jonathan Sexton are the two new faces in Ireland's 34-man Six Nations squad announced by coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

Munster prop Tony Buckley also earns a call-up with Leo Cullen back returning alongside his Leinster team colleagues Bernard Jackman and Jamie Heaslip.

Flanker Johnny O'Connor is another to return after some impressive displays for Connacht as is Ulster's Tommy Bowe.

Rory Best, Neil Best, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace are also included.

However, Bryan Young and scrum-half Isaac Boss have been omitted and are likely to feature in the Ireland A squad while Stephen Ferris and Simon Best, along with Paul O'Connell were not considered due to injury.

Ireland squad: Forwards:
Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster), Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster), Malcolm O?Kelly (St Mary's College/Leinster), Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster).

Backs:
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster), Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O?Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Not considered due to injury: Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Paul O?Connell (Young Munster/Munster)

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 1:12pm

Meh....

Podge_irl · 15-01-2008 1:15pm

Some odd choices in there. There is once more a complete over-abundance of 6s - there is no need for Easterby, Quinlan, Leamy and Best. Best has been useless of late.

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 1:17pm

no gleeson and no jennings is a bit of a surprise to me.

Timothy Bryce · 15-01-2008 1:22pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

no gleeson and no jennings is a bit of a surprise to me.

Jennings' omission is a joke

Podge_irl · 15-01-2008 1:25pm

Jennings was probably hurt by the rotation going on in the Leinster backrow and the fact that he hasn't really claimed the 7 jersey off Gleeson. Though by the same token, Gleeson's omission is odd - he is in great form. I haven't really seen any of JOC though.

burnedfaceman · 15-01-2008 1:34pm

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Jennings' omission is a joke

+1

High&Low · 15-01-2008 1:35pm

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Jennings' omission is a joke

+2

Amz · 15-01-2008 1:40pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

no gleeson and no jennings is a bit of a surprise to me.

Agreed.

Eddie does like to keep everyone guessing though.

daveirl · 15-01-2008 1:47pm

This post has been deleted.

skelliser · 15-01-2008 1:50pm

good to see johnny o concrete back in the squad

Punchbowl · 15-01-2008 1:50pm

Along expected lines, but still a strong squad. To be honest, I'm not that concerned about Jennings..

Lux23 · 15-01-2008 1:57pm

I don't understand why he would choose Peter Stringer ove Eoin Reddan. Having watched both of them at the weekend I would have opted for Reddan and not just because he is better looking.

roverjoyce · 15-01-2008 1:58pm

let me start this O SULLIVAN OUT what a joke of a panel 2 openside 4 blindsides 2 scrumhalves the whole backline from the world cup who couldnt score against Georgia for fups sake
get him out ahd get Jake White in:mad:

Ted_Bundy · 15-01-2008 2:03pm

Is Jonathan Sexton any good..I've only seen him play once or twice...I hope he is because Ireland are badly in need of a new out-half. O'Gara is useless in my opinion and has always been over rated, he consisitently lets Ireland down when it really matters. I thought he was crap again last weekend against Clermont.

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 2:06pm

Ted_Bundy wrote: »

Is Jonathan Sexton any good..I've only seen him play once or twice...I hope he is because Ireland are badly in need of a new out-half. O'Gara is useless in my opinion and has always been over rated, he consisitently lets Ireland down when it really matters. I thought he was crap again last weekend against Clermont.

He's no way near ROG yet but he has the potential to be better than him i think.

bleg · 15-01-2008 2:06pm

Lux23 wrote: »

I don't understand why he would choose Peter Stringer ove Eoin Reddan. Having watched both of them at the weekend I would have opted for Reddan and not just because he is better looking.

what?

he picked them both

bleg · 15-01-2008 2:07pm

11 munster 12 leinster 5 ulster 2 connacht 1 wasp 1 leicester 1 llaneli

Bounty Hunter · 15-01-2008 2:10pm

Lux23 wrote: »

I don't understand why he would choose Peter Stringer ove Eoin Reddan. Having watched both of them at the weekend I would have opted for Reddan and not just because he is better looking.

cant see anywhere were it suggests Stringer will be picked over Reddan. They were both picked in the squad. Reddan will probably start but Stringer is great backup to have.

Amz · 15-01-2008 2:15pm

Pfft, women!

Lux23 · 15-01-2008 2:23pm

Oh I missed him. Stringer just popped out, right back to doing my nails then.

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 2:23pm

I note that 22 are survivors from the world cup squad!

Well isn't that a handy coincidence?

Jackz · 15-01-2008 2:24pm

Amz wrote: »

Pfft, women!

I said something like that before and you were not happy

dc69 · 15-01-2008 2:26pm

Timothy Bryce wrote: »

Jennings' omission is a joke

+3

Amz · 15-01-2008 2:29pm

Jackz wrote: »

I said something like that before and you were not happy

Woman's prerogative

bleg · 15-01-2008 2:29pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

I note that 22 are survivors from the world cup squad!

Well isn't that a handy coincidence?

very handy alright

thebiggestjim · 15-01-2008 2:30pm

Paddy Wallace?? EOS showed he had no faith in Wallace during the world cup when he didn't bring him on for a clearly struggling OGara. What has changed his mind? Wallace's and Ulsters blistering form this season? He should give someone else a chance and not waste his selections.

dc69 · 15-01-2008 2:32pm

as a back up out half,sexton is better than wallace,as a 12 i dont think wallace has a chance,thats one pairing steady eddie aint gona mess with no matter how many people think darcy shouldnt play.agree with above post

daveirl · 15-01-2008 2:34pm

This post has been deleted.

dc69 · 15-01-2008 2:35pm

daveirl wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

yeah,thats a joke of a comment tbh

bleg · 15-01-2008 2:37pm

exactly, the top scorer in the heineken cup ever is useless. gimme a break.:rolleyes:

dc69 · 15-01-2008 2:40pm

how many does eddie have to cut?

zAbbo · 15-01-2008 2:42pm

Anyone want to make a stab at the starting XV + bench for Italy?

Bearing in mind you need to be able to cover at least 2 positions to make the bench...

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 2:44pm

zabbo wrote: »

Anyone want to make a stab at the starting XV + bench for Italy?

Bearing in mind you need to be able to cover at least 2 positions to make the bench...

and be good in neither....

zAbbo · 15-01-2008 2:53pm

RuggieBear wrote: »

and be good in neither....

Thats not the point, you'll only be coming on if someone is injured.

I'm willing to give Eddie a chance here, I don't think Healy or Buckley will start in the front row, but *should* be introduced during the game... so here we go

zAbbos 22 v Italy

1. Horan
2. Jackman
3. Hayes
4. DOC
5. Cullen
6. Quinlan
7. JOC
8 Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Rog
11. Bowe
12. BOD
13. Trimble
14. Kearney
15. Duffy

16. Buckley
17. Best
18. D. Wallace
19. MOK
20. Sexton
21. Stringer
22. Murphy

Ted_Bundy · 15-01-2008 2:55pm

bleg wrote: »

exactly, the top scorer in the heineken cup ever is useless. gimme a break.:rolleyes:

Did you not watch the world cup?? I know 90% of the squad were crap at the world cup but O'Gara was by far the worst of the lot. He was also poor in the 2003 world cup as well. He can't cut it at the top level. He's been excellent for Munster in the heineken cup over the years but any time the pressure has been on for Ireland he has been shown up badly. Himself and Stringer have always been the weak link on what otherwise is a great Irish team. I always felt Humphrey was a superior out half to O'Gara

sickpuppy · 15-01-2008 2:56pm

I really like the look of that team but is there any chance steady will gamble
with the selection like that.
NO Easterby ? no Dempsey at full back

dc69 · 15-01-2008 3:03pm

Ted_Bundy wrote: »

Did you not watch the world cup?? I know 90% of the squad were crap at the world cup but O'Gara was by far the worst of the lot. He was also poor in the 2003 world cup as well. He can't cut it at the top level. He's been excellent for Munster in the heineken cup over the years but any time the pressure has been on for Ireland he has been shown up badly. Himself and Stringer have always been the weak link on what otherwise is a great Irish team. I always felt Humphrey was a superior out half to O'Gara

name a better outhalf that we have?seeing as we have an abundance of them.

redmca · 15-01-2008 3:04pm

No Jennings or Gleeson ..... same ol' same ol', especially Gleeson who pound for pound is the best Nr 7 in the country by a mile.

EOS likes his backrows to be made up of 3 Nr 6's, with the traditional Nr 7 first-up defender role being performed by Darcy & BOD. Couldn't they be better employed ???

Colm_OReilly · 15-01-2008 3:04pm

I thought Shane Horgan was completely out with injury?

If Flannery is banned for the stomping can Eddie call up another player? What's the deal with that?

stewie01 · 15-01-2008 3:07pm

has jennings offended eddie in some way over the years because it has to be the biggest joke in world rugby at the minute. He was the player of the premiership and leicester the 1 season he was over there and hes been 1 of leinsters top players this year. its a f*cking disgrace tbh and really makes me want him to leave. and picking bowe and trimble over jonny murphy is as bad.

if best wasnt injured id say heaslip wouldnt have made the squid either.

daveirl · 15-01-2008 3:08pm

This post has been deleted.

mc23 · 15-01-2008 3:12pm

Ted_Bundy wrote: »

I thought he was crap again last weekend against Clermont.

Flawless penalty kicking under pressure, one of his best defensive performances in a munster jersey and all this after been cut open that needed 20 stitches. I wish he could put in crap displays like that every week.

zAbbo · 15-01-2008 3:13pm

Not sure what the cover on Hooker is, Best still looks ropey with an ankle injury, Flannery *should* miss the game being cited (No harm having him in the squad for the 2nd game). Who else is there ? Frankie Shehan / Brian Blaney.....

Changes need to be made to the backline, I think switching BOD to IC solves a lot of issues as D'Arcy still looks off-form and it would allow Trimble to flourish is his preferred position.

Offensively I don't think the Italian backline are capable of much (Bergamasco & Bortalussi aside), so I'd prefer an attacking FB like Murphy, Kearney or Duffy.

ROG is a phenominal outhalf, unfortunately he suffered from form at RWC(more noticable for a 10, than other positions). Whats the alternative? Sexton imo, but he is a long long long way from ROGs standard.

Rattlehead_ie · 15-01-2008 3:18pm

Ok few surprises in there, but thats the 34 man squad and from that I have already picked my strongest 22 and almost my starting strongest 15.

Only major point or missing player Im pissed off at is Gleeson, he has been nothing but short of brilliant in the games Ive seen, his ball retention as well as ability to do the donkey work at every part of the field & get over gain line . I'm glad for Jackman on the same basis, he was everywhere in that game against Toulous and deserves to be in the 22 if not a good starting 15.

Glad to see Luke Fitz in there. I wouldnt have him near the starting 15 and he may only be brought on incase of injury or last minute play when the game has been put away, but I think the International level will give him an understanding of what he needs to do physically to reach and stay at that level, currently he is too small and light in my opinion but has great potential to be a good international.

I understand ppls points about Darcy not being on form these days but to be honest with BOD I think its best he stays. Centres in my opinion should be as close to being gay lovers as possible

they should live, sleep, eat, piss together and when on the field know at a moment what the other is thinking, this certainly goes for anyone who is to play with BOD. D'Arcy currently is the only player that has that lvl of "gel" so strongest 15 I'd have D'Arcy / BOD but defo as a 2nd choice Trimble should be there and will hoepfully soon push for D'Arcys place, jsut not yet

ven0m · 15-01-2008 3:19pm

Gordon D'Arcy .... he's having a laugh .... the man who's freel;y admitted his form has hit rock bottom & doesn't know what to do about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then you have O'Gara who frankly could kick the wide side of a Barn, & Stringer who couldn't pass a cold let alone a ball ................ shameful shameful shameful ........

Only good news was Sexton, Jackman, Heaslip, Cullen, & Duffy got long overdue look-ins/recalls ............. maybe Eddie will lay off the crackpipe ..... leaving Jennings out was criminal .... Leamy should be left out in fairness ......

:::: ven0mous ::::

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 3:20pm

zabbo wrote: »

Not sure what the cover on Hooker is, Best still looks ropey with an ankle injury, Flannery *should* miss the game being cited (No harm having him in the squad for the 2nd game). Who else is there ? Frankie Shehan / Brian Blaney.....

Changes need to be made to the backline, I think switching BOD to IC solves a lot of issues as D'Arcy still looks off-form and it would allow Trimble to flourish is his preferred position.

Offensively I don't think the Italian backline are capable of much (Bergamasco & Bortalussi aside), so I'd prefer an attacking FB like Murphy, Kearney or Duffy.

ROG is a phenominal outhalf, unfortunately he suffered from form at RWC(more noticable for a 10, than other positions). Whats the alternative? Sexton imo, but he is a long long long way from ROGs standard.

Good post.

But would putting Bod to 12 affect his effectiveness. At the moment he is the only real class player we have in the backline(even then he has been patchy)

WithCheesePlease · 15-01-2008 3:21pm

zabbo wrote: »

Not sure what the cover on Hooker is, Best still looks ropey with an ankle injury, Flannery *should* miss the game being cited (No harm having him in the squad for the 2nd game). Who else is there ? Frankie Shehan / Brian Blaney.....

eh, what about Bernard Jackman - he's having a great season.

And what the hell is with Brian Carney being left out of the squad??? And Gavin Duffy in??? Can't believe that. I have lost the last little bit of respect I had left for Eddie O'Sullivan. This squad "selection" is a joke for the most part.

RuggieBear · 15-01-2008 3:24pm

gearoid_healy wrote: »

eh, what about Bernard Jackman - he's having a great season.

Erm...Zabbo has him as first choice!;)

thebiggestjim · 15-01-2008 3:24pm

zabbo wrote: »

Not sure what the cover on Hooker is, Best still looks ropey with an ankle injury, Flannery *should* miss the game being cited (No harm having him in the squad for the 2nd game). Who else is there ? Frankie Shehan / Brian Blaney.....

Jackman, He is playing the best rugby of any hooker in the country this season. I think he should be very close to starting in the six nations.

roverjoyce · 15-01-2008 3:27pm

CERTANITY FOR EDDIES TEAM VRS ITALY:

Dempsey (Too old what has a safe pair of hands ever won you)
Horgan (Useless hasnt played a good game since England)
O'Driscoll (c) (Played half a game against Toulouse)
D'Arcy (Playing Crap)
Trimble (Useless on wing)
O'Gara (Write something bad about him in the paper and he will crack)
Reddan (Best scrum half in Premiership pity hes only starting now 3years late)

Horan (Put in Healy need to get our props game time)
Flannery (Better than Jackman all i can say)
Hayes (Put in Buckley need to get our props game time)
O'Callaghan (If he wasnt from Munster wouldnt be playing
O Kelly (way too old being carried by Leo Cullen)
Easterby (Too old Was best no6 in lions 3yrs ago)
D Wallace (Weres Shane Jennings)
Leamy (should be no6 but will be here instead of heaslip)

Subs: Who cares whwn Eddie picks that team above.

MY TEAM BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: dont say we should blood players first we have nothing to build on unlike engalnd who got to a world cup final. We barely beat Georgia with that team above now.

Cian Healy
Flannery
Tony Buckley
Bob Casey
Leo Cullen (CAPTAIN)
Leamy
Shane Jennings
Jamie Heaslip
Reddan
O Gara
Luke Fitzgearld
Gavin Duffy (abyone better than Darcy or Horgan)
O Driscoll
Johnny Murphy
Geordan Murphy

Thats a team for 2011 not holding on to anyone over 30 cause thay all had a crap world cup.

Irish Squad

Comments