Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey both ruled out

KNS

Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey have both been ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations clash with Wales at Croke Park this Saturday.


The pair have failed to recover from respective Achilles and hip injuries and were formally ruled out of the match following training this morning.

Their absence means Rob Kearney has been moved to full-back, with Tommy Bowe moving from the right to the left wing and Shane Horgan filling the right-wing berth.

Luke Fitzgerald also comes into the replacements.

What are your thoughts on Kearney at full back? Experienced enough yet? Good opportunity for Fitzerald. Hopefully he'll get some good game time....

future_plans

This is bad I think....bad bad news

Limestone1

Good to have Horgan back though -

zAbbo

Kearney is fine, he covered Girv when he was out at Leinster.

If anything it makes the team more balanced without Murphy in there, and we now have real threat on the wings with Bowe & Horgan

andrewh5

future_plans wrote: »

This is bad I think....bad bad news

I fully agree. Rob Kearney & Tommy Bowe are both good but they are not a patch on Geordan in the air.

hoppo254

Happy for Fitzgerald to be in the replacements too , he is playing really well for Leinster.

figs86

even if this doesnt work out well, if the back three doesn't gel well at all,

it's about flippin time we saw some new combinations!!!!

i would love to see kearney play well at full-back and fair play to him if he even copes because he's had little enough time at fullback even for leinster

hope shaggy comes back well - not becos ive a tenner on him at 14/1 top try scorer........for the...good of ....the...country too, yeh thats it!

seriously i'm happy to see some new faces and new combinations - i look forward to seeing such an aggressive and fresh back 3 in action

Stealdo

andrewh5 wrote: »

I fully agree. Rob Kearney & Tommy Bowe are both good but they are not a patch on Geordan in the air.

:eek::D:D

Surely this is just a wind up.

tHE vAGGABOND

A big huge smile on Shane Williams face upon reading this I think..

Killme00

Kearney is immeasureably better than Murphy in the air. He also has a great kick and good positional sense and he is very quick when joining the attack. Fair enough he may not have the experience or creativity of Muprhy but he is a great option for us all FB.

Stealdo

figs86 wrote: »

hope shaggy comes back well - not becos ive a tenner on him at 14/1 top try scorer........for the...good of ....the...country too, yeh thats it!

For the tournament? He's hardly likely to overtake Clerc & Williams with only 2 games to go. The bookie spent that tenner a long time ago.

I'd be happy enough with Kearney at full back - he's young, will probably make a few mistakes, but he has to go in there sooner or later, and as I don't believe we have any chance of winning the championship, I'm happy to see it sooner. He will hopefully be given a little time to develop into the role rather than pilloried for any mistakes he makes.

I'd be more concerned about the extra pressure he'll face because of the wingers. Kicking the ball in behind Bowe and Horgan and watching them struggle to turn is now a really viable tactic for Wales. Kearney is going to have his hands full. While I'm sure Horgan can't wait to get a run at Shane Williams, I'd say Williams is thinking the same, and Shaggy might struggle with his quick feet. Horgan and Bowe are very similar and Bowe will now be playing slightly out of position. Definitely worried about the wings now, I'd prefer to see Fitzgerald go straight in and Horgan kept for impact, just to balance the team a little better.

monaghanbiffo

Killme00 wrote: »

Kearney is immeasureably better than Murphy in the air. He also has a great kick and good positional sense and he is very quick when joining the attack. Fair enough he may not have the experience or creativity of Muprhy but he is a great option for us all FB.

No your wrong!!

whatever about murphys defensive/tackling issues he is quality under the high ball, easily one of the best in the Guinness premiership. i agree kearney is a good player and a great kicker but dont spout sh!t that he is !immeasureably" better in the air

accensi0n

monaghanbiffo wrote: »

No your wrong!!

whatever about murphys defensive/tackling issues he is quality under the high ball, easily one of the best in the Guinness premiership. i agree kearney is a good player and a great kicker but dont spout sh!t that he is !immeasureably" better in the air

The main thing I've noticed about Kearney for Leinster is how good his judgement and concentration is when regathering high balls. He makes regathering amongst other players look ridiculously easy tbh...

andrewh5

accensi0n wrote: »

The main thing I've noticed about Kearney for Leinster is how good his judgement and concentration is when regathering high balls. He makes regathering amongst other players look ridiculously easy tbh...

Quite possibly but methinks Leicester Tigers (who Geordan plays for)are 'slightly' better then Leinster so

monaghanbiffo

accensi0n wrote: »

The main thing I've noticed about Kearney for Leinster is how good his judgement and concentration is when regathering high balls. He makes regathering amongst other players look ridiculously easy tbh...

I'm not saying Kearney is crap under the high ball, infact he's very good under them. my issue was that the previous poster stated that kearney is immeasurably better than Murphy at fielding high balls which frankly is BS fi you look over geordan career

Sherifu

Hope he does well. I am glad we get to see more of him tbh.

ibh

monaghanbiffo wrote: »

I'm not saying Kearney is crap under the high ball, infact he's very good under them. my issue was that the previous poster stated that kearney is immeasurably better than Murphy at fielding high balls which frankly is BS fi you look over geordan career

TBH, in terms of dealing with the high ball both Kearney and Dempsey are better than Murphy. This is my opinion and you are entitled to your own but i think you will find most people will agree that this not Geordans strongest area.

Happy with Kearney at FB, his best position anyway. Think the Williams vs Shaggy debate depends on which side u look at it from. Some will say Williams will dance round Horgan and others that Horgan will run through him..

Can't wait till saturday anyway....

Stealdo

ibh wrote: »

TBH, in terms of dealing with the high ball both Kearney and Dempsey are better than Murphy. This is my opinion and you are entitled to your own but i think you will find most people will agree that this not Geordans strongest area.

Happy with Kearney at FB, his best position anyway. Think the Williams vs Shaggy debate depends on which side u look at it from. Some will say Williams will dance round Horgan and others that Horgan will run through him..

Totally on Murphy.

I think it's fair to say that both Horgan and Williams will find it tough defending against the other. The cross field kick is now a serious weapon for Ireland.

figs86

Stealdo wrote: »

For the tournament? He's hardly likely to overtake Clerc & Williams with only 2 games to go. The bookie spent that tenner a long time ago..

no it's just for irish top tryscorer - which is currently held by david wallace and tommy bowe (who ive a tenner on at 9/1!) with 2 each

so just need shaggy to score 2 and them to score none or him to catch them up

smok

Whilst I am obviously not suggesting it, I think ROG would make a fantastic full back!
His tackling has improved no end over the last few years and he is fantastic under a high ball ... any thoughts?

Wreck

I'm really disappointed that we aren't starting the match with the same backline that performed so well against Scotland. Hopefully Kearney will keep his head and play to his potential, and Shaggy rarely performs poorly for Ireland. Crossfield kicks all day seem to be in order

smok wrote: »

Whilst I am obviously not suggesting it, I think ROG would make a fantastic full back!
His tackling has improved no end over the last few years and he is fantastic under a high ball ... any thoughts?

My first thought was 'eh....who would play at out half':p

accensi0n

smok wrote: »

Whilst I am obviously not suggesting it, I think ROG would make a fantastic full back!
His tackling has improved no end over the last few years and he is fantastic under a high ball ... any thoughts?

Well, I don't have one memory of ROG gathering a high ball with opposition players around him....

Stev_o

Kearney's first test at FB surely Jones will be testing him. Lets hope the moment doesn't get to him. Horgan is in dire form i don't know why everyone is happy about his inclusion is nowhere near Shanes level of quality.

I dunno but i have a strange feeling bout this weekend. This decision will probably see Wales just edge ahead in the favourites. I can foresee ROG having to do most of the work with his boot again

andrewh5

Wreck wrote: »

I'm really disappointed that we aren't starting the match with the same backline that performed so well against Scotland. Hopefully Kearney will keep his head and play to his potential, and Shaggy rarely performs poorly for Ireland. Crossfield kicks all day seem to be in order



My first thought was 'eh....who would play at out half':p

Paddy Wallace?

phog

Bad news for Ireland - too many changes just to fill one berth and what game time has Shaggy had since his injury.

I think this match has swung in Wales's favour, hopefully I'm wrong.

Also does anyone else think that with Shaun Edwards knowing Reddan so well that Ireland might be better off giving the SH to Stringer?

Stev_o

phog wrote: »

Bad news for Ireland - too many changes just to fill one berth and what game time has Shaggy had since his injury.

I think this match has swung in Wales's favour, hopefully I'm wrong.

Also does anyone else think that with Shaun Edwards knowing Reddan so well that Ireland might be better off giving the SH to Stringer?

No, because since Wales are blitzing if Stringer were playing Edwards would have told the pillars to blitz instead of standing still. With Reddan they have to stay put incase of a snipe

Podge_irl

phog wrote: »

Also does anyone else think that with Shaun Edwards knowing Reddan so well that Ireland might be better off giving the SH to Stringer?

Works both ways - Reddan knows a lot about the defence he will be coaching etc.

shmaido

I think this is great news, Kearney can more than handle it. He's the balanced player that the other two never were
- brilliant under the high ball, agree with previous poster probably, even shades it better than the other two in that department imo.
- positionally comparible to Dempsey, + that comes with experience, miles better than murphy,
- massive boot on him: against scottland - scots kicked it deep, kearney coverd for murphy tracking back and cleared with his right foot ( hes a lefty!!!) got it to half way!!
- attacking qualities: at least comparible to Murphy, would't quite get the same highs but at least a little more consistant, given the chance he might surprise a few doubters, serious potential.

Area of real concern though is Horgan vs Williams. One's in the form of his carreer, the others just coming back from injury. Would like to see Luke "skywalker" Fitzgerald come on if shaggy struggles, not sure I'd start him though, keep him as a back up plan. Of course EOS won't do this because he might hurt shaggys feelings...

Stev_o

shmaido wrote: »

I think this is great news, Kearney can more than handle it. He's the balanced player that the other two never were
- brilliant under the high ball, agree with previous poster probably, even shades it better than the other two in that department imo.
- positionally comparible to Dempsey, + that comes with experience, miles better than murphy,
- massive boot on him: against scottland - scots kicked it deep, kearney coverd for murphy tracking back and cleared with his right foot ( hes a lefty!!!) got it to half way!!
- attacking qualities: at least comparible to Murphy, would't quite get the same highs but at least a little more consistant, given the chance he might surprise a few doubters, serious potential.

Area of real concern though is Horgan vs Williams. One's in the form of his carreer, the others just coming back from injury. Would like to see Luke "skywalker" Fitzgerald come on if shaggy struggles, not sure I'd start him though, keep him as a back up plan. Of course EOS won't do this because he might hurt shaggys feelings...

Thats a bit scary as well though because Luke isnt the greatest defender on the wing that iv ever seen especially against speedsters and jinkers Williams would give him all sorts of problems.

I hope Kearney really plays well now but his only worry being his real lack of game time this year at 15 provincially. I also hope to god he doesnt play conservative rugby like Dempsey and really has a lash at things

chris85

I am looking forward to seeing the team in action now, Kearney seems to be the obvious choice to go to full back. I think he will do great, he sems to like the pressure which is great.

siochain

monaghanbiffo wrote: »

No your wrong!!

whatever about murphys defensive/tackling issues he is quality under the high ball, easily one of the best in the Guinness premiership. i agree kearney is a good player and a great kicker but dont spout sh!t that he is !immeasureably" better in the air

+1
fully agree

siochain

smok wrote: »

Whilst I am obviously not suggesting it, I think ROG would make a fantastic full back!
His tackling has improved no end over the last few years and he is fantastic under a high ball ... any thoughts?

maybe, but who the hell will we put in at OH

darraghw

Cant wait to see what rob can do running from FB, i dont think theres any doubt in his ability to play there i think it will really come down to how the wingers gel with him.

Wouldnt mind seeing him hit another one of these!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QhbXo8HWuWQ

dc69

cant wait to see kearney at fullback.if fitz gets on then it will show a glimpse at the future irish back line


15-kearney
14-Bowe
13-Bod
12-Trimble
11-Fitzgerald.

a very exiting prospect i think.I fully expect rob to deliver,i think he has the potential to be one of the best.he has more experience than fitzgerald,who as much as i would like to see play fb,cannot be depended on just yet.I feel kearney can step up no problem.and as other have said,he posseses probably the biggest kick on the team,which aint a bad thing

would mind seeing him do this http://youtube.com/watch?v=zUSANCkoX5s

Gijoe

20 quid we'll get a try from a crossfield kick to Williams. That's now an option on both wings and O Gara seems to try it a lot more than usual.

Colm_OReilly

would mind seeing him do this http://youtube.com/watch?v=zUSANCkoX5s

Holy smokes, that was awesome!

Wasn't this the shake-it-up backline we were all screaming for before the 6N kicked off?

Sherifu

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

Holy smokes, that was awesome!

Agreed. His changing of pace and direction is awesome. Nice clip.

Ferris

dc69 wrote: »

would mind seeing him do this http://youtube.com/watch?v=zUSANCkoX5s

Great run alright but i doubt that Wales will miss 3-4 tackles in their current form. Still he's a great player for turning a game and it will be interesting.

Personally I think we should be blooding new players full pelt this year but this is not EOS's way unfortunately.

redmca

I've got a good feeling about tomorrow. Napoleon once said that more than being good, he wanted his generals to be lucky !!

Well, EOS has indirectly been handed a large slice of luck. Darcy's injury opened the door for Kearney to establish a place on the starting XV. This week we have lost 2 first-rate fullbacks (let's have no argument about this fact !!) and Kearney has been called in to fill the gap. Without Dracy's injury, Kearney would have spent the last 6 weeks on the bench (if he was lucky), but now he is thrown into the FB position with quite a lot of 6N experience under his belt, and no apparent panic in the camp or among the public.
Couple this with POC's return and this team bears very little resemblance to the team that came home from the World Cup.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Kearney stake a serious claim to becoming the Nr1 FB.

zAbbo

Eddie is/was facing potential sacking, he was never going to blood new players, as evident by his starting XV versus Italy.

It just so happens he has had no other choice.

shmaido

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

Holy smokes, that was awesome!

Wasn't this the shake-it-up backline we were all screaming for before the 6N kicked off?

Exactly, amazing how it works out, EOS can be as stubborn and stupid as he wants, fate it seems has other ideas.

He douesn't coach he, he just reacts, a fnerking monkey could do the job he's doing

marco_polo

shmaido wrote: »

I think this is great news, Kearney can more than handle it. He's the balanced player that the other two never were
- brilliant under the high ball, agree with previous poster probably, even shades it better than the other two in that department imo.
- positionally comparible to Dempsey, + that comes with experience, miles better than murphy,
- massive boot on him: against scottland - scots kicked it deep, kearney coverd for murphy tracking back and cleared with his right foot ( hes a lefty!!!) got it to half way!!
- attacking qualities: at least comparible to Murphy, would't quite get the same highs but at least a little more consistant, given the chance he might surprise a few doubters, serious potential.

Area of real concern though is Horgan vs Williams. One's in the form of his carreer, the others just coming back from injury. Would like to see Luke "skywalker" Fitzgerald come on if shaggy struggles, not sure I'd start him though, keep him as a back up plan. Of course EOS won't do this because he might hurt shaggys feelings...

Shaggy has never struggled against Williams previously, indeed he has never scored a try against us before. I have no worries about Shaggy defensively, even if he is not in the greatest form attacking wise.

zAbbo

Even though Horgan has looked out of sorts since his return, he has never let Ireland down, and is a big game player.

The options are to put Luke Fitz in after say 60mins, to inject some spark if needed.

Frank_Gallagher

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

A big huge smile on Shane Williams face upon reading this I think..

Sure about that? Williams is woeful at handling big wingers...actually his defence in general is laughable, but big grizzled fu*kers like Horgan will eat him for breakfast. Remember the Lions second test?

bleg

what about gavin duffy!!

zAbbo

bleg wrote: »

what about gavin duffy!!

He's been outcast, as we have Dempsey/Murphy/Kearney/Fitz all capable of playing FB, and the latter 3 also able to play on the wing.

bleg

tongue was firmly in cheek

dc69

people talking about eddie no wanting to blood in new players and being forced are exactly right.Italy are rubbish,we should have put a completely young backline in against them.given the others a bit of a shake up.against italy it should have been

15-kearney
14-Bowe
13-Fitzgerald
12-Trimble
11-Johne Murphy

thats team would have racked up a higher score i think.italy came into the game after us playing **** throughout it and with no confidence.
maybe a new backline would have had some more confidence and something to proove.When is he going to give the youngsters a chance,without being forced to.

marco_polo

dc69 wrote: »

people talking about eddie no wanting to blood in new players and being forced are exactly right.Italy are rubbish,we should have put a completely young backline in against them.given the others a bit of a shake up.against italy it should have been

15-kearney
14-Bowe
13-Fitzgerald
12-Trimble
11-Johne Murphy

thats team would have racked up a higher score i think.italy came into the game after us playing **** throughout it and with no confidence.
maybe a new backline would have had some more confidence and something to proove.When is he going to give the youngsters a chance,without being forced to.

SO we should just finish BODs career now, purely for the sake of building for the next World cup in 2011 that we will never win anyway.

zAbbo

marco_polo wrote: »

SO we should just finish BODs career now, purely for the sake of building for the next World cup in 2011 that we will never win anyway.

It was against Italy, and in fairness BOD has been struggling with form and injury, he could have been better served playing ML.

nerophis

dc69 wrote: »

people talking about eddie no wanting to blood in new players and being forced are exactly right.Italy are rubbish,we should have put a completely young backline in against them.given the others a bit of a shake up.against italy it should have been

15-kearney
14-Bowe
13-Fitzgerald
12-Trimble
11-Johne Murphy

thats team would have racked up a higher score i think.italy came into the game after us playing **** throughout it and with no confidence.
maybe a new backline would have had some more confidence and something to proove.When is he going to give the youngsters a chance,without being forced to.

Sometimes a kick in asre is what a player needs- BOD is way too complacent in recent times. I don't think opposition teams fear his attacking potential the way they used to. Imagine all those analysts in their dark rooms quaking that a guy kept BOD warming the bench- it'd be a pschylogical ten points in the bag