Ireland team to face France

Noopti

Apparently been announced on IRSC website:

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney has named his first Ireland team for the RBS 6 Nations
© IRFU/Inpho
O'Driscoll and Wallace started together in the midfield during the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia in 2008 and rekindle that link for the first time at home.

Robert Kearney is selected at fullback and his Leinster colleague Luke Fitzgerald is named on the left wing, with Tommy Bowe making up the back three for the side.

Ronan O’Gara and Tomas O’Leary continue their provincial partnership at outhalf and scrumhalf respectively.

The forwards include Jerry Flannery at hooker. Flannery will pack down in the front row with Marcus Horan and John Hayes, who will be winning his 90th cap for Ireland in his 46th appearance in the Championship.

Donncha O’Callaghan and Paul O’Connell start in the second row together for Ireland for the 23rd time.

The back row trio of Ferris, Wallace and Heaslip remain in place from the side that started against Argentina during November.

IRELAND Team (v France, 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Croke Park, Saturday, February 7, kick-off 5pm):

15 - Robert Kearney (UCD - Leinster)

14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)

13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD - Leinster) Captain

12 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena - Ulster)

11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College - Leinster)

10 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution - Munster)

9 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin - Munster)


1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon - Munster)

2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon - Munster)

3 - John Hayes (Bruff- Munster)

4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution - Munster)

5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster - Munster)

6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon - Ulster)

7 - David Wallace (Garryowen - Munster)

8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas - Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Rory Best (Banbridge - Ulster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone - Ulster)*
18 - Malcolm O’Kelly (St.Mary’s College - Leinster)
19 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution - Munster)
20 - Peter Stringer (Shannon - Munster)
21 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne - Leinster)
22 - Geordan Murphy (Leicester)

Not considered due to injury:

Keith Earls (Young Munster - Munster)

sm.org

Well done Declan Kidney , thats a team based entirely on form and with everyone playing in their best positions.

jam_on_toast

am happy with that. Same team I would have selected given the 27 man squad selected.

Noopti

Decent bench too.

I thought he would go for Best at Hooker though. Have no complaints about Flannery though, he adds a lot in the loose.

Podge_irl

Would have thought Best would be a good shot at hooker, but its only a mild quibble. Given the 27 selected that is the best possible side more or less that could have been put out. Happy with it. Looking forward to Saturday now

Actually I lie. Now that I think about it I would have liked to see Court starting over Horan, but hopefully he'll get some game time anyway.

Otacon

sm.org wrote: »

Well done Declan Kidney , thats a team based entirely on form and with everyone playing in their best positions.

jam_on_toast wrote: »

am happy with that. Same team I would have selected given the 27 man squad selected.

+1

Flannery and Heaslip are the only choices that may be slightly contentious, but that is definitely a sound squad.

Apparently France won't be starting Heymans, Parra, or Mas. Which is good!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7866801.stm

Crash

2. and 8. however are just such close calls that i'm pretty sure most people can see the logic behind them. Very happy with this squad.

Podge_irl

Otacon wrote: »

Apparently France won't be starting Heymans, Parra, or Mas. Which is good!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/7866801.stm

If Ireland can't beat that French team they don't deserve to do well in the 6N.

accensi0n

*closes eyes*

'please click' 'please click' 'please click'

flyswatter

Happy with the squad. Fair play to Kidney for picking Wallace at 12.

theKramer

Wallace at 12 is the one position I was really hoping to see. Well, that and Kearney at 15 as well.

Now if he can only make Gaffney give up his flat back line dogma we would be laughing.

mrincredible

Jaysus! That's something. I can not believe the squad Kidney has picked. I couldn't have hoped for better. If the individual talents on that starting 15 can click together we will be a force to be reckoned with. Fair play Kidney.

chupacabra

Great selection. Now i can relax and look forward to the game. Pity about earls tho.

Moncti48

happy with the squad. everybody selected on form or balance, but seems strong on paper, bench looks good, plenty of cover

I would have had wallace at 8 and jennings at 6 and flannery over Best really pisses me off.


I heard on the radio earls is injured,so thats why hes not in the 22.

bleg

what happened earls?

Spore

Pretty happy with that, I suppose Earl's injury took the heat of Dec for not having to pick him over Wallace. Would prefer to see Wallace get there anyway especially over Fitz who isn't defensively strong enough to play 12. Would have liked to see Cave and Humphries on the bench, hopefully we'll see them blooded sometime this year. Cian Healy might be unlucky to miss out too...

Either way the bench is pretty awesome even if there might be a few retirements this year.

We'll take France with this team, 15 points (is that crazy?!!)

spoon

I'm pretty sure Earls was told to rest his leg injury for a week. So hardly supprising he didn't make the squad.

I'm pretty happy with that squad overall. Our backline is just lovely

EdgarAllenPoo

The only problem I have is with Fitgerald's selection, he cannot pass a ball and always overruns the ball when people try to pass to him, he's a liability.

bleg

kearney was on crutches at the press conference

youcrazyjesus!

I'd be wary of writing off France.

Otacon

youcrazyjesus! wrote: »

I'd be wary of writing off France.

I would too, but Leivremont (sp?) really isn't doing his team any favours atm.

Podge_irl

Spore wrote: »

Pretty happy with that, I suppose Earl's injury took the heat of Dec for not having to pick him over Wallace.

Was Earls ever really in line to play 12? I certainly didn't think so. If he get in the team it would be at wing or as utility back on the bench.

GDM

GDM wrote: »

The only problem I have is with Fitgerald's selection, he cannot pass a ball and always overruns the ball when people try to pass to him, he's a liability.

Yeah,he has got this far cause he cannot pass the ball.

Did you see his offload to Kearney in the last match,he got the ball and offloaded it within a second with 1 hand as he got tackled.His hands are good.

Brewster

Good team lads, I had 14 out of the 15 in my team. Am suprised about Flannery, Best isnt really an impact sub, and the logic would suggest it should the the other way around. Best's more solid physical game for first 60 mins, then Jerry for last 20 when game was loser and his mobility could come to the fore. There is big pressure now on Flannery to deliver at lineout time.

Paddy Wallace at 12, I am absolutely thrilled at this deserved selection. Hopefully the guy does himself justice, cos if he does he will hold onto the jersey...

puntosporting

Fitzgerals form in fairness last few games has been patchy after a great start to the season!
Still worth his place mind!
Wallace at center deserves his shot not sure if its gonna workout for him do fingers crossed!

remus808

Lads, how bad do you think France team?! In all fairness:

15. Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse);
14. Julien Malzieu (Clermont-Auvergne),
13. Florian Fritz,
12. Yannick Jauzion,
11. Maxime Medard (all Toulouse);
10. Lionel Beauxis (Stade Francais),
9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde (Castres);
1. Lionel Faure (Sale),
2. Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais),
3. Benoit Lecouls (Toulouse),
4. Sebastien Chabal (Sale),
5. Lionel Nallet (Castres, capt),
6. Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse),
7. Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier),
8. Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz).

That is a serious side. What makes you think they'll be a pushover

bamboozle

pretty obvious call selecting Flannery at hooker given its the 2 munster 2nd rows who are selected...plus the 2 munster props, we have a good substutute in Best.
glad to see Wallace given a chance (if only to allow fitz shine on the wing)

Wheeker

Delighted Paddy Wallace is in there- he totally deserves it & think Fitzgerald is just not up to centre yet. Can't believe there were some saying D'arcy should be straight back in at centre, though he's only played 4 matches for Leinster on the wing this season!

Best should probably be ahead of Flannery, but a close enough call

Good to see Tommy Bowe there, in my view he's a shoe-in, but a lot of the meeja have been bigging up a back 3 of Fitzgerald/Kearney/Earls with no mention of the only in-form Irish winger at the moment. That's the problem with him playing for Ospreys- out of sight- out of mind.

At long last- no sign of Horgan or Dempsey!

The big surprise on the 'A' team is Sexton is ahead of Humphreys. I mean WTF?

dub_skav

Not sure how wise it is to have no outhalf cover bar Wallace. It will mean that if ROG needs to be replaced you will need 2 changes (1 positional).

Surely it is about time to have a different backup OH

Podge_irl

karmabass wrote: »

Lads, how bad do you think France team?! In all fairness:

15. Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse);
14. Julien Malzieu (Clermont-Auvergne),
13. Florian Fritz,
12. Yannick Jauzion,
11. Maxime Medard (all Toulouse);
10. Lionel Beauxis (Stade Francais),
9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde (Castres);
1. Lionel Faure (Sale),
2. Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais),
3. Benoit Lecouls (Toulouse),
4. Sebastien Chabal (Sale),
5. Lionel Nallet (Castres, capt),
6. Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse),
7. Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier),
8. Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz).

That is a serious side. What makes you think they'll be a pushover

Serious side, but untested and somewhat cobbled together. A lot of young players and missing some of their major strike players (Heymans and Clerc). No French side is ever weak, but if Ireland can't beat that team at home they'll never beat the French.

Colm_OReilly

Happy enough with that side, though would have been nice to have Cave as a backline sub. Feel he and Wallace could link up well if RoG is injured (finger's crossed).

Heymans is on the French bench, so that's a serious impact sub. If Murphy comes on I'd say Fitz will head off and Kearney to the wing.

The french 9-10 combo is new, and prob not used to working together. Our best channel of attack?

Ireland by 3-5 points I reckon

molloyjh

Overall I'm quite happy with the team I have to say. Will be interesting to see how Wallace does at centre against the French. Would tend to agree with Brewster regarding Flannery-v-Best.

Most of all I'm glad to see changes coming into the side that aren't forced. It's the one thing I've been losing my marbles over for the last few years. Fair play to Kidney. And with any luck he's helped get the confidence back in the side too. There's no reason they can't do well this year with a line up like that.

Noopti

Ireland should beat France.
- The French team, while not weak, is certainly not as strong as it could be.
- The French clubs are way off form in Europe, and while that does not mean the national team will be the same, it is still better for us than if there were four French teams in the final 8 of the Heineken cup, playing well.
- Kidney has picked a really usefull side.
- Ireland are at home
- Ireland will be out to put right the last minute defeat of 2 years ago
- New coach. Nearly always results in a resurgance of form (in theory!!)

To be honest, Ireland really should beat France. If we don't it will be down to failings in our own performance, as if we play well, and also get the rub of the green that every team needs, we should win this.

The guys should go out there to give the French a really tough, physical encounter. If you get the French thinking of the plane home you have them half beaten already.

Nail Chabal early on also.

bleg

are the welsh scottish and italian squads announced today also?

Brewster

While I am very excited about team, I dont think we should be getting carried away at all. France have a good side, with some serious players. There is phenonmenal pace on the wings and Fitz and Bowe will need to be on their toes. Its a very mobile French pack, Dusastoir, Hard etc.. and maybe its an indication that the French are going to play an expansive game. To beat France, every single Irish player will have to 90% plus on the day... It really could be a fantastic game of rugby, I hope it stays dry. None of this hoping for a wet day anymore...

shmaido

This is the happiest I've been in a long time after reading an Irish Team sheet, fair play kidney, gutsy selections in some positions and you have to respect that, lets hope that gutsyness comes through in their performance!

anonymous_joe

That's a very nice side.

I've the odd quibble, but I'm impressed by that. Fair fúcks to Kidney.

Serenity Now!

Podge_irl wrote: »

Serious side, but untested and somewhat cobbled together. A lot of young players and missing some of their major strike players (Heymans and Clerc). No French side is ever weak, but if Ireland can't beat that team at home they'll never beat the French.

That French is a mixture of the youth and experience in every department. They've a top three-quarters, excellent centres and a solid no.10. In the pack, they've a nugget of a front-row, superb lineout specialist in the lock. Their backrow has two of the best exponents in their positions around. The only doubts I'd have are this stupid selection of Chabal at lock and the new guy at halfback displacing no less than three experienced players in that position.

Expect a crapload of kicking from France with Beauxis at pivot.

bleg

didn't know where else to put this

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/6nations/2009/squad-profiles-backs.html

scroll down and look at "paddy wallace's" picture

JQ25

Delighted with that selection, it plays everyone in THEIR position, not chopping and changing to get the best players in. I'm sure a lot of people will argue about Paddy Wallace, but I definitely think it's the best option at the moment.

Fitz just doesn't work in centre, and Darcy hasn't been given enough time by Cheika in the centre, maybe later in the tournament he can move in. I have to say, im really happy that horgan in nowhere near the starting 15 or 22, although he has experience and is seen as a big game player I dont think his performances this season merit his inclusion!

Very strong bench with players who can actually make a real impact when they come on, ie stringer and leamy. Would have liked to have seen Sean O Brien or Jennings in so atleast we would have a real out and out 7 but sure what can ya do!

Role on Saturday!

The Saint

bleg wrote: »

didn't know where else to put this

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/6nations/2009/squad-profiles-backs.html

scroll down and look at "paddy wallace's" picture

Ha, he'll be surprised to know that he's gotten reconstuctive surgery to look like Davis Wallace and has signed for Munster.

Ha, just noticed that he's now a scrum half too. Man, what a transformation.

Noopti

My personal comparisons:

15 - Robert Kearney V Clement Poitrenaud - Poitrenaud has the experience. But I would take Kearney over him on current form.

14 - Tommy Bowe V Julien Malzieu - Malzieu clinches it for me. He is in good form and a key player on a strong Clermont side. He is also a big guy. Bowe will need to have his wits about him.

13 - Brian O'Driscoll V Florian Fritz - BOD may not be in top form. But he wins out this contest for me.

12 - Paddy Wallace V Yannick Jauzion - Jauzion is not on top form. Wallace is in great form, but Jauzion can turn on something every now and then.

11 - Luke Fitzgerald V Maxime Medard - Medard is an excellent young player. Would take him over Fitz on current form.

10 - Ronan O'Gara V Lionel Beauxis. O'Gara on this one. Similar players, but O'Gara has the experience to control the game more than Beauxis.

9 - Tomas O'Leary V Sebastien Tillous-Borde - Both young and promising. But I think O'Leary can edge this battle.


1 - Marcus Horan V Lionel Faure - Can't call. Tie.

2 - Jerry Flannery V Dimitri Szarzewski - Again can't call. Tie.

3 - John Hayes V Benoit Lecouls - Lecouls is inexperienced at this level. Hayes has been in good form.

4 - Donncha O'Callaghan V Sebastien Chabal - DOC has improved a lot lately. Don't rate Chabal at lock.

5 - Paul O'Connell V Lionel Nallet. Both great players. But POC is in fantastic form and should eclipse his French conterpart.

6 - Stephen Ferris V Thierry Dusautoir. Ferris is in great form, Dusautoir also a fantastic player. Tough to call, as Ferris could really go at it in this game. I will still go for the Frenchman.

7 - David Wallace V Fulgence Ouedraogo. No contest in my eyes.

8 - Jamie Heaslip V Imanol Harinordoquy. Heaslip in questionable form.


So I call it:
Ireland: 8
France: 5
Tie: 2

So close, but Ireland can and should win this game. (Just my personal opinions )

Jello

Very happy with this squad, exactly how I would have picked it from the 27

TarfHead

Brewster wrote: »

Best isnt really an impact sub

What about MOK then ? For all his qualities, and this is not about dissing him, he is not an impact sub. DOC would be better in that role, though he deserves to start. Over the 6N, I would expect to see Donnacha Ryan in the 22 instead of MOK.

Eoin

bleg wrote: »

kearney was on crutches at the press conference

From breakingnews.ie

Meanwhile, Rob Kearney went over on his ankle at training in Limerick this morning. The full-back is on crutches but Kidney is confident the Leinster three-quarter will be fit for Saturday.

Hopefully he'll be fine.

Noopti

eoin wrote: »

From breakingnews.ie



Hopefully he'll be fine.

Ah jaysus, I hope to God he is fit.

Crash

Press conference quotes from Kidney on breaking News

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/rugby/mhsnqleysnid/

Couple of little things I found interesting:

“It’s been a long time and I would respect everybody’s views as to what way it would be picked. To play Brian and Luke (Fitzgerald) would have meant changing their positions from a month ago and then changing someone onto the left wing position and putting someone else at full-back.

Seems Fitz is the only Wing there that Kidney rates high enough to not have to move Kearney out of FB - interesting that. Wouldn't have considered the rest of them THAT poor :P

Munster sensation Keith Earls was not considered because of a hamstring injury, although Kidney revealed he has an “outside chance” of making the squad for Ireland’s game against Italy in Rome on St Valentine’s weekend.

Is that an outside chance of being fit or just an outside chance of getting into the 22? Quite poorly written so i'm not 100%

Meanwhile, Rob Kearney went over on his ankle at training in Limerick this morning. The full-back is on crutches but Kidney is confident the Leinster three-quarter will be fit for Saturday.

Explains Kearney on crutches - damn well hope he's alright by then.

Stev_o

Im happy with that selection its the best it could be. Wallace at 12 means Kidney is at least acknowledging some players who are in form. Best vs Flannery is 50/50 and Flannerys mobility will be useful against a mobile French. Now lets pray Gaffney has been codding NH with his awful tactics and reveals his master plan for Ireland! Come on lads best chance of beating a medicore French side in years (yes i know the irony in my words i was there 2 years ago when we all said the same)!

irishbucsfan

Very nearly the best possible team in my own opinion. The backs are perfect.

If Kearney can't play (and hopefully he will) then Murphy can go straight in at Fullback and hopefully start doing himself justice for Ireland. Gary Longwell always says that Kidney is great at getting the best out of players and motivating them to give his team's top priority so hopefully we'll see that from players like Murphy from now on.

I wouldn't be the biggest fan of Flannery at Hooker, Best is just a better player. I don't care if Flannery is better in the loose, that means nothing against a French pack that can be bossed in the scrums, and Best gives us the best chance of doing just that. Flannery's lineout throwing better be up to scratch or I feel this selection can't be justified. The Hooker's number one priority is the success of the set piece, let's finally see Flannery doing well there please.

Eoin

I think Best has been found wanting in the lineout as well though.