Irish Provinces minus Imports

Size=everything

So I decided to make a starting 15 of the provinces best players minus imports. Which team do you think is the strongest?

Leinster :

1.Healy
2.Jackman
3.Ross
4.Cullen
5.Malcom O'Kelly
6.Sean O'Brien
7.Jennings
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.Brian O'Driscoll
14.Horgan
15.Kearney

Munster :

1.Horan
2.Flannery
3.Hayes
4.DOC
5.POC
6.Quinlan
7.Wallace
8.Leamy
9.T'OL
10.ROG
11.Dowling
12.Murphy
13.Earls
14.Felix Jones
15.Hurley

Ulster :

1.Court
2.Best
3.Young
4.Caldwell
5.McCullough
6.Ferris
7.Pollock
8.Henry
9.Boss
10.Humphries
11.Trimble
12.Wallace
13.Cave
14.McCrea
15.Cunnigham

Connacht :

1.Lyn
2.Cronin
3.McGovern
4.Farley
5.Gannon/Swift
6.O'Connor
7.Rigney (no.8 but no other Irish flankers)
8.Muldoon
9.Murphy
10.Keatley
11.Fionn Carr
12.Deane
13. Hearty/Matthews
14.Riordan
15.Gavin Duffy

danthefan

Munster

Well it's clearly between Leinster and Munster anyway, I went for Leinster because I don't think that Munster backline looks too good. Munster having an all Irish first choice back helps them anyway.

MickTipp

Ulster

munster would have the best team

Size=everything

Munster

I went with leinster as you have arguably a backline that could hold its own at international level as well as a very strong pack with players like Jennings, Healy, Malcom O'Kelly, Cullen and Heaslip, 3 of which I can see starting 6nations. Whereas with Munster I could see the backline in particular getting destroyed. Ulster have a decent team but other than Ferris and Best are very ordinary whilst Connacht couldn't possibly challenge

twinytwo

Ulster

munster pack by a mile leinster backs by a mile thats the way its been for years... that said bring on the HC

Size=everything

Munster

twinytwo wrote: »

munster pack by a mile leinster backs by a mile thats the way its been for years... that said bring on the HC

I disagree although not as good players such as Ross (GP dream team player) would be more than able to hold his own against an ageing Hayes, Cullen and MOK have proven they can nulify POC and DOC whilst Jennings is playing better than Wallace is currently. Healy is better than Horan, Heaslip is better than Leamy. The only players munster have better than Leinster by a mile in the pack is Flannery and Quinlan. Meanwhile with the Leinster backline you have arguably other than Reddan and Horgan the Irish international backline for the upcoming 6 nations whereas Munster have to start players such as Dowling, Hurley, Murphy, Jones.

I think the Leinster pack would be more or less able to hold its ground but I believe the Munster backline would get absolutely destroyed and thats the difference for me. That said I believe Ulster are solid all around but just not exceptional anywhere.

Robbo

Size=everything wrote: »

Connacht :

1.Lyn
2.Cronin
3.McGovern
4.Farley
5.Gannon/Swift
6.O'Connor
7.Rigney (no.8 but no other Irish flankers)
8.Muldoon
9.Murphy
10.Keatley
11.Fionn Carr
12.Deane
13. Hearty/Matthews
14.Riordan
15.Gavin Duffy

John Lyne, Brian McGovern,Mel Deane (who is English, as it happens), David Gannon, Andrew Farley (Australian but Irish qualified and I think capped) and Danny Riordan are no longer at Connacht.

In the second row, I think Michael Swift is Irish qualified. Mike McCarthy might be ineligible and Bernie Upton's a Kiwi.

So on account of comings and goings and assuming Swifty can be more than just an honorary Galwegian...

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Sean Cronin
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Andrew Browne
5. Michael Swift
6. Johnny O'Connor
7. Colm Rigney
8. John Muldoon

9. Frank Murphy
10. Ian Keatley
11. Brian Tuohy
12. Keith Matthews
13. Aidan Wynne
14. Fionn Carr
15. Gavin Duffy

A tactical genius of the stature of Michael Bradley might go with Duffy, Carr, Wynne at 13-14-15.

Size=everything

Munster

Robbo wrote: »

John Lyne, Brian McGovern,Mel Deane (who is English, as it happens), David Gannon, Andrew Farley (Australian but Irish qualified and I think capped) and Danny Riordan are no longer at Connacht.

In the second row, I think Michael Swift is Irish qualified. Mike McCarthy might be ineligible and Bernie Upton's a Kiwi.

So on account of comings and goings and assuming Swifty can be more than just an honorary Galwegian...

1. Ronan Loughney
2. Sean Cronin
3. Jamie Hagan
4. Andrew Browne
5. Michael Swift
6. Johnny O'Connor
7. Colm Rigney
8. John Muldoon

9. Frank Murphy
10. Ian Keatley
11. Brian Tuohy
12. Keith Matthews
13. Aidan Wynne
14. Fionn Carr
15. Gavin Duffy

A tactical genius of the stature of Michael Bradley might go with Duffy, Carr, Wynne at 13-14-15.

A lot of comings and goings! I thought Deane qualified for Ireland??

twinytwo

Ulster

Size=everything wrote: »

I disagree although not as good players such as Ross (GP dream team player) would be more than able to hold his own against an ageing Hayes, Cullen and MOK have proven they can nulify POC and DOC whilst Jennings is playing better than Wallace is currently. Healy is better than Horan, Heaslip is better than Leamy. The only players munster have better than Leinster by a mile in the pack is Flannery and Quinlan. Meanwhile with the Leinster backline you have arguably other than Reddan and Horgan the Irish international backline for the upcoming 6 nations whereas Munster have to start players such as Dowling, Hurley, Murphy, Jones.

I think the Leinster pack would be more or less able to hold its ground but I believe the Munster backline would get absolutely destroyed and thats the difference for me. That said I believe Ulster are solid all around but just not exceptional anywhere.

Im assuming u are basing this on one Hc semi final?... when was the last time MOk or cullen played for ireland?.. and as iv said before had he have been given a decent shot Wallace would probally have been one of the best 8's this country has ever produced

Robbo

Size=everything wrote: »

A lot of comings and goings! I thought Deane qualified for Ireland??

I stand corrected. Apparently he has A and 7's caps.

That said, his second stint at the Sportsground was best forgotten.

thomond2006

Munster

Munster without Mafi, Howlett, Warwick (I don't include Nick "WTF?" Williams in this list btw) would be a really weakened team.

Munster Backline

9. TOL/Strings

10. ROG ................no back up here at all

11. Dowling

12. Barry Murphy............. Decent player but nowhere near Mafi's class

13. Earls ......................Fine

14. Felix Jones....... Out of position but the only decent option (Carney, Lewis gone).

15. Hurley ..........God have mercy on our souls. :(

Jaysus, I have to say Leinster. :eek:

No wonder we need to get another SH import i.e. Jean De Villiers

Size=everything

Munster

twinytwo wrote: »

Im assuming u are basing this on one Hc semi final?

I am basing this over watching these players over the season. Healy has been better than Horan this season no doubt. Ross was voted into the GP dream team and I see no reason why he couldn't hold more or less his own against Hayes whilst in the lineouts we have never seen DOC, POC completely dominate Cullen and MOK they always manage to more or less hold their own. This season in my eyes Jennings has been better than Wallace and you can't really argue that Heaslip is better than Leamy. To say Munster's pack is miles better is simply not true, better yes but not by miles. I think you also can't argue that Leinster's backline would destroy the likes of Murphy, Dowling and Hurley and be bit much of an inexperienced Jones. In many people's eyes Sexton is ahead of O'Gara and at scrum half Reddan is not far off TO'L. I think whilst Munsters pack would beat Leinster's (not by a huge amount though) the weakness of Munsters backline would be demolished by Leinster's

danthefan

Munster

Size=everything wrote: »

I am basing this over watching these players over the season. Healy has been better than Horan this season no doubt. Ross was voted into the GP dream team and I see no reason why he couldn't hold more or less his own against Hayes whilst in the lineouts we have never seen DOC, POC completely dominate Cullen and MOK they always manage to more or less hold their own. This season in my eyes Jennings has been better than Wallace and you can't really argue that Heaslip is better than Leamy. To say Munster's pack is miles better is simply not true, better yes but not by miles. I think you also can't argue that Leinster's backline would destroy the likes of Murphy, Dowling and Hurley and be bit much of an inexperienced Jones. In many people's eyes Sexton is ahead of O'Gara and at scrum half Reddan is not far off TO'L.

Minor point - Hayes and Ross are both THs so wouldn't be up against each other in the scrums.

MickTipp

Ulster

thomond2006 wrote: »

Munster without Mafi, Howlett, Warwick (I don't include Nick "WTF?" Williams in this list btw) would be a really weakened team.

nick williams was very average last year, he looked unfit. maybe he was injured earlier in they year! im expecting great things from him this coming season

twinytwo

Ulster

Size=everything wrote: »

I am basing this over watching these players over the season. Healy has been better than Horan this season no doubt. Ross was voted into the GP dream team and I see no reason why he couldn't hold more or less his own against Hayes whilst in the lineouts we have never seen DOC, POC completely dominate Cullen and MOK they always manage to more or less hold their own. This season in my eyes Jennings has been better than Wallace and you can't really argue that Heaslip is better than Leamy. To say Munster's pack is miles better is simply not true, better yes but not by miles. I think you also can't argue that Leinster's backline would destroy the likes of Murphy, Dowling and Hurley and be bit much of an inexperienced Jones. In many people's eyes Sexton is ahead of O'Gara and at scrum half Reddan is not far off TO'L.

Darcy and drico on top form would destroy that munster back line... did wallace not play alot of the season at 8?.. while yes Sexton played well in the Semi and final of the HC.. would he have played had phil not been injured?.. Im not deciding on him until iv seen him play against some quality SH backrow

Size=everything

Munster

MickTipp wrote: »

nick williams was very average last year, he looked unfit. maybe he was injured earlier in they year! im expecting great things from him this coming season

In fairness to him I believe he was coming off an injury.

MickTipp

Ulster

ya i was thinking that he was coming back from an injury alright

Amazotheamazing

Ulster

Munster, majority of the pack and halfbacks which brought Ireland the Grand Slam. 9 players picked for the Lions, as well as the Lions captain, two HEC's and a league in the last few years.

stephen_n

Munster

Would have to say Leinster over Munster but not much in it. The combined experience and strength of the Munster pack would shade it for them but Leinsters backline is defenitely better in terms of experience and overall ability. But looking at those selections there would be very little in it and would make for a really interesting game!

premierstone

Ulster

stephen_n wrote: »

Would have to say Leinster over Munster but not much in it. The combined experience and strength of the Munster pack would shade it for them but Leinsters backline is defenitely better in terms of experience and overall ability. But looking at those selections there would be very little in it and would make for a really interesting game!

Much the same as it is with the imports so and I agree

thomond2006

Munster

Who voted Connacht?

stephen_n

Munster

premierstone wrote: »

Much the same as it is with the imports so and I agree

Yes but I do think Mafi and Warrick even up the backlines as they are both class players

Stev_o

Connacht

Can we allow Morland to play for Munster for these matches just so they get absolutely nowhere when it comes to ruck time.:pac:

thomond2006

Munster

Stev_o wrote: »

Can we allow Morland to play for Munster for these matches just so they get absolutely nowhere when it comes to ruck time.:pac:

I think the words "Take It Back Now Y'All" got to his head. :pac:

siltirocker

Connacht team would be:

Wilkinson (Irish citizen and qualified)
Cronin
Hagan
Browne (On the CC A squad)
Swift
O'Connor
Ofisa (Can declare for Ireland now)
Muldoon
Murphy
Keatley
Touhy
Matthews
Wynne
Carr
Duffy

That team could beat the others (-imports), well maybe not Leinster but, ya know what i mean. Ulster looks good too, Munster backs look ****e though!

d'Oracle

So Non Nationals who are Irish Qualified are not Imports then?

Size=everything

Munster

siltirocker wrote: »

Connacht team would be:

Wilkinson (Irish citizen and qualified)
Cronin
Hagan
Browne (On the CC A squad)
Swift
O'Connor
Ofisa (Can declare for Ireland now)
Muldoon
Murphy
Keatley
Touhy
Matthews
Wynne
Carr
Duffy

That team could beat the others (-imports), well maybe not Leinster but, ya know what i mean. Ulster looks good too, Munster backs look ****e though!

That team would certainly not beat all others. With Leinster you could easily have more or less the starting team for next year and other than 3 players the HC champion squad from last year!

siltirocker

Size=everything wrote: »

That team would certainly not beat all others. With Leinster you could easily have more or less the starting team for next year and other than 3 players the HC champion squad from last year!

i said could. Probably wouldn't though.

Size=everything

Munster

siltirocker wrote: »

i said could. Probably wouldn't though.

yet you voted Connacht as the best team in the poll.. Odd.

siltirocker

Size=everything wrote: »

yet you voted Connacht as the best team in the poll.. Odd.

pretty sure i voted leinster.

Size=everything

Munster

siltirocker wrote: »

pretty sure i voted leinster.

Nope you voted Connacht. Doesn't matter anyway I just thought it was an odd selection thats all.

[Jackass]

Munster

I would have to say Leinster.

For the simple reason of the emergence of Healy and signing of Ross we can field a good front row, and with O'Brien coming through also, it makes a very solid back-row...

The the signing of Reddan is a big one, and emergence of Sexton to maturity last season is crucial.

Outside of the half backs we've never struggled simualr to how Munster have never struggled in the pack.

But when you think of it, Leinsters best 15 only contains 2 foreign players anyway:

1. Healy
2. Jackman
3. Van Der Linde (Ross)
4. Cullen
5. Toner
6. O'Brien
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll
14. Nacewa (Horgan)
15. Kearney

2 very good replacements can come in for them also. Leinster lost some big foreign players last season (Rocky, Whitaker, Contepomi, Jowwit - although Irish qualified)...this really is the first season of the combined "new generation" in my book. And mostly Irish too, which is great!

Looking at Munster again though, that backline isn't that bad...I really rate Murphy and obviously Earls also...Not a big fan of Dowling but a solid player, Jones is class...my only problem would be at 15 really.

siltirocker

Size=everything wrote: »

Nope you voted Connacht. Doesn't matter anyway I just thought it was an odd selection thats all.

Profile is shared, (they're will be words when they get home:mad:), it is an odd selection, i suppose Connacht look a lot better w/this on the grand scale, but Leinster still look just absolutely awesome!

2040

Ulster

[Jackass] wrote: »

Looking at Munster again though, that backline isn't that bad...I really rate Murphy and obviously Earls also...Not a big fan of Dowling but a solid player, Jones is class...my only problem would be at 15 really.

I was about to say this before you edited. Barry Murphy is definitely underrated. Ian Dowling though, while not the most glamorous of players, is rock solid. His denial of a Tiatia a try in the last Ospreys game was an example of this. And Earls, obviously has a real eye for the try line. Also, Ciaran O'Boyle on the wing looks like a real talent. Scored two tries in the two games he played. Injured now though i think.

I must say though, the Leinster setup is looking really good, and is encouraging for Irish rugby. Hopefully JDV & Co. will tide us over until the Munster academy produces some more talent.

Riskymove

Munster

d'Oracle wrote: »

So Non Nationals who are Irish Qualified are not Imports then?

is felix jones not an import to Munster?:p

thomond2006

Munster

Riskymove wrote: »

is felix jones not an import to Munster?:p

Nah, ye exported him.

On that subject, would ye accept an export of Denis Hurley?

OldJay

thomond2006 wrote: »

On that subject, would ye accept an export of Denis Hurley?

Originally from Navan so he's in fact already an 'export'

rockman15

Munster

really no contest here...leinster by several miles...throughout the squad they have an abundance of irish talent and that doesnt include the academy players who made up over 50% of this years underage WC irish team....so things look good for the future too

[Jackass]

Munster

Riskymove wrote: »

is felix jones not an import to Munster?:p

Aren't Reddan, Fogarty & Ross exports from Munster?

(I know we have Stephen Keogh & Trevor Hogan who are Munster lads too...but they'd never get within an asses roar of the Leinster team if all were fit)

rockman15 wrote:

that doesnt include the academy players who made up over 50% of this years underage WC irish team....so things look good for the future too

I'll be really interested to see how this one turns out...presumably the A teams will be all academy / youth players in the up and coming A tournament, so while at the moment I agree with you, it'll be interesting to see how they compare in a competetive enviornment.

Size=everything

Munster

rockman15 wrote: »

really no contest here...leinster by several miles...throughout the squad they have an abundance of irish talent and that doesnt include the academy players who made up over 50% of this years underage WC irish team....so things look good for the future too

I believe 12 out of the 15 were Leinster so more than 50%!

Riskymove

Munster

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nah, ye exported him.

On that subject, would ye accept an export of Denis Hurley?

er...you seem to think I am a Leinster fan?

thomond2006

Munster

Riskymove wrote: »

er...you seem to think I am a Leinster fan?

Sorry, who do you support?

Riskymove

Munster

thomond2006 wrote: »

Sorry, who do you support?

Munster

Riskymove

Munster

Munster :

1.Horan
2.Flannery
3.Hayes
4.DOC
5.POC
6.Quinlan
7.Wallace
8.Leamy
9.T'OL
10.ROG
11.Dowling
12.Murphy
13.Earls
14.Felix Jones
15.Hurley



I'd play Jones at 15 and play one iof the young lads who came through the academy on the wing....O'boyle or someone like that