Team vs Fiji!

little173

Who would your team vs Fiji be?

Maybe something like the following:

15 - Kearney
14 - Horgan
13 - Cave
12 - Darcy
11 - Earls
10 - Sexton
9 - Reddan
8 - Leamy
7 - SOB
6- Ferris
5 - POC
4 - Cullen
3 - Court
2- Cronin
1 - Healy

EDIT: actual team selection:
Team vs Fiji!
IRELAND TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Fiji, GUINNESS Series 2009, RDS, Saturday, November 21, kick-off 5:15 pm):

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)*
9 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

1 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
17 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)*
20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
22 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

thomond2006

Gotta have Neil Best in the side.

Kearney
Horgan
McFadden/Cave
D'Arcy
Earls
Sexton
Reddan

SOB (Leamy will be picked ahead of him though :mad:)
Best
Ferris
POC
Cullen
Court
Cronin
Healy

Podge_irl

Pretty close to the side that lined out today bar Sexton and possibly Best. Hayes and Flannery need game-time and I wanna see Sexton play with the first team, not some shadow squad. Considering how much the players mentioned that it was their first 6 in 6 months, they could obviously do with playing together more.

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

Pretty close to the side that lined out today bar Sexton and possibly Best. Hayes and Flannery need game-time and I wanna see Sexton play with the first team, not some shadow squad. Considering how much the players mentioned that it was their first 6 in 6 months, they could obviously do with playing together more.

I'd like to see Reddan start along with SOB, maybe with Ronan(is he in the squad?) to get a run at some stage.

It's a real shame that Jennings is banned because our need for a real groundhog seven has never been more evident.

phog

Podge_irl wrote: »

Pretty close to the side that lined out today bar Sexton and possibly Best. Hayes and Flannery need game-time and I wanna see Sexton play with the first team, not some shadow squad. Considering how much the players mentioned that it was their first 6 in 6 months, they could obviously do with playing together more.

I suppose the first question is do we want a win against SA then if we do they cant be too many changes as today showed how rusty the team were. But with squad development in mind, yeah, I'd go with something similar and with Sexton is getting the game then he needs to have O'Leary as his half back partner and I think todays front row needs more game time together but Cronin and Court will need to get some game time too. Might start Cullen as well just to keep him on the boil.

Morf

I'd like to see Mike Ross play instead of Court.

thomond2006

Morf wrote: »

I'd like to see Mike Ross play instead of Court.

Just can't get that Diana Ross Hookism out of my head...:pac:

2040

I think it would be prudent to play Tomás O'Leary and Sexton together. Otherwise it's harder to compare Sexton with ROG in deciding who plays against South Africa.

theboss80

15 - Kearney
14 - Horgan
13 - Cave
12 - Darcy
11 - Earls
10 - Sexton
9 - O'Leary
8 - Leamy
7 - Best
6- Ferris
5 - POC (c)
4 - Cullen
3 - Court
2- Flannery
1 - Healy

We all know Sexton will be the next Irish 10 so why not have him play with O'Leary. I think if he gels with him then it would boulster that pairing and give Kidney more confidence in him.
Flannery needs more game time thats why he still in there.
Horgan is still playing great so Id start him.

SpAcEd OuT

1.Healy
2.Flannery
3.Hayes
4.Cullen
5.O'Callaghan
6.Ferris
7.Sean O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.O'Leary
10.Sexton
11.Earls
12.D'arcy
13.Cave
14.Horgan
15.Kearney

Front row need more match time together.

Cullen and O'Callaghan to compete for spot against South Africa.

Ferris to get more gametime whilst Sean O'Brien to get a chance at 7. Heaslip at 8 in the hope he can hit the form we know hes capable of

O'Leary starts so Sexton can familiarize himself with O'Leary in case he gets picked against South Africa.

D'arcy and Cave start centre.

Horgan and Earls to battle for Fitzgeralds jersey if Fitzgerald is injured

Kearney starting so he can regain his form.

Depp

i think jhonny sexton should start, and be captain, and coach hes that good(sarcasm(c'mon the rog!!!))

Madworld

This is the team I'd like to see but not the one I reckon Kidney will pick.

1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Ross
4. Cullen
5. Casey.
6. Ferris
7. Best.
8. Heaslip
9. O'Leary
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. Darcy
13. B.O.D
14. Horgan
15. Kearney

P_1

1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Hayes

Lets keep the front row together, more gametime for Flan and Bull and more another cap, developing more confidence for Healy

4. Cullen
5. O'Connell

Cullen deserves the start at this stage. Lets see what kind of partnership we can develop between the Leinster and Munster captains.

6. O'Brien
7. Best
8. Heaslip

We desperatey need a ground hog for South Africa. Lets see how Best does in this role. After the A match O'Brien gets the nod. Wallace gets a well earned break.

9. O'Leary
10. Sexton

Simply put, we need to see this partnership in action.

12. McFadden
13. Bowe

Slightly 'out there'. We've seen what Bowe can do at OC during the Lions, lets see if he can do it in green. We need to develop a long tern IC, hence McFadden getting the nod.

11. Earls
14. Horgan
15. Kearney

Let Earls and Horgan duke it out for Fitzgerald's spot assuming he'll miss the SA game. Kearney there to boost his confidence.

16. Cronin
17. Wilkinson
18. O'Callaghan
19. Ferris
20. Reddan
21. O'Gara
22. O'Driscoll

Captain either of the 2nd Rows.

[Jackass]

1. Healy (game time)
2. Flannery (game time)
3. Hayes (game time)
4. Cullen (C)
5. Casey
6. Best
7. O'Brien
8. Leamy

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Cave
13. McFadden
14. Horgan
15. Kearney (game time)

16. Ross 17. Cronin 18. Ryan 19. McLoghlin 20. Best 21. Keatley 22. Trimble

anonymous_joe

I like the look of your team Jackass, but I'd have D'Arcy floating about there somewhere.

DonkeyPokerTour

[Jackass] wrote: »

1. Healy (game time)
2. Flannery (game time)
3. Hayes (game time)
4. Cullen (C)
5. Casey
6. Best
7. O'Brien
8. Leamy

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Cave
13. McFadden
14. Horgan
15. Kearney (game time)

16. Ross 17. Cronin 18. Ryan 19. McLoghlin 20. Best 21. Keatley 22. Trimble

I know he's playing well for Northampton but its a bit harsh to ask him to play and sit on the bench. Is it an error or did you mean boss?

Either way I'd like to see O'Leary and Sexton start together to see how they work. Reddan to play the second half.

Otacon

Podge_irl wrote: »

Pretty close to the side that lined out today bar Sexton and possibly Best. Hayes and Flannery need game-time and I wanna see Sexton play with the first team, not some shadow squad. Considering how much the players mentioned that it was their first 6 in 6 months, they could obviously do with playing together more.

I would agree. The team as a whole are quite rusty and need more time to gel, so the fewer than changes the better. But Sexton needs to start, Cullen also. The other changes people are suggesting can happen from the bench IMO.

Munster Blogger

1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. Casey
6. Best
7. O'Brien
8. Leamy

9. O Leary
10. Sexton
11. Fitz
12. Cave
13. Earls
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Felix Jones

Something Like that anyway

rola

A bit waky but ill trow it out the anyhow. As above front row dont change, Poc and Casey - locks (DOC nowhere his best we all no Cullen can do it so lets give Casey a run) 7. Feris 8.Best 6.Muldoon 9.Redden 10.humphreys 12. BOD(looking ahead to 2011WC i dont think he will have the sharpness needed for 13 but has to play somewhere why not try it now) 13. Bowe. back 3 picks itself

Cuchulain

[Jackass] wrote: »

1. Healy (game time)
2. Flannery (game time)
3. Hayes (game time)
4. Cullen (C)
5. Casey
6. Best
7. O'Brien
8. Leamy

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Cave
13. McFadden
14. Horgan
15. Kearney (game time)

16. Ross 17. Cronin 18. Ryan 19. McLoghlin 20. Best 21. Keatley 22. Trimble

Sorry didnt Casey and McLoughlin not even make the squad?

1. Healy
2. Cronin
3. Ross
4. Cullen
5. POC
6. Best
7. O'Brien
8. Leamy

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Darcy
13. McFadden
14. Horgan
15. Earls

little173

Whichever way we have it, and Kidneys post match comments with regards to Scotland and Fiji probably suggests fewer changes than i had anticpated, I hope for the following:

1. Keep Earls at 11. I know he can play anywhere pretty much but wing is where he will get in vs SA so needs game time there. He looked sharp and strong vs Aus and want him to stick with this position.

2. No BOD. - We need to try someone different at 13 in case he does get injured moving forward, some have said Bowe, but his hands are shaky at times even though his lines of running and power are now world class would like one of the youngsters to make a case.

3. No Hayes - I know he has not had game time, but we must try and develop an alternative, it is embarrasing that we have no option there.

4. Keep Ferris - I think the other 2 can change but his phyicality is needed against the Islanders. I know he was a bit quiet on Saturday but he is coming back from Injury and this guy is a real star and think he will be our stand out forward of next year.

Podge_irl

[Jackass] wrote: »

1. Healy (game time)
2. Flannery (game time)
3. Hayes (game time)
4. Cullen (C)
5. Casey
6. Best
7. O'Brien
8. Leamy

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Cave
13. McFadden
14. Horgan
15. Kearney (game time)

16. Ross 17. Cronin 18. Ryan 19. McLoghlin 20. Best 21. Keatley 22. Trimble

If you want any indication of what Sexton is actually capable of in an international team (and that's only fair to him methinks) then changing 8/9/12/13 from the Aus game is a bit much.

Kidney won't make that many changes, and he's right not to. I think something in the region of 5 or so is most likely. Earls will almost definitely start at 11, as even if Fitz recovers he'll be rested. I think the centres will remain as is - the more time Wallace and BOD get together the better really. Playing against Fiji will really give them a chance to try some things. Taking BOD off for McFadden or Cave later on in the game would seem the most prudent thing to do. Sexton at 10 obviously. TOL/Reddan is 50-50 really and much of a muchness. TOL could possibly do with the game time as at his best he is a better player.

I'd like to see Best come into the backrow, with perhaps some rejigging. I don't think either SOB or Ronan are viable candidates yet unfortunately. SOB's handling is still too poor, and Ronan just ain't gonna cut it. There is an argument to be made that the backrow could do with playing again though as they were starting to come into it towards the end of the Aus game. One of Cullen or Casey into the second row is an option. Would preferably be a young second row but none of them are getting any gametime. Front row as is, they need time to get match fit and gel.

The bench should definitely see some variation and increased use though.

[Jackass]

DonkeyPokerTour wrote: »

I know he's playing well for Northampton but its a bit harsh to ask him to play and sit on the bench. Is it an error or did you mean boss?

Either way I'd like to see O'Leary and Sexton start together to see how they work. Reddan to play the second half.

Yeah meant Boss...I ALWAYS do that man...Never get poor old Boss' name right!

Although, to retort your smart arse comment, it's actually RORY Best, making his comeback from injury as a scrum half where he can take it handy for a while!

thomond2006

rola wrote: »

7. Feris 8.Best 6.Muldoon

Oh Dear God

sock puppet

thomond2006 wrote: »

Oh Dear God

Never fear. If there's two halfbacks that can perform under pressure, it's Reddan and Humphreys.

Jemo

15. Kearney
14. Horgan
13. Bowe
12. D'Arcy
11. Earls
10. Sexton
09. TOL
08. Heaslip
07. Best
06. Ferris
05. O'Connell (c)
04. Cullen
03. Court/Ross
02. Cronin
01. Healy

16. Flannery
17. Hayes
18. DOC
19. Wallace
20. Reddan
21. Rog
22. Bod

Let some of the guys that are there or there abouts get some decent gametime for the first 50/60 then load on some of the big names to seal the game and give them some gametime together before the S.A. game.

danthefan

ROG is going to start again.

thomond2006

I don't think ROG will start, that would be pointless.

He must give Sexton a shot given his form.

Earls may be left out of the Fiji match given that he will now probably start against South Africa with Luke Fitzgerald getting that serious injury.

For anyone that didn't see the Scotland vs Fiji match, Scotland were fcuking terrible and any decent club side would have beaten them. That result doesn't make Fiji look good in any way.

danthefan

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't think ROG will start, that would be pointless.

Earls may be left out of the Fiji match given that he wil now probably start against South Africa with Luke Fitzgerald getting that serious injury.

That would be pretty daft.

Risteard

My Team:

1.Healy
2.Fla
3.Hayes
4.Cullen
5.POC
6.Ferris
7.SOB
8.Heaslip
9.TOL
10.Sexton
11.Earls
12.D'Arcy/Wallace
13.BOD
14.Bowe
15.Kearney

Only four changes from Australia, one enforced. I know I was probably looking to the Fiji game for more experimentation but the display on Sunday shows that there's a great deal of rustiness and this could sort it out before we meet the Boks.

My decision on Wallace (P) was tough. i thought he played well on Sunday but I want to see D'arcy get a game. Though I think Wallace could work better with Sexton that ROG as he'd be able to fulfill his 2nd 5/8 role better as he could switch with Sexton a few times as the latter can make a go at centre better than O'Gara.

danthefan

I see a lot of tinkering in the backrow, for me I'd either leave it as it is to let them get more time together or start SOB for Wallace, while leaving the other two as it is. First of all Wallace's place is not under threat nor should it be considered him being dropped, he'd be back in for SA obviously.

I know I said above I don't think SOB is up to international level yet but thinking about it it would bring an entirely different dynamic to the backrow which would be worth having a look at. If it's not working just have Wallace on the bench.

Risteard

danthefan wrote: »

I see a lot of tinkering in the backrow, for me I'd either leave it as it is to let them get more time together or start SOB for Wallace, while leaving the other two as it is. First of all Wallace's place is not under threat nor should it be considered him being dropped, he'd be back in for SA obviously.

I know I said above I don't think SOB is up to international level yet but thinking about it it would bring an entirely different dynamic to the backrow which would be worth having a look at. If it's not working just have Wallace on the bench.

That's my reasoning behind it, it wouldn't hurt to give him some game time at this level. I wouldn't start him for the Boks, but he played well against Tonga apparently. Wallace is getting on, I don't want to be in a situation like TH where one player has been there for so long that we haven't had a chance to play anyone else and give them experience. That said we do have more options in the backrow than at TH.

thomond2006

Risteard wrote: »

That's my reasoning behind it, it wouldn't hurt to give him some game time at this level. I wouldn't start him for the Boks, but he played well against Tonga apparently. Wallace is getting on, I don't want to be in a situation like TH where one player has been there for so long that we haven't had a chance to play anyone else and give them experience. That said we do have more options in the backrow than at TH.

Are SOB and Best blindsides or opensides? (or does that matter?)

Risteard

Best is a blindside, SOB is an openside and yes, it does matter.

Though Best played well in the CC at 7.

irishbucsfan

Risteard wrote: »

Best is a blindside, SOB is an openside and yes, it does matter.

Though Best played well in the CC at 7.

They both play both sides of the scrum, and no, in the modern game it matters less and less. The vast majority of flankers can play either side of the scrum.

PhatPiggins

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They both play both sides of the scrum, and no, in the modern game it matters less and less. The vast majority of flankers can play either side of the scrum.

I'd go the opposite. Yes most can play most sides but only a handful can do it well. Of course it matters whether they are a 6 or a 7. Too many teams play 6/8's at 7 and get destroyed at the breakdown when they play the likes of McCaw/Broussow/Smith/Pocock.

You'll get away with it like the French did if all 8 forwards play like demented visagoths but the majority of the times it'll result in a Jennings or a Pocock having a field day.

SOB should play 7 and nowhere else. Moving him to 8 and 6 is only going to stunt his progress. There's much more of a difference between 6 and a true 7 then some realise.

Risteard

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They both play both sides of the scrum, and no, in the modern game it matters less and less. The vast majority of flankers can play either side of the scrum.

I disagree.

The role of a blindside and an openside are completely different. An openside, ideally, should be the first to the breakdown and snaffle ball, be the one in support of players and act as a link man.

The blindside does a lot of the 'dirty' work, he makes more tackles, if ball is slow coming he'll clear out rucks, he will try to slow down opposition ball but not to the same extent as an openside.

If a player is used to playing in a certain way, he'll continue to play that way, no matter what position he's in. There are more similarities between No.8 and blindside than blindside and openside.

It's the equivalent of saying that an inside and outside centre are the same when they're not.

dub_skav

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I'd go the opposite. Yes most can play most sides but only a handful can do it well. Of course it matters whether they are a 6 or a 7. Too many teams play 6/8's at 7 and get destroyed at the breakdown when they play the likes of McCaw/Broussow/Smith/Pocock.

You'll get away with it like the French did if all 8 forwards play like demented visagoths but the majority of the times it'll result in a Jennings or a Pocock having a field day.

SOB should play 7 and nowhere else. Moving him to 8 and 6 is only going to stunt his progress. There's much more of a difference between 6 and a true 7 then some realise.

And they still needed one of the best out and out 7s in the world playing for them

Hippo

IRELAND TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Fiji, GUINNESS Series 2009, RDS, Saturday, November 21, kick-off 5:15 pm):

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)*
9 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

1 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
17 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)*
20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
22 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)


Well well well, Buckley on the bench!

Stev_o

So what's the point of this team then? Very little direction in terms of developing future talent.

Hippo

IRELAND TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Fiji, GUINNESS Series 2009, RDS, Saturday, November 21, kick-off 5:15 pm):

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)*
9 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

1 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
17 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)*
20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
22 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

I've moved this from the original discussion.

Buckley, somehow, has managed to make the bench for this game.

anonymous_joe

Denis Leamy as an openside?

Jesus wept...

anonymous_joe

Great openside selection.

How does that possibly do justice to Leamy or the team? I'd love to see an out and out seven get a run for Ireland. If Leamy plays, let him play at blindside, or maybe at eight...

Surprised Disappointed that Buckley remains rated ahead of Ross. I know Mike Ross isn't amazing, but he's definitely performed at a higher level than Buckley lately.

Amazotheamazing

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Denis Leamy as an openside?

Jesus wept...

Played there before in the six nations. Againt Italy, iirc.

Otacon

I'm happy to see both Reddan and Sexton starting, though I thought it would be more beneficial to see the TOL-Sexton pairing as we kind of already know what Reddan-Sexton can do.

Delighted for Earls and Horgan also, hoping for big games from them. Also looking forward to seeing Trimble in action.

Disappinted Healy isn't starting with Hayes and Fla as I think the scrum needs more time together. Also surprised at Mushy's selection, just hope he can earn it now.

Leamy at 7 doesn't really bother me.

peterako

Agreed on Cian Healy.

Given more time that front row would come together......

Not even on the bench.

And no Casey too

bleg

Great selection. Would have preferred Leamy to replace Heaslip (who was poor vs Australia) and maybe SOB at openside. SOB will probably get a half anyway. Would have liked Donncha Ryan or Toner on the bench also but that's just nit picking.

[Jackass]

Does this constitute Healy being dropped? I think (unfairly) he took a lot of slack for the failing scrum as R%TE chose to analyse his side of the scrum, but I think buckled just as much, the whole front row was destroyed. Healy has dominated some of the best props in the world and is only 22, so I wouldn't be worried about his scrumaging ability. Hope he starts v South Africa.

Delighted to see Sexton start and good to see Reddan too, although certainly would stick with O'Leary for the 9 jersey...but lots of depth at 9 with Stringer and Boss around too.

Delighted Cullen is getting his chance, he richly deserves it. Same goes for Horgan & D'Arcy.

Earls now has a massive oppertunity to get a place in the first 15 with Fitz out. If he can preform to half of his ability he'll have a great game on the wing, where he belongs imo.

Surprised to see Leamy get a start. On his day he's top class, but his days seem to be few and far between. Hopefully he can put in a good performance.

Great to see Cronin and O'Brien on the bench too, hope to see them get a run out.

All in al though I'm happy with that selection, lots of depth to the squad being given a game which is completely alien to the Irish rugby fan, so a very much enjoyed surprise. Good job Decco.

Only slight complaint would be that I'd much prefer to have seen McFadden on the bench ahead of Trimble. I think he has a much brighter future and has been superb for the A team and Leinster when he got his oppertunities.

Jimmyboss

Is it really necessary to start BOD??? I mean, we all know what he's capable of, and I, for one, would have preferred to wrap him in cotton wool for the SA game.:(
Otherwise a reasonably good selection.......

premierstone

[Jackass] wrote: »

Does this constitute Healy being dropped

No chance imo, the guy is just 22 and made his test debut against Aus Kidney obviously feels the physical effects of such a game might have taken there toll and is to a certain element protecting he's new prize possession and rightly so imo.

Happy with the team overall have to say and like the fact that Sexton and Reddan are getting a chance with a reasonably experienced back line and not a make-shift backline that would offer then little to work with, they now have one of the most successfull centre partnerships in the world in recent years together with two Lions and a re-born Horgan to their outside.

Trojan

(merged)