Young/New Players to watch in 2010

Hype710

As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be a good idea to see which young players people think will have a big impact on 2010, both here and abroad. I'll start with my selection.

1. Chris Henry (Ulster) - Granted he's not new on the scene he has been in fantastic form for Ulster and has captained them in Best and Wallace's absence. If it was me it would be between him and Sean O Brien for the bench in the six nations.

2. Sam Warburton (Cardiff/Wales) - Looks a fine prospect in the back row and is being tipped to be Martyn Williams' long term replacement both at provincial and national level.

3. Noah Cato (Saracens/England) - Fantastic for England's under 20s last year at full back, could break into the team at wing if Johnson takes a gamble. This guy could provide some creativity.

4. Jamie Hagan (Connacht) - With John Hayes' Heirs( Buckley & Ross) not getting regular starts at provinical level surely there is a good chance Hagan can come through the ranks to become an option at tighthead.

5. Joe Simpson (Wasps) - Lightning quick scrumhalf looks to have all the attributes to be a top player.

6. Ian Whitten (Ulster) - Dearth of options for Ireland at 12 in the long term. None of Earls, Fitzgerald, Cave or McFadden look entirely comfortable there so Whitten could be the answer. Physically imposing and improving player.

Who else are people looking out for in the new year?

Size=everything

Hype710 wrote: »

As the year draws to a close, I thought it would be a good idea to see which young players people think will have a big impact on 2010, both here and abroad. I'll start with my selection.

1. Chris Henry (Ulster) - Granted he's not new on the scene he has been in fantastic form for Ulster and has captained them in Best and Wallace's absence. If it was me it would be between him and Sean O Brien for the bench in the six nations.

2. Sam Warburton (Cardiff/Wales) - Looks a fine prospect in the back row and is being tipped to be Martyn Williams' long term replacement both at provincial and national level.

3. Noah Cato (Saracens/England) - Fantastic for England's under 20s last year at full back, could break into the team at wing if Johnson takes a gamble. This guy could provide some creativity.

4. Jamie Hagan (Connacht) - With John Hayes' Heirs( Buckley & Ross) not getting regular starts at provinical level surely there is a good chance Hagan can come through the ranks to become an option at tighthead.

5. Joe Simpson (Wasps) - Lightning quick scrumhalf looks to have all the attributes to be a top player.

6. Ian Whitten (Ulster) - Dearth of options for Ireland at 12 in the long term. None of Earls, Fitzgerald, Cave or McFadden look entirely comfortable there so Whitten could be the answer. Physically imposing and improving player.

Who else are people looking out for in the new year?

Obvious ones you missed :
Kevin McLaughlin,
Dave Kearney


Not so obvious :
Rhys Ruddock



Probably won't get much playing time (if any for some) but :
Ian McKinley,
Andrew Conway,
Brendan Macken,
Dominic Ryan,
Jack McGrath,
Ian Madigan

Hype710

Size=everything wrote: »

Not so obvious :
Rhys Ruddock



Probably won't get much playing time (if any for some) but :
Ian McKinley,
Andrew Conway,
Brendan Macken,
Dominic Ryan,
Jack McGrath,
Ian Madigan

These 2 should give Ireland under 20s a fantastic back row in the six nations, didnt mention them as they are unlikely to get much game time for Leinster. It will be interesting to see whether Dave Kearney can become anywhere near as good as his brother.

Size=everything

Hype710 wrote: »

These 2 should give Ireland under 20s a fantastic back row in the six nations, didnt mention them as they are unlikely to get much game time for Leinster. It will be interesting to see whether Dave Kearney can become anywhere near as good as his brother.

I saw the Irish under 20s play against Leinster A the other week and they are a strong side. 3 Players who I thought were excellent for Leinster A and Irish Under 20s on the day were

Andew Conway : Hard hitting, excellent distributer, safe under high ball and a serious turn of pace on him.

Jack McGrath : Won 4 scrums, great loose work, carried well.

Ian Madigan : Excellent kicking, distributing and nice running lines

Goodluck2me

Hype710 wrote: »

These 2 should give Ireland under 20s a fantastic back row in the six nations, didnt mention them as they are unlikely to get much game time for Leinster. It will be interesting to see whether Dave Kearney can become anywhere near as good as his brother.

I would like to see him go to Connacht actually and get a season or two's game time, lift his confidence ect.

Hype710

Goodluck2me wrote: »

I would like to see him go to Connacht actually and get a season or two's game time, lift his confidence ect.

The fact Leinster have upgraded his contract to a full one means that he most likely won't. Eoin O Malley would be a better bet, Connacht would be great for him. Shane Monahan and Kyle Tonetti, both in their final year of the academy, would also do a great job there.

sock puppet

A player outside Ireland I'd like to see do well is Dan Biggar. He's outshone Jones at club level and should definitely be pushing for a starting spot for Wales next year.

handsomecake

stephen brett............moved to auckland blues. should break into allblacks and cement position as no 2 behind carter
robert fruen crusaders centre............big super 14 expected
ben foden...........future england fullback.dancing feet and he is "courting" one of the birds from the saturdays.goo going all round!!

toomevara

Tom Homer - LI.

sock puppet

Nice edit there toomevara;)

danthefan

Sean O'Brien.

Going out on a limb here, but I predict he'll be starting for Ireland by the end of the year.

Sundy

handsomecake wrote: »

stephen brett............moved to auckland blues. should break into allblacks and cement position as no 2 behind carter
robert fruen crusaders centre............big super 14 expected
ben foden...........future england fullback.dancing feet and he is "courting" one of the birds from the saturdays.goo going all round!!

Surely Brett has moved to the Blues to try get ahead of carter. He was well cemented behind him at the crusaders

Stev_o

Billy 12Trees -Leicester- OH or 2nd 5/8th very extincting player who on his professional debut for Leicester managed to help them get a draw against a full strength Ospreys team and get the bonus point during a severe injury crisis.

Christ Ashton -Northampton- 12 tries now in all competitions this lad can't stop scoring. Probably the most intelligent winger play at the moment in terms of being able to think ahead of where the ball will be and where he should be to grab a try.

Ben Youngs - Leicester - Himself and Joe Simpson will be the two competing SH in the foreseeable future baring any injury.

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

Sean O'Brien.

Going out on a limb here, but I predict he'll be starting for Ireland by the end of the year.

Well he's only got just over 5 hours left so he'd want to get a move on.

2040

Jean De Villiers. This country will not forget his name. Watch this space.

thomond2006

IRELAND

Felix Jones (If that injury isn't serious)

Tiernan O'Halloran (please let the new Connacht coach bring him through)

Peter O'Mahony

Paul O'Donohoe (sp)

Scott Deasy

Stephen Archer - Munster scrum was effective (:eek:) when he was at tighthead.

Chris Henry

Sean O'Brien

Shane Jennings

BOD (to see if he can somehow top 2009 )

---

ENGLAND

Chris Ashton - Scoring tries for fun at the moment for Northampton.

Courtney Lawes - Really good second row, has also played back row. Would be in England XV if MJ wasn't the coach.

Ben Foden - The most exciting fullback in the GP. But of course, MJ picked Monye in the AIs. :rolleyes:

Andy Saull - Very good openside with Saracens London SA.

Ben Youngs - Scrum half for Leicester Tigers.

Joe Simpson - Scrum half for Wasps. Displaced Eoin Reddan.

Alex Goode - Has been excellent for Saracens London SA this season at fullback. Brendan Venter is going to play him at fly-half next season. Very good footballer.

Lewis Moody - Was easily England's player of the AIs and has found his old form after injury.

Steffon Armitage & Delon Armitage

Nick Kennedy - Part of the best second row combination in the GP. A disgrace that two donkeys in Borthwick and Deacon were ahead of him in the AIs.

---

WALES

Johnathan Davies - Inside centre for Scarlets in the 'Jamie Roberts' mold. Very strong and has good pace. Featured for Wales in the AIs.

Dan Biggar - Fly-half for Ospreys. Has a few Welsh caps although none against decent oppostion. Isn't a flashy player, just goes all the basics of a stand-off very well. May well force 2009 Lions James Hook to leave the Ospreys. Should be on the bench for Wales come Six Nations.

Dan Lydiate - This kid has a heartwarming story. Has bounced back after suffering a lifethreatening broken neck two years on his Heineken Cup debut at the Stade Aime Giral against Perpignan. An excellent openside flanker. Probably Martyn William's replacement for Wales.

Adam Jones - The "Hair-Bear" is a vital cog in the Osprey and Welsh machine. Starred for the Lions in the 2nd test and has since returned from the injury he suffered in that game.

Gethin Jenkins - Easily the best LH in the world. End of story.

Jason Tovey - Excellent fullback/fly-half for the Dragons. Scored a hat-trick against Ulster last year. Still a raw talent though.

subfreq

Australia

Berrick Barnes

I know I am picking a colt here but injury permitting, this is the year he will get a full season at pivot and with a maturing team I think he will really shine for both the Tahs and Wallabies.

Pocock and Genia have broken through now and I think after a few years on the periphery this will be Barnes big season.

England

Jordan Turner-Hall

Again injuries permitting I think this guy could lay claim to best 12 in world rugby. 6 foot over 100kg canon ball who runs beautiful lines.

Ireland

So many really good players and the younger Kearney is one I think could make a rapid rise. O'Brien and Jennings should also be regular faces during the six nations.

I also think depending on injuries that sooner rather than later we will see Heaslip being called captain for both club and eventually country(BOD until next world cup obviously).

I'll go a little out on a limb though and say I reckon that the dark horse to push through could be Fergus McFadden. I think he fits a gap needed at both Leinster and Ireland and I think he has a very rounded game.

Also Humphries up in Ulster is progressing his game rapidly and so far this season has been the best kicker from hand on the Ireland. The home Stade Francais game and his cameo at Leinster has made a few sit up and take serious notice of his running and defence. It's not a two horse race for out half by any means.

Without a shadow of a doubt he has the best beard in world rugby and I think that should count for something.

Digifriendly

Rhys Priestland - unheralded and unspectacular but was difference between Scarlets winning rather than losing today against Dragons.

handsomecake

subfreq wrote: »

Australia



England

Jordan Turner-Hall

Again injuries permitting I think this guy could lay claim to best 12 in world rugby. 6 foot over 100kg canon ball who runs beautiful lines.

this kid is absolutely class.he is immense

handsomecake

Sundy wrote: »

Surely Brett has moved to the Blues to try get ahead of carter. He was well cemented behind him at the crusaders

well i suppose he is but we know carter is the incumbent. i think he will pass delaney and donald to be an outstanding replacement

Judgement Day

And a few more since Thomond started and I was already thinking along similar lines..

IRELAND

Paul O'Connell & the Bull - to keep Munster's HC chances alive.

ROG (to continue his comeback and alternate in the big games with JS)

BOD (to make sure that he is kept in cotton wool for the 2011 World Cup.)

KEITH EARLS - to get me that hat-trick I keep having a punt on and to nail down his Ireland team place and in the squad for the World Cup.


ENGLAND

Jonny Wilkinson (will be 32 at the next World Cup) - treat same as for BOD - although should he really come good it might upset my World Cup plans for Ireland. On second thoughts Ireland v England in the final would be acceptable.


ALL BLACKS

Dan Carter - failing my Ireland v England World Cup scenario to kick the All Blacks to victory in the final preferably against the 'mighty' Boks.

Jonah Lomu - (will be 36 at the next World Cup) to make a comeback for NZ.

AUSTRALIA

James O'Connor (19) the coming man in Southern Hemisphere rugby - inside centre, full back - another legend in the making.

thomond2006

Judgement Day wrote: »

Jonah Lomu - (will be 36 at the next World Cup) to make a comeback for NZ.

Could happen.



He won't be in bad shape anyway! :pac:

thomond2006

It looks like Joe Simpson will be out for a while, he has suffered a dislocated shoulder:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8432228.stm

Scrum-half Simpson, who has enjoyed a superb first half of the season which has brought him into England contention, suffered a dislocated shoulder against Harlequins on Sunday.

He was due to see a specialist this week to determine whether he needs an operation, which could rule him out for several months, including the Six Nations Championship.

chupacabra

I think things will stay as is for the rest of the current season. But the start of the 10/11 season will definitely see a raft of young talent getting regular game time for the provinces because of the resting required for the world cup.

Amazotheamazing

While there's a lot of talent knocking about, you have to factor in where any of them will get games. duncan williams, imo, is the best young scrumhalf in Ireland, but will he get ahead of O'Leary and Stringer? No, probably not, whereas O'Donoghue might get more games with leinster. Ruddock and Ryan are two of the best young flankers, but will either get into the Leinstyer team ahead of Leinster's (young) backrow, probably not. McKinley and Burke are the best young outhalves in the system, but neither will get much gametime.

Before hyping up a player, you have to ask will he be able to get games this season, most of the Irish players on this thread won't.

spoon

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

While there's a lot of talent knocking about, you have to factor in where any of them will get games. duncan williams, imo, is the best young scrumhalf in Ireland, but will he get ahead of O'Leary and Stringer? No, probably not, whereas O'Donoghue might get more games with leinster. Ruddock and Ryan are two of the best young flankers, but will either get into the Leinstyer team ahead of Leinster's (young) backrow, probably not. McKinley and Burke are the best young outhalves in the system, but neither will get much gametime.

Before hyping up a player, you have to ask will he be able to get games this season, most of the Irish players on this thread won't.

Williams is an impressive player and I can see him becoming more and more prominant in Munster over the next two seasons. His distribution looks to be top notch from what I have seen.

Hype710

Richie Gray (20) of Glasgow is another one, probably the best young lock in Britain and Ireland.

Andrew Trimble to continue his great form and be picked for the left wing for Ireland.

Toby Flood to have his best season yet and claim the ten jersey for England.

Bugnug

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Well he's only got just over 5 hours left so he'd want to get a move on.

The guy has been oustanding for Leinster this season. Who would you suggest as a back up/replacement for David Wallace? Please dont say Niall Ronan.

spoon

Bugnug wrote: »

The guy has been oustanding for Leinster this season. Who would you suggest as a back up/replacement for David Wallace? Please dont say Niall Ronan.

At 7 surely you'd go with Jennings ahead of him?

Bugnug

spoon wrote: »

At 7 surely you'd go with Jennings ahead of him?

Absolutely not. I think Jennings is hugely over rated. He will do well to get back in the Leinster first team with O'Briens form. And I genuinely believe that you will never see Jennings in an Ireland squad selection again. He will be another Johnny O Connor, Niel Best.

OldJay

handsomecake wrote: »

stephen brett............moved to auckland blues. should break into allblacks and cement position as no 2 behind carter

Daniel Kirkpatrick will be the up-and-comer. He's a pure talent at 10.
They'll stick with Donald as backup for the following season, I'd say.

padser

subfreq wrote: »

Ireland

So many really good players and the younger Kearney is one I think could make a rapid rise. O'Brien and Jennings should also be regular faces during the six nations.

I can't see any way (barring injury) that both O'Brien and Jennings could be regular faces during the 6N (playing both of them would mean dropping two from Heaslip, Wallce and Ferris - and at the moment I would rate both of them behind all 3 of those players - although obviously SOB has serious potential)

subfreq wrote: »

Ireland

I'll go a little out on a limb though and say I reckon that the dark horse to push through could be Fergus McFadden. I think he fits a gap needed at both Leinster and Ireland and I think he has a very rounded game.

I think McFadden has the potential but (and same goes for Kearney) barring injuries at Leinster I just can't see him getting gametime in big games (full strength Leinster already need to leave one of BOD, GD, RK, LF, SH, IN out of the XV)

subfreq wrote: »

Ireland

Also Humphries up in Ulster is progressing his game rapidly and so far this season has been the best kicker from hand on the Ireland. The home Stade Francais game and his cameo at Leinster has made a few sit up and take serious notice of his running and defence. It's not a two horse race for out half by any means.

I would be amazed if Humph was ever considered ahead of ROG or JS for Ireland (obviously again injuries could change it) for the simple fact that his defence is so shockingly bad that I just don't think the guy could play test rugby.

Lot's of people give out about ROG's defence - which at times can be pretty bad - but compared to Humph he looks like Jonny Wilkinson in defence. Playing with Humph in defence is effectively being down to 14 men.

Bugnug

padser wrote: »

I can't see any way (barring injury) that both O'Brien and Jennings could be regular faces during the 6N (playing both of them would mean dropping two from Heaslip, Wallce and Ferris - and at the moment I would rate both of them behind all 3 of those players - although obviously SOB has serious potential)



I think McFadden has the potential but (and same goes for Kearney) barring injuries at Leinster I just can't see him getting gametime in big games (full strength Leinster already need to leave one of BOD, GD, RK, LF, SH, IN out of the XV)



I would be amazed if Humph was ever considered ahead of ROG or JS for Ireland (obviously again injuries could change it) for the simple fact that his defence is so shockingly bad that I just don't think the guy could play test rugby.

Lot's of people give out about ROG's defence - which at times can be pretty bad - but compared to Humph he looks like Jonny Wilkinson in defence. Playing with Humph in defence is effectively being down to 14 men.

Wallace, Ferris and Heaslip are three different specialist positions. You would be more likely to have O Brien on the bench because of his ability to slot into 6 or 8 as well as his usual number 7. Jennings could not accomodate 6 or 8. The only other player available to do this would be Leamy but I think he is a bit of a liability and time will show that he is not a patch on OBrien or even McLaughlin.

Judgement Day

Hype710 wrote: »

Richie Gray (20) of Glasgow is another one, probably the best young lock in Britain and Ireland.

Andrew Trimble to continue his great form and be picked for the left wing for Ireland.

Toby Flood to have his best season yet and claim the ten jersey for England.

You're having a laugh right? Flood ahead of Jonny Wilkinson - he's not fit to bring water on to the pitch for him. Flood's only redeeming feature is his age (24) against Jonno (30). In Flood's 26 matches he has managed 62 points whereas the boy wonder has clocked up a staggering 1,125 points in 79 matches. I know who Martin Johnson will stick with.

danthefan

Judgement Day wrote: »

You're having a laugh right? Flood ahead of Jonny Wilkinson - he's not fit to bring water on to the pitch for him. Flood's only redeeming feature is his age (24) against Jonno (30). In Flood's 26 matches he has managed 62 points whereas the boy wonder has clocked up a staggering 1,125 points in 79 matches. I know who Martin Johnson will stick with.

Wilkinson was awful for England in the AIs, and Flood is a good player. Points scored proves absolutely nothing.

Bugnug

padser wrote: »

I can't see any way (barring injury) that both O'Brien and Jennings could be regular faces during the 6N (playing both of them would mean dropping two from Heaslip, Wallce and Ferris - and at the moment I would rate both of them behind all 3 of those players - although obviously SOB has serious potential)



I think McFadden has the potential but (and same goes for Kearney) barring injuries at Leinster I just can't see him getting gametime in big games (full strength Leinster already need to leave one of BOD, GD, RK, LF, SH, IN out of the XV)



I would be amazed if Humph was ever considered ahead of ROG or JS for Ireland (obviously again injuries could change it) for the simple fact that his defence is so shockingly bad that I just don't think the guy could play test rugby.

Lot's of people give out about ROG's defence - which at times can be pretty bad - but compared to Humph he looks like Jonny Wilkinson in defence. Playing with Humph in defence is effectively being down to 14 men.

Judgement Day wrote: »

You're having a laugh right? Flood ahead of Jonny Wilkinson - he's not fit to bring water on to the pitch for him. Flood's only redeeming feature is his age (24) against Jonno (30). In Flood's 26 matches he has managed 62 points whereas the boy wonder has clocked up a staggering 1,125 points in 79 matches. I know who Martin Johnson will stick with.

Yea and hear Johnson is bringing back Delagllio, Jason Leonard, Neil Back, Graham Rowntree.... you can see where this going. Couldn't be happening to a nicer fella:P:D:D:D

Judgement Day

danthefan wrote: »

Wilkinson was awful for England in the AIs, and Flood is a good player. Points scored proves absolutely nothing.

We must have been watching different matches. Jonno's worst game of the three AIs was against the Pumas (the one match they won) and even then he managed 11 of England's 16 points; in the match against NZ he scored the 6 English points in the 6-19 defeat and in the Australian match he got all 9 of England's points in the 9-18 defeat. Just to refresh my jaded memory I have just read over the AI match reports and aside from the scoring Jonno is mentioned throughout for his tackling etc - clearly an overated player. You've got to remember this is an English side in chaos/transition and to bring Jonno back and expect miracles from one man is asking too much but, like yours truly, they will be back - minus Flood, Good or Cipriani but with Wilkinson!

GymJim

padser wrote: »

I would be amazed if Humph was ever considered ahead of ROG or JS for Ireland (obviously again injuries could change it) for the simple fact that his defence is so shockingly bad that I just don't think the guy could play test rugby.

Lot's of people give out about ROG's defence - which at times can be pretty bad - but compared to Humph he looks like Jonny Wilkinson in defence. Playing with Humph in defence is effectively being down to 14 men.

Have you watched Humph this season at all? Yes his defence was particularly poor in the past (why he was dropped by Matt Williams last year) but he has improved massively in this area. Definitely better than ROG's defence at this stage and better than his brother's ever was so don't see how you can say he'd never be considered for Ireland.

He is undoubtedly the most creative and exciting OH we have. Spots and executes gaps and opportunities nobody else can. His passing and kicking are phenomenal and to be fair to the lad he has worked massively on his defence.

thomond2006

Wilkinson kicks goals and is an excellent defender.

That's where his skillset unfortunately ends.

On Ian Humphreys, he has really improved this season. Don't see Kidney picking him ahead of ROG/Sexton though bar injury/awful form.

danthefan

Judgement Day wrote: »

We must have been watching different matches. Jonno's worst game of the three AIs was against the Pumas (the one match they won) and even then he managed 11 of England's 16 points; in the match against NZ he scored the 6 English points in the 6-19 defeat and in the Australian match he got all 9 of England's points in the 9-18 defeat. Just to refresh my jaded memory I have just read over the AI match reports and aside from the scoring Jonno is mentioned throughout for his tackling etc - clearly an overated player. You've got to remember this is an English side in chaos/transition and to bring Jonno back and expect miracles from one man is asking too much but, like yours truly, they will be back - minus Flood, Good or Cipriani but with Wilkinson!

Why are your entire arguments are based on goal kicking? There is a fair bit more to OH play you know. He's a good kicker and defender, no argument. However his general play was not good. He stood so deep his backline had absolutely no chance to do anything, his kicking from hand was mixed, he didn't do a whole lot himself with the ball in hand either.

As for match reports, they were always going to go over the top, particularly English media.

Amazotheamazing

Just thinking more about this, three players Connacht should consider stealing from Munster are Eoghan Grace, Ian Nagle, and Dave Foley. All three are potential internationals and all three have serious players ahead of them for Munster. All three are ready for the ML now, imo, and all three probably won't get a chance to play in it for the next 2 seasons.

padser

GymJim wrote: »

Have you watched Humph this season at all? Yes his defence was particularly poor in the past (why he was dropped by Matt Williams last year) but he has improved massively in this area. Definitely better than ROG's defence at this stage and better than his brother's ever was so don't see how you can say he'd never be considered for Ireland.

He is undoubtedly the most creative and exciting OH we have. Spots and executes gaps and opportunities nobody else can. His passing and kicking are phenomenal and to be fair to the lad he has worked massively on his defence.

I have watched about 2 matches with Humphs and seen highlights of a fair few other of Ulster's matches. I have not seen any indication that his defence has improved to any great extent.

Also as far as I know (and I could be wrong) Ulster put him on the wing ocassionally for opposition set pieces (á la Lecister).

Given the fact I havn't seen him much this season (and am basing my opinion really on past experiences and the fact I have seen nothin to change those opinions) if you tell me the man's defence has improved beyond all recognition (i.e. to the point where its comparable to even O'Gara :eek:) then I will have to defer to you but you can understand the comment I'm sure.....

GymJim

padser wrote: »

I have watched about 2 matches with Humphs and seen highlights of a fair few other of Ulster's matches. I have not seen any indication that his defence has improved to any great extent.

Also as far as I know (and I could be wrong) Ulster put him on the wing ocassionally for opposition set pieces (á la Lecister).

Given the fact I havn't seen him much this season (and am basing my opinion really on past experiences and the fact I have seen nothin to change those opinions) if you tell me the man's defence has improved beyond all recognition (i.e. to the point where its comparable to even O'Gara :eek:) then I will have to defer to you but you can understand the comment I'm sure.....

I can assure you his tackling has improved massively this year. He did enormous pre-season work on his defence. They have used the defensive scenario you mentioned above last season but haven't seen it this year so far. Used to use this with the David Humph a few years ago too actually.

If you are basing your opinion on past year's then you'd be bang on but to be fair to the lad he has really worked on this area. Matt Williams dropping him until he sorted his tackling out last year was the est thing that could have happened to him. He's no Wilko but he's improved massively.

thebossanova

danthefan wrote: »

Wilkinson was awful for England in the AIs, and Flood is a good player. Points scored proves absolutely nothing.

What games were you watching!? He was one of the standout players for them! His tackling was immense!

I really don't see many of the young Irish guys mentioned in this thread getting game time for Province or country. It's too close to the World Cup to start experimenting imo for country anyway, and maybe with a new coach coming into Leinster we could see new guys pushing through.

Shane Horgan and Bowe will be our wings in the 6N, and Sean O'B will be the backrow cover. Biggest places for new caps are the front row I think where Hayes is past it now and a replacement need to be found because he wont make it to the World Cup.

LFC5Times

David Pollock - Ulster (Openside Flanker).

Captained a few of the underage teams and was also captain of the U.20 Irish team that won the Grand Slam & 6 Nations.Very clever player who does the basics really well.

Was a No.8 in school but over the last couple of years has changed into an openside . Unfortunately has had a few injuries over the last couple of seasons (a hip operation in the summer).

Behind Willie Faloon at the moment at Ulster but if he can stay injury free he will get ahead of him and deliver on the talent he has.

danthefan

thebossanova wrote: »

What games were you watching!? He was one of the standout players for them! His tackling was immense!

Tackling must be the very last reason you would pick an OH for.

Judgement Day

danthefan wrote: »

Tackling must be the very last reason you would pick an OH for.

That's very interesting considering all the flak ROG gets on the Boards for his poor tackling.

danthefan

Judgement Day wrote: »

That's very interesting considering all the flak ROG gets on the Boards for his poor tackling.

The fact guys like ROG can get 90+ caps and have such successful careers sort of proves my point. iHumph now is another dreadful defender who's getting picked because he brings a fair bit else to the table.

If I could go for a relatively poor defender who's threating with the ball in hand and releases his backline or a guy who tackles, kicks goals and not a whole lot else I know which I'd go for.

irishbucsfan

GymJim wrote: »

He is undoubtedly the most creative and exciting OH we have. Spots and executes gaps and opportunities nobody else can. His passing and kicking are phenomenal and to be fair to the lad he has worked massively on his defence.

Have you heard of Johnny Sexton at all?

GymJim

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Have you heard of Johnny Sexton at all?

Yes. Don't remember saying iHumph was better than Sexton.

irishbucsfan

GymJim wrote: »

Yes. Don't remember saying iHumph was better than Sexton.

Not in those words, but Johnny Sexton is the most "creative and exciting" OH we have, and to say iHumph spots and executed gaps like noone else can is a massive over-evaluation of his abilities, and an under-evaluation of Sexton and how well he releases the Leinster backline.

iHumph is the 3rd best OH in the country, and unless he can improve his place kicking (and Sexton proved thats possible) he won't be able to climb higher in the order.