England Saxons vs Ireland "Wolfhounds", The Rec, Sunday 2pm

thomond2006

Ireland A to you and me, but the Wolfhounds according to UlsterRugby.ie: http://ulsterrugby.iristickets.co.uk/tickets/all.php5?iditemtree=61&perf=t&L=en

This is live on Sky Sports afaik, will check this later.

Matchday squads have not been announced yet. I think it could be a strong side named by Kidney who might have a look at a few "bolters" who are pressing for a senior call up and also give players who have been injured / banned some gametime i.e Horan, Flannery and Jennings.

Team I'd go with:

Horan (gets gametime against decent opposition before Six Nations)
Flannery (same as above)
Ross
Ryan
Casey (c) (if going for youth then Caldwell)
Best
Jennings
Henry
Boss
Humphreys
J Murphy
McFadden
Cave
Trimble
Oh tough one since Jones is injured, Hurley / J Smith I suppose

J Fogarty
Wilkinson
Touhy / Toner
McLaughlin
F Murphy
Keatley
Carr (Kidney doesn't seem to rate him though)

anonymous_joe

I've an awful feeling this one could see a rampant Saxons side. There are some astonishingly talented English players not getting anywhere near their first team, and God knows why.

thomond2006

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I've an awful feeling this one could see a rampant Saxons side. There are some astonishingly talented English players not getting anywhere near their first team, and God knows why.

Nick Kennedy for one, which is nothing short of a disgrace when guys like Borthwick and Deacon are in the Senior Squad.

PhatPiggins

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I've an awful feeling this one could see a rampant Saxons side. There are some astonishingly talented English players not getting anywhere near their first team, and God knows why.

I'd have the Saxons beating the full England team 3 out of 5 times

Chucky the tree

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I'd have the Saxons beating the full England team 3 out of 5 times

So the Saxons team is better then the full English team? What players in the Saxons squad would you start for England then?

Sangre

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I've an awful feeling this one could see a rampant Saxons side. There are some astonishingly talented English players not getting anywhere near their first team, and God knows why.

Valid point, although they absolutely stuffed them the last time they played in the CC final.

big neilly

Is Wolfhounds not the name for the Irish rugby league national side

TheGod

My squad.

1.Horan
2.Flannery
3.Ross
4.Toner
5.Casey
6.McLaughlin
7.Jennings
8.Henry
9.O'Leary
10.Humphries
11.Carr
12.McFadden
13.Cave
14.Horgan
15.Jamie Smith

toomevara

big neilly wrote: »

Is Wolfhounds not the name for the Irish rugby league national side

It is indeed. It wasn't used in the last RLWC for some reason, but the wolfhound has reappeared on the current Ireland RL shirt.

Doctor Zaius

Thanks for the heads up. Good to see that it's on TV. Looking forward to it, should be a good match with both sides probably fielding strong enough sides.

anonymous_joe

Sangre wrote: »

Valid point, although they absolutely stuffed them the last time they played in the CC final.

Yeah, I watched that game. But in fairness, our A side was a lot stronger.

And in fairness, if they had someone like Cipriani with the likes of Strettle and Sackey on the wings, you've a very good attack.

stephen_n

TheGod wrote: »

My squad.

1.Horan
2.Flannery
3.Ross
4.Toner
5.Casey
6.McLaughlin
7.Jennings
8.Henry
9.O'Leary
10.Humphries
11.Carr
12.McFadden
13.Cave
14.Horgan
15.Jamie Smith

Why O'leary at 9? when he will more than likely be first choice in the 6N squad, surely Boss or failing that Reddan could do with the run out! Also just a matter of opinion but I think Keatley ahead of Humphries.

Podge_irl

stephen_n wrote: »

Why O'leary at 9? when he will more than likely be first choice in the 6N squad, surely Boss or failing that Reddan could do with the run out! Also just a matter of opinion but I think Keatley ahead of Humphries.

Because he doesn't want TOL to be in the main squad. He more than likely will be though. Mind you, Boss is playing better (and TOL really hasn't been great).

TheGod

stephen_n wrote: »

Why O'leary at 9? when he will more than likely be first choice in the 6N squad, surely Boss or failing that Reddan could do with the run out! Also just a matter of opinion but I think Keatley ahead of Humphries.

Because on current form it should be Boss first choice with Reddan second.

Also Humphries is playing far better than Keatley and deserves to start.

Podge_irl

TheGod wrote: »

Because on current form it should be Boss first choice with Reddan second.

Reddan is useless unless his pack are massively on top, which Ireland's won't be.

stephen_n

Podge_irl wrote: »

Because he doesn't want TOL to be in the main squad. He more than likely will be though. Mind you, Boss is playing better (and TOL really hasn't been great).

Well we have seen with Wallace that Kidney has no problem picking the form player, which Boss seems to be (not having seen Ulster play I can't comment) but I would still imagine TOL will be first choice with Reddan on the bench and I would have my doubts about Boss at international level from his previous outings in an Irish jersey.

Podge_irl

stephen_n wrote: »

Well we have seen with Wallace that Kidney has no problem picking the form player, which Boss seems to be (not having seen Ulster play I can't comment) but I would still imagine TOL will be first choice with Reddan on the bench and I would have my doubts about Boss at international level from his previous outings in an Irish jersey.

Boss was never particularly poor in an Irish jersey from what I remember. He doesn't have very many caps and some of his performances (e.g. Aus 07) were excellent.

stephen_n

TheGod wrote: »

Also Humphries is playing far better than Keatley and deserves to start.

Think that's relative, Humphries is playing in a far superior team which makes it easier to look better but as i said I haven't seen ulster this season at all

Hype710

Looking forward to this one, hopefully the 'A' squad can build on the Churchill Cup success. I like the idea of giving Marcus Horan and possibly Jerry Flannery some game time, but don't see why people are putting Horgan or Trimble down to start, at least one will be in the senior 22 and the other will train with them in case of injury.

My team:
15 Hurley (pity about Jones)
14 Carr (will be Dowling)
13 McFadden
12 Whitten
11 J Murphy
10 Keatley (I'd like to see him being given go with better outside backs, and iHumph had both 'A' games in the Autumn)
9 not sure
8 Henry
7 Jennings (game time)
6 McLaughlin
5 Tuohy
4 Ryan
3 Ross
2 D Fogarty
1 Horan (game time)

16 Brady
17 Fitzpatrick
18 Toner
19 Ronan
20 F Murphy
21 Humphries
22 Cave

danthefan

Was the team not supposed to be announced today?

Podge_irl

Hype710 wrote: »

Looking forward to this one, hopefully the 'A' squad can build on the Churchill Cup success. I like the idea of giving Marcus Horan and possibly Jerry Flannery some game time, but don't see why people are putting Horgan or Trimble down to start, at least one will be in the senior 22 and the other will train with them in case of injury.

The game is this weekend, a full week before the 6N, so Horgan/Trimble could still play in it and then train with the full squad.

danthefan

The 22, and thankfully the world 'Wolfhounds' nowhere in sight.

The team and replacements will be confirmed on this Thursday, 28 January.
IRELAND 'A' Squad (v England Saxons, Recreation Groud, Sunday January 31st, 14:00):

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster)
Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon /Ulster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Ian Dowling (Shannon/Munster)
John Fogarty (De La Salle Palmerston/Leinster)
Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
Ian Humphreys (Ballymena/Ulster)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Shane Jennings (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/Connacht)
John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Johne Murphy (Leicester)
Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Podge_irl

Paddy Wallace is an interesting one - didn't see that coming.

Surprised to see Best and no Flannery there. Surely Flannery is more likely to play in the 6N at this point and he still needs game time.

Disappointed to see Ronan in there ahead of McLaughlin as well. Would have thought SOB would be bench for the main squad though, with Ronan starting this one alongside McLaughlin. Edit: wait a second, there are three bloody 7s named out of 4 backrowers.

thomond2006

Declan Kidney must be desperate to get Best available for the Six Nations.

We're likely to see:

Horan
Best
Buckley :rolleyes:
MOD (c)
Caldwell
SOB
Jennings
Muldoon
Boss
Humphreys
J Murphy
Wallace
McFadden
Dowling
Hurley

Fogarty
Ross
Toner
Ronan
Stringer
Keatley
Matthews

Podge_irl

thomond2006 wrote: »

Declan Kidney must be desperate to get Best available for the Six Nations.

We're likely to see:

Horan
Best
Buckley :rolleyes:
MOD (c)
Caldwell
SOB
Jennings
Muldoon
Boss
Humphreys
J Murphy
Wallace
McFadden
Dowling
Hurley

Fogarty
Ross
Toner
Ronan
Stringer
Keatley
Matthews

If Buckley starts ahead of Ross I'll either cry or go into a murderous rampage. I haven't decided yet. Will be good to see McFadden outside Wallace though.

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

If Buckley starts ahead of Ross I'll either cry or go into a murderous rampage. I haven't decided yet. Will be good to see McFadden outside Wallace though.

He wont as Ross can only cover TH. Buckley in theory can cover both sides so will be on the bench.

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He wont as Ross can only cover TH. Buckley in theory can cover both sides so will be on the bench.

Let's hope so, but Buckley will be picked at TH imo. :mad:

Brewster

thomond2006 wrote: »

Declan Kidney must be desperate to get Best available for the Six Nations.

We're likely to see:

Horan
Best
Buckley :rolleyes:
MOD (c)
Caldwell
SOB
Jennings
Muldoon
Boss
Humphreys
J Murphy
Wallace
McFadden
Dowling
Hurley

Fogarty
Ross
Toner
Ronan
Stringer
Keatley
Matthews

Wow, Best wont be playing against Connemara after all! That is simply fantastic news that he is going to feature is such a match given his situation 6 months ago..

Hmm, whats the story on Wallace? Has Wallace lost out in a straight battle with Darce? Thing is with Sexton/OGara featuring, Wallace wont even get a place on bench. Will prob goto Trimble...

Podge_irl

PhatPiggins wrote: »

He wont as Ross can only cover TH. Buckley in theory can cover both sides so will be on the bench.

Ross has played loosehead before (for Ireland A in fact, I don't know if he ever did for Quins). He's passable at it. Buckley is less than his usual useless self on the loosehead side of the scrum.

PhatPiggins

Podge_irl wrote: »

Ross has played loosehead before (for Ireland A in fact, I don't know if he ever did for Quins). He's passable at it. Buckley is less than his usual useless self on the loosehead side of the scrum.

Sssssssssh dont tell anybody. Stick to the party line: Ross can only play TH so has to start

In all serious I think Kidney knows what he's getting with Buckley and having seen his and Hayes recent woes will surely start Ross.

danthefan

I'd say Ross is as good a LH as Buckley is a TH.

Hype710

SOB might play 8 which would be interesting.

siltirocker

TheGod wrote: »

Because on current form it should be Boss first choice with Reddan second.

Also Humphries is playing far better than Keatley and deserves to start.

:rolleyes: I'd love to know what that statment is based on?

Keatley's 24/28 record over the past 2 months perhaps? Humphries being dropped maybe? Seriously, how on earth can you justify that statement man? :eek:

anonymous_joe

I hope they're not planning on putting Denis Hurley at 15. He's an awful full back, and has actually been fairly successful on the wings.

profitius

How many A internationals will there be during the 6 nations? Because it's likely they'll make alot of changes for the second game.

Podge_irl wrote: »

Paddy Wallace is an interesting one - didn't see that coming.

Surprised to see Best and no Flannery there. Surely Flannery is more likely to play in the 6N at this point and he still needs game time.

Disappointed to see Ronan in there ahead of McLaughlin as well. Would have thought SOB would be bench for the main squad though, with Ronan starting this one alongside McLaughlin. Edit: wait a second, there are three bloody 7s named out of 4 backrowers.

Maybe McLaughlin has been "promoted" into the first team squad? I doubt it but its a possibility.


They might be trying SOB out at 8 to see how he gets on and Jennings needs games so that could be why he is there.

Aidric

What clown came up with wolfhounds? Hope it doesn't stick.

PhatPiggins

siltirocker wrote: »

:rolleyes: I'd love to know what that statment is based on?

Keatley's 24/28 record over the past 2 months perhaps? Humphries being dropped maybe? Seriously, how on earth can you justify that statement man? :eek:

Out of sight out of mind maybe.

I read a post on here that Keatley needs to improve his tackling,kicking and game management. The first two are fine imo

Zzippy

thomond2006 wrote: »

Declan Kidney must be desperate to get Best available for the Six Nations.

We're likely to see:

Horan
Best
Buckley :rolleyes:
MOD (c)
Caldwell
SOB
Jennings
Muldoon
Boss
Humphreys
J Murphy
Wallace
McFadden
Dowling
Hurley

Fogarty
Ross
Toner
Ronan
Stringer
Keatley
Matthews

Keatley isn't in the squad, although he should be!

TheGod

siltirocker wrote: »

:rolleyes: I'd love to know what that statment is based on?

Keatley's 24/28 record over the past 2 months perhaps? Humphries being dropped maybe? Seriously, how on earth can you justify that statement man? :eek:

Humphries was dropped briefly in a far superior team since then he has been in absolutely excellent form. Keatley is an average player who looks like a star in a poor team. His game management raises serious questions. The fact is Keatley will never get to the same standard that the likes of O'Gara and Sexton have. Theres a reason why Leinster let him go. Hes been distinctively average and you are completely over exagerating how good he has been.

2040

TheGod wrote: »

Humphries was dropped briefly in a far superior team since then he has been in absolutely excellent form. Keatley is an average player who looks like a star in a poor team. His game management raises serious questions. The fact is Keatley will never get to the same standard that the likes of O'Gara and Sexton have. Theres a reason why Leinster let him go. Hes been distinctively average and you are completely over exagerating how good he has been.

He's only young. I wouldn't write him off yet.

Is there only one outhalf in the squad?

PhatPiggins

TheGod wrote: »

Humphries was dropped briefly in a far superior team since then he has been in absolutely excellent form. Keatley is an average player who looks like a star in a poor team. His game management raises serious questions. The fact is Keatley will never get to the same standard that the likes of O'Gara and Sexton have. Theres a reason why Leinster let him go. Hes been distinctively average and you are completely over exagerating how good he has been.

He's been dropped continually since he moved back to Ulster. He's playing well this season but try not to over exagerate so much. There's a reason Leicester let him go, but they did have Paul Burke as a replacement !!

sock puppet

TheGod wrote: »

Humphries was dropped briefly in a far superior team since then he has been in absolutely excellent form. Keatley is an average player who looks like a star in a poor team. His game management raises serious questions. The fact is Keatley will never get to the same standard that the likes of O'Gara and Sexton have. Theres a reason why Leinster let him go. Hes been distinctively average and you are completely over exagerating how good he has been.

He was dropped last week for Niall O' Connor. Leinster let Keatley go as they already had 2 outhalfs (3 if you count Nacewa).

TheGod

sock puppet wrote: »

He was dropped last week for Niall O' Connor. Leinster let Keatley go as they already had 2 outhalfs (3 if you count Nacewa).

They let him go because they think that McKinley in the academy will be better than him. And they're probably right.

siltirocker

TheGod wrote: »

Humphries was dropped briefly in a far superior team since then he has been in absolutely excellent form. Keatley is an average player who looks like a star in a poor team. His game management raises serious questions. The fact is Keatley will never get to the same standard that the likes of O'Gara and Sexton have. Theres a reason why Leinster let him go. Hes been distinctively average and you are completely over exagerating how good he has been.

I merely pointed out a statistic. 24 from 28 in his last 7 games. How is fact exageration?

I find the amount of people who comment negatively on Keatley here to be the one's who've since him play once/ maybe twice on the box this year tbh.

TheGod

siltirocker wrote: »

I merely pointed out a statistic. 24 from 28 in his last 7 games. How is fact exageration?

I find the amount of people who comment negatively on Keatley here to be the one's who've since him play once/ maybe twice on the box this year tbh.

Well I've seen him play more than once or twice so you can throw that theory out in regards my opinion.

sock puppet

TheGod wrote: »

They let him go because they think that McKinley in the academy will be better than him. And they're probably right.

McKinley was what, 18 when Keatlet left? It'd be akin to letting McFadden go because Macken looks promising

TheGod

sock puppet wrote: »

McKinley was what, 18 when Keatlet left? It'd be akin to letting McFadden go because Macken looks promising

Not really because they had Sexton who was only a year older.

It would actually be akin to letting Lewis go because they had McFadden.....oh wait..

sock puppet

TheGod wrote: »

Not really because they had Sexton who was only a year older.

It would actually be akin to letting Lewis go because they had McFadden.....oh wait..

Lewis isn't even playing professionally now. Lewis was a lot older than Keatley too. A stupid comparison. I don't know how you can say Keatley is average but think Humphreys isn't. His defence is worse than anyone in the squad and his kicking isn't exactly top class either.

siltirocker

TheGod wrote: »

Well I've seen him play more than once or twice so you can throw that theory out in regards my opinion.

How you rate Keatley has compromised your statment i intially asked about, 'how can you say Humphries is playing FAR better'. Which you haven't really stressed yet.

TheGod

siltirocker wrote: »

How you rate Keatley has compromised your statment i intially asked about, 'how can you say Humphries is playing FAR better'. Which you haven't really stressed yet.

How can I say that?

Because I have seen them both play. Keatley has been distinctively average, Humphries meanwhile has been putting in stand out performances in the HC.

siltirocker

TheGod wrote: »

How can I say that?

Because I have seen them both play. Keatley has been distinctively average, Humphries meanwhile has been putting in stand out performances in the HC.

Coolo.

But Keatley hasn't been average of late, quite the opposite really. I can't get my head round you saying that.
The Munster game Connacht were abysmal and Keatley didn't start as Bradley put out a mainly 2nd string team. Besides that Keatley has been brilliant for Connacht for the past two/three months.