Oh, crap!! BOD on injury watch........

theKramer

Hope this isnt anything major: http://www.irishexaminer.ie/sport/rugby/ireland-sweat-on-odriscoll-111339.html

Peter B

I reckon if there's a worry they should rest him and bring in Earls to center and Shaggy to the bench. No reason to risk O'Driscoll against Italy.

TitoPuente

Peter B wrote: »

No reason to risk O'Driscoll against Italy.

My sentiments exactly.

Blured

If true I think moving Bowe to the centre would be the best option. Earls on the wing with Shaggy on the bench

danthefan

Blured wrote: »

If true I think moving Bowe to the centre would be the best option. Earls on the wing with Shaggy on the bench

If Bowe was to move to centre I'd start Horgan at 14, without a doubt.

Ciaran-Irl

danthefan wrote: »

If Bowe was to move to centre I'd start Horgan at 14, without a doubt.

Yeah, Bowe to centre and Horgan to 14 or Earls to centre and Horgan to bench. Happy with either option, but if Bowe moves, Earls shouldn't go to 14.

Blured

danthefan wrote: »

If Bowe was to move to centre I'd start Horgan at 14, without a doubt.

Good point - but what will probably happen is that Earls with come in for BOD with Shaggy on the bench

PhatPiggins

Even if he's 99% fit I wouldn't play him. We need to start planning for life without Brian.

Peter B

I certainly wouldn't put a world class winger (Bowe) into any other position. Especially when we have a very suitable replacement and probably successor for O'Driscoll in Earls.

Podge_irl

Peter B wrote: »

I certainly wouldn't put a world class winger (Bowe) into any other position. Especially when we have a very suitable replacement and probably successor for O'Driscoll in Earls.

O'Driscoll seems to be on "injury watch" as often as he isn't, so I wouldn't be overly concerned until something definitive is announced one way or the other.

I'd be far happier with Bowe moving into the centre than Earls. A possible successor to BOD Earls may be, but I wouldn't call him a suitable replacement just yet. Fine if he has to come on as a sub, but I wouldn't start him at centre in an international match - I simply don't think he's shown the form there to warrant it. He has bagloads of potential obviously and is scintillating at times, but lacks consistency, especially in defence. If its only for Italy I'm not that bothered, and the experience would do him good but if we're talking about possibly against France as well then it has to be Bowe imo.

AdeT

Peter B wrote: »

I certainly wouldn't put a world class winger (Bowe) into any other position. Especially when we have a very suitable replacement and probably successor for O'Driscoll in Earls.

I agree. I'm a believer of playing your best players in their best positions; Bowe is certainly one of our best players and (for now) right wing is his best spot.

chupacabra

I wouldnt put earls at 13 at all for this game. Wallace in to 12, D'Arcy to 13, Humphries brought onto the bench for Wallace and Earls stays still.

crisco10

chupacabra wrote: »

I wouldnt put earls at 13 at all for this game. Wallace in to 12, D'Arcy to 13, Humphries brought onto the bench for Wallace and Earls stays still.

I think the last time D'arcy played 13 was Munster in Thomond last year. He got caught out in defence a few times down the outside channel.

I agree with the poster above, if its just for this week I would put Earls in 13 but if there is a chance its France as well, I'd go Bowe 13 and Shaggy 14.

twinytwo

crisco10 wrote: »

I think the last time D'arcy played 13 was Munster in Thomond last year. He got caught out in defence a few times down the outside channel.

I agree with the poster above, if its just for this week I would put Earls in 13 but if there is a chance its France as well, I'd go Bowe 13 and Shaggy 14.

fif he was out for the france game its hard to decide bowe or earls or even darcy at 13 cause me thinks without drico yannick could cause us all sorts of problems

Tim Robbins

twinytwo wrote: »

fif he was out for the france game its hard to decide bowe or earls or even darcy at 13 cause me thinks without drico yannick could cause us all sorts of problems

It's a pity McFadden hasn't got more game time. You'd wonder will he hang around next season.

Podge_irl

crisco10 wrote: »

I think the last time D'arcy played 13 was Munster in Thomond last year. He got caught out in defence a few times down the outside channel.

Indeed. I wouldn't be thrilled about ROG-Wallace-D'Arcy in defence at all. D'Arcy is a good defender but he'd still have to adjust to a new position. It's especially concerning given that BOD is so important in Ireland's defensive play. He was constantly shooting out of the line last year to smother attacks.

I still think BOD will play though.

Macsimus

crisco10 wrote: »

I think the last time D'arcy played 13 was Munster in Thomond last year. He got caught out in defence a few times down the outside channel.

Didn't Darcy play 13 for the Baba's v England last summer??

Judgement Day

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Even if he's 99% fit I wouldn't play him. We need to start planning for life without Brian.

So you don't think he will make the 2015 World Cup squad - have you no faith?

Jello

BOD is fit to play

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/sixnations/2010/0205/ireland_italy.html

pappyodaniel

O'Driscoll to start

Peter B

Great news!

JJ

A stint at The Clinic must've done him some good.




I'll get my coat.

andrewdcs

Great news! I'll stick him back on my team sheet.....




this fantasy managerial game is very stressful.... I must go to the pub.

DonkeyPokerTour

Guys I think your forgetting who were talking about. Its Brian O'Driscoll, The man got a concussion vs england, got up played some more, then got a second concussion and still played on. Ok I exaggerate but he's pritty tough, and baring a serious injury he will not miss game time. Having said that, if its 30-0 after 50min on Saturday I'd like to see him taken off and either Wallace at 12 and D'Arcy at 13 or D'Arcy at 12 and Earls at 13. No use "wasting" BOD if the win is assured.

Kev37

I was actually looking forward to seeing Earls at 13. I really hope they're not playing O'Driscoll when hes not 100% we need him for France and Earls at 13 would be fine against Italy.