Ireland vs Barbarians, Friday 4th June 7.45pm RTE 2

JJ

I had a look around and there's no thread on this yet and the team has just been named so here it goes:

15 - Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster)
13 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
12 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster) Captain
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 - Ed O’Donoghue (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
5 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)*
6 - John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
8 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)*

Replacements:
16 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
22 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

*First appearance

Plenty of new and fringe players are included here as you'd expect, I see that Shaggy is being welcomed back from the cold.

Podge_irl

Awfully odd looking England team


Centres are a bit of a surprise but it will be interesting to see how the majority of the guys get on.

Risteard

JJ wrote: »

I had a look around and there's no thread on this yet and the team has just been named so here it goes:

15 - Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster)
13 - Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
12 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster) Captain
9 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
2 - Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
3 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 - Ed O’Donoghue (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
5 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)*
6 - John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/Munster)
8 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)*
Replacements:
16 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
20 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
22 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Ireland;)

Anyway, don't understand the Duffy call whatsoever, I thought it would have been Wallace and McFadden. Has Duffy played 13 before? Was hoping Court would start at LH as well. Strong enough bench though.

Deedsie

Should it not be Ireland v Barbarians and should it not be June 4th?

Teferi

As I said in the summer thread

Teferi wrote: »

I don't like O'Gara as captain. Whinging at the ref should do a lot of good :rolleyes:

Good to see Stringer getting a start.

Flash92

I think Duffy played centre for Ireland before in a tour to South Africa when D'Arcy was injured? 04 or 05?

I like the majority of the team. Nice to see Cronin, Muldoon and McFadden handed starts, good opportunity for Buckley, interesting to see how they all fare out.

JustinDee

Deedsie wrote: »

Should it not be Ireland v Barbarians and should it not be June 4th?

To be pedantic about it, it should be Barbarians v Ireland

Barbarians are actually the home side in any match they play. Ireland are the away team on Friday.

crazyderk

I like to see O'Gara and Stringer together but wheres bod? and no Johnny Sexton as a replacment kicker? from the six nations it looked like Kidney had plans to get Sexton into a better position and maybe get rid of some of the nerves perhaps for the world cup?

JJ

I messed up the title there when I posted. Thanks for editing that Mr Moderator.

I'm glad to see Stringer get some time. I really enjoyed watching Ireland play the Barbarians a few years ago and I won't be able to see it live but I'm going to tape it for Saturday morning.

Robbo

Risteard wrote: »

Has Duffy played 13 before?

He's started there a few times for Connacht (although not recently) and has covered it a fair bit when the backline was reshuffled through injuries/subs.

B0X

crazyderk wrote: »

I like to see O'Gara and Stringer together but wheres bod? and no Johnny Sexton as a replacment kicker? from the six nations it looked like Kidney had plans to get Sexton into a better position and maybe get rid of some of the nerves perhaps for the world cup?

They're being rested after the ML final as far as I know.

hardCopy

Interesting team. Nice to see some new caps

Stev_o

Can't see us winning tbh. Looks like a weak side and we are going to be blown away in the back row by Smith vs Ronan.

Risteard

Robbo wrote: »

He's started there a few times for Connacht (although not recently) and has covered it a fair bit when the backline was reshuffled through injuries/subs.

didn't know that. Injuries are clearly taking their toll on this team and I wouldn't be surprised if we were hevaily beaten.

Still though, Cronin getting a game is good as is Muldoon and McFadden.

Stev_o

Risteard wrote: »

didn't know that. Injuries are clearly taking their toll on this team and I wouldn't be surprised if we were hevaily beaten.

Still though, Cronin getting a game is good as is Muldoon and McFadden.

But why play him in a position he's been hardly playing at all season let alone at International level, why not put Whitten or Downey at 12 and have McFadden at 13? That would make far more sense to me tbh.

happyfriday74

and no Johnny Sexton as a replacment kicker?

Jonny needs a rest so he'll be ready for the All Blacks!

damienom

Nice to see some new caps

This isn't a capped international is it?

Good to see new faces getting thrown into the mix but they'll still have duck eggs in the capped column despite playing on Friday won't they?

Risteard

Stev_o wrote: »

But why play him in a position he's been hardly playing at all season let alone at International level, why not put Whitten or Downey at 12 and have McFadden at 13? That would make far more sense to me tbh.

I agree. The only thing that comes to mind is if they want McFadden to 'become' a 12 as opposed to a 13 and want to give him more experience there.

Stev_o

Risteard wrote: »

I agree. The only thing that comes to mind is if they want McFadden to 'become' a 12 as opposed to a 13 and want to give him more experience there.

That makes no sense and if anything shows the ineptitude of the Irish management if they want to completely undo a players natural gifts at playing at 13 and instead give him a totally different set of skills to go play 12, this could ruin a player who has a high chance of being a very good Irish and Leinster 13 in the future.

spoon

I quite like the team Ireland are putting out. A lot of those guys will be fighting for selection and i'm certain we'll get a great performance out of the likes of Henry and Muldoon.

Duffy is an odd choice at 13, but glad to see McFadden there, i feel if he can functoin as a good 12 he could be part of Irelands future center partnership with Earls.

irishbucsfan

It's interesting to see that team considering that there is the greatest probability that none of them except for Kearney (maybe) and Muldoon should be starting in the tests.

It's a chance for them all to prove themselves. And against the atrocious Barbarians defense they should at least score a couple of tries.

lobber

Would Earls not be better suited to the centre (is he injured?) and move duffy to full back. seen him a few times this season for connacht with some brilliant counter attacking.
Playing from 15 against the baa-baas might really suit him

irishbucsfan

Stev_o wrote: »

That makes no sense and if anything shows the ineptitude of the Irish management if they want to completely undo a players natural gifts at playing at 13 and instead give him a totally different set of skills to go play 12, this could ruin a player who has a high chance of being a very good Irish and Leinster 13 in the future.

I certainly would have preferred Wallace at 12, but I think Duffy deserves a chance to prove his versatility to try and improve his chances of making the squad (based on talent he's not good enough to make the squad ahead of Murphy and Kearney as a pure full back).

Wallace is clearly good enough to be in the squad, and is. So no complaints from me. And as far as McFadden's skillset goes, he's probably not got the natural pace to be a world class 13, so I can understand the management's desire to test him as a 12, because if he can display the same kind of distribution and creativity as Wallace he'd be in a good place to beat him out. From what I've seen from him so far he hasn't shown that ability on matchdays, so here's another chance.

subfreq

Stev_o wrote: »

Can't see us winning tbh. Looks like a weak side and we are going to be blown away in the back row by Smith vs Ronan.

Agreed.

Think the pack in particular will struggle. Both sets of forwards are effectively scratch teams, it's just that the Ba Ba's are better players IMHO.

With decent ball they have the backs to run riot.

Ciaran-Irl

The selection of Kearney might suggest his place at 15 is under threat by Geordan Murphy. He will need to play as well as he has for Leinster in the last couple of games I reckon.

Games against the Barbarians don't count as caps, do they?

profitius

Maybe they want to see how Duffy does at 13 as much as they want to see how McFadden does at 12.

buck65

Shaggy to centre, Kearney to wing and Duffy FB after about 10 minutes!?
Bizarre team really.

Jemo

profitius wrote: »

Maybe they want to see how Duffy does at 13 as much as they want to see how McFadden does at 12.

I'm interested to see how he gets on anyhow, I think he would offer a different style to what we currently have available. I haven't seen that much of him of course, so my opinion is based on glimpses more than anything but he appears to pick nice lines and carries in an upright strong manner. Hopefully he answers Irelands call well, his versatility would be a great bench option considering that ROG, Sexton, Stringer, TOL, Reddan can all only play one position. I'd imagine this match is a test to see just how well he carries out the centre role, as he definitely can slot in well at FB. A bench of Wallace,Sexton/Rog, Stringer/Reddan is very limited but by adding Duffy it opens up a lot more, somewhat like lukey and earls used to provide.

shawpower

Stev_o wrote: »

That makes no sense and if anything shows the ineptitude of the Irish management if they want to completely undo a players natural gifts at playing at 13 and instead give him a totally different set of skills to go play 12, this could ruin a player who has a high chance of being a very good Irish and Leinster 13 in the future.

Don't really agree. And you don't have to look far beyond Leinster & Ireland for the reason. D'Arcy wasn't a 12 originally when he broke into teams. Started on the Wing and then played 13 a good bit too I think. But got moved into 12 as it was a problem position, and because he's too good a talent to leave languishing behind BOD for the 13 jersey.

No reason McFadden couldn't do the same.

Some seriously interesting picks there, really looking forward to this game now. Hopefully they can gel, (should be interesting for both teams!) and do well.

I'm really interested in the pack to be honest, really feel that players have a lot to play for the the 8 that have been picked.

Duffy at 13 will be interesting, I wouldn't begrudge him the game of his life if he was to play it.

Feel that P.Wallace is benched as he can add stability and versatility as a sub, still think he should get a decent run though, though I don't want to see either McFadden or Duffy subbed too early!

I'm looking forward to seeing Stringer back in the green. Has been too long imo, I've long ****ed on about how he's an excellent impact 9 to have, and imo, the sub 9 spot should be his.

sock puppet

Stev_o wrote: »

But why play him in a position he's been hardly playing at all season let alone at International level, why not put Whitten or Downey at 12 and have McFadden at 13? That would make far more sense to me tbh.

McFadden has had a few games at 12 for Leinster this season and did well there. As far as I can remember he's also been played at 12 in all of this season's Ireland A games with Cave at 13 though I'm not too sure. Downey will never be an international. Whitten has potential and he's done very well this season but I suppose with the competition there he just lost out.

I think it's odd that Kearny's starting too. I wonder will Murphy get a start against the ABs or Aus?

Dougalicious

Risteard wrote: »

didn't know that. Injuries are clearly taking their toll on this team and I wouldn't be surprised if we were hevaily beaten.

Still though, Cronin getting a game is good as is Muldoon and McFadden.

Don't know about that think we will win by10+ I too am surprised to see Duffy at 2nd centre, but expect to see wallace come on at 12, McFadden move to 13 and Duffy to FB! Kidney might see it as a chance to see what McFadden is like at 12 as Darcy hasn't always fired there!
Forwards are ok, good to see Horan back in alongside Cronin and Buckley as front row was our obvious weakness in the 6N!! Also its been long overdue to start bleeding some new 2nd rows!! Henrys' start is well deserved!!

Risteard

Dougalicious wrote: »

Don't know about that think we will win by10+ I too am surprised to see Duffy at 2nd centre, but expect to see wallace come on at 12, McFadden move to 13 and Duffy to FB! Kidney might see it as a chance to see what McFadden is like at 12 as Darcy hasn't always fired there!
Forwards are ok, good to see Horan back in alongside Cronin and Buckley as front row was our obvious weakness in the 6N!! Also its been long overdue to start bleeding some new 2nd rows!! Henrys' start is well deserved!!

I think it can go either way tbh but the Barbarians backrow looks pretty good. They could cause some havoc at ruck time.

irishbucsfan

sock puppet wrote: »

McFadden has had a few games at 12 for Leinster this season and did well there. As far as I can remember he's also been played at 12 in all of this season's Ireland A games with Cave at 13 though I'm not too sure. Downey will never be an international. Whitten has potential and he's done very well this season but I suppose with the competition there he just lost out.

I don't think McFadden did that well at 12 when played there... But if they persist with selecting him there they must be seeing something they like.

I agree about Downey and Whitten, I think Whitten could be great if given the chance but he's a victim of Ulster's poor form.

subfreq

I think the fact that Ireland management know they have to soon decide whether Earls or Fitz is going to become the next 13 means that McFadden is being groomed at inside.

It will be interesting to see if they let him do any kicking from hand tactically with ROG next to him or not.

It certainly a part of his game that gives Ireland a few more options.

Emelio

hello
this is game that interests me
is it possible still to purchase ticket
also, lonelyplanet say that limerick is not safe - is this message i should respect or tourist talk?

danthefan

Emelio wrote: »

hello
this is game that interests me
is it possible still to purchase ticket
also, lonelyplanet say that limerick is not safe - is this message i should respect or tourist talk?

As long as you're not a member of a drug dealing gang then you'll probably be alright.

Officially tickets are sold out I think but I've seen a couple on sale on different message boards, or if you went to the pubs around the ground before hand you would have a chance of getting a ticket.

A Disgrace

Deleted User wrote: »

Some seriously interesting picks there, really looking forward to this game now. Hopefully they can gel, (should be interesting for both teams!) and do well.

I'm really interested in the pack to be honest, really feel that players have a lot to play for the the 8 that have been picked.

Duffy at 13 will be interesting, I wouldn't begrudge him the game of his life if he was to play it.

Feel that P.Wallace is benched as he can add stability and versatility as a sub, still think he should get a decent run though, though I don't want to see either McFadden or Duffy subbed too early!

I'm looking forward to seeing Stringer back in the green. Has been too long imo, I've long ****ed on about how he's an excellent impact 9 to have, and imo, the sub 9 spot should be his.

Agree about Stringer.. in fairness, not a bad B-team, both wings are good enough for international selection and are just suffering cos the guys ahead are world class.. looking forward to this, should be open and hectic, and a chance for Horgan to nail a couple of tries too..

buck65

subfreq wrote: »

I think the fact that Ireland management know they have to soon decide whether Earls or Fitz is going to become the next 13 means that McFadden is being groomed at inside.

It will be interesting to see if they let him do any kicking from hand tactically with ROG next to him or not.

It certainly a part of his game that gives Ireland a few more options.

Think Earls has pretty much proved his credentials at 13 for Munster this season and will be eventually Irelands first choice centre. Thought Luke was more of a winger?

conno16

A Disgrace wrote: »

Agree about Stringer.. in fairness, not a bad B-team, both wings are good enough for international selection and are just suffering cos the guys ahead are world class.. looking forward to this, should be open and hectic, and a chance for Horgan to nail a couple of tries too..

horgan ffs??

washed up - waste of time playing the likes of him in games like this
were we stuck for a winger or something?

thehighground

conno16 wrote: »

horgan ffs??

washed up - waste of time playing the likes of him in games like this
were we stuck for a winger or something?

I'd say Tommy Bowe has that position nailed down so I wouldn't worry too much about it at the moment. Bowe is just being rested. The pecking order on that wing for the RWC would be Bowe, Trimble, Horgan (with Fitzgerald & Earls capable as well).

conno16

but my question is why waste a spot on the wing in this game
we know what horgan can do
we hope we wont need him in a years time cause hes going downhill fast
why bring him along?

danthefan

conno16 wrote: »

but my question is why waste a spot on the wing in this game
we know what horgan can do
we hope we wont need him in a years time cause hes going downhill fast
why bring him along?

If he'd continued the excellent form he showed up to getting injured this season, he'd have been worth his place on tour. As it stands he shouldn't be going or starting tomorrow imo.

thehighground

conno16 wrote: »

but my question is why waste a spot on the wing in this game
we know what horgan can do
we hope we wont need him in a years time cause hes going downhill fast
why bring him along?

Enough inexperience in that team already and apart from anything else, Shaggy is a big game player.

Jemo

Horgans form before injury warranted a call up for the autumn internationals. Since coming back from injury he has been hit and miss, tending towards miss. He shouldn't be going on tour, he should be trying to recover his speed after that injury. Carr or Duffy should be on tour.

interesting that Kearney is starting, he is the only first choice (Rog perhaps) player named. I assume Kidney doesnt want his first choice players cramped and nursing injuries on a long haul flight the morning after a match so rob is a strange inclusion, unless he asked to be played or Murphy has jumped him in the pecking order

conno16

Jemo wrote: »

interesting that Kearney is starting, he is the only first choice (Rog perhaps) player named. I assume Kidney doesnt want his first choice players cramped and nursing injuries on a long haul flight the morning after a match so rob is a strange inclusion, unless he asked to be played or Murphy has jumped him in the pecking order

probably the case i feel

GisforGrenade

I am actually quite looking forward to this match, I am interested to see how the uncapped players fare and to see the reservoir of talent that we will have to rely on if we want to seriously compete at the World Cup. Also the Barbarians play a style of rugby I really wish other teams would return to, I am sick to death of aimless kicking. Though I personally would have made Stringer captain over ROG, treating the ref with a modicum of respect is kinda expected of a captain.

Judgement Day

GisforGrenade wrote: »

I am actually quite looking forward to this match, I am interested to see how the uncapped players fare and to see the reservoir of talent that we will have to rely on if we want to seriously compete at the World Cup. Also the Barbarians play a style of rugby I really wish other teams would return to, I am sick to death of aimless kicking. Though I personally would have made Stringer captain over ROG, treating the ref with a modicum of respect is kinda expected of a captain.

Ah come on would you give us a break and lay off ROG? It's the captains place to argue the toss with the ref.

GisforGrenade

Of course the captain has a right to argue with the ref, but not to abuse the ref. How many times has the ref had to tell O'Gara to keep a civil tongue in his head? I have lost count. He is a fine player but that doesn't excuse bad behavior. Also I said in my personal opinion, if Kidney feels he is worthy of the captain's armband I trust his judgement.

Dougalicious

buck65 wrote: »

Think Earls has pretty much proved his credentials at 13 for Munster this season and will be eventually Irelands first choice centre. Thought Luke was more of a winger?

He's actually a FB but as Ireland and Leinster are both well served in that position!! That's why he has been playing at wing and centre!! Would like to see him play 2nd centre with O'Driscoll at 1st!! Also the same would apply with Earls and i hope they give O'D and Earls the nod for the 1st game vs the Maori as we know what Darcy/O'Driscoll is capable of!!

Dougalicious

Emelio wrote: »

hello
this is game that interests me
is it possible still to purchase ticket
also, lonelyplanet say that limerick is not safe - is this message i should respect or tourist talk?

Limerick is very safe. Last I heard tickets were still available on Ticketmaster.