Ireland vs South Africa Match Thread, 5:30pm Sat 6 November; RTÉ2/BBC2

thomond2006

Springbok touring squad

Backs: Gio Aplon, Bjorn Basson, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Francois Hougaard, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs*, Elton Jantjies, Ricky Januarie**, Patrick Lambie, Lwazi Mvovo, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn.

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Keegan Daniel, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Allister Hargreaves, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield (tour captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Connie Oosthuizen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Adriaan Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe.

*added as precautionary cover as De Villiers and De Jongh picked up injuries in the Currie Cup Final yesterday.

**subsequently has pulled out due to the injury.

In terms of Ireland, looking at who was retained by Kidney this weekend, I think the team will be (assuming all the current doubts are fit):

Healy, Best, Buckley, DOC, MOD, Ferris, Wallace, Heaslip, Reddan, Sexton, Fitzgerald, D'Arcy, BOD, Bowe, Kearney

Bench: Cronin, Court, Ryan, SOB/Leamy, Stringer, ROG, Earls

I suppose there are selection issues at 7, 10 and if Earls starts or not.

South Africa's squad has been decimated by injury. Many key players including Steenkamp, Smit, Brussow, Du Preez, Fourie and JP Pietersen are all missing. Also Bryan Habana has been very poor this year and is living on reputation at the moment. They are far from full strength and produced their worst performance in the Tri-Nations since the tournament's inception.

Teams will be named on Tuesday.

wixfjord

Personally would love Court Best and Ross start, with change at 65 to Buckley + Healy, and possibly Cronin, just to see how it'd work out.

Personally would start SOB who has been immense this year too.

lologram

Agree that Best will probably get the nod ahead of Cronin (but don't agree with it). I'd like to see Kidney go ahead and pick SOB to start and bring on Wallace in the 2nd half, though.

Alas, i can't say I'd put money on it happening. If only Kidney were a little less conservative...

CatFromHue

its hard to know, technically cronin is the man in poession of the jersey and i dont think best has done enough on club form to oust him

CouchSmart

The backrow is probably the most contentious position but I think SOB's versatility will see him start on the bench, a pity because he is in fantastic form, out performing Heaslip for much of the season. That being said Wallace has looked good this season also so it's a non issue I guess.

I've a feeling BOD and Earls will be missing this game, perhaps with half an eye on NZ or perhaps neither will be fit and won't be risked. Wouldn't mind seeing how who ever steps into 13 goes, one of Bowe, D'Arcy, Trimble or Fitz I assume?

Teferi

This is ours for the taking. We should do it and personally, I hate the Saffas lack of sportsmanship so losing to them is doubley worse.

PhatPiggins

I'd imagine PDV will rest as many of the guys who played the Currie Cup final as possible.

danthefan

CatFromHue wrote: »

its hard to know, technically cronin is the man in poession of the jersey and i dont think best has done enough on club form to oust him

It's not as if Cronin did anything to oust Best either though, Best just got injured. Best will start I reckon.

outwest

we should beat south africa. 3 wins for this tour is needed.

id go for

court
best
ross
doc
toner
ferris
wallace
jamie
stringer
sexton
trimble
darce
bod
bowe
kearney.

croinin healy buckley and sean ob all on after 60 min as impact.

irishbucsfan

I certainly wouldn't start Court and Ross.

We're not going to beat them in the scrums regardless of who our props are (due to the weight of their 2nd rows etc.)

So instead of picking two props who only offer scrumaging ability, which will be neutralised, thus making them fairly useless, I'd pick the two that actually contribute in other areas.

Either way I don't think Court's form is enough to select him ahead of Healy.

freyners

personally would go with
healy cronin buckley
doc mod
ferris Heaslip sob
stringer sexton
wallace bod
fitz kearney bowe



went for healy over court and buckely over court and ross as irishbucsfan said, we wont beat them at scrum time

cronin over best as hes just as solid in the set pieces as best but far more effective in the loose

mod over toner as mod is a great organiser of a line-out and i would wait until the samoa game to blood toner

sean o brien over wallace as o brien has really impressed me this year and wallace could make a huge difference come the 60 minute mark

im would love to see ireland do a more running, offloading game which is why i picked stringer over boss/reddan, sexton over rog and wallace over d'arcy ( stringer and wallace are far better distributors than their competition imo)

thomond2006

I wonder if Francois Steyn is actually going to play, I thought he was at a situation where he would never play for the 'Boks under PdV again.

If both JdV and De Jongh are unavailable, they could play Steyn/Lambie at 12 with Jacobs at 13.

durkadurka

Interesting that sexton is unanimous choice for outhalf. I don't want a bitchfest on this but it appears he is now ahead of rog in pecking order.

Still i like the idea of rog coming on if we need to close the game down at the end.

Would like sob to at least get a run out.

phog

I want 15 players to go out and play their socks off, who they are or where they're from doesn't matter to me, go out and play for your country.

My last AI that I was at was against the Pumas and from an Irish point of view that was one of the hardest games to watch, ever, I've never seen such a disjointed bunch, thankfully, they pulled it together in time for the 6Ns and look what that brought us

butters.scotch

Wonder will it be a sellout?

durkadurka

I hope not

porterbelly

Cronin should definitely start at hooker, the more game time he gets with Ireland, the better his lineout throwing will become as he can garner a relationship with the jumpers and get used to the calls. One of the most talked about players in world rugby last season was Saracens hooker Schalk Brits for his mobility and his ability to make line breaks, and while Cronin mighn't have the explosiveness and stepping of Brits, he's certainly in the same mould. Anyone who witnessed his try against Bayonne a couple of weeks ago will testify to this. He offers so much more than Best in the loose, and he is a genuine threat to defences. With the lack of ball carriers in the 2nd row, the presence of Cronin along with Healy and Buckley in the front row would give us great options.

SOB must start at openside. Wallace is getting on and he'll be 34 come the world cup. O'Brien has been sensational so far this season, and a back row with himself, Ferris and Heaslip would be very exciting.

subfreq

Francois Hougaard was probably the find of the recent 3N. Fantastic pace and really good distribution. I am looking forward to seeing how he continues.

I would love to see Devon Toner start in this game. He has more than just a touch of Ian Jones about him and I am not surprised a Kiwi coach has kind of resurrected is career a bit at Leinster. He gives you the closest thing to 100% guarantee that you will win your own line out. He is one fella that I think could be crucial to Ireland really stepping on as a team.

This fixture should hold no fear for Ireland. SAF have no poacher and play very differently to NZ and Aus.

I say Ireland by 10.

[Jackass]

I think Deccy O'Kidney will go for:

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Buckley
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Driscll
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. O'Gara
11. Earls
12. Wallace
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

I would like to see:

1. Healy
2. Cronin
3. Ross
4. O'Callaghan
5. Cullen
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Boss
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. O'Driscoll
13. Bowe
14. Earls
15. Kearney

jolley123

I would like to see

1. Healy
2. Cronin
3. Buckley
4.O'Callaghan
5. Toner
6. Ferris
7. SOB
8. Heaslip

9. Stringer
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Darce
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Best
17. Court
18. Cullen
19. Wallace
20. Reddan
21. Wallace
22. Fitz

bamboozle

porterbelly wrote: »

Cronin should definitely start at hooker, the more game time he gets with Ireland, the better his lineout throwing will become as he can garner a relationship with the jumpers and get used to the calls. One of the most talked about players in world rugby last season was Saracens hooker Schalk Brits for his mobility and his ability to make line breaks, and while Cronin mighn't have the explosiveness and stepping of Brits, he's certainly in the same mould. Anyone who witnessed his try against Bayonne a couple of weeks ago will testify to this. He offers so much more than Best in the loose, and he is a genuine threat to defences. With the lack of ball carriers in the 2nd row, the presence of Cronin along with Healy and Buckley in the front row would give us great options.

SOB must start at openside. Wallace is getting on and he'll be 34 come the world cup. O'Brien has been sensational so far this season, and a back row with himself, Ferris and Heaslip would be very exciting.

+1 SOB and Cronin must start, we all know what Wallace can do, Wallace's role within the irish squad will develop into impact player between now and the world cup. SOB is playing better and needs to garner lots of experience pre world cup.

Username37

We're not going to see it but I think this team is our best 15

1.Healy
2.Cronin
3.Buckley
4.Toner
5.O'Callaghan
6.Ferris
7.O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.Boss
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Kearney

danthefan

Username37 wrote: »

We're not going to see it but I think this team is our best 15

1.Healy
2.Cronin
3.Buckley
4.Toner
5.O'Callaghan
6.Ferris
7.O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.Boss
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Kearney

Wouldn't pick Boss but agree on the other 14.

Mr.Applepie

Username37 wrote: »

We're not going to see it but I think this team is our best 15

1.Healy
2.Cronin
3.Buckley
4.Toner
5.O'Callaghan
6.Ferris
7.O'Brien
8.Heaslip
9.Boss
10.Sexton
11.Fitzgerald
12.D'arcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Kearney

I'm not sure about the Toner/DOC combo. I wouldn't think (correct me if I'm wrong) that either would be great lineout organisers/leaders. For me either Cullen or MOD should start.

corny

Anyone else have serious concerns about how much more physical their front 5 are going to be? Healy, Cronin and Toner in the same pack against Botha, Du Plessis and Mtawarira for example. Not good. I'm not advocating better options btw, the 3 lads may very well be the best options we have. Just if i were them i'd punch around the fringes all day.

danthefan

Mr.Applepie wrote: »

I'm not sure about the Toner/DOC combo. I wouldn't think (correct me if I'm wrong) that either would be great lineout organisers/leaders. For me either Cullen or MOD should start.

Toner runs the Leinster lineout when Cullen isn't there, does a fine job.

corny

corny wrote: »

Du Plessis and Mtawarira for example.

Mtawarira is average. Du Plessis is pretty good but is off the boil at the moment as far as I know. Botha is a penalty/yellow card machine so I'm kinda glad he's playing. I reckon the pack can put up with the abrasive style the boks prefer.

thomond2006

The Beast didn't play Tri Nations but I expect him to be back in the starting XV with Steenkamp injured.

Could see:
Mtawarira, Du Plessis, VDL, Matfield, Botha, Smith, Burger, Spies;
Hougaard, M Steyn, Aplon, JdV, De Jongh, Habana, F Steyn

ALH-06

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I'd imagine PDV will rest as many of the guys who played the Currie Cup final as possible.

I heard South Africa are targetting the Ireland game specifically. I was talking to SA rugby fans who said that they take us very seriously now with the recent string of losses in Dublin (naturally enough) and that both the management & public are seeing this game as a watershed moment for the team, after a very poor Tri Nations etc.

I would definitely expect them to field the strongest 15 their touring squad can offer.

corny wrote: »

Anyone else have serious concerns about how much more physical their front 5 are going to be? Healy, Cronin and Toner in the same pack against Botha, Du Plessis and Mtawarira for example.

Man, was thinking the exact same thing! I think Best will start over Cronin but still, I fear our front 5 will really miss that raw aggression that POC provides. Especially against the Boks - raw aggression is their currency.

I hope the back row can compensate, they definitely have the ability.

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

The Beast didn't play Tri Nations but I expect him to be back in the starting XV with Steenkamp injured.

Could see:
Mtawarira, Du Plessis, VDL, Matfield, Botha, Smith, Burger, Spies;
Hougaard, M Steyn, Aplon, JdV, De Jongh, Habana, F Steyn

My understanding is that JDV is injured.

thomond2006

Deleted User wrote: »

My understanding is that JDV is injured.

I would go Steyn at 12, Aplon at fullback with Basson on the wing in that case.

Jacobs is a very average player IMO.

padser

corny wrote: »

Anyone else have serious concerns about how much more physical their front 5 are going to be? Healy, Cronin and Toner in the same pack against Botha, Du Plessis and Mtawarira for example. Not good. I'm not advocating better options btw, the 3 lads may very well be the best options we have. Just if i were them i'd punch around the fringes all day.

I have two main concerns -

The first being what you just mentioned about the tight 5. More specifically while I think Healy is our best LH, and Buckley is our best TH I really can't see how they can both be played in the same front row (and certainly not with Cronin). It's all well and good to say SA will be ahead in the scrum dept, but with a front row of TB, SC and CH we will struggle to even retain ball on our own put in - with a front row of TC, RB and MR you would assume we will be solid enough to retain our own ball, while still not being ahead in the scrum.

Personally I would start with CH, RB and MR, and look to bring on TB, SC and TC as a unit on 55 / 60. If we are getting demolished in the scrum then just bring on TC.

I think that strikes a balance between being able to compete on our own put in, and having a front row contributing outside of the scrum.

My second concern is at 7. I don't see how Kidney can pick to start given that he seems to have fallen behind Niall Ronan at Munster for the 7 Jersey (did he not bench for a recent HC match for Munster suggesting it wasn't that he was rested, it was actually that he is no longer first choice for Munster). For me that makes SOB top of the line for 7 jersey, with Leamy on the bench.

porterbelly

padser wrote: »

I have two main concerns -

The first being what you just mentioned about the tight 5. More specifically while I think Healy is our best LH, and Buckley is our best TH I really can't see how they can both be played in the same front row (and certainly not with Cronin). It's all well and good to say SA will be ahead in the scrum dept, but with a front row of TB, SC and CH we will struggle to even retain ball on our own put in - with a front row of TC, RB and MR you would assume we will be solid enough to retain our own ball, while still not being ahead in the scrum.

Personally I would start with CH, RB and MR, and look to bring on TB, SC and TC as a unit on 55 / 60. If we are getting demolished in the scrum then just bring on TC.

I think that strikes a balance between being able to compete on our own put in, and having a front row contributing outside of the scrum.

My second concern is at 7. I don't see how Kidney can pick to start given that he seems to have fallen behind Niall Ronan at Munster for the 7 Jersey (did he not bench for a recent HC match for Munster suggesting it wasn't that he was rested, it was actually that he is no longer first choice for Munster). For me that makes SOB top of the line for 7 jersey, with Leamy on the bench.

Wallace played the whole 80 in the win over Toulon, but I do think Ronan is really pushing him hard for the 7 slot at Munster. I'd nearly look at having Leamy on the bench because he can cover 6 and 8 and has played 7 as well, and although it won't happen, I'd nearly go with John Muldoon as the sub back row as he's a quality blindside, has played alot at 8 with Connacht this season and has also filled in well over the years at 7. Add in the fact that he's a great leader and he'd relish the physical stakes against the Boks. He's showed he's good enough when he's got the chance, man of the match against the Baa Baas in the summer, but he was unfortunate to break his arm against New Zealand.

PhatPiggins

ALH-06 wrote: »

I heard South Africa are targetting the Ireland game specifically. I was talking to SA rugby fans who said that they take us very seriously now with the recent string of losses in Dublin (naturally enough) and that both the management & public are seeing this game as a watershed moment for the team, after a very poor Tri Nations etc.

I would definitely expect them to field the strongest 15 their touring squad can offer.

.

Funny old thing speculation because I've read that the SARFU have pretty much written off the tour as a disaster and wins in Scotland and Wales will be acceptable. The suggestion being that wins in Dublin and London would be pleasant surprises.

The team arrives on thursday, can't see it be the strongest possible but regardless there has never been a better time for us to play them.

I think their watershed moment has come and gone with PDV keeping his job.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

I would go Steyn at 12, Aplon at fullback with Basson on the wing in that case.

Jacobs is a very average player IMO.

Jacobs is good going forward but very avergae in defence. Aplon on a wet day in Dublin against an Irish team only going to play one type of game(lets be honest) yes please

Burger and DeJong are out through injury.

LostPassword

And Steyn is not available: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_6481112,00.html

Chances definitely improving now - the latest 3 withdrawals will really hurt SA - they are down to the so-so players in a number of positions. Their pack will still be strong, but their backline is starting to look weak.

outwest

jolley123 wrote: »

I would like to see

1. Healy
2. Cronin
3. Buckley
4.O'Callaghan
5. Toner
6. Ferris
7. SOB
8. Heaslip

9. Stringer
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Darce
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Best
17. Court
18. Ross
19. Cullen
20. Wallace
21. Reddan
22. ROG
23. Wallace
24. Fitz

24 subs.


and the taught of toner up against south africa scares me. give him a go against the all blacks but not against the best second rows in world rugby

heybaby

The only match of the four I am confident of winning is against samoa, and really that doesnt say much. People are talking about the boks being past it, that this is the best chance we have to win against them blah blah , thats nonsense, the boks might not be all conquering and may not be playing by their own lofty standards but they'll still be more than a match for our lads on the day. It will be a close match but i would expect the boks to come out on top. As for the kiwi game, the all blacks continually make our lot look like amateurs, and will do again this time round, as for the argentina game, it all depends how much of a thumping we take against the kiwis as to how much pride and desire we have left in the tank. Do not let recent performances at provincial level for both munster and leinster lead you into a false sense of security, this squad of irish players is the same group that performed so poorly on the summer tour and in the six nations, i have seen little in terms of innovation or progression to suggest anything other than a workmanlike but ultimately disappointing autumn series for this ageing squad.

Ciaran-Irl

I must say, I really disagree with everyone calling for Cronin to start.

a) There is a fair bit of seriously underestimating Rory Best. He didn't have the finest 6 Nations of all time, but he was coming back from a near career ending injury. He is an exceptional player.
b) He has much more experience at this level. That means he knows the calls and the drills better than Cronin. Cronin will improve by being around the squad and by getting 20 mins from the bench + a start against Samoa.
c) How many international caps would Cronin / Healy / Buckley have between them? You just don't start an entire front row with that little experience. You definitely don't do it against South Africa. We need all the experience we can get in there.
d) Best is an excellent scrummager, and given that this wouldn't be the two props finest strength, we need everything we can get in there.
e) With No POC and no Cullen, we need as many leaders in there as we can. Best is a vocal player and a strong leader.

Cronin is a great prospect, but he will fulfill his potential with time.

JustinDee

jolley123 wrote: »

I would like to see

1. . .

Only 22 in the matchday squad.

corny

ALH-06 wrote: »

I hope the back row can compensate, they definitely have the ability.

I think its a necessity to keep us in the game if i'm honest. If theres parity up front we definitely have the edge but thats a big if in my book. If on the otherhand we're knocked back in the tackle and predictably slaughtered at the set piece i can't see us racking up enough points to keep it close never mind win. Lets hope i'm wrong. I'd hate to lose to these fellas.

thomond2006

Burger, Steyn and De Jongh all unavailable. They are down to bare bones now. Ireland really should take them on Saturday.

padser

heybaby wrote: »

this squad of irish players is the same group that performed so poorly on the summer tour and in the six nations,

I think (going from the team and replacements in the Australia game which was the last game we played) that

Fitz
Earls
Darcy
Heaslip
Leamy
Muldoon
O Brien
Cullen

would argue that it's a slightly different group now to what it was then

Additionally we were missing

McLoughlin
O Connel and
Flannery

who are still out.

You do realize that during the tour we played Rhys Ruddock (a fantastic prospect but surely not ready to play against a top 3 nation in test rugby given that at Leinster he is behind Heaslip, Jennings, O Brien, McLoughlin, Hines and Ryan (who is not even on a senior contract).

To argue out current squad is 'the same group that performed so poorly' is surely a bit of a stretch......

CouchSmart

JustinDee wrote: »

Only 22 in the matchday squad.

This is a real pity, any ideas why the IRB holding the 23 man squads back? Works well in all other competitions.

lologram

O'Driscoll and Earls both fit to play against the Boks.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2010/1101/1224282473940.html

Zzippy

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

I must say, I really disagree with everyone calling for Cronin to start.

a) There is a fair bit of seriously underestimating Rory Best. He didn't have the finest 6 Nations of all time, but he was coming back from a near career ending injury. He is an exceptional player.
b) He has much more experience at this level. That means he knows the calls and the drills better than Cronin. Cronin will improve by being around the squad and by getting 20 mins from the bench + a start against Samoa.
c) How many international caps would Cronin / Healy / Buckley have between them? You just don't start an entire front row with that little experience. You definitely don't do it against South Africa. We need all the experience we can get in there.
d) Best is an excellent scrummager, and given that this wouldn't be the two props finest strength, we need everything we can get in there.
e) With No POC and no Cullen, we need as many leaders in there as we can. Best is a vocal player and a strong leader.

Cronin is a great prospect, but he will fulfill his potential with time.

The reasons you give are hardly enough to merit a strong disagreement. I think its very tight between Cronin and Best now, sure Best has the experience, but Cronin is a far more dynamic player and is much more obviously the long term future no. 2 for Ireland.

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

a) There is a fair bit of seriously underestimating Rory Best. He didn't have the finest 6 Nations of all time, but he was coming back from a near career ending injury. He is an exceptional player.

Agree that people talk Best down, but out of sight out of mind and all that with a long term injury. He's been solid so far this season without being spectacular. Exceptional would be stretching it.

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

b) He has much more experience at this level. That means he knows the calls and the drills better than Cronin. Cronin will improve by being around the squad and by getting 20 mins from the bench + a start against Samoa.

What do you mean by drills? Training drills? And I would assume the calls change regularly so opposition teams don't figure them out. Both will be training and practising the current calls and will be equally familiar with them.

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

c) How many international caps would Cronin / Healy / Buckley have between them? You just don't start an entire front row with that little experience. You definitely don't do it against South Africa. We need all the experience we can get in there.

John Hayes has 100+ caps but does that mean he is our best prop? Experience doesn't have to mean the best. Its about time we started to trust our younger players and give them experience so they can do a job at the World Cup. This SA team is very beatable and its not like we're looking for a first ever win against them. Cronin also has played against NZ and Aus on tour, so its not like this is a huge step up for him.

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

d) Best is an excellent scrummager, and given that this wouldn't be the two props finest strength, we need everything we can get in there.

Cronin is also an excellent scrummager, and the Connacht scrum has pushed back a lot of big name scrums this season, including Best and Botha in the Ulster game. Picking him would give nothing away in that department. Scrummaging and lineout throwing are Best's strengths alright, but we should be looking for more than that, and Cronin offers more around the park.

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

e) With No POC and no Cullen, we need as many leaders in there as we can. Best is a vocal player and a strong leader.

David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip, BOD, Tommy Bowe, Leamy (assuming these all start) are all leaders. You can't have a team full of leaders. Best is a talker from what I've seen, a leader by motivating others. Cronin may not be like that but he leads by example and ball carrying. Different strokes.

I'm a fan of Cronin but I'm also happy we have a player of Best's quality in the squad, as it is currently I feel there's very little between them, in the future I think Cronin will be a far better player. He's far more than a "great prospect", he's a lot further down the line than that. I'll be happy to accept your greater wisdom if Cronin starts and has a nightmare, but doubt that will happen.

fitz

FFS, Ross dropped from the squad: http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/20679.php

We go into a match with a strong scrummaging side with Hayes on the bench.
What benefit is that to the building of a front row for the 6 Nations and World Cup?

Seriously, madness.

thomond2006

fitz wrote: »

FFS, Ross dropped from the squad: http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/20679.php

We go into a match with a strong scrummaging side with Hayes on the bench.
What benefit is that to the building of a front row for the 6 Nations and World Cup?

Seriously, madness.

You forgot about Tom Court, he will definitely be on the bench because he can cover both sides of the scrum. Healy and Buckley will start.

lologram

thomond2006 wrote: »

You forgot about Tom Court, he will definitely be on the bench because he can cover both sides of the scrum. Healy and Buckley will start.

That's a small mercy, but Ross should still be ahead of Hayes. Court might be picked ahead of Hayes this weekend, but Hayes shouldn't be selected for the reduced Ireland squad at all. It shows that Kidney is still very slow to move on. It's the thought that counts here, really

conf101

thomond2006 wrote: »

You forgot about Tom Court, he will definitely be on the bench because he can cover both sides of the scrum. Healy and Buckley will start.

I hope you're right. I have a feeling you are but I wouldn't be shocked to see Hayes' name on the team sheet tomorrow!