Wolfhounds vs Saxons, Friday 4th 7.30pm

CouchSmart

BACKS (10):

Isaac Boss (Terenure College - Leinster)
Fionn Carr (Galwegians- Connacht)
Ian Humphreys (Ballymena - Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Ian Keatley (Galwegians- Connacht)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)
Johne Murphy (Young Munster - Munster)
Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere - Leinster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch - Ulster)

FORWARDS (12):

Nigel Brady (Dungannon - Ulster)
Willie Faloon (Ballynahinch - Ulster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon - Ulster)
Jamie Hagan (Corinthians - Connacht)
Chris Henry (Ballymena - Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers - Connacht)
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon - Munster)
Damien Varley (Garryowen - Munster)
Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians - Connacht)

http://leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/7369.php

Stringer omitted, is he injured?

eyeball kid

Not the actual team, just the squad.
from breakingnews.ie....

01/02/2011 - 13:51:12
Connacht out half Ian Keatley has been called up to the 22-man Ireland Wolfounds squad to play the England Saxons in Ravenhill on Friday.

The starting XV will be announced by the Wolfhounds coaches at a press conference in Belfast tomorrow.

Munster Prop Tony Buckley is ruled out after picking up an injury in the game against Scotland ‘A’ last week.

Declan Fitzpatrick is named in the squad in place of Buckley.

Mike McCarthy is also named in the squad while Ulster's Paul Marshall and Leinster's David Kearney have also been called up.

Tickets for the game against the Saxons are on sale from www.ulsterrugby.com

O2 Ireland Wolfhounds squad (v England Saxons, Friday, Februray 4, Ravenhill, 7.30pm)

Backs -

Isaac Boss (Terenure College - Leinster)
Fionn Carr (Galwegians- Connacht)
Ian Humphreys (Ballymena - Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Ian Keatley (Galwegians- Connacht)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)
Johne Murphy (Young Munster - Munster)
Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere - Leinster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch - Ulster)

Forwards -

Nigel Brady (Dungannon - Ulster)
Willie Faloon (Ballynahinch - Ulster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon - Ulster)
Jamie Hagan (Corinthians - Connacht)
Chris Henry (Ballymena - Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers - Connacht)
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon - Munster)
Damien Varley (Garryowen - Munster)
Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians - Connacht)

CouchSmart

Possible team:

15. Carr
14. Murphy
13. O'Malley
12. Spence
11. Hurley
10. Humphreys
9. Boss

1. Wilkinson
2. Varley
3. Hagan
4. Nagle
5. O'Driscoll
6. Dom. Ryan
7. Falloon
8. Henry

16. Brady
17. Fitzpatrick
18. Don. Ryan
19. McCarthy
20. Marshall
21. Keatley
22. Kearney

thomond2006

Wilkinson, Varley, Hagan, MOD, Nagle, Dom Ryan, Faloon, Henry;
Marshall, Humphreys, Carr, Spence, O'Malley, Kearney, Hurley/Murphy

Bench: Brady, Fitzpatrick, D Ryan, McCarthy, Boss, Keatley, Hurley/Murphy

I go for Marshall over Boss simply for gametime.

Diom

15. Carr
14. Murphy
13. O'Malley
12. Spence
11. Hurley
10. Humphreys
9. Marshall <- classy player, really impressed with him

1. Wilkinson
2. Varley
3. Hagan
4. Nagle <- off at 50 for Dom Ryan, McCarthy/Ryan to here
5. O'Driscoll
6. McCarthy
7. Falloon
8. Henry

16. Brady
17. Fitzpatrick
18. Don. Ryan
19. Dom. Ryan
20. Boss <-
21. Keatley <- Both of these to come on about 50 mins.
22. Kearney <- I don't rate this guy.


I'd start McCarthy for his work-rate. We'll need a tough pack against the Saxons. Youth and energy can come on later.

Marshall at 9! Beautiful. Really want to see more of this guy.

This game has no TV coverage though? Not even highlights?

Boo-urns

Digifriendly

Deleted User wrote: »

This game has no TV coverage though? Not even highlights?

Boo-urns

It's a real shame this game is at the same time as Wales vs England hence the probable reason for lack of TV coverage. Also if it's a wet night there will probably be a great temptation to sit at home rather than go to Ravenhill. Can't see a big crowd somehow.

danthefan

We're going to be absolutely hammered I reckon.

Beanmachine

danthefan wrote: »

We're going to be absolutely hammered I reckon.

Yeah i think you could be right, Dissapointed sky aren't showing it, they must be only showing the Saxons home games

Podge_irl

Any reason McLaughlin isn't involved?

CouchSmart

Podge_irl wrote: »

Any reason McLaughlin isn't involved?

In the main squad.

Podge_irl

CouchSmart wrote: »

In the main squad.

Well he's not in the 22...

CouchSmart

Podge_irl wrote: »

Well he's not in the 22...

That he isn't.

Probably trying out other players, giving him a break etc etc

roycon

id love to see Paddy McAllister called up.should give preference to young lads like him. best young prop in the country at the moment from the 5 or 6 games ive seen him in

roycon

roycon wrote: »

id love to see Paddy McAllister called up.should give preference to young lads like him. best young prop in the country at the moment from the 5 or 6 games ive seen him in

He's been great alright, think they're moving him along nicely at Ulster, no rush yet.

whysomoody

eyeball kid wrote: »

Isaac Boss (Terenure College - Leinster)
Fionn Carr (Galwegians- Connacht)
Ian Humphreys (Ballymena - Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Ian Keatley (Galwegians- Connacht)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)
Johne Murphy (Young Munster - Munster)
Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere - Leinster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch - Ulster)

Boss
Humphreys
Murphy
O'Malley
Spence
Kearney
Hurley

Bench: Marshall, Carr and Keatley

IMO.

little173

O2 IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS Team & Replacements (v England Saxons, 'A' International Match, Ravenhill, Friday, February 4, kick-off 7.30pm):

15 - David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
14 - Johne Murphy (Young Munster/Munster)
13 - Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
12 - Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11 - Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
10 - Ian Humphreys (Ballymena/Ulster)
9 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
1 - Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians/Connacht)
2 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster)
3 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
4 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
5 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6 - Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)
7 - Willie Faloon (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
8 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster) (capt)
Replacements:

16 - Nigel Brady (Dungannon/Ulster)
17 - Jamie Hagan (Corinthians/Connacht)
18 - Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
20 - Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
21 - Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)
22 - Fionn Carr (Galwegians/Connacht)

CatFromHue

i would have duffy in at full back since he is not in the 22 for the italy game and could do with another game.

Podge_irl

CatFromHue wrote: »

i would have duffy in at full back since he is not in the 22 for the italy game and could do with another game.

Him and Ruddock are with the squad in Italy.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

Him and Ruddock are with the squad in Italy.

Which is insanely perplexing imo. Duffy getting 80 with the Wolfhounds at 15 would be infinitely more useful than holding tacklebags and not even kitting out on the day.

We have one recognised full back between two squads, and he's in limbo?

Foxtrol

Deleted User wrote: »

Which is insanely perplexing imo. Duffy getting 80 with the Wolfhounds at 15 would be infinitely more useful than holding tacklebags and not even kitting out on the day.

We have one recognised full back between two squads, and he's in limbo?

If any of the backs pull up injured in warm up/captains run it makes sense to have brought him as he can slot straight in for Fitz if he's injured or if its one of the wingers he can move into full back & Fitz shift to the wing.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Which is insanely perplexing imo. Duffy getting 80 with the Wolfhounds at 15 would be infinitely more useful than holding tacklebags and not even kitting out on the day.

We have one recognised full back between two squads, and he's in limbo?

I presume they always bring a couple spare players to away matches in case of last minute injuries.

Yeah I understand the idea behind it, but it still makes no sense. If that was the case, that we were afraid of someone getting hurt etc, then he'd be on the bench already, and Wallace would be cover.

Foxtrol

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah I understand the idea behind it, but it still makes no sense. If that was the case, that we were afraid of someone getting hurt etc, then he'd be on the bench already, and Wallace would be cover.

Im presuming Wallace is there in case a center gets injured and then he'll move into the starting lineup & Duffy will move onto the bench.

Personally I'd have both Duffy and Wallace on the bench and have dropped ROG as he's a luxury covering only one position and with the injuries in the backs we dont have an Earls/McFadden/Fitzgerald type utility back who we can put on the bench.

thomond2006

Donnacha Ryan ahead of Nagle is a joke.

Podge_irl

thomond2006 wrote: »

Donnacha Ryan ahead of Nagle is a joke.

Except Nagle is getting essentially zero game time at Munster.

whysomoody

little173 wrote: »

O2 IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS Team & Replacements (v England Saxons, 'A' International Match, Ravenhill, Friday, February 4, kick-off 7.30pm):

15 - David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
14 - Johne Murphy (Young Munster/Munster)
13 - Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
12 - Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11 - Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
10 - Ian Humphreys (Ballymena/Ulster)
9 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
1 - Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians/Connacht)
2 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster)
3 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
4 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
5 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6 - Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)
7 - Willie Faloon (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
8 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster) (capt)
Replacements:

16 - Nigel Brady (Dungannon/Ulster)
17 - Jamie Hagan (Corinthians/Connacht)
18 - Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
20 - Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
21 - Ian Keatley (Galwegians/Connacht)
22 - Fionn Carr (Galwegians/Connacht)

Ha I knew it!

Kearney ahead of Carr is a complete joke!

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

Except Nagle is getting essentially zero game time at Munster.

Neither is Ryan?

Both of them are going to waste there. D.Ryan has less than 18 months to establish himself as a potential medium term option in the second row for Ireland, and he's never going to do that playing 4th fiddle at Munster and being (ab)used as a utility back row option too.

Nagle has a real chance at making a name for him if he gets out from behind that conveyor belt of 2nd row options at Munster and heads to Connacht on a year contract.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Neither is Ryan?

At least Ryan is in HEC squads. Nagle didn't make one with 4 second rows named..

They're both being massively wasted at Munster. Deccie clearly likes Ryan though and has given him far more opportunities at Ireland level then his number of performances at provincial level dictate.

Is Touhy injured?

yup, injured himself in the squad a week ago I think. Massively disappointing.