Changes for Wales vs Ireland

CouchSmart

Same as previous threads. Thoughts on changes for the Ireland team against Wales in two weeks, game plan changes, etc etc.

Keeping changes to a minimum is paramount I'd say. Most important aspect for me is improving our line-out which has been really misfiring this tournament. My solution is to bring in Cullen, it's not really a knock on DOC but something needs to be done and Cullen is an excellent line-out operator and, more importantly, a line-out leader.

Personally I'd bring Sexton back in. I still think he's vital to the team with the WC in mind and there's definitely more to be gained from starting him than ROG. We'll hopefully see him play a more varied game after watching how ROG controlled the game from pivot yesterday. Also, I'd like to see him playing outside Reddan, who's playing fantastic.

Remmy

I agree Reddans playing well lately,well compared to O'leary anyway.What options do we have at inside centre?

tolosenc

Call it heresy, but I'd drop POC sooner than DOC...

The front row picks itself. Cullen and Doc at lock, back row of O'Brien, Heaslip and Ferris/Jennings/Wallace. Half backs: Reddan has to play - if TOL comes back I swear to god... Sexypants needs to play with Reddan, though ROG's game is probably more suited (of we get the lineout moving).

Bowe and Fitz are shoe ins, and I'd pop McFadden at 11. BOD at 13, of course. D'arcy had a great game yesterday, so I'd play him at 12.

LeeroyJones

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Cullen - for the same reasons as above
5. POC
6. Ferris - if fit, no criticism of Wally, I would just like this backline combo to be given a run. Also, I have plenty more faith in Wally on the bench than Leamy.
7. SOB - shifted to 7 to accommodate Ferris
8. Heaslip

9.Reddan
10. Sexton - ROG did superb last weekend and if he starts I won't begrudge him but I am keen to see Sexton play with Reddan for Ireland!
11. Earls
12. McFadden - I think we have a serious option at 12 with McFadden and I would want him to get some competitive gametime there before the WC. With D'arcy not firing on all cylinders, I think this is as appropriate a time as any to try out McFadden
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Fitzgerald

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. DOC
19. Wallace - see above. To add, his versatility, experience and rugby intelligence would make Wally a fantastic sub - which is meant as a compliment btw!
20. Stringer
21. ROG
22. Trimble

I know that I'm dropping D'arcy out of the 22 altogether and that's not a reflection on him, rather I would like to see McFadden start at 12 as well as Trimble offering more cover in the backline than D'arcy does

leftism

Not getting into a Sexton/ROG debate, as i think both are great OH's but based on ROG's game on Sunday, i'd stick with him for the Welsh game. I didn't think D'arcy had a major impact on Sunday and i'd like to see Mcfadden get a shot at one of the centre spots. I know it'll never happen but i'd love to stick BOD at 12 and Mcfadden at 13. BOD has lost some of the speed that made him the world class 13 of a few years ago. He's still strong enough to be a world class 12 though. Cullen in place of DOC would IMO shore up the lineout which has been a huge problem throughout this 6N campaign. A positive at the moment is the solid irish scrum these days so at least one set piece is functioning. Overall I'd go with:

1)Healy
2)Best
3)Ross
4)Cullen
5)POC
6)SOB
7)Wallace
8)Heaslip
9)Redden
10)ROG
11)Earls
12)BOD
13)Mcfadden
14)Bowe
15)Fitzgerald

16)Cronin
17)Court
18)DOC
19)PWallace
20)Stringer
21)Sexton
22)Trimble

I'm assuming Ferris won't be fit for Wales. Even if he is fit, i'd be cautious about throwing him straight back into the starting lineup as was done with POC (which was a huge gamble by Deccie).

B0X

Healy
Cronin
Ross

POC
Cullen

SOB
Wallace/Ferris(If fit)
Heasilp

Reddan
ROG/Sexton

Earls

McFadden
BOD

Bowe

Fitzgerald

Reasoning:
Cronin: Best hasnt been amazing really, I know Cronin hasnt covered himself in glory either but i'd like to see how he'd preform from a start.

Cullen: If we're picking ROG we're going to be kicking to the corner a lot because that's what he does best. However, if the lineout is pants like it was against Scotland then we need someone who can really compete in it.

Reddan: I thought he had a good game and I certainly would rate him higher than O'Leary

ROG/Sexton: I'm not sure, both are good, I'd like to see Sexton with good service from a scrumhalf for once and there's the added bonus of the familiar pairing there. ROG had an excelent game and if the lineout difficulties were sorted we'd be much more dangerous when we pin them back.

McFadden: D'Arcy been poor this 6N but he's among Kidney's undroppables. I think McFadden is probably the future Irish 12. Is he playing for Leinster this weekend? It'd be interesting to see if he trys to make a statement.

PhatPiggins

Cullen because he deserves a go and Wale's lineout could be targeted with two athletic locks. DOC has done nothing wrong though and has silenced many of his critics.

I'd leave Best in there as I'd like to see what he can do with two top class lineout operators.

Ferris isn't fit but unfortunately the gap between Leamy and the starting backrowers is huge. Anyone else?

Reddan should definitely keep his place.

Don't care who they play at 10 really as long as the guy on the bench gets enough time to make an impact.

WeeBushy

Healy
Cronin - we need him to play some big games before the WC, because there's a good chance Flannery will be injured.
Ross
Cullen - Line is not functioning and there's not much point in playing DOC without POC as he's never as good without the ginger giant beside him.
POC
O'Brien
Wallace
Heaslip

Reddan - Incredible how much more time our back line have on the ball compared to when O'Leary plays.
O'Gara - played superbly and wouldn't be a great sign publicly or privately to drop a player after playing so well in the last game. Sexton to get decent game time from the bench.
Earls - Would start McFadden, but afaik he's only played on the other wing. And despite being versatile I dunno about starting him there for the first time against Wales. Reckon he could handle it, but dunno if Deccie would take that risk.
D'Arcy
O'Driscoll
Bowe
Fitzgerald

Bench:
Court
Best
DOC
Ferris (if fit) - wouldn't play him from the start as our back row has been performing well, and Ferris needs to be brought back slowly. If not fit then Ruddock on the bench. Has been in awesome form; better than Leamy at the moment, and with the potential to be even better.
Stringer/Boss - Anyone but O'Leary on current form tbh
Sexton
McFadden - versatility which we need off the bench that Wallace lacks.

jolley123

1.Healy
2.Best
3.Ross
4.Cullen
5.O'Connell
6.O'Brien
7.Wallace
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Earls
12.Darcy
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Fitzgerald

16.Cronin
17.Court
18.O'Callaghan
19.Ferris/Leamy
20.Boss
21.O'Gara
22.McFadden

pappyodaniel

tolosenc wrote: »

... Sexypants needs to play with Reddan, though ROG's game is probably more suited (of we get the lineout moving).

Do you have to call him that? :(:confused:

totallegend

Ross/Best/Healy; picks itself, Best was excellent against Scotland
POC/Cullen; lineout is in bits, Cullen is more of a threat on the opposition throw than either POC or DOC (but no way will Kidney pick him)
Ferris/O'Brien/Heaslip; harsh on Wallace but O'Brien showed what he can do against Scotland

Reddan; did everything that was required against Scotland

O'Gara; as for Reddan, would be very unfair to drop him again

Earls
D'Arcy; serious lack of alternative 12s, plus he improved against Scotland
O'Driscoll
Bowe
Fitzgerald

Bench:
Court
Cronin
DOC
Wallace
Stringer
Sexton
McFadden; Kidney clearly has no trust in P Wallace, so why bother having him on the bench?

anonymous_joe

This would be the side I'd pick;

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross

The front row has done well all tournament. Don't see a reason to change anything here.

4. DOC
5. POC

I prefer Leo, but I think there's more balance with DOC to the second row, and he's stopped playing like an idiot.

6. Ferris
7. Seanie
8. Heaslip

or, if Fez is still broken;

6. Seánie
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip

I'm sure most of us can work out the logic here.

9. Reddan
10. Sexton

Now this will probably be disagreed with by many, but here's my reasoning. Reddan's performance against Scotland was very good. Add to that, he plays with Sexton week-in week-out. Therefore, I'd play them together. Also, if you've got D'Arcy and O'Driscoll playing, it makes sense to play their out-half.

11. McFadden
12. D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Fitzgerald

Best available players, even if form is a bit of an issue as far as D'Arcy is concerned.

Quint2010

The team I would like to see is:

Fitz
Bowe
BOD
D'Arcy
Earls
ROG
Reddan
Healy
Best
Ross
Cullen
POC
Ferris
SOB
Wallace

Deccie wont make any changes tho. None.

Otacon

My team would be:

[Italics for positional changes, Bold for personnel changes]

1. C. Healy
2. R. Best
3. M. Ross
4. L. Cullen
5. P. O'Connell
6. S. O'Brien
7. D. Wallace
8. J. Heaslip
9. E. Reddan
10. J. Sexton
11. K. Earls
12. G. D'arcy
13. B. O'Driscoll
14. T. Bowe
15. L. Fitzgerald

16. S. Cronin
17. T. Court
18. D. O'Callaghan
19. S. Ferris
20. P. Stringer
21. R. O'Gara
22. F. McFadden

Like most above, I agree that our lineout is suffering at the moment and we need a change. Personally, I don't see any reason to change our hooker though, as Cronin has not done enough to merit a start. Cullen should start with POC.

Even if Ferris comes back, I hope he does not displace any of our backrow straight away. SOB, Wallace and Heaslip have all been playing well together. However, I do hope he gets some meaningful gametime.

Keeping Reddan is an obvious choice, as well as Stringer. However, the call for outhalf could go either way. Honestly, I'm not bothered who gets the call, but I chose Sexton as he needs all the gametime he can get.

For any other game, I would change D'arcy as he just has not done enough to keep his jersey. However, he is still defensively sound, and we will need that against the Roberts-Hook combo.

Our back three did not let us down, with some flashes from Earls and Fitz. I do hope Bowe is brought into the game more.

The only other change I would make is for the 22 jersey. There is no point picking P. Wallace if we have either ROG or Sexton on the bench. I thought McFadden asserted himself well in the previous two games and deserves the stop.

little173

I agree with most of the posts here, would stick with largely the same team.

Would like to see Ferris get a start, though Wallace has performed very well, he should get a run regardless, happy with either.

I am a massive ROG fan but I would still bring Sexton back for this one and then a straight choice for the Eng game. The lineout needs addressing and Wales will target this in detail so Cullen should get a go.

Fitz worries me at FB but there is no viable options there, and hopefully the back 3 will function better. McFadden should be on the bench too.

Quint2010

As per my post above, would love to see Ferris come in at 6 and Wallace and O'Brien alternate at 8. Heaslip isnt playing well-spent most of sunday hanging out on the wing waiting for a bit of glory..

little173

Quint2010 wrote: »

As per my post above, would love to see Ferris come in at 6 and Wallace and O'Brien alternate at 8. Heaslip isnt playing well-spent most of sunday hanging out on the wing waiting for a bit of glory..

Waaat???

Quint2010

little173 wrote: »

Waaat???

Yip. Watch the game again. Twice when Ireland were in the scots 22 in the second half, Heaslip is out on the wing. We were penalised twice so nothing game from it. He did very little else in the game bar give away 3 points in the second half and a one yard run in for his try. I dont think Ferris will be back for Wales tho so I can see the back row staying the same. But Heaslips interview before the game smacked of sour grapes. Just get the impression he thinks he is bigger than the team. On form, either O'Brien or Wallace would be more effective no 8's than Heaslip.

GerM

Quint2010 wrote: »

Yip. Watch the game again. Twice when Ireland were in the scots 22 in the second half, Heaslip is out on the wing. We were penalised twice so nothing game from it. He did very little else in the game bar give away 3 points in the second half and a one yard run in for his try. I dont think Ferris will be back for Wales tho so I can see the back row staying the same. But Heaslips interview before the game smacked of sour grapes. Just get the impression he thinks he is bigger than the team. On form, either O'Brien or Wallace would be more effective no 8's than Heaslip.

Think you might need to watch it also. He was our top tackler in the pack and spent half the game buried in rucks. Our top offloader also. Not his most influential game by a long shot but talk of dropping him is way off the mark. The penalty against him in the second half was a bad decision. BOD actually went to Owens and complained about it. Heaslip had turned the ball over in a text book fashion. He only went off his feet after he had ripped it.

Quint2010

GerM wrote: »

Think you might need to watch it also. He was our top tackler in the pack and spent half the game buried in rucks. Our top offloader also. Not his most influential game by a long shot but talk of dropping him is way off the mark. The penalty against him in the second half was a bad decision. BOD actually went to Owens and complained about it. Heaslip had turned the ball over in a text book fashion. He only went off his feet after he had ripped it.

The guy was sitting on his backside with the ball in two hands. I think that constitutes "off your feet". The penalty was the correct call.

Hyperbullet

I think Wallace is playing well so I'd stick with the same back row. Maybe I'm alone in thinking this but I dont think O Brien is a 7, it seems to limit his game. The best performances I've seen from him is when he's playing at 6 or 8. Again I'm not stating that as a fact, just an opinion.

Also would be worth putting Paddy Wallace in at centre, or Bowe? Put McFadden back in the wing possibly. Darcy, while he played better against Scotland, is still struggling.

GerM

Quint2010 wrote: »

The guy was sitting on his backside with the ball in two hands. I think that constitutes "off your feet". The penalty was the correct call.

He had turned the ball over and was tackled to the ground by the Scottish players trying to ruck. Never went off his feet whilst competing for the ball and was in sole possession when he was tackled to the ground. The turnover had been completed. It was a bad call.

Ciaran-Irl

For me...

1.Healy
2.Best
3.Ross
4.Cullen
5.O'Connell
6.O'Brien
7.Wallace
8.Heaslip
9.Reddan
10.O'Gara
11.McFadden
12.O'Driscoll
13.Bowe
14.Horgan
15.Fitzgerald

16.Cronin
17.Court
18.O'Callaghan
19.Ferris/Jennings
20.Boss
21.Sexton
22.Earls

guapos

Quint2010 wrote: »

The guy was sitting on his backside with the ball in two hands. I think that constitutes "off your feet". The penalty was the correct call.

its at about 1.51.30 on the rte player if you want to view it again. I think its pretty close he has his hands on the ball before hes on the ground in my opinion

Few things, we can't make isolated changes if we're going to change it up.

If we play ROG, we need a lineout, so Best and POC and ROG are three players that need to stick together imo.

If we play Sexton, we need quick ball, so Reddan/Stringer need to start with him.

Props don't change / have much options to do so.
Back Row did pretty well vs Scots, I'd like to have 3 SOBs but that's not gonna happen anytime soon. BOD needs to be tearing his lungs out roaring after players giving soft penalties though. We lost to France because of it, we made it difficult vs Scotland because of it too. It's borderline suicide.

Earls and Fitz did well defensively I thought, wouldn't have much to change there.

12 , 13 , 14 could be an interesting area for change. Not really sure we have the players to do it though, and as such, I expect the same team tbh.
BOD 12, Bowe 13, Trimble 14 could be an interesting experiment.

twinytwo

same team just bring in mcfadden for darcy

twinytwo

twinytwo wrote: »

same team just bring in mcfadden for darcy

And dump Wallace (the Paddy variety)

Wheeker

Deleted User wrote: »

And dump Wallace (the Paddy variety)

And what has Paddy Wallace done to deserve to be dropped? He has played all of 5 minutes in three 6 Nations matches! After the Italy match & again after the French match a fair few posters here were screaming for D'Arcy to be dropped from the squad & for the Sexton-Wallace-O'Driscoll axis to be given a chance.

IMO D'Arcy had another fairly anonymous match against Scotland. Yet Kidney brought on ALL the replacements against Scotland- except Paddy Wallace! Paddy Wallace has been the understudy 12 for a few seasons now - he deserves his chance to show what he can do (releasing an underused backline).

LeeroyJones

Wheeker wrote: »

And what has Pady Wallace done to deserve to be dropped? He has played all of 5 minutes in three 6 Nations matches! After the Italy match & again after the French match everyone a fair few posters here were screaming for D'Arcy to be dropped from the squad & for the Sexton-Wallace-O'Driscoll axis to be given a chance.

IMO D'Arcy had another fairly anonymous match against Scotland. Yet Kidney brought on ALL the replacements against Scotland- except Paddy Wallace! Paddy Wallace has been the understudy 12 for a few seasons now - he deserves his chance to show what he can do (releasing an underused backline).

If Paddy Wallace is to be in the 22 at all it should only be at 12 and not on the bench. If he doesn't start, he shouldn't be on the bench at all. As a sub he covers 10 & 12 but as ROG or Sexton cover 10, by default he only covers 12 - which is ridiculous IMO. The third sub should be Trimble or McFadden given their versatility.
Personally I would want to see McFadden at 12 and Trimble cover the 22 shirt on the bench

bleg

Front row: same as before.
Second row: Cullen for DOC POC and Cullen need to build up a partnership.
Back row: same as before
Half backs: same as before
Centres: D'Arcy dropped, McFadden in.
Outside backs: same as before.

Bench:
Drop Leamy for Ferris if fit.
Drop Wallace for Trimble.

CouchSmart

Wheeker wrote: »

And what has Pady Wallace done to deserve to be dropped? He has played all of 5 minutes in three 6 Nations matches! After the Italy match & again after the French match everyone a fair few posters here were screaming for D'Arcy to be dropped from the squad & for the Sexton-Wallace-O'Driscoll axis to be given a chance.

IMO D'Arcy had another fairly anonymous match against Scotland. Yet Kidney brought on ALL the replacements against Scotland- except Paddy Wallace! Paddy Wallace has been the understudy 12 for a few seasons now - he deserves his chance to show what he can do (releasing an underused backline).

He had the highest tackle count on Sunday, hardly anonymous.

Wheeker

Wheeker wrote: »

And what has Pady Wallace done to deserve to be dropped?

He's a waste of a bench spot. Trimble or McFadden should come in for him.

Wheeker

CouchSmart wrote: »

He had the highest tackle count on Sunday, hardly anonymous.

..... and butchering a two man overlap in the lead-up to ROG's try! He's just not "in-form" at the moment & I would have been a huge fan of his.

Wheeker

Deleted User wrote: »

He's a waste of a bench spot. Trimble or McFadden should come in for him.

Not a waste of a bench spot if he's actually on the starting XV :P

Emmmooo

Was Ferris not ruled out of the rest of the competition last week with Flannery and Hayes?

Somebody asked is there no alternative to Leamy on the bench, there is Shane Jennings but I can't see DK dropping Wallace and Leamy covers all 3 positions on the bench.

I'm not his biggest fan and I didn't agree with selecting him but you can't drop O'Gara after a display like that. It's true he shouldn't have been taken off, it wasn't the correct scenario to make changes. As some commentators have aluded to it seems the changes were all pre-planned which really shouldn't happen.

On the point of dropping Paddy Wallace I agree totally, theres no way it should be Wallace on the bench, he only covers 1 position really. Take the scenario that Tommy Bowe had a recurrence of his injury after 5 minutes last Sunday what would have happened? Wallace would have come on at centre and Darcy moved out to the wing where he hasn't played in years. McFadden should have been on the bench as his versitility makes him perfect to have there.

Btw someone said McFadden can't play on the left wing but that is where he first switched to for Leinster so he certainly can.

How did everyone feel Reddan played? I thought he did quite well but a mate of mine was texting me from 30 mins in saying get him off??? I thought he could have done with a lot more protection as he got scragged on a number of occasions. Like ROG I definitely think Reddan should start instead of TOL, but I have to admit I'm not a fan of TOL at all !!!

DK Team to play Wales:

1. Healy 2 Best 3 Ross 4 Cullen 5 POC 6 O'Brien 7 Wallace 8 Heaslip 9 O'Leary(DK will pick him if fit)10 ROG 11 Earls 12 Darc 13 BOD 14 Bowe 15 Fitzgerald
SUBS: Cronin,Court,DOC,Leamy,Reddan,Sexton,Wallace.

Team I'd like to see:

1. Healy 2 Cronin(has to be given chance)3 Ross 4 Cullen 5 POC 6 O'Brien 7 Jennings 8 Heaslip 9 Reddan 10 ROG 11 McFadden 12 Darc 13 BOD 14 Bowe 15 Fitzgerald(only because Murphy & Kearney are injured)
SUBS: Best,Court(although maybe Buckley for impact,certainly if he played like he did in NZ),DOC,Wallace,Stringer,Sexton,Earls.

tolosenc

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Do you have to call him that? :(:confused:

That's his name, no? :P

WeeBushy wrote: »

Earls - Would start McFadden, but afaik he's only played on the other wing. And despite being versatile I dunno about starting him there for the first time against Wales. Reckon he could handle it, but dunno if Deccie would take that risk.

McFadden isn't a winger, but when he has played on the wing at Leinster, it was at 11 when Fitz was injured.

twinytwo

LeeroyJones wrote: »

If Paddy Wallace is to be in the 22 at all it should only be at 12 and not on the bench. If he doesn't start, he shouldn't be on the bench at all. As a sub he covers 10 & 12 but as ROG or Sexton cover 10, by default he only covers 12 - which is ridiculous IMO. The third sub should be Trimble or McFadden given their versatility.
Personally I would want to see McFadden at 12 and Trimble cover the 22 shirt on the bench

whoever plays 12 could be in for a tough day.. roberts looked to be getting some of his mojo back against italy.. a few times he dropped parrise like he was a rag doll

Emmmooo

Ah yes Jamie Roberts one of those players that has a wonderful Lions tour and does nothing for the next 2 years.

Is Tom Croft still injured?

brianthebard

Emmmooo wrote: »

How did everyone feel Reddan played? I thought he did quite well but a mate of mine was texting me from 30 mins in saying get him off??? I thought he could have done with a lot more protection as he got scragged on a number of occasions. Like ROG I definitely think Reddan should start instead of TOL, but I have to admit I'm not a fan of TOL at all !!!

I was getting similar messages from a friend who is a big fan of TOL. However whenever he tries to defend TOL to me he never mentions his abilities as a scrum half, only talks of him being a 'pressure player', great defence, etc. The defence part may be true but I want a scrum half who can deliver quick ball and knows what he's doing in that position. Thought Reddan was very good in that respect, quick to react, quick to get into position, quick pass, quick all over!

Fairly sure the only reason TOL is a scrum half is because he's short.

A good rugby player, but not a scrum half at all!!!

Podge_irl

Wheeker wrote: »

And what has Paddy Wallace done to deserve to be dropped? He has played all of 5 minutes in three 6 Nations matches!

He's played 5 minutes?

Hype710

Trimble as an indirect replacement for Fitzgerald with Bowe moving to full back and Cullen in for O' Callaghan would be my only changes. Hopefully we'll see our discipline problems sorted out. As with our three matches do date so far, I expect this one to be a close affair.

Jemo

For me its simple enough, start Wallace in the next game or drop him from the squad. There is no sense in having him and ROG/Sexton and if Kidney doesn't trust him to play at any stage this tournament then he clearly shouldn't be there at all. I'd rather McFadden at 12 but I'll settle for Wallace and after sitting on the bench for so long he deserves a run out. Trimble is the ideal back cover for me, can cover centre and wing and is a real impact explosive player who can easily break tackles against tired opposition in the last 20 minutes. I think Boss should be on the bench, he compliments Reddan well as his strenghts are Reddan's weakness (physicality around the ruck area, dealing with heavy pressure) and also because he usually creates at least one line break a match by sniping and offloading to a marauding forward. TOL can snipe just as well but doesn't tend to offload like Boss does.

phily2002

Front row I'd keep the same, I'd like to see Buckley on the bench. I'd like to see Cullen in for DOC, back row all played well and wouldn't change, would like to see Jennings on the bench as an option though. think Reddan and ROG did enough to deserve to start, maybe try McFadden at 12.
Be worried for the world cup if Darcy or BOD get injured because we don't seem to have any alternative...

PhatPiggins

Emmmooo wrote: »

Ah yes Jamie Roberts one of those players that has a wonderful Lions tour and does nothing for the next 2 years.

Is Tom Croft still injured?

Seems to happen to a lot of players after a Lions tour, hugely draining on the players. The next season is often a write off in terms of fitness and form for many. You'd wonder how long the clubs will continue to comply.

Roberts/Phillips/Byrne are only just starting to show form. Adam Jones and Jenkins played well for the first time in 16 months in the autumn. Kearney hasn't shown anything since and Fitzgerald and POC have been a combination of injured and off form since.

Croft is back playing with Leicester. It'll be interesting to see what MJ does when both he and Moody are fully fit. Wood has made himself undropable.

danthefan

With regards to the thread title:

Back 3 we still don't really have many options.
Centre, I think D'Arcy should go for either Wallace or McFadden.
OH, ROG played well so I've no issue whether he or Sexton starts.
SH, CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT BE TOL.
Backrow picks itself.
Cullen I think deserves a start this 6N, once again our lineout was very poor and he would do a lot of good in that regard.
Front row picks itself also, would have considered Cronin but his throwing is even worse than Best.

Most important though is we get some confidence back into the backline, which was absolutely awful against Scotland. Worse than awful.

LightningBolt

What I'd really like to see sometime is a backline that consists of the following:

9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Earls
12.O'Driscoll
13.Bowe
14.Carr/McFadden
15.Fitzgerald

Although, I think it's more likely to be something like:

9.Reddan
10.O'Gara
11.Earls
12.McFadden
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Fitzgerald

danthefan

danthefan wrote: »

Cullen I think deserves a start this 6N, once again our lineout was very poor and he would do a lot of good in that regard.

Im not sure what Cullen can do as the broken cog is Best. It was so bad I reckon Varley or someone should be drafted in. He honestly couldnt do any worse.

sxt

Are Ireland going to suffer badly at the world cup?

Every team in the world cup know the probable starting line of Ireland in 7 months time barring injury, just like they did in the last world cup


You would not know the starting line up for a serious contending team for the world cup team at this stage

I know Ireland do not have the resources as some of the bigger countries

Should they introduce new players /new positions now or just be predictable and play it safe? like every one knows they will...

[Jackass]

1. Court
2. Cronin
3. Ross
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. O'Brien / Ferris
7. Wallace / O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. O'Gara
11. Trimble
12. McFadden
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Fitzgerald

16. Best 17. Healy 18. Tuhoy 19. Wallace / Leamy 20. Boss 21. Sexton 22. Earls

Front-Row: Scrum is struggling, and Healy is struggling. Not to say he's not up to it at international class, as he's scrummaged against the best of the best in Europe and come out on top, but his form is poor and he needs to win back his spot. I suspect Kidney has him in there for his carrying ability (god does he love his ball carriers), but we need to focus on the technical side.

Cronin wasn't great when he came on against Scotland, but typically his darts are better than Best, but he deserves a shot at the jersey. More a case of Best losing the shirt than Cronin winning it though. Gets his chance.

Ross, steady as she goes.

Second-Row: O'Callaghan has been sub-par for a while. Wasn't terrible against Scotland, but is part of an over rated second row imo. Cullen is technically superb and is a workhorse and comes in to steady a failing line-out.

O'Connell keeps the shirt, but shouldn't be undroppable. Carrying has never been his strong point, but was poor against Scotland (little or no power) and Tuhoy is a more destructive player of late, built from the same mould, and O'Connell needs to prove his worth. Guilty of being one third of a line-out problem.

Back-Row: Wallace has been doing well of late, but for me, when all are fit, he's an impact sub rather than starter. If Ferris is fit, then he will partner O'Brien who switches to 7 and Heaslip in a monster back-row. If not, O'Brien at 6 and Wallace at 7. Heaslip to captain the side.

Half-Backs: Reddan had a fine game and is the form scrum half. O'Gara is the form 10 and holds the jersey.

Centre: D'Arcy has had too many poor games. McFadden now deserves his shot at the 12 jersey. O'Driscoll steady as she goes, but if Kidney had even dreampt of experimentation during Autumn, he could be at 12, with Bowe outside him, in one of the most dynamic and unstoppable centre partnerships in world rugby.

Back-Three: Fitzgerald has been only ok at full-back, but all we have right now. Bowe at 14, but I'd like to bring him infield and get more use out of him, our best attacking threat. Trimble in as his form has been superb for two seasons now without recognition.

Subs: Best just pips Varley for experience, Healy to be an impact sub, needs to up his game at set-piece, but great work rate, defence and ball carrying ability to bring off bench, ditto Tuhoy, who is on the fringes and is there to put O'Connell under pressure, O'Callaghan dropped to the Munster ranks and asked to regain form, Wallace would be a great dynamic option from the bench if Ferris is fit, Leamy is also a great option if not. Boss is a different type of 9, and O'Leary is, let's face it, muck, and Stringer whilst in good form, is too similar to Reddan, doesn't offer much in way of switching it up off the bench, and doesn't offer more than Reddan on the field, the duo work well at Leinster and are needed for their contrast with Ireland. Sexton is the man for the future, but O'Gara has used his experience to regain the lead. Earls has long been a one trick pony, inability to beat a player, but has bags of pace. Good atacking threat from bench, but liability in defence, but may be more useful as a fresh pair of legs to put in space.

Coach: Anyone but Kidney.

[Jackass]

As a side note, the team I believe to be our strongest, with no injuries and everyone on form...

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

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. O'Driscoll
13. Bowe
14. Fitzgerlad
15. Kearney

16. Cronin 17. Court 18. O'Callaghan 19. Wallace 20. Boss 21. O'Gara 22. Earls

I think it's a really strong pack, full of ball carriers, and technically very strong. Bulky pack that wont be bossed. Good backline too, with lots of pace and skill in the back three (remember Kearney Lions tour? Needs that form back). McFadden & D'Arcy both unlucky to miss out, but a good sign of depth in the squad.

The centre partnership is the gem in which this whole backline is built around though. And Sexton is the playmaker, with BO'D and Bowe combination I think potentially the key to unlocking teams like New Zealand (remeber BOD in Lions tour paired with strong runner outside him and intertwining centre partnership? It was the only attacking threat SA had no anwser for...now picture that with the far superior pack we have than that Lions pack, and a stronger attacking threat from half backs and a solid and threatening back 3 in their own right, but crucially, no defensive holes in the entire team) - good enough to challenge for a world cup imo. Amazing it's never even been attempted.

Really good bench to call from too.

And some very good Irish players not even in the 22.