Your 30 Man Squad for the RWC 2011

TheRevolution

Prop - Cian Healy
Prop - Mike Ross
Prop - Tom Court
Prop - Jamie Hagan

Hooker - Rory Best
Hooker - Sean Cronin
Hooker - Jerry Flannery (if hes back)

Second Row - Paul O'Connell
Second Row - Leo Cullen
Second Row - Donnacha O'Callaghan
Second Row - Dan Touhy

Back Row - David Wallace
Back Row - Jamie Heaslip
Back Row - Sean O'Brien
Back Row - Stephen Ferris
Back Row - Shane Jennings

Scrum Half - Eoin Reddan
Scrum Half - Peter Stringer
Scrum Half - Isaac Boss/Tomas O'Leary

Out Half - Jonathan Sexton
Out Half - Ronan O'Gara

Centre - Brian O'Driscoll
Centre - Gordon D'arcy
Centre - Fergus McFadden

Wing - Tommy Bowe
Wing - Luke Fitzgerald
Wing - Andrew Trimble
Wing - Shane Horgan

Full Back - Rob Kearney
Full Back - Keith Earls
Full Back - Geordan Murphy (if hes back)

Stand by : Dennis Leamy, Paddy Wallace, Gavin Duffy, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Nevin Spence, Jonny Murphy, Ian Humphreys, Fionn Carr

sock puppet

You've one too many backs in the sqauad. I'd have Wallace in for Horgan. No need for 5 wingers. If Murphy isn't fit I'd be happy enough with Kearney, Earls and Fitzgerald as our fullback options. If he goes to the world cup then McFadden will probably lose out.

Ian_K

Forwards (16)
Healy
Ross
Buckley
Court
Best
Flannery (or Varley)
Cronin
DOC
POC
Touhy
McLaughlin (2nd row cover if needed)
SOB
Wallace
Heaslip
Leamy
Ferris (or Jennings/Ruddock)


Backs (14)

Reddan
TOL
Stringer
Sexton
ROG
Wallace
Darcy
BOD
Earls
Bowe
Kearney
Fitz
G.Murphy
Trimble (McFadden next in line for any injuries)

TheRevolution

sock puppet wrote: »

You've one too many backs in the sqauad. I'd have Wallace in for Horgan. No need for 5 wingers. If Murphy isn't fit I'd be happy enough with Kearney, Earls and Fitzgerald as our fullback options. If he goes to the world cup then McFadden will probably lose out.

I don't know if I have 5 wingers per se.

Earls - Wing, Centre, Full Back
Fitzgerald - Wing, Centre, Full Back (shudder)
Trimble - Wing
Bowe - Wing
Horgan - Wing

Only really 3 out and out wingers. To be honest I just can't leave out Shane Horgan hes on fire, hes experienced and no better player to get out there if things are going badly for Ireland.

sock puppet

TheRevolution wrote: »

I don't know if I have 5 wingers per se.

Earls - Wing, Centre, Full Back
Fitzgerald - Wing, Centre, Full Back (shudder)
Trimble - Wing
Bowe - Wing
Horgan - Wing

Only really 3 out and out wingers. To be honest I just can't leave out Shane Horgan hes on fire, hes experienced and no better player to get out there if things are going badly for Ireland.

True but it's still 5 players with significant international experience playing on the wing and 2 playing centre.

TheRevolution

sock puppet wrote: »

True but it's still 5 players with significant international experience playing on the wing and 2 playing centre.

Your probably right..

thomond2006

TheRevolution wrote: »

Prop - Cian Healy
Prop - Mike Ross
Prop - Tom Court
Prop - Jamie Hagan

Hooker - Rory Best
Hooker - Sean Cronin
Hooker - Jerry Flannery (if hes back)

Second Row - Paul O'Connell
Second Row - Leo Cullen
Second Row - Donnacha O'Callaghan
Second Row - Dan Touhy

Back Row - David Wallace
Back Row - Jamie Heaslip
Back Row - Sean O'Brien
Back Row - Stephen Ferris
Back Row - Shane Jennings

Scrum Half - Eoin Reddan
Scrum Half - Peter Stringer
Scrum Half - Isaac Boss/Tomas O'Leary

Out Half - Jonathan Sexton
Out Half - Ronan O'Gara

Centre - Brian O'Driscoll
Centre - Gordon D'arcy
Centre - Fergus McFadden
Centre - Paddy Wallace

Wing - Tommy Bowe
Wing - Luke Fitzgerald
Wing - Andrew Trimble

Full Back - Rob Kearney
Full Back - Keith Earls
Full Back - Geordan Murphy (if hes back)

Stand by : Dennis Leamy, Shane Horgan, Gavin Duffy, Brett Wilkinson, Tony Buckley, Mick O'Driscoll, Rhys Ruddock, Nevin Spence, Jonny Murphy, Ian Humphreys, Fionn Carr

I don't differ with yours too much. In bold are the changes I'd make.

LeeroyJones

I posted this on another thread, relevant here aswell though!!!

I think that this will be the squad. Players in bold are players who still have a chance should injuries go their way.

Italics are for players who should not give up on their chances and should step in if injuries go their way

Note: This is my prediction of the squad Kidney will pick

Looseheads
Healy
Court

Hookers
Flannery
Best
Cronin
Varley

Tightheads
Ross
Buckley

Second Rows
POC
DOC
Cullen
MOD
Ryan
Tuohy
Toner

Backrow
Wallace
SOB
Heaslip
Leamy
Ferris
Jennings
Ruddock

Scrum Halves
Reddan
Stringer
TOL
Boss

Out Halves
Sexton
ROG
Wallace
Humphreys

Centres
D'arcy
BOD
Fitzgerald
Earls
Spence

Back Three
Bowe
Trimble
Kearney
G Murphy
McFadden
Duffy
J Murphy

Dr.Evil

I was going to post one..but Thomond pretty much nailed my exact choice. :P

I'd be happy enough with that squad going to the World Cup!

Hype710

Does anyone know who Kidney views as his back up 13 should (god forbid) injury occur to BOD. I'd pick Bowe at 13 with Trimble and Earls/Fitz on the wings but I'm curious to know what Kidney would do. Also there NEEDS to be a degree of rotation in the World Cup, so that means BOD should sit out at least one of the Russia or USA games.

jolley123

Props
Healy
Wilkinson
Ross
Hagan

Hookers
Flannery
Best
Cronin

Locks
Tuohy
O'Connell
O'Callaghan
Cullen

Backrows
O'Brien
Wallace
Heaslip
Jennings
Ferris

Scrum-Halfs
Reddan
Boss
Stringer

Out-Half
Sexton
ROG

Centres
O'Driscoll
Darcy
McFadden
Spence

Wings
Fitzgerald
Earls
Bowe

Full-back
Kearney
Murphy

Thanos

TheRevolution wrote: »

Prop - Cian Healy
Prop - Mike Ross
Prop - Tom Court
Prop - Jamie Hagan

Hooker - Rory Best
Hooker - Sean Cronin
Hooker - Jerry Flannery (if hes back)

Second Row - Paul O'Connell
Second Row - Leo Cullen
Second Row - Donnacha O'Callaghan
Second Row - Dan Touhy

Back Row - David Wallace
Back Row - Jamie Heaslip
Back Row - Sean O'Brien
Back Row - Stephen Ferris
Back Row - Shane Jennings

Scrum Half - Eoin Reddan
Scrum Half - Peter Stringer
Scrum Half - Isaac Boss/Tomas O'Leary

Out Half - Jonathan Sexton
Out Half - Ronan O'Gara

Centre - Brian O'Driscoll
Centre - Gordon D'arcy
Centre - Fergus McFadden

Wing - Tommy Bowe
Wing - Luke Fitzgerald
Wing - Andrew Trimble
Wing - Shane Horgan

Full Back - Rob Kearney
Full Back - Keith Earls
Full Back - Geordan Murphy (if hes back)

Stand by : Dennis Leamy, Paddy Wallace, Gavin Duffy, Marcus Horan, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Nevin Spence, Jonny Murphy, Ian Humphreys, Fionn Carr

Would go along with most of that, but would switch Rhys Ruddock and Shane Jennings. Think Ruddock could be a good option has great power and would be great for the USA and Russia matches.

BTW, when is the squad named, June sometime??

porterbelly

Props

Healy
Ross
Court
Hagan
Wilkinson

Hookers

Best
Cronin
Flannery

Locks
POC
DOC
Tuohy
Cullen

Back row
Heaslip
Wallace
O'Brien
Ferris
Muldoon

Out Half
O'Gara
Sexton

Scrum Half
Reddan
Stringer
Boss

Centre
Darcy
O'Driscoll
McFadden

Wings
Trimble
Bowe
Earls

Full Back
Kearney
Murphy

bamboozle

porterbelly wrote: »

Props

Healy
Ross
Court
Hagan
Wilkinson

Hookers

Best
Cronin
Flannery

Locks
POC
DOC
Tuohy
Cullen

Back row
Heaslip
Wallace
O'Brien
Ferris
Muldoon

Out Half
O'Gara
Sexton

Scrum Half
Reddan
Stringer
Boss

Centre
Darcy
O'Driscoll
McFadden

Wings
Trimble
Bowe
Earls

Full Back
Kearney
Murphy

this is the squad i'd love to see travel and if Flannery isnt fit to travel then Varley, i'd love to see Muldoon travel, he's a class act and would be a seasoned international by now if playing for Munster or Leinster.

ormond lad

Prop - Mushy
Prop - Mike Ross
Prop - Cian Healy
Prop - Tom Court
Prop - Marcus

Hooker - Varley
Hooker - Rory Best
Hooker - Sean Cronin

Lock - Paul O'Connell
Lock - Donnacha O'Callaghan
Lock - Leo Cullen

5.5 Dryan

N8- Jamie Heaslip
Flanker - David Wallace
Flanker - Stephen Ferris
Flanker - Denis Leamy
Flanker - Sean O'Brien

Scrum Half - Thomas O'Leary
Scrum Half - Eoin Reddan
Scrum Half - Peter Stringer

Out-Half - Ronan O'Gara
Out-Half - Johnny Sexton

Centre - Gordon D'arcy
Centre - Brian O'Driscoll
Centre - Paddy Wallace

Wing - Tommy Bowe
Wing - Luke Fitzgerald
Wing - Keith Earls
Wing - Andrew Trimble

Fullback - Rob Kearney


Standby - John Hayes, Brett Wilkinson, Nigel Brady, Mick O'Driscoll, Shane Jennings, Issac Boss, Ian Humphreys, Shane Horgan, Fergus McFadden, Geordan Murphy

30 man squad - 5 props, 3 hookers, 3 second row, 5 back row, 1 utility forward, 3 sh's 2 oh's 2 centres (1 10/12), 4 wingers, 1 fb.

porterbelly

bamboozle wrote: »

this is the squad i'd love to see travel and if Flannery isnt fit to travel then Varley, i'd love to see Muldoon travel, he's a class act and would be a seasoned international by now if playing for Munster or Leinster.

Muldoon is the forgotten man. Everyone is talking about Ruddock, Ryan etc, but Muldoon is a top notch 6. With Ferris injury troubles, Muldoon should travel. He has shown unbelievable loyalty to Connacht over the years when there were offers on the table from more high profile teams willing to far exceed his current wage, and he shouldn't be not considered because he doesn't play Heineken Cup. He's an absolute stalwart, and has it all in his playing ability, ie. carrying, linenout, breakdown, workrate. He's just back from injury and was flying against Leinster A on Friday. With a few games under his belt before the end of the season he should be given a chance in the warm up games. He'll be as fresh as a daisy come the World Cup with very little gametime this season, and would be a terrific man to have on board in New Zealand.

mrboswell

porterbelly wrote: »

Muldoon is the forgotten man. Everyone is talking about Ruddock, Ryan etc, but Muldoon is a top notch 6. With Ferris injury troubles, Muldoon should travel. He has shown unbelievable loyalty to Connacht over the years when there were offers on the table from more high profile teams willing to far exceed his current wage, and he shouldn't be not considered because he doesn't play Heineken Cup. He's an absolute stalwart, and has it all in his playing ability, ie. carrying, linenout, breakdown, workrate. He's just back from injury and was flying against Leinster A on Friday. With a few games under his belt before the end of the season he should be given a chance in the warm up games. He'll be as fresh as a daisy come the World Cup with very little gametime this season, and would be a terrific man to have on board in New Zealand.

Agree with the Ferris thing - IF he is fit I'd put money on him not making it through the group games.

Re Muldoon - he is a decent player but lets face it - being a loyal stalwart means nothing. Regardless of wether or not he plays HC probably doesn't make a difference. There is no real competition for his place so that might be one reason why he is not considered as highly as players in other provinces.

I would consider him similar to Mick O'Driscoll or Donnacha Ryan - they are grand but shouldn't make a world cup squad unless others ahead of them are injured.

The majority of the squad will pick itself but it needs to be rotated in the group games or we'll have nothing left after that...again

porterbelly

mrboswell wrote: »

Agree with the Ferris thing - IF he is fit I'd put money on him not making it through the group games.

Re Muldoon - he is a decent player but lets face it - being a loyal stalwart means nothing. Regardless of wether or not he plays HC probably doesn't make a difference. There is no real competition for his place so that might be one reason why he is not considered as highly as players in other provinces.

I would consider him similar to Mick O'Driscoll or Donnacha Ryan - they are grand but shouldn't make a world cup squad unless others ahead of them are injured.

The majority of the squad will pick itself but it needs to be rotated in the group games or we'll have nothing left after that...again

Not at all. Muldoon is alot better than you give him credit for. He's a top player but is often the forgotten man because he plays for Connacht. He'd walk into the Munster team. He's a far better all round player than Denis Leamy. With a run of games behind him he should be there or thereabouts for a spot on the plane. He shouldn't be left out because he hasn't moved on to play at Heineken Cup level. The fact is, he's worshipped in Connacht like O'Connell is in Munster, and he wants to stay and see Connacht push on, and ultimately play Heineken Cup rugby in a Connacht jersey.

As a Connacht fan, the selfish thing would be to hope Muldoon doesn't go and we'll have him during the World Cup. However, he deserves his shot at the big time for his performances for the past few years and I'd be gutted for him if he didn't make the squad.

WeeBushy

Prop
Cian Healy
Mike Ross
Tom Court
Tony Buckley

Hooker
Rory Best
Sean Cronin
Jerry Flannery

2nd Row
Paul O'Connell
Leo Cullen
Donnacha O'Callaghan
Dan Touhy

Back Row
David Wallace
Jamie Heaslip
Sean O'Brien
Stephen Ferris
Shane Jennings

Scrum Half
Eoin Reddan
Peter Stringer
Tomas O'Leary

Out Half
Jonathan Sexton
Ronan O'Gara

Outside Backs
Brian O'Driscoll
Gordon D'arcy
Fergus McFadden
Tommy Bowe
Luke Fitzgerald
Keith Earls
Andrew Trimble
Rob Kearney
Geordan Murphy

Stand by: John Hayes, Damien Varley, Mick O'Driscoll, Rhys Ruddock, Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace, Shane Horgan

tolosenc

TheRevolution wrote: »

Prop - Cian Healy
Prop - Mike Ross
Prop - Tom Court
Prop - Jamie Hagan

Hooker - Rory Best
Hooker - Sean Cronin
Hooker - Jerry Flannery (if hes back)

Second Row - Paul O'Connell
Second Row - Leo Cullen
Second Row - Donnacha O'Callaghan
Second Row - Dan Touhy

Back Row - David Wallace
Back Row - Jamie Heaslip
Back Row - Sean O'Brien
Back Row - Stephen Ferris
Back Row - Shane Jennings

Scrum Half - Eoin Reddan
Scrum Half - Peter Stringer
Scrum Half - Isaac Boss/Tomas O'Leary

Out Half - Jonathan Sexton
Out Half - Ronan O'Gara

Centre - Brian O'Driscoll
Centre - Gordon D'arcy
Centre - Fergus McFadden

Wing - Tommy Bowe
Wing - Luke Fitzgerald
Wing - Andrew Trimble
Wing - Shane Horgan

Full Back - Rob Kearney
Full Back - Keith Earls
Full Back - Geordan Murphy (if hes back)

Pretty much spot on, I reckon. IMO, Tomas O'Leary shouldn't have a hope in hell of making the squad, and if Flannery has missed the entire last season (essentially) it should be Varley and not him on the plane.

bamboozle

mrboswell wrote: »

Agree with the Ferris thing - IF he is fit I'd put money on him not making it through the group games.

Re Muldoon - he is a decent player but lets face it - being a loyal stalwart means nothing. Regardless of wether or not he plays HC probably doesn't make a difference. There is no real competition for his place so that might be one reason why he is not considered as highly as players in other provinces.

I would consider him similar to Mick O'Driscoll or Donnacha Ryan - they are grand but shouldn't make a world cup squad unless others ahead of them are injured.

The majority of the squad will pick itself but it needs to be rotated in the group games or we'll have nothing left after that...again

you're definately not giving Muldoon the credit he deserves, he was ireland's MofM against the babarians last year and arguably the star performer on tour prior to breaking his arm, when he re-signed with Connacht a few seasons back there were serious offers on the table from the other provinces, i hope he makes the squad & if Ferris is an injury worry Muldoon's a great replacement.

To be honest with Ruddock emerging Leamy's days in the Irish squad are numbered unless he returns to his form of 3-4 seasons ago.

Flannery has a tough job to prove his fitness over the next few months, i hope he does, if not Varley is a great replacement -another hugely underrated player.

totallegend

Positive news on Ferris' fitness in the Times today:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0322/1224292773075.html
but then getting fit has never been his problem, it's staying fit that is his downfall...

Marcus Horan also mentioned in the above article. With Healy playing so well and Court now playing most of his provincial rugby on that side as well, is there really any prospect of Horan making it to NZ? I reckon it will take some massive performances between now and then, and he'll have to displace Du Preez at Munster first.

smurphy29

Assuming everyone is fit (a big assumption, and robably won't come to pass), the RWC squad will be: Matchday 22 on saturday plus: Hayes, Flannery, MO'D, Ferris, O'Leary, Fitz, Kearney and Geordan Murphy.

Obviously, there are long-term doubts over Fla, Ferris and Murphy; expect Varley, Jenno and McFadden to be on standby.

Someone made an interesting point to me yesterday: for the last few places in the squad, the lads aren't going to see a huge amount of gametime, certainly in the big games, so it's important they be good tourists as well as good players. Hence, he assured me, a good pro like John Hayes would be more likely to make the cut than a messer like Tony Buckley!

GerM

smurphy29 wrote: »

Assuming everyone is fit (a big assumption, and robably won't come to pass), the RWC squad will be: Matchday 22 on saturday plus: Hayes, Flannery, MO'D, Ferris, O'Leary, Fitz, Kearney and Geordan Murphy.

I'd agree with this squad although I wouldn't entirely rule out Donnacha Ryan at this point. He's rated by Kidney and has played in back row for Ireland under Kidney's tenure. Bringing him would offer another option in the back row for the games against USA and Russia. Going by the sessions I attended, when Ireland were training ahead of matches it was Ryan that was kept on to train alongside Cullen with MOD and Toner sent back to their provinces.

I also think that, given McFadden made the breakthrough in this 6N and Earls showed real form at 15, Geordan Murphy may be feeling a little uncomfortable. If I had to put money on it I'd say he'll travel but, similar to the Donnacha Ryan situation, I wouldn't rule anything out yet. Murphy has been in patchy form before his injury and will only return to action for the WC warm up matches.

smurphy29

Yep, agreed GerM. Geordan Murphy vs. McFadden will be a tight call - in a way it might depend on how much Keith Earls plays at full back in the meantime. If he goes back to centre at Munster, I'd say it will certainly help Murphy's chances getting on the plane.

Still not convinced of Donncha Ryan's worth, though I've always felt he might be good with a run of games under his belt. MO'D played all the November matches when Cullen and POC were injured. He'd also fit the bill of a good tourist who won't be would be content to go along even if he didn't get on the pitch too often.

totallegend

smurphy29 wrote: »

Yep, agreed GerM. Geordan Murphy vs. McFadden will be a tight call - in a way it might depend on how much Keith Earls plays at full back in the meantime.

It will also depend on how much game time McFadden gets for Leinster in the HC. With 12, 13 and 15 locked down by D'Arcy, BOD and Nacewa, you have McFadden, Horgan, Kearney (if fit) and Fitzgerald battling for the two wing spots. If McFadden doesn't get the chance to show his form, he won't make the squad.

smurphy29 wrote: »

Still not convinced of Donncha Ryan's worth, though I've always felt he might be good with a run of games under his belt. MO'D played all the November matches when Cullen and POC were injured. He'd also fit the bill of a good tourist who won't be would be content to go along even if he didn't get on the pitch too often.

Would still like to see Tuohy in contention for the 4th second-row spot.

WeeBushy

smurphy29 wrote: »

Yep, agreed GerM. Geordan Murphy vs. McFadden will be a tight call - in a way it might depend on how much Keith Earls plays at full back in the meantime. If he goes back to centre at Munster, I'd say it will certainly help Murphy's chances getting on the plane.

Still not convinced of Donncha Ryan's worth, though I've always felt he might be good with a run of games under his belt. MO'D played all the November matches when Cullen and POC were injured. He'd also fit the bill of a good tourist who won't be would be content to go along even if he didn't get on the pitch too often.

Won't or would be content? :)

SSK

Donnacha Ryan should be nowhere near the squad (not that I think he will be anyway) just on the basis that he's a barely average Magners League 6. He's only had a handful of starts in his favoured position of 2nd row ever in the HC and I would be scared ****less of him coming on against any of the top 5/6 teams in either the 2nd or back row.

Unless McLaughlin can show he can perform to a high standard in the 2nd row over the coming months then we should be taking 4 locks and 5 back rows. Personally I'd love to see Tuohy go as I believe he adds something different to our other nailed on locks, but it will most likely be MOD, considering we play 3 ball carriers in the BR.

WeeBushy

Just a few thoughts...

I've a feeling Hayes will go. Seeing as the 4th choice prop will prob only be playing weaker nations (bar injury) I can see Kidney wanting someone with bucket loads of experience who will steady the ship in a weaker line up that could well be put out against the smaller nations. Also he would prob want someone who been there and seen that (Hayes) rather than e.g. an uncapped prop (Hagan) filling in against Aus/SA/NZ in case of injury.

Also reckon Donncha Ryan is in with a shout because of versatility. I'd rather he didn't go though, dunno why he's rated as an international player. Good ML player, sure, but not international standard. Hope KMcL can prove that he can fill that 4/5/6 role and be in with a shout.

Paddy Wallace is a cert as he covers 10 (notionally), meaning we don't have to bring 3 specialist out halves.

I would love him to bring 1 or 2 bolters who might shake things up, add a new dynamic to the squad, and would benefit hugely from the experience in the long run. Someone like Ruddock (though the back row is so competitive I'm not sure he will make it), Cave or Conway. Like I wish he had brought Heaslip to the last WC. It worked out really well for Heaslip as he broke into the Leinster team during the WC and hasn't lost his place since, but that kind of experience could really stand to some of the young talented guys.

I really hope Kidney doesn't do a EOD and choose his squad now. There is about 6 months, the remainder of the ML, the HC and 4 test matches before we leave, I hope he keeps an open mind.

SSK

WeeBushy wrote: »

Just a few thoughts...

I've a feeling Hayes will go. Seeing as the 4th choice prop will prob only be playing weaker nations (bar injury) I can see Kidney wanting someone with bucket loads of experience who will steady the ship in a weaker line up that could well be put out against the smaller nations. Also he would prob want someone who been there and seen that (Hayes) rather than e.g. an uncapped prop (Hagan) filling in against Aus/SA/NZ in case of injury.

Also reckon Donncha Ryan is in with a shout because of versatility. I'd rather he didn't go though, dunno why he's rated as an international player. Good ML player, sure, but not international standard. Hope KMcL can prove that he can fill that 4/5/6 role and be in with a shout.

Paddy Wallace is a cert as he covers 10 (notionally), meaning we don't have to bring 3 specialist out halves.

I would love him to bring 1 or 2 bolters who might shake things up, add a new dynamic to the squad, and would benefit hugely from the experience in the long run. Someone like Ruddock (though the back row is so competitive I'm not sure he will make it), Cave or Conway. Like I wish he had brought Heaslip to the last WC. It worked out really well for Heaslip as he broke into the Leinster team during the WC and hasn't lost his place since, but that kind of experience could really stand to some of the young talented guys.

I really hope Kidney doesn't do a EOD and choose his squad now. There is about 6 months, the remainder of the ML, the HC and 4 test matches before we leave, I hope he keeps an open mind.

Yeah I'd agree with most of that. I think Hayes will go over Buckley but that really highlights how absolutely vital Mike Ross is now. He's arguably our most important player now because the drop off in quality to his replacement is so massive.

I'd love to take a bolter as well but the two places where there are likely candidates are back row and back 3, which is where we have the most depth of senior players available so I don't see it happening. It wouldn't really be in Kidney's nature to do so anyway.

ormond lad

I'm kid of shocked people think only 4 props will go to NZ...I'd imagine 5 will have to travel and 5 not 6 backrows,

ormond lad

you can also look at the make up of the squad like this

definites:
props: healy, ross, court

hookers: cronin, best

2nd row: DOC POC

Back Row: Wallace, Heaslip, SOB

SH: TOL, ER

OH: Rog, Sexton

Centres: Darcy, BOD

Back three: Kearney, Bowe
+++++++++++
Likely
Props: Mushy
Hookers : Flannery
2nd row : Cullen
Back Row: Ferris, Leamy
SH: Strings
OH:
Centres: Wallace,
Back three:
Earls, Fitzgerald

+++++++++++++++
Maybes:
Props: Hayes, Marcus, Wilkinson, Hagen
Hookers: Varley, Brady
2nd Row: MOD, Toner, Tuohy,donncha Ryan
Back Row: Muldoon, Henry, Coughlan, Jennings, McCarthy, Ruddock, McGlaughlin
Sh: Boss,
OH: Keatley
Centres: McFadden, Spence
Back Three: Murphy, Trimble

Possible bolters: Hurley, Nagle,dominic Ryan, Murray, Marshall, luke marshall,o'malley

CIARAN_BOYLE

ormond lad wrote: »

Possible bolters:luke marshall

won't happen he is out for the rest of the season

profitius

How many players allowed on the bench? If its 7 then bring Tom Court, if its 8 (2 props) theres no need for Court. I'd bring Buckley (make an impact off the bench) and Horan (depending how he goes for the rest of the season).

Theres going to be players injured too but hopefully it won't be as bad as the end of last season when half the team were missing.

profitius

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

won't happen he is out for the rest of the season

What happened him?

In the next few seasons we'll have himself, McFadden and JJ Hanrahan as options for the 12 jersey.

mag pie

Given the scutching Court took in the scrum against England I would find it hard to include him in the panel. The ref was particularly lenient with him as he could have penalised him in every scrum.

jacothelad

profitius wrote: »

How many players allowed on the bench? If its 7 then bring Tom Court, if its 8 (2 props) theres no need for Court. I'd bring Buckley (make an impact off the bench) and Horan (depending how he goes for the rest of the season).

Theres going to be players injured too but hopefully it won't be as bad as the end of last season when half the team were missing.

Court is a far more effective loosehead than Horan.

Jcarroll07

thats a good squad. But i would have leamy instead of jennings. Jennings just is'nt up to it. International. But he's still a good player.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Jcarroll07 wrote: »

thats a good squad. But i would have leamy instead of jennings. Jennings just is'nt up to it. International. But he's still a good player.

Neither is Leamy

Both Jennings and Leamy are International standard.

We don't need to curse one player to cast another player ahead of him. If you can't provide positive criteria for a player to travel, and can only provide negative reasons why someone in competition for his place shouldn't travel, then what does it say about the person who you are trying to back?

Be positive in your appraisals lads. These aren't simply black and white calls, and saying "X shouldn't travel cause he's ****e, lets bring Y instead" is a pure muck way of trying to reinforce your points.

FWIW, those thinking Donnacha Ryan is worth a shout for versatility (shudder), consider that Tuohy, a better 2nd row player than him, who started his career in the back row, and is also a better back row player, could be an ideal bench option covering 4,5,6,8 and we could have a bench with a full front row on.

[Jackass]

Props: Healy, Ross, Buckley, Court
Hookers: Best, Cronin, Flannery
Second Row: O'Connell, Cullen, O'Callaghan, Tuhoy
Back-Row: O'Brien, Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy, R.Ruddock
Scrum-Half: Stringer, Reddan
Out-Half: Sexton, O'Gara
Centre: O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, McFadden, Earls
Back-Three: Fitzgerald, Kearney, Bowe, Trimble, G. Murphy

Stand-By: Hagan, Varley, Toner, Jennings, Boss, P.Wallace, O'Malley, J. Murphy, Carr

[Edit] Just to say, that's what I'd pick NOW given current circumstances, but if I had the 4 years to build a squad I think there would be a few changes and I think a lot more younger lads would be a lot more experienced who could have been in the squad, but it's too late now for this world cup, so that's what I'd go for.

damianmcr

profitius wrote: »

What happened him?

In the next few seasons we'll have himself, McFadden and JJ Hanrahan as options for the 12 jersey.

Broken hand I think

jacothelad

I wonder why John Andress isn't ever called in to the squad. He seems to play pretty o.k. in the A.P.. Something that our 'spare' tightheads probably couldn't do at the moment although I have always thought it was a mistake to move Court from the tighthead side when Botha arrived. He was playing really well there and becoming a very aggressive t.h. , even winning a few m.o.t.m. awards. O.K. he became a good loosehead very quickly but he has lost all that experience at 3 and now has to go back to the drawing board as we saw on Saturday. I admit to having seen very little of Andress but he is pretty well thought of by 'Quins fans. I'm sorry he didn't do a deal with Ulster.

Our props next season are a bit unbalanced. Leinster seem to have it about right. Munster have got a good deal out of B.J. and Connacht got a bit screwed by Hagan - though I think he made the right decision for himself.

Jcarroll07

Deleted User wrote: »

If you can't provide positive criteria for a player to travel, and can only provide negative reasons why someone in competition for his place shouldn't travel, then what does it say about the person who you are trying to back?

Be positive in your appraisals lads.

Sry didn't want it to look that way. Just think leamy has more experience and is physically bigger as well as having a technique. But i'm not saying jennings is a bad player. I just think leamy is better. (Is that ok for you)

Jcarroll07

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Neither is Leamy

yes he is.

GerM

Jcarroll07 wrote: »

yes he is.

Oh no he isn't.

Can people give reasoning behind their selections? Personally, it's a close one between Jennings and Leamy. Leamy has the experience and is a much more powerful player but is prone to acts of foolishness and has diminished as a force due to injury. Jennings has never really been given a shot at international level in a decent pack so is something of an unknown quantity. He has a higher work rate probably but doesn't offer as much in terms of power when it comes to mauling and all round physicality. For me, I'd probably go with Jennings just about on the basis that he offers an option that our other back rowers don't. We're comfortably covered for physical back rowers. Ones that can provide quick ball and slow down opposition ball are less common.

allonboard

Backs: Bowe, O'Driscoll, Darcy, O'Malley, Kearney, Earls, Trimble, Horgan, Sexton, O'Gara, Reddan, Stringer, Fitzgerald, McFadden.

Forwards: Ross, Best, Flannery, Healy, Hayes, Buckley, O'Connell,
Cullen, O'Callaghan, Donncha Ryan, O'Brien, Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings, Ronan.

porterbelly

allonboard wrote: »

Backs: Bowe, O'Driscoll, Darcy, O'Malley, Kearney, Earls, Trimble, Horgan, Sexton, O'Gara, Reddan, Stringer, Fitzgerald, McFadden.

Forwards: Ross, Best, Flannery, Healy, Hayes, Buckley, O'Connell,
Cullen, O'Callaghan, Donncha Ryan, O'Brien, Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings, Ronan.

Niall Ronan?

Too many pints man

ormond lad

allonboard wrote: »

Backs: Bowe, O'Driscoll, Darcy, O'Malley, Kearney, Earls, Trimble, Horgan, Fitzgerald, McFadden, Sexton, O'Gara, Reddan, Stringer,o leary/boss


Forwards: Best, Flannery, Healy,Hayes, Buckley, Ross, O'Connell,
Cullen, O'Callaghan, Donncha Ryan, O'Brien, Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings, Ronan.

court instead of hayes
leamy instead of ronan
you have 15 forwards and 15 backs in that squad which will never happen
there will be 16/14 or 17/13 split
o malley to drop from the backs and bring a 3rd hooker- cronin

irishbucsfan

Jennings is a far better openside than Leamy, and with O'Brien/Ferris both definites in the squad we don't need another blindside. Jennings has also been the top performing back row forward in this country this year not named Sean O'Brien. I'd have him in the squad every time.

My squad would be:

Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley,
Best, Cronin (Flannery will inevitably be injured),
O'Connell, O'Callaghan, Cullen, Tuohy,
Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings;

Reddan, Stringer, Boss,
Sexton, O'Gara,
D'Arcy, Wallace,
O'Driscoll, McFadden,
Earls, Trimble, Bowe, Fitzgerald,
Kearney, Murphy,

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

My squad would be:

Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley,
Best, Cronin (Flannery will inevitably be injured),
O'Connell, O'Callaghan, Cullen, Tuohy,
Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings;

Reddan, Stringer, Boss,
Sexton, O'Gara,
D'Arcy, Wallace,
O'Driscoll, McFadden,
Earls, Trimble, Bowe, Fitzgerald,
Kearney, Murphy,

I agree with the selections here, but you just know MOD or Donnacha Ryan will some how be involved at the expense of Tuohy and Jennings.