Boards Rugby Fans RWC 30 Man Squad

theboss80

So with everybody having varied ideas on who should and shouldn't be travelling to New Zealand I thought it might be better to have a thread set aside for posters picks.

This is who YOU would pick and not who you think DK will pick.

I'll kick it off. You can follow the lay out below if you want.

My choice would be a 16/14 split

Props
Healy, Ross, Court, Hayes

Hookers
Best , Flannery , Cronin

Second-row
POC, DOC, Cullen

Backrow
SOB, Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy , McLoughlin

Scrum Half
Reddan, Murray , Boss

Out Half
Sexton, ROG

Centres
BOD, D'Arcy, McFadden

Outside Backs
Earls, Kearney, Bowe, Trimble , Fitzgerald , Jones

durkadurka

Swap leamy for Jennings and I'm on board.

ormond lad

Props Healy Ross Buckley Court Hayes
Hookers Fla Best Cronin
2nd rows POC DOC Cullen Ryan
Back Row Ferris SOB Heaslip Wally Jennings
Scrum Halfs Reddan Boss Murray
Out Halfs Sexton ROG
Centre Darcy BOD McFadden
Back 3 Earls Bowe Kearney Fitzgerald Jones

thomond2006

Flannery, Best, Cronin

Healy, Court, Ross, Hayes

POC, DOC, Cullen, Ryan

SOB, Ferris, Wallace, Jennings, Heaslip

---

Reddan, Murray, Stringer

Sexton, ROG

D'Arcy, Wallace, BOD, McFadden

Fitzgerald, Earls, Trimble, Bowe

Kearney

MungBean

My choice would also be a 16/14 split

Props
Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley

Hookers
Best , Flannery , Cronin

Second-row
POC, DOC, Cullen,

Backrow
SOB, Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy , McLoughlin

Scrum Half
Reddan, Boss, Murray

Out Half
Sexton, ROG

Centres
BOD, D'Arcy, McFadden, Wallace

Outside Backs
Earls, Kearney, Bowe, Trimble, Fitz

LeeroyJones

Props
Healy
Court
Ross
Buckley

Hookers
Flannery
Best
Cronin

Locks
POC
DOC
Cullen

Backrow
SOB
Ferris
Heaslip
Wallace
McLaughlin
Jennings

Scrum-Halves
Reddan
Murray
Boss

Out-Halves
Sexton
ROG

Centres
D'arcy
McFadden
BOD

Back Three
Bowe
Earls
Fitzgerald
Trimble
Kearney
Murphy

The hardest decision there was leaving Leamy out to accommodate Jennings but, with plenty of options for 6 & 8 already on offer, Jennings gets the nod. Also, originally I had P Wallace in but my last decision was McFadden or Trimble.... so I picked both at Wallace's expense!!!

Phonehead

Flannery, Best, Cronin

Healy, Court, Ross, Hayes

POC, DOC, Cullen

SOB, Ferris, Wallace, Jennings, Heaslip, McLaughlin

16 Forwards

---

Reddan, Murray, Boss

Sexton, ROG

D'Arcy, BOD, McFadden

Fitzgerald, Earls, Trimble, Bowe

Kearney, Jones

14 Backs

siltirocker

Best Cronin Flannery
Healy, Ross, Court, Hayes
POC, DOC, Cullen, McCarthy
SOB, Wallace, Jennings, Heaslip, Ferris
TOL, Reddan, Boss
ROG, Sexton
O'Driscoll, Wallace, D'Arcy
Earls, Bowe, Fitzgerald, Trimble
Kearney, Duffy

Would like to see Muldoon or McFadden on the plane but they simply are not needed.

This Jones talk is nonsense IMO.

LostPassword

Same as OP but with TOL in for Boss and Ryan in for McLoughlin.

Dr.Evil

Best, Flannery, Cronin.
Healy, Court, Ross, Hayes.
O Connell, O'Callaghan, Cullen.
O'Brien, Wallace, Heaslip, Ferris, Jennings, McLoughlin.

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

Wallace misses out, no Felix Jones, no O'Leary, McLoughlin ahead of Ryan.

David900

LostPassword wrote: »

Same as OP but with TOL in for Boss and Ryan in for McLoughlin.

Must be a Munster man so

A lot of people are including Murray, I'd put him in the same bracket as Paul Marshall at Ulster in terms of development but no one seems to thinks he should travel.

I don't think Jones should travel either, its a bit late to blood him at a World Cup. If we get to the QFs and Kearney gets injured in the previous match I wouldn't hold out much hope of Kidney starting Jones anyway, I'd imagine he would go for Earls so I don't think he would warrant a place on the team. I wouldn't have a problem with Murray going though tbh, which seems to contradict my last point but third choice scrum half is unlikely to see much game time anyway. I think it would be unfair on Boss though given some of the performances he has put in this season which have far outshone Murray's showings IMO.

Diom

siltirocker wrote: »

Best Cronin Flannery
Healy, Ross, Court, Hayes
POC, DOC, Cullen, McCarthy
SOB, Wallace, Jennings, Heaslip, Ferris
TOL, Reddan, Boss
ROG, Sexton
O'Driscoll, Wallace, D'Arcy
Earls, Bowe, Fitzgerald, Trimble
Kearney, Duffy

Would like to see Muldoon or McFadden on the plane but they simply are not needed.

This Jones talk is nonsense IMO.

I like the squad you licked (obviously!)... McCarthy offers more than Ryan or McLoughlin, as a squad player anyways and Duffy has experience and versatility on his side. Jones has some nice running lines though, but I don't think that he is ready for a WC just yet. I'd be tempted to drop Wallace for McFadden but we need 10 cover as well.
Hayes over Buckley? I dunno... does he have one more left in him?

siltirocker

Diom wrote: »

I like the squad you licked (obviously!)... McCarthy offers more than Ryan or McLoughlin, as a squad player anyways and Duffy has experience and versatility on his side. Jones has some nice running lines though, but I don't think that he is ready for a WC just yet. I'd be tempted to drop Wallace for McFadden but we need 10 cover as well.
Hayes over Buckley? I dunno... does he have one more left in him?

FACT.


I am being realistic. I want McFadden over there but not at the expense of Paddy Wallace. John Hayes is going to be there so why bother including some one else.

Shelflife

Will Flannery and Ferris be fit ? What stage are they at at the moment?

totallegend

Shelflife wrote: »

Will Flannery and Ferris be fit ? What stage are they at at the moment?

According to BBC at the weekend, Ferris is ready to go:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/14261931.stm

I'm less confident about Flannery, there were some optimistic articles in the papers a couple of weeks ago but I don't think he's back in contact training yet. He's had so many different injuries that I just think his body can't stand up to it anymore. At least with Ferris you know if his knee holds up he'll be OK.

LeeroyJones

Shelflife wrote: »

Will Flannery and Ferris be fit ? What stage are they at at the moment?

Ferris seems confident in returning soon in time for pre-WC fixtures
http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3558_7059347,00.html

Flannery seems hopeful about his chances too of a return in time to be match-fit by September
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0707/1224300209209.html

molloyjh

Props
Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley

Hookers
Best, Cronin, Varley

Second-row
POC, DOC, Cullen, Tuohy

Backrow
SOB, Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, Jennings

Scrum Half
Reddan, Boss, Stringer

Out Half
Sexton, ROG

Centres
BOD, D'Arcy, McFadden

Outside Backs
Earls, Kearney, Bowe, Trimble, Fitz, Murphy

At hooker I've left out Fla because I think it's incredibly optimistic to think that with no game time and probably pushing it coming back from injury he can make it. It's too much of a risk.

I've included 4 second rows because I think only having 3 is too risky as well. It's meant I've cut Locky from the back row but we have 2 blindsides (SOB & Fez), 2 opensides (Wally and Jenno) and 2 8's (Heaslip & SOB). I think that's plenty.

At scrum-half I've gone with gone with Stings over Murray. I think Murray might be a bit too young and inexperienced to be thrown into a RWC straight. I would like to see him get some game time in the warm-ups though and would be more than willing to reverse that decision should he perform.

As for the backs we have multiple options in each position, but crucially we've 2 specialist FBs:
11 - Earls, Fitzy, Trimble, Ferg
12 - Darce, BOD, Ferg, Bowe, Earls, Fitzy, Trimble (the latter 3 at a push)
13 - same as 12
14 - Bowe, Ferg, Trimble, Earls, Fitzy
15 - Kearney, Murphy, Earls, Fitzy (again the latter 2 at a push)

Shelflife

Surely we have to bring Wallace as outhalf cover?

If Sexton or O Gara get injured we have no-one on the bench.

Ciaran-Irl

Shelflife wrote: »

Surely we have to bring Wallace as outhalf cover?

If Sexton or O Gara get injured we have no-one on the bench.

100%. You can't replace someone unless you do so with 48 hours notice, and anyone you replace can't return. It would be madness to leave him behind just so you can have a great outside back in the hotel twiddling his thumbs. The way some people post, you would think the match day squad was 30 men or Russia was an amazing team.

molloyjh

Shelflife wrote: »

Surely we have to bring Wallace as outhalf cover?

If Sexton or O Gara get injured we have no-one on the bench.

But sure you could use that argument for most positions. I see most people selected only 3 locks. What if one was injured. You wouldn't have anyone on the bench then. What about loose-head or tight-head? You can't cover every position for every eventuality.

At the end if the day your out-half should be one of the least likely players to get injured as you should be protecting him well given his role. I have serious issues having a third out-half at the expense of the entire back line. Which is what Wallace effectively is. Never mind the fact that lock (a position more injury prone than out-half) only has 1 single back-up. 2 of those locks get injured and then what? And when was the last time Wallace played out-half anyway? For Ireland or for Ulster?

sock puppet

molloyjh wrote: »

But sure you could use that argument for most positions. I see most people selected only 3 locks. What if one was injured. You wouldn't have anyone on the bench then. What about loose-head or tight-head? You can't cover every position for every eventuality.

Not true. There'll probably be four players capable of playing lock travelling. At a push you could move Ferris there. We'll likely have 3 tightheads (and 3 loosheads if Buckley goes ahead of Hayes). This isn't just us. Every team is obviously going to make sure they have plenty of cover.

GerM

Going on what I would select as opposed to what I think will be selected:

Props: Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley.
Hookers: Best, Flannery, Cronin
Locks: POC, DOC, Cullen
Lock/flank: Ryan
Back row: Ferris, SOB, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings
Scrum half: Reddan, Boss, Murray
Outhalf: Sexton, ROG
Centres: McFadden, BOD, D'Arcy
Wings: Trimble, Earls, Bowe, Fitz,
Full backs: Kearney, Jones

Shelflife

Well going on what Germ has picked (not having a go just using it as an example) we have cover in every position except outhalf. If either gets injured we could go into a game with no outhalf on the bench.

Im not a wallace fan per say , hes more a centre then an oh , but we have to have 3 players in such a crucial position.

totallegend

I'm generally in agreement with Ger with two changes :

GerM wrote: »

Props: Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley.
Hookers: Best, Flannery, Cronin
Locks: POC, DOC, Cullen
Lock/flank: Ryan McCarthy
Back row: Ferris, SOB, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings
Scrum half: Reddan, Boss, Murray
Outhalf: Sexton, ROG
Centres: McFadden, BOD, D'Arcy, Wallace
Wings: Trimble, Earls, Bowe, Fitz,
Full backs: Kearney, Jones

Ryan is not up to standard as either lock or back-row so I would not bring him as either.
I would bring Wallace as a centre, not as an out-half (he is not good enough at 10 and two is plenty), and there is no need for Jones given that Earls, Bowe and Fitzgerald could all fill in at 15 if needed.

molloyjh

Shelflife wrote: »

Well going on what Germ has picked (not having a go just using it as an example) we have cover in every position except outhalf. If either gets injured we could go into a game with no outhalf on the bench.

Im not a wallace fan per say , hes more a centre then an oh , but we have to have 3 players in such a crucial position.

So then bring a real OH rather than a makey-uppy one. As I said when was the last time Wallace played OH at either provincial or international level? Why not bring someone like Keatley or Humphries (I know Humphries blows hot and cold but at least he is an OH).

Either way I do take your point. So I'm going to revise my selection to be:

Props
Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley

Hookers
Best, Cronin, Varley

Second-row
POC, DOC, Cullen, Tuohy

Backrow
SOB, Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, Jennings

Scrum Half
Reddan, Boss, Stringer

Out Half
Sexton, ROG, Humphries

Centres
BOD, D'Arcy, McFadden

Outside Backs
Earls, Kearney, Bowe, Fitz, Murphy

GerM

Shelflife wrote: »

Well going on what Germ has picked (not having a go just using it as an example) we have cover in every position except outhalf. If either gets injured we could go into a game with no outhalf on the bench.

Im not a wallace fan per say , hes more a centre then an oh , but we have to have 3 players in such a crucial position.

Understand where you're coming from. It has been discussed previously and my thought process on it is as follows:

He has only played 10 a handful of times in the past several years and was pretty bad there. If we have to put him there, we're screwed. He doesn't control a game and isn't a great goal kicker. We would continue to try to play a running game with him there and I could see it falling apart badly. I would simply have no confidence in him at WC level running a game. I'd rather see us stick the ball up the jumper and use our back row and Healy as heavy hitters to open up space.

If Sexton is injured, ROG obviously steps in (this is based on the premise that Sexton is only out for one game). If the unlikely situation arises and ROG is then injured during the game (he's arguably the most durable player in the country), I would rather have McFadden on the bench and move BOD to 10 for the remainder of the game. BOD has stepped in at 10 in the past and, if you watch the NZ game from last summer, he actually moved into the 10 position for a significant chunk of that game. McFadden would come in at his natural position of 13 and take the kicks at goal (he's a better kicker than Wallace also I think). We'd have to play a forward based game and keep things tight. Given their respective form, I think the benefits of having an in form player who is a good kicker available to cover both centre positions as well as wing outweighs the risk of us having to resort to the above plan.

If an outhalf was out for more than one game, I'd call up a replacement. You can't afford to carry an injured player in a tournament that may only have 4 matches. I would have Keatley or Humphreys on stand by. If a player was injured in our last pool game and would miss the quarter final, I'd call up an outhalf immediately.

Lastly, the way our games fall, we're lucky insofar as we've a break between the Australia and Italy games. If an outhalf picks up an injury against Australia, there should be no problem with us taking on Russia with a patched up backline and allowing the injured player recover for the Italian job.

With all that said, it will never happen. Wallace is guaranteed his spot. DK hasn't brought Keatley into the training squad so he won't be on a stand by list and Humphreys is injured. Wallace will travel. I just really hope he doesn't bench at the expense of a player that can cover multiple positions.

CatFromHue

GerM wrote: »

If Sexton is injured, ROG obviously steps in (this is based on the premise that Sexton is only out for one game). If the unlikely situation arises and ROG is then injured during the game (he's arguably the most durable player in the country), I would rather have McFadden on the bench and move BOD to 10 for the remainder of the game. BOD has stepped in at 10 in the past and, if you watch the NZ game from last summer, he actually moved into the 10 position for a significant chunk of that game. McFadden would come in at his natural position of 13 and take the kicks at goal (he's a better kicker than Wallace also I think). We'd have to play a forward based game and keep things tight. Given their respective form, I think the benefits of having an in form player who is a good kicker available to cover both centre positions as well as wing outweighs the risk of us having to resort to the above plan.

If you move BoD to 10 you take one of our best and possibly the worlds best 13 away from his natural position. Arguing who is the better 10 between BoD and Wallace is irrelevant in comparrison to the argument of whether our backline is better with BoD at 13 or 10. He is and our backline is better with him at 13. BoD at 13 creates more space and challenges defenders far more than Mcfadden would.

Corbetto

Ok lets break this down..... To try and do the possible and make a form of consensus amounst the fans. Deco has to pick a 30 man squad and as i see it there is not too much room for manoeuvre. Plus Deco has never been one for over experimenting with team selections he likes the tried and trusted versus prospects or testing new combinations, which he believes is the way to bring us the maximum sucess in the forthcoming world cup. So lets start with the certainties bearring injuries and touch wood we suffer no more injury worries in the upcoming fixtures and that ferris kearney inparticular and murphy to a lesser extent get some game time and come through unscaved.

Ross,healy,court and yes Hayes
Best,Cronin
Poc,Doc,Cullen
Ferris,wallace,heaslip,obrien,Leamy (yes deco will pick him)
Redden,TOL (same as above)
Sexton Ogara
Darcy,BOD,Wallace(sab)
Bowe,Fitz,Earls
Kearney

So thats 26 guaranteed barring injury on the plane already leaving 4 places, one at hooker one at scrumhalf one most likely at backrow or second row and one outside back. So not alot of room for changes. At hooker in will most likely be Varley as 3rd choice but it wont matter as that position wont see much game time unless Flanno pulls off a miracle and i dont think even if he was almost fit throwing him into a wc match after so long out would be a good idea for his long term playing career if he has one. But if he gets close to fit he will travel and play a part.

3rd choice scrumhalf options again a player who wont see much game time although maybe more important as we havent had a real standout performer internationally of late in this position, Murray is a good prospect and it will be interesting to see next season if he nails down the number 9 jersey at Munster or not, so does Deco take him for the experience? Although he wont be thrown in against serious opposition at the wc, that an interesting one but I believe that will limit our options to basically to scrum halfs against the big sides (thats if you consider TOL a scrum half)

Boss:Had a very good season at Leinster and even Deco has found him hard to ignore, offers something a little different then the other shs, although never nailed down the position when given an oppurtunity a few seasons back, plus hasnt been used much under DK.

Stringer:I think has been treated abit unfairly by DK but you could argue that about Boss and a few others such as cullen and P wallace. Has huge experience and while at this stage he is very much hot and cold had a few good games when he came in earlier in the year and i think if he makes it will be very much up for it.

3rd position:Contenders are Jennings,MOD,McLaughlin, Ryan and Mccarthy.

Jennings:Very good player was an out and out seven. Then adjusted his game well this year to suit the new rules good link man and has become a good ball carrier but unlikely to go as out of favour with DK.

MOD:Unbelieveably he has a good shout DK might go for 4 2nd rows and if he does he rates MOD highly. I dont think he is or ever was international standard but it hasnt stopped him getting plenty of caps.

Mclaughlin has to be favourite though Dk really rates him and a very good player.

Ryan:Wont bring much to the team except versatility and the ability to cover positions if we suffered injurys but he could make it for that very reason i think Deco will be keen to have plenty of cover.

Mccarthy:Was called up for the 6 nations but used to hold tackle bags brings more to the table then MOD or Ryan but less then Mclaughlin maybe he will go but id be surprised and if he does he will be a spectator then again Dk does always bring a few spectators with him. I would love to see him get a decent run out in the upcoming matches he deserves that much.

On another note DK could throw a curve ball and bring a 5th prop and not pick any of the above.... Watch this space!!!

Now for the last position on the plane. Jones,Murphy,Trimble,MCfadden,Duffy.

Jones:In the same boat as Murray, i would like to see him get a run out but it will be tough as priority will be given to Kearney to get game time and also Murphy to a lesser extent. Would like him to get a game to see what he can do, but DK is not gone blood any players now that will be seriously involved in the WC, so on the slim chance he goes it will be a waste as he will be a spectator or cover as DK will not trust him or put his faith in him or other untried players.

Murphy:Is getting on unlucky not to have more caps with being unfairly overlooked and that injury against Scotland. But still a quality player if he is fully fit he is a must due to his experience ability and although Kearney will be 1st choice if Kearney isnt back to his old self after the 1st wc game Murphy is the one player we have that could step in against Australia, but in Decos eyes he is far from a certainty.

Trimble:Quality winger had a great season with Ulster, has had poor games in green before in the past though and currently behind fitz, bowe and earls for a wing berth in better form than fitz and maybe Earls too but no hope of dislodging either of those too. He will be unlucky to miss out if he does.

Mcfadden:Great prospect, very versatile played well when called upon in the 6 nations very powerful runner and a smart player, with a different coach he would have more caps by now and probably go but he doesnt and barring injuries he will be overlooked.

Duffy:Was treated unfairly in the 6 nations our only fit 15 in the squad and he didnt get a game. In fairness though he will not set the world alight, a good solid full back nothing more and not favoured by DK so will miss out.

Phew thats long!!

Thats a pretty fair analysis of how things stand. I see peoples arguaments and i understand most of them... Paddy wallace will go no question about that but ive always been abit baffled by him playing 22 all the time and never playing DK doesnt really trust him yet leaves him on the bench not as 3rd Oh cover as some suggested but as centre cover, DK reckons hes the next best centre cover availabile i disagree, DK puts earls ahead of him as a centre but he has been playing 15 or wing and DK would prefer if push came to shove to rearrange his back line with sexton at 12 rather put wallace in so on the bench he remains. He is not an international standard outhalf or a proper one really he is and has been a centre for a few seasons now, imo mcfadden is alot better but not in DK eyes. I also think Flanno wont make the WC so we will have to make do without him which is a loss our lineout has struggled although not just down to Best the fact poc has been injured and Hayes decline are also a factor. Best is a good solid player doesnt offer as much a ball carrier or as dynamic as a fit flannery nor a better thrower but alot of teams dont have much better at 2, and he is solid. Cronin is a great talent abit green need experience i would worry about throwing him in a WC game as he suffered from nerves alot anything ive seem him in the green which isnt very often ofc. So lets all say a prayer for rory best not to get injured as that is where we are thinnest in cover.

If we bring Mclaughlin and Ferris we only need 3 2nd rows which is a plus.

TOL is a shicking passer has cost us so much points with penos given away his super slow ball and juggling has poor decision making does stupid and terrible box kicks that cost us possession and territory and often more penos given away and put us under pressure why nobody has told him never to kick the ball is beyond me. He will go but imo it should be Redden Boss as he brings a physical side to the game and is more well rounded than TOL, on another note TOL used to play winger in his early dyas he should have stuck to that, his attributes are pace, strength and great tackling... What positions are those traits suited for?? I would bring Stringer as back for his experience as id be happier with him on the bench over Murrays inexperience if one of the other two get injured Boss and Redden are good options though we can really vary our game with those two if they go.

I see people picking Buckley.... As our 4th prop hmm.. court covers both sides so that arguament about cover i dont think applies unless we get a severe injury crisis, he offers a couple of half decent carries at best in a game, he cant scrummage and isnt a great fringe defender. He isnt or never was international standard. So compare that to John Hayes who was one of our greatest international players should have retired after the grand slam but as Buckley never developed as people thought he would stuck around until the world cup but luckily Ross got a chance and he is not needed really anymore but is a backup as 4th choice he can scrummage not very well but slightly better than Buckley maybe give a few good lifts in the line out late in the game if he has to come on and is a good fringe defender although his legs are abit gone at this stage but look at the milage he has and his age, but for those reasons and what he has done does he not deserve to bow out at the world cup?? Instead or dissappearing now.. I know he is going to go but why people pick Buckley over him i dont understand.

Jennings on talent alone he should go but if he does he wont get on the pitch we had our back 3 from the 6 nations and if Ferris proves his fitness in the next few weeks Dk will have a selection headache if not Leamy is going to be on the bench who again imo should not be near the team but we have seen thats what DK will do so if he goes which he wont he will be a spectator a waste a precious spot, Mclaughlin should go to provide extra cover to the 2nd row thus allowing us to bring just 3 secong rows and freeing up an important spot somewhere else in the squad and he is much better than MOD Ryan and even Mccarthy who will take up a squad spot if he doesnt go.

If Kearney had been fit all year and been at his best we could take a gamble and have just him as our only proper full back with ealrs fitz as emergency cover but he is only coming back from injury and if we want to have a chance at winning a knockout game we need a proper full back so Murphy has to go. I see people picking Jones but can someone really say he can and should be blooded now and if he is which i cant see him getting much game time in the next month due to Kearney needed all the time he can get, will he offer more then Murphys experience and leadership in the big games if he has to be called upon??

With all that in mind heres my Squad

Props:Healy,Ross,Court, Hayes
Hookers:Best,Cronin,Varley
2nd Rows: POC,DOC,Cullen
Back Rows:Heaslip,Wallace,Obrien,Ferris,McLaughlin,Jennings Scrum Halfs:Redden,Boss,Stringer
Outhalves:Sexton,Ogara
Centres:BOD,Darcy,Mcfadden, Outside backs:Fitz,Kearney,Bowe,Earls,Murphy,Trimble

Corbetto

Oh and on the only two out halves arguaments yes wallace will go so doesnt matter. But in defense of my squad if one outhalf was injured and out for the tournament id call up a replacement. If hes out for one game it would be so unlikely the other OH would get injured in that game as well when he came on. If he did with the time remaining we would just have to put BOD or someone there and play it tight to finish the game. But this is so unlikely how many times has both our out halves been injured in the one game? if hes out for one match then keep him if hes out for more than one game call up a replacement. We are just as screwed if Paddy Wallace plays out half against a good team we will be out anyways so it dont matter.

GerM

CatFromHue wrote: »

If you move BoD to 10 you take one of our best and possibly the worlds best 13 away from his natural position. Arguing who is the better 10 between BoD and Wallace is irrelevant in comparrison to the argument of whether our backline is better with BoD at 13 or 10. He is and our backline is better with him at 13. BoD at 13 creates more space and challenges defenders far more than Mcfadden would.

A fair point. I wouldn't be against putting someone else in at 10, I was just going for the player who would be most comfortable there and has stepped in there for Ireland in the past. No matter who is there though would see little ball as the aim would be for the forwards to take the game on.

As previously mentioned though, it's all moot as none of these scenarios will ever come to pass.

GerM

Corbetto, a good, detailed post but can you put in a few full stops? It's tricky to read without them.

theboss80

Also can we just keep it as a thread of supporters selections for a squad and stop the DK guesswork.

Cpt_Blackbeard

I might as well put forward the 30 I would have on the plane.I'm going for a 17/13 split, as I think we will need the extra prop for the Italy, Georgia and possible SA games; Ross and Healy need to be kept fresh.

Props:
Healy, Horan, Court, Ross, Hayes.
Hookers:
Flannery, Best, Cronin.
Locks
POC, DOC, Cullen, Ryan.
Backrows
SOB, Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace, Jennings.

Scrumhalves
Reddan, Murray, Stringer.
Outhalves
Sexton, ROG.
Centres
D'Arcy, McFadden, BOD.
Back 3
Earls, Trimble, Kearney, Jones, Bowe.

I think that we should have enough cover in the backs with only 13 players. McFadden can cover 12/13/14, Earls can cover 11/13/15, Trimble can cover 11/14, Bowe can cover 14/13 and the two fullbacks can slot in on the wing if needed.

I'm also of the (unpopular) opinion that TOL will repay the faith shown in him, during the warmups. If he can find any form, he would be very valuable due to his ability to slot in amongst the outside backs. I would bring him ahead of Stringer, if he does come good.

Quint2010

Healy, Ross, Court, Hayes
Best, Flannery, Cronin
POC, DOC, Cullen
Heaslip, SOB, Jennings, Ferris, Wallace, McLaughlin
Reddan, Boss, TOL
Sexton, ROG, Wallace
BOD, D'arcy, McFadden
Kearney, Bowe, Earls. Trimble, Jones

I am bringing Wallace purely because if ROG or Sexton gets injured we only have one OH. But if both are fit I wouldnt have Wallace near the 22 (or is it 23?)-plus there is a doubt over ROG's fitness already. McLaughlin can cover SR better then Ryan can hence he gets the nod there. Jennings is in as he is the only specialised open side we have and covers Wallace. SH I would have Boss as he is very physical and has an understanding with Sexton. Bring TOL for physicality also. I think Jones has done enough and I would be tempted to bring him instead of Fitzgerald who was poor last season and is a terrible FB. Doubts over Kearney persist so definately think we need to look at bringing specialiast FB cover. Earls did well against England but he is best on the wing. Is it 23 now or still 22?

durkadurka

Doubt over Rog's fitness??

totallegend

durkadurka wrote: »

Doubt over Rog's fitness??

Torn calf muscle, not expected to keep him out of any of the matches:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0714/1224300711143.html

totallegend

Quint2010 wrote: »

I think Jones has done enough and I would be tempted to bring him instead of Fitzgerald who was poor last season and is a terrible FB. Doubts over Kearney persist so definately think we need to look at bringing specialiast FB cover. Earls did well against England but he is best on the wing. Is it 23 now or still 22?

Jones has done enough? When?? I know we keep repeating the same arguments on these threads but the Emperor most definitely has no clothes here.
If you want to argue that he deserves a shot in the warm-up games, that's fair enough but has he done enough by now to get a seat on the plane? Has he f**k. No international experience, no Heineken Cup experience, limited Magners games. If Munster had stayed in the HC beyond the pools, I reckon Warwick would have held onto the jersey.
A couple of Amlin games and a Churchill Cup are not enough to warrant a World Cup selection and no amount of Munster cheerleading can change that. If he tears it up in the warm-ups, fair enough, otherwise, no way.

Rant over (for now).

And the match-day squad is still 22 players.

As if evidence was needed about how predictable our squad is, here's what I've spent the last few minutes doing (Bored at work) from the 14 squads selected so far we have... 19 players selected in 100% of teams, 26 players selected by >85% of teams.

For the sake of anyone else posting a team after this, maybe just put in the 11 players that are questionable compared to the rest of the teams? (leave out the guaranteed travels)

Props % Selected
Healy 100%
Ross 100%
Court 100%
Hayes 64%
Buckley 43%
Horan 7%

Hookers
Best 100%
Flannery 86%
Cronin 93%
Varley 21%

Second-row
POC 100%
DOC 100%
Cullen 100%
Ryan 29%
McCarthy 7%
Tuohy 14%

Backrow
SOB 100%
Wallace 100%
Ferris 100%
Heaslip 100%
Leamy 14%
McLoughlin 50%
Jennings 86%

Scrum Half
Reddan 100%
Murray 64%
Boss 86%
Stringer 36%
TO'L 14%

Out Half
Sexton 100%
ROG 100%
iHumph 7%

Centres
BOD 100%
D'Arcy 100%
McFadden 93%
Wallace 29%

Outside Backs
Earls 100%
Kearney 100%
Bowe 100%
Trimble 86%
Fitzgerald 86%
Jones 43%
Murphy 36%
Duffy 7%

ionadnapokot

theboss80 wrote: »

Also can we just keep it as a thread of supporters selections for a squad and stop the DK guesswork.

Agreed! Deccie hasnt even picked the right Training squad!
17FW / 13BKS
Props:
Healy, Ross, Court, Buckley, Hagan.
Hookers:
Flannery, Best, Cronin.
Locks
POC, Cullen, DOC, Casey
Backrows
SOB, Ferris, Heaslip, Wallace, Domnic Ryan

Scrumhalves
Reddan, TOL, Stringer.
Outhalves
Sexton, ROG.
Centres
D'Arcy, McFadden, BOD.
Back 3
Earls, Kearney, Fitz, Bowe, Murphy

CatFromHue

I'm not sure the relevance of that emmet.

Do you not think the players who get >85% are better then the guys who get <85%?

Also you have Mcfadden down as a centre. He has only been picked for Ireland as a winger.

yupyup7up

Props
Healy
Court
Ross
Hayes

Hookers
Flannery
Best
Cronin(Would've liked to see Sherry here)

Locks
POC
DOC
Cullen

Backrow
SOB
Ferris
Heaslip
Wallace
Leamy
Jennings

Scrum-Halves
Murray
Reddan
Stringer

Out-Halves
Sexton
ROG

Centres
D'arcy
McFadden
BOD

Back Three
Bowe
Earls
Fitzgerald
Trimble
Kearney
Jones

Starting XV
1 - Healy
2 - Flannery(if fit)
3 - Ross
4 - DOC
5 - POC
6 - SOB
7 - Wallace
8 - Heaslip
9 - Murray
10 - Sexton
11 - Earls
12 - D'Arcy(Let's hope he doesn't have a shocker like in the 6N :mad:)
13 - BOD
14 - Bowe
15 - Jones

CatFromHue

CatFromHue wrote: »

I'm not sure the relevance of that emmet.

Do you not think the players who get >85% are better then the guys who get <85%?

nope, just that I'm guessing that if 14 different people all picked the same 19 players to travel, that they're going to be on everyone's squad list, and so scrolling through teams all having these 19 is a bit silly really.

These threads are to see the differences in squads, and if 2/3 of each squad is the same, it's harder to spot the differences!

CatFromHue wrote: »

Also you have Mcfadden down as a centre. He has only been picked for Ireland as a winger.

I didn't make the groupings, I just copied and pasted what was written before me. That's why Ryan is in at Lock also.

Corbetto

I think Emmets post was a good one and very relevent in the Irish squad selection. There are 26 players that will be on the plane to NZ barring injury. Nothing can change that. Everyone has different players picked for the last remaining spots depending on who they rate. Anyone who plays rugby or follows Irish rugby could guess 28/29 of the 30 man squad. Im sorry but thats the truth. So the area for debate is really only the remaining few positions. These positions like i posted before will be the 3rd hooker and scrumhalf. One outside back and rather to bring an extra backrow that can cover 2nd row or another lock. Or to bring an extra prop instead. Thats all.

CatFromHue

Deleted User wrote: »

nope, just that I'm guessing that if 14 different people all picked the same 19 players to travel, that they're going to be on everyone's squad list, and so scrolling through teams all having these 19 is a bit silly really.

These threads are to see the differences in squads, and if 2/3 of each squad is the same, it's harder to spot the differences!


I didn't make the groupings, I just copied and pasted what was written before me. That's why Ryan is in at Lock also.

Ah I get you now. Slow day at work then?
:pac:

part time punk

Well I reckon Leamy should go instead of SOB

Flincher

Forwards
Healy, Ross, Buckley, Court
Best, Cronin, Flannery/Varley
O'Connell, O'Callaghan, Cullen, Ryan
Wallace, Jennings, O'Brien, Heaslip, Ferris/Leamy

Backs
Reddan, Murray, Boss
O'Gara, Sexton
D'Arcy, O'Driscoll, McFadden
Earls, Bowe, Fitzgerald, Trimble
Kearney, Jones

I'm making this suggestion only half-seriously. I've seen Murray play at 10 on a few occasions for Munster under-age. We know Wallace isn't really up to covering outhalf. Given that Wallace shouldn't make it as a centre, is it a waste of a squad place to include him on the very slim possibility that he could be required to play 10, when Murray could do the same job. (Obviously I'd have Murray in the squad on merit) Is it too much pressure on Murray too soon in his career?

part time punk

Ok being serious for a minute. Emmet's point is a valid one. As well as the 100% ers above I'd have Hayes, Cronin, Varley (just think it's too soon for Flannery after being out so long), 1 2ndrow/back row cover (still undecided), Jennings, Murray, Boss, (no TOL unless he finds his form from 2years ago very quickly in the warm up games), P Wallace, Trimble, Fitz and McFadden. So a 16/14 split I think. Unfortunately the 3rd choice scrumhalf/hooker will see very little time I reckon and will be marginal to how well we do. But I'd have them playing against Russia with the possibility to sub them if it all goes wrong.

Flincher

Flincher wrote: »

I'm making this suggestion only half-seriously. I've seen Murray play at 10 on a few occasions for Munster under-age. We know Wallace isn't really up to covering outhalf. Given that Wallace shouldn't make it as a centre, is it a waste of a squad place to include him on the very slim possibility that he could be required to play 10, when Murray could do the same job. (Obviously I'd have Murray in the squad on merit) Is it too much pressure on Murray too soon in his career?

most definitely, he hasn't even played a game at 9 (which is where he undoubtedly ploughs his trade) yet and you're considering him to play a game at 10, the pivotal position on the park, in the world cup?!

Maybe his versatility can shine through in 3/4 years time, but for now Conor, stick to scum half, and force your way into the team through appearances.

A Country Voice

My 16/14 split.

Healy, Ross, Court, Hayes
Best, Flannery, Cronin
POC, DOC, Cullen
Heaslip, SOB, Jennings, Ferris, Wallace, McLaughlin
Reddan, Boss, Stringer
Sexton, ROG, Wallace
BOD, D'arcy, McFadden
Kearney, Bowe, Earls. Trimble, Fitzgerald

A Country Voice

Downlinz

Props
Healy, Ross, Court, Hayes, Horan

Hookers
Best , Flannery , Cronin

Second-row
POC, DOC, Cullen,

Backrow
SOB, Wallace, Ferris, Heaslip, Leamy , D.Ryan

Scrum Half
Reddan, TOL, Stringer

Out Half
ROG, Sexton

Centres
BOD, D'Arcy, Wallace

Outside Backs
Earls, Kearney, Bowe, Trimble, Fitgerald


I'd be quite surprised if this wasn't the squad selected.

Mr. Mac

I am shocked the number of people that have Paddy Wallace included. He offers nothing at all.

He cant play 10 and is an average centre (at best).

A waste of a place.