Connacht XV vs Ireland Select XV 18th August, Donnybrook ko 18.30

theboss80

Connacht Team

1 Dylan Rogers
2 Adrian Flavin
3 Rodney Ah You
4 Michael Swift
5 Mick Kearney
6 John Muldoon (C)
7 Ray Ofisa
8 George Naoupu
9 Paul O’Donohoe
10 Niall O’Connor
11 Brian Tuohy
12 Henry Fa’afili
13 Eoin Griffin
14 Mark McCrea
15 Tiernan O’Halloran

16 Ethienne Reynecke
17 Denis Buckley
18 Johnny O’Connor
19 TJ Anderson
20 Dave Moore
21 Matthew Jarvis
22 James Loxton



Ireland Team

15 - Geordan Murphy
14 - Johne Murphy
13 - Darren Cave
12 - Ian Keatley
11 - Fergus McFadden
10 - Paddy Wallace
9 - Isaac Boss

1 - Tony Buckley
2 - Sean Cronin
3 - John Hayes
4 - Mick O'Driscoll
5 - Leo Cullen
6 - Kevin McLaughlin
7 - Shane Jennings
8 - Denis Leamy

Replacements:
16 - Damien Varley
17 - Marcus Horan
18 - Donnacha Ryan
19 - Niall Ronan
20 - Conor Murray
21 - Denis Hurley
22 - Ian Whitten

Mr.Applepie

There are a few selections there that seem odd but two imparticular are annoying the crap out of me.

Denis Hurley - What is he doing near the team. Gilroy, Carr, Spence, O'Malley. All of these players have been far better than Hurley last season and actually have some potential.

Niall Ronan - wtf, WTF! How is he ahead of Dom Ryan in the pecking order, W.T.F!

These are two bit part Munster squad players who are been given Irish caps ahead of better, younger players

CIARAN_BOYLE

Mr.Applepie wrote: »

These are two bit part Munster squad players who are been given Irish caps ahead of better, younger players

Same with Johne Murphy

Amazotheamazing

Mr.Applepie wrote: »

There are a few selections there that seem odd but two imparticular are annoying the crap out of me.

Denis Hurley - What is he doing near the team. Gilroy, Carr, Spence, O'Malley. All of these players have been far better than Hurley last season and actually have some potential.

Niall Ronan - wtf, WTF! How is he ahead of Dom Ryan in the pecking order, W.T.F!

These are two bit part Munster squad players who are been given Irish caps ahead of better, younger players

Don't think this is a capped game?

Don't disagree with either contention, I'd rather play young players in this game too but maybe Kidney wants to see how the Leinster guys do against Melbourne?

wixfjord

Strong looking Connacht team.
Would have liked to seen this on tv tbh.

Two games in two days for the Brook!

pappyodaniel

Is this televised?

justsomebloke

truthfully I'd say they are just using players that have been in and around the training camp and fringes of the extended team. There is absolutely no use in bringing anyone new into this as they would get nothing from it. The team they are playing isn't up to speed so this match isn't even up to heineken cup level let alone international level so leave them with their clubs at least then they are getting good prep for the season a head of them

Panda Moanium

Is Gavin Duffy injured? Don't see his name anywhere in these three teams playing this week. Disappointing for a man who was one of the form full backs of last year and would have harboured (admittedly outside) hopes of being on the plane to NZ.

Zzippy

Panda Moanium wrote: »

Is Gavin Duffy injured? Don't see his name anywhere in these three teams playing this week. Disappointing for a man who was one of the form full backs of last year and would have harboured (admittedly outside) hopes of being on the plane to NZ.

He was injured for last weekend's game vs Exeter, guess he hasn't recovered yet.

Strong Connacht backrow, Muldoon, Ofisa and Naoupu, could really put it up to the Irish backrow. Mul should be ahead of 2 of those players in the Irish squad anyway, he'll probably be fired up for this.

JustinDee

pappyodaniel wrote: »

Is this televised?

No. Not televised.

JustinDee

JustinDee wrote: »

No. Not televised.

What about highlights Justin?

bamboozle

Deleted User wrote: »

What about highlights Justin?

€10 in at donnybrook, 6.30 kick off, should attract a big crowd

Gracelessly Tom

bamboozle wrote: »

€10 in at donnybrook, 6.30 kick off, should attract a big crowd

And for those of us living abroad?

bamboozle

bamboozle wrote: »

€10 in at donnybrook, 6.30 kick off, should attract a big crowd

Ex-Pat, would be there otherwise. Thanks for the assistance all the same :rolleyes:

totallegend

Joe the Santa wrote: »

truthfully I'd say they are just using players that have been in and around the training camp and fringes of the extended team. There is absolutely no use in bringing anyone new into this as they would get nothing from it. The team they are playing isn't up to speed so this match isn't even up to heineken cup level let alone international level so leave them with their clubs at least then they are getting good prep for the season a head of them

All of the above is true, which begs the question, what is the point of this match? Muldoon is the only Connacht player who would get within a country mile of the 'Ireland' team. If the game is not going to be remotely up to international intensity, why not just have an A's vs B's training game?

If Tony Buckley and John Hayes put in a great show against Dylan Rogers and Rodney Ah You, are our prop issues solved?

It could have been a good workout for players coming back from injury, but the only members of the Ireland team who have fitness issues to prove are Murphy and Jennings, so again, what's the point? Ferris could have been given 40 minutes, Flannery could have got 80 etc etc.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Deleted User wrote: »

What about highlights Justin?

There might be a camera and highlights for 5 minutes shown on RTE before or after the French game.

thomond2006

With Boss starting and Strings not in the 22, that's Strings out of the RWC picture.

Podge_irl

That Connacht front row any good? Could be an interesting test of the Hayes/Buckley front row.

Robbo

Podge_irl wrote: »

That Connacht front row any good? Could be an interesting test of the Hayes/Buckley front row.

Rodders arrived as a project player, a beast of a man. In matches I've seen him play, he either dominates the scrum or has a mare which (help me out here front row witchcraft experts) leads me to suspect that there's something in his technique which is borderline. Great pair of hands though and looks like he's much fitter this year so should be quite mobile around the park.

Rodgers, I really haven't seen enough of to pass comment although again he's mobile and has decent hands.

Flavin's solid, always has been. Sometimes he was the superior option last year when Cronin's pace and trickeration wasn't the order of the day.

PhatPiggins

Joe the Santa wrote: »

truthfully I'd say they are just using players that have been in and around the training camp and fringes of the extended team. There is absolutely no use in bringing anyone new into this as they would get nothing from it. The team they are playing isn't up to speed so this match isn't even up to heineken cup level let alone international level so leave them with their clubs at least then they are getting good prep for the season a head of them

Are you serious? The experience that the likes of Dom Ryan/O'Malley/Gilroy would get from just being involved with the Irish squads is immeasurable. Those 3 guys are going to have dozens of Irish caps between them and the sooner they get used to being around the camps the better.

The likes of Ronan and Hurley are poor HC players who will never again play for Ireland in a meaningful test, the value of having them anywhere near the Ireland set up is zero.

porterbelly

Podge_irl wrote: »

That Connacht front row any good? Could be an interesting test of the Hayes/Buckley front row.

They were rubbish against Exeter

JustinDee

Deleted User wrote: »

What about highlights Justin?

No idea, Emmett. Haven't seen media list.

JustinDee

JustinDee wrote: »

No idea, Emmett. Haven't seen media list.

thanks, will you let us know if you find anything out? Being across the water is a disaster sometimes!

porterbelly

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Are you serious? The experience that the likes of Dom Ryan/O'Malley/Gilroy would get from just being involved with the Irish squads is immeasurable. Those 3 guys are going to have dozens of Irish caps between them and the sooner they get used to being around the camps the better.

The likes of Ronan and Hurley are poor HC players who will never again play for Ireland in a meaningful test, the value of having them anywhere near the Ireland set up is zero.

Dead right, the exact same thing I was saying about the likes of Jamie Hagan last year. It would give these lads a great confidence boost, working with new and very good coaches and training with the best around. Hurley, Ronan, Johne Murphy are never going to be Irish internationals with all due respect. What do we learn by playing them ?

danthefan

What an uninspiring selection.

thebaz

Something tells me Deccie has already picked his squad - will a big show here warrant a plane ticket ? - somehow i dont think so

irishbucsfan

Are Jarvis and Loxton making their debuts (if they're introduced)?

Bit ironic that it comes against the country they're defecting to.

Ardillaun

Mr.Applepie wrote: »

There are a few selections there that seem odd but two imparticular are annoying the crap out of me.

Denis Hurley - What is he doing near the team. Gilroy, Carr, Spence, O'Malley. All of these players have been far better than Hurley last season and actually have some potential.

What's going on with Carr? Don't tell me he's injured. I would have preferred to see him or Gilroy over Johne Murphy at this stage. Given the spectacular tries he scored last season, Carr surely merited more serious consideration than he received for the squad.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Ardillaun wrote: »

What's going on with Carr? Don't tell me he's injured. I would have preferred to see him or Gilroy over Johne Murphy at this stage. Given the spectacular tries he scored last season, Carr surely merited more serious consideration than he received for the squad.

I think he had a night on the town and slept with Kidney's wife

Only explanation

crisco10

thebaz wrote: »

Something tells me Deccie has already picked his squad - will a big show here warrant a plane ticket ? - somehow i dont think so

I think a player could hit every ruck, force 20 turnovers, score all our points and still not change Deccies mind. Unless its Tony Buckley.

I think the McLaughlin/McCarthy/Ryan situation shows it. The media (and the public) were sure there would be a battle for the 5.5 spot. Judging from deccies selections in the past few weeks, he had a bit of a look at McCarthy, didn't bother with McLaughlin because he was always going to pick Ryan. I think the outside backs and scrum half selections will go the same.

Is there something in the Irish Psyche that means we will never take a bolter to the World Cup. Gatland (a NZer) took D'arcy in 99...


On a more postive note, got my tickets yesterday. Can't wait to see some rugby at the 'Brook.

Mr.Applepie

Joe the Santa wrote: »

truthfully I'd say they are just using players that have been in and around the training camp and fringes of the extended team. There is absolutely no use in bringing anyone new into this as they would get nothing from it. The team they are playing isn't up to speed so this match isn't even up to heineken cup level let alone international level so leave them with their clubs at least then they are getting good prep for the season a head of them

I understand what you're saying but if the standard is going to be so poor, what's the point of it?

So these guys were in around the squad soaking up the experience of a WC prep rather than the guys who might actually be going in four years - bucket load of sense that makes! The lack of thought is worrying. Why wasn't guys like Ryan, Spence, Hagan & Nagle hanging with the squad and playing these games rather than Ronan, MOD and Hurley. This experience could have stood to the younger players rather than being wasted on players in their late 20s that have still to step up to HCUP level (excluding MOD here)

buck65

Kidney made his squad decision a couple of months ago and these guys were picked then. They have been in training camp since late June and do deserve a run out, regardless of what you think of the players Kidney was never going to bring in a Dom Ryan, Carr or any other future hopeful at this late stage for a look.
The time for bitching was in June , not now.

Mr.Applepie

buck65 wrote: »

Kidney made his squad decision a couple of months ago and these guys were picked then. They have been in training camp since late June and do deserve a run out, regardless of what you think of the players Kidney was never going to bring in a Dom Ryan, Carr or any other future hopeful at this late stage for a look.
The time for bitching was in June , not now.

Ronan and Hurley were in the original squad? If I knew about it then I would have been complaining! Luckily for you I've just heard about it and you didn't have to have 2 months of moaning

totallegend

buck65 wrote: »

Kidney made his squad decision a couple of months ago and these guys were picked then. They have been in training camp since late June and do deserve a run out, regardless of what you think of the players Kidney was never going to bring in a Dom Ryan, Carr or any other future hopeful at this late stage for a look.
The time for bitching was in June , not now.

I think the point is that these players were not in the June squad and while some of them (Cave, Keatley) are good prospects who have had limited opportunities, others are not...

buck65

Ronan played against Scotland IIRC and I've seen pictures of Hurley holding tackle bags going back a few weeks now, so these guys were definitely in the squad.

buck65

buck65 wrote: »

Ronan played against Scotland IIRC and I've seen pictures of Hurley holding tackle bags going back a few weeks now, so these guys were definitely in the squad.

"played" against Scotland. A very very loose interpretation of the word played.

Instead of trying to validate their inclusion, would you agree that it would've made far more sense in the overall context of Irish rugby to give some experience to the guys that will be taking over the reigns in the coming years, as opposed to guys who will never fully deserve a full cap?

totallegend

buck65 wrote: »

Ronan played against Scotland IIRC and I've seen pictures of Hurley holding tackle bags going back a few weeks now, so these guys were definitely in the squad.

Without wanting to be too pedantic (but sometimes I can't help myself), at no point was it announced that these guys were in any squad. Go back to the thread on the Scotland game, the main talking point was Ronan being parachuted in from nowhere - but sure he proved us all wrong with his performance. Oh, hang on...

I saw the same photos you're referring to, also with Devin Toner and John Muldoon knocking around. If Devin Toner had been named in tonight's team, I'd have been equally annoyed.

GerM

buck65 wrote: »

Ronan played against Scotland IIRC and I've seen pictures of Hurley holding tackle bags going back a few weeks now, so these guys were definitely in the squad.

They were brought in to assist with training, provide an opposition for drills, hold bags etc. There were several others like Toner there also but they were never part of the squad. Ronan played against Scotland because Jennings was injured and they didn't want to bring Wallace in so early. His spot in that team would have been much better served by going to someone like Willie Falloon.

Zzippy

buck65 wrote: »

Ronan played against Scotland IIRC and I've seen pictures of Hurley holding tackle bags going back a few weeks now, so these guys were definitely in the squad.

AFAIK a few extra players were brought in to help out with squad sessions i.e. hold tackle bags, as you mention. Doesn't mean they were part of the squad.

TheJims

good god, what does he honestly expect to happen with Buckley at loosehead?? is it not bizzare to have him starting on loose with Horan on the bench?? i would of giving Hayes 40, and buckley 40 at Tighthead.. If buckley cant hold a scrum on his better side( cough...) how is he gona lock out the loosehead side...?

Its also silly not to have Fionn Carr involved..

Edit: just noticed Marcus Horan is on the replacements for both the Ireland v Connacht and the Munster V Wasps game, so i guess thats why hes not starting.

Ste_D

Zzippy wrote: »

AFAIK a few extra players were brought in to help out with squad sessions i.e. hold tackle bags, as you mention. Doesn't mean they were part of the squad.

True - but as someone said earlier that surely it would have made more sense to bring in some of the younger lads like Gilroy, Spence, Ryan etc. and get them used to being around an Irleand squad, rather than handing out caps to lads who really dont deserve them.

justsomebloke

TheJims wrote: »

Its also silly not to have Fionn Carr involved

no it's not. This match was only ever a parachute match in case Kidney need to give one or 2 players an easy match back rather then having to start their first match back against france or england.

What would be the point of taking Carr out of the Leinster set up. He has just moved to Leinster so would be doing himself far more favours by training with the Leinster team and battling for a starting position in that then playing in some nothing match that probably wouldn't even see him get a cap.

MugMugs

Well men.

Just got two tickets for this tonight. Quite looking forward to it.

I have been spoilt with the RDS though so haven't actually ventured to Donnybrook yet.

Is Parking abundent and any suggestions where I can put Betty for the duration of the game ?

buck65

Deleted User wrote: »

"played" against Scotland. A very very loose interpretation of the word played.

Instead of trying to validate their inclusion, would you agree that it would've made far more sense in the overall context of Irish rugby to give some experience to the guys that will be taking over the reigns in the coming years, as opposed to guys who will never fully deserve a full cap?

Emmet I'm not trying to validate their inclusion and no where did I say that they were good enough even for this game. I'm looking at this from Kidney's possible POV. My point is these guys have been "around" the squad (being pedantic here as Ronan has actually played), thus they know the calls and plays, for the past few weeks and do deserve a run out in a meaningless game that was tacked on to give a few lads a match and a few fringe players like Boss for instance a chance to nail a spot on the 30.
This game was never about player development, I would reckon Kidney had the likes of Darcy, Ferris etc in mind for this if he felt they weren't up to the French game but feels they are better than he thought injury wise.
Is this game even capped?
In the context of Irish rugby you know as well as I do that Kidney is conservative in the extreme and doesn't give 2 ****s about develping the team beyond this championship.

part time punk

buck65 wrote: »

This game was never about player development, I would reckon Kidney had the likes of Darcy, Ferris etc in mind for this if he felt they weren't up to the French game but feels they are better than he thought injury wise.

I thought this too and wondered why someone like Ferris wasn't down to play a half tonight and then also from the bench for 30 mins or so on Saturday. A bit of action tonight would ease him into it a bit rather than straight in against the French. Anyway heading along this evening and looking forward to it.

buck65

You would think twenty minutes off the bench for Ferris and D'arcy would be acceptable even if they are involved Saturday.
Clearly Kidney has only one thing on his mind on Saturday and that is a win. Fair enough but risky too.

part time punk

Ferris isn't starting on Saturday, unlikely to come on before about 50 minute mark. So if he played the first half tonight, he should be able to bench on Sat too? Or is that too much too soon for him coming back?

faigs

There's some sort of a live stream from Kielys on http://www.rte.ie/sport/livestreaming/area22.html

Doesn't say it's showing the actual game though.

"Join Darragh Maloney and ex-French international Serge Betsen, along with Brent Pope, Frankie Sheahan, and Shane Byrne for a special programme live from Kiely's in Dublin on Thursday 18 August at 6.30pm."

athtrasna

faigs wrote: »

There's some sort of a live stream from Kielys on http://www.rte.ie/sport/livestreaming/area22.html

Doesn't say it's showing the actual game though.

"Join Darragh Maloney and ex-French international Serge Betsen, along with Brent Pope, Frankie Sheahan, and Shane Byrne for a special programme live from Kiely's in Dublin on Thursday 18 August at 6.30pm."

That's the Guinness Rugby supporters event - noting to do with tonight's game http://www.facebook.com/GuinnessRugbyIreland?sk=app_158847734189960

totallegend

14-0 after 20 minutes, two scores from those famed try-scoring machines, Leo Cullen and Mick O'Driscoll!

athtrasna

14-3, pen by Niall O'Connor