Rory Best injury - Collar Bone

Reloc8

Hearing Rory Best has done something bad to his collar bone - first up, I'm gutted for him. He was playing the rugby of his life.

Second up...ah feck.

razorblunt

Step forward Jerry Flannery....

....oh wait!

mjp

hope injury isnt as serious as feared as he has been playing some serious stuff and his experience in the big games is huge.
Would worry most about cronins throwing as seems to struggle to find his men in the lineout when needed mostly. In the loose he offers us more as probably one of the quickest front row forward at the world cup

Reloc8

No doubting Cronin's pace and football ability (his hands are a work in progress).

But losing Best at this point would be a disaster.

Brewster

It's a massive blow to our chances, Wales have a fantastic line out and will put all sorts of pressure on Cronin. Can't believe rte didn't pick up on this as I stated in match thread.

thomond2006

Oh no.

Tefral

Oh no.. hope the guy will be ok..

Looking at Verley and Cronin so from here on in are we?

Tweedo

This could really hurt us what without Flannery as well, Cronin's throwing just isn't good enough. I'm worried

freyners

while cronins throwing is not as good as bests i do think people are over hyping it as well. The man is well able to throw and his speed and work in the loose offers another option alongside ferris obrien heaslip and healy

No doubt everyone is hoping best isn't seriously injured and will hopefully be starting V wales but I have enough confidence in Cronin to believe it wont be as serious a dent as people are making out

ekevosu

Planet rugby say that he was taken straight to hospital. Not looking good unfortunately. He really is playing great rugby.

Reloc8

Munster people - in this scenario, i.e. priority is the set piece - would ye be picking Varley or Cronin ?

Tefral

freyners wrote: »

while cronins throwing is not as good as bests i do think people are over hyping it as well. The man is well able to throw and his speed and work in the loose offers another option alongside ferris obrien heaslip and healy

No doubt everyone is hoping best isn't seriously injured and will hopefully be starting V wales but I have enough confidence in Cronin to believe it wont be as serious a dent as people are making out

I agree... Best was playing out of his skin, but Cronins throwing has come on i think..

Brewster

freyners wrote: »

while cronins throwing is not as good as bests i do think people are over hyping it as well. The man is well able to throw and his speed and work in the loose offers another option alongside ferris obrien heaslip and healy

No doubt everyone is hoping best isn't seriously injured and will hopefully be starting V wales but I have enough confidence in Cronin to believe it wont be as serious a dent as people are making out

Best is the glue between Healy and Ross, it's a far bigger dent to our chances than you realise. Absolutely gutted just as the momentum was building. Cronin is not strong enough at this level.

bamboozling

Are we looking at Sherry getting called out?

Micky Dolenz

Hopefully it's just a precautionary x ray

chippers

As Brewster mentions it's not just the throwing issue that is a concern. Best has been scrummaging excellently recently and while ross and healy get all the plaudits, best has been having a huge impact as well.

Reloc8

^ Fingers crossed.

Still curious - if Munster were picking between Varley and Cronin, based solely on scrum and lineout...who would they pick ?

Tefral

Reloc8 wrote: »

^ Fingers crossed.

Still curious - if Munster were picking between Varley and Cronin, based solely on scrum and lineout...who would they pick ?

Why just Munster fans??

Reloc8

yeah I phrased it generally second time.

I asked Munster people specifically first time because I tend to find they know their players very well. There's a received wisdom about Cronin that he can't throw and doesn't scrummage, and that Varley is a set piece man. Curious as to what people who follow that team closely think about it.

Maybe I should have just said 'what do knowledgeable people who know these two players really well think about it' but that was less punchy.

I could have asked supporters of other teams to pm me rather than post in the thread or something but I hate getting pms you know that annoying screen that comes up asking you if want to read them on this screen or a pop up or something.

I'm a Leinster fan myself.

Otherwise I would have known the answer to my own question.

Anyway what was I saying...

Tefral

Reloc8 wrote: »

yeah I phrased it generally second time.

I asked Munster people specifically first time because I tend to find they know their players very well. There's a received wisdom about Cronin that he can't throw and doesn't scrummage, and that Varley is a set piece man. Curious as to what people who follow that team closely think about it.

Maybe I should have just said 'what do knowledgeable people who know these two players really well think about it' but that was less punchy.

I could have asked supporters of other teams to pm me rather than post in the thread or something but I hate getting pms you know that annoying screen that comes up asking you if want to read them on this screen or a pop up or something.

I'm a Leinster fan myself.

Otherwise I would have known the answer to my own question.

Anyway what was I saying...

Ah, im a Munster fan myself so was just wondering.. You know Id go with Cronin.. Varley possibly has the better throwing skills, however Cronin is very good in the loose, he tends to be everywhere. Not discounting Varley either but Cronin has been in the setup from the start etc.

thomond2006

bamboozling wrote: »

Are we looking at Sherry getting called out?

Nobody else really is there?

justsomebloke

The provincial crap stops here

Reloc8

Don't think so - terrible luck to lose two players from a specialist position.

edit : Jeebus if any of what I typed is being considered Provincial Crap I'm sorry. Is it ok to mention Leinster/Munster ? There has been no knocking of either.

overshoot

Brewster wrote: »

Best is the glue between Healy and Ross, it's a far bigger dent to our chances than you realise. Absolutely gutted just as the momentum was building. Cronin is not strong enough at this level.

agreed on this, if we do lose Best our scrum will lose some strength as well as the line out

thomond2006

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nobody else really is there?

nope, Sherry definitely next in line.

The Fogarty and Jackman retirements last season meant we were thinning with backups at 2 already.

Bearcat

justsomebloke wrote: »

The provincial crap stops here

Relax Sir.

INFRACTION RECEIVED.

Reloc8

You'd say wrap Cronin and Varley up in cotton wool but that doesn't really work with hookers does it.

Sandwlch

Reloc8 wrote: »

edit : Jeebus if any of what I typed is being considered Provincial Crap I'm sorry. Is it ok to mention Leinster/Munster ? There has been no knocking of either.

No need to be sorry. Perfectly reasonable question, I am interested in this one also, as looks like one or the other is going to be thrown in at the deep end, and which to choose could be a make or break decision in our battle for forward possession in the Wales game. Mod musnt have read your post - just panicked when they saw 'Munster'.

Bogsnorkler

I donno, There's a lot of folks who think Varley is pretty poor at the scrum. His throwing hasn't been up to his normal standard this season so far

Fireball07

Reloc8 wrote: »

^ Fingers crossed.

Still curious - if Munster were picking between Varley and Cronin, based solely on scrum and lineout...who would they pick ?

I'd pick Cronin tbh.

His throwing isn't great...and his scrummaging isn't as good as Best at all. But I just don't think Varley is an international-class hooker. Sherry is ahead of him with Munster imo. I'd be happier with Sherry in the team tbh, but he's just too inexperienced.

phog

Hopefully, it's not serious, we need Best.

In answer to a previous question of Varley or Cronin, it has to be Cronin, he's been with the squad the longest and has played W/C rugby, Varley next in line.

If required, who's there from the provinces for call up, Sherry in Munster, who in the other 3?

phog

phog wrote: »

Hopefully, it's not serious, we need Best.

In answer to a previous question of Varley or Cronin, it has to be Cronin, he's been with the squad the longest and has played W/C rugby, Varley next in line.

If required, who's there from the provinces for call up, Sherry in Munster, who in the other 3?

no it's definitely Sherry #1. By a distance.

I wouldn't even worry about the others tbh.

GerM

cronin_j wrote: »

Varley possibly has the better throwing skills,

That really says it all about how screwed we are if we have to rely on Cronin. Varley is a poor thrower. For Cronin to be around the same level shows how weakened we'll be. Our line out is a massive element of our game. Best's absence goes far beyond just the line out though or the scrum. His handling is excellent. He's one of the best defenders in the side and is like an extra flanker at times around the park. I can't understate what a loss he'll be if it's confirmed.

justsomebloke

Reloc8 wrote: »

if Munster were picking between Varley and Cronin, based solely on scrum and lineout...who would they pick ?

For all those wondering, this is the comment that made me give a warning, the user may have clarified it later but the warning still has to be put in place as to what will not be tolerated.

** any further questions pm me

part time punk

chippers wrote: »

As Brewster mentions it's not just the throwing issue that is a concern. Best has been scrummaging excellently recently and while ross and healy get all the plaudits, best has been having a huge impact as well.

What he said ........ Best has been on top form as well. Fingers crossed it's nothing serious.

phog

Deleted User wrote: »

no it's definitely Sherry #1. By a distance.

I wouldn't even worry about the others tbh.

That's kind of worrying, I've huge time for Sherry and often preferred to see him start ahead of Varley but I think should he be called up it'll be a huge step up for him.

Reloc8

post deleted feckit.

Reloc8

phog wrote: »

That's kind of worrying, I've huge time for Sherry and often preferred to see him start ahead of Varley but I think should he be called up it'll be a huge step up for him.

I thought Arlo Shaggy Streptomycin meant he's number 1 of those in line for the call-ups, not number 1 to start in the team.

phog

phog wrote: »

That's kind of worrying, I've huge time for Sherry and often preferred to see him start ahead of Varley but I think should he be called up it'll be a huge step up for him.

Dundon @ Leinster is a late 20s AIL player that they needed to call in after losing Fogarty and Jackman in the one year. He's actually quite good, but I just wouldn't have anywhere near enough confidence in him to ask him to step into green. Jason Harris-Wright has had good performances but I would be one of the first to question his temperament and discipline. He's also a kid. Tom Sexton is there too but again would be a lamb to the slaughter. Has no experience whatsoever.

Connacht have Flavin and I wouldn't know anything about him at this stage. He certainly wouldn't be "callable onable" in a WC QF though.

Ulster have Annett, Ireland U20 captain last year. Again too young and inexperienced at even Pro12 level to consider. Nigel Brady would probably be the most experienced hooker left in Ireland, but I wouldn't think he'd be able for the game.

Reloc8

phog wrote: »

If required, who's there from the provinces for call up,

In the one that play in White, Niall Annet & Nigel Brady. I know nothing about either.

In the one that play in Green, Adrian Flavin, Dermot Murphy are the eligble squad members (they have a South African with a name I can never remember). Can't see either as realistic.

In the one that play in Blue, Jason Harris Wright is the eligible hooker (Strauss obviously not). Again, not realistic as an option.

Reloc8

Reloc8 wrote: »

In the one that play in White, Niall Annet & Nigel Brady. I know nothing about either.

In the one that play in Green, Adrian Flavin, Dermot Murphy are the eligble squad members (they have a South African with a name I can never remember). Can't see either as realistic.

In the one that play in Blue, Jason Harris Wright is the eligible hooker (Strauss obviously not). Again, not realistic as an option.

and spelling it is the hardest!

Ethienne Reyinecke (or something like that!)

Bogsnorkler

Really hope Denis Fogs doesnt get called up, prob the remaining hooker with most call ups to the a's and full squad.

sherry is class though

thebaz

cronin did just fine - losing POC, ross, Healy, BOD or even Ferris, Bowe , Kearney, o'gara would be far more serious - hopefully best will be back for later stages - injuries will be par for course of this journey for all teams - its hardly like losing dan carter

padser

Bogsnorkler wrote: »

Really hope Denis Fogs doesnt get called up, prob the remaining hooker with most call ups to the a's and full squad.

sherry is class though

It might be time to put a call into the dept of foreign affairs and get a rush put on Ricards passport!!!!

Failing that we might have to ask Keith Wood to start hitting the gym......

Seriously though, fingers crossed for Best - it's a testament to how well he is playing that Flannary is not being missed. We really need him.

We might get word on it in the next few hours, if something does show up on X-ray.

[Jackass]

This would be a bit of a disaster alright. We're really thinning out on options now if we're down to 3rd choice hooker to start.

Alternatives are Sherry, after that maybe Harris-Wright, but if he's called out it's bottom of the barrel stuff, still finding his feet in Pro12...

Sean O'Brien or Cian Healy to Hooker??

(Cian Healy threw in to lineouts in schools rugby if that helps... :pac:)

thebaz

thebaz wrote: »

cronin did just fine - losing POC, ross, Healy, BOD or even Ferris, Bowe , Kearney, o'gara would be far more serious - hopefully best will be back for later stages - injuries will be par for course of this journey for all teams - its hardly like losing dan carter

fully disagree here. If you're calling the above players the first choice

POC -> Cullen isn't near as big a gap as Best -> Cronin
Bowe -> Trimble again
Kearney - > Murphy is a big step, but again not in the same league.
ROG -> Sexton is not even a step, as it's a crazily close decision already.

You're completely underestimating just how good Best has been and how important he is for our game.

GerM

Andy Kyriacou is definitely an option that people are forgetting. I think it would be Sherry though.

Risteard

Hope it's not serious, not just from the POV of the Irish team, but for Best himself. He's playing his best rugby of his Irish career lately and it would be a shame for him to miss out.

GerM

[Jackass] wrote: »

Cian Healy threw in to lineouts in schools rugby if that helps... :pac:)

He didn't. He played and scrummaged at hooker but Belvedere's No. 8, David Gilchrist, threw in at set piece time. Gilchrist was a fine hooker in his own right and played there on representative teams.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Leamy was registered as a hooker in Munster years ago, if that's any help?

Seriously though, it would be a huge loss. Best has been playing the best rugby of his career imo and Cronin is terribly unpredictable - he looks so nervous on the field, his hands are terrible and he poor in the lineout. If Varley could find his early season form from last year he would be my starter hands down but, he was poor towards the end of the season. His throwing went AWOL and he became a penalty machine. If he did find form though, he could be our answer to having no natural 7 , he can be a beast on the floor.

Sherry would probably be the obvious replacement. It would be a huge challenge to slot in with the squad and learn the calls though. This is probably the only time that I'll go on record saying that I want Strauss to tog out for Ireland though.

I would absolutely love for Sherry to pull a Murray and go from being 4th choice at Munster to being first choice for Ireland within 6months though.

phog

Reloc8 wrote: »

I thought Arlo Shaggy Streptomycin meant he's number 1 of those in line for the call-ups, not number 1 to start in the team.

I understood that, thats why I asked

That's kind of worrying, I've huge time for Sherry and often preferred to see him start ahead of Varley but I think should he be called up it'll be a huge step up for him

GerM wrote: »

Andy Kyriacou is definitely an option that people are forgetting. I think it would be Sherry though.

I fgorgot about Andy, he may be next choice too.