Ireland's Backrow for the Six Nations

Sport101

6. Ferris 7.Heaslip 8.SOB

Heaslip now does more work as an typical openside, SOB has been pretty good anytime I've seen him play 8, and Ferris is an excellent 6, so for me this backrow would seem more balanced. In fact, apart from the scrum, this is how they currently seem to be playing in open play anyway. Is there any reason that Jamie couldn't make a world class 7 (good position to captain as well)? Obviously this is all assuming that Ferris's body doesn't fall apart over the coming months!

Big Nelly

6. Ferris 7. Rhys Ruddock 8. SOB

What about that? Have Heaslip on bench or Ferris or SOB or Ruddock.

If Heaslip gets some form back I cannot see him been dropped. I can't wait till I see his first match in a Leinster Jersey, he will be like a man possessed I bet!!!!

Hopefully will be against Munster!!!

part time punk

@ Sport101 - the main reason I can see is that on his day he's a world class 8 and is he maybe not quite fast enough for 7? But I could be wrong

Anyway
6 SOB
7 Short term Wallace if not injured (Long Term a more natural/classic 7 badly needed)
8 Heaslip
Bench Ferris

Ferris was awesome in the World cup, so pleased for him after all his injuries and not playing at all in 2007. But I do worry about his knees and think he would make an incredible impact sub, for the last half hour of games he could make a huge difference. And you could take off any of the back row and shift things around. Hopefully it could prolong his career too. Think we get too hung up on starting 15s, when its a 22/23 man game and Ferris not starting doesn't mean he's not as good as those who are, just that he's better suited to come off the bench.

totallegend

Big Nelly wrote: »

6. Ferris 7. Rhys Ruddock 8. SOB

What about that? Have Heaslip on bench or Ferris or SOB or Ruddock.

If Heaslip gets some form back I cannot see him been dropped. I can't wait till I see his first match in a Leinster Jersey, he will be like a man possessed I bet!!!!

Hopefully will be against Munster!!!

If we're throwing anyone in at 7, I think most Leinster fans would think that Dom Ryan is a better 7 and Ruddock is better at 6. I would be shocked if Kidney goes with anyone other than Ferris-SOB-Heaslip to be honest.

On the David Wallace issue, he should not be picked; if we are ever to start building for the future, we have to start making the tough calls now. While it would be nice for Wallace to have a proper send-off in the team, that has to be secondary to squad progress.

Sport101

Speed could be an issue alright, not sure where he ranks over 30-40 yards with the other players, but certainly Wally was(is?) one of the fastest. Still like the look of SOB at 8 though, maybe a bit shorter than other 8s at 6ft 2, but not by much.

GerM

The current back row. It gets our three best back row players on the pitch in their strongest formation. There's no need to change it for the sake of the idea that SOB is a better 8 (he's not) or Heaslip is a better 7 (he's not).

shuffol

Current backrow wont change but the squad could desperatey do with some fresh blood. Leamy unless he gets his place back for Munster has no right to be there and Jennings obviousy isnt rated. What's now a position of massive strength for us could cause us a few headaches. Heaslip is out of form as an 8 where his primary duty is a ball carriier, Ferris is injured more often than not and Walaces Ireland career is probably over. We should be looking to introduce the likes of Dom. Ryan, Rhys Ruddock and Peter O'Mahoney into the national setup over the next year. We need to dangle the carrot of a place in the Irish squad in front of these guys to try and drive them on.

I've been particulary impressed with POM, is he likely to be in Munsters starting XV for the HC?

.ak

GerM wrote: »

The current back row. It gets our three best back row players on the pitch in their strongest formation. There's no need to change it for the sake of the idea that SOB is a better 8 (he's not) or Heaslip is a better 7 (he's not).

It's a tough call in regards to SOB at 6 though. Ferris is outstanding, but his long term place in the 6 jersey is questionable due to his knee, and SOB at 6 is marginally better than 7, but still better.

It is funny how one game can change our mindset though. I remember people banging on about how we don't really need a groundhog at 7 if we've got so many good ball carriers, but now after the Wales match there's talk about Heaslip moving to 7 for his groundwork etc., etc.

I think the current set up is just fine to compete in the 6N, but for the sake of the future of Irish rugby I'd like to see a good groundhog coming through the ranks just for the sake of having someone there, match depending. Or take someone that has experience there that has a great skill to get over the ball and not be moved off their feet. *cough*strauss*cough*

Eoin

I think all this is a bit unfair on Heaslip - it's not as if he's been playing badly. He's just not as noticeable at the moment because SOB can run through a brick wall, and Ferris is in great form with a very good eye for the offload. Of course, he has played better for Ireland, but that's not the same thing as him playing badly at the moment.

CatFromHue

There is 12 games in total made up of 6 Heineken and 6 Pro12 games for the provinces before Feb. So simply put there is a lot of rugby to be played before the 6 Nations.

Hopefully Donnacha Ryan, who in fairness to him has looked fairly decent for Ireland when given the chance in WC, and Jennings when they get back to their provinces get stuck in big time.

At the end of last season wasn't the first choice back row for Munster Ryan, Coughlan, and Wallace. With Wallace and Coughlan (I think) out injured there is room for a new player or Leamy/Ronan to get back in. Hard to know how this will swing. I do like the way Coughlan plays so hopefully he isn't out for too long.

Ulster will probably have Wannenberg, Ferris, and Henry/Faloon/Diack in their backrow.

Also with Connacht now playing Heineken Cup rugby we will have Muldoon and O'Connor having a strong chance to put themselves in the mix again.

I don't think Dom Ryan, Ruddock, and McLaughlin will be pushing for Ireland spots just yet.

Regarding Heaslip. In the Irish back row you have SOB and Ferris shouting for the ball at rucks/mauls so there is actually competition for the scrum half to pass to.

This question could also be asked for Ireland's second row. Obviously POC and DOC will be the front runners but if Tuohy can stay fit and if Toner can get ahead of Sykes and Browne it will be good for the Irish team.

Fireball07

shuffol wrote: »

Current backrow wont change but the squad could desperatey do with some fresh blood. Leamy unless he gets his place back for Munster has no right to be there and Jennings obviousy isnt rated. What's now a position of massive strength for us could cause us a few headaches. Heaslip is out of form as an 8 where his primary duty is a ball carriier, Ferris is injured more often than not and Walaces Ireland career is probably over. We should be looking to introduce the likes of Dom. Ryan, Rhys Ruddock and Peter O'Mahoney into the national setup over the next year. We need to dangle the carrot of a place in the Irish squad in front of these guys to try and drive them on.

I've been particulary impressed with POM, is he likely to be in Munsters starting XV for the HC?

I hope POM will be starting in the HC, I think he should be. With Wallace out, he could start at 7, and I reckon he's a better option there than Ronan. I don't know if he's played in the pro12 yet though...

A back-row of Coughlan, POM and Leamy/Ryan/TOD could work.

But I don't think Dom Ryan, Ruddock or McLaughlin can start for Ireland unless they are starting in the HC, the same with POM.

But the same backrow as finished the WC with Dom Ryan/Ruddock/POM on the bench is what I'd hope for. Ryan probably ahead atm imo, I've always been really impressed by him.

Podge_irl

Ryan is the closest thing we have in the works to a traditional 7 who might actually make it as an international, and he's still a long way off that. Still though, would like to see him maybe involved on the bench if he gets sufficient gametime for Leinster (which he may well not).

Pointless having Leamy or Ryan on the bench (and especially both) with our current starting backrow, which won't change.

chippers

CatFromHue wrote: »

Also with Connacht now playing Heineken Cup rugby we will have Muldoon and O'Connor having a strong chance to put themselves in the mix again.

O'Connor! really?!I know he does very well for Connacht but for him to re-enter the mix at international level is a step backwards for the irish team