What do you think should be Ireland's starting 15 this coming Six Nations?

dtpc191991

With the world cup out of the way it's time to look towards building our young players up to international standard. With that in mind here's my starting 15.

1. Cian Healey
2. Sean Cronin (I'm hoping Strauss to become's available next year to be first chioce hooker for now Cronin is the best young option).
3. Mike Ross (There are younger tightheads coming through but they haven't had enough high quality game time yet, hopefully wolfhounds and summer tour can remedy this).
4. Dan Touhy
5. Paul O'Connell (He's already be named captain so he's going to be playing).
6. Stephen Ferris
7. S'OB (would rather have him at six, I don't think we have a specialist number 7 that's good enough to justify kicking Ferris onto the bench. Correct me if I'm wrong)
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Paul Marshall
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Luke Fitzgerald
12. Fergus McFadden
13 Darren Cave
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

Other Possiblities: Eoin Griffin, Eoin O'Malley, Nevin Spence, Dave McSharry, Kevin Mclaughlin, Keith Earls, Fionn Carr, Craig Gilroy, Chris Henry, Devin Toner. (There are more but I can't think of them at the moment).

Oops, missed the Best exclusion

Same as above, but

2. Best
9. Reddan (brainfarts galore)
11. Fitz/Earls is a coinflip

irishbucsfan

Rory Best is 29 and you're effectively retiring him for an inferior player. Cannot see how that makes sense.

The team will be Healy, Best, Ross, Ryan, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip; Murray/Reddan, Sexton, Fitzgerald, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Kearney

Cronin, Court, O'Callaghan, McLoughlin/O'Mahoney, Reddan/Murray, O'Gara, Trimble

Can't see Kidney doing much outside that. It should be Reddan-Sexton but I wouldn't be surprised if Kidney somehow gets that call wrong as well.

[Jackass]

dtpc191991 wrote: »

With the world cup out of the way it's time to look towards building our young players up to international standard. With that in mind here's my starting 15.

1. Cian Healey
2. Sean Cronin (I'm hoping Strauss to become's available next year to be first chioce hooker for now Cronin is the best young option).
3. Mike Ross (There are younger tightheads coming through but they haven't had enough high quality game time yet, hopefully wolfhounds and summer tour can remedy this).
4. Dan Touhy
5. Paul O'Connell (He's already be named captain so he's going to be playing).
6. Stephen Ferris
7. S'OB (would rather have him at six, I don't think we have a specialist number 7 that's good enough to justify kicking Ferris onto the bench. Correct me if I'm wrong)
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Paul Marshall
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Luke Fitzgerald
12. Fergus McFadden
13 Darren Cave
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

Other Possiblities: Eoin Griffin, Eoin O'Malley, Nevin Spence, Dave McSharry, Kevin Mclaughlin, Keith Earls, Fionn Carr, Craig Gilroy, Chris Henry, Devin Toner. (There are more but I can't think of them at the moment).

I like that team, particularly the calls at 4 & 9. I'd definitely like to see them in action.

Looking forward to seeing Strauss in Ireland colours next season, but it would be great to focus on the young promising talent as much a consideration as who's the best current player, which would facilitate guys like Cronin, possibly Hagan down the line, Tuhoy etc. getting game time.

I don't think a team like that should reflect Best being retired or Earls being dropped, but more just a new set of combinations being tried, using some excellent developing talent.

Something alien to Irish international rugby.

Tox56

Oh how I would love if Ireland threw in a very young team, in positions for the future. However I feel we will get a similar conservative team, which won't set the world alight but will perform a solid 3rd/4th, that we have come to expect.

I would be happy we don't win the Six Nations if we try out all these new guys and see how they get on.

GerM

Marshall isn't up to it for me. He's a very exciting player to watch but he cannot deliver consistency or the quality required in all aspects to play international rugby. This is a bloke that was being shown the door in Ulster 18 months ago because he wasn't up to it. He is an absolutely brilliant breaker and could make a very good impact player but I wouldn't have him near the starting side in a month of Sundays. His passing is completely erratic and his organisation/decision making is suspect when the pressure is on.

irishbucsfan

GerM wrote: »

Marshall isn't up to it for me. He's a very exciting player to watch but he cannot deliver consistency or the quality required in all aspects to play international rugby. This is a bloke that was being shown the door in Ulster 18 months ago because he wasn't up to it. He is an absolutely brilliant breaker and could make a very good impact player but I wouldn't have him near the starting side in a month of Sundays. His passing is completely erratic and his organisation/decision making is suspect when the pressure is on.

I remember when people were saying this about Reddan

Podge_irl

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Tuohy
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. McFadden
13. Cave
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. Ryan
19. O'Mahoney
20. Murray
21. O'Gara
22. Fitzgerald


Not going to happen mind you.

(would rather have him at six, I don't think we have a specialist number 7 that's good enough to justify kicking Ferris onto the bench. Correct me if I'm wrong)

If we had a good enough specialist 7 it would be SOB going to the bench, not Ferris. You simply can't not start Ferris if he's fit. He's a monster.

Tox56

Podge_irl wrote: »

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Tuohy
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. McFadden
13. Cave
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. Ryan
19. O'Mahoney
20. Murray
21. O'Gara
22. Fitzgerald


Not going to happen mind you.



If we had a good enough specialist 7 it would be SOB going to the bench, not Ferris. You simply can't not start Ferris if he's fit. He's a monster.

Earls over Fitz in the form he's in?

[Jackass]

Marshall has come on so much, I'd say he's the form 9 in the country, followed by Reddan.

He's had his bad days, but that didn't stop TOL from being first choice for so long, and I'd love to see this guy given a chance.

Clearlier

As and aside when I saw the title of the thread I thought it was a debate about who would play fullback - had me wondering for a moment if Kearney had picked up an injury I hadn't heard about!

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I remember when people were saying this about Reddan

It was true too. I'm still not entirely certain that Reddan is consistently selectable (i.e. even when he's not in peak form) and it's because his decision making can be poor and laboured. I think that he has improved immensely under Schmidt and I'm interested to see how we fares at international level if he gets the chance.

After 10 years or so of the O's at second row we're suddenly looking a bit weak there.

The backrow may not be conventional but I think it has the potential to be one of the best units in the world. Heaslip modified his game significantly for it to work and I think that another year could see the develop a fantastic balance. Assuming of course that Ferris can stay fit.

Podge_irl

Tox56 wrote: »

Earls over Fitz in the form he's in?

I was possibly going out of my way to appear unbiased :P

Fitz is in great form and would certainly be a good bet at 11. I'd still back Earls to score from 10 metres out more often though. There's Trimble as well. It's a very strong position to be in.

danthefan

Healy
Best
Ross
Ryan
POC
Ferris
SOB
Heaslip
Reddan
Sexton
Fitz
D'Arcy
Cave
Bowe
Kearney

Court (who I don't rate at all, there's just not really much of an option), Varley, DOC, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls

if I were picking the team.

totallegend

[Jackass] wrote: »

Marshall has come on so much, I'd say he's the form 9 in the country, followed by Reddan.

He's had his bad days, but that didn't stop TOL from being first choice for so long, and I'd love to see this guy given a chance.

Marshall has shown up better this season than Murray did last year, so by that sort of logic he should get some sort of chance. Wolfhounds is more likely for him however.

I would pick:
1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Tuohy
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. D'Arcy
13. Cave
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. Ryan
19. O'Mahony
20. Murray
21. O'Gara
22. Earls

but realistically, Earls, Ryan and Murray are nailed on starters. Wouldn't quibble with Earls and Ryan, but I don't think Murray is up to it (yet).

Podge_irl

Clearlier wrote: »

It was true too. I'm still not entirely certain that Reddan is consistently selectable (i.e. even when he's not in peak form) and it's because his decision making can be poor and laboured. I think that he has improved immensely under Schmidt and I'm interested to see how we fares at international level if he gets the chance.

I'm still not overly enamoured with Reddan's decision making. I think they key is to play at a high pace so he doesn't have time to think too much!

mfceiling

Will we ever see a "mad" selection for the 6 nations?

We mention players like cave, marshall etc but would kidney ever throw a curve ball and push a form player to the fore?






Or is it same old, same old??

durkadurka

danthefan wrote: »

Healy
Best
Ross
Ryan
POC
Ferris
SOB
Heaslip
Reddan
Sexton
Fitz
D'Arcy
Cave
Bowe
Kearney

Court (who I don't rate at all, there's just not really much of an option), Varley, DOC, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls

if I were picking the team.

Agreed although earls at 11 has strong claims .
And we have two more weeks of HEC for a 13 to stake his claim.

wersal gummage

never gonna happen,

but what about ferris to 4 and bring in peter o'mahoney at 6 ?

devin toner has been playing some cracking rugby lately. some great work put in against bath in the aviva in particular. surprised nobody has him in.

.ak

Honestly think Reddan is the best SH we have for the international team at the moment. Brainfarts aside, he's easily the fastest to get to the break down and always injects pace into the backline at the right time. He hasn't got the pass some of the others have, but when he does the simple things right everything seems to click.

durkadurka

mfceiling wrote: »

Will we ever see a "mad" selection for the 6 nations?

We mention players like cave, marshall etc but would kidney ever throw a curve ball and push a form player to the fore?






Or is it same old, same old??

There needs to be either a raft of injuries, or the case needs to be compelling.

danthefan

durkadurka wrote: »

Agreed although earls at 11 has strong claims .
And we have two more weeks of HEC for a 13 to stake his claim.

It's tight but the way Fitz is playing I don't think you can leave him out.

Earls isn't a centre for me either, Cave very much is, he's getting the most gametime there and he's a decent player.

Plus he's handy to have on the bech covering a good few positions.

ed7890

mfceiling wrote: »

Will we ever see a "mad" selection for the 6 nations?

We mention players like cave, marshall etc but would kidney ever throw a curve ball and push a form player to the fore?

Or is it same old, same old??

I think it comes from the IRFU. The Six Nations is their cash cow, and they want to do as good as possible in every one, with no room for taking one off to build for the future.

.ak

mfceiling wrote: »

Will we ever see a "mad" selection for the 6 nations?

Kidney started a 3rd choice Celtic League SH for the World Cup. How madder can you get? Look how far that got us.

No, these players should be warming the bench and biting at the bit to get out onto the field for the last 20 or 30 minutes of a game.

GerM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I remember when people were saying this about Reddan

And they were right, to an extent. Reddan plays a very high tempo game that involves a high risk approach. With that said, his current game is far more consistent and considered than Marshall. He directs his forwards far better. He was also playing to a significantly higher standard at the stage of his career that Marshall is now at. When Reddan was 26, he was one of Wasps' vital players as they won the HEC and sometimes captain. Marshall isn't capable of that right now in my opinion. The showing against Treviso earlier this season was one of the single worst performances by a 9 this season in any competition.

Quotes from UAFC forum in relation to Marshall:
"Marshall, shouldn't be anywhere near the team, puts backline under serious pressure".

"You can't polish a turd and thats what marshall is shoveling out to Humph".

" I will be livid if I see Paul Marshall in an Ulster jersey for a good while".

That's a minor selection from those that watch him closely. His ability around the fringes mask the inadequacies he has when it comes to the basics.

durkadurka

Tbh luke wasn't that bad towards the end last year and he's not that good now. He still seems to be overrunning things now but he's getting away with it or he's marginally less ahead. And he still has the odd brain fart.

That said my prediction is Luke at 11 and earls at 13 so it's epidemic as they say

danthefan

GerM wrote: »

And they were right, to an extent. Reddan plays a very high tempo game that involves a high risk approach. With that said, his current game is far more consistent and considered than Marshall. He directs his forwards far better. He was also playing to a significantly higher standard at the stage of his career that Marshall is now at. When Reddan was 26, he was one of Wasps' vital players as they won the HEC and sometimes captain. Marshall isn't capable of that right now in my opinion. The showing against Treviso earlier this season was one of the single worst performances by a 9 this season.

Quotes from UAFC forum in relation to Marshall:
"Marshall, shouldn't be anywhere near the team, puts backline under serious pressure".

"You can't polish a turd and thats what marshall is shoveling out to Humph".

" I will be livid if I see Paul Marshall in an Ulster jersey for a good while".

That's a minor selection from those that watch him closely. His ability around the fringes mask the inadequacies he has when it comes to the basics.

The Ulster supporters on PR would also say he's extremely flaky and inconsistent. He's actually been pretty good whenever I've seen him tbf, but you'd have to take their word for it.

.ak

durkadurka wrote: »

Tbh luke wasn't that bad towards the end last year and he's not that good now. He still seems to be overrunning things now but he's getting away with it or he's marginally less ahead. And he still has the odd brain fart.

That said my prediction is Luke at 11 and earls at 13 so it's epidemic as they say

Honestly? He's been the inform back for Leinster since the season started, and that's saying something considering the wealth we have there. Every winger 'overruns' things now and again, even Visser, and quite often Shaggy. Oddly enough when Luke played at 12 earlier in the season he made little to no errors. Pity it wasn't tried again since Darce and McF are back.

shuffol

Marshall isnt even 1st choice at Ulster so its a bit early to have him starting for Ireland, its a season too early to be even talking about him in Ireland 22s IMO, he's only really come good this season, if he starts consistently delivering in big games then by all means bring him in. Give him a start for the Wolfhounds though as recognition for his performances, there's no real value starting anybody else. Him and Madigan would be an electric half back combo.

Fireball07

We all know what Kidney is likely to pick but the topic is what should be picked. You can't just nullify all discussion just because something isn't likely.

I'd have:

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. SOB
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Luke Fitz
13. Griffin
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

Bench: Cronin, Court, Tuohy, POM, Reddan, ROG, Trimble/McFadden

irishbucsfan

I think Marshall is flaky and inconsistent too.

But I also thought that about Reddan up until last year. I live in Buckinghamshire, almost walking distance from Adams Park, and most of the guys on my team are longtime Wasps STHs (some of them ex-Wasps in fact) who can't believe Reddan is starting for Ireland, because according to them he was the biggest waster of possession they've ever had at scrum half. Reddan came on a huge amount when he went to Leinster and took the starting job. (I actually think he was still pretty erratic until he started working with Schmidt, I really disliked him in 09/10). Now he's a great scrum half who manages possession far better than he ever did and he works fantastically well with Sexton, he should be far and away Ireland's #1.

I don't think Reddan was any better at Wasps than Marshall has been this season. Reddan got plenty of hype when he played for Wasps, mostly from people who never watched him play, very much like Bob Casey. He then scored in the Heineken Cup final and the hype exploded, but the truth was he was dodgy and he lost his place for Wasps to a very young Joe Simpson who Wasps pushed into the first team at the age of 19 because they were fed up of Reddan (which is why Reddan was told to look elsewhere, IE Leinster). I think Reddan only actually played about 60 times in 4 seasons for Wasps, he was hardly setting the world alight there (although if you read the typically ill-informed Irish press of the time you'd think he was the best 9 in the premiership). He did captain the team a handful of times, but leadership and ability don't necessarilly go hand in hand, he also lost his place while he was captain I believe.


I'm a big believe in the importance of the 6 Nations and I'd very much pick our strongest team for each game. We play 9/10 internationals a season, and I think we should use the 5 non-competitive ones for players development and focus on winning in Ferbruay/March. I wouldn't dream of actually starting Paul Marshall in this 6 Nations. I do think he is the 2nd best 9 in the country though, and I think he has the potential to become just as good as Reddan is, if he gets to work with a similar standard of coach. He has the tools to be great, he just needs his head sorted out. Unfortunately it seems Declan Kidney would be coaching him in February, so hopefully he's left out of the squad or else he could go the same way as the other Munster scrum halves that Kidney defiled (and before someone mentions Stringer, he was awful at times for Ireland when Kidney was at Munster, culminating in Reddan's promotion).

As for those quotes, Marshall's performances in previous seasons hardly endeared himself to certain Ulster fans, and they're not quick to forget these things. I'm not surprised his vastly imrpoved performances this year have gone unnoticed amongst the more elephantine Northerners. Or else you could have taken old quotes!

molloyjh

Katelyn Rhythmic Seafood wrote: »

Oops, missed the Best exclusion

Same as above, but

2. Best
9. Reddan (brainfarts galore)
11. Fitz/Earls is a coinflip

I think the Earls/Fitzy debate is a horses for courses in many ways. Earls is our finisher but Like has a better all round game. So it really depends what we want our winger doing. Personally I'd have:

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Tuohy
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. SOB
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitzy/Earls (a little rotation wouldn't be a bad thing)
12. Darce
13. Cave
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Court
17. Cronin
18. McCarthy
19. POM
20. Murray
21. ROG
22. McFadden

Ferg is probably the most versatile back we have so I reckon that's a no brainer. Tough on Trimble who has been very good too. But having Ferg there means that in any given game if anyone from 11 to 14 is injured he can fill in and if Rob is injured we can move Fitzy/Earls to 15 and put Ferg at 11. He also has pace to burn so could brin that to the table from an impact point of view.

Podge_irl

I haven't seen a huge amount of Ulster this season, only about 3 games, and many people who's opinions I respect say Marshall is erratic, unpredictable (in a bad way) and prone to massive errors. Any time I've seen him though he's been excellent.

durkadurka

.ak wrote: »

Honestly? He's been the inform back for Leinster since the season started, and that's saying something considering the wealth we have there. Every winger 'overruns' things now and again, even Visser, and quite often Shaggy. Oddly enough when Luke played at 12 earlier in the season he made little to no errors. Pity it wasn't tried again since Darce and McF are back.

All I'm saying is its never as good or as bad as they say. Yes he's playing better but he wasn't all bad last year and it's not all good this year

irishbucsfan

durkadurka wrote: »

All I'm saying is its never as good or as bad as they say. Yes he's playing better but he wasn't all bad last year and it's not all good this year

I would say it wasn't all bad last year and it's been nearly all very good this year.

I think, though, that there are people who will always dislike Fitzgerald irrelevant of his actual ability or form, and so any quiet period will be hugely overstated. I think it's something himself and Earls will share in common throughout their careers.

I'd have them both, Earls against weaker teams for his finishing, Fitzgerald against stronger teams for his defense (best pound-for-pound defensive player in the squad imo). Whoever doesn't start on the bench because that covers every position in the backs. We're very lucky with our wingers (Trimble mightn't even see the field!)

mrboswell

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Rory Best is 29 and you're effectively retiring him for an inferior player. Cannot see how that makes sense.

The team will be Healy, Best, Ross, Ryan, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip; Murray/Reddan, Sexton, Fitzgerald, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Kearney

Cronin, Court, O'Callaghan, McLoughlin/O'Mahoney, Reddan/Murray, O'Gara, Trimble

Can't see Kidney doing much outside that. It should be Reddan-Sexton but I wouldn't be surprised if Kidney somehow gets that call wrong as well.

Agreed mostly, but I'd be most worried about Earls at 13.
I'd have him on the wing, if not the bench, depending on how fitz is playing.

astonaidan

Mine would be:
1 Healy
2 Best
3 Ross
4 POC
5 McCarthy
6 Ferris
7 SOB
8 Heaslip
9 Murray
10 ROG
11 Earls
12 Griffin
13 Cave
14 Bowe
15 Kearney

d-gal

From a connacht point of view McCarthy, Muldoon, Duffy, Wilko, Griffin and TOH should all be in the mix but I can't see any being included with Kidney.
McCarthy is much better than Ryan or DOC. Muldoon is as good POM/Kev/Leamy for a bench spot.
Duffy has been the most consistent player in Ireland this year, hasn't put a foot wrong.
Wilkinson is surely top 3 for LH at the moment.
Griffin looks a magnificent prospect.
Finally if bloody Zebo is being hyped up by Tony Ward then TOH is a bloody god in comparacent!

goreyguy

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald
12. McFadden
13. Trimble
14. Bowe
15. Kearney
16. Cronin
17. Court
18. Toner
19. Ruddock
20. Murray
21. Darcy
22. Earls

bamboozle

d-gal wrote: »

From a connacht point of view McCarthy, Muldoon, Duffy, Wilko, Griffin and TOH should all be in the mix but I can't see any being included with Kidney.
McCarthy is much better than Ryan or DOC. Muldoon is as good POM/Kev/Leamy for a bench spot.
Duffy has been the most consistent player in Ireland this year, hasn't put a foot wrong.
Wilkinson is surely top 3 for LH at the moment.
Griffin looks a magnificent prospect.
Finally if bloody Zebo is being hyped up by Tony Ward then TOH is a bloody god in comparacent!

agree with all the above, Zebo is the latest player to be over hyped by munster. I'd love to see McCarthy and Touhy fighting for a spot ahead of DOC/Ryan.
I've been banging the Muldoon drum for a long time but as long as he stays with connacht he wont get the recognition he deserves.

Kidney has a great opportunity to freshen up the squad, the likes of Darcy, DOC, P&D Wallace, Flannery etc need to be omitted. In every 50:50 decision youth should get the nod.

CIARAN_BOYLE

I think the follow players are definites for the 15 and no will be willing to argue

Healy Best Ross POC Ferris SOB Heaslip Sexton Bowe Kearney

Its little odd that so many of the definites are in the pack

Places available are imo one lock, Tuohy/Ryan, a scrumhalf Redden/Murray, a left wing Fizgerald/Earls/Trimble, a IC Darcy/McFadden, a 13 EOM/Cave/Griffing

totallegend

d-gal wrote: »

From a connacht point of view McCarthy, Muldoon, Duffy, Wilko, Griffin and TOH should all be in the mix but I can't see any being included with Kidney

Maybe so, but Muldoon, McCarthy and Duffy are all 30 or older and if we're bringing in guys who don't have much experience of internationals, I'd rather it was younger guys who will give us a few more years, e.g. Toner/Tuohy/Ruddock/O'Mahony. However, that makes it all the more irritiating that Kidney is even considering Geordan Murphy.

Griffin is injured ATM and being at Connacht, he needs to be playing out of his skin to break into the squad; if he's not playing, he won't get picked. O'Halloran deserves a shot with the Wolfhounds but the senior wing spots are locked down with Bowe/Earls/Fitzgerald/Trimble/McFadden, so he won't get a look-in either.

If it was a 23-man match day squad, I would definitely have Wilkinson in there, but since we can only name one sub prop, Court has to get the nod for his (dubious) ability to play both sides.

All in all, another barren season beckons for Connacht I'm afraid.

yeraulone

Anyone know when the full squad will be named?

totallegend

yeraulone wrote: »

Anyone know when the full squad will be named?

Usual practice is to name a 'training squad' of 30-35 players in mid-January which then gets trimmed down a week or so before the first game.

Benny Cake

bamboozle wrote: »

Zebo is the latest player to be over hyped by munster.

To be fair, Tony Ward aside, I don't think anybody is overhyping Zebo. I haven't seen anyone clamoring for his inclusion in an Irish 22 or anything ridiculous like that. Any Munster fan I know would love to have Howlett in the side but we have to make do with Zebo. He has potential & will improve with Heineken Cup experience.

padraig.od

I made this point over in the English thread but it is worth repeating and would be grateful if anyone had an answer...

Is seeding for the next RWC determined this season or next? Might explain a few conservative selections over the coming weeks.

Would you rather we blood a load of young lads and see how they get on or get our seeding for the next RWC secured?

durkadurka

I believe it's based on the world rankings at the end of the November games this year.

CIARAN_BOYLE

yeraulone wrote: »

Anyone know when the full squad will be named?

Next tuesday or wednesday after round 5 of the Heineken

padraig.od

durkadurka wrote: »

I believe it's based on the world rankings at the end of the November games this year.

Thanks. Do we have a 3 test tour to NZ this summer? Any idea who is lined up for November?

Flincher

I don't think Marshall would be a terrible bench option. He makes a an impact when he comes on late in the game. He makes too many blunders to be considered for a starting role in my view.

Its a close call between Reddan and Murray for 9. Possibly a horses for courses selection, like Schmidt does with Boss and Reddan. Murray's defence and breaking could be an asset against the likes of Italy. We've 2 excellent 9s with different styles, we might as well try and get the best out of both.

Flincher

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Marshall is flaky and inconsistent too.

But I also thought that about Reddan up until last year. I live in Buckinghamshire, almost walking distance from Adams Park, and most of the guys on my team are longtime Wasps STHs (some of them ex-Wasps in fact) who can't believe Reddan is starting for Ireland, because according to them he was the biggest waster of possession they've ever had at scrum half. Reddan came on a huge amount when he went to Leinster and took the starting job. (I actually think he was still pretty erratic until he started working with Schmidt, I really disliked him in 09/10). Now he's a great scrum half who manages possession far better than he ever did and he works fantastically well with Sexton, he should be far and away Ireland's #1.

I don't think Reddan was any better at Wasps than Marshall has been this season. Reddan got plenty of hype when he played for Wasps, mostly from people who never watched him play, very much like Bob Casey. He then scored in the Heineken Cup final and the hype exploded, but the truth was he was dodgy and he lost his place for Wasps to a very young Joe Simpson who Wasps pushed into the first team at the age of 19 because they were fed up of Reddan (which is why Reddan was told to look elsewhere, IE Leinster). I think Reddan only actually played about 60 times in 4 seasons for Wasps, he was hardly setting the world alight there (although if you read the typically ill-informed Irish press of the time you'd think he was the best 9 in the premiership). He did captain the team a handful of times, but leadership and ability don't necessarilly go hand in hand, he also lost his place while he was captain I believe.

I'm surprised to read that. I watched a fair bit of Reddan in his early years Wasps, and I thought did fairly well. He displaced (an ageing) Dawson in his first season if I recall correctly, and I thought he was excellent in the knock out stages of the HEC in 07. His display against Leinster in the QF was the best I'd seen from an Irish 9 in an age.

I did think he went off the boil after the World Cup, so maybe memories are slightly tainted. There's no doubt his game has improved over the last few years with Leinster, but I was always under the impression his time with Wasps was successful.

little173

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I think the follow players are definites for the 15 and no will be willing to argue

Healy Best Ross POC Ferris SOB Heaslip Sexton Bowe Kearney

Its little odd that so many of the definites are in the pack

Places available are imo one lock, Tuohy/Ryan, a scrumhalf Redden/Murray, a left wing Fizgerald/Earls/Trimble, a IC Darcy/McFadden, a 13 EOM/Cave/Griffing

This is right, people talk about overly conservative Irish coaches etc, but in reality we still have a very small group of elite players so most of the team picks itself.

The important thing is to try and get at least 1 player, pref 2 or 3 to kick on from exposure in the 6N - this year could and should be one of Ryan, Tuohy, Cave, or Griffin, to make the step up, in the way SOB did last year. BOD injury opens the door and DOC's form means there are opportunites there.