Clever questions for Bernard Jackman and Andy Ward

Davekoolhill

Lads,

Have you lads any clever questions to put to Bernard Jackman and Andy Ward?

They are promoting the Heineken Star Saturday on May 19th. They might be doing a short Q and A session, so if you have any good ideas for questions, lash them below and I will post up the answers.

errlloyd

Bernard, I am having trouble with my lineout throws, do you know anyone good who I could ask for help?

PhatPiggins

Andy out of the many up and coming young backrows in Ireland who,if any, has the most potential to be a genuine openside?

That would be the number 7 Dave

Davekoolhill

Haha okay

durkadurka

Would Bernard care to reveal his boards username???

Bernard's blogs during the 6N last season were absolutely on the money. Really enjoyed reading them. Is he planning on continuing them at any stage? If not, get him to join us on here!
(http://www.betpackblog.com/bernards-blog/item/233-6-nations-analysis-with-bernard-jackman.html)

He's talked about head injuries in the past, what does he think of Paddy Wallace's migraine the other week? Surely this kind of blatant disregard for players health is going to result in massive problems?
I watched Shane Horgan's try vs Munster last season when Ryan played 6, Boss popped back into Nacewa from a central scrum who then raced through the gap before grubbering a pass to Horgan. Horgan almost certainly knocked himself out in the act of scoring the try and had severe jelly legs getting up.
Should there be some responsibility for the players put into the hands of the referee? Rolland ordered a player to be substituted before, should we be seeing this more often, or would that open a massive can of worms?

@ Andy, do you think it is harder for an Ulster player to achieve international recognition given the dominance of Munster and Leinster of the provincial and European competitions over the past 5/6 seasons? Are we still seeing relics of this by having guys like David Kearney drafted into a national squad even after 1.5 seasons of top rugby from Craig Gilroy? When Dan Tuohy, a proven star over the past 3 full seasons at Ulster can't even get into a squad given injuries to two of the most senior locks? (POC and Cullen).
Does this say more about the level that the Ulster team have risen above (to spite their own abilities?) or does this simply echo everyone's sentiments that we are missing trick after trick by having a retrospective and not progressive coaching ticket at the helm?

profitius

To both of them: Now that the 3 big provinces are moving towards NZ coaches, how far behind NZ is Ireland in terms of coaching?

Ward is from there and Jackman was in NZ last year so they both should have some idea.

totallegend

I'd back up Emmet's question for Jackman in relation to head injuries; it was big news when he and Fogarty retired within a short space of time but it's faded out again, it would be interesting to hear if he has any take on the (apparent) inaction. I can't remember the last time I heard of a pro player being subjected to the mandatory rest period for concussion.

PS, where is this Q&A happening?

Zico

Given the current drive for monstrous players especially props do you think there is a danger of (more) young players turning to illegal performance enhancing drugs? And how can it be dealt with?

Monty Burnz

Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark?

chupacabra

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Though in fairness Bernard might be a bit biased towards the egg.

Quint2010

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark?

Gareth..

GerM

Given Ward's route to becoming an Irish international, I'd be interested in his views on project players being specifically headhunted and potentially capped ahead of indigenous players.

pickarooney

Who's going to win the final, Chelsea or Bayern?

PhatPiggins

GerM wrote: »

Given Ward's route to becoming an Irish international, I'd be interested in his views on project players being specifically headhunted and potentially capped ahead of indigenous players.

Do you think Ward was headhunted? I'd say he was the most surprised man in the country when he got the call up.

Gracelessly Tom

Do you think Todd would be able for H Cup level rugby?

GerM

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Do you think Ward was headhunted? I'd say he was the most surprised man in the country when he got the call up.

No, don't think that at all. Perhaps I should have been clearer in my post. Ward arrived here, made a life for himself, married here and was capped. Being capped wouldn't have been on his mind at all I assume when he made the move. Obviously, he wouldn't have any issue with someone being capped under those circumstances. However, I'd be interested to hear his perspective on how things have evolved since then with the residency rule now being actively used as a way of bringing players in. It's a significant step further than his situation so wouldn't mind hearing his input. He's in a very unique situation as one of the only people who has been capped on residency. Think Kurt McQuilkin may be the only other to have been capped in those circumstances at this point.