Who will be starting at 13 for Ireland at the next World Cup?

goreyguy

With BOD's career coming to a slow but steady end, it seems very unlikely that he will be playing at the next World Cup. With this understanding I'm wondering who the board thinks will be the eventual successor to him.

thomond2006

If Kidney is still around (God forbid), it will be Keet.

When Jared Payne qualifies through residency *sigh*, he will have a big part to play too.

seanm92

Depending on how he gets on at Connacht, I reckon Danie Poolman could be in with a shout

Fireball07

Fergus McFadden

Bowe and McFadden included over Cave??


It's very hard to say tbh...I reckon Griffin could be the most talented, but I'm going to give the nod to Earls.

But who knows how the likes of Farrell/Nelson/Hensahw will do in the next couple of years.

goreyguy

Fergus McFadden

Can't believe I forgot to put in Cave.

superblu

Mcsharry from Connaught I think looks like a really good player.

Fireball07

Fergus McFadden

superblu wrote: »

Mcsharry from Connaught I think looks like a really good player.

Plays mostly 12 though?

Tox56

I still hold out some hope for Macken, had a good game in defence and looked dangerous in attack in his last game vs Ospreys, so maybe that's a good sign but he has had a few shockers this season. He has the tools to be a very good player, and his rise could well coincide with the end of BOD, but he is a long, long way from internationals as it stands right now.

O'Malley has been out for a long time, Henshaw might turn out to be a 13, Griffin could kick on or Earls could keep the shirt for the next 3 years. Too many young prospects to really know about this one, probably the hardest position to call right now.

.ak

Jared Payne

goreyguy wrote: »

Can't believe I forgot to put in Cave.

Fixed. You also forgot Bent. :rolleyes:

.ak

Jared Payne

I'd put my penny on Cave or EOM.

fitz

Darren Cave

I think EOM.
Young, powerful, fast, great organiser in defense...he reminds me of BOD in a lot of ways.
Not saying he's the second coming, but I think he's got the most rounded skillset and if he gets the opportunity and takes it, I think he'll be the most like-for-like replacement.

I'd much prefer a fit and in form EOM over Earls at 13.
I still don't think Earls will ever be more than a solid centre, he's far more of a threat on the wing.
We should be looking to play people in their strongest positions, regardless of what they want. Wanting doesn't make a spade a pitchfork.
Earls has been "developing" at 13 for the guts of 3 seasons now, and I feel his coaches have let him down.
Someone should have sat him down and talked sense to the guy. Pin down the position he's world class in, and forget about post-BOD legacy shopping.

.ak

Jared Payne

BOD's always had a bit of a thing for EOM too, in a recent Q&A in the supporters bar he said he's a great 'apprentice' of his or something of the like, they feed of each other training etc., etc. I'd imagine EOM to be most likely to be a solid replacement out of all the second runners in Leinster atleast.

Hagz

I think if Jared Payne decides to declare with Ireland, he's more or less a shoe-in. Take Brian O'Driscoll out of the equation and he's the best outside-centre on the island.

.ak

Jared Payne

I'll add him to the poll so, as there is a chance.

padser

Darren Cave

Hagz wrote: »

I think if Jared Payne decides to declare with Ireland, he's more or less a shoe-in. Take Brian O'Driscoll out of the equation and he's the best outside-centre on the island.

Please god no, we will have half of the posters here complaining that he is not Irish and the other half bemoaning the fact that our provincial system is clearly not able to produce international class centres....

goreyguy

Fergus McFadden

It would be a damning sentence on the development of irish born players.

freyners

Brendan Macken

griffin and eom are the two long term prospects imo. Both bring alot to the table at this early stage in their careers, albeit in slightly different ways. Peronsally I can see the duelling for the shirt for years like flannery and best did for the no 2 shirt a while ago

CIARAN_BOYLE

Brendan Macken

Griffin or Henshaw (if he ends up at 13)

Payne could also be an option but if he plays 15 for the next couple of years at Ulster he can probably forget it`

Fishooks12

Impossible to tell, and almost pointless trying to guess given all the variables that will be at play between now and then

roycon

Fergus McFadden

young ronan o'gara from pres cork is simmering nicely and should definitely be added to the list

tolosenc

Eoin O'Malley

Will Earls have grown into the position by then? Or will he still need more games at 13 to show us what he can do?

bilston

If he declares for Ireland then rightly or wrongly I'd say Jared Payne. An outstanding 13.

If not it could be any of the players in the poll.

Foxtrol

tolosenc wrote: »

Will Earls have grown into the position by then? Or will he still need more games at 13 to show us what he can do?

He'll be improving - according to some the reason to pick a lot of players these days.

ectoraige

Darren Cave

roycon wrote: »

young ronan o'gara from pres cork is simmering nicely and should definitely be added to the list

Isn't he American though?

bamboozle

am going with Payne with EOM next in line...although a fit Lukey Fitz would be perfect.

Reading yet another demented mole article yesterday about Leinster's centres made me think of one thing, he was talking about Macken not having the physique in front up tackles to defend the gainline, he generally offers his inside shoulder and takes his man down, ceding the gain line and generally allowing the offload...which is pretty much similar to Earls who just doesnt have the power to knock men back like BOD would.

a name to throw out there.....Billy Dardis.....

i really hope Luke Fitz returns to full fitness and reminds a lot of people of his incredible talent.

Fireball07

Fergus McFadden

Out of interest, when did Fitz last play 13?

I'd personally prefer to see him at 12, but he'd probably be good at 13 too.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Brendan Macken

Fireball07 wrote: »

Out of interest, when did Fitz last play 13?

I'd personally prefer to see him at 12, but he'd probably be good at 13 too.

Saracens away in October 2010 i think

goreyguy

Fergus McFadden

Realistically Fitzgerald needs to get healthy before he is considered for any position.

Teferi

Jared Payne

goreyguy wrote: »

Realistically Fitzgerald needs to get healthy before he is considered for any position.

This is a thread about the 13 at the next world cup. It's assumed all players chosen are fit, healthy and at the top of their game.

jacothelad

Chris Farrell and Stuart Olding at Ulster have great potential in 12 and 13. Only time will tell.

maddragon

What are Amy and Brian calling the new baby? That's the answer.

Fireball07

Fergus McFadden

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Saracens away in October 2010 i think

2+ years? That's quite a while...although he's had long periods of injury in that time. He'd probably have to be Leinster's 13 ahead of Macken and EOM to play there for Ireland though.

Fishooks12

tolosenc wrote: »

Will Earls have grown into the position by then? Or will he still need more games at 13 to show us what he can do?

It's gas that after throwing a few bad passes in one game Earls is now a bad 13 in many peoples eyes

He's been very good in the position all year. It might not be his best position but he's a capable 13 at international level, doesn't have the offloading skills to be world class. But I think he's the best option we have there right now

Fez101

Anyone who has seen Jared Payne play for Ulster this season would surely recognise if throws his hat in for Ireland (ethics aside) he's an absolute shoe in. His lines of running and support play are head and shoulders above any of the other incumbents for BOD's shirt, the guy is pure class and has a real rubgy brain, unlike some of the others mentioned in this thread.

goreyguy

Fergus McFadden

Payne is great but i'd really really rather an Irish born player could be the answer.

CatFromHue

I'm surprised people are mentioning Luke Fitz for the 13 jersey. I know he played against Saracens two years ago at 13 but had ever played 13 before or after that? In the bit he did play centre last season it was at 12 and Schmidt has said he didn't like playing there.

Also alot of the arguments against Earls at 13 I think are more valid in Luke Fitz's case. To me he always looked like a winger playing in the centre.

bilston

goreyguy wrote: »

Payne is great but i'd really really rather an Irish born player could be the answer.

Yes I'd rather an Irish born or at least an IQ player with Irish parents was the answer too.

However I do really hope that the same standards are applied to Payne as are applied to Strauss. There hasn't been that much criticism of Strauss's selection in the last week, (there has been in the past of corse) possibly because of the Michael Bent situation but I would expect that those who have no problem with Strauss's inclusion will have no problem if Payne is selected in 2 years time.

It would be quite sad if we fielded a team in 2015 containing Strauss, Stander and Payne.

thomond2006

I don't think Stander will give up on the Boks so young, you'd wonder if commiting to Ireland was part of the terms of his contract.

Fireball07

Fergus McFadden

bilston wrote: »

Yes I'd rather an Irish born or at least an IQ player with Irish parents was the answer too.

However I do really hope that the same standards are applied to Payne as are applied to Strauss. There hasn't been that much criticism of Strauss's selection in the last week, (there has been in the past of corse) possibly because of the Michael Bent situation but I would expect that those who have no problem with Strauss's inclusion will have no problem if Payne is selected in 2 years time.

It would be quite sad if we fielded a team in 2015 containing Strauss, Stander and Payne.

I would have a huge problem with Payne playing for Ireland. As I did for Strauss... It just doesn't seem right. Payne is class, I'd say he'll definitely be the best in that position but 1 is bad enough. (I will admit that Strauss learning the words to the national anthem did make a massive impression on me... what I really want to see is pride in the jersey, people who really want to play for Ireland, to do their best for their country)

bilston

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't think Stander will give up on the Boks so young, you'd wonder if commiting to Ireland was part of the terms of his contract.

The thing is South African players are in a unique situation compared to Kiwis and Aussies in so much as they can still get picked for their country even if they are playing in Europe. What happens if Stander has a great season with Munster and then come the 2013 Autumn tour SA pick him for their European tour? If he plays for SA is that his Munster contract null and void? It's probably unlikely to happen though.

CatFromHue

Has Payne ever spoke about qualifying for Ireland?

thomond2006

Payne will walk into the team if he wishes to play, he's a classy player, it just goes to show so many talented players can't make the All Blacks.

If he makes himself available, any coach would be dumb not to pick him, it's not up to the coach to limit 'foreigners' playing for Ireland, his job is to select the best players available.

Healy, Strauss, ???, Ryan, Henderson, POM, O'Brien, Heaslip;
Murray, Sexton, Zebo, Marshall, Payne, Bowe, Kearney

would be my stab at a team for 2015. Tighthead is a lottery.

*Sadly I don't see Ferris making 2015. I really hope I'm wrong.

bilston

CatFromHue wrote: »

Has Payne ever spoke about qualifying for Ireland?

This is a key question.

He may have been asked about it when he first arrived last year but I can't remember what he said...he might have said something along the lines of "we'll see what happens in three years time" but then again maybe I'm putting words into his mouth...

bilston

bamboozle wrote: »

a name to throw out there.....Billy Dardis.....

Who he?

thomond2006

bilston wrote: »

The thing is South African players are in a unique situation compared to Kiwis and Aussies in so much as they can still get picked for their country even if they are playing in Europe. What happens if Stander has a great season with Munster and then come the 2013 Autumn tour SA pick him for their European tour? If he plays for SA is that his Munster contract null and void? It's probably unlikely to happen though.

If he has committed to Ireland through the contract (I don't know if there's legal grounds for a stipulation like that), I'd say the IRFU would have grounds for legal action if Stander played for SA. However it's a can of worms, since Munster cannot prevent letting Stander go during a test window if he is called up and he wants to go.

I remember Stander making some off hand comment about playing for Ireland on twitter, I think someone tweeted him "I wish you were Irish qualified right now" and Stander replied with something like "I wish so too". (IIRC)

Hopefully he's not looking too far ahead yet, the poor lad has a lot of expectation on his shoulders... he is the saviour of Munster Rugby and all...

Hagz

bilston wrote: »

Who he?

a 17/18 year old full-back who has nothing to do with this thread.

ormond lad

Fergus McFadden

bilston wrote: »

Who he?

still in school. in terenure. will more than likely be on irish u18 schools side next march in the 2 internationals the schools side will play against france and england next march/april

leonard7

Fergus McFadden

it'll be me just give me a few more years of workin on these guns

CatFromHue

bilston wrote: »

This is a key question.

He may have been asked about it when he first arrived last year but I can't remember what he said...he might have said something along the lines of "we'll see what happens in three years time" but then again maybe I'm putting words into his mouth...

I do remember he did an interview on Kiwi TV before he left where I think he implied he wasn't here for the long haul. Don't quote me on this though as I can't really remember to be honest.

jm08

thomond2006 wrote: »

I remember Stander making some off hand comment about playing for Ireland on twitter, I think someone tweeted him "I wish you were Irish qualified right now" and Stander replied with something like "I wish so too". (IIRC)

Michael Corcoran tweeted that Stephen Ferris was missing the AIs and someone tweeted back if only CJ stander was Irish qualified. CJ got in on the act and said something to the effect "he'd love if he was naturalised now and could play."

Looks like he wants to do a Straus on it as well.

.ak

Jared Payne

Back on topic people. Outside centre, Ireland, Rugby World Cup 2015.