Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread II

RuggieBear

New thread as old thread was getting too large for the hamsters

wp_rathead

so lads...

ROG v Sexton..

:pac:

CIARAN_BOYLE

wprathead wrote: »

so lads...

ROG v Sexton..

:pac:

That is so years ago

ROG isn't in the top ten candidates to be Irelands 10 at the moment imo. I'd have him as fourteenth choice

Sexton Jackson Madigan Keatley Hanrahan Steenson Wallace Nikora Humphries Deasy LMarshall Jarvis Reid ROG

f1dan

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

That is so years ago

ROG isn't in the top ten candidates to be Irelands 10 at the moment imo. I'd have him as fourteenth choice

Sexton Jackson Madigan Keatley Hanrahan Steenson Wallace Nikora Humphries Deasy LMarshall Jarvis Reid ROG

You could easily squeeze Jack Carty or Tadhg Leader in ahead of Jarvis so really you're looking at 16th choice

thomond2006

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

That is so years ago

ROG isn't in the top ten candidates to be Irelands 10 at the moment imo. I'd have him as fourteenth choice

Sexton Jackson Madigan Keatley Hanrahan Steenson Wallace Nikora Humphries Deasy LMarshall Jarvis Reid ROG

f1dan wrote: »

You could easily squeeze Jack Carty or Tadhg Leader in ahead of Jarvis so really you're looking at 16th choice

freyners

can believe NOC has been left out....:mad::pac:

dandynamo

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

That is so years ago

ROG isn't in the top ten candidates to be Irelands 10 at the moment imo. I'd have him as fourteenth choice

Sexton Jackson Madigan Keatley Hanrahan Steenson Wallace Nikora Humphries Deasy LMarshall Jarvis Reid ROG

to think a few years ago. Ireland supposedly had no talent coming through in the out half position. Think it was George hook so that explains it

tolosenc

Interestingly, my waiter at dinner on Christmas Eve was Ian Keatley's brother.

has anyone seen much of niall morris for Leicester? seems to be in good form at the mo. if so how good and what kind of wing is he?

irishbucsfan

Lucca Clumsy Chisel wrote: »

has anyone seen much of niall morris for Leicester? seems to be in good form at the mo. if so how good and what kind of wing is he?

Yes, he was in the Leinster academy so a few people here would've seen a lot of him. He was a big part of the B&I Cup team in 10/11. He played 10 or so times for Leinster as well before signing with the Tigers.

He's a fullback by trade, hence leaving Leinster (who had Kearney and Nacewa). In Leicester he's been playing on the wing and doing well, scoring a good few tries. I think he'll want to make the switch back to 15 next season if Geordan retires. It'll be between him and Scott Hamilton I guess. He's a big enough lad and he's got a very dangerous turn of pace. Very happy in Leicester by all accounts.

bilston

tolosenc wrote: »

Interestingly, my waiter at dinner on Christmas Eve was Ian Keatley's brother.

Stretching the definition of the word interestingly there tolosenc...:-)

Higher

I always thought Niall Morris would be better than Felix Jones. Seems to have all the attributes of Jones except A LOT faster. I really wish Leinster didn't let him go.

GerM

Higher wrote: »

I always thought Niall Morris would be better than Felix Jones. Seems to have all the attributes of Jones except A LOT faster. I really wish Leinster didn't let him go.

Jones was far less error prone and solid at 20 years old. Morris had a couple of howlers when he first came through. A year or two let him develop and he has become a very accomplished player. Jones was in a different league in terms of fielding and positioning when they first came through.

Higher

GerM wrote: »

Jones was far less error prone and solid at 20 years old. Morris had a couple of howlers when he first came through. A year or two let him develop and he has become a very accomplished player. Jones was in a different league in terms of fielding and positioning when they first came through.

No argument there. Morris was very inconsistent, prone to ridiculous errors but also more likely to create something out of nothing. Far more creative.

durkadurka

I'm a fan of Morris, have watched him since school days.

I think he should come back in a year or so. He did very well for Leinster in his last season. We need his bulk and his pace. I don't see him playing fb though. I see him as more of a Shaggy 2.0.

CIARAN_BOYLE

durkadurka wrote: »

I'm a fan of Morris, have watched him since school days.

I think he should come back in a year or so. He did very well for Leinster in his last season. We need his bulk and his pace. I don't see him playing fb though. I see him as more of a Shaggy 2.0.

Thats how I see him too

Shaggy 2.0 but a better kicker

thomond2006

My Ireland side to face Wales (assuming POC, Ferris, BOD and R Kearney are out)

Healy, Best, Ross, McCarthy, Ryan, SOB, Henry, Heaslip;
Murray, Sexton, Trimble, Marshall/McSharry, Earls*, Gilroy, Zebo

Bench: Strauss/Cronin, Court**, Bent, Tuohy, POM, Marshall, Madigan, McFadden

*wouldn't be against Cave starting
** originally wanted Kilcoyne on the bench but Court has been in great form and with Hairbear Jones back Wales will have a very powerful scrum.

I'm sitting on the fence re Marshall or McSharry!

My Ireland A side to face England Saxons (takes place in Galway on the weekend before Wales game):

Kilcoyne, Sherry, Loughney, Henderson, Tuohy, Butler, TOD, McKeon;
P Marshall, Madigan, McFadden, McSharry, Cave, LOD, Henshaw

I don't really know about a bench, but it would be good to see Marmion make an appearance.

If the likes of POC, BOD or Kearney need urgent gametime I would definitely involve them in this game.

Deano7788

thomond2006 wrote: »

My Ireland side to face Wales (assuming POC, Ferris, BOD and R Kearney are out)

Healy, Best, Ross, McCarthy, Ryan, SOB, Henry, Heaslip;
Murray, Sexton, Trimble, Marshall/McSharry, Earls*, Gilroy, Zebo

Bench: Strauss/Cronin, Court**, Bent, Tuohy, POM, Marshall, Madigan, McFadden

*wouldn't be against Cave starting
** originally wanted Kilcoyne on the bench but Court has been in great form and with Hairbear Jones back Wales will have a very powerful scrum.

I'm sitting on the fence re Marshall or McSharry!

My Ireland A side to face England Saxons (takes place in Galway on the weekend before Wales game):

Kilcoyne, Sherry, Loughney, Henderson, Tuohy, Butler, TOD, McKeon;
P Marshall, Madigan, McFadden, McSharry, Cave, LOD, Henshaw

I don't really know about a bench, but it would be good to see Marmion make an appearance.

If the likes of POC, BOD or Kearney need urgent gametime I would definitely involve them in this game.

I'd have TOH ahead of LOD and wouldn't mind which of Jackson or Madigan got the place but otherwise I'd agree.

Fireball07

thomond2006 wrote: »

My Ireland side to face Wales (assuming POC, Ferris, BOD and R Kearney are out)

Healy, Best, Ross, McCarthy, Ryan, SOB, Henry, Heaslip;
Murray, Sexton, Trimble, Marshall/McSharry, Earls*, Gilroy, Zebo

Bench: Strauss/Cronin, Court**, Bent, Tuohy, POM, Marshall, Madigan, McFadden

*wouldn't be against Cave starting
** originally wanted Kilcoyne on the bench but Court has been in great form and with Hairbear Jones back Wales will have a very powerful scrum.

I'm sitting on the fence re Marshall or McSharry!

My Ireland A side to face England Saxons (takes place in Galway on the weekend before Wales game):

Kilcoyne, Sherry, Loughney, Henderson, Tuohy, Butler, TOD, McKeon;
P Marshall, Madigan, McFadden, McSharry, Cave, LOD, Henshaw

I don't really know about a bench, but it would be good to see Marmion make an appearance.

If the likes of POC, BOD or Kearney need urgent gametime I would definitely involve them in this game.

Agree with most of what you say but I'd expect someone like Locky or Ruddock to start ahead of Butler at 6, and Ryan/Murphy would certainly challenge TOD. I'd give McKeon a go alright.

I'd have 2 from LOD/TOH/D.Kearney as wingers....if Cave started at 13, then I'd play EOM for the Wolfhounds. And if Marshall did make the bench, I'd start Marmion.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Fireball07 wrote: »

Agree with most of what you say but I'd expect someone like Locky or Ruddock to start ahead of Butler at 6, and Ryan/Murphy would certainly challenge TOD. I'd give McKeon a go alright.

I'd have 2 from LOD/TOH/D.Kearney as wingers....if Cave started at 13, then I'd play EOM for the Wolfhounds. And if Marshall did make the bench, I'd start Marmion.

If Marshall made the senior bench I'd still probably start him for the wolfhounds. The experience of starting a game with a thrown together side like many international teams are is probably a good idea

rchendz92

Tough one. My 15 for Wales would be
Healy Best Ross
McCarthy Ryan
O'Brien Henry Heaslip
Murray Sexton
D'Arcy Cave
Gilroy McFadden Zebo

Strauss, Court, Bent, DOC, POM, P Marshall, Jackson, Earls

Would love to see Marshall at 12, but if we're assuming Bod is out I'd want D'Arcy for experience. And he had a good game vs. Argentina. Afraid to say I haven't seen a lot of Connacht this season to have a strong opinion on McSharry, but heard nothing but good things about him.

Back three is something of a gamble, bags of pace but questions would be asked of their defensive capabilities. But they'll score more than they'll concede I'm sure

errlloyd

Am i missing something here, we will have BOD and RK by then right.

CIARAN_BOYLE

errlloyd wrote: »

Am i missing something here, we will have BOD and RK by then right.

BODs doubtful for the first few games of the six nations. Kearney is injured at the moment and who knows with Kearney. When is he back and what will his from be like, he hasn't had a lot of rugby this season.

Glass Prison 1214

My team to face Wales(I expect Kearney, BOD and Strauss to be back, but am ruling out Bowe and Ferris)

Kearney, Gilroy, BOD, McFadden, Zebo, Sexton, Murray, Healy, Best, Ross, McCarthy, Ryan, SOB, Henry, Heaslip

Bench: Strauss, Court, Fitzpatrick/Bent, DOC, POM, Marmion, Madigan, Earls/Fitzgerald

ed7890

Fireball07 wrote: »

Agree with most of what you say but I'd expect someone like Locky or Ruddock to start ahead of Butler at 6, and Ryan/Murphy would certainly challenge TOD. I'd give McKeon a go alright.

I'd have 2 from LOD/TOH/D.Kearney as wingers....if Cave started at 13, then I'd play EOM for the Wolfhounds. And if Marshall did make the bench, I'd start Marmion.

Why would Ruddock be ahead of Butler, he's been injured all season? Same goes for Ryan and O'Malley.

CIARAN_BOYLE

ed7890 wrote: »

Why would Ruddock be ahead of Butler, he's been injured all season? Same goes for Ryan and O'Malley.

Who else is there for the WHs if Cave is starting for the senior team other than EOM

Butler to me hasn't impressed at me at 6. Henderson SOB Heaslip and Henry would be the backrows involved in the senior team in my opinion. After that I would probably have McLoughlin POM McKeown as the backrow forwards for the WHs probably with TOD or Wilson on the bench.

Fireball07

ed7890 wrote: »

Why would Ruddock be ahead of Butler, he's been injured all season? Same goes for Ryan and O'Malley.

Come February, they'll probably have had a good bit of time. And past form suggests that they're better players.

ed7890

Fireball07 wrote: »

Come February, they'll probably have had a good bit of time. And past form suggests that they're better players.

Maybe come February, who knows, butler would be ahead at the moment though, and dave o'C would be ahead of both of the
at 6. Dougall would be in with a good shout of being ahead of TOD or Ryan for 7.

GerM

ed7890 wrote: »

Why would Ruddock be ahead of Butler, he's been injured all season?

Ruddock has been back since late October and looked quite good. He's looking a little more like the guy who came on the scene initially rather than the one who struggled last season. Butler has impressed in parts his season, though.

Didn't realise there is an Irish camp today and tomorrow. I would expect the team selections for this weekend to be affected accordingly.

Tox56

I think Butler will end up being more of an 8 than a 6, but with Coughlan play so well he won't get much of a chance there for a while. It would be good for him to get the experience of a Wolfhounds game, but if there is a spot at 6 I would rather Ruddock got the opportunity, as he really is a specialist 6. He played number 8 in the last Wolfhounds game but he just isn't an 8.

Fireball07

Tox56 wrote: »

I think Butler will end up being more of an 8 than a 6, but with Coughlan play so well he won't get much of a chance there for a while. It would be good for him to get the experience of a Wolfhounds game, but if there is a spot at 6 I would rather Ruddock got the opportunity, as he really is a specialist 6. He played number 8 in the last Wolfhounds game but he just isn't an 8.

We do have options at 8 now at that level with Coughlan, Wilson, McKeon, Butler...but Ruddock is a good 6.

GerM

Whilst it should be highlighted that it was a non contact session, Drico and RK took full part in the Ireland team session in Kildare today.

danthefan

GerM wrote: »

Whilst it should be highlighted that it was a non contact session, Drico and RK took full part in the Ireland team session in Kildare today.

Drico's being an ankle injury you'd think that just being up and running/sprinting/turning/etc. on it would be half the battle. I'd say it's not far from that to contact.

Kearney can't come back quick enough, missed him desperately.

phog

Read somewhere that an IRL U20s take on an Ulster development team tomorrow in Old Belvedere. Can't find where I saw it but I think ko is 3.30.

Higher

Ireland desperately needs Kearney and O'Driscoll back to be honest. Such a huge void in our back line that hasn't come close to being filled.

Glass Prison 1214

Higher wrote: »

Ireland desperately needs Kearney and O'Driscoll back to be honest. Such a huge void in our back line that hasn't come close to being filled.

To an extent have to disagree with this, no doubt that any team will miss some of their top players but our backline play against Argentina was excellent an the fresh new faces(Gilroy and Zebo) played a big part in that. Our problem with the backline is we need a new backs coach and the return of BOD and Kearney isn't the solution to our problem(although having them back wouldn't exactly be a bad thing :pac: )

leftleg

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

Our problem with the backline is we need a new backs coach

Leinster have the best backs coach in the world already

Deano7788

leftleg wrote: »

Leinster have the best backs coach in the world already

But Ireland don't.

Zyzz

Higher wrote: »

Ireland desperately needs Kearney and O'Driscoll back to be honest. Such a huge void in our back line that hasn't come close to being filled.

Kearney I wholeheartedly agree with, Drico, not so much, nor Darcy..

Glass Prison 1214

leftleg wrote: »

Leinster have the best backs coach in the world already

I agree, there is however a massive difference in the standard of performance between the Leinster and Ireland backlines (Argie game aside) which I think enhances my point that Ireland need a new one as our potential is shown by Leinster (and also the other provinces)

leftleg

Deano7788 wrote: »

But Ireland don't.

agreed my bad was thinking of leinster there not Ireland

JustinDee

phog wrote: »

Read somewhere that an IRL U20s take on an Ulster development team tomorrow in Old Belvedere. Can't find where I saw it but I think ko is 3.30.

12.30 kick-off

P.Walnuts

Zyzz wrote: »

Kearney I wholeheartedly agree with, Drico, not so much, nor Darcy..

I would agree with this. No need to state how important BOD has been for us over the past decade, but fact is he wont be around possibly even next year. To be honest I wouldn't even have him in the 6 nations squad. Short term gain. We need to develop his successor now, not when he retires.

And by that I mean give Cave a shot in there too (wont happen with Kidney though)

Another thing, would BOD still be playing for Ireland if there wasn't a Lions tour in the summer? Doubtful imo.

Zyzz

P.Walnuts wrote: »

I would agree with this. No need to state how important BOD has been for us over the past decade, but fact is he wont be around possibly even next year. To be honest I wouldn't even have him in the 6 nations squad. Short term gain. We need to develop his successor now, not when he retires.

And by that I mean give Cave a shot in there too (wont happen with Kidney though)

Another thing, would BOD still be playing for Ireland if there wasn't a Lions tour in the summer? Doubtful imo.

As George Hook once said, "The Irish rugby team is selected by way of the 'best' players, not the best players for the job"

Perfect example is Darcy..he has been Irelands 'best' 12 for many years, but now it is time to move on and give Marshall etc more game time so we aren't f*cked when Darcy and the like get injured and we are stuck with an above average player filling in

its_phil

Zyzz wrote: »

As George Hook once said, "The Irish rugby team is selected by way of the 'best' players, not the best players for the job"

Perfect example is Darcy..he has been Irelands 'best' 12 for many years, but now it is time to move on and give Cave/Marshall etc more game time so we aren't f*cked when Darcy and the like get injured and we are stuck with an above average player filling in

I'm open to correction on this but Cave isn't really a 12 is he?

Zyzz

its_phil wrote: »

I'm open to correction on this but Cave isn't really a 12 is he?

Edited my post, but you get where Im coming from..

thomond2006

If Marmion and Henshaw continue their excellent vein of form they cannot be ignored. Henshaw in particular is making a mockery of Hurley's selction against Fiji (not meant as a slight on Hurley!).

Podge_irl

I bigged up Henshaw on Talking Rugby before the AIs. My Nostradamus qualities tell me he'll be massive for Ireland. Absolutely cracking player.

jm08

thomond2006 wrote: »

If Marmion and Henshaw continue their excellent vein of form they cannot be ignored. Henshaw in particular is making a mockery of Hurley's selction against Fiji (not meant as a slight on Hurley!).

Bearing in mind Connacht's injury crisis, it would have been a mockery of Connacht if those two were pulled to play in a meaningless game against Fiji.

Fishooks13

jm08 wrote: »

Bearing in mind Connacht's injury crisis, it would have been a mockery of Connacht if those two were pulled to play in a meaningless game against Fiji.

That should have been beside the point. Ireland is the bigger picture, and while I have great time for Hurley we would have learned a lot more playing Henshaw

jm08

Fishooks13 wrote: »

That should have been beside the point. Ireland is the bigger picture, and while I have great time for Hurley we would have learned a lot more playing Henshaw

Learn what? Most Rabo games are more challenging than that Fiji game was.

Hurley was there as the older head in a very young set of backs from 10 out. Henshaw hadn't played a huge number of games up to November for Connacht (and some of his starts were at 13, not fullback).