Ireland Wolfhounds vs England Saxons, Fri 25 Jan 7:30pm; Live on RTÉ

thomond2006

Ireland Wolfhounds:
15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain

Replacements:
16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

England Saxons:
Elliot Daly; Christian Wade, Joel Tomkins, Jordan Turner-Hall, Tom Biggs; George Ford, Richard Wigglesworth;
Nick Wood, Joe Gray; Paul Doran-Jones; Graham Kitchener, George Robson; George Kruis, Will Fraser, Jordan Crane (c).

Replacements: Rob Buchanan, Matt Mullan, Shaun Knight, Ed Slater, Jamie Gibson, Joe Simpson, George Lowe, Kyle Eastmond.

Pretty strong lineup, not sure of Tomkins is the real deal but Turner-Hall will get them over the gainline. George Ford is regarded as one of the top talents in the English game, so much so that at 19 he is moving club to get more first team rugby. I haven't seen much of Biggs but Wade and Daly are both very dangerous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pak5t9N0zk

awec

Pity it's in Galway or would have taken it in.

ScissorPaperRock

thomond2006 wrote: »

Ireland Wolfhounds: TBA

England Saxons:
Elliot Daly; Christian Wade, Joel Tomkins, Jordan Turner-Hall, Tom Biggs; George Ford, Richard Wigglesworth;
Nick Wood, Joe Gray; Paul Doran-Jones; Graham Kitchener, George Robson; George Kruis, Will Fraser, Jordan Crane (c).

Replacements: Rob Buchanan, Matt Mullan, Shaun Knight, Ed Slater, Jamie Gibson, Joe Simpson, George Lowe, Kyle Eastmond.

Pretty strong lineup, not sure of Tomkins is the real deal but Turner-Hall will get them over the gainline. George Ford is regarded as one of the top talents in the English game, so much so that at 19 he is moving club to get more first team rugby. I haven't seen much of Biggs but Wade and Daly are both very dangerous.

Disappointing amount of logos for a Thomond match thread

totallegend

15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain
Replacements:
16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

totallegend

Coughlan as captain is about the only surprise.

Jackson gets the nod to start; you'd assume (hope) Madigan will get 40 minutes. Any significance in Keatley wearing 23? i.e. is he going to be coming in at centre or full-back rather than Madigan?

Lelantos

totallegend wrote: »

15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain
Replacements:
16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Good side, no real complaints, perhaps Madigan can count himself unlucky not to start, but will prob get 30 mins at least?

Quint2010

Can't really pick too many holes in that line up. Great for Coughlin being captain. Kidney really likes his no.8's as captain!

Hype710

Very happy with that team, particularly with the retention of Jackson.

That's a great team.

awec

Henderson on the bench? Would have thought he'd have started.

Hype710

totallegend wrote: »

Coughlan as captain is about the only surprise.

Jackson gets the nod to start; you'd assume (hope) Madigan will get 40 minutes. Any significance in Keatley wearing 23? i.e. is he going to be coming in at centre or full-back rather than Madigan?

He was the most obvious captain to me? Who would you have chosen? McLaughlin is probably the only other realistic candidate.

freyners

delighted to see McSharry and Henshaw get picked.

Keatley at 23 is interesting, he can cover outside centre and fullback as well as outhalf so he is a good choice imo

NoelJ

freyners wrote: »

delighted to see McSharry and Henshaw get picked.

Keatley at 23 is interesting, he can cover outside centre and fullback as well as outhalf so he is a good choice imo

Yeah really looking forward to these two and Marshall both playing. Should be a good test for them all! See if they can make the step up.

totallegend

Hype710 wrote: »

He was the most obvious captain to me? Who would you have chosen? McLaughlin is probably the only other realistic candidate.

Should probably have said "the only talking point" rather than "the only surprise", yeah he's a grand choice as captain. McLaughlin was the other option, or Trimble is by far the most experienced player in the XV. Not sure it's hugely relevant anyway.

Quint2010

Please please let Jackson or Madigan have a stormer. Please.

Hype710

On paper Stevenson and Toner sounds like a very balanced combination.

Fireball07

I like the look of that team. Hopefully we can win now.

.ak

I think it'll be a disjointed performance with so many new combos. Having Marshall with Paddy will help steer the ship tho. Excited to see Cave and McSharry together.

TBH I would've liked Gilroy to go to 23 for this, if he's going to be involved in the Irish setup regularly then some more game time could be good.

Walthari

.ak wrote: »

I think it'll be a disjointed performance with so many new combos. Having Marshall with Paddy will help steer the ship tho. Excited to see Cave and McSharry together.

TBH I would've liked Gilroy to go to 23 for this, if he's going to be involved in the Irish setup regularly then some more game time could be good.

When does an A game ever not have new combos?

Saxons face the same problems as well, even more so considering the wide selection of teams it draws its squad down from.

.ak

Aye, but when does a preseason game ever not be disjointed. I'm just pointing out the obvious is all.

We could be looking at absolute muck for the first 30.

bilston

.ak wrote: »

Aye, but when does a preseason game ever not be disjointed. I'm just pointing out the obvious is all.

We could be looking at absolute muck for the first 30.

Still what it means is that if someone is able to rise above the inevitable disjointedness they will do themselves no harm at all.

Walthari

.ak wrote: »

Aye, but when does a preseason game ever not be disjointed. I'm just pointing out the obvious is all.

We could be looking at absolute muck for the first 30.

Hmm, I have seen many an A game where the lads have hit the ground running. Will hold judgement until then, they could just as easily click.

andymx11

Overall very happy with that team.

Would maybe have liked to see Henderson starting but then again we can't have everything!

Most looking forward to seeing the centre partnership. Really hoping McSharry puts in a great performance. He's got great ability and really deserves his shot.

Jackson/Madigan 40 mins each at 10. Hopefully they both put in amazing performances and one will take ROG's place on the bench!

I am honestly looking forward to this game as much as the Welsh one. It will be great to see what our future stars perform like outside of a provinsional setting.

some_dose

Quint2010 wrote: »

Please please let Jackson or Madigan or Keatley or anyone with 2 legs who can kick a ball and replace ROG on the bench in the 6 Nations have a stormer. Please.

Fixed

thomond2006

Exciting lineup, looking forward to this one.

evil_seed

freyners wrote: »

delighted to see McSharry and Henshaw get picked.

Keatley at 23 is interesting, he can cover outside centre and fullback as well as outhalf so he is a good choice imo

They were always going to start IMO cos it's being played in the Sportsground. It's kind of a tradition at this stage that you play the few guys fom the home ground.

Can't wrap my head around Keats and Madigan both on the bench

CIARAN_BOYLE

evil_seed wrote: »

They were always going to start IMO cos it's being played in the Sportsground. It's kind of a tradition at this stage that you play the few guys fom the home ground.

Can't wrap my head around Keats and Madigan both on the bench

TOH should have gotten the 23 shirt ahead of Keatley as backthree cover in my opinion

Otacon

Anywhere for the ex-pats to watch this? Does seem to be on Sky Sports.

freyners

evil_seed wrote: »

They were always going to start IMO cos it's being played in the Sportsground. It's kind of a tradition at this stage that you play the few guys fom the home ground.

Can't wrap my head around Keats and Madigan both on the bench

Keatley can cover multiple positions, everything bar SH and 12 AFAIK. Madigan is more than likely just OH cover

CIARAN_BOYLE

freyners wrote: »

Keatley can cover multiple positions, everything bar SH and 12 AFAIK. Madigan is more than likely just OH cover

Keatley can cover 12 infact he has played 12 for Ireland before sure it was against Connacht but Kiss mentioned it this week during an interview

freyners

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Keatley can cover 12 infact he has played 12 for Ireland before sure it was against Connacht but Kiss mentioned it this week during an interview

cant remember that, even better

P_1

Who's the coach for this one?

No sense having all these exciting youngsters playing Kidney ball now is there

freyners

freyners wrote: »

Keatley can cover multiple positions, everything bar SH and 12 AFAIK. Madigan is more than likely just OH cover

what?!

Keatley can play 10, 12 and 15.

Madigan has experience this season at 10,12 and 15 too. (He was poor enough at 12 though vs Glasgow when D'Arcy injured early on)

Neither of them can/have played wing or 13, and I wouldn't want either of them near it!

Madigan could probably fill in at 9 in case of emergency, but it'd be rickety!

Fireball07

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

TOH should have gotten the 23 shirt ahead of Keatley as backthree cover in my opinion

I like Keatley and everything, but I'd agree.

freyners wrote: »

Keatley can cover multiple positions, everything bar SH and 12 AFAIK. Madigan is more than likely just OH cover

Keatley has played 12 for Munster......did he play on the wing/13 for Connacht? Because I can't imagine him being an actual wing sub.

siltirocker

Fireball07 wrote: »

Keatley has played 12 for Munster......did he play on the wing/13 for Connacht? Because I can't imagine him being an actual wing sub.

He played 12 & 15 in emergency 5 - 10 minute roles once or twice, never on the wing or outside centre back.

I reckon he's actually alright at 12.

eyeball kid

Not a bad team in fairness. Quite like the look of it. A lot of youth with a few more experienced head thrown in. Would like to have seen Henderson get a start though.

Don't really understand the point of both Keatley and Madigan on the bench. Only one of them will get 40 mins at OH while the other will be played out of position.
Surely only one of them should be on the bench with another back, possible TOH.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing how they get on against the Saxons.

Hype710

Keatley played at 13 for Connacht on a number of occasions. Assume Henshaw will cover the wing but he hasn't played there yet for Connacht. It's certainly an odd selection and TOH is hard done by considering he made the extended squad for the AIs.

siltirocker

Madigan is without doubt coming on for Henshaw and Keatley for McSharry with Jackson doing the 80.

My bones tell me that's what's going down.

siltirocker

Hype710 wrote: »

Keatley played at 13 for Connacht on a number of occasions. Assume Henshaw will cover the wing but he hasn't played there yet for Connacht. It's certainly an odd selection and TOH is hard done by considering he made the extended squad for the AIs.

To my recollection, it was only once against Harlequins when Nathan was coming back from injury and Ta'uso was injured. It was a disaster.

Hagz

I'll be p*ssed if Madigan doesn't come on at 10. It would be so unfair.

Fireball07

Hagz wrote: »

I'll be p*ssed if Madigan doesn't come on at 10. It would be so unfair.

I think it would be unlikely that he doesn't.


Personally, I think Keatley looked more comfortable at full-back than Madigan did. And he did well at 12 the last time he played there too.

English Lurker

Just to give an English perspective on that Saxons team -

That's a strong front row, Wood in particular should have England caps, although I'm not predicting any scrum demolitions as Kitchener and Robson won't give much grunt. Fraser and Kruis are the most exciting part of the starting team to me, both have been very good for Saracens. Jordan Crane is a big bag of meh. Our lineout should be secure with Kruis, Crane and the locks though - can't see us stealing much though.

The backline is... interesting... and I think it could leak tries. Neither JTH or Tomkins are known for their defensive positioning, Daly's defence is by far the weakest part of his game and he's no regular full-back, and Wade has tons of guts but can't help being tiny. Fair tackler, but sometimes gets bumped, and Ireland hoist him a few high balls with Trimble chasing. Plenty of exciting options in attack though, and hopefully Ford will live up to his billing, which he hasn't always done this season.

I reckon this is Ireland's game, think the packs look fairly evenly matched, possibly advantage Ireland, but Ireland's backline looks the better to me, certainly in attack and probably going forwards as well. Stronger bench too.

who_me

I'd love to see a Probables vs Possibles game. Not necessarily because I think the Wolfhounds would win, but it'd be great to see so much young talent out there eager to tear into the oppo.

Tomtom364

Otacon wrote: »

Anywhere for the ex-pats to watch this? Does seem to be on Sky Sports.

RTE player may show it online internationally because theres no competing UK tv station.
Just like they do for things like the Late Late show

Fishooks13

Like the look of the team.

What a meteoric rise for Henshaw in a year. Heard someone mention that they think he'd be better at 15 than Zebo for Ireland, which was madness, but the Wolfhounds is ideal for such a young player playing so well.

Fishooks13

15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain

Replacements:
16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)


I've highlighted the players that I think have any chance of pushing themselves into next weeks 23, however slim

Cosmo Kramer

Really like the look of that team, shows the strength in depth we are now starting to develop. Almost certainly answers the question of who is seen as the third choice 10 at this moment in time. IMO it's the right man in Jackson.

wp_rathead

Only surprise for me is Iain Henderson not starting
other than that it is what I was expecting really

can't wait for this game, great to have the game on in Sportsground, can't afford to go to any of the 6N internationals so this be great way to wet the apatite

Mon Ireland ta fook

tolosenc

Fishooks13 wrote: »

I've highlighted the players that I think have any chance of pushing themselves into next weeks 23, however slim

You don't think Kilcoyne has a shot? The guy Kidney was name dropping after he'd played one game for Munster? He has as much of a chance of being in the squad as ROG has of not being in it.

Fishooks13

tolosenc wrote: »

You don't think Kilcoyne has a shot? The guy Kidney was name dropping after he'd played one game for Munster? He has as much of a chance of being in the squad as ROG has of not being in it.

Thought I highlighted him!

freyners

Fishooks13 wrote: »

Like the look of the team.

What a meteoric rise for Henshaw in a year. Heard someone mention that they think he'd be better at 15 than Zebo for Ireland, which was madness, but the Wolfhounds is ideal for such a young player playing so well.

Give him a few years there then he definately could be, his future is probably at 13 though