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

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

freyners

Deleted User wrote: »

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!

Mea culpa, got confused with my players and though Keatley had played a good few games for us at 13, my bad.

I reckon he could do decent as wing cover, I tend to think in case of emergencys most players who can play centre/fb can cover wing

Higher

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.

disagree. I think Zebo's better wing but Henshaw the better FB.

Hagz

Higher wrote: »

disagree. I think Zebo's better wing but Henshaw the better FB.

I disagree with that. I thought Zebo was great at full-back in both the SA and Argentina game. Henshaw has been very impressive for a 19 year old this season, but he hasn't been flawless by any means. Resorts to the up and under a little to much in my opinion, and his decision making could do with some work. But again, I think his future lies at 13. Neither are ideal full-backs, but for me Zebo has the edge under the high-ball and has a very safe left boot.

freyners

Hagz wrote: »

I disagree with that. I thought Zebo was great at full-back in both the SA and Argentina game. Henshaw has been very impressive for a 19 year old this season, but he hasn't been flawless by any means. Resorts to the up and under a little to much in my opinion, and his decision making could do with some work. But again, I think his future lies at 13. Neither are ideal full-backs, but for me Zebo has the edge under the high-ball and has a very safe left boot.

Id agree with you on most of it but under the high ball id take henshaw any day of the week, some of the catches he has made this season have been phenomenal.

irishbucsfan

A great team.

I think Henderson on the bench must be a lineout issue.

Won't be able to watch it but I hope we smash them

danthefan

Tbh I don't think Zebo was "great" at fullback. He was solid.

Hagz

danthefan wrote: »

Tbh I don't think Zebo was "great" at fullback. He was solid.

He was probably the most dangerous back against South Africa and linked up very well with Bowe from my memory. Not bad after he was thrown in a position he doesn't play in for his province. Then against Argentina Gilroy stole the show, but Zebo certainly played well. Depends what your definition of great was. I've seen Kearney put in performances that would completely overshadow Zebo's cameo, but for a young, inexperienced player playing out of position against a top 3 team like South Africa he was great in my opinion.

.ak

Hagz wrote: »

He was probably the most dangerous back against South Africa and linked up very well with Bowe from my memory. Not bad after he was thrown in a position he doesn't play in for his province. Then against Argentina Gilroy stole the show, but Zebo certainly played well. Depends what your definition of great was. I've seen Kearney put in performances that would completely overshadow Zebo's cameo, but for a young, inexperienced player playing out of position against a top 3 team like South Africa he was great in my opinion.

I'd agree with all except for linking up with Bowe. Don't think the back 3 clicked at all that day, all over running each other, breakdown in communication etc.

jamiedav2011

Hagz wrote: »

He was probably the most dangerous back against South Africa and linked up very well with Bowe from my memory. Not bad after he was thrown in a position he doesn't play in for his province. Then against Argentina Gilroy stole the show, but Zebo certainly played well. Depends what your definition of great was. I've seen Kearney put in performances that would completely overshadow Zebo's cameo, but for a young, inexperienced player playing out of position against a top 3 team like South Africa he was great in my opinion.

Ah no come on he didn't now. He had about two switch moves with Bowe and came on an angle. He had feck all to do in reality but did ok, hardly 'great'.

Fishooks13

jamiedav2011 wrote: »

Ah no come on he didn't now. He had about two switch moves with Bowe and came on an angle. He had feck all to do in reality but did ok, hardly 'great'.

He had a good game. Not spectacular but considering he had never started a senior rugby game at 15 it was a good performance

Henshaw is only 19 and still has a lot of aspects of his game to work on, in particular decision making.

He has huge potential though and has been brilliant for Connacht this season, particularly under the high ball and should be a shining light in this years U20 wc. But suggesting he'd be better than Zebo at 15 for a six nations game, the form back in Ireland right now, is madness imo.