If you were the new coach

Kayless

So after what happened in Rome at the weekend, we are pretty much guaranteed a new coach.

If you were the new coach and had a fully fit Ireland squad, who would you pick and what kind of game plan/tactics would you employ to get the most out of our players?

WoollyRedHat

Ireland get new New Zealand coach:

rrpc

I wouldn't get into naming names at this stage, it's pretty pointless. What I'd expect from a new coach is to approach selection with a clean slate, choose in form players and aim to have at least one properly blooded replacement for every position and a second backup in the pipeline within the first year.

irishbucsfan

I've never really had a problem with his selections as such. I don't think selection has been that big a problem. It's been the way we play.

Even if Kidney stayed on selecting the team and a succesful (post-ELVs) coach came in to coach them I wouldn't have a major issue to be honest (although I know most would have).

Kayless

I understand but what I'm asking is with the players we have at our disposal what kind of game would you want to see Ireland play?

And for that matter what coach do you think could deliver this brand?

irishbucsfan

Kayless wrote: »

I understand but what I'm asking is with the players we have at our disposal what kind of game would you want to see Ireland play?

And for that matter what coach do you think could deliver this brand?

As for which coach I'm not really sure. I think the coaching team as a whole should be strong and individually accountable for their assigned positions as much as possible. I see Ewen McKenzie has made himself available for an international job, but unfortunately I don't think he'd be interested in coming here.

As for what type of game, I would like to see us try to play a bit flatter and look to take more chances in attack. I'd like to see us use our forwards a lot better than we have been doing as well. And use them off the 10 a bit more as opposed to constantly giving the ball to stationary pods of forwards 5 meters from the breakdown. Loads of things really. There is so much that I'd like to see tried.

jamiedav2011

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I've never really had a problem with his selections as such. I don't think selection has been that big a problem. It's been the way we play.

Even if Kidney stayed on selecting the team and a succesful (post-ELVs) coach came in to coach them I wouldn't have a major issue to be honest (although I know most would have).

Ah in fairness there have been some major selection issues too.
RWC QF being the biggest, but the persistence with ROG, Hayes, Buckley, the ridiculous crap of having ROG and Wallace on bench together, not taking Madigan or Jackson on NZ tour, Sexton at 12, not using the bench and then using it stupidly (Cullen on for 10 seconds, Murray last week etc).

The list of foolish Kidney decisions is as long as my arm tbh.

Pudsy33

I have two main issues with the way Kidney ran things. Firstly, SOB taking first phases ball, standing still, on his own. This is a total waste of his talent. He should be used to charge through props after a few phases, not trying to punch holes in an organised defence. A lot of the time he was the first receiver against Italy, this is total nonsense. It hardly takes a genius to figure out whats coming next. He should be taking ball from Sexton/Jackson/Madigan, with other player running lines too. That way,its not telegraphed and predictable.

Secondly, the incessant box kicking. Murray has greatly improved his kicking, and was brilliant with the boot in a coupke of the games. However, it is something that is overused. I lost count of the amount of times we just boot the ball aimlessly away. If we're in the 22, fine. If we're at halfway,its just handing free possession to the opposition. There might be a net gain of 10-20 yards territory, but that shouldn't be at the expense of possession of the ball.

Overall, our players are good at running with the ball, as is evident to anyone who follows the Rabo closely. Let them play, don't restrict them to a kick-and-chase gameplan.

rrpc

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I've never really had a problem with his selections as such. I don't think selection has been that big a problem. It's been the way we play.

I've had some problems with his selections. Murray with Sexton did not work for a very long time and when it did work it only did so in patches. Every time he picked Reddan with Sexton (and there weren't that many), things clicked and the game speeded up. I know we have to bring young players on, but Murray just dropped in without any kind of preparation.

Leaving FitzGerald at home for the RWC was another mistake. Granted Fitz had been slow coming back to form, but there were signs in the warm ups that he was on track and then bringing Paddy Wallace over was another disaster.

He never really gave Madigan a chance to prove himself before the 6N and he continued to select ROG when his form was horrendous. The injury crisis with Sexton could have been softened considerably had he jettisoned ROG after the RWC and worked towards a fresh replacement.

There are too many instances like the above that seemed only small at the time, but added together snowballed into a major issue.

Pudsy33

irishbucsfan wrote: »

As for which coach I'm not really sure. I think the coaching team as a whole should be strong and individually accountable for their assigned positions as much as possible. I see Ewen McKenzie has made himself available for an international job, but unfortunately I don't think he'd be interested in coming here.

As for what type of game, I would like to see us try to play a bit flatter and look to take more chances in attack. I'd like to see us use our forwards a lot better than we have been doing as well. And use them off the 10 a bit more as opposed to constantly giving the ball to stationary pods of forwards 5 meters from the breakdown. Loads of things really. There is so much that I'd like to see tried.

That is absolutely key for me. We are wasting our big ball cariers by giving them stationary ball.

P_1

I'd want constant quick ball. The longest between a player hitting the deck and the ball being recycled shouldn't be any longer than 5 seconds. This will exploit any line breaks to their maximum potential.

I'd want no box kick to not have a chase. Otherwise you're just handing the ball away and giving the opposition a head start to run at you.

I'd want the lineouts to go to the front at the start of the match. Allow the pack to develop some confidence before trying the fancy stuff.

I'd want all 8 forwards pushing in each and every scrum.

I would develop a proper squad.

irishbucsfan

Pudsy33 wrote: »

That is absolutely key for me. We are wasting our big ball cariers by giving them stationary ball.

Absolutely.

And Sexton is such a threat with ball in hand that if we can give him the ball with options either side of him like Healy and SOB and then the rest of the back line outside him, there will surely be loads of space created.

And imagine giving an inside ball to SOB, and then having Zebo coming off his wing to run onto an offload.

We have so much talent and we don't get anything out of it. Joe Schmidt would have a field day with this side.

toomevara

My number one wish; Develop a decent off-loading game built around mobile, ball carrying forwards.

rrpc

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Secondly, the incessant box kicking. Murray has greatly improved his kicking, and was brilliant with the boot in a coupke of the games. However, it is something that is overused. I lost count of the amount of times we just boot the ball aimlessly away.

I've kept count for you . It's 149 times in 5 games or an average 30 times a game.

Since we averaged about 50% possession in the five games, that's about once every 80 seconds that we had possession and kicked it away.

irishbucsfan

rrpc wrote: »

I've kept count for you . It's 149 times in 5 games or an average 30 times a game.

Since we averaged about 50% possession in the five games, that's about once every 80 seconds that we had possession and kicked it away.

I wouldn't have a problem with that if our set piece was working. Our kicking game created a lot of opportunities and put the opposition under a lot of pressure, but it was useless because the fruits of a strong kicking game is forcing a set piece in a strong position... which meant nothing to us!

It was great in the mid-2000s when POC, DOC and O'Kelly caused the opposition nightmares while Wood and Flannery ensured our possession. Doesn't work now though.

Fireball07

I agree that Kidney's selections weren't a massive issue... I mean there were a couple of things, but even when we had a team that nearly everyone here would have agreed on, we under-performed. Almost every coach has their weird selection quirks that don't make sense.

But I agree with toomevara in that I'd like to see a good off-loading game, using our mobile forwards. I mean we have the likes of Ferris, SOB, Heaslip, POM, Henderson, Henry, Best, Cronin, Healy....all very talented forwads, all well able to get around the pitch. Use them properly, have runners on their shoulder if they do make a break.

And better use of our backline would be nice too, have a few more backline moves, use of the inside ball. I dunno...we've loads of individually talented players, we need them to click as a unit.


And perform for 80 minutes...how many times did we see us fade in the 2nd half?

rrpc

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I wouldn't have a problem with that if our set piece was working. Our kicking game created a lot of opportunities and put the opposition under a lot of pressure, but it was useless because the fruits of a strong kicking game is forcing a set piece in a strong position... which meant nothing to us!

It was great in the mid-2000s when POC, DOC and O'Kelly caused the opposition nightmares while Wood and Flannery ensured our possession. Doesn't work now though.

Not just kicking for an eventual touch though, our kick chase only worked when McFadden played, the rest of the time, it was just ceding possession and generally territory as well.

I'm not a great fan of a kicking game. When there's a point to it, like kicking to relieve pressure in your 22, kicking to chase and regain possession or gain territory, kicking to beat a rush defense. All of these have merit, but our kicking seems in the main to be aimless, clueless and smacked of a lack of ideas of what else to do with the possession.

It all smacks of a lack of patience and creativity.

Teferi

Every time there is a needless kick from Murray, BOD or Sexton the team gets 10 laps.

Every time SOB is first receiver off the back of a ruck or maul the team gets 10 laps.

That would be a start anyway and we would be incredibly fit.

[Jackass]

Would start with a first team losely based on:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Henderson
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. L. Marshall
13. Bowe
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney

16. Best / Cronin 17. Black / Kilcoyne 18. A.N. Other 19. Tuhoy 20. O'Mahony 21. P. Marshall 22. Madigan 23. Fitzgerald

I would move on from some of the older players like O'Driscoll and O'Connell, I would publicly state we are building for a world cup and these guys are still massively valuable players, but we're looking to develop. Would not rule out a further call up, this would appease public perception and allow them to just play for their provinces if they wanted and didn't want to retire.

Objectives:

• In the first 15 minutes of being appointed, I would look to appoint a national scrummaging unit. I would put regular clinics together inbetween available game time slots, not just when national squad assembled, would scour the world for best scrummaging coaches, either on permanent or part time basis to run clinics, would have regular groups containing guys like Bent, Hagan, Archer, Moore, Furlong, would consult provincial academies and get young prospects in, and would work tirelessly on unearthing 2 - 3 genuinely world class tight head scrummagers scrumagers.
  
• Would also include loose head portion of scrum camp, bring in guys like Jack McGrath, Jack O'Connell, Kilcoyne, players from other academies on recommendation from academy managers.
  
• Would establish a national academy, call it the "elite" academy, not as intense as scrummaging clinics, but would look to select best players from each academy over the season and bring them in over summers for education based training first and foremost, not all about physical training and playing, but look to develop technical aspects of players games trough video analysis and tactical play and decision making.
  
• In conjunction with above, would especially focus on uncovering a specialist 7. Something Ireland has lacked for as long as I can remember. Genuine 7's have been under used, haven't been given a role in the national team to avail of a prolific ball poaching 7, even with contenders such as Jennings or Gleeson through the years. Vital to balance the back-row. Would look at guys like Chris Henry, Dom Ryan, CJ Stander (when qualified), Dougal, Gilsenan etc. etc. Consult with provincial sides to try and develop more open side based players and to move away from the role of back-row players being ball carrying first and ball winners second and reverse that order (as we have a massive surplus of one and shortfall of other). Put a big emphasis on having a pack that can produce quick ball and turnovers. (note all players mentioed so far are off the top of my head, I would consult with academy managers and coaches to get full list of players involved)
  
• would put a massive, massive emphasis on physical fitness, like Wales, when you have a group of similarly talented squads, sometimes the difference is physical fitness.
  
• I would look to rotate team quite a lot, would try not to make any one player a nailed on starter, would emphasize to players that they would get opportunities, the better they play, the more they get, but even playing well, other players will be given a chance as we want to focus on more than one player per position, would stress to players that taking your chance when it comes will keep you in the pecking order, would stress to senior players getting complaciant would see you losing your place very quickly.
  
• Would put together a national strategic management comitee in conjunction with the IRFU and some independent consultants to identify a group of about 60 players, both established and to be developed, to look to use in a national development plan, and would set out a x year plan, with multiple short term goals, over stage after stage a step by step set of development targets, what we need to achieve, with the final goal being winning the world cup.

jamiedav2011

[Jackass] wrote: »

Would start with a first team losely based on:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Henderson
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. L. Marshall
13. Bowe
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney

16. Best / Cronin 17. Black / Kilcoyne 18. A.N. Other 19. Tuhoy 20. O'Mahony 21. P. Marshall 22. Madigan 23. Fitzgerald

I would move on from some of the older players like O'Driscoll and O'Connell, I would publicly state we are building for a world cup and these guys are still massively valuable players, but we're looking to develop. Would not rule out a further call up, this would appease public perception and allow them to just play for their provinces if they wanted and didn't want to retire.

Objectives:

• In the first 15 minutes of being appointed, I would look to appoint a national scrummaging unit. I would put regular clinics together inbetween available game time slots, not just when national squad assembled, would scour the world for best scrummaging coaches, either on permanent or part time basis to run clinics, would have regular groups containing guys like Bent, Hagan, Archer, Moore, Furlong, would consult provincial academies and get young prospects in, and would work tirelessly on unearthing 2 - 3 genuinely world class tight head scrummagers scrumagers.
  
• Would also include loose head portion of scrum camp, bring in guys like Jack McGrath, Jack O'Connell, Kilcoyne, players from other academies on recommendation from academy managers.
  
• Would establish a national academy, call it the "elite" academy, not as intense as scrummaging clinics, but would look to select best players from each academy over the season and bring them in over summers for education based training first and foremost, not all about physical training and playing, but look to develop technical aspects of players games trough video analysis and tactical play and decision making.
  
• In conjunction with above, would especially focus on uncovering a specialist 7. Something Ireland has lacked for as long as I can remember. Genuine 7's have been under used, haven't been given a role in the national team to avail of a prolific ball poaching 7, even with contenders such as Jennings or Gleeson through the years. Vital to balance the back-row. Would look at guys like Chris Henry, Dom Ryan, CJ Stander (when qualified), Dougal, Gilsenan etc. etc. Consult with provincial sides to try and develop more open side based players and to move away from the role of back-row players being ball carrying first and ball winners second and reverse that order (as we have a massive surplus of one and shortfall of other). Put a big emphasis on having a pack that can produce quick ball and turnovers. (note all players mentioed so far are off the top of my head, I would consult with academy managers and coaches to get full list of players involved)
  
• would put a massive, massive emphasis on physical fitness, like Wales, when you have a group of similarly talented squads, sometimes the difference is physical fitness.
  
• I would look to rotate team quite a lot, would try not to make any one player a nailed on starter, would emphasize to players that they would get opportunities, the better they play, the more they get, but even playing well, other players will be given a chance as we want to focus on more than one player per position, would stress to players that taking your chance when it comes will keep you in the pecking order, would stress to senior players getting complaciant would see you losing your place very quickly.
  
• Would put together a national strategic management comitee in conjunction with the IRFU and some independent consultants to identify a group of about 60 players, both established and to be developed, to look to use in a national development plan, and would set out a x year plan, with multiple short term goals, over stage after stage a step by step set of development targets, what we need to achieve, with the final goal being winning the world cup.

You're hired.


Except for Bowe at 13.

irishbucsfan

The national academy thing has been done. Doesn't work. The provincial academies are great.

A shame they didn't succeed in bringing in Cuttita wrt the scrum.

subfreq

[Jackass] wrote: »

Would start with a first team losely based on:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Henderson
6. Heaslip
7. D. Ryan / O'Mahony
8. O'Brien

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. L. Marshall
13. Gilroy
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

Great post and broadly agree with you points especially a system in place to develop scrummaging and strategic talent.

I would however make the above changes the the first team.

Heaslip has been under performing for years now and has not dominated an international season at 8 for as long as I can remember. The way he plays I think he is now better suited to 6 and SOB a more natural 8.

At 7 Ireland must select a fetcher and let him develop at international level. We have the talent but must given game time to grow into that level. Dominic Ryan would get the nod from me.

Gilroy looks to me to be the perfect 13. Great vision, a stepper and a huge defensive game. The perfect player for the position and could forge a good combination with Marshall at club level.

Next coach must do nothing more than consolidate the set piece and work on urgent realignment in both attack and Defense. We have the players to develop continuity rugby but it requires a higher pace and application of the basic skills.

CIARAN_BOYLE

subfreq wrote: »

At 7 Ireland must select a fetcher and let him develop at international level. We have the talent but must given game time to grow into that level. Dominic Ryan would get the nod from me.

Not a fetcher, neither is POM.

subfreq

POM was tasked with it and did very well in an Irish cap but never got to stay with the role.

In the end I am basing that selection on who I would back to take on the role.

Dougal also showed great promise in the early season.

irishbucsfan

POM is no poacher. Too easy to clear out. Dougal isn't really international class.

Henry or Heaslip are our best defensive breakdown players.

LeeroyJones

Captaincy is a delicate subject for the potential new coach. Heaslip has not stamped his authority.

Perhaps it wasn't the most damning issue over the last few weeks however the lack of guidance/leadership was evident in addition to the poor bench-management, game-plan and injuries.

Stripping Heaslip of captaincy would certainly have an adverse effect on the man in the short term but he is a professional man and I'm sure he would move on.

The question is who to replace him with. The World Cup project is now a 2 year project and at the age of 33 I really do not believe Paul O'Connell is finished by a long stretch, I do not sign up to those who place him in the same bracket as ROG or BOD. The issue with POC is whether or not he will return from injury the formidable lock he was. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that he will return still more than capable of making a hugely positive impact on the international scene.
POC would be my front-runner for captaincy over the next 2 years.

Other options?
Best - not a guaranteed starter when Strauss returns
Heaslip - 3 losses, 1 draw from 5 as official captain
Sexton - Further responsibility for an already hugely demanding role at 10? - Devils Advocate here

Of the other experience mainstays of the squad (Healy, Ross, Ryan, SOB, Murray, Bowe, Kearney) I don't see as international captain material.

rrpc

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Captaincy is a delicate subject for the potential new coach. Heaslip has not stamped his authority.

Perhaps it wasn't the most damning issue over the last few weeks however the lack of guidance/leadership was evident in addition to the poor bench-management, game-plan and injuries.

Stripping Heaslip of captaincy would certainly have an adverse effect on the man in the short term but he is a professional man and I'm sure he would move on.

The question is who to replace him with. The World Cup project is now a 2 year project and at the age of 33 I really do not believe Paul O'Connell is finished by a long stretch, I do not sign up to those who place him in the same bracket as ROG or BOD. The issue with POC is whether or not he will return from injury the formidable lock he was. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that he will return still more than capable of making a hugely positive impact on the international scene.
POC would be my front-runner for captaincy over the next 2 years.

Other options?
Best - not a guaranteed starter when Strauss returns
Heaslip - 3 losses, 1 draw from 5 as official captain
Sexton - Further responsibility for an already hugely demanding role at 10? - Devils Advocate here

Of the other experience mainstays of the squad (Healy, Ross, Ryan, SOB, Murray, Bowe, Kearney) I don't see as international captain material.

I think you've made a very good case for Heaslip there

POC may be back but for how long? Hardly a good choice if you're likely to be changing captain again closer to the next RWC.

The same for Best and any other candidate heading into his early thirties by the time the RWC comes around.

Sexton would be good, but I'm never in favour of the guy taking the penalty kicks also making the decision on what to do at penalties.

Kayless

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Henderson
6. Ferris/Heaslip
7. Henry / O'Mahony
8. O'Brien

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. L. Marshall
13. Gilroy
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

Brilliant team! back line actually looks :eek: amazing, although I would have Ferris at 6 and Henry at 7

With that team we'd also have a great bench of Best, Heaslip, Madigan, O'Mahony ect...

Fireball07

Kayless wrote: »

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Henderson
6. Ferris/Heaslip
7. Henry / O'Mahony
8. O'Brien

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. L. Marshall
13. Gilroy
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

Brilliant team! back line actually looks :eek: amazing, although I would have Ferris at 6 and Henry at 7

With that team we'd also have a great bench of Best, Heaslip, Madigan, O'Mahony ect...

Has Gilroy ever played 13?? BOD's successor isn't going to be easy to find. Cave, Earls, EOM, Griffin, Henshaw, Farrell, etc. are all a long way off him. He should choose whoever's on-form at the time, I think.

And I want to see Henderson in the 2nd row eventually, but until he starts playing there for Ulster more, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm wrong.


I'd love to see a genuine alternative to Kearney at 15 too...didn't have the best tournament. On form, he's class but competition is always good, keeps players on their toes. Maybe Zebo is the answer but he's a better wing.

Donald Coyle

Not sure about this one, but how about trying to convert some tightheads who are not going to make it at international level to hooker? (e.g. Hagan, Loughney, AN Other)

In the short term it might give Ross a bit of a boost and allow us to play Bent/Archer/Fitzpatrick without worrying about scrums falling apart. We could potentially have a scrum which could wear down other teams, a bit like Argentina. It appears that hookers don't need to hook anymore, so that wouldn't be an issue, but the plan would rely on finding a reliable thrower (which seems to be a problem this 6N anyway).

I know on his day Best is a great hooker but may be a necessary sacrifice to get a more solid/attacking scrum? For impact we could always bring on Strauss/Cronin in the second half for a more expansive game.

I'd see it as a temporary measure. Longer-term it could give us a bit of breathing space until some of the promising academy tightheads start coming through.

lurtz

[Jackass] wrote: »

Would start with a first team losely based on:

1. Healy
2. Strauss
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. Henderson
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. L. Marshall
13. Bowe
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney

16. Best / Cronin 17. Black / Kilcoyne 18. A.N. Other 19. Tuhoy 20. O'Mahony 21. P. Marshall 22. Madigan 23. Fitzgerald

I would move on from some of the older players like O'Driscoll and O'Connell, I would publicly state we are building for a world cup and these guys are still massively valuable players, but we're looking to develop. Would not rule out a further call up, this would appease public perception and allow them to just play for their provinces if they wanted and didn't want to retire.

Objectives:

• In the first 15 minutes of being appointed, I would look to appoint a national scrummaging unit. I would put regular clinics together inbetween available game time slots, not just when national squad assembled, would scour the world for best scrummaging coaches, either on permanent or part time basis to run clinics, would have regular groups containing guys like Bent, Hagan, Archer, Moore, Furlong, would consult provincial academies and get young prospects in, and would work tirelessly on unearthing 2 - 3 genuinely world class tight head scrummagers scrumagers.
  
  
• Would also include loose head portion of scrum camp, bring in guys like Jack McGrath, Jack O'Connell, Kilcoyne, players from other academies on recommendation from academy managers.
  
• Would establish a national academy, call it the "elite" academy, not as intense as scrummaging clinics, but would look to select best players from each academy over the season and bring them in over summers for education based training first and foremost, not all about physical training and playing, but look to develop technical aspects of players games trough video analysis and tactical play and decision making.
  
• In conjunction with above, would especially focus on uncovering a specialist 7. Something Ireland has lacked for as long as I can remember. Genuine 7's have been under used, haven't been given a role in the national team to avail of a prolific ball poaching 7, even with contenders such as Jennings or Gleeson through the years. Vital to balance the back-row. Would look at guys like Chris Henry, Dom Ryan, CJ Stander (when qualified), Dougal, Gilsenan etc. etc. Consult with provincial sides to try and develop more open side based players and to move away from the role of back-row players being ball carrying first and ball winners second and reverse that order (as we have a massive surplus of one and shortfall of other). Put a big emphasis on having a pack that can produce quick ball and turnovers. (note all players mentioed so far are off the top of my head, I would consult with academy managers and coaches to get full list of players involved)
  
• would put a massive, massive emphasis on physical fitness, like Wales, when you have a group of similarly talented squads, sometimes the difference is physical fitness.
  
• I would look to rotate team quite a lot, would try not to make any one player a nailed on starter, would emphasize to players that they would get opportunities, the better they play, the more they get, but even playing well, other players will be given a chance as we want to focus on more than one player per position, would stress to players that taking your chance when it comes will keep you in the pecking order, would stress to senior players getting complaciant would see you losing your place very quickly.
  
• Would put together a national strategic management comitee in conjunction with the IRFU and some independent consultants to identify a group of about 60 players, both established and to be developed, to look to use in a national development plan, and would set out a x year plan, with multiple short term goals, over stage after stage a step by step set of development targets, what we need to achieve, with the final goal being winning the world cup.

I like the way Snrub thinks!

ionadnapokot

Submit a proposal as to how we can win the World Cup in 2015. _909_ days to go

Step 1 of 4

Step 1) Please God for BO’D:
a) Offer BO’D Captaincy of Ireland Again. PO’C Vcap, RBest Vcap
b) 2 year Central IRFU contract
c) A specifically tailored player management programme
d) Identify back up for BO’D and play them in AI & 6N.
e) “tutoring school for Centre’s” - OMalley, Cave, Henshaw (quietly) , whoever it is, are brought into the squad and tutored by the coaching team and B’OD on the art of playing 13.

Schedule:
Nov-Dec 2013: 300 mins max
It would involve no matches until the end of November. whereby he would play 1.5 Pro12 games in the lead up to the ECup games in December. Start 1 of them and bench for the other. Play the end of year Pro12 provincial game.
Jan 2014: 140 mins max
For the ECup games in early January 2013; again, Start 1 of them and bench for the other.
6 Nations 2014: 240 mins max
Play in the crucial matches i.e. away games against France & England and the last game if it is a championship decider.
March – April 2014 200 mins max
Play half the end of March Pro12 provincial game. Play the ECup games in early April And hopefully SF ECup game at end of April
May 2014 160 mins max
Play final of ECup and Final Pro12. Cheeky!

Year 1 summary : 1040 mins = “13” games MAX
BREAK: 5-6 Months

Nov-Dec 2014: 180 mins max
On the Bench for 2 Pro12 games in the lead up to the ECup games in December. Start 1 of them and bench for the other. Do not play in the end of year Pro12 provincial game.
Jan 2015: 140 mins max
Start 1 of the ECup games in early January and bench for the other.
6 Nations 2015: 240mins max
Do not play in the crucial matches EO’M or RWC backup to play in these games i.e. away games against Wales or home vFrance (save for RWC)
March – April 2015 200 mins max
Play half of the end of March Pro12 provincial game. Play the ECup game in early April And hopefully SF ECup game at end of April
May 2015 160 mins max
Play final of ECup and Final Pro12. Again Cheeky!

Year 2 summary : 920 mins = 11.5 games MAX
BREAK: 2.5 Months

August 2015 160 mins max
Play 2 games in RWC warm-up matches

September – October RWC 2015: 400 mins max
Play v France. Rest v Canada/USA Play v Italy Rest v Georgia/Romania.
Play QF v Argentina, Play SF v SA or Aus, Play Final v NZ
Retire as a World Champion.