Ireland V Georgia build up thread (team announced 12:50 Friday)

justsomebloke

Build up thread. Need I say more....



...actually I probably will at some point, so if a warning has to go out it will be here.

SaveOurLyric

wittycynic wrote: »

Would expect to see:

1. D. Kilcoyne
2. R. Strauss
3. M. Ross
4. D. Toner
5. M. McCarthy
6. R. Ruddock
7. T. O'Donnell
8. J. Heaslip
9. E. Reddan
10. J. Sexton
11. S. Zebo
12. G. D'Arcy
13. R. Henshaw
14. C. Gilroy
15. F. Jones

16. S. Cronin
17. J. McGrath
18. R. Ah You
19. D. Foley
20. ???
21. K. Marmion
22. I. Madigan
23. S. Olding

This of course assumes the unavailability of Best, Henry, and Payne.

Would expect to see Sexton and Toner called ashore after 50 mins with the other replacements coming in at 60 mins.

Is it not more likely Heaslip and Sexton will be rested ?
And benefit in giving others an outing in both positions.

vienne86

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Is it not more likely Heaslip and Sexton will be rested ?
And benefit in giving others an outing in both positions.

I certainly see Sexton being rested - OK he has had a lot of time off with the broken jaw, but he is just too valuable to risk against Georgia. Heaslip seems to go on and on, and I would see him as captain on Sunday, but I might be wrong.

Utah_Saint

would like to see

10 Madigan
12 Olding
13 Henshaw

Ball players at 10 & 12....

EDIT: But Joe might think its too little experience going against a physical Georgia side....

errlloyd

I'd rather see Madigan than Keatley tbh. I need to know Madigan can do a job if Sexton goes down after 12 mins against Australia.

Neil3030

Utah_Saint wrote: »

would like to see

10 Madigan
12 Olding
13 Henshaw

Ball players at 10 & 12....

EDIT: But Joe might think its too little experience going against a physical Georgia side....

I doubt we'll need experience in the backline, tbh. Physical or not, only one or two of Georgia's players outside of the pack play for a ProD2 side, and the rest all play in Georgia or Russia. I'd go with a trio like the above and not risk injuries to the more experienced players.

That said, the forwards will have a SERIOUS afternoon's work ahead of them.

Great to think 3/3 is an very possibility

.ak

I can see Heaslip starting as captain if the pack is significantly weakened.

.ak

Deleted User wrote: »

Great to think 3/3 is an very possibility

I'm worried about the Australia game to be honest. I think we'll struggle to live with their pace, and we're sort of relying on our defence these days rather than possession. They could tire us out quite easily.

vienne86

.ak wrote: »

I can see Heaslip starting as captain if the pack is significantly weakened.

Agreed. The Georgia pack is huge.

tbm

.ak wrote: »

I'm worried about the Australia game to be honest. I think we'll struggle to live with their pace, and we're sort of relying on our defence these days rather than possession. They could tire us out quite easily.

I was thinking that. I reckon Joe will have a plan though. Can't be kicking to their back three. They'll make serious years. Our tactical kicking, when employed, will have to be top drawer but I expect we'll keep the ball in hand more.

deadybai

I think Schmidt will field his strongest possible 15 regardless of who needs to be rested. Id expect a similar line up as the one who beat the 'Boks

.ak

deadybai wrote: »

I think Schmidt will field his strongest possible 15 regardless of who needs to be rested. Id expect a similar line up as the one who beat the 'Boks

He's said himself the Georgia game is a we can use to give the fringe members some game time - well, he said it in a way that wasn't so disrespectful to Georgia.

MJohnston

deadybai wrote: »

I think Schmidt will field his strongest possible 15 regardless of who needs to be rested. Id expect a similar line up as the one who beat the 'Boks

Yep, I think the last thing he'll want to do is to underestimate a lower tier team, because it's a bit disrespectful, and because it could bite them on the bottom.

I'm imagining a very similar starting 15, but the bench used much sooner and more heavily than in the Boks game.

postitnote

At this stage if Joe completely swapped the forwards for the backs and put 8 members of Ulster's '99 European cup winning team on the bench I don't think I'd question it.

Why do any of us worry about what he does? Let's just go along for the ride and enjoy it.

sydthebeat

1. D. Kilcoyne
2. R. Strauss
3. M. Ross
4. D Foley
5. M. McCarthy
6. R. Ruddock
7. C. Henry
8. J. Heaslip
9. C, Murray
10. I. Madigan
11. T. Bowe
12. G. D'Arcy
13. R. Henshaw
14. C. Gilroy
15. F. Jones

16. S. Cronin
17. J. McGrath
18. R. Ah You
19. D. Toner
20. T. O Donnell
21. K. Marmion
22. I. Keatley
23. S. Zebo


something along the lines of this please

Neil3030

I think Kilcoyne will start, as will Strauss. Ross was not 100% against the Boks. If that was a just a fitness issue in light of returning from injury, he should play against Georgia to get gametime. But if it's a residual from the injury that hasnt quite gone away, there's no way he should be risked and Ah You should start.

Wouldn't mind seeing a second row of POC and Foley and a back row of Ruddock, O'Donnell and Heaslip.

I think that would give us a pack worthy of the ensuing contest, though I would want McGrath, POM, Toner and Cronin on the bench to get a run towards the end to stay sharp.

From then on, we could really field a Wolfhounds team and still win. I'd give Marmion and Keatley the nod at half-backs, as I suspect Joe could see the latter as more of an 80 minute option than Madigan. Since we can't have another look at Henshaw-Payne, I'd slot Olding in. On the wings, I think he may want another look at Zebo and then perhaps Gilroy on the right if he can play there? Jones will then cap things off at full-back.

Kilcoyne
Strauss
Ah You / Ross
Foley
POC
Ruddock
O'Donnell
Heaslip
Marmion
Keatley
Zebo
Olding
Henshaw
Gilroy
Jones

Bench:
Cronin
McGrath
Ross / Ah You
Toner
POM
Reddan
Madigan
Leader

No real need to see Murray, Sexton or Kearney.

Devastated we won't be seeing Mamuka

sydneybound

I wonder what the Georgian lads are thinking now before the game...?

The team they are playing are Tier 1 and just beat the No. 2 team in the world.

There will be at least 40,000 at the game (doubt anymore more tickets will be sold than that figure)...

Think they have a few injuires in their pack with their Toulon player and their captain certainly out...

justsomebloke

sydneybound wrote: »

I wonder what the Georgian lads are thinking now before the game...?

We have nothing to lose, so lets go out and physically put our mark on the game and see if the Irish lads are up for a dog fight.

Yeah_Right

One of the reasons why I think there will be a few changes (4-6 in the starters and a couple on the bench) is the 6 day turnaround to the Aussie game.

Neil3030

postitnote wrote: »

At this stage if Joe completely swapped the forwards for the backs and put 8 members of Ulster's '99 European cup winning team on the bench I don't think I'd question it.

Why do any of us worry about what he does? Let's just go along for the ride and enjoy it.

But the beauty of Schmidt's curveballs are how daft you feel after deliberating over the team all week in your mind, only to be hit with something that (a) you never once considered possible and (b) makes so much sense you feel like a tit for not considering it.

You lose the magic of this humbling experience if you just sit back and enjoy the ride. :pac:

.ak

Yeah_Right wrote: »

One of the reasons why I think there will be a few changes (4-6 in the starters and a couple on the bench) is the 6 day turnaround to the Aussie game.

That. It'll be a massive reason to rest a few first team guys.

wittycynic

Following Mike Ross, which of our tightheads offers the best scrummaging ability? If you look across the four provinces at the top two IQ tightheads in each you get:

Declan Fitzpatrick
Ricky Lutton
Nathan White
Rodney Ah You
Mike Ross
Marty Moore
Stephen Archer
John Ryan

Against a team like Georgia our replacement tighthead, assuming Ross starts, will need to be a very solid scrummager. Which alternative to Ross would you trust most packing down?

.ak

Fitzy, all day.

wittycynic

.ak wrote: »

Fitzy, all day.

I would have said so too. It seems so strange that given (a) D. Fitz is fit at the moment and (b) we are up against some really formidable scrummaging units in this series in SA and Georgia, that he wasn't included in the squad.

Swiwi.

Ok to spice up the thread I'm going to go out on a limb and predict Georgia by 10.

awec

I would rest Bowe rather than Zebo.

I think Zebo needs the opportunity more than Bowe - we all know what Bowe gives and he's going to be one of the first names on the teamsheet whether he plays against Georgia or not.

.ak

Swiwi. wrote: »

Ok to spice up the thread I'm going to go out on a limb and predict Georgia by 10.

Ooo, spicy.

Taco Corp

Has Casey been called up yet?

Zzippy

Swiwi. wrote: »

Ok to spice up the thread I'm going to go out on a limb and predict Georgia by 10.

Won't even make the news as Scotland destroy NZ by 17 points...

crisco10

It would be nice to someone else play other than Heaslip....I really don't know who our strongest back up 8 is should Heaslip get hurt next September....Probably Sean O'Brien, with Henry/POM as flankers?

Be nice to test out one of the other options!

dub_skav

crisco10 wrote: »

It would be nice to someone else play other than Heaslip....I really don't know who our strongest back up 8 is should Heaslip get hurt next September....Probably Sean O'Brien, with Henry/POM as flankers?

Be nice to test out one of the other options!

crisco10

dub_skav wrote: »

Good suggestion,but he hardly plays 8 for Leinster! not sure he has the composure to handle messy ball at the back of the scrum though. (Granted Heaslip is amazing at it)

justsomebloke

nah SOB and Jordi would leap frog him and that's just at Leinster.

dub_skav

It was a bit tongue in cheek, but I think Heaslip deserves a rest and our next in line options are injured.

I think giving a chance to somebody who may not be in the long term plans may be worth a go for this one test. I assume somebody has had at least a few chances at 8 in the training camp, but I can't think who else that could have been; Diack(?), Ruddock (please no), POM (probably not, starter at 6).

Bridge93

Yeah I would have Jordi Murphy as our 2nd best 8. But he's been injured.

Fireball07

I'm going to guess that POM or SOB is next in line at 8, depending on who is more essential in their normal position. With Henry and Ruddock as backup, either could easily move.


Murphy, Copeland, McKeon, Wilson would probably be next up. I still reckon Coughlan is the next best 8 though, what a player.

.ak

I'd have Murphy at 8 before Ruddock personally. Henry is actually a tidy 8 though.

dub_skav

If POC and Heaslip were to be rested who for captain?
I reckon D'Arcy would be a good shout, not sure how he would feel about it though.

Fireball07

dub_skav wrote: »

If POC and Heaslip were to be rested who for captain?
I reckon D'Arcy would be a good shout, not sure how he would feel about it though.

Depending on who else is playing, I imagine Best would be next, but if he's not there... POM or Ruddock? POM is Munster's captain, Ruddock has already captained Ireland. I have a feeling POM will be rested.

Journeyman_1

dub_skav wrote: »

If POC and Heaslip were to be rested who for captain?
I reckon D'Arcy would be a good shout, not sure how he would feel about it though.

Jack McGrath?

vienne86

Fireball07 wrote: »

Depending on who else is playing, I imagine Best would be next, but if he's not there... POM or Ruddock? POM is Munster's captain, Ruddock has already captained Ireland. I have a feeling POM will be rested.

Could get a big surprise there. Mike Mac was captain of the emerging side until he got injured. Don't think it will be him though.

jm08

Fireball07 wrote: »

Depending on who else is playing, I imagine Best would be next, but if he's not there... POM or Ruddock? POM is Munster's captain, Ruddock has already captained Ireland. I have a feeling POM will be rested.

I don't think Ruddock has captained Ireland. Saturday was only his second start. POM captained Ireland for US & Canada Tour last year though.

I'd imagine either Heaslip or POM will captain in the absence of POC. POM hasn't played a lot of rugby this season so far unlike the rest, so he may well start against Georgia.

.ak

Didn't Ruddock make a start years ago when he was a nipper? I think he might've been captain for that? Can't remember tbh.

jm08

.ak wrote: »

Didn't Ruddock make a start years ago when he was a nipper? I think he might've been captain for that? Can't remember tbh.

He captained U20s, not a senior side though. Both his other caps were off the bench (v. Australia - first cap) and v. Italy (2nd cap). POC was captain when he got his first start against Argentina.

vienne86

jm08 wrote: »

I don't think Ruddock has captained Ireland. Saturday was only his second start. POM captained Ireland for US & Canada Tour last year though.

I'd imagine either Heaslip or POM will captain in the absence of POC. POM hasn't played a lot of rugby this season so far unlike the rest, so he may well start against Georgia.

I still think POC and POM won't be starting. We really need them for the Australia match six days later.

Ireland are currently 38 point favourites :eek:

armchaircoach

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Ireland are currently 38 point favourites :eek:

Wouldn't surprise me at all. Emerging Ireland spent 80 min running in trys against these guys a few months ago in Tblisi.

Would expect a more full strength Ireland to easily hit a half century, and probably still canter on beyond.

aimee1

dub_skav wrote: »

If POC and Heaslip were to be rested who for captain?
I reckon D'Arcy would be a good shout, not sure how he would feel about it though.

Ruddock/POM are candidates as both have captained at provincial level and RR was ireland u20 captain [I think] but I expect Heaslip to start. Has POM ever played 8 for Munster?


Even if there is 7-8 changes to the starting 15 from saturday we are still capable of putting out a very strong side.

Kicoyne/Strauss/Ross
Foley / Toner
Ruddock/ Heaslip / TOD
Marmion / Madigan
Henshaw / Olding
Zebo / Jones / Gilroy

Bench: McGrath, Ah You, Cronin, McCarthy, Reddan, Keatley, D'Arcy [if fit], POM


I think thats a strong team of players who have nearly all played HEC over the last few seasons. Foley, Marmion and TOD deserve a chance to start. Bringing them on with 20-25 left if we are out of sight would be pointless.

I would rest Murray, Sexton, Kearney, POC.

The Pheasant2

I certainly don't want to see POM near 8 against Georgia and I'd rather he didn't play at all!

Shame Jordi's injured, this would've been a good chance to give him gametime at 8 which he rarely gets being at Leinster

jm08

aimee1 wrote: »

Ruddock/POM are candidates as both have captained at provincial level and RR was ireland u20 captain [I think] but I expect Heaslip to start. Has POM ever played 8 for Munster?

POM has 3 international caps at 8 (North American tour & v NZ).

POM also captained the U20s team that Ruddock was on with Ruddock at 6 and POM at 8.