Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

RoundBox11

Pairing Luke Marshall with Cave in the centre and Payne at fullback could be really good for the wolfhounds backline. They should know each other inside out. Then Gilroy could be on one wing.

its_phil

RoundBox11 wrote: »

Pairing Luke Marshall with Cave in the centre and Payne at fullback could be really good for the wolfhounds backline. They should know each other inside out. Then Gilroy could be on one wing.

Them knowing eachother inside out is why I wouldn't try them in a Wolfhounds backline. It's a one-off game but a chance to experiment

mfceiling

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Didn't he get another knock to the head recently?

That's every game!! No he played at the weekend and came through unscathed.

Sanjuro

total former wrote: »

Friday night, live on Sky

Also on RTE 2.

total former

Luke Marshall isn't in the squad btw.

Tox56

I'd love to see this by the end of the six nations

Murray
Sexton
Earls
Henshaw
Fitzgerald
Bowe
Kearney

If that centre partnership starts the first game it will likely play the whole tournament. That leaves Earls who isn't locked in, and I reckon he was born to play under Schmidt, punches well above his weight and can hit rucks like a train, in addition to his obvious attacking ability. Schmidt included him for a reason, I think he could take Zebo's place by the end of the tournament

Sexton takes it to the line with the option of Henshaw to hit it up, Bowe trailing inside and Fitz and Earls waiting out the back... there aren't enough defenders in the world

S12b

Murray Kinsella on Henderson's performance from the weekend.

http://www.the42.ie/iain-henderson-ulster-analysis-1903780-Jan2015/?utm_source=twitter_self

Wang King

I'll be very interested to see what position Joe starts Earls in for the wolfhounds (I'm making an assumption he starts)
Dies he see him as an 11,12 or 13

The Pheasant2

S12b wrote: »

Murray Kinsella on Henderson's performance from the weekend.

http://www.the42.ie/iain-henderson-ulster-analysis-1903780-Jan2015/?utm_source=twitter_self

Off topic but can anyone explain why they changed from "The Score" to "The 42"?

b.gud

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

Off topic but can anyone explain why they changed from "The Score" to "The 42"?

Its to do with Rule 42 which allows the playing of other sports in GAA grounds
http://jrnl.ie/1851567

I only know because someone posted it in the off topic thread

phog

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

Off topic but can anyone explain why they changed from "The Score" to "The 42"?

Supposedly something to do with Rule 42 which I think was the rule changed to open up Croke Park to other sports

Sh3m

Wang King wrote: »

I'll be very interested to see what position Joe starts Earls in for the wolfhounds (I'm making an assumption he starts)
Dies he see him as an 11,12 or 13

Be very surprised if Joe seen Earls as anything but a winger and emergency centre cover. He's got plenty of centre options as it is. And if he's eyeing up Fitz as a possible 13 then Earls is probably a starting option on the wing in the 6 nations along with Bowe.

Flipper22

Wang King wrote: »

I'll be very interested to see what position Joe starts Earls in for the wolfhounds (I'm making an assumption he starts)
Dies he see him as an 11,12 or 13

Don't remember him playing 12, has he? Interesting one alright, I don't see him as Irelands first choice 13 but a great option at 11 if he can stay fit.

Robert McGrath

Flipper22 wrote: »

Don't remember him playing 12, has he? Interesting one alright, I don't see him as Irelands first choice 13 but a great option at 11 if he can stay fit.

I think he was 12 for the 60-0 against NZ

wp_rathead

Robert McGrath wrote: »

I think he was 12 for the 60-0 against NZ

That game never happened

aimee1

Robert McGrath wrote: »

I think he was 12 for the 60-0 against NZ

was paddy wallace not summoned from his deck chair for that one?

Wang King

Flipper22 wrote: »

Don't remember him playing 12, has he? Interesting one alright, I don't see him as Irelands first choice 13 but a great option at 11 if he can stay fit.

Played many times for Munster at 12 with LLL outside him

Hagz

Wang King wrote: »

Played many times for Munster at 12 with LLL outside him

Earls never played with 12 on his back whilst Laulala was with Munster. I'm presuming you mean he moved in and out of the 12 position many times mid-game.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Iirc earls he played a churchill cup at 12 (inside mcfadden)

Clearlier

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Iirc earls he played a churchill cup at 12 (inside mcfadden)

He played inside Kieran Lewis in 2008. I remember him playing at centre with Cave too but think that it might have been at 13. With his power and running attributes I think that this kind of game really suits Earls where there's perhaps slightly more space than in games between more established teams. I would see him as far more effective on the wing for the full international side.

George Hook

Just some musings, but I think they really need to do something about guys rushing in and grabbing around the neck and wrenching players to the ground in a ruck situation. People aren't allowed to high tackle for a reason and someone will get hurt.

And I just imagined Toner had the same spark as Bakkies did when he was at his peak. Sigh.

Flipper22

Wang King wrote: »

Played many times for Munster at 12 with LLL outside him

I don't think so. In fact I don't ever remember him playing 12 for Munster. He did have 12 on his back for the first test in NZ in 2012 though him and BOD interchanged quite a bit. He'd be a bit wasted there imo, his gas and footwork are more effective in space and he's not known for his distribution or decision making on the ball.

Flipper22

aimee1 wrote: »

was paddy wallace not summoned from his deck chair for that one?

Oh yeah that's right it was the first game where Earls and bod were in the centre

Big Nelly

Not sure why people think Earls will be near the match day team. I have a feeling he could be sent back to Munster....I see all of the following ahead of him in the picking.

Everyone seems to forget before injury McFadden was one of Joe's favorites for the wing. With it looking like Bowe is nailed on for one wing then I can see Kearney/Zebo/McFadden all ahead of Earls.

Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

.ak

It is hard for Earls alright. Personally I'd have Earls over Zebo, but I can't see Schmidt dropping Zebo for someone just coming back from injury, it'd be destroy morale in the squad.

irishbucsfan

The only wingers I'd see as being ahead of a fully fit Earls would probably be Bowe and potentially Trimble (although that's a close call). Whether or not he's fit is unclear.

Big Nelly

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The only wingers I'd see as being ahead of a fully fit Earls would probably be Bowe and potentially Trimble (although that's a close call). Whether or not he's fit is unclear.

This is the order I would have them in for starting

Bowe
Trimble
Kearney
Zebo
McFadden/Earls

Not including Fitzgerald as I think they will be looking to play him in centre as he has been the shining light for Leinster the last few games....

.ak

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The only wingers I'd see as being ahead of a fully fit Earls would probably be Bowe and potentially Trimble (although that's a close call). Whether or not he's fit is unclear.

Yeah but look at it this way. Schmidt didn't feature Zebo for the first raft of games under his remit despite him being fit. There was a whole ****storm over that, but the reality is he asked him to do something and to go away and improve it. He came back, did what the coach asked him, and now what, the coach drops him at the first opportunity? Look, I think Earls is a far, far better winger than Zebo but I don't think Earls has been back long enough and playing enough for Schmidt to warrant dropping Zebo without causing a rift there.

But maybe I'm wrong.

Big Nelly

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but look at it this way. Schmidt didn't feature Zebo for the first raft of games under his remit despite him being fit. There was a whole ****storm over that, but the reality is he asked him to do something and to go away and improve it. He came back, did what the coach asked him, and now what, the coach drops him at the first opportunity? Look, I think Earls is a far, far better winger than Zebo but I don't think Earls has been back long enough and playing enough for Schmidt to warrant dropping Zebo without causing a rift there.

But maybe I'm wrong.

I agree, that is why I can see him maybe been sent back to Munster, given some game time and then brought back in...how many games has he actually played since his return?

Would be interesting if when Earls was he out was he brought up to the Ireland camps? I know alot of the other players where so they could be around the team etc....

A fit & firing Earls starts @ 11 for Ireland almost every time.

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

The only wingers I'd see as being ahead of a fully fit Earls would probably be Bowe and potentially Trimble (although that's a close call). Whether or not he's fit is unclear.

I'd agree with this. Earls is a far more balanced player than Zebo I reckon, and Joe seems to like that. His injury might delay his return to the match-day squad, but that's about it. For me all fit and firing I'd go with:

09. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Henshaw
13. Fitz
14. Bowe
15. R Kearney

21. Reddan
22. Jackson
23. Payne

Zebo, Dave & Ferg miss out because we have quality wing cover in Fitzy and Payne can over centre & full-back better than any other option.

.ak

Deleted User wrote: »

A fit & firing Earls starts @ 11 for Ireland almost every time.

Is he firing though?

.ak

.ak wrote: »

Is he firing though?

Dunno yet. He looked good v Sale. Not finished proving himself though. That's why I think he'll play Friday.

If he doesn't do great, Zebo starts @ 11 for Ireland, also in good form (and had a good game when the match was competitive @15) but Zebo doesn't seem to quite be at "Top Earls" level of ability yet, and so loses out to him if Earls can prove fitness and no rust.

.ak

Deleted User wrote: »

Dunno yet. He looked good v Sale. Not finished proving himself though. That's why I think he'll play Friday.

If he doesn't do great, Zebo starts @ 11 for Ireland, also in good form (and had a good game when the match was competitive @15) but Zebo doesn't seem to quite be at "Top Earls" level of ability yet, and so loses out to him if Earls can prove fitness and no rust.

Absolutely, that was my original point - if he plays well in the wolfhounds, great. But if he doesn't have a stellar performance I can see him struggling to get into the 23, despite us all knowing he has a far higher ceiling then some of the current options.

total former

Deleted User wrote: »

A fit & firing Earls starts @ 11 for Ireland almost every time.

See, the problem here is that Earls has never been fit under Joe.

He was an automatic pick under Kidney but we just don't know how the current coach regards him. Personally, I think he has the attributes that Joe likes in terms of work rate etc, and obviously he's a great attacker, but it's a stretch to say that if he's fit, he starts.

aimee1

Big Nelly wrote: »

Not sure why people think Earls will be near the match day team. I have a feeling he could be sent back to Munster....I see all of the following ahead of him in the picking.

Everyone seems to forget before injury McFadden was one of Joe's favorites for the wing. With it looking like Bowe is nailed on for one wing then I can see Kearney/Zebo/McFadden all ahead of Earls.

Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

i think earls needs to complete a few 80 minutes for munster to get into the national XV.

Sh3m

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but look at it this way. Schmidt didn't feature Zebo for the first raft of games under his remit despite him being fit. There was a whole ****storm over that, but the reality is he asked him to do something and to go away and improve it. He came back, did what the coach asked him, and now what, the coach drops him at the first opportunity? Look, I think Earls is a far, far better winger than Zebo but I don't think Earls has been back long enough and playing enough for Schmidt to warrant dropping Zebo without causing a rift there.

But maybe I'm wrong.

I'm not so sure Zebo changed what needed changing to make him a starting option though in relation to other options he was previously overlooked for. He became a possible international starter because of injury.

That's not to say he hasn't improved and doesn't deserve it or isn't good enough but if Earls (Who you say is a far far better winger) is fit and training well I don't see any reason why Joe would start Zebo over him just because he'd improved from where he previously was while still not really being as good as other options.

irishbucsfan

total former wrote: »

See, the problem here is that Earls has never been fit under Joe.

He was an automatic pick under Kidney but we just don't know how the current coach regards him. Personally, I think he has the attributes that Joe likes in terms of work rate etc, and obviously he's a great attacker, but it's a stretch to say that if he's fit, he starts.

To be fair, I think what Emmet meant is that if he was fit he has the quality to be a sure-thing, rather than making a comment on what he think Joe will do.

I'd completely agree there, I really hope we get to see it during this championship.

.ak, not quoting your post out of laziness, but I don't want anyone retained on loyalty or as a reward for anything. We should be selecting the XV that gives us the best chance to beat our opposition every week. Joe has never had trouble being ruthless in the past, and explaining himself, and it would probably be better for Zebo if he said "we are going with Keith because he gives us X, Y and Z against Team A, we think you offer us 1, 2 and 3, but this week, as you know, we're looking for X, Y and Z." That sort of environment is better for everyone, in my opinion.

part time punk

molloyjh wrote: »

I'd agree with this. Earls is a far more balanced player than Zebo I reckon, and Joe seems to like that. His injury might delay his return to the match-day squad, but that's about it. For me all fit and firing I'd go with:

09. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Henshaw
13. Fitz
14. Bowe
15. R Kearney

21. Reddan
22. Jackson
23. Payne

Zebo, Dave & Ferg miss out because we have quality wing cover in Fitzy and Payne can over centre & full-back better than any other option.

Was half wondering whether the 'Joe Schmidt curve ball' will be Fitz at 12 and Henshaw at 13? Despite all the injuries, Fitz has that bit more experience overall than Henshaw, including at 12 - didn't he play there before for Leinster and/or Ireland a few times? He has familiarty playing outside Madigan recently, albeit at 12/13 and not 10/12. And it leaves Henshaw where he played most recently for Ireland. Either way, agreed with most posters that it would be a lovely midfield combo to see.

molloyjh

part time punk wrote: »

Was half wondering whether the 'Joe Schmidt curve ball' will be Fitz at 12 and Henshaw at 13? Despite all the injuries, Fitz has that bit more experience overall than Henshaw, including at 12 - didn't he play there before for Leinster and/or Ireland a few times? He has familiarty playing outside Madigan recently, albeit at 12/13 and not 10/12. And it leaves Henshaw where he played most recently for Ireland. Either way, agreed with most posters that it would be a lovely midfield combo to see.

Can't fault the logic there I suppose. I'm not sure I mind which way around they play, I just think it's the form midfield at the moment. That said it doesnt mean they'll get selected.

sydthebeat

its whats seen behind closed doors in training sessions that will determine if earls gets a team spot or not.
while what earls did against sale wont do him any harm, i cant see there being any brownie points in it for him.

total former

Encouraging?

total former

Seanie didn't ease up on the gym work while he was off anyway.

CIARAN_BOYLE

total former wrote: »

Encouraging?

show me a picture of him being tackled and I will be happy.

.ak

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

show me a picture of him being tackled and I will be happy.

Sadistic.

.ak

total former wrote: »

Seanie didn't ease up on the gym work while he was off anyway.

:eek:

Spud83

RTE: Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan set to be fit for start of Six Nations. Sean O'Brien trained fully today, likely to play vs England Saxons.

MJohnston

Spud83 wrote: »

RTE: Conor Murray and Eoin Reddan set to be fit for start of Six Nations. Sean O'Brien trained fully today, likely to play vs England Saxons.

Too much good news, I'm suspicious.

total former

Eoin McKeon was training today too, wasn't in in the initial squad.

.ak

Interesting, DK is with the Irish camp... Would've assumed he'd be released for Leinster to look after. Maybe the injury isn't as bad as feared?



Also ER is in full training kit here, including compression leggings so one would assume he's doing some sort of leg work, also encouraging.



Actually that's a great pic that shows rugby is still for people of different shapes and sizes.

The Pheasant2

What's the word on Healy? Likely to feature v Saxons? Even from the bench?