Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

Zzippy

They should change that tv ad from "I love you Brian" to "I love you Seanie"...

.ak

MattD wrote: »

It has to be Henderson and McCarthy for the WH game anyway, with Henderson as the bench option for Italy and the rest of the tournament please God!!

Who's next if the unthinkable happens and we need another lock?! McLaughlin, Tuohy, Foley, Kearney (not sure how long he's out for), both Donnchas all out... Holland?

They'd just have to play one of the flankers. Not the end of the world stuff.

ssaye2

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/ian-madigan-names-just-two-irish-players-in-six-nations-fantasy-rugby-xv-30945456.html

:pac:

total former

Nice ninja deletion there emmet.

.ak

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/ian-madigan-names-just-two-irish-players-in-six-nations-fantasy-rugby-xv-30945456.html

:pac:

I love the editorial input here:

Rob Kearney reacted to his Leinster team mate's selection with four exclamation marks.

Brilliant stuff.

total former

MattD wrote: »

It has to be Henderson and McCarthy for the WH game anyway, with Henderson as the bench option for Italy and the rest of the tournament please God!!

Definitely, the only question is whether Henderson is the bench option at lock or as back row cover.

So it's not really McCarthy vs Henderson, it's McCarthy vs TOD/Murphy as to which gives us the best 23.

I don't think McCarthy is as far down the pecking order as is made out.


This assumes O'Brien plays in Rome

.ak

IF, and it's a big IF, SOB starts against Italy it'll be Murphy on the bench you'd imagine. Covers all back backrow positions quite well.

ciartastix

anyone have any idea of the training times for the squad up in carton? hoping to pop up tomorrow for a look!

ssaye2

ssaye2 wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/ian-madigan-names-just-two-irish-players-in-six-nations-fantasy-rugby-xv-30945456.html

:pac:

Looks like that site was made by one of Madigan's mates

http://fantasyrugger.com/breakdown/in-defense-of-ian-madigan/

MattD

Having Ruddock and Henderson on the bench at the same time probably isn't the best use of our resources... But could you imagine?!!

Murphy is the smarter no. 20 choice though

S12b

MattD wrote: »

Having Ruddock and Henderson on the bench at the same time probably isn't the best use of our resources... But could you imagine?!!

Murphy is the smarter no. 20 choice though

I wouldn't agree with ya there, if we had a first choice backrow of POM, SOB and Heaslip on the pitch then I'd say Henderson and Ruddock are the first choice bench options....Henderson covers lock and Ruddock covers 6 and 7, as he demonstrated in November. If Heaslip took a knock, either POM or SOB could go to 8.....so all positions are covered plus you're getting maximum impact, certainly more than any of Jordi, Chris Henry, TOD would bring.

S12b

S12b wrote: »

I wouldn't agree with ya there, if we had a first choice backrow of POM, SOB and Heaslip on the pitch then I'd say Henderson and Ruddock are the first choice bench options....Henderson covers lock and Ruddock covers 6 and 7, as he demonstrated in November. If Heaslip took a knock, either POM or SOB could go to 8.....so all positions are covered plus you're getting maximum impact, certainly more than any of Jordi, Chris Henry, TOD would bring.

Although Henry is arguably above Ruddock/Henderson in the pecking order

Fireball07

Ruddock is injured atm though, isn't he?


TOD is also a decent enough bench option- has played in all the back row positions and has superb work rate, but Murphy is a more explosive carrier so I wouldn't be surprised if Joe went for Murphy & Henderson on the bench.

S12b

Deleted User wrote: »

Although Henry is arguably above Ruddock/Henderson in the pecking order

Henry is a specialist 7 so for me, he either starts at 7 or he's not in the match day squad....in a straight contest for the starting 7 shirt Henry probably is ahead of Ruddock but Ruddock would be much more likely to get the 20 shirt IMO.

And ya Ruddock is injured atm.....think he's expected back for Dragons game on Feb 15th along with Cian Healy.

Hagz

Rhys Ruddock is a specialist 6 in my eyes. He's rubbish at 8 and if you're comfortable playing with two 6's you can slap a 7 on his back. Henry is a specialist 7 but he's capable of playing at 8 as he has done internationally. And you can slap a 6 on Henry's back too if you'e comfortable playing with two 7's.

S12b

Hagz wrote: »

Rhys Ruddock is a specialist 6 in my eyes. He's rubbish at 8 and if you're comfortable playing with two 6's you can slap a 7 on his back. Henry is a specialist 7 but he's capable of playing at 8 as he has done internationally. And you can slap a 6 on Henry's back too if you'e comfortable playing with two 7's.

Ultimately the numbers on lads backs are irrelevant, once there is balance to the backrow then I don't care what they have on their backs....

Interested Observer

S12b wrote: »

Ultimately the numbers on lads backs are irrelevant, once there is balance to the backrow then I don't care what they have on their backs....

Hmm, I think the 8 needs a bit more in terms of control at the scrum. But yeah, Ruddock isn't an openside but our backrow was very strong in the Autumn.

total former

Henry has played at 8 internationally?

irishbucsfan

S12b wrote: »

Ultimately the numbers on lads backs are irrelevant, once there is balance to the backrow then I don't care what they have on their backs....

There isn't much between 6 and 7, but there are specialty skills needed at 8 and Ruddock has struggled with them before, and it's been a while since he was used there.

Interested Observer

total former wrote: »

Henry has played at 8 internationally?

Yeah... Aus in 2010? I certainly wouldn't want to see him there again tbh.

Edit, might have been against NZ. I can't recall exactly.

Hagz

total former wrote: »

Henry has played at 8 internationally?

Yep. Against Australia in 2010.

total former

Interested Observer wrote: »

Yeah... Aus in 2010? I certainly wouldn't want to see him there again tbh.

Edit, might have been against NZ. I can't recall exactly.

Well Heaslip played against NZ and was, umm, indisposed the following week so that might answer it.

Not sure it qualifies Henry as an 8 though.

vienne86

Any update on Henry's rehab?

bilston

I think Henry was brought through as an 8 but only really converted to O/S when Pollock had to retire. Turned out well for him in the end.

Regarding SOB, I think he is our best player (or at least ws before injury) but given the nature of his position is it wise throwing him straight in? Surely at the very least he needs to play on Friday?

Hagz

total former wrote: »

Well Heaslip played against NZ and was, umm, indisposed the following week so that might answer it.

Not sure it qualifies Henry as an 8 though.

Well he was in the Irish squad due to his performances for Ulster at 8. Henry originally came through as a 6/8 and only really settled towards 7 in the 2010-11 season.

S12b

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There isn't much between 6 and 7, but there are specialty skills needed at 8 and Ruddock has struggled with them before, and it's been a while since he was used there.

Oh ya I agree 100%. My point was balance is important in the backrow and a backrow obviously isn't balanced if it doesn't include a fella with the skills required to play 8.

damianmcr

Sorry for likely asking for the 100th time but when is the team for Friday announced?

The Lost Sheep

damianmcr wrote: »

Sorry for likely asking for the 100th time but when is the team for Friday announced?

Tomorrow lunchtime I assume. Is not likely going to be Friday so when else would it be...

Peregrine

damianmcr wrote: »

Sorry for likely asking for the 100th time but when is the team for Friday announced?

Tomorrow.

dtpc191991

I love it when Joe name checks opposition players in interviews. He always the heaps praise however it should strike fear into their hearts as he will have studied them and will know their every move. XD