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Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread VIII - MOD NOTE POST #4781

Steve

Continuing on from the previous thread....

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Bridge93

I'd have McCloskey and Bealham other than that think I agree with it all

Wegians89

Bridge93 wrote: »

I'd have McCloskey and Bealham other than that think I agree with it all

Third choice ten will still be up for grabs I'd say too, mightn't even bring a third out and out ten in with scannell and Cadbury in the squad.

Bridge93

Wegians89 wrote: »

Third choice ten will still be up for grabs I'd say too, mightn't even bring a third out and out ten in with scannell and Cadbury in the squad.

Sorry should of made it clearer, McCloskey in for Byrne with as you say Scannell covering 10. If he insists on an out an out 10 I wouldn't be against Keatley being picked although Byrne would be the long term view

salmocab

Bridge93 wrote: »

Sorry should of made it clearer, McCloskey in for Byrne with as you say Scannell covering 10. If he insists on an out an out 10 I wouldn't be against Keatley being picked although Byrne would be the long term view

If it was 6N maybe Keatley would be a steadier hand but yeah Byrne has looked good this year and from a development point of view would be a better shout

Wegians89

salmocab wrote: »

If it was 6N maybe Keatley would be a steadier hand but yeah Byrne has looked good this year and from a development point of view would be a better shout

I would say Keatley Byrne beylendaal hanrahan and carty are all in a similarish level, all can have great games but prone to a shocker, no real standout from them yet Byrne looks like he has the most potential out of them when you take age into account too, I'd personally like if jj was picked at ten for next few weeks and got the call. But you could very easily see them going with sexton Carbery and scannell and bring an extra rookie ala sweetnam Adam Byrne etc

Former Former

I'd predict vs SA

Kearney
Earls Aki Henshaw Zebo
Sexton Murray
McGrath Best Furlong
Toner Hendo
POM SOB Stander

Cronin Healy Ryan Treadwell VDF Marmion Carbery Stockdale

Zebo to play FB if Kearney not fit. VDF to start if SOB not fit. I'm assuming Payne is out.

Burkie1203

Erik Shin wrote: »

15 tackles and 0 missed yesterday....he must be doing something right for Joe to be picking him

Ruddock was 12-1 on tackles yesterday and had a huge carrying game. If SoB is missing the added carrying of Ruddock could be a consideration

salmocab

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Ruddock was 12-1 on tackles yesterday and had a huge carrying game. If SoB is missing the added carrying of Ruddock could be a consideration

Ruddock has been brilliant so far this season, he was always a big lad but seems to have turned into a right old fashioned bullock of a 6.

Erik Shin

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Ruddock was 12-1 on tackles yesterday and had a huge carrying game. If SoB is missing the added carrying of Ruddock could be a consideration

Not sure, he doesn't cover both sides...so he may not get a place on the bench, will be interesting to see how it all plays out though over the next few weeks

Buer

Erik Shin wrote:

Not sure, he doesn't cover both sides...so he may not get a place on the bench, will be interesting to see how it all plays out though over the next few weeks

He started against SA at openside before and can play 8.

Given the flexibility of the Irish back row players like Stander and SOB, I don't think versatility will be an issue. VDF was the preferred bench option last season, for example.

[Deleted User]

Erik Shin wrote: »

Not sure, he doesn't cover both sides...so he may not get a place on the bench, will be interesting to see how it all plays out though over the next few weeks

He's started test matches for Ireland at 7. You mightn't fancy him there but Schmidt has picked him there in the past and I can't see why he wouldn't again the future.

irishbucsfan

For me the best back row in the country is JVDF and I don't see any way he isn't wearing 7. After that I think POM and SOB are the two best players but both are struggling for form or fitness. Stander surely will be at 8 unless SOB is considered there. Ruddock is probably the best 6 in the country this season but I reckon once you get everyone into camp POM and SOB are both too good to not make the 23 if they're fit.

Erik Shin

Interested Observer wrote: »

He's started test matches for Ireland at 7. You mightn't fancy him there but Schmidt has picked him there in the past and I can't see why he wouldn't again the future.

With all being well I'd say he's 4th choice at 7 ?

Former Former

Ruddock is the form back row in the country but Conservative Joe will still pick his pet POM.

Erik Shin

Former Former wrote: »

Ruddock is the form back row in the country but Conservative Joe will still pick his pet POM.

You spelled Rob wrong!

[Deleted User]

Erik Shin wrote: »

With all being well I'd say he's 4th choice at 7 ?

I don't know where he stands in the pecking order, I was responding to your comment that he doesn't cover both sides. Schmidt reckons he does.

Burkie1203

Erik Shin wrote: »

With all being well I'd say he's 4th choice at 7 ?

He was captain on the summer tour. He is rated by Joe.

irishbucsfan

Erik Shin wrote: »

With all being well I'd say he's 4th choice at 7 ?

Noone has actually suggested Rhys Ruddock will start 7 at for Ireland at any point though, just someone claiming he can't cover both sides.

Burkie1203

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Noone has actually suggested Rhys Ruddock will start 7 at for Ireland at any point though, just someone claiming he can't cover both sides.

Id day the order at 7 is SoB, VDF, Jordi, Ruddock. But I started the debate by saying Ruddock is in contention for the 6 shirt on form

Erik Shin

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Noone has actually suggested Rhys Ruddock will start 7 at for Ireland at any point though, just someone claiming he can't cover both sides.

I didn't say he would start either... others have said he has played there and that Joe rates him... during a tour when even Ralla could have gotten a game..but go on..

[Deleted User]

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Id day the order at 7 is SoB, VDF, Jordi, Ruddock. But I started the debate by saying Ruddock is in contention for the 6 shirt on form

Splitting hairs but I doubt Jordi is anywhere at the moment really. He's been grand since he came back but wouldn't be putting him into an international ahead of Leavy or TOD until he gets a few more games under his belt.

Ruddock certainly in the frame for 6, he was excellent towards the end of last season and it's carried on and then some this season.

Erik Shin wrote: »

I didn't say he would start either... others have said he has played there and that Joe rates him... during a tour when even Ralla could have gotten a game..but go on..

No problem, he's started there against South Africa. Put in a damn fine performance too. Surprised you can't remember it.

irishbucsfan

Erik Shin wrote: »

I didn't say he would start either... others have said he has played there and that Joe rates him... during a tour when even Ralla could have gotten a game..but go on..

He started at 7 at home against South Africa, not on tour.

But at the end of the day he's unlikely to ever need to play 7 because everyone else is so flexible.

If selections were made purely on form he'd be there. But they're not, and rightly so.

Burkie1203

Erik Shin wrote: »

I didn't say he would start either... others have said he has played there and that Joe rates him... during a tour when even Ralla could have gotten a game..but go on..

Ruddock was on bench for a game v SA in 2014 and started because of illness to Henry at 7. He has played at 6 7 8 for ireland. He was captain of the summer tour. He is very much on the fringes if all players are available but his current form warrants consideration. Thats hardly an outlandish suggestion.

Erik Shin

If all are fit and well Ruddock makes an extended training squad like TOD, and then they get dropped when the 23 are named

Burkie1203

Interested Observer wrote: »

Splitting hairs but I doubt Jordi is anywhere at the moment really. He's been grand since he came back but wouldn't be putting him into an international ahead of Leavy or TOD until he gets a few more games under his belt.

Ruddock certainly in the frame for 6, he was excellent towards the end of last season and it's carried on and then some this season.

No problem, he's started there against South Africa. Put in a damn fine performance too. Surprised you can't remember it.

Given Jordi started v SA and NZ last year I think thats were Joe sees him. Leavy hasnt got the starts Jordi has so its hard to know where he sits with Joe. ToD seems to be last resort with Joe

irishbucsfan

Erik Shin wrote: »

If all are fit and well Ruddock makes an extended training squad like TOD, and then they get dropped when the 23 are named

Right. If they were all fit and well, but they're not.

Former Former

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He started at 7 at home against South Africa, not on tour.

He did both.

Fun fact: Ruddock has as many starts at openside against Tier 1 countries as TOD has.

thomond2006

Former Former wrote: »

I'd predict vs SA

Kearney
Earls Aki Henshaw Zebo
Sexton Murray
McGrath Best Furlong
Toner Hendo
POM SOB Stander

Cronin Healy Ryan Treadwell VDF Marmion Carbery Stockdale

Zebo to play FB if Kearney not fit. VDF to start if SOB not fit. I'm assuming Payne is out.

I really don't see RK as an automatic selection anymore, even for JS. He'll need to play next week.

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

I really don't see RK as an automatic selection anymore, even for JS. He'll need to play next week.

I don't see how they can pick him given he can't make it through a game without injury. He needs more than one game, he needs a run of games.

Zebo is in great form, he's the man for the 15 jersey in the absence of Payne and Kearney. Worth getting Carberry or TOH some time there in case we lose Zebo as well.

[Deleted User]

thomond2006 wrote: »

I really don't see RK as an automatic selection anymore, even for JS. He'll need to play next week.

He certainly shouldn't be. I can't see why you'd pick him at all, there's no need to take the risk on a guy who has no form to speak of and can't stay fit.

Actually having looked at his Leinster profile, he's played four games for Leinster this calendar year, none of which were for 80 mins. Would be a farcical selection.