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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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bilston

thomond2006 wrote: »

Niall Scannell going for thumb surgery. No timeframe for a return yet but I imagine he's out of the AIs. Pheck.

Very bad timing

bilston

Will the provinces go full tilt this weekend?

I think there are usually only a week between the Pro14 (12) round after Europe and the AIs. This year there are 2 weeks, maybe we will see stronger teams this week than usual?

Burkie1203

bilston wrote: »

Will the provinces go full tilt this weekend?

I think there are usually only a week between the Pro14 (12) round after Europe and the AIs. This year there are 2 weeks, maybe we will see stronger teams this week than usual?

Last year there was 4 AIs. Think bench players in the 2nd rd of europe might be involved in interpro's.

Former Former

bilston wrote: »

Will the provinces go full tilt this weekend?

I think there are usually only a week between the Pro14 (12) round after Europe and the AIs. This year there are 2 weeks, maybe we will see stronger teams this week than usual?

Almost certainly not. Leinster will be well below full strength given that a number of guys have played four or five games in a row already. Think Munster are the same.

thomond2006

Former Former wrote: »

Almost certainly not. Leinster will be well below full strength given that a number of guys have played four or five games in a row already. Think Munster are the same.

There's a week off next week. Murray was involved in press conferences today. Of the players who have played every game for Munster only TOD is likely in contention for a squad place. The Munster internationals should be in the 23.

The interpros this weekend are conference games too. They're important.

irishbucsfan

I'd say it'll be a change-up and we'll see guys who need the game time going into the AIs. So the likes of Rory Best, Dan Leavy etc. I'd imagine established Irish guys who have been fully fit will likely be put on ice until the South Africa game.

Clegg

Munster and the IRFU have confirmed that Zebo is leaving next summer.

Do we keep him in the Ireland squad or look at other options? I'm guessing the latter.

irishbucsfan

He'll definitely be in the Ireland squad until he leaves. Then he won't be.

[Deleted User]

Clegg wrote: »

Munster and the IRFU have confirmed that Zebo is leaving next summer.

Do we keep him in the Ireland squad or look at other options? I'm guessing the latter.

Wooooooooow.

Saw some comments on last week but that's a shocker. Have they said where? Must be France.

irishbucsfan

Interested Observer wrote: »

Wooooooooow.

Saw some comments on last week but that's a shocker. Have they said where? Must be France.

If its for money you'd definitely assume its France

ClanofLams

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He'll definitely be in the Ireland squad until he leaves. Then he won't be.

This.

I'd start him in 6N games but go with TOH/Carbery against SA. Looks unlikely Rob Kearney will be around for much longer so SA is perfect opportunity to give someone else a chance.

Beechwoodspark

They may make an exception for him but my feeling is that Zebo for all his considerable talent is not as essential to the set up as sexton was/is

irishbucsfan

ClanofLams wrote: »

This.

I'd start him in 6N games but go with TOH/Carbery against SA. Looks unlikely Rob Kearney will be around for much longer so SA is perfect opportunity to give someone else a chance.

Yeah, Carberry and TOH's ears will definitely have pricked up at this news

Former Former

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

They may make an exception for him but my feeling is that Zebo for all his considerable talent is not as essential to the set up as sexton was/is

They absolutely will not.

Unless he has special additional releases written into his contract, like Sexton did, he's out of the national setup.

But fair play to him, it's a pro game and if he's getting more cash abroad then he has to go.

super_furry

It's a short career that could end tomorrow and he has two kids to look after now, so fair play to Zebo for doing what's best to secure his future.

RichieRich89

With everything being geared towards the World Cup, the best move would be to deselect Zebo forthwith and not consider him for international selection henceforth. There's no point building towards the future with a player who is unlikely to be picked when RWC 2019 comes around. O'Halloran, Ludik, Nelson and Carbery are good options.

Clegg

I was expecting Ludik, but Peter Nelson?

That's top quality.

Sephiral

There are plenty of options at full back, but Zebo is currently the best one as well as being a more than reliable wing option. Frustrating that he could not be retained until the next World Cup, but I think Carberry would have overtaken him by then.

[Deleted User]

Clegg wrote: »

I was expecting Ludik, but Peter Nelson?

That's top quality.

While obviously Nelson isn't in the running I sort of agree with the sentiment. He's leaving, lets move on.

RichieRich89

Clegg wrote: »

I was expecting Ludik, but Peter Nelson?

That's top quality.

Nelson has a lot of the qualities you look for in a 15. He's got a big boot, he's got outhalf style creativity, he's positionally sound, he's fast. Basically, he has the nuts and bolts down, and is also capable of being a second playmaker. Obviously he'd need to play the position for Ulster, but I think he could be one to watch.

Clegg

Interested Observer wrote: »

While obviously Nelson isn't in the running I sort of agree with the sentiment. He's leaving, lets move on.

Sure. But its an opportunity for guys like Conway, Stockdale and Carbery. Nelson just isn't that calibre of player.

molloyjh

We have to think about what positions we’re looking to develop players in too. If we want to bring Stockdale through we’re better off doing it with Zebo at 15 than Carbery for example.

RichieRich89

Clegg wrote: »

Sure. But its an opportunity for guys like Conway, Stockdale and Carbery. Nelson just isn't that calibre of player.

Ireland's attack works much better when there's a second playmaker at fullback, which should give Nelson the edge over Conway and Stockdale if we're talking purely about playing 15

irishbucsfan

They're paying Zebo. He'll play.

thebaz

super_furry wrote: »

It's a short career that could end tomorrow and he has two kids to look after now, so fair play to Zebo for doing what's best to secure his future.

he'd be well paid if he stayed too - terrible loss for our WC , just for a few extra euros - if he left post WC I'd say - fair play too - but not now.

RichieRich89

irishbucsfan wrote: »

They're paying Zebo. He'll play.

Does that argument make sense? They don't just select the team based on who's paid the most by position.

OhChicken

I heard Zebo is on too.

Clegg

RichieRich89 wrote: »

Clegg wrote: »

Sure. But its an opportunity for guys like Conway, Stockdale and Carbery. Nelson just isn't that calibre of player.

Ireland's attack works much better when there's a second playmaker at fullback, which should give Nelson the edge over Conway and Stockdale if we're talking purely about playing 15

I understand what you're saying and I agree with the second playmaker thread of thought. But for me the other players mentioned all have more to offer than Nelson.

irishbucsfan

RichieRich89 wrote: »

Does that argument make sense? They don't just select the team based on who's paid the most by position.

No, the argument that they pick the team based on who is paid the most by position does not make any sense. Noone made that argument.

durthacht

RichieRich89 wrote: »

With everything being geared towards the World Cup, the best move would be to deselect Zebo forthwith and not consider him for international selection henceforth. There's no point building towards the future with a player who is unlikely to be picked when RWC 2019 comes around. O'Halloran, Ludik, Nelson and Carbery are good options.

Don't see many forthwiths or henceforths around here.