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

thomond2006 wrote: »

No, I mean pick him until the RWC. I think he's good enough to be picked while in France. When you look at the other options selected he comfortably starts in Ireland's back three.

I don't agree he is good enough to be picked while he was gone at all. But I think that discussion has been discussed to death over the last few days

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Do you mean until the 6 Nations? Because there is no way he will still be picked when he goes to France. But there is a strong argument to still picking him while he is here

What benefit do we get from playing him? There are no ranking or seeding issues between now and the world cup so it's all about building depth, continuity and squad cohesion.

Dropping Zebo is 100% the right choice. It's disappointing because I think he's played his best rugby the last two seasons and he is a nailed on starter for me, but dropping him is absolutely the right thing to do.

Deleted User wrote: »

Feel genuinely bad for Tiernan O'Halloran.

Wonder is Carbery viewed as a 10 / 15 or a 15 / 10?

We only have 2 outhalves outside of him so I'm going 10/15.

Who are our fullbacks though. Kearney x 2? Is Henshaw maybe going to get a look at 15?

Despite missing guys like Heaslip, VDF, Zebo, Ringrose this is one of the strongest squads we've seen in terms of real depth and quality of replacement.

I'd be gobsmacked if Robbie was anything other than a 13 this series.

The 4 centres picked have a combination of 30 caps for Ireland. And 29 of them are Henshaws. Need experience in the centre

thomond2006

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Do you mean until the 6 Nations? Because there is no way he will still be picked when he goes to France. But there is a strong argument to still picking him while he is here

No, I mean pick him until the RWC. I think he's good enough to be picked while in France. When you look at the other options selected he comfortably starts in Ireland's back three and definitely makes the RWC squad.

Buer wrote: »

If Zebo is gone on a 2 year deal that would mean he would basically miss the 2020 6N, make a tonne of money and come back to Munster in the summer of 2020. People would be lining up to jump ship. I'm surprised they culled him now but at the absolute latest it should happen after the 6N.

I get it from the IRFU's point of view but given the other options I wouldn't be so quick to discard Zebo.

Feel genuinely bad for Tiernan O'Halloran.

Wonder is Carbery viewed as a 10 / 15 or a 15 / 10?

We only have 2 outhalves outside of him so I'm going 10/15.

Who are our fullbacks though. Kearney x 2? Is Henshaw maybe going to get a look at 15?

Despite missing guys like Heaslip, VDF, Zebo, Ringrose this is one of the strongest squads we've seen in terms of real depth and quality of replacement.

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'd still have picked Zebo until RWC and then re-assess after that. Message. Sent.

If Zebo is gone on a 2 year deal that would mean he would basically miss the 2020 6N, make a tonne of money and come back to Munster in the summer of 2020. People would be lining up to jump ship. I'm surprised they culled him now but at the absolute latest it should happen after the 6N.

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'd still have picked Zebo until RWC and then re-assess after that. Message. Sent.

Healy, Best, Furligind, Henderson, Toner, POM, SOB, Conan;
Murray, Sexton, Stockdale, Henshaw, Aki, Earls, Conway

Tracy, McGrath, Ryan, Dillane, Stander, Marmion, Carbery, Sweetnam

Do you mean until the 6 Nations? Because there is no way he will still be picked when he goes to France. But there is a strong argument to still picking him while he is here

FellasFellas

McCloskey either starts or doesn't make 23, unfortunately. I really rate him, but he might only get the game time against Fiji.

Quint2010 wrote: »

No Sean Cronin?

Him and Tracey faced off in a darts selection contest. Tracey hit the board more than Cronin, neither got the bullseye. Tracey selected.

Hooker is weakest position on the island of Ireland. Neither of the kiwi project players have convincingly stuck their hand up which hasn’t helped with potential depth. Once the Munster lad gets back from injury he should be back in. Hard to see Best being in the starting XV by 2019.

Former Former wrote: »

Injury for Zebo? He's playing tomorrow

Sorry, have been off the radar today and the Irish squad was the first piece of rugby news I'd seen in a few hours. Was having withdrawal symptoms.

awec

No Bowe and Trimble, thank goodness.

No Cooney too is good news for Ulster.

thomond2006

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Props: Furlong, Healy, Kilcoyne, McGrath, Porter, Ryan
Hookers: Best, Herring, Tracey
Locks: Dillane, Henderson, Ryan, Toner, Treadwell
Back rows: Conan, Leavy, SOB, TOD, POM, Ruddock, Stander
Scrumhalves: Marmion, McGrath, Murray
Outhalves: Carbery, Keatley, Sexton
Centres: Aki, Farrell, Henshaw, McCloskey
Back 3: Byrne, Conway, Earls, Kearney, Kearney, Stockdale, Sweetnam

No Rory Scannell, TOH or Cronin a big shock.

Both Kearneys probably fortunate to feature. Presume this is them shoed in to start the next 2 weeks at Leinster

I'd still have picked Zebo until RWC and then re-assess after that. Message. Sent.

Healy, Best, Furligind, Henderson, Toner, POM, SOB, Conan;
Murray, Sexton, Stockdale, Henshaw, Aki, Earls, Conway

Tracy, McGrath, Ryan, Dillane, Stander, Marmion, Carbery, Sweetnam

Otherwise I'm glad to see TOD's current form is recognised. He's been fantastic and hopefully will add another cap over the three matches.
The Dave Kearney selection...meh. He's going to be holding tackle bags.

I don't know if I can handle a backline with Stockdale, Aki, Adam Byrne (going forward), Carbery and McCloskey. It may just be too much.

aloooof

Easy to say this after the fact, but the timing of Zebo's announcement now makes a lot of sense...

Burkie1203

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

Im assuming Tyler Bleyendaal isnt available till 6N for selection right?

He has no business near the squad on current form regardless

aloooof

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

Im assuming Tyler Bleyendaal isnt available till 6N for selection right?

Correct. January he qualifies.

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

Im assuming Tyler Bleyendaal isnt available till 6N for selection right?

Yes but even if he wasn't he still wouldn't be near the squad on current form. Ross Byrne would get ahead of him currently and he wasn't picked (nor should he have been IMO

Former Former

Buer wrote: »

The Zebo cut is massive. Cronin, I'm not so shocked about. He has been struggling with injuries and has not been guaranteed his Leinster place for over a year.

But Zebo....that's huge. I think this will finally firmly put to bed any notions about people still being selected whilst abroad. Zebo isn't Murray or Sexton but he's on the next tier of players and will continue to play in Ireland for another 7 months.

Is there anything about an injury for him?

Injury for Zebo? He's playing tomorrow

Rattlehead_ie

Im assuming Tyler Bleyendaal isnt available till 6N for selection right?

Dave Kearney is most likely in because Zebo isn't.

Sub hooker is straight up poor. Otherwise it's a decent squad, even if a few guys have been unlucky.

This is the first Schmidt selection ever where I feel he is giving youth a chance: Porter, Ryan, Byrne etc.

Good man.

Props: Furlong, Healy, Kilcoyne, McGrath, Porter, Ryan
Hookers: Best, Herring, Tracey
Locks: Dillane, Henderson, Ryan, Toner, Treadwell
Back rows: Conan, Leavy, SOB, TOD, POM, Ruddock, Stander
Scrumhalves: Marmion, McGrath, Murray
Outhalves: Carbery, Keatley, Sexton
Centres: Aki, Farrell, Henshaw, McCloskey
Back 3: Byrne, Conway, Earls, Kearney, Kearney, Stockdale, Sweetnam

No Rory Scannell, TOH or Cronin a big shock.

Both Kearneys probably fortunate to feature. Presume this is them shoed in to start the next 2 weeks at Leinster

errlloyd wrote: »

No Zebo is huge.

I see to remember you posting about NZ « punishing » Piutau.

Personally I think it’s cutting off nose to spite face, Zebo should be selected until overseas.

It might backfire on IRFU if players such as Murray etc think Zebo has been dealt a raw hand there.

swiwi_ wrote: »

LOL Adam Byrne. Don’t have a problem with it but it’s ironic.

He was always going to get capped at some point and they appear to have culled Bowe and Trimble now.

Dave Kearney must have dirty photos of Schmidt.

Trimble and Bowe left out is notable, you'd wonder if that's it for them in green.

The Zebo cut is massive. Cronin, I'm not so shocked about. He has been struggling with injuries and has not been guaranteed his Leinster place for over a year.

But Zebo....that's huge. I think this will finally firmly put to bed any notions about people still being selected whilst abroad. Zebo isn't Murray or Sexton but he's on the next tier of players and will continue to play in Ireland for another 7 months.

Is there anything about an injury for him?

LOL Adam Byrne. Don’t have a problem with it but it’s ironic.