Former Former wrote: » So, after the last round of auditions...Back three; Rob K got through 80 minutes and that's all he had to do, he and Earls will take two jerseys, would expect Dave K and Stockdale to split the 14 and 23 jerseys between them. Adam Byrne was very quiet tonight and Conway might find himself unavailable for the SA game. Still a bit early for Sweetnam.Centres: The only question is whether its 12. Henshaw 13. Aki or vice versa. Scannell and Farrell both made me think that Joe called up the wrong Munster guy.Half-backs: Would expect Marmion and Carbery to wear 21 and 22. McGrath closing the gap on Marmion but not there yet.Front-row: Best nailed on but was woeful tonight. I would let him play next weekend. McGrath to hold off Healy but maybe not for long.Second-row: I'd pick Treadwell but any one of three young guys could get and deserve the 19 jersey. Good times.Back-row: Still can't see past POM/SOB/Stander, especially with VDF gone. Ruddock well ahead of TOD, Leavy and Conan. So I'd say the lineup vs SA: McGrath Best Furlong Toner Henderson POM Stander SOB Murray Sexton Earls Henshaw Aki Kearney Kearney Tracy Healy Ryan Treadwell Ruddock Marmion Carbery Stockdale
Clegg wrote: » Cian Healy is coming into some very good form. Seems a bit stronger when going into contact. That had been missing for the last few seasons. He's the best scrummaging loose head in Ireland and that extra nudge in the scrum could be invaluable. Great for Ireland as maybe we won't have to flog McGrath every game. We've needed Healy back in form as I don't think the other options for the 17 jersey are particularly good.
Former Former wrote: » McGrath Best Furlong Toner Henderson POM Stander SOB Murray Sexton Earls Henshaw Aki Kearney Kearney Tracy Healy Ryan Treadwell Ruddock Marmion Carbery Stockdale
Former Former wrote: » ...Front-row: Best nailed on but was woeful tonight. I would let him play next weekend ....
Burkie1203 wrote: » Last night aki made a turnover after 2 or 3 minutes. Marmion had a chance to box kick or just get the ball out of the dangerzone. He passed, which forced connacht back into their 22. Eventually Munster won a scrum and scored from it. McGrath put in 2 or 3 lovely kicks tonight. Just turned Ulster and kept them in their own 22/half. It took the pressure off Leinster. Marmion for me, as an international 9 needs to make some better decisions. I think connacht can push for pro14 SFs but they need to stop playing themselves into trouble. They seem to just spend/waste so much energy in situations they dont need to be in sometimes. Then they force things.
ClanofLams wrote: » That might be ok if it was a must win 6 nations game but this is an Autumn international after World Cup seedlings are done. A rare chance to test guys out in a game that isn't vital to win. Rob Kearney looks less likely to be starting in 2019 than starting given his age and injuries. In any case with Zebo gone, more options are needed. Start Carbery. We know what Dave Kearney offers and respectfully I would hope we have some better options in two years. Start Stockdale, bench sweetnam. O'Mahony and Stander aren't going great this season and again an opportunity to give some more guys experience. Ruddock and Conan in. A short term benefit is with the 6N coming up, everyone knows places are up for grabs.
awec wrote: » Ulster are in South Africa next weekend so I'd be very surprised if Best or any of the other internationals are involved.
tototoe wrote: » If the Kearney brothers are both selected, then I give up. Rob lucky to be even in the squad and Dave must have something on Joe or someone in the irfu. Doesnt deserve a place at all. madness if this happens imo.
ClanofLams wrote: » Former Former wrote: » McGrath Best Furlong Toner Henderson POM Stander SOB Murray Sexton Earls Henshaw Aki Kearney Kearney Tracy Healy Ryan Treadwell Ruddock Marmion Carbery Stockdale That might be ok if it was a must win 6 nations game but this is an Autumn international after World Cup seedlings are done. A rare chance to test guys out in a game that isn't vital to win. Rob Kearney looks less likely to be starting in 2019 than starting given his age and injuries. In any case with Zebo gone, more options are needed. Start Carbery. We know what Dave Kearney offers and respectfully I would hope we have some better options in two years. Start Stockdale, bench sweetnam. O'Mahony and Stander aren't going great this season and again an opportunity to give some more guys experience. Ruddock and Conan in. A short term benefit is with the 6N coming up, everyone knows places are up for grabs.
Erik Shin wrote: » This did give me a laugh I have to admit
irishbucsfan wrote: » It's a nonsense tweet. We're in for another month of people who struggle with basic concepts telling us how bad they are despite rarely watching them. How fun. I'd imagine both Rob and Dave will be in the 23 but a part of me wishes they're reinjured so I don't have to read the ****e that will be posted. I find in particular the absolutely hilarious hypocrisy of people arguing for Sweetnam now after us spending so long hearing how Kearney wasn't an international level winger because he doesn't score tries! Mental gymnastics at their best.
kuang1 wrote: » No room for McCloskey in there? I think there's a chance of McCloskey and Henshaw starting against SA. And that we might not see Aki put a jersey on until the fiji game. Dave Kearney surely, surely surely surely surely cannot have earned a place in the 23 for the SA game....surely....???? Stockdale, Earls (hopefully the tackles he will inevitably miss aren't game changers) and R Kearney back 3.
Erik Shin wrote: » You mad bro?
irishbucsfan wrote: » Obviously
irishbucsfan wrote: » On Dave, of course he can be involved, he's started at a high level before while the others haven't. If Conway is out then it's really between him and Stockdale I'd imagine, who is very green.
kuang1 wrote: » Mind you if it was Earls RK and Stockdale as the back 3, and Conway was suspended, who's left to fill the 23 jersey?? (Gulp)
Burkie1203 wrote: »
Erik Shin wrote: » Genuinely? Keatley...can fill in at 12, 15 and does a bit at 10 I believe
irishbucsfan wrote: » Keatley is not going to have the 23 jersey Stockdale starting and Sweetnam/Kearney in the 23 jersey or Kearney starting and Stockdale in the 23 jersey. If they want to cover 15 from a different player on the bench then Carberry gives them that option, I'd imagine he's still ahead of Keatley.
irishbucsfan wrote: » It's a nonsense tweet. We're in for another month of people who struggle with basic concepts telling us how bad they are despite rarely watching them. How fun.
Erik Shin wrote: » I'd say Carbery is about 3rd choice there at the minute? But, come 2019, things may change of course........and he'll be 4th
Former Former wrote: » That clip shows exactly why Joe picks Dave. He could have put his head down and gone for the corner; he might have made it or he might have been tackled into touch. Instead, he went for the higher percentage play of cutting back inside and recycling possession on the 5-metre line. Leinster kept the ball and were in a great field position. It was exactly the right thing to do, or rather, it's exactly what Joe would want him to do. I know I'm wasting my time but if anyone is genuinely interested, there it is.
Erik Shin wrote: » Yes indeed... 3 international tries Kearney....or 26 international tries Earls... Maybe, just maybe! next time Dave gets the ball with the tryline at his mercy he just ask himself, what would Keith do....
