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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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Buer

bilston wrote: »

What is the meaning of life?

42.

[Deleted User]

bilston wrote: »

So BS flanker, one wing spot and maybe a centre spot up for grabs. The rest seems nailed on.

O'Mahony v Ruddock
McCloskey v Aki
D.Kearney v Stockdale v Conway

Will Joe throw in a surprise?

Ryan to bench?

Ruddock and VDF are the two form back rows coming into the series. VDF is not available and Ruddock has to contend with a recent Lions Captain for the 6 shirt or with Stander for the 8 shirt.

I think Ruddock will end up on the bench personally. If I was a betting man I'd say POM | SOB | CJ is our starting backrow. Could be a change here though with Ruddock really forcing Joe's hand. Conan in the mix also.

I think Aki will start ahead of McCloskey primarily because he will wear 13 and Henshaw will wear 12. Anything happens to Henshaw and McC comes straight in.

Earls, Kearney, Stockdale back 3 imo.

As for curveballs. I think the reserve 9 and 10 might be interesting calls personally.

bilston

I'd go POM purely for the lineout.

I'd go Aki for a couple of reasons, he has the ability to unlock the SA defence with his handling skills. He also has a relationship with Henshaw as well.

I'd go Stockdale just because he's the bestest thing since Andy Trimble...still his pace, physicality and aerial skills are imposing and he is the form pick.

bilston

Buer wrote: »

bilston wrote: »

What is the meaning of life?

42.

Close...the answer is actually John Hayes. Thomond told me...

arsebiscuits1

Not sure what to take of Conan being rested for a "heavy work load" He hasn't played for 2 weeks. Certainly he has played a lot, but has it been more than other players who haven't been rested?

Bridge93

Larbre34 wrote: »

Nationality is a farce across most international sporting codes and at least WR are moving resident eligbility out to 5 years, which will hopefully make it more redundant.

At least Bundee is not a cricketer, or he could play for Ireland and New Zealand in perpetual summer a-la Eoin Morgan Ed Joyce and the rest. That really is a joke.

But so long as we are under the same rugby rules as everyone else, we should use what resources are available, and at the same time use those resources to educate young native players.

This is largely incorrect about the cricket. A better example would be the farcical rugby league rules

[Deleted User]

Who are the current outhalves? If/when Sexton can't play, is it Carbery and Keatley?

bilston

Deleted User wrote: »

Who are the current outhalves? If/when Sexton can't play, is it Carbery and Keatley?

Based on the current squad yes

Bridge93

Surely Keatley starts if sexton misses out. May not bench but would imagine he'd start if needed

ClanofLams

POM will start though I'd prefer to give a shot to Ruddock. I'd have PO'M ahead of him usually and if this was a 6N game, I'd start him but it's not, good opportunity to build a bit of depth.

Stockdale will start I think and would be really disappointing if he didn't. Aki will be 12 with Henshaw at 13. Carbery at 22 with Conway at 23.

[Deleted User]

I'd have much more issue with Dave Kearney starting than Aki anyway.

As per usual nearly the entire team picks itself.

aloooof

ClanofLams wrote: »

POM will start though I'd prefer to give a shot to Ruddock. I'd have PO'M ahead of him usually and if this was a 6N game, I'd start him but it's not, good opportunity to build a bit of depth.

Stockdale will start I think and would be really disappointing if he didn't. Aki will be 12 with Henshaw at 13. Carbery at 22 with Conway at 23.

Ninja edit.

Jumping the gun here for next weekend, but I'm really hoping Sweetnam will get a start against Fiji. Anyone fancy trying a 15/23 for that game?

FACECUTTR

When is the team named ?

ClanofLams

aloooof wrote: »

Ninja edit.

Yeah I had it in my head it was DK v Sweetnam for some reason.

Former Former

I wouldn't rule McCloskey out of the 23 jersey. Between him, Conway and DK I'd guess.

connachta

Ryan still a bit shaken, missed some training days I guess, Dillane on the bench for the 1st game

Wegians89

Former Former wrote: »

I wouldn't rule McCloskey out of the 23 jersey. Between him, Conway and DK I'd guess.

If Carbery is 22 covering 10 and 15 you could see a centre 23

ClanofLams

Wegians89 wrote: »

If Carbery is 22 covering 10 and 15 you could see a centre 23

Marmion can cover 9 and wing sure.

Wegians89

ClanofLams wrote: »

Marmion can cover 9 and wing sure.

More chance at getting on on the wing then at 9 anyways, expect Murray to play the 80

[Deleted User]

Former Former wrote: »

I wouldn't rule McCloskey out of the 23 jersey. Between him, Conway and DK I'd guess.

Surely he only covers 12?

[Deleted User]

connachta wrote: »

Ryan still a bit shaken, missed some training days I guess, Dillane on the bench for the 1st game

Has this been reported somewhere?

arsebiscuits1

Deleted User wrote: »

Surely he only covers 12?

Yeah but the players around him are much more versatile. Aki, Henshaw, Earls, Carbery and Stockdale can all cover 2 positions.

AbusesToilets

Deleted User wrote: »

Ruddock and VDF are the two form back rows coming into the series. VDF is not available and Ruddock has to contend with a recent Lions Captain for the 6 shirt or with Stander for the 8 shirt.

I think Ruddock will end up on the bench personally. If I was a betting man I'd say POM | SOB | CJ is our starting backrow. Could be a change here though with Ruddock really forcing Joe's hand. Conan in the mix also.

I think Aki will start ahead of McCloskey primarily because he will wear 13 and Henshaw will wear 12. Anything happens to Henshaw and McC comes straight in.

Earls, Kearney, Stockdale back 3 imo.

As for curveballs. I think the reserve 9 and 10 might be interesting calls personally.

Ruddock and Conan should rightly be starting ahead of POM and Stander based off recent (1 1/2 seasons) form. Ruddock has shown his ability as a lineout jumper, so you're not losing that factor by not selecting POM. Conan has been far more versatile and effective than Stander for awhile now.

Larbre34

Ruddock won't start, him and Conan both for the bench. Too soon for Ryan, especially v the Boks, Fiji ideal opportunity for 60 mins.

connachta

For those who said he's no-where near the Irish squad
TADGH’S TURNOVERS
Tadgh Beirne was at it again this weekend for the Scarlets as they were made to work hard before eventually downing Benetton Rugby.
Beirne – who is returning to Ireland next season – has now made 17 turnovers for the defending champions, no other player in the league has more than eight.

Podge_irl

connachta wrote: »

For those who said he's no-where near the Irish squad

He's not until next season at least though, regardless of how well he plays. Which means his first training session with the squad will be fore the AIs next year which means it will be difficult (though obviously not impossible) to immediately break into the squad.

Sephiral

I think that one out of Conan or Ruddock has to start. If not, it will give a very strong appearance of Joe only selecting from a group of players who are set in stone. Which one it will be will probably boil down to what balance Joe wants in the back row.

Really looking forward to Aki in the centre. Resigned to Kearney at full back, but think that Carberry will be there before long and the addition of Stockdale, Aki and Carberry to Earls and Henshaw will give us the most threatening backline we've had in years.

irishbucsfan

Podge_irl wrote: »

He's not until next season at least though, regardless of how well he plays. Which means his first training session with the squad will be fore the AIs next year which means it will be difficult (though obviously not impossible) to immediately break into the squad.

I agree, just one minor quibble which is that I think he could be a candidate for the summer tour

Former Former

Matt Cooper wades into the Neil Francis/Bundee Aki debate.

"And where was Rhys Ruddock born, hmmmm?"

That would be Dublin, Matt.

Buer

Former Former wrote:

"And where was Rhys Ruddock born, hmmmm?"

Jesus. Was that a smug rhetorical question to nobody or was somebody available to actually correct his ignorance?

Worrying that he's actually hosted rugby coverage.