It's funny how Keenan is lauded so often as a pivotal player, so much in fact, that he was rested in the URC semi final in case he got injured, yet the same people claim any back could do his job in a world cup to basically the same standard
In the URC semi final. Haley was head and shoulders above Tommy O Brien on the day
I watch a ludicrous amount of rugby, so I've seen them all play many times this year
Hansen is a starter on the wing. If you move him to 15, you're losing an excellent winger and getting a decent fullback in return
Competent full backs are what you want in the match day squad as cover for the specialist full back
I have no idea how anyone can have confidence that Frawley and Osbourne could play 15 for ireland after TWO pro starts each at 15. Like zero doubt? Really, at an extremely important defensive position.
Am i the only one who remembers how much Henshaw struggled?
Mack Hansen is an interesting option but it also removes him from his best position.
Job will do the job.
And plenty. Fine player
Frawley, btw, totally bottled his full back minutes the last time he played there
And Frawley isn't making the 33 man squad, unless something mental happens that justifies my point here that it should have been a 45 man Training camp
He really isnt. That pony left the track a long time ago at 15.
Osbourne or Lowe as cover. Neither my preferred choice.
Osbourne with two pro starts or Stockdale? I’ll take stockdale.
Not on his form. Shouldn't be near an intentional squad.
What form does Osbourne have at 15? Is it even possible to have form with the amount he has played there?
Haley or Michael Lowry should be in the training camp.
I will also say that i got crap on here before for saying that leinster practice is the most important place to perform for ireland selection. But people’s replies on here show that that is what they either consciously or subconsciously believe.
And stockdales form on the wing let alone fullback?
His form at fullback is that he has actually played there extensively before. That beats Osbourne.
He has existed as a human being at fullback for more than 2 games.
Do ya think maybe an in form full back should be in the training squad yet? Just in case?
But Andy doesn't get to see the Leinster practice.... Or does he?
He's certainly not turning up at the HPC in Limerick every week
I’d say he puts alot of faith in what Lancaster thinks.
I wasn't thinking about Stockade as Im not even sure he will travel. Obvs JOB but Hansen has played a lot of full back and Frawley has played FB also. For me this is a non discussion, in years gone by there was a real problem behind Kearney resulting in the failed experiment with Henshaw, the situation today is nothing like that. Keenan is in his prime and rarely injured, JOB is a regular in the 23 and has proved himself an excellent FB, and behind him are others who are solid and trusted by Farrell. IF Keenan were struck by lightening then there would be a discussion about filling that gap but I don't see Haley's name being at or even very near the top of the list because Farrell hasn't selected him until now and clearly doesn't feel he needs to have him up to speed with systems for Ireland. People can feel like that's a mistake because Haley should be there but I don't feel like it's an oversight, it's an obvious decision that has been made, end of story.
Frawley has two pro starts at full back.
Hansen is a fantastic winger. You lose that if he plays full back.
I've skimmed the last few pages, and Akrasia has been fairly clear that Haley does not make the 33, but should be in a 45ish man initial squad, so he can step in more effectively as a replacement if Keenan suffers a long term injury.
I was left with the impression some posters didn't understand this point...?
We understood but disagree.
we are better when we are bitter, thats the gig right?
look, Munster players can be aggrieved that they didn't make the squad, but we also have the players that should have made the squad. I think next year will be a good year for Munster, and Ireland will do well too. The more the provinces produce, the better for us.
I think the point is that some think Haley should be in the squad as he’s next cab off the rank at 15, others are suggesting that Farrell doesn’t seem to see it that way and on that basis hasn’t picked him for the wider squad.
Which would be silly given that Lancaster doesn't see any of the other 3 provinces training sessions
2nd hand reports of Osbourne being good at training in Leinster should not trump Daly being excellent in top level competition week on week, Joe McCarthy being good in 15 min spurts should not trump Niall Murray carrying his team for a full season...
Assuming JOB is the preferred backup at 15, which would be his best performances here for Leinster?
I know he was excellent against Toulouse, but that was on the wing.
You'll need to mention that to the coaches.
I'm actually happy enough from a Munster POV that Haley will get to do a full pre-season with Munster and we'll have him for the full season next year
But as an Ireland fan I think there's an unnecessary gamble taking place, and for him personally, I think he's played well enough to earn the spot.
But would also have no objection if Michael Lowry was brought in
Of course it would be silly. Luckily it's completely fictitious.
Haley looks like a fine, boringly competent FB. A reduced version of Kearney, fine for the game that Munster play. Farrell has clearly decided that other players are a) more useful due to their versatility, and b) simply better players with more potential. It's not that complicated, bruised feelings aside.
Lol. Boringly competitive. That's a new one
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