hes joined Lyon for the coming season, so hes back in europe at least.
They will get Earls to 100 caps. Probably will captain the squad v Samoa and sail off into the sun set.
Not sure he makes the final 33 man squad.
I woudl expect this is the case, test him now to see if he can cover in WC
Makes allot sense that JOB plays at least 1 of these games at FB. Prob needs another start there.
I'd also like to see Hansen get a start at 15, seen as he will be covering 15 in the first 23.
Doris at 7 isn't such a bad thing to test out. The French and the South Africans use big men across the back row.
We need options to be able to adapt to different challenges (injury/opposition/weather/strategy).
O'Connell mentioned that a lot of the preparation nowadays is how to show the opposition one picture and then change it.
Both in attack and defence.
The ability to be able to come up with something they don't expect would surely add to that aspect.
The major lesson from last RWC after all was to not be predictable.
Here's the team
I like the look of Hendo and McCarthy in the 2nd row, hoping they can show up strongly in the carrying game.
Not much pace in the backs
That's looks like the second choice player available in almost every position
Frawley covering 10 as well. Would like to see Blade go well
This will be a real test , based on both teams named, Italy have a very good chance in this game.
3rd choice front row and scrum half and arguably out half
Very good chance of coming within the handicap you mean?
I'm not sure what the odds are ,but I do think Italy could beat this Irish team, what is the handicap BTW?
Its 24 points and Italy could beat this Irish team, just like I could be the Irish president.
Is this the typical "this game will be closer than people think" line we were hearing throughout the 6N every time Ireland played a match...just before the game ended up being just as one sided as predicted.
ireland -24 points
i think italy will come within that, but these games are nothing games. ireland wont be showing their full deck of tricks and players will be minding themselves.
Was the sperad before the teams were selected? Ah look don't mind me , I'm always a nervous wreck at games ,If Ireland are winning by 30 with 5 mins to go I still get nervous. I'm a pessimistic fan. Drives me mad
Weather Ireland come within this handicap or not will depend on how much they really want to make a statement. It must be remembered during the 6N.
Italy's largest losing margin was 17 points and their average losing margin was 12 points. Irelands average winning margin was 16 points so when you look at it like that and the fact its a warm up game the Italy plus might be the way to go.
It does have to be said though that the way Ireland play if it clicks can be almost undefendable at times and Italy arent known for being consistent so are the kind of side that could give Ireland a scare or get beat down by 30-40 points and it might not be a whole lot in it between the 2 outcomes. My honest gut feeling is Ireland will win by 15-20 points without really showing much of their hand.
It was -24 points yesterday anyway. Despite being a bit of a mix and match XV there are still alot of quality experienced players in the Irish team. My main concern is the 10 shirt in such a mix team. It also needs to be remembered if Italy want even the slimmest chance of qualifying for the QF they will need to KO NZL or France and realistically Ireland are the side they face that is of the same calibre (granted a rotated squad but still a strong outfit) so they may really go for this to give them an idea of what they will need if they want to trouble NZL or FRA at the tournament.
fair point, though they havent selected their strongest team and their only other warm up games are japan and romania.
i do expect a decent show from italy, and their 9-15 are decent enough to cause any team trouble. its whether they get a platform to play from their forwards is what will determine how well they do on the scoreboard.
Farrell really loves having a centre on the bench.
Great to see a first start for McCarthy, he should be fresh after having his minutes managed so effectively by the irfu blazers during the final week of the provincial season.
?? what a weird post
you mean the same Joe Mccarty who spend 4 months out of the game after surgery at the start of the year, and whos first start after that injury was the sharks game the week before coming off the bench in the munster game? that one yeah?
no idea why any "blazer" would need to manage his minutes.
I was at that match when Geordan broke his leg. Awful.
Yes, we are better placed this time. I’m more hopeful than usual.
I dread these games every time
I mean....I'm not really. I still think there is a huge chance we go out in the QF but I don't think it will be cause we fucked up.
Not too enthused about Kilcoyne. He's not a starter! Delighted for Nash, Frawley and Stewart.
Agree re Kilcoyne. Apparently he's a great presence in the squad.
I think we'd have been better off for the present and future to pick Loughman.
What ever happened to Eric o'sullivan? He seemed a good prospect a few years ago.
Just wondering is Frawley there to cover 15/10 - in that order.
A. Frawley for JOB 60' - Crowley stays at 10
and/or
B. Crowley injured 20' - Frawley in at 10
C. Henshaw injured 20' - Frawley in at 15, JOB to 13
OR.....
D. Frawley for JOB 60' - Frawley in at 10 and Crowley moves to 15 and he will be the one covering 15 in the first 23?
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