Earls has had periods where he was in the frame but never a nailed on starter.
Ah he was. For pretty much all of Schmidt’s time, he was first choice nailed on starter whenever he was fit.
I recall he started there in the Churchill Cup once upon a time. Think it was against the Maori. Wasn't a success.
Earls is a winger or a 13 if needed. I wouldn't want him at full back either now. Hasn't featured there in a long time and doesn't have the kicking game needed these days to play 15.
Cool. Then he can play against Samoa instead. He is banned for three matches so one way or another he can play in one of these warm ups.
If World Rugby intervene to call this a "proper game", then Sexton would be free to play against Samoa.
I doubt we'll hear a peep out of them.
He's a winger or an emergency 13. That's it at this point. Though I think Farrell rates his ability to play 13 more than I do. Not necessarily an issue anyway as I suspect he'll only be required to play wing or at most 13 against Romania.
A training game v another country. It's a not like your normal training sessions.
Ryan should be in the mix even now.
I think Earls started at 12 in the 60-0 loss against the ABs in 2012. And if he did, it helps with the case that he's not a 12.
Ireland have had the training session with Portugal lined up for some time. This isn't a response to the Sexton suspension.
I'd imagine that a training game was always going to be part of that. They'd be absolute idiots not to have Sexton feature owing to their moral compass.
Paddy Wallace was the 12 that day. Think that was the game where Gear smashed Earls on the wing.
That's right. Wallace was on a beach in Portugal the weekend before wasnt he? I'm sure Earl's started one of the matches on that tour at 12. I could be completely misremembering though.
Edit- just looked it up, it was the first test he played 12.
Paddy Wallace was at 12, Earls on the wing
Johnny Sexton started at 10 that day. I think he has done alright.
Nope, wing
Can’t say I recall the match in detail, but looking it up now can see that Gear was on the opposite wing against McFadden. The NZ back three each scored 1 try, but the tries came mostly from elsewhere.
Nah he only got to 100 caps because Madigan and Carbery weren't up to it. Says more about the state of Irish rugby, if anything. He would never have gotten near 100 caps if he were from NZ/Aus/Eng/Fra. Maybe Scotland or Italy.
(trying this new boardsGPT app)
Will they pick 19 forwards though?
If Baird and Beirne are fit then the need for a 6th backrow (Coombes or Prendergast) prob won’t be needed.
Just call up another backrow when the inevitable injury hits.
Agustin Creevy got his 100th cap coming off the bench, for Argentina against South Africa....
He has also had to deal with bipolar disorder, which is incredibly mindblowing (no pun) when you sit down and think about it.
@Yeah_Right I think that was the test they very nearly drew? Says something about Earls at 12 if it’s the same game.
No, it was the second test we nearly drew.
Earls can't cover 12 to any reasonable level. He can barely cover 13.
That’s a very good point.
I suppose 4 locks, 5 back rows is sufficient, in which case one of McCarthy or Prendergast would lose out to the need for another outside back, which would strengthen the case for Earls or perhaps even Nash, I would expect Frawley will only make the 33 if we lose one of the 3 out-halves or one of the 4 specialist centres.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/08/06/jack-crowleys-composure-and-craig-caseys-bolshiness-have-the-making-of-a-future-ireland-headline-act/
At half-time the Irish players ran towards the tunnel but Casey sprinted, as if this was another detail that required his undiluted commitment.
Perfect way to sum him up. 🤣
He has to sprint to keep up with those who are blessed with normal length legs...😁
To be able to pick from Ryan, Beirne, Henderson and McCarthy would the best quality of depth to ever go to a WC. Ditto backrow.
6 BR and 4 Locks (Beirne 6 v Samoa) in ‘19
6 BR and 5 Locks in ‘15
5 BR and 4 Locks in ‘11
6 BR and 3 Locks in ‘07
4 Locks and Baird, POM, vdF, Dorris and Conan…please.
Farrell has done a great job of building morale of the entire squad (with one or exceptions). That’s why I’m so certain that Earls will travel as the 15th back.
Hes not winning that 100th cap in Bayonne. He’s going to the World Cup to win it in the 1st game and it will be made into a momentous occasion.
The start of a glorious campaign!
I'm not referencing the overall match. There was a much replayed try by Hosea Gear where he steamrolled Earls (who needed medical attention afterwards) as he was about to cross the line.
https://youtu.be/tBk6PjwsILA
Blade’s legs are abnormally short compared to his trunk length.
Positive news on the injury front
Speaking of his team’s injury concerns, Farrell said: “They seem not too bad.
“Jimmy’s shoulder has shut down a little bit, it’s something he’s had in the past. Jack lost power in his foot, he seems ok.
“Craig had a tight back which was making his hamstring cramp. They were taken off as precautions more than anything.”
The phrase "lost power in his foot" is so odd.
Not sure if it matters hugely to your broader point, but your numbers for 2015 include the players called in to replace injuries. The 31-man squad initially had 5 br and 4 locks.
