I have been surprised Munster haven’t gone with Beirne at 6 to replace POM, they have depth at second row. Thought we’d see that transition with both Munster and Ireland.
I got them through the FFR. Should be on public release soon.
Ollivon must be one of the tallest players who's never played second row (apart from one club game in 2020).
Depends on the game plan I suppose. Ireland has gone for a more mobile setup over the last few years even in the second row with Ryan/Beirne.
Still we don't really get beat up, maybe SA and France can. The rest we are on a par and maybe ahead.
I do think I myself have a lot of questions on what the plan is because of what is the coaching setup going to be. Is Catt confirmed as gone? will Farrell stay past the 2 years into the next World Cup.
Ahearn certainly looks a talent, if he cn stay fit and get game time I expect he will be in or around the 6 nations squad
are tickets available?
There is an element of stop gap about it for sure.
But an athlete of Aherns calibre is rarely seen. You just don't regularly see 6'9 people with that sort of pace or mobility.
I'm sure his frame can carry a lot more kgs on it. But does that get the most out of him? Could keeping him as a mobile back row be a master stroke because you can keep 2 sizeable locks in the row all the while having Ahern as an additional setpiece option
I can see Baird playing the 6 role but I think Ahern is a second row slotting in at 6 because POM is out injured and his height will help with lineout. Just my opinion.
Both Baird and Ahern could definitely play the role that Pieter-Steph du Toit has played in South Africa for the last number of years.
At nearly 6'7" (2m) and 115kg he could conceivably play at second row at essentially any team in the world. But he just happens to be such an unbelievably good blindside flanker.
PTSD combines amazing athleticism while adding his size and bulk to set pieces. A huge advantage for South Africa who can then play 2 other huge second rows.
He is a recent world player of the year and just gave one of the greatest rugby performances ever seen in the RWC final.
I think with South Africas dominance we are going to see a newer mould of blindsides come out. A combination of tall and bulky but with decent athleticism.
Courtney Lawes would be similar.
Baird and and Ahern could both very well find themselves being used predominantly at 6 with these stats and abiliy
Just nabbed 2 tickets for France v Ireland. First ever 6N game and it's going to be Baltic!
Baird is ideally a 6 for me.
I don't see it being as much of an issue for Baird having to pick a position at this stage. Given his height and frame he can live between both pretty easily - like Beirne. With Ahern he is giving up something trying to flip flopping
I would say what Baird really needs - more than settling in one position - is to get significant playing time. Unless a first choice lock or backrower gets injured it's hard to see where that comes from though.
Could be. However, Prendergast really is a workhorse. He does a bit of everything. He's a good carrier too.
Baird needs to be given a position. Is he a lock? Is he a blindside? Whatever way it goes, I think we are looking good at blindside.
If Ahern can play 6, I think its a great idea to play him there. There is no clear successor to POM (at munster or ireland) or Conan, and i’d say ahern has more upside than either prendergast or baird.
Weirdly - Ahern was a full back up until the age of 15 or 16.
Read a piece before about him where he grew 7 inches in height over the course of about 6 months or so and then got swapped into the second row then!
I think it's just important Ahern gets game time while he's fit and in form. If he has to play full back for that, so be it.
He has plenty of backrow competition too.
Feel Ahern is a different case to the previous examples that have been highlighted. Ahern is significantly taller than all of them and has the potential of plenty more filling out. In second row there is a strong case for him to focus on putting on more weight, while if he is staying in the backrow there isn't nearly as much of a need. For most Irish players, including it seems Ahern, weight gain isn't something that can be done quickly so yo-yo'ing between both positions could be a detriment to him longer term.
I just want to see these two in a 50m race.
Donncha Ryan and Micko
Imagine having Baird or Ahern at blindside. Dear lord!
Not sure Donnacha Ryan is the best example. If anything I'd say his career and potential were a bit wasted.
Donnacha Ryan too. I'd wager there's loads of examples like that.
He's got a World Cup winner and Tadhg Beirne ahead of him. And Edogbo and Wycherley for competition. Plus Snyman to come back. I do think he'll end up there but he wouldn't be the first second row to have started at 6 for a while... think POC and DOC both had stints there
I can't help but feel it's a mistake moving Ahern to 6, even if he is doing a good job there. It's so rare to produce someone with his physique, he needs every minute he can get in the 2nd row to develop. Munster and Ireland have no shortage of good young back rows.
Ahern and Edogbo could be an unbelievable pair for munster for the next 10+ years.
Even the mere idea that a 6"9, 120kg man could be in the air to be taken out!
Thomas Ahern surely makes the Ireland camp after the last few weeks. He's got the size, power and an unbelievable turn of pace. To get over the line after getting taken out in the air was a thing of beauty.
I would tend to agree, best players should be picked but I also think that high potential players who have the chance in the near future to exceed the ability of the current player should be prioritised. Ideally you should be looking to bed in new talent 24 months before a world cup, getting them enough experience to deal with the international game.
We should continue to pick them if they are the best available. I hate this long term planning for the WC as if Six Nations doesn't matter. It does and should be the focus for next year.
Yes. Campaign for Mack Hansen as captain starts here. That would be awesome.
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