Why is it 'silly' ?.
There was a time when the GAA didn't exist. It was literally 'wished into existence' by a small, poorly funded, group of enthusiastic amateurs.
Rugby can take a similar path and become a genuine choice for young people. This journey will take a long time but it starts as all journeys do.
Privately funded schools in Leinster (and England, South Africa & Australia amongst others) have shown us a working model.
Because opportunity is predicated on accessibility this system is limited. Add the failure of the State to fund multi sport communal facilities and you've got huge ground to make up.
But you have to start somewhere and the current public awareness of rugby nationally means now is the time to try (pun intended).
I'm not talking about that. Read the original post to see what I am referring to.
First time we keep the ball we shred them.
Edit: Obviously wrong thread.
On the bright side, Farrell will be happy enough that the bulk of his squad will be getting an extra week's break before the SA trip.
With only Henderson and Keenan definitely ruled out (and Ahern as a potential new cap), we won't see too many shocks in the squad on Wednesday. I would like to see a new face at LH prop and second row, at a minimum.
It’s hard to know who is next up at lock. Ahern & Izuchukwu are both potentially carrying injuries and both look more like 6s. Neither Murray in Connacht looks ready. Doesn’t seem much value in bringing Treadwell but he’s probably likeliest right now even though he had a pretty poor season. LHP is even more of a problem - there is absolutely no point in having Healy on the bench in SA. Loughman has to be on the bench. I really hope Jack Boyle plays 15 games for Leinster next season.
Y’know who’d be handy at lock… 😉
I'd be surprised if we don't only see Beirne, Ryan and McCarthy actually playing in South Africa so at least in that sense the lack of an obvious alternative isn't so bad. Might only bring those 3 with Baird as cover. LHP is a bigger problem as you say.
I really hope POM isn't captain, it's a shame Ahern is out of the tour. Baird is off form. No real idea what they should do at 6.
6 is the one position where I think we’ve plenty of options at least: Prendergast, McCann, Izuchukwu, Ahern are all viable alternatives to POM and Baird, and a lot of the provinces have guys coming through in that position too I think.
I just wonder if he'd really plug one of McCann or Izuchukwu straight in, though I'd quite like to see it. Prendergast a bit more of a safe pick but I wouldn't be complaining too much either.
And Conan/Doris
Yeah, I’d be utterly shocked too if he did, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it.
Would just like to see us take some chances for this series and not just pick the side 99% of us expect them to pick.
ROC in the Sindo thinks Prendergast and Frawley will travel and not Ross Byrne. That's his own prediction and he's not claiming to have inside info, but I'd be very surprised.
Wasn't ROC the one arguing to bring Prendergast to the RWC? Not sure how much to listen to him…
(I'd be thrilled to see this tbh)
If that is the case then he is done at international level in the short term, he hasn't exactly played a crazy amount of minutes this season
When is the squad announced? This week?
We're just playing two test matches aren't we?
Is there any reason to bring more than 30 players (if even)?
They'll probably bring about 35 and play 25 of them.
I think I saw Wednesday somewhere. 30 seems like it would be more than enough.
Sunday Times says it’ll be Wednesday, presumably once the injury reports from the weekend are in.
Farrell definitely sees value in bringing guys just to have them in camp and get a closer look at them so I’d expect a number bigger than 30.
If you want to run out a training game, you need at least 30 players.
Id expect 32-34 players to go
It's good for as many as players as possible to train with the 1st team and experience the tour.
Adam Byrne, Jamie Osborne (let's see about his brother Andrew).
32 in 2016 for 3 Test Matches. 14/18
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2016/06/02/four-changes-to-ireland-squad-for-south-africa-tour/
26 in 2004 for 2 Test Matches. 12/14 (7 man bench)
https://www.irishrugby.ie/2004/05/24/south-africa-tour-squad/
I love the tours to SA.
I'd like if Ireland won but honestly I'd prefer a good deal of experimentation.
Only problem is Ireland don't have anybody new outside of Osborne ready for this tour.
e.g. Prendergast. Would be great to see him fast tracked but wouldn't want him to play this SA side.
Izuchukwu injured? Would like to see Baloucone back in the squad.
Balouocone based on what? he has been poor this season and the cry is normally to reward the players in form which he is not, unless he massively changed since I seen him
Stockdale seemed to have a better finish to season than anyone else in Ulster and might be worth a looka t
Balacoune is miles down the list of right wings whereas Stockdale could well be second choice at left wing
Conan out of tour for personal reasons and Ringrose a doubt
Both have kids due shortly.
Osborne and maybe Timoney the players likely next up.
Conans kid will get selected for Ireland, before Coombes.
The headline says Ringrose is a doubt, but the article itself says he's expected to travel.
Never in doubt!
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