Wouldn't be the most exciting squad I've ever seen
I imagine they'll open the squad to some development/fringe players on top of that. Sam Prendergast, Cathal Forde and Max Deegan, for example. Tom Ahern too.
Also, nice to see Tadhg Bernie back in the leinster team. Matching his jersey to his scrum hat. I knew he never really left in his heart.
How can Ulster and Ireland be completely at odds about O'Toole??
Because Ireland desperately need loosehead cover and are OK at tighthead.
Personally I wouldn't have Stockdale in the squad. Is Jimmy O'Brien injured?
yeah, JOB is injured, Larmour too, but Stockdale is in good form.
I'm not sure they're at odds more so Ulster have an urgent need for him at Tighthead. Ireland don't. If Ulster can bolster their depth at TH I'm sure we will see TOT move over.
I'll give Stockdale his credit he is showing shades of getting his 2018 mojo back. Some super finishes this season.
I'd be disappointed for Deegan to miss out as he's been incredible this season. But it looks like Izzy would be getting the nod over him which is hard to argue with.
Thought they might be moving on from Healy, Henderson, POM, Murray and to a lesser extent Stockdale in this window.
From my count 5 of that squad is also currently injured/coming back from injury.
Deegan, Osbourne, Bolton can probably feel a bit hard done by if the above is correct.
Why would Osbourne feel hard done by?
Ben Murphy should be included. He's been very good. Deegan should be involved also. Pity that Loughman is injured, he's been playing well. With the current injuries among the squad, it's possible that there will be forced changes. I'd be happy if Forde made the squad. I reckon they'll include 5 players to mentor this block. Possibles could be, Postletwaithe, Gavin, Gleason, Boyle and Gus McCarthy.
It's not the actual squad. It's a prediction but it will probably be close to the squad when considering the actual match day squads for the various matches.
The problem with only have 6 URC games before the autumn internationals is its hard for an up and coming player to make enough of an impression to justify inclusion, especially in a squad as strong as Ireland's, so I would expect this squad to be relatively stable and 'as you where' so to speak. By the time the 6N comes around we'll have had 10 rounds of URC plus 4 rounds of Europe so a new player might have done enough in that time to force their way in.
Having said that looking at that squad I must say Deegan not being included is an absolute outrage, really cant think of many 6's that suit the way Ireland play more than Deegan.
Maybe a left field pick for some but I would like to see Clarkson, been impressed with his play around the field and as long as he can hold up the scrum I dont see many reason's why he shouldn't be included especially given the age profile of THP and the fact someone such as Oli Jager hasn't played much rugby this season.
I love how GT talks about Ulster "reconverting" (sic) TOT to TH. He's a tight head, he's always been a TH, the Ireland set-up have talked about converting him to LH, have given him zero minutes there. Ulster aren't doing anything other than continuing to give him games at his established position, where he has won caps for Ireland. How the hell do you "reconvert" someone?
Has TOT not even played LH for Ulster?
If Ireland want him as a LH he should be playing LH for Ulster.
Ideally.
I know why its not happening. I'm just saying it should happen.
I'd say that's fair enough if they let us sign a TH. IF TOT moved to TH, with Marty Moore retiring, we'd have two THs - Scott Wilson and Codie Barrett, who's already an emergency signing.
Squad is out. Doris is our new captain. Prendergast and Izuchukwu the probable debutants for this series.
Interesting to see Kelleher named. Initial prognosis was that he'd miss at least the first game through injury. Might yet see Gus McCarthy called up from the training panel.
Clarkson has started the season well. Glad to see him get a panel spot.
Nothing too controversial there.
Surprised that Deegan not selected. On form there's a couple in there without merit. Henshaw has yet to play and O'Mahoney is injured and not playing well. However, it's the most expected selection.
…..
O'Mahony can't be both out injured and not playing well, surely?
My bad, didn’t see him listed as winger originally.
Any ideas on when Jack Conan is due back? Had started the season well, opportunity for probably Prendergast there.
Jobs for the boys in full flow this week
Cullen getting an extension for having won nothing in 3 years
Sexton getting a gig from the IRFU
POM, Healy, Murray being named in an Ireland squad
very few surprises there and even less to be outraged about.
Well what surprises me is Doris is the only proper 8 in the entire squad. With Conan being unavailable I would have thought McCann would have been the next pick, surprised that he's been omitted.
That's not how Boards works and you know it.
You would think
Was the same during the Summer when Conan missed out for personal reasons - presumably one of Prendergast, Beirne or Timoney will cover it anything happens to Doris.
Name a replacement for Cullen so?
And while you are at it who would you have in instead of Murray (BM hasn't enough played but goin in the right direction), Healy( who is international std back up to porter, there is a reason he plays a full 80 regularly.
Yeah Sexton is an outrageous call...the 3 10's in the squad have less than 25 caps between them, sure what could a former 10 with 100+ caps bring to the table🙄
Ball hasn't been kicked & the nonsense has started already
I've said it before and I'll say it again. If Cathal Forde was from Leinster, he'd be the most talked about young prospect in Irish rugby.
Really seems silly having Healy, POM and Murray in the team again
What about the world cup or have we forgotten about that
None of 3 will be there, why not give youth a chance (Blade/Forde,)
Let the young 10's make the 10 position their own not have the old 10 back in
Cullen replacement could look at Mark McCall, Felix Jones,
Sorry to be pesimistic but anyone else look at that squad of players and see lots of ageing players with lots of mileage in the legs?
Looking at the forwards, Herring (34), Bealham (33), Healy (37) are really pushing on.
Tadhg Beirne will be 33 when the 6N starts. Furlong will be 32. O'Mahoney is 35. Van de Flier is 31. Henderson is 32
Even in the backs, Bundee is 34, Lowe is 32, Gibson Park is 32, Murray is 35, Henshaw is 31, McCloskey is 32.
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