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Your irish 22 for the 2015 rugby world cup

  • 14-09-2011 4:13pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,413 ✭✭✭chupacabra


    I know threads like this are utterly pointless but its fun to put our opinions up based on what we THINK we know now and then look back in years to come and see how right or how terribly wrong we were.

    Here's mine assuming that by 2015 we have 23 man squads:

    15. Felix Jones
    14. Andrew Conway
    13. Nevin Spence
    12. Fergus McFadden
    11. Keith Earls
    10. Jonathan Sexton
    9. Luke McGrath
    8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
    7. Dominic Ryan
    6. Sean O'Brien
    5. Dan Tuohy
    4. Ian Nagle
    3. Jamie Hagan
    2. Richard Strauss
    1. Cian Healy

    16. Sean Cronin
    17. Jack O'Connell
    18. Stewart Maguire
    19. Dave O'Callaghan
    20. Rhys Ruddock
    21. Conor Murray
    22. JJ Hanrahan
    23. Eoin Griffin

    Honorable mentions or shouts for squad players: Tiernan O'Halloran, Paddy Butler, Peter O'Mahony, Paddy McAllister, Brendan Macken, Mike Sherry and too many more to name


«13456723

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,915 ✭✭✭MungBean


    Earls wont be there, his place will be taken in the next two years. Theres too many excellent wingers coming through. Surprised you made no mention of Fionn Carr.


  • Registered Users Posts: 855 ✭✭✭joshrogan


    Why not murray at scrum half OP.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,413 ✭✭✭chupacabra


    joshrogan wrote: »
    Why not murray at scrum half OP.

    Luke McGrath has such immense potential. I think it will be a horses for courses situation with an intelligent coach simply picking the form half back pairing for their province.


  • Registered Users Posts: 119 ✭✭Kinger83


    Plus Sean O'Brien is starting and subbing.. i know he's good but not that good surely...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,413 ✭✭✭chupacabra


    Kinger83 wrote: »
    Plus Sean O'Brien is starting and subbing.. i know he's good but not that good surely...

    haha hangover brain fart


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 12,187 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cookiemunster


    I'd say Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitz might have something to say about your selection. They'll all still be around and in their prime in 4 years. (Well Bowe will be 31, but may ahve moved inside by then.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 500 ✭✭Malmedicine


    chupacabra wrote: »
    I know threads like this are utterly pointless but its fun to put our opinions up based on what we THINK we know now and then look back in years to come and see how right or how terribly wrong we were.

    Here's mine assuming that by 2015 we have 23 man squads:

    15. Felix Jones
    14. Andrew Conway
    13. Nevin Spence
    12. Fergus McFadden
    11. Keith Earls
    10. Jonathan Sexton
    9. Luke McGrath
    8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
    7. Dominic Ryan
    6. Sean O'Brien
    5. Dan Tuohy
    4. Ian Nagle
    3. Jamie Hagan
    2. Richard Strauss
    1. Cian Healy

    16. Sean O'Brien
    17. Jack O'Connell
    18. Stewart Maguire
    19. Dave O'Callaghan
    20. Rhys Ruddock
    21. Conor Murray
    22. JJ Hanrahan
    23. Eoin Griffin

    Honorable mentions or shouts for squad players: Tiernan O'Halloran, Paddy Butler, Peter O'Mahony, Paddy McAllister, Brendan Macken, Mike Sherry and too many more to name


    No Ferris, No Trimble, No Bowe, No Gilroy, No O'Malley if your opinion cool but there are players at this world cup who should be in their prime by the next one!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 500 ✭✭Malmedicine


    I'd say Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitz might have something to say about your selection. They'll all still be around and in their prime in 4 years. (Well Bowe will be 31, but may ahve moved inside by then.

    Damn you beat me to it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 955 ✭✭✭sickpuppy


    I'd say Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris, Rob Kearney and Luke Fitz might have something to say about your selection. They'll all still be around and in their prime in 4 years. (Well Bowe will be 31, but may ahve moved inside by then.

    With the injuries Ferris has had and lack of cartilage in one of his knees id be shocked if hes playing rugby for a living in 4 years.
    Harrison Brewer is still a schoolboy but has huge potential in the backrow and is of good stock his father Mike Brewer was capped32 times by the all blacks and sacked from lots of jobs


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Hype710


    Sure its a bitta fun so why not. I predict a fairly young team at the next world cup, particularily if we have a new, less conservative coach.

    R Kearney
    A Conway
    N Spence
    L Marshall
    C Gilroy
    J Sexton
    C Murray
    J Heaslip (C)
    D Ryan
    S O' Brien
    I Nagle
    S Sykes
    J Hagan
    M Sherry
    C Healy

    R Strauss
    P McAllister
    S Archer
    A Browne
    P O' Mahony
    L McGrath
    I Keatley
    D Kearney


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  • Registered Users Posts: 948 ✭✭✭SSK


    I'm not an Ulster fan but Marshall, Jackson, Gilroy and MacAllister and possibly a few more should all play for Ireland over the next few years and are potentially a good bit better than some of the players you have listed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    22. JJ Hanrahan

    Is he really that good


  • Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭bm1993


    Kearney
    Bowe
    O'Malley
    Fitzgerald
    Earls
    Sexton
    Murray
    Healy
    Strauss
    Hagan
    Ferris
    POC (maybe)
    SOB
    Dom Ryan
    Heaslip

    Reps
    Cronin
    ?
    Tuohy/Nagle
    Ruddock
    ?
    Madigan
    McFadden


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 376 ✭✭LK_Dave


    but who will be team manager?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 955 ✭✭✭sickpuppy


    LK_Dave wrote: »
    but who will be team manager?

    Eric Elwood after guiding Connacht to the heineken cup final in 2014 on a meagre budget :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 376 ✭✭LK_Dave


    sickpuppy wrote: »
    Eric Elwood after guiding Connacht to the heineken cup final in 2014 on a meagre budget :)


    you can always dream.


  • Registered Users Posts: 135 ✭✭bm1993


    LK_Dave wrote: »
    but who will be team manager?

    As long as it's not DK. Nick Mallett, Joe Schmidt or John Kirwan would be nice.


  • Registered Users Posts: 194 ✭✭hsbc


    O'Driscoll to come out of International retirement to guide us to WC glory?


  • Registered Users Posts: 817 ✭✭✭Kayless


    bm1993 wrote: »
    As long as it's not DK. Nick Mallett, Joe Schmidt or John Kirwan would be nice.
    hsbc wrote: »
    O'Driscoll to come out of International retirement to guide us to WC glory?

    O'Driscoll & POC to co manage!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,838 ✭✭✭theboss80


    sickpuppy wrote: »
    Eric Elwood after guiding Connacht to the heineken cup final in 2014 on a meagre budget :)

    Ye would need to be sponsored by Carlsberg :D


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  • Registered Users Posts: 503 ✭✭✭Brendan97


    Ireland Team 2015
    Manager:Joe Schmidt

    15.R Kearney
    14.A Trimble
    13.T Bowe
    12.F McFadden
    11.K Earls
    10.J Sexton
    9.C Murray
    8.J Heaslip
    7.D Ryan
    6.S O'Brien
    5.D Tuohy
    4.S Ferris
    3.J Hagan
    2.S Cronin
    1.C Healy


  • Registered Users Posts: 776 ✭✭✭dtpc191991


    15.Rob Kearney
    14.Craig Gilroy
    13. Eoin O'Malley
    12. Nevin Spence
    11. Luke Fitzgerald
    10. Jonathan Sexton
    09. Luke McGrath
    08. Jamie Heaslip (Captain)
    07. Dominic Ryan
    06. Sean O'Brien
    05. Dan Tuohy
    04. Ian Nagle
    03. Jamie Hagan
    02. Mike Sherry
    01. Cian Healey

    23. Felix Jones
    22. Paddy Jackson
    21.Connor Murray
    20.Stephen Ferris
    19.Dave O'Callaghan
    18.S.Archer
    17. Paddy McAllister
    16. Richard Strauss.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,257 ✭✭✭Hagz


    1. Cian Healy
    2. Richardt Strauss
    3. Tadhg Furlong
    4. Mark Flanagan
    5. Ian Nagle
    6. Sean O'Brien
    7. Dominic Ryan
    8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
    9. Luke McGrath
    10. Jonathan Sexton
    11. Craig Gilroy
    12. Dave McSharry
    13. Brendan Macken
    14. Andrew Conway
    15. Rob Kearney

    16. Mike Sherry
    17. Paddy McAllister
    18. Dan Tuohy
    19. Rhys Ruddock
    20. Conor Murray
    21. Luke Marshall
    22. Keith Earls

    Such an impossible task. McAllister, Tuohy, Spence, Marshall (Paul), Faloon, Trimble, O'Halloran, Kearney (Mick), Carr, Fitzgerald, McFadden, Morris, Keating, Moore, McGrath, Brewer, O'Malley, Kearney (Dave), Jones, Zebo, O'Mahony, Butler, Keatley. Sure how are you supposed to choose.

    I just named a team I'd like to see.


  • Registered Users Posts: 776 ✭✭✭dtpc191991


    Has Strauss announced whether or not he'll be willing to play for Ireland once he's qualified?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,257 ✭✭✭Hagz


    dtpc191991 wrote: »
    Has Strauss announced whether or not he'll be willing to play for Ireland once he's qualified?

    Don't open up that can of worms.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,591 ✭✭✭ambid


    bm1993 wrote: »
    As long as it's not DK. Nick Mallett, Joe Schmidt or John Kirwan would be nice.

    Or Conor O'Shea or Mark McCall or Michael Cheika?

    Keatley has only been mentioned once so far, but I expect him to figure (although I reeeeeally hope the Sexton-ROG debate isn't replaced by a Sexton-Keatley debate in four years!).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,784 ✭✭✭Superbus


    Hagz wrote: »
    1. Cian Healy
    2. Richardt Strauss
    3. Tadhg Furlong
    4. Mark Flanagan
    5. Ian Nagle
    6. Sean O'Brien
    7. Dominic Ryan
    8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
    9. Luke McGrath
    10. Jonathan Sexton
    11. Craig Gilroy
    12. Dave McSharry
    13. Brendan Macken
    14. Andrew Conway
    15. Rob Kearney

    16. Mike Sherry
    17. Paddy McAllister
    18. Dan Tuohy
    19. Rhys Ruddock
    20. Conor Murray
    21. Luke Marshall
    22. Keith Earls

    2019 maybe.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6 nooner09


    Hagz wrote: »
    1. Cian Healy
    2. Richardt Strauss
    3. Tadhg Furlong
    4. Mark Flanagan
    5. Ian Nagle
    6. Sean O'Brien
    7. Dominic Ryan
    8. Jamie Heaslip (c)
    9. Luke McGrath
    10. Jonathan Sexton
    11. Craig Gilroy
    12. Dave McSharry
    13. Brendan Macken
    14. Andrew Conway
    15. Rob Kearney

    16. Mike Sherry
    17. Paddy McAllister
    18. Dan Tuohy
    19. Rhys Ruddock
    20. Conor Murray
    21. Luke Marshall
    22. Keith Earls

    Such an impossible task. McAllister, Tuohy, Spence, Marshall (Paul), Faloon, Trimble, O'Halloran, Kearney (Mick), Carr, Fitzgerald, McFadden, Morris, Keating, Moore, McGrath, Brewer, O'Malley, Kearney (Dave), Jones, Zebo, O'Mahony, Butler, Keatley. Sure how are you supposed to choose.

    I just named a team I'd like to see.

    How did Nagle and Gilroy, like, sneak on there? Nagle's only hope would be as a total Kidney pet. Some guys with serious lock potential in Junior Cup this year and where's Fionn, the legend?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,257 ✭✭✭Hagz


    Superbus wrote: »
    2019 maybe.

    4 years time.

    Healy (28)
    Strauss (28)
    Furlong (22) Definitely a long shot. But he's proved himself to be quite the prodigy at age 18. Come 2015 he'll be 22.
    Flanagan (25) - who else would you have? Tuohy will be 30 and I doubt he'll stay on top by then. Which leaves maybe Mick Kearney, and Flanagan has as much chance as Kearney.
    Nagle (26)
    SOB (28)
    Ryan (25) - not much opensides tbh. Other than Faloon.
    Heaslip (31)
    McGrath (22) No doubt about it. He'll be getting a quality amount of games next season. Prodigy.
    Sexton (30)
    Gilroy (25) If he keeps up his strike-rate, I don't see why not. Earls is the only other person I can see. Fitz will/should move into the centre.
    McSharry (26) - Marshall, Fitzgerald are the other options. I went with McSharry purely because he's a personal favorite.
    Macken (25) By the time he's 25 I expect him to be physically massive. Other options are Spence, Cave, Barnes, EOM, Griffin, McFadden and Bowe.
    Conway (25) No doubt about it. Another prodigy
    Kearney (29)

    The only guys who are seriously unlikely to have some caps under their belt by then are, McSharry, Macken and Furlong.

    EDIT: Fionn Carr will be going on 30. If he still has the pace, then I guess he's an option, but tbh the only thing he's got going for him is his pace.


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  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 9,644 Mod ✭✭✭✭mayordenis


    Earls will be there, I'll bet my bollocks on it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6 nooner09


    mayordenis wrote: »
    Earls will be there, I'll bet my bollocks on it.

    Not up to standards being set by prodigies in the schools.

    Hopefully we'll have 13+2 selection rule by then ( 2 players from the regional sides ). Never again the absolute mare and shambles of 2011 with outright discrimination against some of the best guys in Europe and ( if dk would only pick them ) the world. Potential world beaters in academy ignored in favour of average guys who lucked it into Lions squad in 09.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭Iron Hide


    2015.
    1.Cian Healy
    2.Mike Sherry
    3.Jamie Hagan
    4.Dan Tuohy
    5.Ian Nagle
    6.Sean O'Brien
    7.Willy Falloon
    8.Jamie Heaslip
    9.Conor Murray
    10.Jonathan Sexton
    11.Luke Fitzgerald
    12.Fergus McFadden
    13.Nevin Spence
    14.Tommy Bowe
    15.Felix Jones

    16.Richardt Strauss
    17.Stephen Archer
    18.Paddy McAllister
    19.Dave O'Callaghan
    20.Stephen Ferris
    21.Luke McGrath
    22.Ian Keatley
    23.Rob Kearney

    Head Coach: Nick Mallet


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,001 ✭✭✭Hype710


    Hagz wrote: »

    EDIT: Fionn Carr will be going on 30. If he still has the pace, then I guess he's an option

    It's a good point, I can see guys like McFadden and Carr breaking into the Irish team soon and they may well even tour with the Lions in 2013, but I don't see them being mainstays in the side to guarantee they'll be starting for us in four years time, such is the talent coming through.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭Iron Hide


    Or If Declan Kidney is still in charge :P

    1.Cian Healy (27)
    2. Jerry Flannery (36)
    3.Mike Ross (35)
    4.DOC (36)
    5.POC(35)
    6.SOB (28)
    7.David Wallace (39)
    8.Jamie Heaslip (31)
    9.TOL (31)
    10.ROG (38)
    11.Keith Earls (28)
    12.Gordon D'Arcy (35)
    13.BOD(36)
    14.Tommy Bowe (31)
    15.Rob Kearney (29)

    16.Rory Best (33)
    17.John Hayes (41)
    18.Tony Buckley (35)
    19.Random Munster 2nd row/Blind side (31)
    20.Random Munster utility forward (33)
    21.Peter Stringer (37)
    22.David Humphreys (44)
    23.Girvan Dempsey (39)

    Press Release "I felt after our dismal showing 4 years ago we really needed some extra experience in the side, form is temporary class is permanent and whatnot. BOD is in flying form after his recent super-gluing back together, Humphreys has only gained two stone and is now able to kick from the 5m line and Random Munster Utility Forward has been known to throw, lift AND catch the same lineout, whilst also packing down on the openside"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,976 ✭✭✭profitius


    I don't know what the team will be (injuries, retirements etc) but the squad will be much stronger than it is now. Skill level will be much higher and the average will be lower.

    We'll have plenty of options at prop and hooker. There'll be loads of backrows and plenty of options at center and half backs. There's loads of young back 3 players around now too. Locks seem to be the area where we could be a little short but theres a few promising players who can play there.

    Some players I've seen who look like they'll get Irish caps in the not too distant future include:
    Tiernan O'Halloran, JJ Hanrahan, Luke Marshall, Conway, Tadhg Furlong, POM, Nagle, Sherry, Spence, Gilroy, Griffen, Dom Ryan, Madigan, Paddy McAllister.

    There are others too that are highly rated like Luke McGrath but I can't comment until I see them myself.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,456 ✭✭✭Cpt_Blackbeard


    nooner09 wrote: »
    How did Nagle and Gilroy, like, sneak on there? Nagle's only hope would be as a total Kidney pet . Some guys with serious lock potential in Junior Cup this year and where's Fionn, the legend?

    Well considering that he already has a MOM award against Australia, I think most posters would expect him to be around the Irish test team in 4 years.

    Are you. honestly talking about School's Junior Cup players being in with a good chance of being starting international locks in 4 years? The majority of them won't even be locks in 4 years when other players have hit their growth spurt.
    nooner09 wrote: »
    Not up to standards being set by prodigies in the schools.

    Earls was the prodigy at schools level (along with Fitzgerald). I've only seen Munster school's admittedly, but only JJ Hanrahan would be anywhere near the level Earls was at. Neither Simon Zebo or Danny Barnes were at the same level as Earls and they are both regulars for Munster now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,976 ✭✭✭profitius


    Earls was the prodigy at schools level (along with Fitzgerald). I've only seen Munster school's admittedly, but only JJ Hanrahan would be anywhere near the level Earls was at. Neither Simon Zebo or Danny Barnes were at the same level as Earls and they are both regulars for Munster now.

    Dairmuid McCarthy was another schools prodigy but he decided against a rugby career.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    1. Healy
    2. Strauss
    3. Hagan
    4. Ferris
    5. Tuohy
    6. Ruddock
    7. Dom Ryan
    8. O'Brien
    9. McGrath
    10. Sexton
    11. Carr
    12. Marshall
    13. Spence
    14. Kearney
    15. Kearney

    16. Varley
    17. Archer
    18. Ross
    19. Sykes
    20. Heaslip
    21. Murray
    22. Keatley
    23. Bowe


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,632 ✭✭✭ormond lad


    Earls was the prodigy at schools level (along with Fitzgerald). I've only seen Munster school's admittedly, but only JJ Hanrahan would be anywhere near the level Earls was at. Neither Simon Zebo or Danny Barnes were at the same level as Earls and they are both regulars for Munster now.

    Danny barnes can hardly be considered a schools prodigy, he only played 1 year of schools rugby and that was the year after he had played irish youths


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    Surprised so many people are leaving Trimble out.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,456 ✭✭✭Cpt_Blackbeard


    ormond lad wrote: »
    Danny barnes can hardly be considered a schools prodigy, he only played 1 year of schools rugby and that was the year after he had played irish youths

    I never called him a prodigy. I was saying that of the players I've seen, only JJ Hanrahan and Earls looked to be special/a prodigy if you will.

    Barnes and Zebo are the two best examples off hand of players who didn't look like prodigies - they were both brilliant Senior Cup players though Despite this, they are now looking like being regulars for Munster this season. Conor Murray was another one who didn't look like something special and look where he is now.

    Sorry for all the Munchins references but, as I'm at it...

    Cpt_BlackBeard's Fun Fact of the Day:
    St.Munchins College have more past-pupils at the WC than any other Irish school. 6 in total if you include Damien Varley and George Clancy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    Surprised so many people are leaving Trimble out.

    He'd be in the 30 anyway.

    Who knows?!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6 nooner09


    "Are you. honestly talking about School's Junior Cup players being in with a good chance of being starting international locks in 4 years? The majority of them won't even be locks in 4 years when other players have hit their growth spurt."

    Yes. If they can handle Donnybrook in March, they'll be more than good enough for Kingsholm or Twickenham in October 2015.

    If only dk could see that.

    But anyway guys, my 2011 team follows. Because, like, we should be building the 2015 team today. It might not beat the ozzies but who in all honesty can and it's totally about squad development for 2015 and it couldn't do any worse than dk and his head in the sand selection.:eek:

    Take off the blinkers, dec k.

    15: Rob Kearney
    14: Andrew Conway
    13: Brendan Macken
    12: Eoin O'Malley
    11: Fionn Carr
    10: Sexto
    9: Luke McGrath

    1: Cian Healy
    2: Best
    3: Jamie Hagan
    4: Steven Ferris ( get a few games here before the knees pack it in )
    5: Devin Toner
    6: Sean O'Brien
    7: Dominic Ryan
    8: Jamie H CAPTAIN

    Subs: Leo Cullen ( experienced head if game is tight, ferris can move into back row) ROG ( see before ) Jennings, M Ross, Cronin, Conor Murray, Tommy Bowe ( tough but his form just isn't up to it guys and Trimble is totally unlucky to lose out entirely. POC goes on too many spasmo charges, slowing the team down so only has self to blame for missing out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,846 ✭✭✭siltirocker


    15.R Kearney
    14.A Trimble
    13.T Bowe
    12.F McFadden
    11.K Earls
    10.J Sexton
    9.C Murray
    8.J Heaslip
    7.D Ryan
    6.S O'Brien
    5.I Nagle
    4.D Tuohy
    3.J Hagan
    2.S Cronin
    1.C Healy

    16. D Varley
    17. B Wilkinson
    18. I Nagle
    19. R Ruddock
    20. T O'Leary
    21. I Keatley
    22. L Fitzgerald

    Some of ye have named the 2019 team for heaven's sake. Maybe Spence, Griffen, Conway and Carr in the backs will be involved but that's it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 500 ✭✭Malmedicine


    nooner09 wrote: »

    Yes. If they can handle Donnybrook in March, they'll be more than good enough for Kingsholm or Twickenham in October 2015.

    .

    Are you plaing Junior Cup yourself? I'll bet my house no current junior cup player will be playing international rugby in 4 years time.
    Reasons: 1 Physical development 2 Physical Development we are a race that does not develop fully until late teens early twenties. In fact I'd wager very few would be on anything but development contracts maybe even none at all. Most playing under 20's with club sides a few very good ones starting AIL where they will either shine and go on or find their level!!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 816 ✭✭✭vinny chase


    chupacabra wrote: »
    Luke McGrath has such immense potential. I think it will be a horses for courses situation with an intelligent coach simply picking the form half back pairing for their province.

    So your also predicting a change in management?? :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle


    Iron Hide wrote: »
    Or If Declan Kidney is still in charge :P

    1.Cian Healy (27)
    2. Jerry Flannery (36)
    3.Mike Ross (35)
    4.DOC (36)
    5.POC(35)
    6.SOB (28)
    7.David Wallace (39)
    8.Jamie Heaslip (31)
    9.TOL (31)
    10.ROG (38)
    11.Keith Earls (28)
    12.Gordon D'Arcy (35)
    13.BOD(36)
    14.Tommy Bowe (31)
    15.Rob Kearney (29)

    16.Rory Best (33)
    17.John Hayes (41)
    18.Tony Buckley (35)
    19.Random Munster 2nd row/Blind side (31)
    20.Random Munster utility forward (33)
    21.Peter Stringer (37)
    22.David Humphreys (44)
    23.Girvan Dempsey (39)

    Press Release "I felt after our dismal showing 4 years ago we really needed some extra experience in the side, form is temporary class is permanent and whatnot. BOD is in flying form after his recent super-gluing back together, Humphreys has only gained two stone and is now able to kick from the 5m line and Random Munster Utility Forward has been known to throw, lift AND catch the same lineout, whilst also packing down on the openside"

    that brightened up my day!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,699 ✭✭✭bamboozle


    Well considering that he already has a MOM award against Australia, I think most posters would expect him to be around the Irish test team in 4 years.

    Are you. honestly talking about School's Junior Cup players being in with a good chance of being starting international locks in 4 years? The majority of them won't even be locks in 4 years when other players have hit their growth spurt.



    Earls was the prodigy at schools level (along with Fitzgerald). I've only seen Munster school's admittedly, but only JJ Hanrahan would be anywhere near the level Earls was at. Neither Simon Zebo or Danny Barnes were at the same level as Earls and they are both regulars for Munster now.

    i've seen JJ Hanrahan play twice at AIL level and for the irish u20's, i'm not really getting the hype about him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    Cpt_BlackBeard's Fun Fact of the Day:
    St.Munchins College have more past-pupils at the WC than any other Irish school. 6 in total if you include Damien Varley and George Clancy.

    Leinster, with 14, have more players at the World Cup than any other professional team. And that with a coach who doesn't rate Fitzgerald or McLaughlin, or Ruddock...


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,456 ✭✭✭Cpt_Blackbeard


    bamboozle wrote: »
    i've seen JJ Hanrahan play twice at AIL level and for the irish u20's, i'm not really getting the hype about him.

    I thought he was very good for the U20s when I saw him but, he really shone in the senior cup for Rockwell. Its not many (any really) players that get a Munster academy place in their first year out of school.


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