Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread

leftleg · 06-03-2012 1:17pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Oh that's alright then! :rolleyes:

Problem is, one or two injuries and we haven't got replacements with any experience = much less chance of getting those all-important results your employers crave...

eh TOL; well be fine

rrpc · 06-03-2012 1:24pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Ireland are 7th, Arg 8th, and Tonga are 9th on 76.63. If we win our remaining 6 Nations games I can't see us dropping out of the top 8. Even losing all three games away to NZ wouldn't affect us too badly considering they're at home and are ranked no.1 in the world.

Yes, but the focus is on the 6N where much of the damage could be inflicted. We could lose almost 2 ranking points if we are beaten by Scotland. Other losses would be cumulative and although marginal would still drop us further.

JustinDee · 06-03-2012 1:33pm

CatFromHue wrote: »

Also is the team announced today for Saturday's game?

Tomorrow at 1.15pm.

CatFromHue · 06-03-2012 1:35pm

rrpc wrote: »

Yes, but the focus is on the 6N where much of the damage could be inflicted. We could lose almost 2 ranking points if we are beaten by Scotland. Other losses would be cumulative and although marginal would still drop us further.

I can't see us being beaten by Scotland but yeah I know what you mean. We lost 1.4 points after losing to Wales when they were ranked 8th and us 6th. Currently Scotland are 11th and us 7th so the two points would be about right.

ray jay · 06-03-2012 1:42pm

rrpc wrote: »

Yes, but the focus is on the 6N where much of the damage could be inflicted. We could lose almost 2 ranking points if we are beaten by Scotland. Other losses would be cumulative and although marginal would still drop us further.

The matches against New Zealand won't affect our ranking at all since they're so far ahead of us (unless of course we win!), so the only matches we need to worry about are the next two. I don't think we'll have a problem unless we lose both and Scotland win their remaining fixtures.

molloyjh · 06-03-2012 1:46pm

JustinDee wrote: »

Once RWC2015 seedings are sorted, experiment all you like. Until then one word counts: results.

While I do understand this logic would I be right in saying that now we're up to 7th and are 5.36 points ahead of Scotland and 3.67 points ahead of Tonga in 9th. Meaning that a loss to Scotland by 15 or less will bring our points down by about 1.5 and Scotland's up by the same and a loss of more than 15 will bring us down 2.2 and Scotland up 2.2 (or thereabouts). Either way we would still be in the top 8. A loss to England away and a couple of losses to NZ away should have negligible impact on our points. So assuming we don't lose most/all of our AIs we should still be in the top 8. I think I have that right...

We're now in a position where we have a lock coming in that has barely played with Ireland before. We have a winger covering outside centre. We had Conor Murray - relatively unproven - as our starting scrum half. We are trying to convert a blindside flanker to an openside flanker. And you're saying now isn't the time to experiment?

Cpt_Blackbeard · 06-03-2012 1:51pm

How does the WC seeding exactly work? Does it matter where we are from 5-8 in the rankings as we will still be second seeds. Or do the 8th seeds get grouped with the first seeds etc?

ormond lad · 06-03-2012 1:53pm

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

How does the WC seeding exactly work? Does it matter where we are from 5-8 in the rankings as we will still be second seeds. Or do the 8th seeds get grouped with the first seeds etc?

Any of the 2nd seeds can draw any of the 1st seeds. Doesnt matter whether you are ranked 5th or 8th

Cpt_Blackbeard · 06-03-2012 1:55pm

ormond lad wrote: »

Any of the 2nd seeds can draw any of the 1st seeds. Doesnt matter whether you are ranked 5th or 8th

Thats what I thought. We aren't going to break into the top 4 all we have to worry about is dropping down to 3rd seeds, which shouldn't realistically happen.

.ak · 06-03-2012 2:00pm

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Thats what I thought. We aren't going to break into the top 4 all we have to worry about is dropping down to 3rd seeds, which shouldn't realistically happen.

Agh, now you've gone and jinxed it!

athtrasna · 06-03-2012 2:50pm

According to Sinead Kissane on Twitter: DOC (ankle), Earls (groin) & SOB (foot infection) didn't train today. Expected to be fit for the weekend.

In kind of positive news POC won't require surgery, will see specialist today.

Captain to be announced tomorrow

Redsock · 06-03-2012 4:14pm

I think Mick O'Driscoll is unfortunate not to get a call up from Kidney.

leftleg · 06-03-2012 4:21pm

Statistics from the first 3 rounds of the 6 Nations from Planet Rugby

Statistics after three rounds

Most tackles made: Wales - 371
Most tackles missed: Wales - 34
Most passes completed: Scotland - 704
Most line breaks: Scotland - 14
Most possession kicked: England - 81
Most turnovers won: Ireland - 16
Most offloads in tackle: Scotland - 38
Most errors made: Italy / Scotland - 36
Most penalties conceded: Wales - 32

Fewest tackles missed: Ireland - 14
Fewest errors made: Wales - 32
Fewest penalties conceded: France - 16

Most points scored: Ireland - 80
Most tries scored: Ireland - 9
Fewest tries conceded: Wales - 3

Most tries conceded: Italy - 10
Fewest tries scored: England - 2
Fewest points scored: Scotland - 36

Most points scored (player): Leigh Halfpenny (Wal) - 44
Most tries scored (player): Tommy Bowe (Ire) - 5

Jeez these stats make Kidney look like IRB coach of the year.

irishbucsfan · 06-03-2012 4:23pm

Except we've only managed to beat Italy so far

RoundBox11 · 06-03-2012 4:24pm

Redsock wrote: »

I think Mick O'Driscoll is unfortunate not to get a call up from Kidney.

Tbh i wouldn't have been surprised at all if he had called him up! :P

Or called up big Bob Casey.... only 8 years too late!

RoundBox11 · 06-03-2012 4:26pm

leftleg wrote: »

Statistics from the first 3 rounds of the 6 Nations from Planet Rugby

Statistics after three rounds

Most tackles made: Wales - 371
Most tackles missed: Wales - 34
Most passes completed: Scotland - 704
Most line breaks: Scotland - 14
Most possession kicked: England - 81
Most turnovers won: Ireland - 16
Most offloads in tackle: Scotland - 38
Most errors made: Italy / Scotland - 36
Most penalties conceded: Wales - 32

Fewest tackles missed: Ireland - 14
Fewest errors made: Wales - 32
Fewest penalties conceded: France - 16

Most points scored: Ireland - 80
Most tries scored: Ireland - 9
Fewest tries conceded: Wales - 3

Most tries conceded: Italy - 10
Fewest tries scored: England - 2
Fewest points scored: Scotland - 36

Most points scored (player): Leigh Halfpenny (Wal) - 44
Most tries scored (player): Tommy Bowe (Ire) - 5

Jeez these stats make Kidney look like IRB coach of the year.

We've missed the fewest tackles too!

.ak · 06-03-2012 4:31pm

Redsock wrote: »

I think Mick O'Driscoll is unfortunate not to get a call up from Kidney.

Can't tell if serious....

JRant · 06-03-2012 4:33pm

RoundBox11 wrote: »

leftleg wrote: »

Statistics from the first 3 rounds of the 6 Nations from Planet Rugby

Statistics after three rounds

Most tackles made: Wales - 371
Most tackles missed: Wales - 34
Most passes completed: Scotland - 704
Most line breaks: Scotland - 14
Most possession kicked: England - 81
Most turnovers won: Ireland - 16
Most offloads in tackle: Scotland - 38
Most errors made: Italy / Scotland - 36
Most penalties conceded: Wales - 32

Fewest tackles missed: Ireland - 14
Fewest errors made: Wales - 32
Fewest penalties conceded: France - 16

Most points scored: Ireland - 80
Most tries scored: Ireland - 9
Fewest tries conceded: Wales - 3

Most tries conceded: Italy - 10
Fewest tries scored: England - 2
Fewest points scored: Scotland - 36

Most points scored (player): Leigh Halfpenny (Wal) - 44
Most tries scored (player): Tommy Bowe (Ire) - 5

Jeez these stats make Kidney look like IRB coach of the year.

We've missed the fewest tackles too!

It's where the tackles that were missed thats the problem though.

Dave6858 · 06-03-2012 5:12pm

So O'Leary gets dropped for the WC,Boss gets selected and does the business when called upon,Leinster top the Rabo..Qfinal in the H cup with Reddan and Boss interchangeable at SH...O'Leary cant get a look in at Munster but gets the call ahead of Boss...It doesent add up!
Huge lack of leadership at the last 15min against France..Drop goal should have been called.
Scotland will kick to the corners all day and take up apart in the line out.

CiaranMT · 06-03-2012 5:18pm

Dave6858 wrote: »

So O'Leary gets dropped for the WC,Boss gets selected and does the business when called upon,Leinster top the Rabo..Qfinal in the H cup with Reddan and Boss interchangeable at SH...O'Leary cant get a look in at Munster but gets the call ahead of Boss...It doesent add up!
Huge lack of leadership at the last 15min against France..Drop goal should have been called.
Scotland will kick to the corners all day and take up apart in the line out.

Read back. Boss is in NZ for personal reasons.

leftleg · 06-03-2012 5:23pm

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/

Great article in this on Kidneys selections for the Scotland game;

mikedragon32 · 06-03-2012 7:27pm

Speculation that Best is injured...
http://brendanfanningrugby.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/best-battling-to-make-starting-line-against-scotland/

irishbucsfan · 06-03-2012 7:30pm

Losing Best would be a big blow to our scrum

GerM · 06-03-2012 7:30pm

Strange. Must just be precautionary. Several photos show Best taking active part in training today.

danthefan · 06-03-2012 7:54pm

JRant wrote: »

9-TOL
10-ROG

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

I honestly don't see much wrong with that team selection.

I would just like to register my shock.

LEIN · 06-03-2012 7:55pm

danthefan wrote: »

I would just like to register my shock.

Sometimes its just as well Deco is choosing the team.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 06-03-2012 8:11pm

danthefan wrote: »

I would just like to register my shock.

Well done. Just ignore any of the reasoning behind the statement. Should be expected from you tbh...

With the likely chance that ROG is given a run out against Scotland, it might be pertinent to start TOL alongside him to cover ROG's possible defensive issues against a big team. Its simple really.

Does TOL deserve a start? No. Should he have been called up to the squad? Probably not but, Boss is off home and Marshall is probably too similar a SH to Reddan (Headless at times) in Kidney's eyes. TOL was also involved with the wolfhounds (He shoudn't have been) so would have more experience with current tactics etc. than Marshall.

danthefan · 06-03-2012 8:22pm

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Well done. Just ignore any of the reasoning behind the statement. Should be expected from you tbh...

With the likely chance that ROG is given a run out against Scotland, it might be pertinent to start TOL alongside him to cover ROG's possible defensive issues against a big team. Its simple really.

Does TOL deserve a start? No. Should he have been called up to the squad? Probably not but, Boss is off home and Marshall is probably too similar a SH to Reddan (Headless at times) in Kidney's eyes. TOL was also involved with the wolfhounds (He shoudn't have been) so would have more experience with current tactics etc. than Marshall.

Or how about we just start Reddan and Sexton, by a country mile the best halfbacks available. Just saying like.

smurphy29 · 06-03-2012 8:24pm

Picking our tactical kicking out half for a game where were probably going to be under serious pressure in the lineout, without a recognised middle-jumper and lineout caller, and maybe our first choice hooker would make no sense. None at all. Come on Captain, surely you can see that. It's not just about maximising the number of your beloved Munstermen you know.

MLC61 · 06-03-2012 8:25pm

By the content of your response I see hat you have assumed that the shock is at O'Learys inclusion only

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread

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