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Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

RoundBox11

Pairing Luke Marshall with Cave in the centre and Payne at fullback could be really good for the wolfhounds backline. They should know each other inside out. Then Gilroy could be on one wing.

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UnitedWeStand

shuffol wrote: »

I wonder is Schmidt developing a plan for this team of turning us into the best contestable kicking team in world rugby and using that as our primary means of beating our opposition. We've arguably the 2 best tactical kicking halfbacks in the game, every outside back we have is 6"1 plus, all with the ability to play 15, our no.23 is a 6"1 specialist fullback. Is it possible that he see's this as our best means of launching an assault on the WC and is running with it.

It seems genius if so. Kicking game is so underrated, the law variations around 08 seemed to make everyone hate the thing. In a nation where most of our players have played GAA we should be making the most of it!

[Deleted User]

shuffol wrote: »

I wonder is Schmidt developing a plan for this team of turning us into the best contestable kicking team in world rugby and using that as our primary means of beating our opposition. We've arguably the 2 best tactical kicking halfbacks in the game, every outside back we have is 6"1 plus, all with the ability to play 15, our no.23 is a 6"1 specialist fullback. Is it possible that he see's this as our best means of launching an assault on the WC and is running with it.

This.

We have some great fielders in the team. Kearney, Zebo, and Bowe always look comfortable under the high ball and weren't troubled on Saturday.

It's great that everyone from 11 to 15 (and 23) has played full back at either European or international level, and are over six foot. Gives us a lot of options in that department.

BoardsMember

wittycynic wrote: »

This.

We have some great fielders in the team. Kearney, Zebo, and Bowe always look comfortable under the high ball and weren't troubled on Saturday.

It's great that everyone from 11 to 15 (and 23) has played full back at either European or international level, and are over six foot. Gives us a lot of options in that department.

Zebo looks comfortable under a high ball kicked to him, but chasing our own up & unders I think he has a bit to go before he's at the Bowe level, and a bit further again to the Kearney level, though Kearney is exceptionally good at it so a tough comparison.

LostArt

4 weeks out for Heaslip confirmed

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/33845.php#.VOI3Dy5gvb4

total former

LostArt wrote: »

4 weeks out for Heaslip confirmed

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/33845.php#.VOI3Dy5gvb4

Well that's as good as we could have hoped I suppose.

MJohnston

total former wrote: »

Well that's as good as we could have hoped I suppose.

Aside from him not getting kneed in the back to start with anyway!

It's rather annoying that because of Pape's citing, Ireland will somewhat be doubly punished.

LuckyGent88

LostArt wrote: »

4 weeks out for Heaslip confirmed

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/33845.php#.VOI3Dy5gvb4

Not exactly the news we wanted but that's a lot better diagnosis than I thought it would be.

salmocab

Really its a kick in the nuts with England up next, I like Jordi but its a pity Ruddocks not fit, he would be good to have against the English.

vienne86

Bummer about Jamie. I suppose it could have been worse, but nothing that happens with Papé's citing can compensate Ireland and Leinster for losing him for four weeks. To say nothing of the discomfort to Jamie.

UnitedWeStand

A shame but hell better than we feared. No long term damage suffered which is the main thing.

Some Yoke

When in rhys ruddock back does anyone know? I Googled and in December it said 6 weeks so should be soon but didn't see or hear any updates. Unfortunate to think how strong an injured backrow we have 6 ruddock 8 heaslip 7 henry. Hopefully injuries like these will be a distant memory come the world cup and no more nasty surprises

CIARAN_BOYLE

Some Yoke wrote: »

When in rhys ruddock back does anyone know? I Googled and in December it said 6 weeks so should be soon but didn't see or hear any updates. Unfortunate to think how strong an injured backrow we have 6 ruddock 8 heaslip 7 henry. Hopefully injuries like these will be a distant memory come the world cup and no more nasty surprises

It keeps getting pushed back, just two weeks ago leinster were advertising the dragons match yesterday as the return of rhy ruddock.

phog

LostArt wrote: »

4 weeks out for Heaslip confirmed

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/33845.php#.VOI3Dy5gvb4

So he'll be back in time to share the celebrations in Edinburgh.

jacothelad

UnitedWeStand wrote: »

It seems genius if so. Kicking game is so underrated, the law variations around 08 seemed to make everyone hate the thing. In a nation where most of our players have played GAA we should be making the most of it!

Far better having guys who can kick a rugby ball. Any eejit can kick a football........:D

aimee1

jacothelad wrote: »

Far better having guys who can kick a rugby ball. Any eejit can kick a football........:D

tell that to the aussie rules players who dont know what to do with a round ball

Buer

So a listener called "Alan" texted into Off The Ball with something along the lines of: "Can someone PLEASE explain to me why Conor Murray keeps kicking the ball away?"

Hmmm. Trying to figure out who it might be!

Shero1985

Quint2010 wrote: »

Backrow for England: Henderson, SOB, POM. That is all.

Agree, but won't happen.

Murphy will slot in to 8 and I fear they will win the back-row battle, especially with SOB obviously not at his peak. Even having Ruddock would have been huge.

SaveOurLyric

Shero1985 wrote: »

Agree, but won't happen.

Murphy will slot in to 8 and I fear they will win the back-row battle

And they will win the front row battle well. And the second row battle marginally.

Which then, having adopted a strategy of dispensing with a three quarter line and instead a policy of playing 4 kick-chasers who will have nothing to chase, will leave us toothless. The Angles will win well. However, all is not lost - France or even les Ecossais (who still stick to that old tradition of playing backs who can cut through a defence) could catch them off guard and give us another points hunt final day for a 4 win championship.

Eoin

Not that I'm being quite so pessimistic as you are, but I get the feeling we won't win on points difference. I think it'll have to be a slam or bust.

case885

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

And they will win the front row battle well. And the second row battle marginally.

Which then, having adopted a strategy of dispensing with a three quarter line and instead a policy of playing 4 kick-chasers who will have nothing to chase, will leave us toothless. The Angles will win well. However, all is not lost - France or even les Ecossais (who still stick to that old tradition of playing backs who can cut through a defence) could catch them off guard and give us another points hunt final day for a 4 win championship.

Like they did last year at Twickenham?.. It will be an extremely close game but playing at home will count a lot imo.

.ak

Eoin wrote: »

Not that I'm being quite so pessimistic as you are, but I get the feeling we won't win on points difference. I think it'll have to be a slam or bust.

That's how I see it. Winner takes all in the Aviva... But then two away banana skins to deal with.

[Deleted User]

Would there be logic in playing Diack at 8? It's his natural position and he's 6'6, 18 stone. It would give us some much needed stature in the back row.

[Deleted User]

Wales away will be just as tough as England at home

CIARAN_BOYLE

wittycynic wrote: »

Would there be logic in playing Diack at 8? It's his natural position and he's 6'6, 18 stone. It would give us some much needed stature in the back row.

Considering that he the third choice 8 at ulster I don't think so.

Neil3030

Scotland may get a scalp this season. Us or England.

sydthebeat

Neil3030 wrote: »

Scotland may get a scalp this season. Us or England.

I dunno, they've been their own worst enemies this season. They certainly have the talent to win their last three, just don't think they have the maturity and discipline

[Deleted User]

sydthebeat wrote: »

I dunno, they've been their own worst enemies this season. They certainly have the talent to win their last three, just don't think they have the maturity and discipline

To be fair though Scotland probably should have beaten Wales, and very well might have had it not been for a fairly moronic decision by the referee not to go to the TMO for the supposed knock on before their disallowed try. It would have put them three points behind with about six minutes to play, at home. I think i would have backed them at that stage.

phog

Neil3030 wrote: »

Scotland may get a scalp this season. Us or England.

If we beat England and lose to Scotland then we deserve to be only in the running for the 6Ns, whatever about Wales being a banana skin I think Ireland should have the beating of Scotland.

thomond2006

Scotland are inept. We should beat them comfortably.

The Pheasant2

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

And they will win the front row battle well. And the second row battle marginally.

I reckon we'll take the second row battle actually.