Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

andymx11 · 21-02-2015 09:12PM

Keeping an eye on the Racing game praying Sexton gets through ok!!

shuffol · 21-02-2015 09:21PM

Whens the last time an Irish starter has actually been dropped as opposed to getting injured and losing their place, I'd wager it doesn't happen very often.

Look at the job Marty Moore is having to usurp Ross despite probably being more effective in most facets of play at this stage.

jm08 · 21-02-2015 09:22PM

molloyjh wrote: »

I wouldn't expect a change to the starting XV, but I am hoping for a change in the 23 shirt. Jones has been in good form but doesn't offer what we need there. He's a full-back and a full-back only. Plus his impact off the bench against top sides is limited. Earls and Fitz both bring a lot more to the table. I reckon Fitz will get the nod based on the fact that he was selected on the wing for the WHs and has now managed to get some time there for Leinster. That proven versatility probably gives him the edge over Earls. Well that and the fact he's been back longer and played against better opposition in the Champions Cup.

I don't think either Luke Fitz or Keith Earls has anything to prove with regard to being international standard wingers.

There is an interview with Tommy Bowe over the last few days where he says that all the outside backs have to be able to play centre, wing and fullback which might rule out a few backs.

bilston · 21-02-2015 09:30PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls and Fitzgerald have both put their hand up. I'd be happy with either to displace Payne.

But you can't really compare playing Zebre at home to playing against France. Fitzgerald may well have played well last night but that's hardly going to sway Joe's mind.

jm08 · 21-02-2015 09:34PM

bilston wrote: »

But you can't really compare playing Zebre at home to playing against France. Fitzgerald may well have played well last night but that's hardly going to sway Joe's mind.

Going on comments from Keith Earls, its more to do that they are not going to break down with another injury.

“My biggest problem was Joe having confidence in my knee and myself having confidence in my knee,” Earls said.
“The last couple of times I was in camp I ended up breaking down and eventually I had to get an operation so the more game time I get gives more confidence to both of us.”

I'd imagine Schmidt has similar concerns with Fitz.

bilston · 21-02-2015 09:35PM

jm08 wrote: »

There is an interview with Tommy Bowe over the last few days where he says that all the outside backs have to be able to play centre, wing and fullback which might rule out a few backs.

Yeah I read that too. I thought it was interesting. Can Zebo and Kearney play centre? I don't remember them ever playing there.

Fireball07 · 21-02-2015 09:38PM

bilston wrote: »

Yeah I read that too. I thought it was interesting. Can Zebo and Kearney play centre? I don't remember them ever playing there.

I don't think either have ever started there or played there for long periods but I think both have lined out there at times during games, but that's natural enough I guess.

bilston · 21-02-2015 09:39PM

jm08 wrote: »

Going on comments from Keith Earls, its more to do that they are not going to break down with another injury.

I'd imagine Schmidt has similar concerns with Fitz.

Well I suppose that could be a factor in a competitive positon like wing or centre where there are plenty of options of similar level.

jm08 · 21-02-2015 10:03PM

bilston wrote: »

Well I suppose that could be a factor in a competitive positon like wing or centre where there are plenty of options of similar level.

I think most backs can manage centre and fullback in an emergency situation - the key area is fullback. As a fullback they need to have a good kicking game and be good under a high ball - otherwise they will be targetted.

I'd say Kearney would do fine as a centre - Payne has been ok.

Fireball07 · 21-02-2015 10:05PM

jm08 wrote: »

I think most backs can manage centre and fullback in an emergency situation - the key area is fullback. As a fullback they need to have a good kicking game and be good under a high ball - otherwise they will be targetted.

I'd say Kearney would do fine as a centre - Payne has been ok.

I personally would let Kearney nowhere near centre... 13 is important in that it's a very important defensive channel and key to getting the outside backs involved. I wouldn't trust Kearney defensively at 13 and he's not the greatest distributor either.

.ak · 21-02-2015 10:06PM

I shiver at thought of Rob Kearney playing 1st or 2nd centre.

And I'm a big fan of Kearney

jm08 · 21-02-2015 10:13PM

.ak wrote: »

I shiver at thought of Rob Kearney playing 1st or 2nd centre.

And I'm a big fan of Kearney

Well then, Payne has something over him as he can play centre and fullback.

I don't see it as being a big issue for Kearney - just that he either starts or he is out of the 23 - cover being provided by those on the wing or centre for all positions.

Didn't Felix Jones come on for Payne v Italy?

b.gud · 21-02-2015 10:17PM

jm08 wrote: »

Well then, Payne has something over him as he can play centre and fullback.

I don't see it as being a big issue for Kearney - just that he either starts or he is out of the 23 - cover being provided by those on the wing or centre for all positions.

Didn't Felix Jones come on for Payne v Italy?

Ya there was a reshuffle, iirc Bowe went to center and Jones to the wing

jm08 · 21-02-2015 10:23PM

b.gud wrote: »

Ya there was a reshuffle, iirc Bowe went to center and Jones to the wing

That would look like Schmidt wants a couple of outside backs who know their detail well enough to easily cover a couple of positions.

thomond2006 · 21-02-2015 10:23PM

Jones is arguably a better sub to close out a match with a lead in hand. He offers solidity and is a monster in the tackle for his size.

Fitzgerald and Earls really couldn't have done much more to stake a claim.

SaveOurLyric · 21-02-2015 11:24PM

jm08 wrote: »

There is an interview with Tommy Bowe over the last few days where he says that all the outside backs have to be able to play centre, wing and fullback which might rule out a few backs.

That concurs with what we see on the pitch. Essentially, wing, centre, and fullback all have the same skill requirement to implement Joe's game plan. But that isnt necessarily the skill we might normally associate as characteristic with those positions. Its a very specific, hard runner into contact, good defensive discipline and tackle technique, good rucking, good to put turnover pressure on tackles or chased kicks. Speed, handling, vision, ability to beat a defender, creativity, etc are unnecessary. A handicap even, if a player was prone to deviating from the instructions and indulging in them.

SaveOurLyric · 21-02-2015 11:27PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Fitzgerald and Earls really couldn't have done much more to stake a claim.

Exactly. So clearly they are surplus to requirements for how Joe sees the game, and backup and tackle bag holder fodder only.

Hagz · 21-02-2015 11:33PM

Just to get the quote down.

"As back three players, his wingers have to be able to play 13 and have to be able to play 15, have to be good in the air, good at competing for the ball."

jm08 · 21-02-2015 11:34PM

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Exactly. So clearly they are surplus to requirements for how Joe sees the game, and backup and tackle bag holder fodder only.

I doubt very much if Schmidt is putting all his centre eggs in one basket with two centre who have about 6 international caps between them.

What happens if Payne or Henshaw gets injured?

SaveOurLyric · 21-02-2015 11:39PM

jm08 wrote: »

I doubt very much if Schmidt is putting all his centre eggs in one basket with two centre who have about 6 international caps between them.

What happens if Payne or Henshaw gets injured?

Then he moves to his lesser preferred options obvs.
Probably Fitzy from what we have seen, or wouldn't be surprised to see The Darce Man reappear if Hench were injured.

jm08 · 21-02-2015 11:45PM

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Then he moves to his lesser preferred options obvs.
Probably Fitzy from what we have seen, or wouldn't be surprised to see The Darce Man reappear if Hench were injured.

So the lesser preferred options need game time - you don't want Luke Fitz to be starting his first international game at 13 in 5 years in a world cup semi!

SaveOurLyric · 21-02-2015 11:48PM

jm08 wrote: »

So the lesser preferred options need game time - you don't want Luke Fitz to be starting his first international game at 13 in 5 years in a world cup semi!

Its a moot issue if you see the back 5 as almost all the same thing.

S12b · 21-02-2015 11:51PM

Johnny survived!!

http://www.the42.ie/jonny-sexton-racing-metro-5-1952878-Feb2015/

jm08 · 21-02-2015 11:52PM

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Its a moot issue if you see the back 5 as almost the same thing.

The back 5 all need gametime though at international level. It would be a big ask for anyone to come into a World Cup semi after being out of international rugby for about 5 years (in the case of Fitz).

Since Fitz & Earls fitness seem to be good, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them on the bench next weekend against England and starting after that in the centre.

SaveOurLyric · 21-02-2015 11:56PM

jm08 wrote: »

The back 5 all need gametime though at international level. It would be a big ask for anyone to come into a World Cup semi after being out of international rugby for about 5 years (in the case of Fitz).

Since Fitz & Earls fitness seem to be good, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them on the bench next weekend against England and starting after that in the centre.

Its back to the 6N for its own sake, or as practice for the WC. The coach always goes for the tournament he is in, not the next one. And Joe will put out the team he believes will win each of the next 3 games. I would not agree with your expectation, though agree with its merit.

Zzippy · 22-02-2015 12:21AM

jm08 wrote: »

So the lesser preferred options need game time - you don't want Luke Fitz to be starting his first international game at 13 in 5 years in a world cup semi!

There are 4 warm-up games in August/early Sep, we'll see a few combinations and players given gametime then. 6N is not the time to be chopping and changing

thomond2006 · 22-02-2015 12:44AM

I'd want Earls and Fitz involved as I think they deserve to be. It's not about 'gametime' for me. Forget about the World Cup. Let's win a Grand Slam!

22-02-2015 10:15AM

Sexton has made it through the game against Clermont unscathed. Played 66 mins.

bilston · 22-02-2015 10:20AM

Don't we play Canada and Romania first at the WC? I know these teams are a lot more competitive these days, especially at World Cups and feck we know ourselves after the Georgia debacle in 2007 not to take anything for granted. However if I have got the schedule right it does give Joe an extra couple.of games to have a look at things before the Italian and French games come around.

bilston · 22-02-2015 10:22AM

Tara Small Yawn wrote: »

Sexton has made it through the game against Clermont unscathed. Played 66 mins.

Win win then, he gets gametime and Racing get him on the field and get a draw with Clermont. However I read that he was timed out on a penalty. I was getting a bit worried about that against France as well. He seems to take ages. I assumed he had the timings under control but this suggests he needs to be really careful.

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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