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Your irish 23 for the 2019 rugby world cup

The Lost Sheep

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.
This was done before the last world cup.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056389107

So anyone want to try predict a squad for 4 years time?

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Fireball07

Everyone was terrible the last time, really bad. Nobody picked POC, a lot of people dropped people too quickly in general.

15. JJ Hanrahan (27)
14. Rory Scholes (26)
13. Robbie Henshaw (26)
12. Stuart Olding (26)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (31)
10. Ross Byrne (24)
9. Conor Murray (30)
8. Jamie Heaslip (35)
7. Sean O'Brien (32)
6. Peter O'Mahony (29)
5. Dave Foley (31)
4. Iain Henderson (27)
3. Martin Moore (28)
2. Duncan Casey (28)
1. Cian Healy (31)

16. Bryan Byrne (25)
17. Jack McGrath (29)
18. Tadhg Furlong (26)
19. John Madigan (25)
20. Jack O'Donoghue (25)/Jake Heenan (27)/Rhys Ruddock (28)
21. Kieran Marmion (27)
22. Paddy Jackson (27)
23. Keith Earls (31)

connachta

15. JJ Hanrahan (27)
14. Danie Poolman (30)
13. Robbie Henshaw (26)
12. Stuart Olding (26)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (31)
10. Ian Madigan (30)
9. Conor Murray (30)
8. Jordi Murphy (28)
7. Sean O'Brien (32)
6. Peter O'Mahony (29)
5. Dave Foley (31)
4. Iain Henderson (27)
3. Martin Moore (28)
2. Duncan Casey (28)
1. Cian Healy (31)

16. Dave Heffernan (28)
17. Denis Buckley (29)
18. Tadhg Furlong (26)
19. Ultan Dillane (26)
20. Jake Heenan (27)/Rhys Ruddock (28)
21. Kieran Marmion (27)
22. Paddy Jackson (27)
23. Bundee AKi (29)

sydneybound

No Sexton at 34? Reckon he'll still be the main out half till after the 2019 World Cup.

connachta

sydneybound wrote: »

No Sexton at 34? Reckon he'll still be the main out half till after the 2019 World Cup.

No, I'll keep going with Madigan, O'Gara at 34 was declining fast

connachta

connachta wrote: »

15. JJ Hanrahan (27)
14. Danie Poolman (30)
13. Robbie Henshaw (26)
12. Stuart Olding (26)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (31)
10. Ian Madigan (30)
9. Conor Murray (30)
8. Jordi Murphy (28)
7. Sean O'Brien (32)
6. Peter O'Mahony (29)
5. Dave Foley (31)
4. Iain Henderson (27)
3. Martin Moore (28)
2. Duncan Casey (28)
1. Cian Healy (31)

16. Dave Heffernan (28)
17. Denis Buckley (29)
18. Tadhg Furlong (26)
19. Ultan Dillane (26)
20. Jake Heenan (27)/Rhys Ruddock (28)
21. Kieran Marmion (27)
22. Paddy Jackson (27)
23. Bundee AKi (29)

I like the homogeneity, from 26 to 31 y.o could mean cohesion

mfceiling

Ringrose??

sydneybound

connachta wrote: »

No, I'll keep going with Madigan, O'Gara at 34 was declining fast

Very true about O'Gara. I don't think Sexton has had as many hard battles as O'Gara so hopefully for Ireland he can last till 2019. The IRFU will carefully manage him that's for certain.

twistertwise00

15. Rob Kearney(33)
14. Craig Gilroy(28)
13. Garry Ringrose(24)
12. Robbie Henshaw(26)
11. Luke Fitzgerald(31)
10. Jonathan Sexton(34)
9. Conor Murray(30)
8. Jack Conan(27)
7. Sean O'Brien(32)
6. Peter O'Mahony(29)
5. Devin Toner(33)
4. Iain Henderson(27)
3. Tadhg Furlong(26)
2. Sean Cronin(33)
1. Cian Healy(31)

16. Duncan Casey(28)
17. Jack McGrath(29)
18. Martin Moore(28)
19. Dave Foley(31)
20. Jordi Murphy(28)
21. John Cooney(29)
22. Paddy Jackson(27)
23. Keith Earls(31)

twistertwise00

sydneybound wrote: »

Very true about O'Gara. I don't think Sexton has had as many hard battles as O'Gara so hopefully for Ireland he can last till 2019. The IRFU will carefully manage him that's for certain.

Sexton has a contract til 2019 anyway.

Only way he doesn't make next World Cup is injury.

Celly Smunt

I didn't read the "4 years time" part and thought everybody was gone mad there for a minute.

bilston

Having seen how badly wrong people were 4 years ago this is a pretty difficult task. I think there are always far fewer changes than people think and then of course there are bolsters like Henshaw who are impossible to predict because they are only 16 or 17 now.

15 Stuart Olding - if he manages to stay fit I think we'll find that he may move position, he could even up at 10, but I've liked what I seen of him at FB. Kearney could easily still be in position though.
14 Luke Fitzgerald - all his injuries to date may prolong his career
13 Robbie Henshaw - safe bet, although Ringrose is a talent
12 Sam Arnold - only 19 and already has a couple of pro 12 caps under his belt and has already been promoted from the Ulster academy, I think he is quite a prospect.
11 Simon Zebo - May make the 11 jersey his own once Bowe and Trimble etc retire
10 Paddy Jackson - Sexton may still be a factor and then there are the likes of Byrne and JJ, but I think Jackson is most likely to be the 10.
9 Conor Murray - safe bet
1 Cian Healy - injury allowing a safe bet
2 Sean Cronin - next in line to Best
3 Tadgh Furlong - very promising TH, could make the position his own for 10 years
4 Devin Toner - struggling here a bit, but I think Toner could still be around, he isn't renowned for his pace and athleticism so age shouldn't dim his strengths
5 Iain Henderson - will be in the team, not sure if in the second row or back row
6 Peter O'Mahony - if he is in the team will be captain
7 Sean O'Brien - hopefully his body holds up
8 Jack O'Donoghue - very impressed by what I've seen of JOD. He could well be Heaslip's successor.

Hagz

1. Cian Healy (31/32)
2. Richardt Strauss (33)
3. Tadhg Furlong (26)
4. Devin Toner (33)
5. Iain Henderson (27)
6. Peter O'Mahony (30)
7. Sean O'Brien (32)
8. Jack O'Donoghue (25)
9. Conor Murray (30)
10. Jonathan Sexton (34)
11. Keith Earls (31/32)
12. Robbie Henshaw (26)
13. Garry Ringrose (24)
14. Craig Gilroy (28)
15. Rob Kearney (33)

bradders90

Fireball07 wrote: »

Everyone was terrible the last time, really bad. Nobody picked POC, a lot of people dropped people too quickly in general.

15. JJ Hanrahan (27)
14. Rory Scholes (26)
13. Robbie Henshaw (26)
12. Stuart Olding (26)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (31)
10. Ross Byrne (24)
9. Conor Murray (30)
8. Jamie Heaslip (35)
7. Sean O'Brien (32)
6. Peter O'Mahony (29)
5. Dave Foley (31)
4. Iain Henderson (27)
3. Martin Moore (28)
2. Duncan Casey (28)
1. Cian Healy (31)

16. Bryan Byrne (25)
17. Jack McGrath (29)
18. Tadhg Furlong (26)
19. John Madigan (25)
20. Jack O'Donoghue (25)/Jake Heenan (27)/Rhys Ruddock (28)
21. Kieran Marmion (27)
22. Paddy Jackson (27)
23. Keith Earls (31)

Can totally see Heaslip playing when hes 35, a Neanderthal, even injuries are scared to go near him.

bradders90

bilston wrote: »

12 Sam Arnold - only 19 and already has a couple of pro 12 caps under his belt and has already been promoted from the Ulster academy, I think he is quite a prospect.

Where'd you hear that he had already been promoted, have ulster announced it or something?

bilston

bradders90 wrote: »

Where'd you hear that he had already been promoted, have ulster announced it or something?

Someone on the Uafc forum said he had got a development contract along with a couple of other players. Paul Jackson may have been one of the others. Would need to check the forum again.

The Lost Sheep

Considering I started the thread may as well put my own team...
I think it helps if you put age player will be in 4 years time just as guide to other posters etc

15 Rob Kearney (33)
14 Keith Earls (31)
13 Robbie Henshaw (26)
12 Luke Marshall (28)
11 Cian Kelleher (25)
10 Paddy Jackson (27)
9 Conor Murray (30)
1 Cian Healy (31)
2 Niall Scannell (27)
3 Tadhg Furlong (26)
4 Dave Foley (31)
5 Ian Henderson (27)
6 Peter O Mahony (30)
7 Sean O Brien (32)
8 Jack O Donoghue (25)
16 James Cronin (29)
17 Duncan Casey (28)
18 Martin Moore (28)
19 John Madigan (25)
20 Jordi Murphy (28)
21 Kieran Marmion (27)
22 Ross Byrne (24)
23 Stuart Olding (26)

Tox56

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Considering I started the thread may as well put my own team...
I think it helps if you put age player will be in 4 years time just as guide to other posters etc

15 Rob Kearney (33)
14 Keith Earls (31)
13 Robbie Henshaw (26)
12 Luke Marshall (28)
11 Cian Kelleher (25)
10 Paddy Jackson (27)
9 Conor Murray (30)
1 Cian Healy (31)
2 Niall Scannell (27)
3 Tadhg Furlong (26)
4 Dave Foley (31)
5 Ian Henderson (27)
6 Peter O Mahony (30)
7 Sean O Brien (32)
8 Jack O Donoghue (25)
16 James Cronin (29)
17 Duncan Casey (28)
18 Martin Moore (28)
19 John Madigan (25)
20 Jordi Murphy (28)
21 Kieran Marmion (27)
22 Ross Byrne (24)
23 Stuart Olding (26)

I think Heaslip will still be there, hes been indestructible and 35 isnt that old. I would also be very surprised if Kelleher surpasses Fitzgerald in the next 4 years, I think Fitz will be the anchor and dominant force of the Leinster backline (outside Sexton) during that time

The Lost Sheep

Tox56 wrote: »

I think Heaslip will still be there, hes been indestructible and 35 isnt that old. I would also be very surprised if Kelleher surpasses Fitzgerald in the next 4 years, I see Fitz as being the anchor and dominant force of the Leinster backline (outside Sexton) during that time

Im not sure on Heaslip and I agree on his lack of injuries etc thus far. I threw Kelleher in as had to have 3/4 guys who are bit off this level yet and said why not....

Witheringeye

1mcgrath
2strauss
3furlong
4toner
5henderson
6pom
7sob
8heaslip
9murray
10sexton
11fitz
12Peter Robb
13henshaw
14earls
15 Dkearney
16healy
17scannell
18moore
19dave foley
20jordi Murphy
21luke McGrath
22pjackson
23zebo

Peter Robb is obviously a total wildcard as there's a big chance he may never kick on....but he has physical attributes the likes of which Ireland have never seen in a back. Surprisingly quite pacy for his size as well

total former

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

This was done before the last world cup.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056389107

I know hindsight is great and all that, but I had to laugh at the guy who picked Sykes and Nagle for our 2015 second row.

irishbucsfan

total former wrote: »

I know hindsight is great and all that, but I had to laugh at the guy who picked Sykes and Nagle for our 2015 second row.

And Jamie Hagan at TH and Fionn Carr on the wing, a truly awful prediction (from me, in case anyone thinks I'm being ridiculously harsh on someone else!).

I honestly don't think I would have believed anyone if they'd told me POC would still be starting for this team, let alone captain. His longevity is impressive but also surprising given at one point there were people on this forum certain that he wasn't going to make it back from that period of sustained injury, what a legend.

My 2019 team will be 100% correct and it will be:

McGrath (29)
Strauss (33)
Furlong (26)
Toner (33)
Henderson (27)
O'Mahoney (30) - Capt
O'Donoghue (25)

Murray (30)
Sexton (34)
D Kearney (30)
Henshaw (26)
Ringrose (24)
Earls (32)
R Kearney (33)

B Byrne (26)
D Buckley (29)
M Moore (28)
James Ryan (23)
CJ Stander (29)
L McGrath (26)
P Jackson (27)
F Jones (32)

This time I've erred on the side of longevity, and thrown in a few less curveballs...

Buer

Irish rugby moves at a glacial pace. If they're in the 23 now and of a realistic age profile, they're by far the most likely to be involved in 2019 still, I would think. Look at how little change there has been between 2011 and now despite a different coach coming in. Essentially we're looking at 2 changes in our pack in 4 years, both players (Toner and POM) who got their opportunities due to injuries to others.

Toner is probably our most likely starter of any lock but some people don't have in the 23.

Strauss and Cronin are both of a good age profile. Our back row might be the same but on the balance of probabilities, I'd expect injuries to end the career of someone there before 2019, most likely SOB or Heaslip walking away.

Murray is nailed down almost at this point. Nobody near him and nothing to suggest any of the young talent is going to get there either in the next 4 seasons.

Backs are harder to predict as they mature younger and we could genuinely see a few guys come through into the national starting side that are in an academy spot at the moment like Scholes but the likes of Zebo and Dave Kearney are in a strong position with age on their side.

I can see our starting players being made up of about 10-12 guys who are in the 23 for the Italy/France games.

.ak

These threads are always a bit of fun, especially when you look back at after 4 years. One thing I notice from the last thread that everyone just seemed to pick the names that seemed to be making a splash at u20 level. I think it just goes to prove how hard the journey is to the top level, despite having that natural pedigree.

For me, this is how I see the team, which I reckon will be largely conservative.

Payne (33)
Earls (31)
Henshaw (26)
McCloskey (27)
Fitzgerald (31)
Sexton (34)
Murray (30)
Heaslip (35)
SOB (32)
Ruddock (28)
Toner (33)
Henderson (27)
Moore (27)
Strauss (33)
Healy (32)

Subs:
Cronin
McGrath
Furlong
Foley
Murphy
Marmion
Jackson
Zebo

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

And Jamie Hagan at TH and Fionn Carr on the wing, a truly awful prediction (from me, in case anyone thinks I'm being ridiculously harsh on someone else!).

I honestly don't think I would have believed anyone if they'd told me POC would still be starting for this team, let alone captain. His longevity is impressive but also surprising given at one point there were people on this forum certain that he wasn't going to make it back from that period of sustained injury, what a legend.

My 2019 team will be 100% correct and it will be:

McGrath (29)
Strauss (33)
Furlong (26)
Toner (33)
Henderson (27)
O'Mahoney (30) - Capt
O'Donoghue (25)

Murray (30)
Sexton (34)
D Kearney (30)
Henshaw (26)
Ringrose (24)
Earls (32)
R Kearney (33)

B Byrne (26)
D Buckley (29)
M Moore (28)
James Ryan (23)
CJ Stander (29)
L McGrath (26)
P Jackson (27)
F Jones (32)

This time I've erred on the side of longevity, and thrown in a few less curveballs...

Could do with an extra back row there I think.

This kind of thing is near enough impossible to predict, but what the hey...

McGrath Cronin Moore
Henderson Toner
POM Heaslip SOB

Murray Sexton
Arnold Henshaw
Zebo Kearney Fitzgerald

Casey, Cronin, Furlong, Foley, Murphy, Marmion, Jackson, Madigan

Tox56

irishbucsfan wrote: »

And Jamie Hagan at TH and Fionn Carr on the wing, a truly awful prediction (from me, in case anyone thinks I'm being ridiculously harsh on someone else!).

I honestly don't think I would have believed anyone if they'd told me POC would still be starting for this team, let alone captain. His longevity is impressive but also surprising given at one point there were people on this forum certain that he wasn't going to make it back from that period of sustained injury, what a legend.

My 2019 team will be 100% correct and it will be:

McGrath (29)
Strauss (33)
Furlong (26)
Toner (33)
Henderson (27)
O'Mahoney (30) - Capt
O'Donoghue (25)

Murray (30)
Sexton (34)
D Kearney (30)
Henshaw (26)
Ringrose (24)
Earls (32)
R Kearney (33)

B Byrne (26)
D Buckley (29)
M Moore (28)
James Ryan (23)
CJ Stander (29)
L McGrath (26)
P Jackson (27)
F Jones (32)

This time I've erred on the side of longevity, and thrown in a few less curveballs...

I see you are the only one in this thread accounting for the fact the openside position will cease to exist in 4 years

bilston

.ak wrote: »

These threads are always a bit of fun, especially when you look back at after 4 years. One thing I notice from the last thread that everyone just seemed to pick the names that seemed to be making a splash at u20 level. I think it just goes to prove how hard the journey is to the top level, despite having that natural pedigree.

For me, this is how I see the team, which I reckon will be largely conservative.

Payne (33)
Earls (31)
Henshaw (26)
McCloskey (27)
Fitzgerald (31)
Sexton (34)
Murray (30)
Heaslip (35)
SOB (32)
Ruddock (28)
Toner (33)
Henderson (27)
Moore (27)
Strauss (33)
Healy (32)

Subs:
Cronin
McGrath
Furlong
Foley
Murphy
Marmion
Jackson
Zebo

I think that is a fairly realistic team. There will be a bolter or two though. That's why I went for Arnold, others will go for Ringrose, but Henshaw shows you will get the odd new guy that blasts through the system.

But it does take time, unless they are really special or if there is a specific need for a player it usually takes 4-5 years for a player to move from the U20s into a regular starting XV spot.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

I think that is a fairly realistic team. There will be a bolter or two though. That's why I went for Arnold, others will go for Ringrose, but Henshaw shows you will get the odd new guy that blasts through the system.

But it does take time, unless they are really special or if there is a specific need for a player it usually takes 4-5 years for a player to move from the U20s into a regular starting XV spot.

McCloskey for me is the up and coming guy that'll make it. I think he's already been eyed up by the management, but for me he's the best all rounder out of the up and coming centres and already has a natural ability to distribute and fix defenders, plus he's already made for international rugby.

I think Arnold will be stuck behind him at Ulster too.

Awesomeness

Looking at the old thread I got a horrible feeling seeing Nevin Spences name there so much. RIP

Squidgy Black

The amount of people who had Luke McGrath starting or on the bench from the old thread is interesting. And if Murray was starting it was McGrath or Marmion on the bench.

Buer

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

The amount of people who had Luke McGrath starting or on the bench from the old thread is interesting. And if Murray was starting it was McGrath or Marmion on the bench.

The odd person wanted Paul Marshall in the set up too. It goes to show just how much people base on very much flavour of the month opinions. Neither McGrath nor Marshall had shown anything to suggest they were capable of playing decent level test rugby.

Significant number of people had Fionn Carr in their team which I found a tad bizarre given we had real options at wing in the shape of Bowe, Fitz, Earls, Trimble etc.

The selections this time are a little more reined in at least!