Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

sydthebeat wrote: »

POM played as lock for munster in an uncontested scrum... does that count?

I prefer him on the wing.

Zzippy wrote: »

Think Seanie has thrown into lineouts a few times, does that count?

Actually I think he has played hooker before, just not at senior level.

sydthebeat

POM played as lock for munster in an uncontested scrum... does that count?

total former wrote: »

Indeed, again when there were no other options available.

He played one test, Kearney played the other one.

edit: Zebo was on the tour - started 2 tests. Trimble also started 2 tests on the right wing.

edit edit: and while I'm at it. Ferg Mcfadden subbed for Luke Marshall at 12 and started at 13 for the 2nd test.

awec wrote: »

Schmidt has never had Bowe and Trimble fit at the same time before (as far as I remember). Open to correction on that though!

He has spoken though about how he liked to have left sided players on the left side because they are able to kick the ball parellel to the touch lines.

He also mentioned during the 6Ns that he didn't want to put Luke Fitz on the right wing because he didn't want to end up with 3 leftsided players on the pitch (Zebo, Kearney & Luke).

Zzippy

.ak wrote: »

Actually, just cuz I'm bored in work, a XV of players from the squad playing in positions they've played in (at any stage) but probably shouldn't have...

15: D'Arcy
14: POM
13: Zebo
12: Rob Kearney
11: Reddan
10: Dave Kearney
09: Madigan
01: Furlong
02: SOB
03: McGrath
04: ???
05: Conan?
06: Boss
07: Strauss
08: ???

Think Seanie has thrown into lineouts a few times, does that count?

total former

jm08 wrote: »

Jones started (and finished) a test v Argentina on the summer tour.

Indeed, again when there were no other options available.

irishbucsfan

I think Schmidt could well be looking at those left footed players for the 11 jersey. It's fascinating though, we'll probably be kept guessing right up until the Italy game at least!

Actually, just cuz I'm bored in work, a XV of players from the squad playing in positions they've played in (at any stage) but probably shouldn't have...

15: D'Arcy
14: POM
13: Zebo
12: Rob Kearney
11: Reddan
10: Dave Kearney
09: Madigan
01: Furlong
02: ???
03: McGrath
04: ???
05: Conan?
06: Boss
07: Strauss
08: ???

total former wrote: »

Not really; we went the entire 2014 6N with McFadden on the bench. Jones came in for the November 2014 internationals because there was quite literally no-one else available for back three cover, rather than for any pre-planned reason.

Jones started (and finished) a test v Argentina on the summer tour.

Witheringeye

awec wrote: »

Schmidt has never had Bowe and Trimble fit at the same time before (as far as I remember). Open to correction on that though!

True but I think we would have seen Trimble at 11 vs wales if joe was leaning that way. Given that McFadden is normally 14 it's pretty strong evidence that Trimble is only seen as a right wing

awec

jm08 wrote: »

Schmit has never played Trimble on the left wing. Think it would also be dodgy to start two wingers with questionable fitness.

Schmidt has never had Bowe and Trimble fit at the same time before (as far as I remember). Open to correction on that though!

awec wrote: »

Our best wing partnership is Trimble on the left and Bowe on the right IMO. If Trimble manages fitness that is what I suspect we'll be hoping to field for the big games.

Schmit has never played Trimble on the left wing. Think it would also be dodgy to start two wingers with questionable fitness.

Awesomeness

.ak wrote: »

He's slotted in on the wing a few times for Leinster (was fairly decent too), and has played at flanker during YC periods.

Wing suits him. Dont have to pass so much

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'm glad someone understood what I was getting at

Well at least connachta would be happy:o

Yeah_Right

.ak wrote: »

He's suggesting he should START, not COVER at FB.

I'm glad someone understood what I was getting at

Zzippy wrote: »

Well thank fcuk for that! :eek:

He's suggesting he should START, not COVER at FB.

MattD

Joe has come out and basically said that his favouring of players that have experience of playing full back is no accident. The full back's play of discipline and kicking and covering opposition kicks is paramount to Ireland's play, and he expects everyone who could actually play in that position be able to play it to a tee.

It explains the reliance on R.Kearney and Jones throughout the years as they're the players that up until now have shown that they can play that role perfectly and follow the playbook. Jones being in the matchday squad so much is more of a 'just in case Rob gets injured' rather than coverage. If Rob gets injured, then Joe is confident that he has a dedicated replacement so he doesn't have to think about a change in gameplan. It's really just a question now of whether Zebo/Dave Kearney have shown that they can do the same (flawlessly sit into the FB position and replicate Rob's play from the 6N), while also bringing more versatility and dynamism to the squad if they're needed on the wing.

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'd forgotten Boss played a lot of FB in NZ. In fact some people reckoned it was his better position. Did he ever play fullback for Ulster or Leinster?

I'm not actually suggesting he should be the FB cover for the RWC.

He's slotted in on the wing a few times for Leinster (was fairly decent too), and has played at flanker during YC periods.

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'd forgotten Boss played a lot of FB in NZ. In fact some people reckoned it was his better position. Did he ever play fullback for Ulster or Leinster?

I'm not actually suggesting he should be the FB cover for the RWC.

From my happy memories of Joe's days in charge of Leinster he had no problem using Boss in any position required; wing, centre, flanker, occasionally scrum half

Buer

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'd forgotten Boss played a lot of FB in NZ. In fact some people reckoned it was his better position. Did he ever play fullback for Ulster or Leinster?

I'm not actually suggesting he should be the FB cover for the RWC.

Stepped in at full back one or twice in games when we had injuries mid game but has never started a game there. Also slotted in at 12 mid-game once, I vaguely recall, during the great midfielder shortage of 2013.

Zzippy

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'd forgotten Boss played a lot of FB in NZ. In fact some people reckoned it was his better position. Did he ever play fullback for Ulster or Leinster?

I'm not actually suggesting he should be the FB cover for the RWC.

Well thank fcuk for that! :eek:

Yeah_Right

total former wrote: »

Why do people think we need to have dedicated FB cover on the bench?

And pretty much everyone except McFadden and Trimble has played FB at some point. Henshaw, Payne, Madigan, Dave Kearney, Earls, Fitz, even Isaac Boss.

I'd forgotten Boss played a lot of FB in NZ. In fact some people reckoned it was his better position. Did he ever play fullback for Ulster or Leinster?

I'm not actually suggesting he should be the FB cover for the RWC.

.ak wrote: »

Don't be silly...

... I cycle.

Zzippy

.ak wrote: »

Finally!!

Teferi knows what.

It's a bit shiny for my liking. Then again, you are a northsider...

dub_skav wrote: »

Is that what you wear when driving your Prius to 3FE?

Don't be silly...

... I cycle.