Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

Interested Observer wrote: »

You brought it up.

In answer to a direct question.

But see previous post.

Witheringeye wrote: »

Yeah he is right footed but he's also very good with left
And it's not really an argument. It's basically what joe has said and what his selection history has said

The quote I thought I heard Joe say was something more along the lines of
he didn't want the full set of the back three all kicking with the same kicking leg (paraphrasing).

total former wrote: »

Oh sweet Jesus let's leave it there.

You brought it up.

Interested Observer wrote: »

He'd been out injured for several months, missed the AIs, and just got back to playing right before the tournament is what I recall, and that's why he wasn't involved.

And yes I can remember a rather pathetic amount of squealing over the whole thing.

Oh sweet Jesus let's leave it there.

Witheringeye

smiley_face wrote: »

I've heard DK used to kick penalties so that should make it obvious if anyone has seen him kick at goal?
Kinda kills the whole 'have to be left-legged to play left wing' argument, so Earls can play 11 without that debate.

Yeah he is right footed but he's also very good with left
And it's not really an argument. It's basically what joe has said and what his selection history has said

total former wrote: »

There was Zebo, you may recall there was a brief and cordial discussion over his omission, but it passed very quickly.

He'd been out injured for several months, missed the AIs, and just got back to playing right before the tournament is what I recall, and that's why he wasn't involved.

And yes I can remember a rather pathetic amount of squealing over the whole thing.

Interested Observer wrote: »

Were there many other options in 2014? Lot of injuries as I recall. Schmidt mentioned specifically this year that he didn't want to end up with 3 left footers in the back 3 during the 6N anyway.

Just asking the obvious question, why and how would we need a left-legged player on the right?
Assuming some left-legged bodies are filling each of the other two positions in the back 3...

Interested Observer wrote: »

Were there many other options in 2014? Lot of injuries as I recall. Schmidt mentioned specifically this year that he didn't want to end up with 3 left footers in the back 3 during the 6N anyway.

There was Zebo, you may recall there was a brief and cordial discussion over his omission, but it passed very quickly.

shaungil wrote: »

So they're all gone for a weeks holiday I hear. It's either madness or genius depending on how we perform. I guess they've had a long stint in camp so break makes sense into the run up.

Surely a few will be playing in the Interpros?

total former wrote: »

This whole left-footer thing is being totally overblown. We went through the 2014 6N with Trimble and DK with McFadden on the bench and we managed.

Were there many other options in 2014? Lot of injuries as I recall. Schmidt mentioned specifically this year that he didn't want to end up with 3 left footers in the back 3 during the 6N anyway.

smiley_face wrote: »

I've heard DK used to kick penalties so that should make it obvious if anyone has seen him kick at goal?
Kinda kills the whole 'have to be left-legged to play left wing' argument, so Earls can play 11 without that debate.

This whole left-footer thing is being totally overblown. We went through the 2014 6N with Trimble and DK with McFadden on the bench and we managed.

shaungil

So they're all gone for a weeks holiday I hear. It's either madness or genius depending on how we perform. I guess they've had a long stint in camp so break makes sense into the run up.

Buer

smiley_face wrote:

I've heard DK used to kick penalties so that should make it obvious if anyone has seen him kick at goal? Kinda kills the whole 'have to be left-legged to play left wing' argument, so Earls can play 11 without that debate.

He's right footed.

connachta

Christy42 wrote: »

Depends how badly they need game time. I reckon they would be fine for another bit and would prefer they don't get injured. England will be pretty close to a 1st team and they can come back for that. My thinking on it anyway.

If Joe fails to see Toner's potential at tighthead then Ross can go on the bench and we take the full 8 subs. Really think we are missing a trick there leaving him at lock though;).

Thanks for the 1st part

ionadnapokot wrote: »

McFadden is a right footed
& im nearly 100% sure DK is also a RF

I've heard DK used to kick penalties so that should make it obvious if anyone has seen him kick at goal?
Kinda kills the whole 'have to be left-legged to play left wing' argument, so Earls can play 11 without that debate.

Christy42

total former wrote: »

Murray, Sexton, Kearney?

Depends how badly they need game time. I reckon they would be fine for another bit and would prefer they don't get injured. England will be pretty close to a 1st team and they can come back for that. My thinking on it anyway.

If Joe fails to see Toner's potential at tighthead then Ross can go on the bench and we take the full 8 subs. Really think we are missing a trick there leaving him at lock though;).

ionadnapóca

smiley_face wrote: »

Is McFadden a left footer?
Genuinely don't know.
Also people keep saying DK is a right footer but I think he's a lefty that built up his confidence in his right leg through gaa, same as Rob?

McFadden is a right footed
& im nearly 100% sure DK is also a RF (hes left handed)

irishbucsfan

wittycynic wrote: »

I said in the lead up to the match, and I do think the odds will move between now and October. We've gotten the better of them in the last two outings, but neither of those performances would lead me to believe that we are considerably ahead of them. They have a very strong history of performing at World Cups and were narrow runners-up just four years ago.

They also had a good showing against England in Twickenham last weekend, and have a lot of quality and depth throughout the squad. I fully believe that we have the ability to beat them, but don't be surprised if they are more fancied than they are currently come the group decider.

Yes but the chances of them pushing the needle that far with the bookies based on warm ups and group games is massively slim. We'd have to lose to Italy to make them favourites!

aimee1

france could just as easily lose to italy in the first game as put a score on us. They shipped 55 points to england in march, 1 point less then ireland conceded in the entire 6n.

wittycynic wrote: »

I said in the lead up to the match, and I do think the odds will move between now and October. We've gotten the better of them in the last two outings, but neither of those performances would lead me to believe that we are considerably ahead of them. They have a very strong history of performing at World Cups and were narrow runners-up just four years ago.

They also had a good showing against England in Twickenham last weekend, and have a lot of quality and depth throughout the squad. I fully believe that we have the ability to beat them, but don't be surprised if they are more fancied than they are currently come the group decider.

I'm plagued with the vision that they will turn up and we'll have a gut-wrenching opening half where they open us up.
Then they will get bored with the effort and our lads will dominate the 2nd half and roll them over. Just a thought. ðŸ˜°

Buer

Wang King wrote: »

What odds would Paddy Power give on Earls being our starting 13 first game of the world cup?

Pretty scabby, I'd imagine. At this point, it's a complete toss up between himself and Payne regardless of which is first choice as we're not going to put out a completely full strength side, I'd imagine.

Podge_irl wrote: »

Considering we're 8/15 on to win the group that's pretty unlikely.

I said in the lead up to the match, and I do think the odds will move between now and October. We've gotten the better of them in the last two outings, but neither of those performances would lead me to believe that we are considerably ahead of them. They have a very strong history of performing at World Cups and were narrow runners-up just four years ago.

They also had a good showing against England in Twickenham last weekend, and have a lot of quality and depth throughout the squad. I fully believe that we have the ability to beat them, but don't be surprised if they are more fancied than they are currently come the group decider.

Wang King wrote: »

What odds would Paddy Power give on Earls being our starting 13 first game of the world cup?

I would guess that Payne will start against Canada, Earls against Romania and thereafter our 1st choice team all the way to the final!

Wang King

smiley_face wrote: »

How much influence did the Irish manager have over Payne being moved to 13 at Ulster? I'd say that's the only reason he was moved from fullback.

Also agree it is a done deal now, I think Joe sees him as our 1st choice 13, with Earls next best by a small but decisive margin IMO.

What odds would Paddy Power give on Earls being our starting 13 first game of the world cup?

Podge_irl wrote: »

You could except it wouldn't make any sense considering Payne was the one moved out of his provincial position.

Payne won't be moved to full back regardless of how good a fullback he is because it will disrupt the centres.

How much influence did the Irish manager have over Payne being moved to 13 at Ulster? I'd say that's the only reason he was moved from fullback.

Also agree it is a done deal now, I think Joe sees him as our 1st choice 13, with Earls next best by a small but decisive margin IMO.

Podge_irl

smiley_face wrote: »

Could also say nobody looks better than Payne at 13 and Rob Kearney is a good fullback.
Also, think he's past the learning phase...

You could except it wouldn't make any sense considering Payne was the one moved out of his provincial position.

Payne won't be moved to full back regardless of how good a fullback he is because it will disrupt the centres.

Podge_irl

wittycynic wrote: »

We can certainly beat them, but if we do it'll be by the narrowest of margins. And they will probably be the slim favourites with the bookies in the lead up to the game.

Considering we're 8/15 on to win the group that's pretty unlikely.

The Pheasant2

Christy42 wrote: »

Guessing at a team to face Wales,

Killer, Best, White
Ryan POC
POM Heaslip SOB
Marmion Jakson
Madigan, Henshaw
DK Jones Zebo

McGrath, Cronin, Toner, Henderson, Boss, Cave, Earls.

Good to see Toner get a go at tighthead - he's a bit untested there as of yet but if Moore isn't fit and White doesn't take his chance I reckon Dev could be a bolter for Ross' understudy.

Witheringeye

smiley_face wrote: »

Is McFadden a left footer?
Genuinely don't know.
Also people keep saying DK is a right footer but I think he's a lefty that built up his confidence in his right leg through gaa, same as Rob?

I'm actually not sure but I think he's right. So yeah I suppose there is precedent of it but I think McFadden was played on the "wrong" wing to accommodate for Trimble. Ferg moved to the right and Zebo went to the left when Trimble got injured as well IIRC