Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-08-2015 10:56AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Wouldn't it be gas if Joe was making all these random decisions just to mess with people on Boards.ie.

Hi Joe!

He's the one pushing the Boss/Marmian argument! The troll!

27-08-2015 10:58AM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

He's the one pushing the Boss/Marmian argument! The troll!

Joe is Connachta confirmed.

Everytime Boss or Marmion sit down with Joe looking for an update he starts quoting some of the comments from the thread just for the mind fcuk. Lad's heads must be wrecked.

The Pheasant2 · 27-08-2015 11:02AM

Team announcement today? Lunch time? Surprised Wales have yet to name their team

ionadnapóca · 27-08-2015 11:02AM

total former wrote: »

It's not impossible. Dave K is in the mix too. Lots of quality for limited spaces. I don't think Trimble is a definite by any means.

I would say Trimble and Bowe are JS fav Irish wingers. Both are probably Irelands most physical wingers. Excellent at following up the kick and competing in the air. Consistent And good decision makers (Trimble has made massive improvement here since JS took charge).

Witheringeye wrote: »

And he's also known to be very good off his left as well. joe sees him as the only person who can cover both wings so it's fitz vs earls

It's a good logic as to why DK is very much in the mix (re: cover both wings. i cant ever recall him kicking the ball with his left foot!). But i would argue that JS would have enough options with LF (11,13), SZ (11,15), TB (14), AT (14) and KE (14,13) in the squad. He wouldnt need DK in the squad to cover both wings or indeed FB.

And i wonder if JS will rigidly stick to playing left footers (SZ & LF ) or left handed wingers (DK) on the left wing.
For e.g has JS had the option of both Trimble and Bowe been both fit at the same time?
I would think JS would put Trimble or Bowe into the 11 jersey at the WC ahead of SZ and DK. And prob even Fitzgerald.

connachta · 27-08-2015 11:03AM

aimee1 wrote: »

Yet you follow connacht :-P

Oh, come on, they improved a lot about attractive rugby under Lam. Leinster and Munster took the reverse way

MattD · 27-08-2015 11:05AM

If we have 6 Half-backs from the 14 backs (including Madigan as a Half back, and assuming we're bringing 3 SHs) That leaves 8 players that cover 11-15 adequately to select.

Definitely going for me is the first choice:

Fitzgerald - Henshaw - Payne - Bowe
Kearney

Then Earls as Centre Cover, and Zebo as Full Back cover shown by Joe's trust in actually starting him at FB which is significant. Joe obviously has a lot of respect for the FB position and uses it as an integral part of his play and winning strategy. So whoever he starts in that position you know has gotten the brief drilled into him. It was Jones before, but now it looks like Zebo has done enough to be trusted as potential back up FB and get the 23 jersey, so there's no need for Jones anymore.

So now it's purely a race between Trimble and Dave for the last spot as Wing Cover. I don't think Dave's experience at FB will count for much, because I don't think Joe plans to use him there at all.

So Trimble's experience vs Dave's variety of play? Trimble's injury proneness vs Dave's decision-making? Trimble not being fit deciding it quickly?

Witheringeye · 27-08-2015 11:10AM

I know people think DK isn't going to make it (if you assume Trimble has his place), but IMO all needs is a solid performance on Saturday and he's in the squad. I think earls or fitz is going got lose out. I don't see the need to bring two winger/13s. I think earls is at a disadvantage in that he's smaller and he's right footed (as are Trimble, DK & bowe).

FWIW I'm not trying to dispute who's more talented, but when it comes down to picking a World Cup squad there's so many other permutations that have to be considered.

Witheringeye · 27-08-2015 11:17AM

phog wrote: »

But not possible either

Ok well of you can't see the trend then there's no point trying to convince you

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-08-2015 11:18AM

I can't understand so many people having Fitz as a certainty in the final squad. He's had so many injuries the past few years and I can't say he's done anything of note lately to make me think he deserves it over some of the other players. I can see him travelling, certainly, but I don't think he's one of the already on the list players as some people seem to think he is.

27-08-2015 11:21AM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I can't understand so many people having Fitz as a certainty in the final squad. He's had so many injuries the past few years and I can't say he's done anything of note lately to make me think he deserves it over some of the other players. I can see him travelling, certainly, but I don't think he's one of the already on the list players as some people seem to think he is.

I wouldn't have said a certainty, but he was the best back in Leinster last season and he was excellent against Scotland bar one or two errors.

I think people are going by the potential selection this weekend and are reading too much into it. Joe could well still use both Wales and England as sample games to test certain combinations before finalising his squad, or the squad is picked and it's a pure warm up game. We don't know, players probably don't either.

flangemeistro · 27-08-2015 11:22AM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I can't understand so many people having Fitz as a certainty in the final squad. He's had so many injuries the past few years and I can't say he's done anything of note lately to make me think he deserves it over some of the other players. I can see him travelling, certainly, but I don't think he's one of the already on the list players as some people seem to think he is.

If you take a look back at previous posts of these "so many people" and where their club allegiances ly then you'll realise why they're saying he's on the plane, they're trying to convince themselves as well as everyone else.
Must be nice to live in fantasy land.

ionadnapóca · 27-08-2015 11:23AM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I can't understand so many people having Fitz as a certainty in the final squad. He's had so many injuries the past few years and I can't say he's done anything of note lately to make me think he deserves it over some of the other players. I can see him travelling, certainly, but I don't think he's one of the already on the list players as some people seem to think he is.

That is the major... major concern with LF & KE. But u cant rule them out of the squad in case they do get injured. They're fit now. And LF started v Scot 6N. If they get injured. Come on in Dave Kearney

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-08-2015 11:23AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I wouldn't have said a certainty, but he was the best back in Leinster last season and he was excellent against Scotland bar one or two errors.

I think people are going by the potential selection this weekend and are reading too much into it. Joe could well still use both Wales and England as sample games to test certain combinations before finalising his squad, or the squad is picked and it's a pure warm up game. We don't know, players probably don't either.

I think the final squad has to be named before the England match so at most it will be used to test combinations. The Wales game this weekend is the last chance to make big decisions. I think?

flangemeistro · 27-08-2015 11:24AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

he was excellent against Scotland bar one or two errors.

Did you actually keep a straight face while typing that?

smiley_face · 27-08-2015 11:26AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I wouldn't have said a certainty, but he was the best back in Leinster last season and he was excellent against Scotland bar one or two errors.

I think people are going by the potential selection this weekend and are reading too much into it. Joe could well still use both Wales and England as sample games to test certain combinations before finalising his squad, or the squad is picked and it's a pure warm up game. We don't know, players probably don't either.

Which Scotland match? He was good in the 6 nations, but very poor in the warm-up match, only catching the cross-field kick pass saved him from being disastrous.

We certainly don't know, and I suspect there are a few guys that will get called up as injury cover during the tournament, so there are so many contenders there's even competition for that too.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-08-2015 11:26AM

ionadnapokot wrote: »

That is the major... major concern with LF & KE. But u cant rule them out of the squad in case they do get injured. There fit now. And LF started v Scot 6N. If they get injured. Come on in Dave Kearney

I wouldn't rule them out just because they're injury prone. I just see a lot of people, not just in this thread, including Fitz in the definite list and then debating Trimble's merits against other players to make up the final few names.

I know Trimble's an injury concern at the moment, which makes it difficult, but given recent form in green he's done better than Fitz, D Kearney, Earls etc. Granted it's over a year since he was player of the tournament at the 6 Nations but I still think that kind of form should be taken into account. Personally I think, assuming there's no worry about the foot, Trimble should be nailed on over any of the rest of the names in contention there.

27-08-2015 11:31AM

flangemeistro wrote: »

Did you actually keep a straight face while typing that?

In the Six Nations.

ionadnapóca · 27-08-2015 11:33AM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I wouldn't rule them out just because they're injury prone. I just see a lot of people, not just in this thread, including Fitz in the definite list and then debating Trimble's merits against other players to make up the final few names.

I know Trimble's an injury concern at the moment, which makes it difficult, but given recent form in green he's done better than Fitz, D Kearney, Earls etc. Granted it's over a year since he was player of the tournament at the 6 Nations but I still think that kind of form should be taken into account. Personally I think, assuming there's no worry about the foot, Trimble should be nailed on over any of the rest of the names in contention there.

Yea i also reckon Trimble is nailed on. The only ? is that we havent seen him play in the same JS team as Bowe. That is why i think DK is getting considered here. In fairness i would say JS is keeping has to keep all his options open until after the Wales game

27-08-2015 11:34AM

smiley_face wrote: »

Which Scotland match? He was good in the 6 nations, but very poor in the warm-up match, only catching the cross-field kick pass saved him from being disastrous.

We certainly don't know, and I suspect there are a few guys that will get called up as injury cover during the tournament, so there's so many contenders there's even competition for that too.

I was talking about the 6N but he wasn't disastrous in the warm up game either. I guess people see what they want to see, but he is a winger that defends very well (both physically and in covering space around the pitch) and he has a confident awareness of when to come in field.

Also watch some of his clear out work, technically excellent considering it's not a primary duty of a winger.

smiley_face · 27-08-2015 11:41AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I was talking about the 6N but he wasn't disastrous in the warm up game either. I guess people see what they want to see, but he is a winger that defends very well (both physically and in covering space around the pitch) and he has a confident awareness of when to come in field.

Also watch some of his clear out work, technically excellent considering it's not a primary duty of a winger.

No he wasn't disastrous, but if he hadn't caught that kick then he would have been described as disastrous.
He could potentially light up in the next few matches, but I was very disappointed in his most recent performance against Scotland, was expecting him to be a lot quicker and sharper.

The Pheasant2 · 27-08-2015 11:44AM

smiley_face wrote: »

No he wasn't disastrous, but if he hadn't caught that kick then he would have been described as disastrous.
He could potentially light up in the next few matches, but I was very disappointed in his most recent performance against Scotland, was expecting him to be a lot quicker and sharper.

He was just back after surgery tbf

vienne86 · 27-08-2015 11:51AM

molloyjh wrote: »

Did he not say he'll definitely play? I'm fairly sure he did, but my memory isn't the most reliable....

That's what I remember too......but my memory could be faulty too...

leakyboots · 27-08-2015 11:56AM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I can't understand so many people having Fitz as a certainty in the final squad. He's had so many injuries the past few years and I can't say he's done anything of note lately to make me think he deserves it over some of the other players. I can see him travelling, certainly, but I don't think he's one of the already on the list players as some people seem to think he is.

In the same boat as you, I genuinely don't see what Fitz has done to warrant automatic inclusion.

shuffol · 27-08-2015 11:56AM

Is it possible going by the proposed team that Earls and Fitz could be fighting it out for the one spot seeing as they'll both have had a start at 11 and 13.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-08-2015 12:03PM

Wales have named their team for Saturday. I stuck it in the match thread too but here it is.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 27-08-2015 12:05PM

Also, D'Arcy is in Leinster's starting 15 for their match tomorrow night. Nail on coffin?

Witheringeye · 27-08-2015 12:14PM

Last weeks game against Scotland was by no means a vintage performance by fitzy (or any of the Irish lads, but he still had a similar if not better game than Simon "man of the Match" Zebo. I reckon he only really made 2 clear cut errors.
The most blatant one was the knock on from first receiver. Unforgivable.

The second was when he missed touch. Again unforgivable.

Early in the game there was the miscommunication when fitz stepped inside and Zebo passes into touch. Zebo was eating up space running laterally and fitz made the right decision. Hen there was another awful pass which you'd expect fitz to take some of the time time but can't blame him for it.

He also defended well and was effective in clean outs.
Oh and his try was well finished and initiated

leakyboots · 27-08-2015 12:17PM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Wales have named their team for Saturday. I stuck it in the match thread too but here it is.

Bit unfair to card Alun Wyn Jones before the game has even started

27-08-2015 12:21PM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Also, D'Arcy is in Leinster's starting 15 for their match tomorrow night. Nail on coffin?

He's playing to stay fit for a call up, nail in coffin would be retirement announcement.

27-08-2015 12:22PM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Wales have named their team for Saturday. I stuck it in the match thread too but here it is.

Warburton injured?

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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