Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

31-08-2015 11:32AM

awec wrote: »

It does seem completely pointless to wait.

I'm trying to think of some conceivable reason but I got nothing. All they'd need to do is put an article on their website. I can't think of anything stopping then doing that.

blackwarrior · 31-08-2015 11:32AM

awec wrote: »

It does seem completely pointless to wait.

I'm not sure when this Tuesday announcement date first cropped up (only a couple of days ago I think). In recent weeks, Schmidt was always telling the non-travelling players on Sunday, and I assumed that the public announcement was going to be today. Seems strange.

leonard7 · 31-08-2015 11:40AM

heard on the grapevine that Bowe hasn't made the cut. However, its a rumour albeit from a good source. It would be a ballsy move and just waiting to see if it's true or not.

MJohnston · 31-08-2015 11:42AM

Tin foil hat back on again but...squad registration deadline is today, maybe just making sure all the other teams are set in stone first?

Thanos · 31-08-2015 11:52AM

leonard7 wrote: »

heard on the grapevine that Bowe hasn't made the cut. However, its a rumour albeit from a good source. It would be a ballsy move and just waiting to see if it's true or not.

I think that would be a really strange one if true, big fast player able to get past a defender and can win ball in the air for you. Not impossible but....................

.ak · 31-08-2015 11:53AM

MJohnston wrote: »

Tin foil hat back on again but...squad registration deadline is today, maybe just making sure all the other teams are set in stone first?

Or getting a good handle on injuries and rehab timelines.

thevinylword · 31-08-2015 11:55AM

Would be stunned if Jackson didn't go, risky risky move if true

awec · 31-08-2015 11:56AM

Leaving Bowe behind would be absolutely mental.

I can't see it. He'd have been playing loads these past few weeks if he looked like being cut, I can't see Schmidt just suddenly dropping the guy who is on paper the best winger in the country and a huge bank of credit out of the squad entirely without giving him a chance.

Buer · 31-08-2015 12:00PM

One test where he's taken off before the hour and then a start for Ulster where he's taken off at half time in a planned substitution.

Nothing indicates he's not absolutely on the plane.

With that said, if his RWC showing is similar to his 6N showing (pretty mundane by his standards), his spot is under real pressure for the 6N.

leonard7 · 31-08-2015 12:01PM

awec i agree and hence don't believe the rumour. I hope its not true. Just thought i'd share it as it was from a reputable source and in fairness i think his place should be up for discussion just as much as other wingers. It is definitely the hardest spot to get into. I mean gilroy who has had a great season could only make 24th man for one warm up game. Really tells all there is to know

Leslie91 · 31-08-2015 12:06PM

Buer wrote: »

Official announcement at lunch time tomorrow. I'm sure we'll hear the first leaks by end of the afternoon.

Today is the deadline though ref Gerry in IT.

.ak · 31-08-2015 12:10PM

Leslie91 wrote: »

Today is the deadline though ref Gerry in IT.

It is, but IRFU aren't planning to publicly announce the 31 until tomorrow.

... around lunchtime.

padser · 31-08-2015 12:10PM

leonard7 wrote: »

heard on the grapevine that Bowe hasn't made the cut. However, its a rumour albeit from a good source. It would be a ballsy move and just waiting to see if it's true or not.

Heard similar. Only thing I have heard actually.

awec · 31-08-2015 12:13PM

Thread title changed

Leslie91 · 31-08-2015 12:17PM

.ak wrote: »

It is, but IRFU aren't planning to publicly announce the 31 until tomorrow.

... around lunchtime.

Hadn't heard that... sounds awful stupid to me (not shooting the messenger btw).

Surely it will be out before then... esp since lads know right now. In fact the group gathering in Carton today are solely the 31 so unless they have a 10m high fence around the place and no staff on site then they've no chance of it being kept qt until tomorrow.

.ak · 31-08-2015 12:18PM

Leslie91 wrote: »

Hadn't heard that... sounds awful stupid to me (not shooting the messenger btw).

Surely it will be out before then... esp since lads know right now. In fact the group gathering in Carton today are solely the 31 so unless they have a 10m high fence around the place and no staff on site then they've no chance of it being kept qt until tomorrow.

It's been mentioned a few times in the media the official reveal is tomorrow.

But yeh, should be leaked at some stage you'd imagine.

Baxtardo · 31-08-2015 12:21PM

Is it a bank holiday up Norf? That could have something to do with why the announcement is tomorrow. Who knows though.

wittycynic · 31-08-2015 12:21PM

leonard7 wrote: »

heard on the grapevine that Bowe hasn't made the cut. However, its a rumour albeit from a good source. It would be a ballsy move and just waiting to see if it's true or not.

Would be a shocking decision insofar as no one would expect it. Difficult to believe as he is, on the basis of ability and proven record, comfortably the best winger we have. He also possesses many attributes that we known Joe values highly: very reliable defensively, very competent in the air and under high balls, hits rucks well, very physical.

But his performances for Ireland, as of late, have been mediocre and pretty unimaginative.

If we were picking on form alone Zeebs and Davey K would be our starting wings, but with Trimble just back from injury, and given Earls and Fitzgerald's mixed performances at 11, I'd be hard pressed to believe that any of those latter three have displaced Bowe from being chosen as a travelling wing in our WC squad.

awec · 31-08-2015 12:23PM

Baxtardo wrote: »

Is it a bank holiday up Norf? That could have something to do with why the announcement is tomorrow. Who knows though.

It is aye, could be delayed to suit the nordy journos.

blackwarrior · 31-08-2015 12:26PM

awec wrote: »

It is aye, could be delayed to suit the nordy journos.

Yeah, like we never played a 6N game on St Patrick's Day!

Zzippy · 31-08-2015 12:27PM

awec wrote: »

It is aye, could be delayed to suit the nordy journos.

The lazy ba$tards!

MJohnston · 31-08-2015 12:28PM

awec wrote: »

It is aye, could be delayed to suit the nordy journos.

Sure they'll all be pulling overtime at the minute anyway because of Mike Nesbitt

bilston · 31-08-2015 12:30PM

leonard7 wrote: »

heard on the grapevine that Bowe hasn't made the cut. However, its a rumour albeit from a good source. It would be a ballsy move and just waiting to see if it's true or not.

My issue with that is why would he only be given one game to prove himself? Every other back three player (bar Trimble) got more than that.

connachta · 31-08-2015 12:30PM

Bowe isn't out of the squad, he's the 3rd SH:p

damianmcr · 31-08-2015 12:32PM

Baxtardo wrote: »

Is it a bank holiday up Norf? That could have something to do with why the announcement is tomorrow. Who knows though.

But this is the one fecking day this Nordie isnt in work and could have watched it live.

We are always last!!:mad:

Larbre34 · 31-08-2015 12:55PM

Crikey, Brian O'Driscoll's website is like a designer threw up.

padser · 31-08-2015 01:02PM

bilston wrote: »

My issue with that is why would he only be given one game to prove himself? Every other back three player (bar Trimble) got more than that.

I think (and I think I've posted this before) that many people fundamentally misunderstand what the propose of warm up games are.

They are not really opportunities for players to prove form over other players. They are opportunities to get game time and prove fitness.

Let's say (for arguments sake) that Bowe didn't have a great 6N, wasn't particularly good for Ulster in the second half of the season and has been performing poorly in training (let's say his gym numbers are 10% down on last yr and 5% below the others competing for his position).

If that's the case, it doesn't matter what he does against a second string Scottish side....it probably doesn't change the coaches opinion of where he is right now.

Just to be clear, I'm not even sure I believe it myself about Bowe. But if it is true, I doubt running in some tries in warm up matches would have made a difference.....

The Rape of Lucretia · 31-08-2015 01:13PM

bilston wrote: »

My issue with that is why would he only be given one game to prove himself? Every other back three player (bar Trimble) got more than that.

No one was given a game or even two to prove or not prove themselves. What we saw on the pitch is only a tiny part of the picture determining selection. If selection expectation is based on what we saw in the last 3 games then it will be very out of kilter with the true selections.

The Pheasant2 · 31-08-2015 01:14PM

leonard7 wrote: »

heard on the grapevine that Bowe hasn't made the cut. However, its a rumour albeit from a good source. It would be a ballsy move and just waiting to see if it's true or not.

I've been told this too! Not sure if I'd believe it though...source is reliable enough though so I dunno..

awec · 31-08-2015 01:14PM

The warm ups are definitely used for players to prove themselves. Otherwise we wouldn't have seen players tried in different positions and different combinations tried. If it was just about game time and fitness the majority of the team would have remained unchanged each match.

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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