Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

Hagz · 28-01-2015 6:21pm

total former wrote: »

Henry has played at 8 internationally?

Yep. Against Australia in 2010.

total former · 28-01-2015 6:23pm

Tara Small Yawn wrote: »

Yeah... Aus in 2010? I certainly wouldn't want to see him there again tbh.

Edit, might have been against NZ. I can't recall exactly.

Well Heaslip played against NZ and was, umm, indisposed the following week so that might answer it.

Not sure it qualifies Henry as an 8 though.

vienne86 · 28-01-2015 6:24pm

Any update on Henry's rehab?

bilston · 28-01-2015 6:39pm

I think Henry was brought through as an 8 but only really converted to O/S when Pollock had to retire. Turned out well for him in the end.

Regarding SOB, I think he is our best player (or at least ws before injury) but given the nature of his position is it wise throwing him straight in? Surely at the very least he needs to play on Friday?

Hagz · 28-01-2015 6:45pm

total former wrote: »

Well Heaslip played against NZ and was, umm, indisposed the following week so that might answer it.

Not sure it qualifies Henry as an 8 though.

Well he was in the Irish squad due to his performances for Ulster at 8. Henry originally came through as a 6/8 and only really settled towards 7 in the 2010-11 season.

S12b · 28-01-2015 7:05pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

There isn't much between 6 and 7, but there are specialty skills needed at 8 and Ruddock has struggled with them before, and it's been a while since he was used there.

Oh ya I agree 100%. My point was balance is important in the backrow and a backrow obviously isn't balanced if it doesn't include a fella with the skills required to play 8.

damianmcr · 28-01-2015 7:10pm

Sorry for likely asking for the 100th time but when is the team for Friday announced?

The Lost Sheep · 28-01-2015 7:12pm

damianmcr wrote: »

Sorry for likely asking for the 100th time but when is the team for Friday announced?

Tomorrow lunchtime I assume. Is not likely going to be Friday so when else would it be...

Peregrine · 28-01-2015 7:13pm

damianmcr wrote: »

Sorry for likely asking for the 100th time but when is the team for Friday announced?

Tomorrow.

dtpc191991 · 28-01-2015 10:07pm

I love it when Joe name checks opposition players in interviews. He always the heaps praise however it should strike fear into their hearts as he will have studied them and will know their every move. XD

its_phil · 28-01-2015 10:30pm

dtpc191991 wrote: »

I love it when Joe name checks opposition players in interviews. He always the heaps praise however it should strike fear into their hearts as he will have studied them and will know their every move. XD

Yeah just that he mentioned how the game in Rome finished in 2011 and what the score was, it struck me that he has probably looked back that far at players given how meticulous he is supposed to be. Frightening man.

Quint2010 · 28-01-2015 11:14pm

So are The Wolfhounds effectively a Schmidt coached team or do they have separate coaches?

dtpc191991 · 28-01-2015 11:21pm

Quint2010 wrote: »

So are The Wolfhounds effectively a Schmidt coached team or do they have separate coaches?

Schmidt coached I believe. Also I don't think having the head coach both squads has been done before. It really very clever though as it gives the young guys experience of Schmidt's systems and it creates real continuity so that if there are injuries or promotions after the Wolfhounds game everyone is already aware of their position in the system.

total former · 28-01-2015 11:32pm

Quint2010 wrote: »

So are The Wolfhounds effectively a Schmidt coached team or do they have separate coaches?

Think Dan McFarland is technically in charge but they've all been training as a single squad.

errlloyd · 28-01-2015 11:33pm

Joe is pretty much the only coach (or player) who I will choose to listen to his interview instead of just reading the article. He's just so articulate, gentle and kind sounding.

wp_rathead · 28-01-2015 11:57pm

errlloyd wrote: »

Joe is pretty much the only coach (or player) who I will choose to listen to his interview instead of just reading the article. He's just so articulate, gentle and kind sounding.

He should start doing audiobooks.

durkadurka · 28-01-2015 11:58pm

Iron fist in a velvet glove

.ak · 29-01-2015 12:20pm

Woodies XV for Italy... Isn't buying into the SOB possibility. Good looking team tho.

http://balls.ie/rugby/keith-woods-starting-xv-irelands-opening-six-nations-game/

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Conor Murray
10. Ian Madigan
11. Simon Zebo
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Luke Fitzgerald
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

Thanos · 29-01-2015 12:25pm

Would be more then happy with that..........

irishbucsfan · 29-01-2015 12:25pm

Keith Wood picking Jordi Murphy over TOD?

Sanjuro · 29-01-2015 12:26pm

That'd be a great team to go out against Italy.

thomond2006 · 29-01-2015 12:26pm

I don't understand how you can start Mike Ross, he's third choice at Leinster! By all means have him on the bench if things go wrong for the starter but it's bizarre if he starts.

.ak · 29-01-2015 12:27pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Keith Wood picking Jordi Murphy over TOD?

I didn't listen to the interview but I think he implied Joe would pick him becAuse he's from leinster

vienne86 · 29-01-2015 12:27pm

.ak wrote: »

Woodies XV for Italy... Isn't buying into the SOB possibility. Good looking team tho.

http://balls.ie/rugby/keith-woods-starting-xv-irelands-opening-six-nations-game/

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O’Connell
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Conor Murray
10. Ian Madigan
11. Simon Zebo
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Luke Fitzgerald
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

Very hard to argue with that team. Bench could in interesting.

irishbucsfan · 29-01-2015 12:28pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't understand how you can start Mike Ross, he's third choice at Leinster! By all means have him on the bench if things go wrong for the starter but it's bizarre if he starts.

I don't think you can say he's 3rd choice at Leinster really.

Maybe it comes down to a trade-off between scrummaging ability/experience and input around the field.

Thanos · 29-01-2015 12:49pm

If Ross does not start I don't think I would have him on the bench, he is not really the impact sub sort of player.
I would much rather have a younger more mobile guy who will do enough in the scrum and give something in the loose as the other team are tiring.

GiftofGab · 29-01-2015 1:00pm

Anybody know when the wolfhounds team will be announced?

The Lost Sheep · 29-01-2015 1:04pm

GiftofGab wrote: »

Anybody know when the wolfhounds team will be announced?

This afternoon not sure of time though

slingerz · 29-01-2015 1:05pm

Felix Jones will captain the Wolfhounds

total former · 29-01-2015 1:21pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

I don't understand how you can start Mike Ross, he's third choice at Leinster! By all means have him on the bench if things go wrong for the starter but it's bizarre if he starts.

Ross has started all of Joe's game in charge, the only person to do so. Joe has huge faith in him and he won't be easily swayed just because O'Connor has a different take on it.

Also, Furlong is a more dynamic bench option than Ross but I don't think he would start ahead of Ross, so Furlong isn't really second choice.

I expect Ross to play tomorrow and if does well, to start against Italy.

aimee1 · 29-01-2015 1:24pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Keith Wood picking Jordi Murphy over TOD?

Jordi was the big winner the last 2 weekends so its no surprise.

Ross with moore on the bench makes more sense then the other way around.

aimee1 · 29-01-2015 1:24pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Keith Wood picking Jordi Murphy over TOD?

Jordi was the big winner the last 2 weekends so its no surprise.

Ross with moore on the bench makes more sense then the other way around.

S12b · 29-01-2015 1:28pm

My punt at the WH team:

15: Jones
14: McFadden
13: Payne
12: D'Arcy
11: Earls
10: Madigan
9: Marmion

1: McGrath
2: Strauss
3: Ross
4: Henderson
5: McCarthy
6: Ryan
7: O'Brien
8: Conan

16: Herring
17: Cronin/Bent
18: White
19: Diack
20: Murphy/TOD
21: Boss
22: Keatley
23: Gilroy

Tox56 · 29-01-2015 1:32pm

total former wrote: »

Ross has started all of Joe's game in charge, the only person to do so. Joe has huge faith in him and he won't be easily swayed just because O'Connor has a different take on it.

Also, Furlong is a more dynamic bench option than Ross but I don't think he would start ahead of Ross, so Furlong isn't really second choice.

I expect Ross to play tomorrow and if does well, to start against Italy.

I would still expect Moore to start against Italy. I think Schmidt rates him big time too, and although Ross has started every game Moore wasn't available last time out while Ross struggled in the scrum, and it's not like he has mobility outside the scrum to make up for that

total former · 29-01-2015 1:37pm

Tox56 wrote: »

I would still expect Moore to start against Italy. I think Schmidt rates him big time too, and although Ross has started every game Moore wasn't available last time out while Ross struggled in the scrum, and it's not like he has mobility outside the scrum to make up for that

I dunno, I think Ross did better in November than he's given credit for.

You're right though, the unavailability of Moore throws things a bit, the one thing we know for certain is that the management have no regard for Ah You on any front. It will be interesting, also to see if/where White fits in.

vienne86 · 29-01-2015 1:48pm

S12b wrote: »

My punt at the WH team:

15: Jones
14: McFadden
13: Payne
12: D'Arcy
11: Earls
10: Madigan
9: Marmion

1: McGrath
2: Strauss
3: Ross
4: Henderson
5: McCarthy
6: Ryan
7: O'Brien
8: Conan

16: Herring
17: Cronin/Bent
18: White
19: Diack
20: Murphy/TOD
21: Boss
22: Keatley
23: Gilroy

Well now, that is a nice team. It'll be really interesting to see how Ross goes, assuming he is picked.

Noopti · 29-01-2015 1:50pm

.ak wrote: »

I didn't listen to the interview but I think he implied Joe would pick him becAuse he's from leinster

Woody said that TOD has had a good couple of weeks, but that he really likes Murphy and what he brings.

case885 · 29-01-2015 2:05pm

15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) (capt)
14. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
9. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
2. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
5. Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
6. Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
17. Michael Bent (Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Galwegians/Connacht) *
19. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
20. Eoin McKeon (Corinthians/Connacht) *
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
23. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)

Noopti · 29-01-2015 2:06pm

Case beat me to it. ;-)

Very strong A team. Will be an interesting match.

ssaye2 · 29-01-2015 2:06pm

CatFromHue · 29-01-2015 2:07pm

Is that the A team or the team to face Italy :O

ssaye2 · 29-01-2015 2:07pm

CatFromHue · 29-01-2015 2:10pm

Wow

Reid as the 10 cover
Earls at 13 with Fitz on the wing
Only 1 out and out second row in the squad

sydthebeat · 29-01-2015 2:10pm

earls at 13

internet explodes!!!!!!

case885 · 29-01-2015 2:10pm

Earls at Centre and luke on the wing is a strange one, Payne rested for 1st team?

George Hook · 29-01-2015 2:11pm

Oh Jones was actually captain - bit hard to be captain if you're at the back of the pitch, no? None of the other guys who have been around longer for Ireland good leaders?

irishbucsfan · 29-01-2015 2:11pm

Schmidt out

armchaircoach · 29-01-2015 2:12pm

case885 wrote: »

Earls at Centre and luke on the wing is a strange one, Payne rested for 1st team?

I would assume or at least hope that they are going to swap at some stage.

Although keeping Luke 'the glass man' Fitz away from Burgess might be the cleverer tactical move!!!

case885 · 29-01-2015 2:13pm

I'd say we'll win this by a good score, alot of experienced and young talented players in that team. Jordi and TOD kept for Italy?

Peregrine · 29-01-2015 2:13pm

Interesting to see Earls at 13 and Luke on the wing.

Good to see such a strong team for an A game.

armchaircoach wrote: »

Although keeping Luke 'the glass man' Fitz away from Burgess might be the cleverer tactical move!!!

Good point..

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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