Post RWC

Dubinusa · 30-10-2019 3:16pm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Just in terms of results, last 6 nations we won 3 games and it was a disaster......I know what you mean and I think 3 wins would be positive but some people expectations are a little higher

Ross Byrne is playing well, but he has been playing well now for a number of years and doesn't seem to be in favour so I don't expect to see him. H Byrne is coming off the bench and getting experience but he is a long way from the squad, maybe a few weekend with the squad just to get a feel for it.....

Sexton is not going anywhere, he says the Lions tour will be swansong. If he is the form 10 then I don't see why he wouldn't be picked, if Carbery is playing better then he starts. Simple as that. Carbery biggest issue at the moment is staying fit, he has had a bad run and seemingly is still suffering from the ankle.

Not sure about Carty, no surprise, he is 27 now....next WC he will be 31. Burns and some of the younger outhalfs would be a better investment. Carbery/Burns/H Byrne would be a good line up for next few seasons.

Number 9 I have no idea, I dont think Murray will make another WC, he probably plans to make it himself. If that is the case would Ireland do a NZ and give him a year off? Casey in Munster looks the options but limited time in first team and like H Byrne probably not till next year.

Cooney is meh....so do they look at McGrath and Marmion and maybe JGP?

The likes of TOD etc are just wasted caps in my opinion, they are no better than the older generation and just stopping younger players getting a chance. They should be all cut out of options unless we have a nightmare.

I dont really care about form either, whats the point in giving someone 10 caps when they have no long term future. I would include the like of Cronin in that bracket, he wil never be the number one hooker so drop him out

Agreed!. I think we won't see Cronin again or anyone in the bracket. 3 wins in the 6nations would be good imo, especially after this rwc. England and Wales will be tough. I hope we can at least win the 3 others.
Personally I would build towards the next rwc, starting with the 6nations.
So, I would drop P.O.M and Earl's to start.
Conway is an ideal replacement for Earls. Ruddock for P.O.M with a couple of younger lads being introduced.
I would also bring back McCloskey and give him a chance. At least for the 6nations.
Hume looks to be a good player, so maybe he can force his way into the squad.
I don't see Henshaw being healthy for the long term. He is very injury prone and I think his role at 12 has hurt his career. Maybe he plays great and makes it! But, I doubt it.
Aki will have a shot, but I hope that we can find a better playmaker at 12.
Anyway, it's pure speculation at the moment.

Podge_irl · 30-10-2019 3:19pm

There is no point building for a wold cup 4 years out. Probably a third of the starting team in 2023 aren't even playing professional rugby yet.

Shefwedfan · 30-10-2019 3:35pm

Podge_irl wrote: »

There is no point building for a wold cup 4 years out. Probably a third of the starting team in 2023 aren't even playing professional rugby yet.

Im not saying drop the entire squad. Pointless.

The likes of Sexton/Murray etc if they are in form they should be still in contention.

I am talking about the players that are kind of hanging around the squad, place is in doubt etc. Drop these players out of contention. I don't see why we would keep Cronin, better to concentrate on Scannell etc and nail down a hooker.

No harm to TOD but he ain't going to get any better at this stage of his career so why would you bring him in instead of a young player etc ect

Shefwedfan · 30-10-2019 3:38pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Agreed!. I think we won't see Cronin again or anyone in the bracket. 3 wins in the 6nations would be good imo, especially after this rwc. England and Wales will be tough. I hope we can at least win the 3 others.
Personally I would build towards the next rwc, starting with the 6nations.
So, I would drop P.O.M and Earl's to start.
Conway is an ideal replacement for Earls. Ruddock for P.O.M with a couple of younger lads being introduced.
I would also bring back McCloskey and give him a chance. At least for the 6nations.
Hume looks to be a good player, so maybe he can force his way into the squad.
I don't see Henshaw being healthy for the long term. He is very injury prone and I think his role at 12 has hurt his career. Maybe he plays great and makes it! But, I doubt it.
Aki will have a shot, but I hope that we can find a better playmaker at 12.
Anyway, it's pure speculation at the moment.

I think Wales might crash and burn. If you look at the squad I don't really see many big names and Pivac won't play the same style as Gatland(kick and chase) so I could see them going downhill for a season or two

England and I think France will be strong. We face both away and I think we might lose both. Especially the England game unless we catch them with WC hangover.

I always wanted McCloskey to get a chance, I just dont know anymore. Is he really the answer? Henshaw is one player who could make another WC, but maybe he needs a season off. His injury run recently is poor but he is constantly been pushed back into a team in record time. Even BOD said it years ago he couldnt understand how he recovered so quick.

Trojan · 30-10-2019 3:41pm

To make an argument for Cronin - if we go to a more loose offloading game, he might be exactly the kind of player we want to keep around for a couple of years to mentor a replacement in that vein.

Shefwedfan · 30-10-2019 3:43pm

Trojan wrote: »

To make an argument for Cronin - if we go to a more loose offloading game, he might be exactly the kind of player we want to keep around for a couple of years to mentor a replacement in that vein.

Not better to invest in Kelleher? he looked a decent prospect recently

I love Cronin, but he has never nailed a starting position and reduced international time could prolong his Leinster career. Its not like he is on central contract

jacothelad · 30-10-2019 4:11pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Agreed!. I think we won't see Cronin again or anyone in the bracket. 3 wins in the 6nations would be good imo, especially after this rwc. England and Wales will be tough. I hope we can at least win the 3 others.
Personally I would build towards the next rwc, starting with the 6nations.
So, I would drop P.O.M and Earl's to start.
Conway is an ideal replacement for Earls. Ruddock for P.O.M with a couple of younger lads being introduced.
I would also bring back McCloskey and give him a chance. At least for the 6nations.
Hume looks to be a good player, so maybe he can force his way into the squad.
I don't see Henshaw being healthy for the long term. He is very injury prone and I think his role at 12 has hurt his career. Maybe he plays great and makes it! But, I doubt it.
Aki will have a shot, but I hope that we can find a better playmaker at 12.
Anyway, it's pure speculation at the moment.

I don't get the urge to drop Earls. He is still playing very well. POM looked and generally played as if jaded = as did others but he hasn't really pulled his weight for a while. His stats returns are horrendous for a 6 and he clearly isn't a 7. Nabbing a few l/os is good but on it's own and making the odd turnover is not enough to secure a place.

One thing that stood out for me is that real pace is such a hard thing to counter. Ireland's backs are not slow but few are gifted with afterburner speed. McCloskey is a fine player who can pass well and kicks well but in truth is a bit pedestrian. His size is a great asset. I suspect that he is a better all round player than Chris Farrell but I also think he would not be a huge improvement if at all on the centres we have. I do feel he has been undervalued by Schmidt though.

Hume is looking to be a talented player. I think he will make the grade but he has just shipped a bad hamstring injury and is seeing a specialist.

In terms is attacking pace Lyttle is 'little' gem of a player and Baloucoune has serious speed and seems to have arrived fully formed as it were in attack and defence. I hope Aaron Sexton fulfills his promise. His pace is awesome but from what I have heard and seen he is also a good player.

I know there are plenty of young guns appearing at the other provinces. What Ulster don't have is a supply of young forwards to match the backs.

Hands Like Flippers · 30-10-2019 7:45pm

jacothelad wrote: »

I know there are plenty of young guns appearing at the other provinces. What Ulster don't have is a supply of young forwards to match the backs.

Some good forwards coming through. Watch this space. 2nd row training Irish Schools this year one year early, 6'8" for example.

Squidgy Black · 30-10-2019 7:48pm

A lot of people forgetting that the 6 Nations pays the bills, and is extremely important in the eyes of the IRFU and as a result the provinces.

The Lost Sheep · 30-10-2019 8:22pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Agreed!. I think we won't see Cronin again or anyone in the bracket. 3 wins in the 6nations would be good imo, especially after this rwc. England and Wales will be tough. I hope we can at least win the 3 others.
Personally I would build towards the next rwc, starting with the 6nations.
So, I would drop P.O.M and Earl's to start.
Conway is an ideal replacement for Earls. Ruddock for P.O.M with a couple of younger lads being introduced

POM is about 12 months older than ruddock. If dropping one on basis of age should you not be doing it to both?
Building for world cup sounds great but that doesnt mean you have to stop using people who definitely wont be playing in that world cup.

I would also bring back McCloskey and give him a chance. At least for the 6nations.
Hume looks to be a good player, so maybe he can force his way into the squad.
I don't see Henshaw being healthy for the long term. He is very injury prone and I think his role at 12 has hurt his career. Maybe he plays great and makes it! But, I doubt it.
Aki will have a shot, but I hope that we can find a better playmaker at 12.
Anyway, it's pure speculation at the moment.

why is there such a push for mccloskey. I would love to see henshaw come back in but allowed be more than the 12 role he was pushed into. He emerged as a 13/15 and would be great to see him back in wonder channels.

Trojan wrote: »

To make an argument for Cronin - if we go to a more loose offloading game, he might be exactly the kind of player we want to keep around for a couple of years to mentor a replacement in that vein.

why when there is alternatives who can do that and are younger and better at set piece where Cronin isnt as good.

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Some good forwards coming through. Watch this space. 2nd row training Irish Schools this year one year early, 6'8" for example.

and how long before he even plays a game of rugby against actual adults and not kids?

Squidgy Black wrote: »

A lot of people forgetting that the 6 Nations pays the bills, and is extremely important in the eyes of the IRFU and as a result the provinces.

extremely important but how can we ever do better ina world cup if we dont adapt our approach from all other previous world cups?

Squidgy Black · 30-10-2019 8:32pm

Don't get me wrong, all in favour of bringing in young prospects and preparing for 2023 and all, but the suggestions that players over 26 should more or less be left out of the squads from now on because they'll be early 30s by the time it rolls around is just lunacy.

Shefwedfan · 30-10-2019 8:35pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

A lot of people forgetting that the 6 Nations pays the bills, and is extremely important in the eyes of the IRFU and as a result the provinces.

I’m not, we need to be competitive in the 6 nations and if we can win then let’s do it....if we can win with Sexton at 10 and Murray at 9 then I don’t see why we shouldn’t

The call to dump an entire squad is over the top, we need to integrate players into it but I have a feeling some fans won’t accept small changes...if Farrell makes small changes and has a “disaster” 6 nations by losing two matchs then people will be on to sack him before he starts....

I do think we need to sort out the back row ASAP....whatever he comes up with on that front.

partyguinness · 31-10-2019 10:17am

Is it just my imagination but do the Irish players in general seem that bit more injury prone that some of the other Tier 1 teams? Just a little nagging suspicion I've had and I am sure someone will be quick to tell me it is indeed my imagination.

partyguinness · 31-10-2019 10:19am

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, all in favour of bringing in young prospects and preparing for 2023 and all, but the suggestions that players over 26 should more or less be left out of the squads from now on because they'll be early 30s by the time it rolls around is just lunacy.

Sure I was reading the post 2015 WC thread last week and the general and not unreasonable consensus was that Best and Kearney would not be around in 2019.

OldRio · 31-10-2019 10:23am

partyguinness wrote: »

Sure I was reading the post 2015 WC thread last week and the general and not unreasonable consensus was that Best and Kearney would not be around in 2019.

Unfortunately the consensus was correct.

errlloyd · 31-10-2019 11:23am

Thought Rob Kearney was actually pretty good.

partyguinness · 31-10-2019 11:23am

OldRio wrote: »

Unfortunately the consensus was correct.

Well...it wasn't correct as they were still around.

Whether they should still have been around is another matter. I had no issue with Kearney.

Dubinusa · 01-11-2019 5:22am

No overhaul yet, incremental and balanced. Earl's is 32. No chance he plays at the next rwc! Conway is 28!
Conway is playing some great rugby.
Sexton will be a memory in 23, time to spread the minutes around!
Murray is not even the best 9 at Munster right now!
POM has been poor. Ruddock has been better for a while. Conan will miss the 6nations, bring in a form backdrop, who's hungry and can make the grade.
McCloskey has never been given a shot. Schmidt had no real interest in him and he opted for Aki, who was poor and Henshaw, who was recovering from injury and was awful.
Schmidt missed the boat completely, imo.
Cronin will not be at the rwc 23. He is also 33 and is a poor set piece player. Why not invest in a younger hooker?
I think that the central contracts and reputations of some players, were a hindrance.
There was a point against Japan, that I thought it looked like our lads had only been together for a few days. Let alone, count the experience of our side. It was very poor and we had no answers! So, in saying all that, we're at a point where some lads are in their twilight and are just not up to par. Why continue with the same cast of characters, when we can introduce a couple of new ones immediately.

Shefwedfan · 01-11-2019 9:00am

I think everyone should listen to Fla on this podcast if you haven't already heard it.....finally someone who is making a bit of sense

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5deMLb7dQpc&list=PLqNkY83t8W0ECjqcQqkqvAUALzUISjBhq

Go to 49 mins

Dubinusa · 15-11-2019 3:19pm

So 1st round of Euros and a couple of noteworthy points.
Larmour in ahead of Kearney. Not too surprising.
Porter starting?
Lyttle ahead of Gilroy! I'm surprised at this one.
And of course, Kelleher getting the nod.
Next weekend will be more telling.

So far imo, lads that have put their hands up.
Haley
DK
Luke Marshall
Rea

The pro14 is a tough one to sell. Lads like Robb have really played well. But aren't picked for Europe.
Others include
JOB
Connors
Wycherly.

Great weekend ahead.

Jump_In_Jack · 19-11-2019 10:54am

Dubinusa wrote: »

So 1st round of Euros and a couple of noteworthy points.
Larmour in ahead of Kearney. Not too surprising.
Porter starting?
Lyttle ahead of Gilroy! I'm surprised at this one.
And of course, Kelleher getting the nod.
Next weekend will be more telling.

So far imo, lads that have put their hands up.
Haley
DK
Luke Marshall
Rea

The pro14 is a tough one to sell. Lads like Robb have really played well. But aren't picked for Europe.
Others include
JOB
Connors
Wycherly.

Great weekend ahead.

Furlong is injured.
Although, I reckon Porter has outperformed Furlong recently, and is in his best ever form right now.

Dubinusa · 20-11-2019 6:46am

Yea, I didn't know he was injured. But, Porter has been the balls. ROL was great! It was nice seeing a lad playing into space and putting others away.
Interestingly, I thought from the other teams
Ulster. Cooney and AOC
Munster, Loughman
Connect Copeland and Aki
All were impressive.
It was a good weekend. I really enjoyed the Ulster match. A pure dogfight.
This weekend will be just as good, with more lads stepping up.

Dubinusa · 25-11-2019 3:23am

Week 2 over. Great weekend of rugby.
Healy is still the top lh. I think Kilcoyne would still be the back up. Loughman surprisingly has been very good. EOS needs to up his scrummaging.
Kelleher, Herring and Scannell are the best of the hookers, imo
Moore, Porter and Furlong are the front runners imo.
Dillane and Roux were good this weekend.I think the 2 of them have put themselves front and center. Henderson and Ryan still the top 2. Beirne has been ok.
I'd pick Ruddock over POM at this stage. Ready was good this week and Boyle has been immense
VDF and Nordi
Standers is probably nailed on. Deegan playing very well and Copeland having a mini revival.
Cooney for me this far.
Sexton, maybe Burns as back up. Carty has not been very good. RB has been steady.
Wings, Conway and Earls.
FB Haley, Larmour and Addison in that order.
Centers Ringrose and McCloskey.

Of course, this is only my take on what I've seen these past couple of weeks.

Dubinusa · 08-12-2019 4:45pm

Carty struggling. RB back in contention?
VDF nailed on.
Th, Moore, Furlong and Porter.
Hooker, Scannell, Kelliher and Herring
Lock. Ryan Toner Henderson.
6 Ruddock. POM, Doris
8 Stander, Doris
20 shirt. NORDI , Deegan? Doris. JOD.
9, Cooney, Blade, Luke or JGP.
10 Sexton, Burns, R.B
Wing. Earl's, Conway, Stockdale, Larmour
Center. Ringrose, Aki, Henshaw, McCloskey.
Fb. Larmour, Haley, Addison.
Lh, Healy.

Richie_Rich89 · 08-12-2019 5:02pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Carty struggling. RB back in contention?
VDF nailed on.
Th, Moore, Furlong and Porter.
Hooker, Scannell, Kelliher and Herring
Lock. Ryan Toner Henderson.
6 Ruddock. POM, Doris
8 Stander, Doris
20 shirt. NORDI , Deegan? Doris. JOD.
9, Cooney, Blade, Luke or JGP.
10 Sexton, Burns, R.B
Wing. Earl's, Conway, Stockdale, Larmour
Center. Ringrose, Aki, Henshaw, McCloskey.
Fb. Larmour, Haley, Addison.
Lh, Healy.

Think I'd like the backrowers in the wider squad to be:

Blindside: C.J. Stander, Tadhg Beirne, Rhys Ruddock
Openside: Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Will Connors
No. 8: Max Deegan, Caelan Doris, Jack O'Sullivan*

*might as well call him up to train with the squad as a sort of apprentice if Munster aren't picking him.

Dubinusa · 08-12-2019 8:08pm

Kilcoyne being out is a blow. He's really come good.
John Ryan and Bealham have dropped down imo.
Cronin may not make it either, as there's lads playing good stuff.

Dubinusa · 10-12-2019 3:05pm

Getting fairly close now! So I think the next month is crucial for all the players.
Players out! Best, obviously, RK reaching the end imo.
Players teetering! Murray, still not playing well, Jack McGrath, injured and hasn't stood out when selected. Carty, poor run of form. Marmion, needs a big showing when he returns. Luke McGrath, not playing very well.
Rising! Kelleher, Haley, Moore and Toner.
Safe!! Healy, Henderson Ryan and Stander.
New additions, Kelleher. E.O.S
Then there's the competition between Aki, Ringrose and Henshaw, Ruddock and POM Earl's, Conway and Stockdale.
Am I missing anyone?

Dubinusa · 15-12-2019 4:44pm

Yesterday didn't produce much change imo. From my perspective, Furlong and RB did the most to improve their chances.
1. Healy. Kilcoyne, E.OS
2 Scannell. Kelleher, Herring
3 Furlong. Moore Porter
4 Henderson, Toner, Dillane
5 Ryan, Roux. Kleyn
6 Ruddock, Stander, POM, JOD
7. VDF, Nordi. Boyle
8. Stander. Doris, Deegan
9. Cooney. Blade, JGP, Luke
10. RB, Burns, JJ, Fitz
11, Earl's, Stockdale
12. Aki, Henshay, McCloskey
13. Ringrose. Marshall,
14. Conway, DK, Lyttle,
15. Larmour, Haley.
This is based on who's healthy. Obviously, injuries etc. Will be considered.

Paul Smeenus · 15-12-2019 11:51pm

I'd put Baloucoune ahead of Lyttle and DK. But he probably has been absent for too much of this season.

Dubinusa · 16-12-2019 6:31pm

Lots of change! Lots of surprises in the initial camp!
RK is done! The other guys are motoring along. Nordi! I think his omission is a mistake! Blade. Thoroughly deserving, Cooney must start. The best 9 by a mile. It's not even close!
Delighted to see McCloskey, who is imo, the best 12 thus far. Delighted for O'Toole. The future!
Beirne has been poor. I don't think he'd have made it. Dillane has been immense, absolute freak of an athlete. Roux has also been very good!
Farrell has done more cutting than I expected! I thought there would be 3 or 4 new faces.
Fair play to him.

Dubinusa · 25-12-2019 5:20pm

Little over a month until the 6nations.
So far imo!
1. Healy
2. Scannell
3. Porter
4. Henderson
5. Ryan
6. Ruddock
7. VDF
8. Stander
9. Cooney
10. RB
11. Earl's
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Conway
15. Larmour

16. Kelleher
17. Kilcoyne
18. Furlong
19. Dillane
20. Doris
21. Blade
22. Burns
23. Haley.

25-12-2019 6:21pm

Healy
Kelleher
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
Stander
Vdf
Doris
Cooney
Sexton
Earls
Aki
Ringrose
Stockdale
Larmour

Kilcoyne
Scannel
Porter
Klyne
PoM
JGP
Carbery
Conway

Dubinusa · 25-12-2019 6:44pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Healy
Kelleher
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
Stander
Vdf
Doris
Cooney
Sexton
Earls
Aki
Ringrose
Stockdale
Larmour

Kilcoyne
Scannel
Porter
Klyne
PoM
JGP
Carbery
Conway

Yep! It's too tough! It's amazing that these fellas are back in the groove after the rwc! Some major competition for spots!

Dubinusa · 13-01-2020 3:13pm

So! Apparently the 1st squad to be announced this week! Who's in? Who's out?
Out! RK, Earl's and Murray.
Possibly out! POM, Kleyn
In! COONEY , Toner
Possibly in! Reidy Deegan Doris, Moore.

The selection will be awesome to watch!

sydthebeat · 13-01-2020 3:17pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

So! Apparently the 1st squad to be announced this week! Who's in? Who's out?
Out! RK, Earl's and Murray.
Possibly out! POM, Kleyn
In! COONEY , Toner
Possibly in! Reidy Deegan Doris, Moore.

The selection will be awesome to watch!

it will be a 40+ man squad...
so not a chance POM, Earls or Murray will be out.

Dubinusa · 13-01-2020 4:09pm

Crazy if so! They've been poor. Anyway, I hope we get a good mix of new and experienced. A new game plan and a freshened approach.

aloooof · 13-01-2020 4:18pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Crazy if so! They've been poor. Anyway, I hope we get a good mix of new and experienced. A new game plan and a freshened approach.

It's just the squad announcement. It's not the starting 15, it's not even the 23. Imo, it'd be crazier if they weren't included, tbh. But lets see what comes of it.

Dubinusa · 13-01-2020 4:34pm

aloooof wrote: »

It's just the squad announcement. It's not the starting 15, it's not even the 23. Imo, it'd be crazier if they weren't included, tbh. But lets see what comes of it.

True it should be very interesting. A lot of lads have really put the hands up. Farrell has a tough job on his hands.

13-01-2020 4:38pm

If it's a 40 man squad then we need to drop 5 names from the stocktake squad and potentially more if new names are to come in.

From the stocktake squad we've lost Roux and Carbery to injury.

I think Dave Heffernan, Rory Scannell, Mike Haley and Tom O'Toole are the most likely to also be dropped.

New names to come in? Carty might be back in the frame with Carbery's injury but he was poor enough at the weekend and I heard reliably enough that Sexton should be back in time.

Jack McGrath making any noise up north? Have been watching Ulster and he's doing a job without standing out from what I've seen albeit he was injured for a period before Christmas.

Jack O'Donoghue has been putting his hand up but realistically we'd need to drop someone from the existing backrow options to bring him in and there are two better 7s ahead of him.

Going to be an interesting squad but I think we'll be waiting until the first 23 for the big surprises.

Buer · 13-01-2020 5:13pm

I can't see Will Connors being retained unless he features this weekend. He played 40 minutes against Connacht. Leinster have no more matches between this weekend and the 6N. I think it was worthwhile for him to be involved over the Christmas period as an introduction but I don't see him getting much more of a look in until the autumn. It's very hard to keep someone involved when they're sitting in the stands for their province.

I'd expect Jordi Murphy or even Reidy to come into the squad in his place. I'm a fan of JOD but not as an openside. I think he's a bit exposed in that role. There was a scrum inside Munster's 22 yesterday in the second half when Classens picked from the base and broke on the openside towards the posts. I think he was almost beyond the hindmost foot on the Munster side when JOD was still fully bound leaving his midfield and Murray to get across.

I'd gladly see him involved in the squad as a blindside.

Dubinusa · 13-01-2020 8:56pm

I agree with Connors being cut! He's not had the exposure at the European level. Carberry whilst out constantly with injury has not had any kind of run at all!
I don't think he's going to be a mainstay at 10 either. He's been decimated injury wise and I don't think he's been very good when he's played. He's got a lot to do when he returns. Least of all he's got to show he can run and control the game. I think we may be surprised to see Burns as a regular this 6nations. I think he's going to get the 22 shirt. I know he's not the main place kicker and that could hurt him. But, it's a great time for him and RB to play a marker.

Bazzo · 14-01-2020 11:14am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If it's a 40 man squad then we need to drop 5 names from the stocktake squad and potentially more if new names are to come in.

From the stocktake squad we've lost Roux and Carbery to injury.

I think Dave Heffernan, Rory Scannell, Mike Haley and Tom O'Toole are the most likely to also be dropped.

New names to come in? Carty might be back in the frame with Carbery's injury but he was poor enough at the weekend and I heard reliably enough that Sexton should be back in time.

Jack McGrath making any noise up north? Have been watching Ulster and he's doing a job without standing out from what I've seen albeit he was injured for a period before Christmas.

Jack O'Donoghue has been putting his hand up but realistically we'd need to drop someone from the existing backrow options to bring him in and there are two better 7s ahead of him.

Going to be an interesting squad but I think we'll be waiting until the first 23 for the big surprises.

Was Carty poor at the weekend? Have only seen the extended highlights but looked to be getting back into form other than the blockdown. His usual big threat with ball in hand: 52 metres made, 2 clean breaks, 5 defenders beaten and 2 offloads.

ClanofLams · 14-01-2020 11:21am

Bazzo wrote: »

Was Carty poor at the weekend? Have only seen the extended highlights but looked to be getting back into form other than the blockdown. His usual big threat with ball in hand: 52 metres made, 2 clean breaks, 5 defenders beaten and 2 offloads.

He had an ill advised cross field kick too, it wasn’t far off dropping perfectly for Adeolokun but ended up giving Kolbe possession maybe fifteen metres outside Conn 22.

It was definitely his most promising performance of the season and much closer to lasts seasons form. I wouldn’t expect him to be in Ireland squad though and don’t think he does either based on post game comments in the 42 today.

14-01-2020 11:49am

Bazzo wrote: »

Was Carty poor at the weekend? Have only seen the extended highlights but looked to be getting back into form other than the blockdown. His usual big threat with ball in hand: 52 metres made, 2 clean breaks, 5 defenders beaten and 2 offloads.

I thought he was poor enough. Lost a few collisions, went ok ball in hand but passing wasn't great.

The block down was pretty criminal.

Dubinusa · 15-01-2020 6:25pm

Heffernan in! A huge opportunity for him. I think he's going to get a run.
Baird and Balacoune training with the squad! Obviously, an eye for the future.

As expected no RK! No surprise there!
O'Toole in is a great shout to all of the young lads.
Disappointed for Moore, I think he's been the best th so far this season. His all around game is vastly improved.

On a side not, I think John Ryan is done as an international. Bealham also. Barring a glut of injuries.
Ruddock possibly out also. Sean Cronin has his age working against him. I believe Farrell has moved on. Herring must be the frontrunner now.

Lots of talking points! I think the squad is selected with an eye to the future. Obviously, Deegan and Doris are deserving, but I can see Conan pass one of them up when he returns.

Dubinusa · 29-01-2020 3:34pm

1st squad revealed. 2 new caps! Doris and Kelleher.
I think that it's a good look to the future. Both of these lads could accumulate a lot of caps.
Aki holding off Henshaw and big Stu.
Larmour at fb. He's been great this year.
I thought that this match would have been ideal to start RB or Burns? Sexton could have benched. It would be good to see RB get 20 or so minutes.
This match is important and is our 1st with Farrell in charge, so he obviously wants to win. I hope we win and put in the kind of performance that I know we're capable of.
The selection for Wales will be interesting. I rate Wales as being stronger than the Scots.
Is JOD seen as a 6? I can't see him selected as a 7. I think VDF really needs to stay healthy. We only have him as an out an out open side!

Dubinusa · 11-02-2020 3:32pm

2 weeks down! What do ye all think? Any negative selections , positive?
Squad make up? Good or more of the same?
Game plan? Good or poor?

The Lost Sheep · 11-02-2020 6:44pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

2 weeks down! What do ye all think? Any negative selections , positive?
Squad make up? Good or more of the same?
Game plan? Good or poor?

Already been discussed in other threads not sure it needs be repeated here.
Game plan has changed and too early to say if its good/bad. Same with a lot of your questions. Too early to say.

Dubinusa · 24-02-2020 5:46am

3 weeks in. And still the same ?'s.
I reckon attrition will be kicking in sooner than later.
To me, it looks like Healy is slowing down. He may have another year in him, but I think it's a matter of when!
Toner, thoroughly deserved the recall! Great for Leinster, in that structure. Alas, offers little for Ireland. Doesn't make yards and looks like a passenger. I think his international career will be over this year.
Murray. Just not good. Slow, ponderous and his boxkicking is not a strength anymore.
Sexton was all over the kip. His worst performance. Probably the worst performance I've ever seen by an Irish 10. I would start playing Byrne/Carberry starting this summer.
POM has played well! But he's underpowered and we need a stronger more dynamic player. I think he's going to be involved over the next couple of seasons. But, he will be phased out during that time.
Players coming in:
Doris
Deegan
Baloucoune
Connors
JOD
Lowe
These guys I think will feature in the autumn and summer tours.
With Conan and Leavy. The halfbacks is a toss up. I would guess Cooney and Marmion would be the top 2
10 would be Carberry, unless he's injured. If so, I would give Byrne a run.

Dubinusa · 10-01-2021 4:44pm

Here we are just about to go into the 6nations, if its not postponed of course. So, where are we squadwise.
I think the following lads are playing their last 6nations.
Healy, not a force anymore.
Sexton, very much in decline.
Earls, still very good but age will be a factor.
POM, if he heads to France.
I think this alone is serious turnover. We may suffer short term, but in the long run I think we'll be fine.
I also think the tournament will be postponed until the summer.

Post RWC

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