The Summer Tour Thread.

Podge_irl

outwest wrote: »

i remember hearing that when gattland was irish coach he had to fight to get brennan in the team, irfu didnt like him. hopefully times have changed.

No international coach these days is going to take on a job where he has to submit his selections to some backroom committee.

PhatPiggins

outwest wrote: »

irfu conspiracy is all tru.

i remember hearing that when gattland was irish coach he had to fight to get brennan in the team, irfu didnt like him. hopefully times have changed.

And how is that in any way relevant to Connacht? When was that late 90's?

Do they give out tinfoil hats on the gate at the Sports Ground?

Stev_o

Honestly id like to see Muldoon start against Australia with Ferris against the AB's. Ferris does have a fitness issue as we'v seen this year with his many injuries so we need a good option to fill that void if he gets injured and there's no reason why Muldoon shouldn't be that player.

Croinn has to start a game, it's getting beyond ridiculous that he hasn't been given time in a green jersey when he is probably our most exciting hooker since Keith Wood.

Any ideas about who should be looked at 7 besides Jennings and Wallace? I don't rate Jennings at all mainly for his up and down performances, when he s good he's immense but when he's bad he might aswell not be there.

pappyodaniel

Stev_o wrote: »

Any ideas about who should be looked at 7 besides Jennings and Wallace? I don't rate Jennings at all mainly for his up and down performances, when he s good he's immense but when he's bad he might aswell not be there.

I wouldn't mind seeing Wilson and Best brought back into the mix.

Stev_o

pappyodaniel wrote: »

I wouldn't mind seeing Wilson and Best brought back into the mix.

Best isn't up to international rugby, penalty magnet and offers nothing but stupid decisions these days. His decision to take contact when there is space is beyond frustrating.

Podge_irl

Stev_o wrote: »

Croinn has to start a game, it's getting beyond ridiculous that he hasn't been given time in a green jersey when he is probably our most exciting hooker since Keith Wood.

I wouldn't hold your breath. Considering how little time he got in the 6N I'd be surprised if he makes the 22 for either NZ or Aus.

TheTMO

TheTMO wrote: »

1. Healy, Horan
2. Flannery, Cronin, Best
3. Buckley, Court
4. O'Connell, Cullen
5. O'Callaghan, Ryan
6. Ferris, Muldoon, McLaughlin
7. Wallace, Jennings, O'Brien (if he can make it)
8. Heaslip, Henry
9. O'Leary, Boss, Reddan
10. O'Gara, Sexton
11. Earls, Carr
12. D'arcy, Wallace
13. O'Driscoll, McFadden
14. Bowe, Trimble
15. Kearney, Duffy

/end of thread. I would be very surprised if this isn't the exact squad going. Maybe a few extras.

Conway and Ruddock are going to win the U20 World Championships, thats far more important to them at this stage then being ball boys for the Irish squad.

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

/end of thread. I would be very surprised if this isn't the exact squad going. Maybe a few extras.

Everything I've heard has mentioned that it'll be a 30 man squad.

outwest

the irfu really want to shut down connacht.

in the eyes of the public, if connacht are getting 4 or 5 palyer in the trainning squad it makes it harder for them to shut us down, if the public see munster leinster and ulster palyers making the squad on a regular basis then the public ask themselves this, connacht dont provide irish player so why should they be kept open.

irfu worst nightmare is connacht in the Hcup at the expense of ulster. it puts them in the public eye. most irish supporter dont give a sh*t about the magners and prob dont watch it either.

sure for years the irish h cup was being decided on the top 3 teams in h cup the year before. there was a time connacht got to the league semi. but since ulster were in the hcup the year before they qualified the next year.

irishbucsfan

pappyodaniel wrote: »

I wouldn't mind seeing Wilson and Best brought back into the mix.

Best and Wilson are two players who have absolutely no business being near a green jersey.

Best especially. Offers nothing apart from countless penalties, missed tackles, and dead end running.

Podge_irl

outwest wrote: »

the irfu really want to shut down connacht.

Says who?

in the eyes of the public, if connacht are getting 4 or 5 palyer in the trainning squad it makes it harder for them to shut us down, if the public see munster leinster and ulster palyers making the squad on a regular basis then the public ask themselves this, connacht dont provide irish player so why should they be kept open.

And you honestly think Kidney would let that influence his squad?

irfu worst nightmare is connacht in the Hcup at the expense of ulster.

I imagine it's actually one of Leinster or Munster missing out on the HEC.


There is no bloody conspiracy in the IRFU beyond not funding Connacht to the same level. Connacht have managed to not be good enough all by themselves beyond that. The only time Connacht got into the league semi-final, Ulster got into it as well (in fact all four Irish teams did).

Kidney will select however many Connacht players as he wants and as he thinks deserve it, but their lack of HEC rugby will, as always, hurt their chances.

Podge_irl

Podge_irl wrote: »

Everything I've heard has mentioned that it'll be a 30 man squad.

Bit limiting, but I suppose if thats the case we lose one of Cronin / Best, Reddan stays home (Boss will, but it should be the other way round). Muldoon is out and O'Brien (who probably wouldn't tour anyway)

Podge_irl

Deleted User wrote: »

Bit limiting, but I suppose if thats the case we lose one of Cronin / Best, Reddan stays home (Boss will, but it should be the other way round). Muldoon is out and O'Brien (who probably wouldn't tour anyway)

I imagine he's going to take close to what he thinks will probably be his RWC squad.

He may of course end up taking more players, but all the papers seem to think it'll be 30.

outwest

i always thaught it was a 32 man squad.

on current form muldoon should get the bench spot. can cover 6 and 8.

Crash

Ryan surely won't tour, seeing as he's been out since the 6N with an injury.

bamboozle

i'd hope Kidney will leave a few of the older guard at home and give them a proper break this summer, Wallace, DOC, POC, BOD, Hayes are all in need of a rest, of course they'll all probably travel except maybe hayes

Zzippy

Podge_irl wrote: »

Connacht supporters need to get over this IRFU conspiracy stuff. Kidney will pick whoever the hell he wants to pick for the tour and I imagine he'll pick the squad that he thinks are most likely to give him a victory over the ABs and Aussies.

In fairness, after a failed attempt to get rid of the team a few years ago, the recent "review" resulting in one-year contracts, and constant mentions in the media of top brass in the IRFU wanting to get rid of Connacht, its hard not to be a little paranoid. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya!;)
Whatever about Kidney picking who he likes, IMO he has been pretty conservative in his selections to date, so I think that would be more of a reason for not picking Connacht players than any political interference.

CowboyTed

Zzippy wrote: »

In fairness, after a failed attempt to get rid of the team a few years ago, the recent "review" resulting in one-year contracts, and constant mentions in the media of top brass in the IRFU wanting to get rid of Connacht, its hard not to be a little paranoid. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya!;)
Whatever about Kidney picking who he likes, IMO he has been pretty conservative in his selections to date, so I think that would be more of a reason for not picking Connacht players than any political interference.

Alot what you are saying is true. But Kidney has one major problem in Props and might load up on that a bit, Strangely he might look at Connaght in that respect because he has tried everywhere else.

Muldoon has always shown class even in the worst days. He can't really do much more to win a place than keep doing what he is doing. Carr has to go, incredible player and will be one to watch out there. Cornin is looking at coming a great hooker and deserves his place, he is good on the basics and is very dynamic around the field.

So Connaght have a shout of a few... Kidney might get back and say to some of them, "Find a new Club or no WC" unless Connaght are in the HEC.

It's do or die for Connaght now... Can't blame players for wanting to move if we don't make HEC. But on a postive note if that happens the academy players would view Connaght as a great stepping stone. The coaching in connaght has seemed to have really stepped up and players like Carr who were deemed surplus to requirements a few years ago and came to Galway and now looks like making his way on to the international team.
That's an advertisement for young players...

thomond2006

At the moment it would be:

Flannery
Cronin
Best

Horan
Healy
Court
Buckley
(leave Hayes at home)

POC
DOC
Cullen
Tuohy?

Ferris
Muldoon
Jennings
Wallace
Heaslip

TOL
Reddan
Boss

ROG
Sexton
Wouldn't bring a 3rd OH: Humphreys is benched by Ulster and doesn't tackle, NOC isn't good enough and Keatley IMO will struggle to keep his Connacht place.

D'Arcy
BOD
Wallace
Earls

Bowe
Horgan
Trimble
Carr

Murphy
Kearney
Duffy

outwest

id bring jamie hagen. he wouldnt get a game. but being in the squad would help him, young tight head prop. in great form.


im gonig to assume u forgot earls by mistake.

thomond2006

outwest wrote: »

id bring jamie hagen. he wouldnt get a game. but being in the squad would help him, young tight head prop. in great form.


im gonig to assume u forgot earls by mistake.

Yes, forgot Earls.

Goodluck2me

Good thread.

Id liek Hayes to stay at home as well this season, he is getting increasingly less likely to be an impact player at the WC so give the other guys a shot. 100 caps great service, but there comes a time when others need to be taught.

Hagan would be an outsider, but I'd like to see himself, Ross,, Buckley, Court and Wilkinson go, just to really put the cat amongst the pigeons and have someone put their hand up without the shadow of Hayes.

sock puppet

Goodluck2me wrote: »

Good thread.

Id liek Hayes to stay at home as well this season, he is getting increasingly less likely to be an impact player at the WC so give the other guys a shot. 100 caps great service, but there comes a time when others need to be taught.

Hagan would be an outsider, but I'd like to see himself, Ross,, Buckley, Court and Wilkinson go, just to really put the cat amongst the pigeons and have someone put their hand up without the shadow of Hayes.

With Healy and Horan, that's 7 props in the squad. It's a 30 man squad isn't it? If Hayes is rested, it'll probably be Healy, Horan, Court and Buckley. Maybe drop one of Healy/Horan/Court to bring a specialist tighthead.

tolosenc

I just hope Stringer gets on the plane...

Dave Joyce

Any ideas about who should be looked at 7 besides Jennings and Wallace?

If selection is based on current form, then I think Johnny O'Connor should definately be in with a shout. A second guy on current form that should get a shot is Jamie Hagan.

Like some of the lads have said, I'm particularly worried about some of our definate RWC starters going on this tour. In particular I think they would be badly missed down under but BOD/POC need a break especially after watching BOD against Connacht. We NEED both of these guys to be in top form/injury free for RWC

outwest

hook made some comment about hayes bod and poc not traveling south,

what squad would you bring. i think wallace should be left home too,

i think all four will be starting the summer tours which would be a bad call by kidney

thomond2006

I agree with Hook. Hayes, POC and BOD shouldn't tour. Wallace too. I expect Kidney to bring them all though.


Horan
Healy
Court
Buckley

Flannery
Cronin
Best

DOC
Cullen
Tuohy
Casey - He'll only have turned 32 just before RWC.

Ferris
Muldoon
Wallace
Jennings
JOC - Strange call perhaps, he's been sensational for Connacht recently, only 30 years old.
Heaslip

TOL
Reddan
Boss

ROG
Sexton

D'Arcy
BOD
Wallace
Earls

Bowe
Horgan
Trimble
Carr

Murphy
Kearney
Duffy

Injured:
Fitzgerald
Leamy
Ryan
SOB

TheTMO

32 man squad I think should travel

Props :
Cian Healy
Marcus Horan
Tony Buckley
Tom Court

Hookers :
Flannery
Cronin
Best

Second Row :
O'Connell
O'Callaghan
Cullen
Casey

Backrow :
Heaslip
Henry
Jennings
Ferris
Wallace
McLaughlin
Muldoon

Scrumhalfs :
Tomas O'Leary
Isaac Boss

Outhalf :
Sexton
O'Gara

Centre :
O'Driscoll
D'arcy
McFadden
Wallace

Wing :
Earls
Trimble
Bowe
Carr

Full Back :
Rob Kearney
Gavin Duffy

Not considered due to injury : Sean O'Brien, Luke Fitzgerald


As for leaving the likes of O'Driscoll and O'Connell at home, what nonsense. This our last chance to play the best SH teams away from home before the World Cup. We need our full team out there and its imperative we finally beat New Zealand.

TMO - we may need scrum halfs?

crisco10

TheTMO wrote: »

As for leaving the likes of O'Driscoll and O'Connell at home, what nonsense. This our last chance to play the best SH teams away from home before the World Cup. We need our full team out there and its imperative we finally beat New Zealand.

I don't know. Whlie I agree a victory in NZ would be huge a boost, it may come at a long term cost. In the last WC we learnt what happened with an over played team.

For a lot of the Lions of last year I would think they shouldn't travel. If they do, it will have meant that they will have had a 2 week break in 2009, a 4 week break in 2010 and not much of a break in 2011. (basing that on pre-season starting mid july) That's a lot of rugby, with not much break.

I think Bowe, Heaslip and Wallace would all go in that catagory. They started all 3 tests last summer, haven't had any real "enforced" injury breaks this season so could do with a prolonged break.

As previously mentioned, BOD looks pretty tired. And if POC is still struggling with his groin injury, not worth the risk.

By definition, these are 5 of our best players. But I just think they all do need a good break this summer. That said, without doubt it could be very silly to go in with that weakened a team in NZ, maybe play them in NZ then release them from duty straight after. (i.e. before the OZ game).

Podge_irl

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/0504/ferriss.html

Ferris out for 6-8 weeks. Leaves a spot open for one of McLaughlin or Muldoon.

thomond2006

I'd give Quinlan a shot. He's good till the RWC.

Exiled2NY

32 Man Squad

1. Horan/Healy
2. Fla/Best/Cronin
3. Buckley/Court/Hagan
4. POC/Cullen
5. DOC/Tuohy
6. McLaughlin/Muldoon
7. Wallace/Jennings
8. Heaslip/Henry
9. TOL/Boss (Reddan)
10. ROG/Sexton
11. Earls/Trimble
12. Darcy/Wallace
13. BOD/McFadden
14. Bowe/Carr
15 Murphy/Kearney (Duffy)

Not considered due to injury
Hayes (rested)
D. Ryan
Ferris
O'Brien
Leamy
Fitzgerald

Duffy and Reddan to be added if extra cover is required in the backs.

If any prop got injured I'd call up Mike Ross and move Court to LH if needs be. I would prefer to promote Brett Wilkinson but tighthead needs more focus at the moment

outwest

with ferris been injured, muldoon must be in with a great chance of getting the team at 6, he is the form 6

thehighground

outwest wrote: »

with ferris been injured, muldoon must be in with a great chance of getting the team at 6, he is the form 6

I'd say Muldoon is in with a good chance, but Quinlan is the form 6 at the moment.

outwest

ya but kidney wont pick him, quinlan isnt in his world cup plans.

quinlan been on of the best player in ireland this year. i think its because he can focus just on munster. if he was 2 years younger id have ahead of ferris on current form

Bugnug

This is a huge blow for Ireland as he is one of the few players we have that can bring the physicality needed against SH teams. How unfortunate is this guy with injuries.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0505/1224269733185.html

Blured

Every cloud has a silver lining, we know how good Ferris is, it will be great to see Kevin McLoughlin and John Muldoon get some meaningful gametime against the best in the SH

Mr.Applepie

With the amount of injuries Ferris has clocked up this season it could well be a blessing in disguise. Hopefully he'll have a good rest over the summer now.

Bugnug

Blured wrote: »

Every cloud has a silver lining, we know how good Ferris is, it will be great to see Kevin McLoughlin and John Muldoon get some meaningful gametime against the best in the SH

I dont know about that, this is exactly the type of game time Ferris requires to gain the experience necessary for the WC. He is one of our few world class players and light years ahead of any other No6 we have. McLaughlin and Muldoon are very good provincial players but this is a different ball game when it comes to SH teams. McLaughlin struggled in the 6N this year. I think the experience will do them no harm but Ferris missing these games is very bad.

freyners

Bugnug wrote: »

I dont know about that, this is exactly the type of game time Ferris requires to gain the experience necessary for the WC. He is one of our few world class players and light years ahead of any other No6 we have. McLaughlin and Muldoon are very good provincial players but this is a different ball game when it comes to SH teams. McLaughlin struggled in the 6N this year. I think the experience will do them no harm but Ferris missing these games is very bad.

Your right, ferris is a world class player and the experience from playing these games would have done him a lot of good. But we cant be over-reliant on the one player, especially one with an injury record like ferris
If kidney gives game time to both mclaughlin and muldoon then at least we have will have back-up that have international experience against top quality sides.

smurphy29

Well, our chances of getting a win down under pretty much disappear with that. McLaughlin will get a chance, and he deserves it and is a fine player, but not quite in Ferris' class. This guy is something else, and tailor made for the hard track down under.

A blow then, but in the longer term a summer resting at home might not be the worst thing in the world by any means. I'd expect he won't be the last frontline player to miss out on the tour.

outwest

i expect the two to get a full game each, i hope to god best isnt considered

thehighground

According to the Indo http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ferris-injury-adds-to-kidneys-woes-2164618.html Sean O'Brien will be available. Also say Denis Leamy will be fit.

thehighground

outwest wrote: »

ya but kidney wont pick him, quinlan isnt in his world cup plans.

quinlan been on of the best player in ireland this year. i think its because he can focus just on munster. if he was 2 years younger id have ahead of ferris on current form

If POC is missing, it might be a good idea to have someone like Quinlan in the Squad at least, but I doubt if he will. He is playing for the Baa-Baas now and it would be a bit much to ask him to bench for Ireland after how he was treated at the last RWC.

TheTMO

I'd like to see McLaughlin and Muldoon getting opportunities. Muldoon has been in fine form this season and McLaughlin is improving at an incredible rate in his first ever pro season.

O/T other than O'Driscoll, has an Irish player ever started for the Irish national team in their first season playing at the top level?

TheTMO

thehighground wrote: »

If POC is missing, it might be a good idea to have someone like Quinlan in the Squad at least, but I doubt if he will. He is playing for the Baa-Baas now and it would be a bit much to ask him to bench for Ireland after how he was treated at the last RWC.

Taking Quinlan would be a mistake. I'd prefer to get McLaughlin and Muldoon ready who are going to be in their prime in 15 months time for the World Cup. Quinlan on the other hand may not even still be playing in 15 months time.

thehighground

TheTMO wrote: »

I'd like to see McLaughlin and Muldoon getting opportunities. Muldoon has been in fine form this season and McLaughlin is improving at an incredible rate in his first ever pro season.

O/T other than O'Driscoll, has an Irish player ever started for the Irish national team in their first season playing at the top level?

McLaughlin is 25 and he wouldn't have been involved except for the injury crisis!

Luke Fitz might have started against the PIs I think in his first season as a pro.

thehighground

TheTMO wrote: »

Taking Quinlan would be a mistake. I'd prefer to get McLaughlin and Muldoon ready who are going to be in their prime in 15 months time for the World Cup. Quinlan on the other hand may not even still be playing in 15 months time.

Those two are unlikely to feature in the next RWC as Ferris, Leamy, O'Brien & D. Ryan (Wally & Heaslip) are all ahead of these two for the RWC. Its pointless giving them gametime, particularly if we go to the SH with an inexperienced front row and POC missing.

thomond2006

Unless Leamy gets 2 full games under his belt, I wouldn't take him.

Let him regain full fitness and a full pre-season.