Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread

Fireball07

danthefan wrote: »

Are you lying or can you just not remember what you posted a few minutes ago?

Ah now Dan...those two things mean completely different things and I'm sure you know that.

danthefan

Fireball07 wrote: »

Ah now Dan...those two things mean completely different things and I'm sure you know that.

You'll have to explain that one. He clearly says he doesn't think Heaslip is captain material, then denies he said Heaslip wasn't captain material. It's about as clear cut as you can get.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Fireball07 wrote: »

Ah now Dan...those two things mean completely different things and I'm sure you know that.

There appears to be a lot of selective illiteracy around these parts over the last few pages.

jm08

durkadurka wrote: »

No. Over the last two years or so, If its a big game , and Cullen doesn't play, then heaslip is captain.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I can see Cullen has started every HCup game bar 2 since the 08/09 season. Jennings was usually captain when Leo wasn't there and he started those two games.

Tox56

Ugh it's getting tedious now, basically:

Without POC = Heaslip will be captain, even if some people don't think he is a long-term option there

With POC = Heaslip won't be captain

We may never need to have this argument for real as Heaslip is stuck behind so many good leaders while in his prime, Best/POC/BOD will take their time to retire, by which time a better option may have come around.

Cpt_Blackbeard

danthefan wrote: »

You'll have to explain that one. He clearly says he doesn't think Heaslip is captain material, then denies he said Heaslip wasn't captain material. It's about as clear cut as you can get.

I think the best way to address this point is to refer back to a previous post on this thread...

danthefan wrote: »

He's just jumped the shark, tragic.

Fireball07

danthefan wrote: »

You'll have to explain that one. He clearly says he doesn't think Heaslip is captain material, then denies he said Heaslip wasn't captain material. It's about as clear cut as you can get.

This argument has descended pretty badly (especially since in theory, we're all in agreement) but saying someone is not great captain material is not the same as saying they are not captain material at all.


Like...NOC is not a great player...but he's still a player (although jaco might disagree :pac:)

phog

danthefan wrote: »

Are you lying or can you just not remember what you posted a few minutes ago?

Seeing as Ireland are depending so much on SA the moment maybe we need to get this lot involved.

What the **** are you guys smoking?

Fireball07

So, to change the topic a bit...


That Ferris fella is great, isn't he? (Is that something we can all agree on?)

CIARAN_BOYLE

Foxtrol wrote: »

Why? No one seems to be able to give a rational reason as to why they aren't a fan of him as a captain.

He doesn't have a massive amount of captaincy experience and I would prefer that he had a year as Leinster captain before captaining his country.

That said he is the best option if the last three Irish captains (BOD, POC and Best) are injured.

Podge_irl

jm08 wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I can see Cullen has started every HCup game bar 2 since the 08/09 season. Jennings was usually captain when Leo wasn't there and he started those two games.

Heaslip was captain for the two HEC games Cullen missed (home to Racing and away to Saracens).

TheGoldenAges

Fireball07 wrote: »

So, to change the topic a bit...


That Ferris fella is great, isn't he? (Is that something we can all agree on?)

Unreal! Near shoe in for the Lions if he's near top form!

Tox56

Fireball07 wrote: »

So, to change the topic a bit...


That Ferris fella is great, isn't he? (Is that something we can all agree on?)

Only in there because of Kidney's Ulster bias, Jordi Murphy clearly far more deserving based on his 2 rabo appearances, gym rat who doesn't have the skills to be a top class player

durkadurka

jm08 wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I can see Cullen has started every HCup game bar 2 since the 08/09 season. Jennings was usually captain when Leo wasn't there and he started those two games.

You appear to be confirming my point.

Inspector Coptoor

Stuck for a full back?

There's this fella playing over in the West, went to Roscrea, captains one of the Provinces, Connacht.

Yeah, I'm talking about Gavin Duffy.

I can't for the life of me understand why, when an out and out fullback is needed, he isn't utilized.

I'm all for blooding new players etc, but what's the point if they are being played out of position?

Foxtrol

Inspector Coptoor wrote: »

Stuck for a full back?

There's this fella playing over in the West, went to Roscrea, captains one of the Provinces, Connacht.

Yeah, I'm talking about Gavin Duffy.

I can't for the life of me understand why, when an out and out fullback is needed, he isn't utilized.

I'm all for blooding new players etc, but what's the point if they are being played out of position?

He's injured.

Podge_irl

Duffy is injured is he not? Hasn't played in over a month.

Fireball07

Duffy's been in plenty of Ireland squads before, albeit with limited gametime. If he was fit, he'd probably be picked.

But he's injured, Jones is just back from injury, Murphy is retired...

And Henshaw has been really excellent

Inspector Coptoor

Feck, was offside there so & just went in a rant.

He should have more caps than he has though.

Henshaw has been playing well.

It'll certainly Bevan interesting Autumn series in terms of selection if nothing else

RoundBox11

I tend to lurk on these threads before posting so here's my thoughts...

It's now clear that Jones isn't being considered for the Springboks match. So that would imply that Earls and Bowe are the main candidates for the 15 jersey. Kidney hasn't ousted Bowe from the right wing in years and i can't see him doing it now, especially when Earls has more experience at full back. I'd also expect to see Zebo ahead of Trimble on the other wing. That leaves Cave at 13 by default.
I know some people will point out how Kidney picked McFadden at 13 for the 6N but Cave was injured then. Simple as.
I'm also expecting Reddan to start. Murray was always ok to good last year for munster but this year his play has been undeniably poor at times. While Reddan hasn't exactly been amazing he's been more consistent at his basic roles.

Moving to the forwards, I personally hope that Cronin starts. My reason being that it's tough for any player to start their first test, but against your home nation it'd be incredibly tough. I fully believe that Strauss will give us everything he's got and be a great player in green. But given that he's untested at test level i just think it's a bit much to expect from the guy. Added to the fact that the Boks will field a huge pack i think Cronin's extra size and speed will be useful.



I dearly hope Henry starts at 7. He's far and away our best option.

So basically i'm expecting to see:

Healy, Cronin, Ross, Ryan, POC (C), Ferris, Henry, Heaslip, Reddan, Sexton, Zebo, D'Arcy, Cave, Bowe, Earls

Fireball07

RoundBox11 wrote: »

So basically i'm expecting to see:

Healy, Cronin, Ross, Ryan, POC (C), Ferris, Henry, Heaslip, Reddan, Sexton, Zebo, D'Arcy, Cave, Bowe, Earls

Well, I'd like to see that. Not sure it's what we will see though.

Teferi

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Did I say that Heaslip shouldn't be captain? I clearly stated he is the best option we have available.

Its amazing the amount of responses a post can garner from people who didn't (couldn't?) read it...

Good lad.

slowburner

At the open training session they seemed to be trying out Zebo at 15.

Theta

Hurley really? HURLEY?

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1101/1224325978271.html

leftleg

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2012/1031/1224325965990.html

"Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick suffered a setback in his comeback from a concussion sustained last Friday night and will now be rested until Monday before undergoing testing procedures"

There dropping like flies. Fitzpatrick is leaving it close as well.

phog

leftleg wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2012/1031/1224325965990.html

"Ulster prop Declan Fitzpatrick suffered a setback in his comeback from a concussion sustained last Friday night and will now be rested until Monday before undergoing testing procedures"

There dropping like flies. Fitzpatrick is leaving it close as well.

Well it's the right thing to do with regards to concussion.

GerM

slowburner wrote: »

At the open training session they seemed to be trying out Zebo at 15.

Happy to hear it. I don't think he has ever played there at any significant level but many elements of his game suit the role perfectly from what I can see. He has a massive boot, he's good under the high ball and he is a good runner from deep. Not too sure about his last line of defence tackling but I'm not sure about Rob Kearney's either so we'll forgive him that.

Theta

In other news the jersey to play SA is revolting,

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3558_8216642,00.html