Your irish 22 for the 2015 rugby world cup

Harry FM

I think James Hart, SH from Grenoble might well be in the mix...

Grimebox

Do you think there is a chance a relative unknown could come on the scene before now then? George North was only 19 when he played in the WC and was surely somewhat unknown 2 years prior to that.

.ak

Grimebox wrote: »

Do you think there is a chance a relative unknown could come on the scene before now then? George North was only 19 when he played in the WC and was surely somewhat unknown 2 years prior to that.

Impossible to tell really. I suppose there's some players that could break into the squad over night. But in reality North took a while to become more than a bosh merchant. He sprang up over night because of his size.

PlayerTrader13

Grimebox wrote: »

Do you think there is a chance a relative unknown could come on the scene before now then? George North was only 19 when he played in the WC and was surely somewhat unknown 2 years prior to that.

always a chance...

Grimebox

I realise how silly my question was now :pac:

RoundBox11

Grimebox wrote: »

Do you think there is a chance a relative unknown could come on the scene before now then? George North was only 19 when he played in the WC and was surely somewhat unknown 2 years prior to that.

To be fair tho, North was known throughout schools rugby in the UK. Obviously we wouldn't have heard of him here but he definitely didn't come out of nowhere. If there was an Irish equivalent we'd have heard about him (especially given how we hear about guys like Brewer when theyre so young).

Harry FM

I don't think that tries should be discounted simply because of the team they were scored againsed because some of them have been excellent tries. Gilroy danced through the Argentina defence to score a great try and zebo's was a great finish in the corner. Dave kearneys score in the corner againsed samoa however was a world class finish. It's unfair IMO to simply discount tries because they weren't scored againsed the very best teams because these were all brilliant tries that even the top teams may not have prevented.

Glass Prison 1214

I was reading through this thread and there was a few posters mentioning Considine for tighthead, what ever happened to him?

The Lost Sheep

Glass Prison 1214 wrote: »

I was reading through this thread and there was a few posters mentioning Considine for tighthead, what ever happened to him?

Moved to play Back-Row, mainly at 8, and hasn't been near Young Munsters AIL team since. Is playing Senior Seconds Level

The Pheasant2

15. R. Kearney
14. Bowe
13. Payne
12. Marshal
11. FitzGerald
10. Sexton
9. Murray

1. Healy
2. Best (think he's be unreal of late - we'll see how Strauss goes when he gets fully back)
3. Moore
4. Toner
5. POC? (He'll be 36 around then...too old? time will tell) otherwise Tuohy/McCarthy/Henderson may be a starting lock at Ulster soon
6. POM (Pure class recently) Ferris? (really hope he'll be in the mix by then) Ruddock will have a job displacing POM at 6 anyway
7. SOB
8. Heaslip

16. Cronin/Varley
17. McGrath/Kilcoyne
18. Archer (can he get his scrummaging right?) Tadhg Furlong? Looked strong v Zebre (possible considering the speed of Moore's rise)
19. Henderson
20. Ruddock/TOD/Jordi
21. Marmion, Hart? Cooney?
22. Looks like Jackson atm, Madigan looked smooth over the weekend, JJ could be a serious contender
23. Earls/Gilroy/Zebo/Ferg/DK/Trimble/Henshaw - We really have an embarrassment of riches in this area

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Just for a laugh I was looking at my team that I posted at the start of this thread (three years ago mind)

Kearney (Got one right!)
Bowe (Prob still be there)
O' Malley (retired )
Spence Poor Nevin, RIP
Conway (Hasn't really worked out for him lately)
Sexton (Will be there)
Murray (Nailed on)
Heaslip (Nailed on )
O Brien (Nailed on)
O Mahoney (Will be battling there with Ferris)
Nagle (Massive disappointment)
Tuohy (Good chance of being in the squad)
Healy (Nailed on)
Cronin (Should be in squad)
Hagan (Not much of a chance at this stage

Strauss/Sherry (Strauss should travel, injury has really set Sherry back), couldn't call, couldn't call, P Butler (Not happening!!), Mcgrath (not happening!), Keatley (not out of the realms of possibility, Earls (He'll be starting I reckon)

LeeroyJones

Could make it interesting and make a little game out of it

With regards the 23-man squad for France match WC 2015
Submit entry and look back during week of game

Scoring System
+3 Points if selected player has correct jersey number
+2 Points if selected player is playing with a different number* (eg you select Henshaw at 13 but he starts 15)
+1 Point if you select a player to start but he is on the bench and vice versa
0 points if left blank
-1 Point if selected player (starting or bench) is not in matchday 23 but is in WC Squad
-2 Points if selected player (starting or bench) fails to make WC Squad

*only applies if you select player to start and he starts in another position. Similarly if you select a player to bench.eg wearing 18 but ends up being 19(eg Henderson as lock replacement or back-row)

(there could be holes in this system, I really just made it up!)

conorsinnott

Its crazy looking at some of the peidctions made 3 years ago.

Prediction by Opening Poster:


15. Felix Jones//Will go but with Kearny in the way really won't start
14. Andrew Conway//Lost form and has had injuries. Also Ireland very strong in wingers. No way he will go
13. Nevin Spence// RIP
12. Fergus McFadden// I think he will go but as a utility back on the bench
11. Keith Earls// No way.Fallen down the pecking order horrnedously. Someone even preidcted this in the first 10 posts. rates to them
10. Jonathan Sexton// dead set
9. Luke McGrath// Can't see it happening
8. Jamie Heaslip (c)// dead cert
7. Dominic Ryan// nah not with the backrow option currently available
6. Sean O'Brien// if he stays fit
5. Dan Tuohy// Bench most likely
4. Ian Nagle// oh my word. I completely forgotten about him. On loan at Newcastle can't get near the munster team, let alone ireland
3. Jamie Hagan// Nah the irish prop pool has grown dramatically. IE moore, j.mcgrath to name a few. Plus he playing for the exiles now
2. Richard Strauss// get a good run f form on and he can challenge best for a starting berth
1. Cian Healy// no one going to remove him from his place

16. Sean Cronin// yes will stay right there, subbing on every match at the 50/60 minute mark.
17. Jack O'Connell// he fact that he has just moved to bristol says it all
18. Stewart Maguire// playing for esher in the 3rd tier of english rugby. tells the tale itself
19. Dave O'Callaghan// meh no real chance.
20. Rhys Ruddock// i reckon he will get there. in a really good position at the moment being exposed to first team rugby
21. Conor Murray// will be starting in RWC
22. JJ Hanrahan// sexton, madigan and jackson will be the flyhalfs bought over the irish sea and no more will be needed
23. Eoin Griffin// hasnt quite reached his full potential yet. Moving to the Exiles end of the 2013/14 season


My prediction for the 22 man squad:

1.cian Healy
2.rory best
3.mike ross
4.devin toner
5.mike mcarthy
6.peter o'mahony
7.sean o'brien
8.jamie heaslip

9.conor murray
10.jonny sexton
11. tommy bowe
12. jared payne
13. robbiehenshaw
14. andrew trimble
15. rob kearney

16. sean cronin
17. marty moore
18. jack mcgrath
19. steven ferris
20. dan tuohy
21. ian madigan
22. dave kearney/ fergus mcfadden

Mahatma Geansai

conorsinnott wrote: »

11. Keith Earls// No way.Fallen down the pecking order horrnedously. Someone even preidcted this in the first 10 posts. rates to them

:pac:

The only thing that will keep Earls off the plane is injury. Our best winger along with Bowe, and he could yet be involved at 13 if Munster don't make a signing there.

Hagz

In fairness, it's not like he's guaranteed a spot on the plane if he's fit (which is a good thing).

Swan Curry

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

:pac:

The only thing that will keep Earls off the plane is injury. Our best winger along with Bowe, and he could yet be involved at 13 if Munster don't make a signing there.

1:Trimble's been better than Earls all season.

2:Dear God,not Earls at 13 again.He's never going to be anything more than a stopgap,and the summer tour is the time to find out what Henshaw is made of.

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Swan Curry wrote: »

1:Trimble's been better than Earls all season.

2:Dear God,not Earls at 13 again.He's never going to be anything more than a stopgap,and the summer tour is the time to find out what Henshaw is made of.

Both been very good. Not sure if you could say one has been much better than the other over the course of a season though

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience

Hagz wrote: »

In fairness, it's not like he's guaranteed a spot on the plane if he's fit (which is a good thing).

On current form he would be. Or at least should be

Podge_irl

I think there have been a number of better players on the wing than Earls this season but he'd be a great squad player and is certainly a bloody mile off "definitely not travelling" territory.

Hagz

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

On current form he would be. Or at least should be

I would agree that if the squad were picked now he would be on the plane. But Fitzgerald, Zebo and McFadden have had interrupted seasons with injuries. If everyone stays fit next season, there's no guarantee of anything.

The Lost Sheep

conorsinnott wrote: »

Its crazy looking at some of the peidctions made 3 years ago.

Prediction by Opening Poster:


15. Felix Jones//Will go but with Kearny in the way really won't start
14. Andrew Conway//Lost form and has had injuries. Also Ireland very strong in wingers. No way he will go
13. Nevin Spence// RIP
12. Fergus McFadden// I think he will go but as a utility back on the bench
11. Keith Earls// No way.Fallen down the pecking order horrnedously. Someone even preidcted this in the first 10 posts. rates to them
10. Jonathan Sexton// dead set
9. Luke McGrath// Can't see it happening
8. Jamie Heaslip (c)// dead cert
7. Dominic Ryan// nah not with the backrow option currently available
6. Sean O'Brien// if he stays fit
5. Dan Tuohy// Bench most likely
4. Ian Nagle// oh my word. I completely forgotten about him. On loan at Newcastle can't get near the munster team, let alone ireland
3. Jamie Hagan// Nah the irish prop pool has grown dramatically. IE moore, j.mcgrath to name a few. Plus he playing for the exiles now
2. Richard Strauss// get a good run f form on and he can challenge best for a starting berth
1. Cian Healy// no one going to remove him from his place

16. Sean Cronin// yes will stay right there, subbing on every match at the 50/60 minute mark.
17. Jack O'Connell// he fact that he has just moved to bristol says it all
18. Stewart Maguire// playing for esher in the 3rd tier of english rugby. tells the tale itself
19. Dave O'Callaghan// meh no real chance.
20. Rhys Ruddock// i reckon he will get there. in a really good position at the moment being exposed to first team rugby
21. Conor Murray// will be starting in RWC
22. JJ Hanrahan// sexton, madigan and jackson will be the flyhalfs bought over the irish sea and no more will be needed
23. Eoin Griffin// hasnt quite reached his full potential yet. Moving to the Exiles end of the 2013/14 season


My prediction for the 22 man squad:

1.cian Healy
2.rory best
3.mike ross
4.devin toner
5.mike mcarthy
6.peter o'mahony
7.sean o'brien
8.jamie heaslip

9.conor murray
10.jonny sexton
11. tommy bowe
12. jared payne
13. robbiehenshaw
14. andrew trimble
15. rob kearney

16. sean cronin
17. marty moore
18. jack mcgrath
19. steven ferris
20. dan tuohy
21. ian madigan
22. dave kearney/ fergus mcfadden

Isnt that crazy considering the timeframe from when thread started to now.
On your team. Mike McCarthy wont be in second row. O Connell will be there. Rest of pack I agree with. On Mike Mc I think he'll be also behind a few others like DR, IH, DT,
Payne if involved wont be at 12 with Henshaw 13. Think Darcy/Marshall will be at 12.
Think Paddy Jackson will bench but that's very even between him and IM at the moment.

Tox56

Ugo Monye spacecraft experience wrote: »

On current form he would be. Or at least should be

It's not being selected now though

I'd be surprised if he didn't go particularly with the momentum he has built this season but last seasons six nations he was behind both Zebo and Gilroy, momentum is huge.

With players like Kearney, Bowe, Fitz, Earls, Trimble, Zebo, McFadden to pick from in the back 3 surely someone there will be disappointed

Mahatma Geansai

Tox56 wrote: »

It's not being selected now though

I'd be surprised if he didn't go particularly with the momentum he has built this season but last seasons six nations he was behind both Zebo and Gilroy, momentum is huge.

With players like Kearney, Bowe, Fitz, Earls, Trimble, Zebo, McFadden to pick from in the back 3 surely someone there will be disappointed

Was he behind them?

Kearney and McFadden aren't at the same level as the others. I would have grouped Trimble with them, but he is in great form and has seemed to cut most of the silly errors out of his game; I'd still say that he has quite a limited skill-set though.

Tox56

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

Was he behind them?

Kearney and McFadden aren't at the same level as the others. I would have grouped Trimble with them, but he is in great form and has seemed to cut most of the silly errors out of his game; I'd still say that he has quite a limited skill-set though.

Yes, he sat on the bench behind them in the opening two games and only came in when Zebo got injured.

I was talking about Rob Kearney not Dave. I wasn't even counting players like D Kearney and Gilroy. I would have had Trimble and McFadden in a lesser category but they've been outstanding in their Ireland appearances and injury is the main reason McFadden hasn't had a similar season to Trimble imo, every time was looked great (for Ireland, against Toulon) he gets injured. He's also the type of player Schmidt likes and offers great squad cover 11-14.

He'd be trailing at the moment but that fact in itself shows how competitive the back 3 positions will be, obviously if Trimble keeps up his form he'd be massively hard to ignore, "limited skill set" or not

connachta

funny comparison with myself:D

connachta wrote: »

15 Earls unlikely
14 Gilroy possible
13 Olding too soon
12 Mc Sharry same RWV 2019
11 Conway disgrace
10 Sexton ok
9 Marmion Has a good chance, I'm one of the few to have predicted
8 Heaslip yep
7 D.Ryan too soon
6 SOB if fit
5 Muldowney was my underdog!
4 Handerson maybe 3rd choice next year
3 Furlong too soon
2 Sherry behind Cronin and Best
1 Healy Yes!

16 Harris Wright too light
17 Jack McGrath Yeaaaah
18 John Andress No
19 Donnacha Ryan might be
20 Jordi Murphy wait and see
21 Murray yes
22 Madigan yes
23 Poolman injuries disrupted him

Don't be immoderatly conservative guys, 2015 RWC will take place in more than two years, the new coach have a lot of time to make shine promising players

Fireball07

Fireball07 wrote: »

I'll have a go...obviously in pure speculation, I would be shocked if anybody's team was any more than 70% correct.

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Eoin Griffin
12. JJ Hanrahan
11. Keith Earls
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Jamie Hagan (I actually have no idea who will step up but surely someone will)
4. Ian Henderson
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Sean O'Brien
7. Peter O'Mahony
8. Jamie Heaslip

16. Mike Sherry
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Mike Ross
19. Donncha Ryan
20. Dominic Ryan
21. Luke McGrath
22. Ian Madigan/Paddy Jackson
23. Luke Fitzgerald/Andrew Conway/Simon Zebo


I'm not sure Ferris will make it...Griffin is the best young 13 in Ireland imo. Hanrahan is only in because of a real dearth at 12. Marshall is the other player that comes to mind, but I have no idea whether he has the ability to step up, this should have been his breakthrough year. Madigan at 12 is another option which I wouldn't be surprised to see.

Don't think BOD will make it, I think he'll finish with a Lions tour, but POC might, but again it's injury-dependent.

Mine was only 2 years ago, but it's not impossible. My faith in Griffin was probably my biggest mistake, it looks more like Henshaw/Cave/Payne will replace BOD.

Also doubt Dom Ryan will be the bencher- TOD, Henry, Murphy or Ruddock are more likely now- although Ruddock's season this year shows how quickly you can come into the reckoning.

Hagan at 3... probably not, but Ross might still be going.

And JJ at 12 isn't an impossibility.

rockbeast

Fireball07 wrote: »

Mine was only 2 years ago, but it's not impossible. My faith in Griffin was probably my biggest mistake, it looks more like Henshaw/Cave/Payne will replace BOD.

Also doubt Dom Ryan will be the bencher- TOD, Henry, Murphy or Ruddock are more likely now- although Ruddock's season this year shows how quickly you can come into the reckoning.

Hagan at 3... probably not, but Ross might still be going.

And JJ at 12 isn't an impossibility.

JJ in the 23 is a possibility. At 12 I doubt it, unless we go for a 6/2 split against Italy and there is an injury to #12? Darcy(doubt it), Marshall, Olding(!)

blackdog1

People do realise the world cup is only over 12 months away so putting a load of untested players in is just fantasy stuff. Only surprises will be due to injuries and some starters form. Likely new faces will be in the backs at 13 and maybe 12 but I doubt it. Schmit has played most of the players he's considering.

rockbeast

blackdog1 wrote: »

People do realise the world cup is only over 12 months away so putting a load of untested players in is just fantasy stuff. Only surprises will be due to injuries and some starters form. Likely new faces will be in the backs at 13 and maybe 12 but I doubt it. Schmit has played most of the players he's considering.

In reality Earls will come back into the squad, Bowe obviously, Payne perhaps.

Cave and JJ, probably? Marshall will be pushing too for the squad...

right now, I see Copeland as the only currently uncapped player in the squad going to RWC15

I hope there's another bolter or two, though

Buer

Two years ago. I think I lost it with the bench.

15. Kearney
14. Bowe
13. Earls
12. AN Other
11. Zebo
10. Sexton
9. Murray
8. Heaslip
7. POM
6. SOB
5. POC
4. Ryan
3. Ross
2. Best
1. Healy

16. Strauss
17. McAllister
18. Furlong
19. Toner
20. Ryan
21. Reddan
22. Jackson
23. Payne

rockbeast

Buer wrote: »

Two years ago. I think I lost it with the bench.

I'd say that 23 will be closer than most. McGrath and Fitz in and I'd be happy.

PS I just realised that "Fit(z)" is the most ironic nickname possible for Luke:p

Utah_Saint

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. J Payne
12. Marshall/Olding
11. Trimble
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Martin Moore
4. I Henderson/D Toner
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Sean O'Brien
7. Peter O'Mahony/Ferris
8. Jamie Heaslip

16. R Strauss
17. Jack McGrath
18. Mike Ross (if he's still going well)
19. Donncha Ryan/I Henderson
20. Chris Henry
21. Marmion
22. Paddy Jackson
23. Luke Fitzgerald/Simon Zebo

rockbeast

Utah_Saint wrote: »

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. J Payne
12. Marshall/Olding
11. Trimble
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Martin Moore
4. I Henderson/D Toner
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Sean O'Brien
7. Peter O'Mahony/Ferris
8. Jamie Heaslip

16. R Strauss
17. Jack McGrath
18. Mike Ross (if he's still going well)
19. Donncha Ryan/I Henderson
20. Chris Henry
21. Marmion
22. Paddy Jackson
23. Luke Fitzgerald/Simon Zebo

19. Henderson
20. Ruddock

Utah_Saint

rockbeast wrote: »

19. Henderson
20. Ruddock

Yeah, for me it was tough to leave out Ruddock. If he really nails down his place at leinster then he should make the WC squad.

Same for Marmion. He could either make the squad or fall away completely. Next season is critical that he really kicks on a bit.

also, Marshall is not nailed on for me. I personally think olding is a better player and offers more. Just depends if Olding returns from injury ready to go!

Buer

The competition in the back row is going to be pretty fierce. We can assume that, if fit, Heaslip, SOB, POM and Ferris will definitely go. I think we can expect Henry to go then too. Anyone else is very likely to be left at home (Ruddock, TOD etc.). I'd expect Henderson to travel as a guy who can cover lock and flanker.

It's a similar scenario in the second row. If we take that POC, Toner and Ryan are the options with Henderson to travel as a dual player, everyone else is left behind. Tuohy, McCarthy, DOC all out in the cold.

rockbeast

Utah_Saint wrote: »

Yeah, for me it was tough to leave out Ruddock. If he really nails down his place at leinster then he should make the WC squad.

Same for Marmion. He could either make the squad or fall away completely. Next season is critical that he really kicks on a bit.

also, Marshall is not nailed on for me. I personally think olding is a better player and offers more. Just depends if Olding returns from injury ready to go!

I did have Olding with a ! a few posts up:)

Who knows if some of these young lads' bodies will last until October 2015? Especially in the backs...

rockbeast

Buer wrote: »

It's a similar scenario in the second row. If we take that POC, Toner and Ryan are the options with Henderson to travel as a dual player, everyone else is left behind. Tuohy, McCarthy, DOC all out in the cold.

Yeah, i think Ryan is the only proper "enforcer" we have now. Thought MMcC was one, but no:o

Hype710

An angry face does not an enforcer make.

rockbeast

Hype710 wrote: »

An angry face does not an enforcer make.

The last ruck before half-time in 2012, Paddy's Day Twickenham, check out his clearance that won us a peno.

A one man gang

And I'm a Leinster supporter.

Trust me, DR is hard

Berticus

While no great prediction, if a player has yet to play for Ireland by the conclusion of the Argentina tour, it's fair to say they won't feature in RWC 15...

Tox56

Berticus wrote: »

While no great prediction, if a player has yet to play for Ireland by the conclusion of the Argentina tour, it's fair to say they won't feature in RWC 15...

Payne..?

rockbeast

Tox56 wrote: »

Payne..?

Ha:)

I am actually listening to an old playlist now while on the PC.

Adrenaline by Bush was playing as I read this page.

"You don't even feel the (Payne) pain!

Synchronicity or what?:D

Grimebox

I'd love to see Zebo not travel just for the inevitable sh!t storm that would follow :pac:

CIARAN_BOYLE

Berticus wrote: »

While no great prediction, if a player has yet to play for Ireland by the conclusion of the Argentina tour, it's fair to say they won't feature in RWC 15...

Payne for one and I would imagine that 3rd choice prop on either side is still open enough with a number of uncapped players in contention.. Every other position I would agree witha number of uncapped players in contention.

rockbeast

Grimebox wrote: »

I'd love to see Zebo not travel just for the inevitable sh!t storm that would follow :pac:

How about he sorts out his defending and becomes the world class player we know he can be?

18 months is a long long time in rugby...He has time

***Leinster fan here but, as I do for Madigan, I see something different in the lad.

Le joie de vivre/rugby:)

Unfortunately, for a player, rugby success is predicated upon meeting the right coach at the right time...

Neither Zebo nor Madigan suit their coaches at this point in time IMO:(

19543261

rockbeast wrote: »

Unfortunately, for a player, rugby success is predicated upon meeting the right coach at the right time... favourable circumstances during individual games.

: DDDD

Buer

Grimebox wrote: »

I'd love to see Zebo not travel just for the inevitable sh!t storm that would follow :pac:

To be honest, I'd say it's strongly against him going right now. There's limited places and other wingers are in great form.

With 30 man squads, they will have, at most, 14 backs. You can give 5 of those spots to half backs. So 9 players to cover 11-15. All being fit, we would have to assume that D'Arcy, Bowe, Rob Kearney and Andrew Trimble are pretty nailed on at this point. I think we can expect Payne to go too. We're down to 4 spots between Earls, McFadden, Zebo, Cave, Dave Kearney, Fitzgerald and Henshaw.

Based on what we've seen so far and the overall form of players, there's a pretty strong case to assume that Zebo is not in the top 4 from those players. A lot will be revealed in the coming weeks when the Argentina squad is named.

A big problem for Zebo is that, in a limited squad, they'll want guys who can play other positions. Zebo has played 3 professional games at 15 and every other game at 11. Dave Kearney, arguably the least versatile of the remaining players and a Schmidt favourite, has 13 starts at full back, 23 on the right wing and 29 on the left wing.

He's by no means out of the running but he needs to have a big few weeks starting immediately to ensure he goes to Argentina. If he doesn't go, the odds of him going to the RWC are really against him.

Superbus

If D'Arcy plays, would he be the first to play in 5 World Cups or has that been done before?

rockbeast

19543261 wrote: »

: DDDD

Now that's harsh and unwarranted...

And what you said about Zebo too:D

rockbeast

Superbus wrote: »

If D'Arcy plays, would he be the first to play in 5 World Cups or has that been done before?

Did a flying (shoulder!) Fijian not do that in '07?