What do you think should be Ireland's starting 15 this coming Six Nations?

siltirocker

Not XV but my Six Nations Squad would be:

Loose Head Prop Forwards: Cian Healy, Brett Wilkinson

Tighthead Prop Forwards: Mike Ross, AN Other

Universal Prop Forward. Tom Court (1/3)

Hooker: Rory Best, Sean Cronin

Second Row Forwards: Dan Touhy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell

Second Row / Back Row Forwards: Mike McCarthy (4/6), Donnacha Ryan (4/6)

Back Row Forwards: Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Jamie Heaslip.

Scrum Half Backs: Eoin Reddan, Conor Murray, Isaac Boss

Outside Half Backs: Jonathan Sexton, Ronan O'Gara

Inside Centre Backs: Gordan D'Arcy

Outside Centre Backs: Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Griffin

Utility Backs: Fergus McFadden (11/12/13/14), Luke Fitzgerald (11/12/13/14/15), Keith Earls (11/12/13/14/15)

Wingers: Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble

Full back: Rob Kearney

That'd be my squad anyway.

• I'd call in Duffy if Kearney & another Utility Back were injured.
• Cave if a Centre & another Utility Back were injured.
• Muldoon if O'Brien gets injured.
• Madigan for the OH.
• Any auld generic Hooker if Cronin or Best hobbles off.
• And Marshall if a SH gets injured.

Beyond that I think it's sound. And properly covers injuries too.

molloyjh

siltirocker wrote: »

Not XV but my Six Nations Squad would be:

Loose Head Prop Forwards: Cian Healy, Brett Wilkinson

Tighthead Prop Forwards: Mike Ross, AN Other

Universal Prop Forward. Tom Court (1/3)

Hooker: Rory Best, Sean Cronin

Second Row Forwards: Dan Touhy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell

Second Row / Back Row Forwards: Mike McCarthy (4/6), Donnacha Ryan (4/6)

Back Row Forwards: Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Jamie Heaslip.

Scrum Half Backs: Eoin Reddan, Conor Murray, Isaac Boss

Outside Half Backs: Jonathan Sexton, Ronan O'Gara

Inside Centre Backs: Gordan D'Arcy

Outside Centre Backs: Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Griffin

Utility Backs: Fergus McFadden (11/12/13/14), Luke Fitzgerald (11/12/13/14/15), Keith Earls (11/12/13/14/15)

Wingers: Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble

Full back: Rob Kearney

That'd be my squad anyway.

• I'd call in Duffy if Kearney & another Utility Back were injured.
• Cave if a Centre & another Utility Back were injured.
• Muldoon if O'Brien gets injured.
• Madigan for the OH.
• Any auld generic Hooker if Cronin or Best hobbles off.
• And Marshall if a SH gets injured.

Beyond that I think it's sound. And properly covers injuries too.

That's a good 30 all right. I'd like to see Toner in there though (ahead of DOC tbh) and Marshall ahead of Boss. I also think Cave should get the nod ahead of EOM purely based on game time. EOM isn't getting a decent run in at Leinster so I can't justify him being ahead of Cave. Finally what's the story on Jones does anyone know. He's due back during the 6 Nations isn't he? Is it early or mid-way through?

ed7890

molloyjh wrote: »

That's a good 30 all right. I'd like to see Toner in there though (ahead of DOC tbh) and Marshall ahead of Boss. I also think Cave should get the nod ahead of EOM purely based on game time. EOM isn't getting a decent run in at Leinster so I can't justify him being ahead of Cave. Finally what's the story on Jones does anyone know. He's due back during the 6 Nations isn't he? Is it early or mid-way through?

The latest news is that he'll be ready for Munsters next Pro12 game against Aironi, 5 weeks away. It'll take him a while to get up to speed, so I'd say he's out of the picture for this one.

CIARAN_BOYLE

ed7890 wrote: »

The latest news is that he'll be ready for Munsters next Pro12 game against Aironi, 5 weeks away. It'll take him a while to get up to speed, so I'd say he's out of the picture for this one.

Heard last weekend that he would be available in three weeks time which would leave him able to be rushed back into the wolfhound squad for the match with Saxons. I'm not sure its a good idea but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

ed7890

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Heard last weekend that he would be available in three weeks time which would leave him able to be rushed back into the wolfhound squad for the match with Saxons. I'm not sure its a good idea but I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

Ya, well back in training in 3 weeks, and first Munster game will be the Aironi one.

And while Wallace, the man Ronan has so capably replaced at No. 7 this season, is still on course for a return from his knee injury at the beginning of March, there was encouraging news for Munster fans that full-back Felix Jones would be back training in three weeks and could be available for selection in five weeks for the RaboDirect Pro12 trip to Italian side Aironi on February 12

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/mcgahan-decision-time-looms-for-flannery-179929.html#ixzz1jESMoENr

Myself, I wouldn't like him to be rushed back into a competitive game. The most important things is for him to come back, hopefully, healthy and with his injury problems behind him.

padraig.od

siltirocker wrote: »

Not XV but my Six Nations Squad would be:

Loose Head Prop Forwards: Cian Healy, Brett Wilkinson

Tighthead Prop Forwards: Mike Ross, AN Other

Universal Prop Forward. Tom Court (1/3)

Hooker: Rory Best, Sean Cronin

Second Row Forwards: Dan Touhy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell

Second Row / Back Row Forwards: Mike McCarthy (4/6), Donnacha Ryan (4/6)

Back Row Forwards: Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony, Jamie Heaslip.

Scrum Half Backs: Eoin Reddan, Conor Murray, Isaac Boss

Outside Half Backs: Jonathan Sexton, Ronan O'Gara

Inside Centre Backs: Gordan D'Arcy

Outside Centre Backs: Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Griffin

Utility Backs: Fergus McFadden (11/12/13/14), Luke Fitzgerald (11/12/13/14/15), Keith Earls (11/12/13/14/15)

Wingers: Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble

Full back: Rob Kearney

That'd be my squad anyway.

• I'd call in Duffy if Kearney & another Utility Back were injured.
• Cave if a Centre & another Utility Back were injured.
• Muldoon if O'Brien gets injured.
• Madigan for the OH.
• Any auld generic Hooker if Cronin or Best hobbles off.
• And Marshall if a SH gets injured.

Beyond that I think it's sound. And properly covers injuries too.

Grand squad but like every Irish coach since the history of time you've picked a squad full of blindsides who can "do a job" elsewhere! You've even picked 2 second rows who play blindside.

How many natural blindsides were in the RWC squad? 3 or 4 I think. There was even a big debate on which reserve second row to bring, Ryan clinched it as he could cover.... blindside. We're obsessed with them!

siltirocker

padraig.od wrote: »

Grand squad but like every Irish coach since the history of time you've picked a squad full of blindsides who can "do a job" elsewhere! You've even picked 2 second rows who play blindside.

How many natural blindsides were in the RWC squad? 3 or 4 I think. There was even a big debate on which reserve second row to bring, Ryan clinched it as he could cover.... blindside. We're obsessed with them!

Suggestions? O'Brien is going to start and stay there. With O'Mahony in the 19 jersey to step in.

He won't bring Jennings or Ronan.

Hype710

siltirocker wrote: »

Suggestions? O'Brien is going to start and stay there. With O'Mahony in the 19 jersey to step in.

He won't bring Jennings or Ronan.

If Ronan proves his fitness he could well make the bench.

Fireball07

Hype710 wrote: »

If Ronan proves his fitness he could well make the bench.

I find it unlikely tbh.

Ronan has done extremely well this season, it's amazing how much he's improved but POM has been even better. The fact POM has played 6, 7 & 8 this season means he'll be favoured in any case.

Ronan is probably behind Ruddock aswell, and would be behind Muldoon if he wasn't getting on a bit.

profitius

Heres a question. How many new caps do you think will get to play any part in the 6 nations? By 'new' I include players like Cave who have won 2 caps before.

I'm thinking we might see somewhere between 1 to 3 new faces. It wouldn't surprise me if it was zero though.

Hype710

Fireball07 wrote: »

I find it unlikely tbh.

Ronan has done extremely well this season, it's amazing how much he's improved but POM has been even better. The fact POM has played 6, 7 & 8 this season means he'll be favoured in any case.

Ronan is probably behind Ruddock aswell, and would be behind Muldoon if he wasn't getting on a bit.

I'd have O' Mahony there as well, but there are question marks about his propensity in getting injured, he goes down practically every game for treatment. I agree that Ronan has improved measurably and may have surpassed Jennings as back up 7. Ruddock, McLaughlin and Muldoon are all predominantly blindsides which may work in Ronan's favour as we don't need to cover blindside with O' Brien and Donnacha Ryan (presumably) on the field.

Tox56

Hype710 wrote: »

I'd have O' Mahony there as well, but there are question marks about his propensity in getting injured, he goes down practically every game for treatment. I agree that Ronan has improved measurably and may have surpassed Jennings as back up 7. Ruddock, McLaughlin and Muldoon are all predominantly blindsides which may work in Ronan's favour as we don't need to cover blindside with O' Brien and Donnacha Ryan (presumably) on the field.

He may have improved, but Ronan is not an international quailty 7, and I wouldn't want him on the field in any sort of important match.

totallegend

profitius wrote: »

Heres a question. How many new caps do you think will get to play any part in the 6 nations? By 'new' I include players like Cave who have won 2 caps before.

I'm thinking we might see somewhere between 1 to 3 new faces. It wouldn't surprise me if it was zero though.

There will be at least one in the back row, consensus is that O'Mahony is in pole position, maybe Ruddock will get a chance.

Beyond that, it's hard to see where the new face will come in, particularly if DK goes with Earls at 13, Luke at 11 and either Trimble or McFadden at 22. Second-row offers another opportunity but my gut tells me it will be POC and Ryan starting with DOC on the bench.

siltirocker

Fireball07 wrote: »

I find it unlikely tbh.

Ronan has done extremely well this season, it's amazing how much he's improved but POM has been even better. The fact POM has played 6, 7 & 8 this season means he'll be favoured in any case.

Ronan is probably behind Ruddock aswell, and would be behind Muldoon if he wasn't getting on a bit.

Niall Ronan is older than John Muldoon, isn't he?

Fireball07

siltirocker wrote: »

Niall Ronan is older than John Muldoon, isn't he?

They're pretty much the same age.

I thought Ronan was a year younger. Because Ronan is a specialist 7, he might be favoured but to be honest, I don't think there's much point in calling him up.

Call up Dom Ryan, I know he's not starting at the moment but Ronan won't start, he's not versatile enough to be a great bench option and the experience of being in the squad will do Dom Ryan good.

danthefan

Fireball07 wrote: »

They're pretty much the same age.

I thought Ronan was a year younger. Because Ronan is a specialist 7, he might be favoured but to be honest, I don't think there's much point in calling him up.

Call up Dom Ryan, I know he's not starting at the moment but Ronan won't start, he's not versatile enough to be a great bench option and the experience of being in the squad will do Dom Ryan good.

He's injured.

Quint2010

The team should be: Kearney Trimble Bowe Fitzgerald Earls Sexton Reddan Healy Best Ross POC Toner Ferris SOB Heaslip

Podge_irl

Quint2010 wrote: »

The team should be: Kearney Trimble Bowe Fitzgerald Earls Sexton Reddan Healy Best Ross POC Toner Ferris SOB Heaslip

Except neither of the centres normally play in that position. They'd probably leak like a sieve.

Fireball07

danthefan wrote: »

He's injured.

Oops...


But he wasn't starting before his injury, was he? Or am I imagining things again?

danthefan

Fireball07 wrote: »

Oops...


But he wasn't starting before his injury, was he? Or am I imagining things again?

Certainly wasn't first choice obviously but like all squad players at Leinster he was getting gametime.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Fireball07 wrote: »

Oops...


But he wasn't starting before his injury, was he? Or am I imagining things again?

he has had a bad season with injury. He has started the majority of games that has been fit for. Played a few B&I cup games while returning from injury and got injured again.

Tox56

Will Greenwood saying Sexton is probably the best outhalf in the world right now.

Allowing for the ridiculous Sky hyperbole, how far off is he?

Bearcat

Fellas, forgive me but where did this guy Cave come from......? Never heard of him.

danthefan

Tox56 wrote: »

Will Greenwood saying Sexton is probably the best outhalf in the world right now.

Allowing for the ridiculous Sky hyperbole, how far off is he?

In the eyes of our fearless leader Mr. Kidney he's not even the best OH in Ireland.

Being serious though for Leinster I wouldn't take another OH in the HEC ahead of him. Carter is obviously better. Then you've Steyn and Cooper, who are different players. If he finally gets backed by Ireland this season he'll be up there in the top few in the world imo.

Bur, Carter aside, the standard of OH around at the minute isn't great.

Brendan97

Kidneys team - my team
1.Healy - Healy
2.Best - Best/Cronin
3.Ross - Ross
4.DOC - Tuohy
5.POC - POC
6.Ferris - Ferris
7.SOB - SOB
8.Heaslip - Heaslip
9.Murray - Reddan/Murray
10.Sexton - Sexton
11.Earls/Fitzgerald - Earls
12.Darcy - Fitzgerald
13.Earls/McFadden - EOM
14.Bowe - Bowe
15.Kearney - Kearney

jacothelad

Bearcat wrote: »

Fellas, forgive me but where did this guy Cave come from......? Never heard of him.

You mean you've missed all of the 73 games he has played for Ulster plus the two he has played for Ireland? Strange.

molloyjh

Tox56 wrote: »

Will Greenwood saying Sexton is probably the best outhalf in the world right now.

Allowing for the ridiculous Sky hyperbole, how far off is he?

For all the grief Sky and the media in general was getting over the years about creaming themselves over Munster, they're doing it all over Leinster now. But to be honest he's not far wrong really. Who playing is better? He runs the back line very well, is very good with ball in hand (so much so he was talked of as IC for the RWC), has a good defense, has a great success rate from the tee, can slot DGs from halfway and can play for territory as well as anyone. He's def up there.

CatFromHue

jacothelad wrote: »

You mean you've missed all of the 73 games he has played for Ulster plus the two he has played for Ireland? Strange.

I'm kinda surprised that the two games he played for Ireland were full cap internationals.

The team that took to the field against the US was:
Gavin Duffy, Barry Murphy, Darren Cave, Ian Whitten, Ian Dowling, Ian Keatley, Peter Stringer, Tom Court, Rory Best, Tony Buckley, Bob Casey, Mick O'Driscoll, John Muldoon, Niall Ronan, Denis Leamy.

Bearcat

jacothelad wrote: »

You mean you've missed all of the 73 games he has played for Ulster plus the two he has played for Ireland? Strange.

I humbly apologize.....just didn't tweak it and yes I've seen him play didnt cop it....long day. Sorry.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Tox56 wrote: »

Will Greenwood saying Sexton is probably the best outhalf in the world right now.

Allowing for the ridiculous Sky hyperbole, how far off is he?

Definitely top 5.

Carter is out in front on his own there there are three or four 10s that are in or around the same standard and Sexton. is one of them

irishbucsfan

Sexton is better than Cooper and Steyn for sure. Steyn would be my number 3 though. Cooper is barely a rugby player.

I like Trinh Duc as well, but I think Sexton is the 2nd best in the world. Priestland showed during the world cup that he's a class act.

My top 5 would be:

1. Carter
2. Sexton
3. Steyn
4. Trinh Duc
5. Priestland

profitius

James O'Connor is starting to play 10 now for the Aussies. He could be up there with Carter in a few years.

Annabella1

Big matches this weekend especially the ulster Leicester game.i would rate Trimble/touhy/cave as 'possibles' for a start against Wales.I wonder who we will be talking about next week.

sock puppet

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Sexton is better than Cooper and Steyn for sure. Steyn would be my number 3 though. Cooper is barely a rugby player.

You're comparing Sexton's provincial record to Cooper's international record. If you look at both purely on their international games they've both been very inconsistent.

irishbucsfan

sock puppet wrote: »

You're comparing Sexton's provincial record to Cooper's international record. If you look at both purely on their international games they've both been very inconsistent.

And if you look at both on their club records, Cooper has been completely inconsistent and Sexton has been very consistent. I wouldn't have Cooper starting for the New Ross U15s.

sock puppet

irishbucsfan wrote: »

And if you look at both on their club records, Cooper has been completely inconsistent and Sexton has been very consistent. I wouldn't have Cooper starting for the New Ross U15s.

I don't see how. He's a poor defender and an average goal kicker but they're pretty constant.

irishbucsfan

sock puppet wrote: »

I don't see how. He's a poor defender and an average goal kicker but they're pretty constant.

He's not a poor defender, he's a coward.

Ronan O'Gara is a poor defender. He puts his body on the lnie, he just does it in a shockingly poor way. He still has the courage to go out there and do his best. Quade Cooper is different, he's a complete coward, he moves out of the way of prospective tackles (regularly). It's bad enough that they had to move him to the wing (which should tell you straight away that he's not good enough for international rugby) but even then he is a complete joke of a defender.

That's only one aspect of his game that isn't up to scratch as an international. There are others (although I wouldn't include his goal kicking amongst them).

sock puppet

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He's not a poor defender, he's a coward.

Ronan O'Gara is a poor defender. He puts his body on the lnie, he just does it in a shockingly poor way. He still has the courage to go out there and do his best. Quade Cooper is different, he's a complete coward, he moves out of the way of prospective tackles (regularly). It's bad enough that they had to move him to the wing (which should tell you straight away that he's not good enough for international rugby) but even then he is a complete joke of a defender.

That's only one aspect of his game that isn't up to scratch as an international. There are others (although I wouldn't include his goal kicking amongst them).

He still gets picked ahead of players like Barnes and Giteau though because he contributes way more to the team than them. He's still a phenomenal player ball in hand and can tear teams apart on his day. Anyway this is off topic. I do think Sexton will prove to be the better outhalf though.

irishbucsfan

sock puppet wrote: »

He still gets picked ahead of players like Barnes and Giteau though because he contributes way more to the team than them. He's still a phenomenal player ball in hand and can tear teams apart on his day. Anyway this is off topic. I do think Sexton will prove to be the better outhalf though.

Australia have learned their lesson for picking him now, it was a big mistake and it destroyed their world cup.

He rips apart Super 15 defenses. That's about as admirable as scoring against the Irish Blind Soccer team. When it comes time to play real rugby he ends up looking like the player he is. All flash, no substance whatsoever.

Sexton is far better, and so are a good few other NH 10s, as well have a good few SH ones.

sock puppet

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Australia have learned their lesson for picking him now, it was a big mistake and it destroyed their world cup.

He rips apart Super 15 defenses. That's about as admirable as scoring against the Irish Blind Soccer team. When it comes time to play real rugby he ends up looking like the player he is. All flash, no substance whatsoever.

Sexton is far better, and so are a good few other NH 10s, as well have a good few SH ones.

Their hand may be forced because of his injury but I'd say he'd be selected if fully fit and in form. And he's ripped apart a lot more than Super Rugby defences.

roycon

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Sexton is better than Cooper and Steyn for sure. Steyn would be my number 3 though. Cooper is barely a rugby player.

I like Trinh Duc as well, but I think Sexton is the 2nd best in the world. Priestland showed during the world cup that he's a class act.

My top 5 would be:

1. Carter
2. Sexton
3. Steyn
4. Trinh Duc
5. Priestland

have a feeling priestland will sink back into mediocrity.poor place kicking,tackling and positional kicking isnt a good combination for an outhalf. when the tight games start flowing and priestland is nudging kicks wide james hook will have another chance.

roycon

1.Healy/possiblity of court starting with healy as an impact sub with 30 to go
2.Best
3.Ross nailed down
4.up for grabs - can see reasons for including mike mccarthy,donncha oc,tuohy,toner,donnacha ryan and wouldnt be unhappy with any of them - peter omahoney as a long shot in the row
5.POC nailed down
6.Ferris nailed down
7.SOB nailed down starter at 6/7 or 8 - peter o'mahoney possible debut v italy/scotland
8.Heaslip possibility of a trial half at no.7 with obrien at 8
9.reddan/murray for the future - reddans playing well - Tol still has time on his side even though hes widely hated at the moment
10.Sexton nailed down. it would upset to see a player of ogaras calibre not involved in the six nations
11.fitzgerlad/earls/trimble/conway/gilroy - can see reasons for all 5 players
12.mcfadden should start at 12
13.the 64 million dollar question - earls or mcfadden - id love to see fitz there
14.Bowe nailed down
15.Kearney nailed down

roycon

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He's not a poor defender, he's a coward.

Ronan O'Gara is a poor defender. He puts his body on the lnie, he just does it in a shockingly poor way. He still has the courage to go out there and do his best. Quade Cooper is different, he's a complete coward, he moves out of the way of prospective tackles (regularly). It's bad enough that they had to move him to the wing (which should tell you straight away that he's not good enough for international rugby) but even then he is a complete joke of a defender.

That's only one aspect of his game that isn't up to scratch as an international. There are others (although I wouldn't include his goal kicking amongst them).

is prefer to have cooper as a defensive outhalf to ogara

roycon

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He's not a poor defender, he's a coward.

Ronan O'Gara is a poor defender. He puts his body on the lnie, he just does it in a shockingly poor way. He still has the courage to go out there and do his best. Quade Cooper is different, he's a complete coward, he moves out of the way of prospective tackles (regularly). It's bad enough that they had to move him to the wing (which should tell you straight away that he's not good enough for international rugby) but even then he is a complete joke of a defender.

That's only one aspect of his game that isn't up to scratch as an international. There are others (although I wouldn't include his goal kicking amongst them).

id prefer to have cooper as a defensive outhalf to ogara

astonaidan

Tox56 wrote: »

Will Greenwood saying Sexton is probably the best outhalf in the world right now.

Allowing for the ridiculous Sky hyperbole, how far off is he?

Carter, Cooper, ROG, Steyn all ahead of him so sorry Will but no, Hes probably 5th as of now. I love the way Cooper gets slaughtered for a bad WC but Jonny gets away with it and yere logic for it is that he tore up super 15 which is a league based on the top 3 teams in the world, Reds and Crusaders would both be favourites against Leinster so your logic is hugely flawed as for James O'Connor playing OH for the Aussies as soon as Cooper comes back from injury hes going to 12 its common knowledge over here.

Podge_irl

astonaidan wrote: »

Carter, Cooper, ROG all ahead of him so sorry Will but no

Muhahaha

astonaidan

Podge_irl wrote: »

Muhahaha

Well at least you have a well thought out argument, Well done Muppet

funky penguin

I hate hyperbolic statements as much as the next man, but he did say 'right now', so RWC form has nothing to do with it. Sexton's form since returning to Leinster has been excellent.

almighty1

roycon wrote: »

1.Healy/possiblity of court starting with healy as an impact sub with 30 to go

Oh dear jesus, say it aint so. Healy is one of the top looseheads in the world. I'd hope that possibility is 0.000000001%.

[Jackass]

Podge_irl wrote: »

Except neither of the centres normally play in that position. They'd probably leak like a sieve.

It's this mentality in Irish rugby that I just can't understand.

We've literally had the same centre combination for a decade (unheard of), and we've potentially got a world class pairing in the centre of Fitzgerald and Bowe, but it's assumed it wont work or isn't even attempted.

There was argument for quite some time about trying BOD at 12 and Bowe at 13, which was shot down on the basis of BOD still doing great at 13, so why move him, which is fair enough, but this ultra conservatism in Irish rugby is baffling.

I've seen Fitzgerald play 12 a number of times, and I've seen Bowe play 13 a number of times, and quite simply, they have both been superb in those positions. Both have played there as recently as THIS season!

It also frees up back 3 spots, where we have lots of talent.

I'm not saying Fitz and Bowe in the centre is the answer, but I'd wager it would be a superb pairing, with the likes of Earls, Kearney and Trimble in the back 3, with someone like McFadden or even Jones on the bench covering.

We're now at the begining of another world cup cycle. Why do England and France, and to a lesser extent (but noting recently) Wales do better at world cups?

Well France try out half a dozen combinations in every position it seems, we don't have those resources, but even England redeveloped their entire squad over a 2 year period or so, and by taking these chances and taking a fresh approach, they came from nowhere to win the championship.

We're too predictable. I'd love to see a completely fresh approach (with a different coach) and play expansive rugby and embrace what is happening in the provinces, and not hide behind conservatism and the old reliables at international level. It's like we're crippled by fear or think Heineken Cup winning players still aren't anywhere near ready for international rugby for some reason...

Stop protecting players, and if their good enough at European level, then they're good enough to be tested at international level.

For the sake of my argument, I'd put forward an "experimental" team, that is full of talent, and imo, more than capable of beating anyone in the 6 nations. And maybe the fresh desire in the team would bring out the best in them, as it seems to do for Wales, England and France...

1. Healy
2. Cronin
3. Ross
4. Tuhoy
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Jennings
8. O'Brien

9. Marshall
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Fitzgerald
13. Bowe
14. Trimble
15. Kearney

16. Best 17. Wilkinson 18. Toner 19. Heaslip 20. Reddan 21. Madigan 22. McFadden

It's not exactly a "crazy" team, but that backline looks more dangerous to me than anything we've put out in years, and yes Marshall is a bit of a wild card, but whats wrong with that?? I haven't seen a lot of him before this season, but I've got to watch a sh*t load of rugby this year (thank god!) and he has been, by far, the best Irish scrum half this season, so lets go with form and see what happens, regardless of what he "used to be like".

Even in the back row I'd look to put Jennings in there from the start. Like someone said, what's the obsession with big ball carrying 6's being all over the squad? Of course they're great, but does this mean we should completely negate the fact that a ball winning 7 can afford the team quick ball to use ball carriers and a lethal backline? Any Leinster supporter will know what I mean when they watch Leinster when McLoughlin starts at 6 and O'Brien at 7, vs when O'Brien starts at 6 and Jennings is at 7, it's like watching two different teams. Even look at the fortunes of the last Heineken Cup final when a ball winning 7 came on, and a team overturned a 16 point defecit....it's no coincidence!

The reason I wouldn't have Murray even carrying the water in that squad is, what's the point on winning quick ball, or any ball, when your scrum half is going to bury himself at the bottom of a ruck after a half a yard carry 9 times out of 10?? I'm not sure why he has been hyped so much, but other than never embarresing himself in international colours, has he really been superb? His individual errors show his complete lack of ability at this level YET! (watch Australia camped on the Irish line for 10 minutes as we almost lost the greatest world cup victory in our history, and see how we got there if you don't know what I'm talking about). Yes he can box kick and tackle, but are we really satisfied with such one dimensional players as this? Is he any different to O'Leary when he came on the scence, instantly into the national team, then found to be a one trick pony....

with that backline, I'd go for a ball winning back-row with the big carriers and a nicely unpredictable 9 to keep the opisition honest.

Great options on the bench, and I suppose the last point to make is the selection of Madigan.....

NO, I don't think he's better than O'Gara, and yes, if we were playing a world cup final tomorrow he wouldn't be in the squad, but if we're going to develop a team we need to throw in a few imaginative selections, use our best players as best as we can, but also throw in a wild card like Madigan and let the kid run...

Like Priestland, who was the best 10 at the world cup btw, he isn't the finished article, but he has a hell of a lot to offer, and if we're 15 points up against Scotland or Italy at home with 10 minutes to go, I'd want to use that oppertunity to get him out there and spread the ball around like he does in blue every week and build him up in the jersey, rather than waiting until he's 32 and O'Gara retires and then cap him against fiji before leaving him at home for the 2023 world cup.

I suppose I'm just sick of negative coaches, negative attitudes, and opinions ruled by fear and "if it isn't broke beyond absolute repair, don't tinker with it"... attitudes like that have John Hayes propping at international level at 38 years of age or whatever he was when he won his last cap....mindless...

Let's lose the fear of losing a couple of games, and embrace a positive and quick and massively dangerous style of rugby that we have the players to do, and take a CHANCE of season or two of pain (which may not even occur) for long term gain, particularly a world cup, and play the type of rugby that has some of our provincial teams unlivable with in Europe, or the type of fearlessness and self belief in natural skill and self belief that gives the French a hoodoo over the All Blacks...

Yes we've proven we can do the physical stuff, now lets expand our immagination and game plan, and go for something bigger and better...