Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread III

.ak

Buer wrote: »

Stringer has been barely playing, in fairness. He started a game back at the start of the season (possibly the first game of the entire season?) and has come off the bench since then for the last 20 minutes a number of times. I can't see him having the lungs or the legs for test rugby, even off the bench, any longer. He turns 38 at the end of this year. It's remarkable he's even still playing!

Yeah but have you seen him play in those 20 min cameos? He's the ideal bench scrumhalf at the moment. He has no problem getting around the pitch quickly despite the frantic offloading game Bath play at times. He's fit as a fiddle. It's a bit strange how fit he is, but he's a tea-total fitness freak so not all too surprising. If I saw him on the bench for an Ireland game I honestly wouldn't be too bothered, he'd obviously be there as a break-glass incase of emergency... What if Boss or Marmion pick up a knock somewhere? Boss didn't look comfortable in the closing minutes in coventry.

thomond2006

Buer wrote: »

Stringer has been barely playing, in fairness. He started a game back at the start of the season (possibly the first game of the entire season?) and has come off the bench since then for the last 20 minutes a number of times. I can't see him having the lungs or the legs for test rugby, even off the bench, any longer. He turns 38 at the end of this year. It's remarkable he's even still playing!

Mahatma Geansai

I'd certainly prefer Stringer to Boss anyway. Boss shouldn't be near the Leinster side, never mind the Irish squad.

Anyway, Schmidt isn't going to bring in a player that he knows nothing about and has never trained with him. McGrath will come into the squad.

Oregano_State

It would be fantastic to see Stringer make a cameo against Italy. He scores highly in the 'ligind' column.

I'd like to see Marmion start ahead of Boss, he's looked very promising for Connaught. In Joe we trust though, I'm sure as hell not going to go against whatever he decides is best.

We should have far too much for Italy, even if we are missing both our first choice half-backs.

irishbucsfan

Mahatma Geansai wrote: »

I'd certainly prefer Stringer to Boss anyway.

Based on this sentence I'm quite certain it's been a while since you've seen Stringer play a game.

errlloyd

The problem with Stringer is he's a facilitator. He was great with ROG because ROG is a perfect game manager. Madigan needs a box kicking, game managing 9.

jacothelad

errlloyd wrote: »

The problem with Stringer is he's a facilitator. He was great with ROG because ROG is a perfect game manager. Madigan needs a box kicking, game managing 9.

Set up for Paul Marshall then.......:D

The Pheasant2

I don't see it happening but it'd be interesting to see James Hart called in

Bridge93

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

I don't see it happening but it'd be interesting to see James Hart called in

I think he's barely played this year. Fallen out of favour at Grenoble.

Just checked, he's started 4 games all year and come on 6 times.

.ak

Good news regarding Heaslip, Reddan and Dave Kearney.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/irish-international/2015/0126/675642-matt-oconnor-reveals-positive-injury-news/

Obviously you need to take what Leinster say regarding injuries with a pinch of salt, but by the sounds of it Reddan and Heaslip will be good to go against Italy.

DK wasn't likely to feature, but 2 weeks sounds a lot better than what it first looked like.

Swiwi.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Shut up. Just shut up.

Have you never seen any sports films? If there's one thing they've thought me, it's that over-the-hill players are the luckiest guys in the world.

Stringer is going to come off the bench in the world cup final when we're 6 points down and under pressure. Stringer leaps to action, tap-tackling a clean-through Julian Savea, forcing him to knock on. The resultant scrum, after 3 resets, sees Stringer making his first ever break at international level all the way from the Irish 22 and going under the posts to leave a simple kick for the emergency out half replacement (ROG) for the win.

Not enough romance emmet. It's the Uruguayan winger that stringer tip tackles, Uruguay having made it out of pool A in 1st place and followed a dream run to the final.

total former

So to summarise after this weekend:


Reddan - sounds like he'll be OK?
DK - out of the Italy match at least, probably longer
Foley - doubtful for Italy
Earls - precautionary, should be OK
Murray - who knows?
Heaslip - should be OK

Was anyone else injured?

bilston

total former wrote: »

So to summarise after this weekend:


Reddan - sounds like he'll be OK?
DK - out of the Italy match at least, probably longer
Foley - doubtful for Italy
Earls - precautionary, should be OK
Murray - who knows?
Heaslip - should be OK

Was anyone else injured?

Could have been much worse. They key is Murray but if Reddan is fit then we can cope.

aimee1

total former wrote: »

So to summarise after this weekend:


Reddan - sounds like he'll be OK?
DK - out of the Italy match at least, probably longer
Foley - doubtful for Italy
Earls - precautionary, should be OK
Murray - who knows?
Heaslip - should be OK

Was anyone else injured?

Half back is our only real concern. I reckon murray could be out so hopefully reddan is back

Heaslip should be ok but it might also be something he needs to sort if the same thing reoccurs over and over. Thats 3 weeks running he has had this I think. Looks like its a managed problem but hopefully two week break makes a difference

SaveOurLyric

.ak wrote: »

Stringer has been playing well so I wouldn't begrudge him an emergency call up - I don't think it'd be for sentiment or anything either, he's a genuine option and we're badly stuck.

Talking of badly stuck, does anyone know if ROG has been keeping fit ?
To see the pair of them for old times sake like.

MJohnston

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

does anyone know if ROG has been keeping fit ?

I don't think he's been doing that since about 2008

mfceiling

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

Talking of badly stuck, does anyone know if ROG has been keeping fit ?
To see the pair of them for old times sake like.

ROG as you well know is above international fitness...

Wang King

MJohnston wrote: »

I don't think he's been doing that since about 2008

.ak

Injury update.

Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion are all fit to train this week following the weekend European action.

Scans have confirmed ligament damage in Dave Foley's wrist and he will have a surgical consultation this week, while Conor Murray is scheduled to have further scans this week also.

Jamie Heaslip's shoulder continues to recover and he will be rested from contact this week.

Eoin Reddan strained medial ligaments in his knee and is being rehabbed in an effort to be fit for the first game of the RBS 6 Nations.

Rhys Ruddock did not join up with the extended Ireland Squad this week and will continue his recovery with his province.

Foley out by the sounds of it. CM still shrouded in mystery, hopefully the scan goes ok. ER could be touch n go. Heaslip has two weeks to get right and sure we all know what he's like. Ruddock back to Leinster is no surprise, so presumably he's not use in training that means he's got another week or two before he can do contact.

No word on DK, that's unusual....

thomond2006

Didn't Foley get an injury in the autumn? I wonder if he's been playing through it since then and it's just become unbearable now. It looks like Henderson has returned at just the right time to compensate.

Anthony Foley mentioned neurologists re Murray. So it's a wait and see situation.

molloyjh

.ak wrote: »

Injury update.




Foley out by the sounds of it. CM still shrouded in mystery, hopefully the scan goes ok. ER could be touch n go. Heaslip has two weeks to get right and sure we all know what he's like. Ruddock back to Leinster is no surprise, so presumably he's not use in training that means he's got another week or two before he can do contact.

No word on DK, that's unusual....

I'm reading that as Murray being out. They specifically mention trying to get Redser back for the Italy game. That wouldn't be as big a deal if we had Murray available for it.

total former

Likely Wolfhounds team so?

McGrath Strauss Ross
McCarthy Henderson
Ryan TOD/Murphy* Conan
Marmion Keatley
Gilroy D'Arcy Cave McFadden
Jones

*whichever of TOD/Murphy isn't involved against Italy will start

I think any notion that the WHs are a development side for younger guys is gone out the window now, the selection will be purely about giving gametime to players who might be called upon during the 6N.

thomond2006

Earls will definitely start if fit. Perhaps he would have played on against Sale if it wasn't a meaningless match.

I'm not a fan of using veterans like D'Arcy in A matches but then all the Ulster 12s are injured. Noel Reid potentially?

total former

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls will definitely start if fit. Perhaps he would have played on against Sale if it wasn't a meaningless match.

Totally forgot about Earls!

Right, drop McFadden so, stick Earls on the wing.

molloyjh

total former wrote: »

Totally forgot about Earls!

Right, drop McFadden so, stick Earls on the wing.

How about drop Darce and move Ferg to 12????

total former

molloyjh wrote: »

How about drop Darce and move Ferg to 12????

I'm predicting what Joe will do, just to make that clear.

But no, I'd say D'Arcy will play. McFadden has put in monster shifts the last two weeks and we don't need to know anything more about what he can do. D'Arcy needs game time and, while he might not start in Rome, I don't share the boards.ie consensus that Joe is going to jettison him completely.

Actually, Payne might be involved somewhere.

S12b

total former wrote: »

Likely Wolfhounds team so?

McGrath Strauss Ross
McCarthy Henderson
Ryan TOD/Murphy* Conan
Marmion Keatley
Gilroy D'Arcy Cave McFadden
Jones

*whichever of TOD/Murphy isn't involved against Italy will start

I think any notion that the WHs are a development side for younger guys is gone out the window now, the selection will be purely about giving gametime to players who might be called upon during the 6N.

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls will definitely start if fit. Perhaps he would have played on against Sale if it wasn't a meaningless match.

I'm not a fan of using veterans like D'Arcy in A matches but then all the Ulster 12s are injured. Noel Reid potentially?

total former wrote: »

Totally forgot about Earls!

Right, drop McFadden so, stick Earls on the wing.

100% agree this won't be about trying young lads, it will be used to get possibles back up to speed.

My take, we'll see Earls and McFadden on the wings as they are the two who will push Zebo most. If Jones is fit he'll probably start at fullback although I wouldn't mind seeing Gilroy there....Jones is clear choice for backup to Kearney and he has played lots of rugby so I don't think he needs the game like some of the others do. I can't see Gilroy having any involvement in the tournament so it's a moot point really.

In the centre you have D'Arcy, Reid, Cave and Payne. I think D'Arcy will start. My thinking, if Henshaw gets injured or a change is to be made at 12, it will be D'Arcy that will be called upon and considering how little he has played in the last month I think he needs the game. Plus, he's probably best equipped to cope with Burgess. Hard to say what will happen at 13, Payne seems to be preferred by Schmidt although personally I think Cave is a better 13 and Payne a brilliant 15. If I had to guess, I'd say Payne will get the nod.

Finally, 10 is another tricky one. Madigan is surely the front runner for the Italy game. Should we wrap him in cotton wool? On the other hand, he hasn't played 10 in quite a while and he's coming off one of his worst kicking performances in a long time. Maybe 50 minutes at 10 is just what he needs to get back into that role and get his kicking confidence back!

15. Jones
14. McFadden
13. Payne
12. D'Arcy
11. Earls
10. Madigan
9. Marmion

total former

thomond2006 wrote: »

I'm not a fan of using veterans like D'Arcy in A matches but then all the Ulster 12s are injured. Noel Reid potentially?

See above re: D'Arcy and the general purpose of the game. I don't think Reid will start, he's not likely to be involved in the senior team at any point so it's a bit of a waste of a jersey, he will provide 10-12 cover from the bench.

molloyjh

total former wrote: »

See above re: D'Arcy and the general purpose of the game. I don't think Reid will start, he's not likely to be involved in the senior team at any point so it's a bit of a waste of a jersey, he will provide 10-12 cover from the bench.

Unless Joe wants Mads to get time at 10. Which might make sense as he's only started there 3 times this season IIRC. I also think Payne stands a strong chance of playing 13 after the AIs. If only Olding was fit that would make 12 a bit easier. I wonder does Marshall stand a chance there? And will we bring in another lock if Foley is out?

McGrath Strauss Ross
Henderson McCarthy
Ryan Conan TOD

Marmion Madigan
Darce Payne
Earls Jones Gilroy

Herring, Cronin, White, Murphy, Diack, Boss, Keatley, Cave

There is a chance we might see Healy and/or SOB involved, but I wouldn't count on it either....

MJohnston

S12b wrote: »

Should we wrap him in cotton wool? On the other hand, he hasn't played 10 in quite a while and he's coming off one of his worst kicking performances in a long time.

Sorry to focus on one wee bit of your post, but you'd have to hope the kicking game will be rather unimportant against Italy anyway.

bilston

Without wanting to sound like a broken record it would be a but nuts to play Payne at 13 for the WHs over Cave.

bilston

MJohnston wrote: »

Sorry to focus on one wee bit of your post, but you'd have to hope the kicking game will be rather unimportant against Italy anyway.

Away from home to Italy first up is a tough game. We will also be missing Healy, O'Brien (from the start anyway) Sexton and by the sounds of it Murray.

Honestly I'd take a one point win now.

mfceiling

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls will definitely start if fit. Perhaps he would have played on against Sale if it wasn't a meaningless match.

I'm not a fan of using veterans like D'Arcy in A matches but then all the Ulster 12s are injured. Noel Reid potentially?

Marshall;)

S12b

MJohnston wrote: »

Sorry to focus on one wee bit of your post, but you'd have to hope the kicking game will be rather unimportant against Italy anyway.

Away to Italy for our first game, there's nothing easy about that and it will be absolutely vital that we can take whatever 3 points are on offer.

The way to beat the Italians will be to keep the scoreboard ticking for the first 60 minutes and hope to run in a few tries in the last 20....if we're missing kicks and keeping the Italians in the game, it will make it a lot harder to kill them off. Madigan's boot will be key.

irishbucsfan

mfceiling wrote: »

Marshall;)

Didn't he get another knock to the head recently?

When is the wolfhounds game?

total former

[Deleted User] wrote: »

When is the wolfhounds game?

Friday night, live on Sky

Neil3030

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Didn't he get another knock to the head recently?

Played this weekend though, didn't he?

molloyjh

bilston wrote: »

Without wanting to sound like a broken record it would be a but nuts to play Payne at 13 for the WHs over Cave.

Oh look I've been pretty supportive of the Cave option. I like the guy a lot. He's not flashy but he's smart and links up well with those around him. But for whatever reason I don't think Joe is a fan. Why I'm not sure. We're more likely to see Payne at 13 as a result.

RoundBox11

Pairing Luke Marshall with Cave in the centre and Payne at fullback could be really good for the wolfhounds backline. They should know each other inside out. Then Gilroy could be on one wing.

its_phil

RoundBox11 wrote: »

Pairing Luke Marshall with Cave in the centre and Payne at fullback could be really good for the wolfhounds backline. They should know each other inside out. Then Gilroy could be on one wing.

Them knowing eachother inside out is why I wouldn't try them in a Wolfhounds backline. It's a one-off game but a chance to experiment

mfceiling

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Didn't he get another knock to the head recently?

That's every game!! No he played at the weekend and came through unscathed.

Sanjuro

total former wrote: »

Friday night, live on Sky

Also on RTE 2.

total former

Luke Marshall isn't in the squad btw.

justsomebloke

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