Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

pickarooney

connachta wrote: »

Haha such a revealing pic. Boss protectors are Dark Vador's troops:D

When are you going to reveal that all along you've wanted Marmion to go in the hope he'd be playing against your native France and would get destroyed

Quint2010

Trimble's lack of versatility probably also told against him. He is an out and out winger whereas Earls and Fitzgerald can both play centre and Zebo full back and wing. Once Earls and Fitzgeralds injuries were deemed not serious Trimbles fate was decided-allowing for the fact that Dave Kearney had really impressed in the warm ups.

jacothelad

Clareman wrote: »

Didnt' France try for a few years to produce 9s who were 10s and 10s who were 9s, they just ended up being ok in both positions.

Ellisalde and Michalak

shuffol

It was probably a straight shootout between Trimble and D.Kearney with the latters performance against Wales being decisive.

jacothelad

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

A guy who contributed to some of this imperfect situation is Jackson. While a 9/10 combo player is nice, it is far less to expect an international level outhalf to be able to usefully provide back up elsewhere in the outside backs. Jackson is handicapped by being a 10 and nothing but, so offering no cover. Bringing 3 tens forced the Madigan-9 squeeze, in order to include Cave.

The situation only arises in a WC squad scenario, so wont hamper Jackson chances otherwise since far less of a problem for any other one off international game.

From what we have seen, Jackson is every bit as good a 12 as Madigan.

connachta

pickarooney wrote: »

When are you going to reveal that all along you've wanted Marmion to go in the hope he'd be playing against your native France and would get destroyed

I would have picked your Boss if I wanted this:D:P:p

irishbucsfan

jacothelad wrote: »

From what we have seen, Jackson is every bit as good a 12 as Madigan.

Wouldn't disagree with that. Although a lot of people aren't even aware he's played there for Ulster.

total former

jacothelad wrote: »

From what we have seen, Jackson is every bit as good a 12 as Madigan.

Can I ask a genuine question; how many games has he actually started at 12, and how long ago?

jacothelad

total former wrote: »

Can I ask a genuine question; how many games has he actually started at 12, and how long ago?

He has moved there during games on quite a few occasions and has looked very accomplished there. It allows Pienaar to move to 10 for example. He may have started a few at 12 but I honestly don't think so but it's clear that he is very comfortable there - as are most good 10s to be fair.

connachta

So if we're unlucky we'll have, for France or Q-f

17) Furlong (if Healy not fit)
18) No-one (if Ross gets injured at the same time, within 48 hours before K-o, White and Furlong both occupied)
21) Madigan

total former

connachta wrote: »

So if we're unlucky we'll have, for France or Q-f

17) Furlong (if Healy not fit)
18) No-one (if Ross gets injured at the same time, within 48 hours before K-o, White and Furlong both occupied)
21) Madigan

You cannot leave a front-row position empty. We would forfeit the match.

CatFromHue

Anyone getting injured 48 hours before a game is very very unlucky as the day before is a light Captain's run and the day before that usually a rest day or light workout.

Two guys getting injured is lottery statistics.

pickarooney

jacothelad wrote: »

He has moved there during games on quite a few occasions and has looked very accomplished there. It allows Pienaar to move to 10 for example. He may have started a few at 12 but I honestly don't think so but it's clear that he is very comfortable there - as are most good 10s to be fair.

Is it a rule at Ulster that every player must try out at inside centre? Might have backfired in the case of McCloskey, that's a decent back-rower gone to waste

connachta

total former wrote: »

You cannot leave a front-row position empty. We would forfeit the match.

That's the issue I pointed out, what happen if both Healy and Ross get injured within the 48h window?

awec

Ah McCloskey is no back row. He can pack down in a scrum if we are down a man and want a full pack, but that's about it.

CIARAN_BOYLE

jacothelad wrote: »

He may have started a few at 12 but I honestly don't think so but it's clear that he is very comfortable there - as are most good 10s to be fair.

He did before Humphries left Ulster, looked a very good 12 then.

CatFromHue

Ireland aren't the only team to go with 5 props, I think Wales and NZ have also gone with that amount.

For 2 players to go down 48 hours before a game you're looking at a car accident or a mild injury.

connachta

CatFromHue wrote: »

Anyone getting injured 48 hours before a game is very very unlucky as the day before is a light Captain's run and the day before that usually a rest day or light workout.

Two guys getting injured is lottery statistics.

Agree but with Healy quite uncertain, it's possible..

CatFromHue

Not really as with Healy they know they've a problem so will be monitoring it the whole time. If he goes down it won't be a surprise to the staff that he did.

You're also looking for Ross to go down too.

total former

CatFromHue wrote: »

Ireland aren't the only team to go with 5 props, I think Wales and NZ have also gone with that amount.

For 2 players to go down 48 hours before a game you're looking at a car accident or a mild injury.

Most teams have gone with 5 props. But most teams have gone with 5 fit props.

If Healy was fully fit, this conversation wouldn't arise.

connachta

total former wrote: »

Most teams have gone with 5 props. But most teams have gone with 5 fit props.

If Healy was fully fit, this conversation wouldn't arise.

Exactly, Ross have to be rock-solid anyway..

Yeah_Right

total former wrote: »

Most teams have gone with 5 props. But most teams have gone with 5 fit props.

NZ didn't. Faumauina had neck surgery during Super rugby then got concussed at one of his first trainings back. Only had 40 minutes of rugby for Auckland at th weekend before being named.

I guess what I'm saying is Healy being named isn't unprecedented.

total former

Yeah_Right wrote: »

NZ didn't. Faumauina had neck surgery during Super rugby then got concussed at one of his first trainings back. Only had 40 minutes of rugby for Auckland at th weekend before being named.

I guess what I'm saying is Healy being named isn't unprecedented.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Faumauina is a tighthead, as are the Franks brothers? So NZ have cover on his side if something goes wrong.

Again, if we brought Bent or Kilcoyne ahead of Furlong or White, I wouldn't care, but it's hard to understand bringing two looseheads, one of whom is a major doubt.

fitz

total former wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong but Faumauina is a tighthead, as are the Franks brothers? So NZ have cover on his side if something goes wrong.

Again, if we brought Bent or Kilcoyne ahead of Furlong or White, I wouldn't care, but it's lunacy bringing two looseheads, one of whom is a major doubt.

I'm guessing that we'll see against England that Healy isn't a major doubt. At least I hope so!

aimee1

just watched the JS press conference on RTE Player. What an impressive man. The way he speaks about the players is top class. Always positive. A 6 hour meeting to come up with the 31 and if you assume about 26-27 were probably straightforward selections then its they certainly didnt make any calls lightly anyway.

From how he spoke, Furlong, D Kearney and Madigan to cover 9 were the big calls. Madigan has been training over the summer on the idea with some limited practice in group training

smiley_face

total former wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong but Faumauina is a tighthead, as are the Franks brothers? So NZ have cover on his side if something goes wrong.

Again, if we brought Bent or Kilcoyne ahead of Furlong or White, I wouldn't care, but it's hard to understand bringing two looseheads, one of whom is a major doubt.

Charles Faumuina, 20.5 stone, can play both sides of the scrum.
According to Wikipedia:
"His main position is tighthead prop but has also covered loosehead prop for the Blues."

smiley_face

CatFromHue wrote: »

Anyone getting injured 48 hours before a game is very very unlucky as the day before is a light Captain's run and the day before that usually a rest day or light workout.

Two guys getting injured is lottery statistics.

connachta wrote: »

That's the issue I pointed out, what happen if both Healy and Ross get injured within the 48h window?

If this is the biggest risk we face, then surely the two Loose Head props will be taking it easy for those 48 hours, probably no contact work, and probably no running around where they could pull something.
Only a guess, but that's what I would do, i.e. restrict their exercise to light stuff and leave no possibility of injury.

JF100

Competition: who can read Joe's mind now?

Name all 15 starters + 8 subs v Eng?

[OR: does it even really matter..?]

Yeah_Right

total former wrote: »

Correct me if I'm wrong but Faumauina is a tighthead, as are the Franks brothers? So NZ have cover on his side if something goes wrong.

Again, if we brought Bent or Kilcoyne ahead of Furlong or White, I wouldn't care, but it's hard to understand bringing two looseheads, one of whom is a major doubt.

Yeah Faumauina is primarily a TH. Can cover LH in an emergency. B. Franks plays both sides.

I get what you're saying though. I'm surprised with 3 THs and 2 LHs when one of the LHs is coming back from injury. I would have assumed they would want the extra cover at LH. Any chance that Ross is carrying an injury??

wittycynic

JF100 wrote: »

Competition: who can read Joe's mind now?

Name all 15 starters + 8 subs v Eng?

[OR: does it even really matter..?]

Very difficult to predict. Joe suggested that there would be quite a few changes from the team that faced Wales, and that guys from outside the WC squad would be selected, as well as some of those who made the cut.

Zuffer

If a doomsday scenario happens, that will be, well, doomsday. Within the confines of a 31 man squad, you can't cover every eventuality.

Every nation that has chosen to go with 5 props (and there a lot of them) will be goosed if two of those five go down within the 48 hour window.

The only way around it would be to bring a 6th prop. If you want to do that, then you have to say in which other position you'd go light in.

smiley_face

JF100 wrote: »

Competition: who can read Joe's mind now?

Name all 15 starters + 8 subs v Eng?

[OR: does it even really matter..?]

wittycynic wrote: »

Very difficult to predict. Joe suggested that there would be quite a few changes from the team that faced Wales, and that guys from outside the WC squad would be selected, as well as some of those who made the cut.

How about we put out an Ireland Wolfhounds team instead and save our RWC boys from injuries altogether!

1. David Kilcoyne
2. Rob Herring
3. Martin Moore
4. Dan Tuohy
5. Mike McCarthy
6. (Rhys Ruddock), Dominic Ryan
7. (Tommy O'Donnell), Eoin McKeon
8. Jack Conan
9. Isaac Boss
10. Ian Keatley
11. Craig Gilroy
12. Gordon D'Arcy
13. Fergus McFadden
14. Andrew Trimble
15. Felix Jones

16. Mike Sherry
17. Michael Bent
18. Rodney Ah You
19. Robbie Diack
20. Robin Copeland
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Noel Reid
23. Andrew Conway

Yeah_Right

Zuffer wrote: »

If a doomsday scenario happens, that will be, well, doomsday. Within the confines of a 31 man squad, you can't cover every eventuality.

Every nation that has chosen to go with 5 props (and there a lot of them) will be goosed if two of those five go down within the 48 hour window.

The only way around it would be to bring a 6th prop. If you want to do that, then you have to say in which other position you'd go light in.

You are absolutely right. Losing 2 props 48 hours before a game would be extremely unlucky. I imagine if that happened the team would have to appeal to the tournament organisers for some sort of dispensation to get front row cover on the bench.

I think what has people puzzled is the extra prop being Furlong/White and not Bent or a LH specialist.

Stheno

Yeah_Right wrote: »

You are absolutely right. Losing 2 props 48 hours before a game would be extremely unlucky. I imagine if that happened the team would have to appeal to the tournament organisers for some sort of dispensation to get front row cover on the bench.

I think what has people puzzled is the extra prop being Furlong/White and not Bent or a LH specialist.

Joe said in the press conference today that Furlong has been doing a lot of LH work in camp

connachta

OSI wrote: »

Entire team to consist of Connacht players with Marmion as captain for the lols.

Yes a team able to beat Lenister's current one with Boss as captain, ok:)

connachta

Yeah_Right wrote: »

You are absolutely right. Losing 2 props 48 hours before a game would be extremely unlucky. I imagine if that happened the team would have to appeal to the tournament organisers for some sort of dispensation to get front row cover on the bench.

I think what has people puzzled is the extra prop being Furlong/White and not Bent or a LH specialist.

Because Healy is (was, fingers crossed) injured

jacothelad

total former wrote: »

You cannot leave a front-row position empty. We would forfeit the match.

Not true afaik. We would have to start the game with a squad of 22 players, not 23.

JF100

An interesting point... if somewhat red-herring-ish.
Your suggestion does however question the actual value of the fixture to the Irl RWC squad...
Especially if half the players playing aren't going to be at the RWC... (initially at least).

jacothelad

I don't really get the value of the game if non-RWC players are there. One or two, sure but many more and it's only giving, say, Healy and a few others match exposure. Pretty much a waste of energy and riven with the shadow of injury. Wallace. Murphy. crocked in meaningless games.

connachta

JF100 wrote: »

Competition: who can read Joe's mind now?

Name all 15 starters + 8 subs v Eng?

I'd go with

1) McGrath
2) Best
3) Furlong
4) Ryan
5) Toner
6) O'Brien
7) Henry
8) Murphy
9) Redd
10) Mad
11) Zebo
12) Henshaw
13) Earls
14) Fitz
15) Payne

16) Cronin
17) Healy
18) White
19) Handerson
20) POM
21) Murray
22) Jackson
23) Cave

total former

JF100 wrote: »

An interesting point... if somewhat red-herring-ish.
Your suggestion does however question the actual value of the fixture to the Irl RWC squad...
Especially if half the players playing aren't going to be at the RWC... (initially at least).

Half? Who said that?

English Team is full strength anyway

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 8 Ben Morgan

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sam Burgess.

wittycynic

total former wrote: »

Half? Who said that?

English Team is full strength anyway

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Tom Youngs, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 8 Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sam Burgess.

That Billy Vunipola is some player. Not content with naming him once, Lancaster's playing him at 8 and 20.

Tox56

wittycynic wrote: »

That Billy Vunipola is some player. Not content with naming him once, Lancaster's playing him at 8 and 20.

It's so he can come on and replace himself at 60 minutes and still be fresh. I think that's how it works

smiley_face

wittycynic wrote: »

That Billy Vunipola is some player. Not content with naming him once, Lancaster's playing him at 8 and 20.

England (v Ireland)

15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Brad Barritt
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs

1. Joe Marler
2. Tom Youngs
3. Dan Cole
4. Courtney Lawes
5. Geoff Parling
6, Tom Wood
7. Chris Robshaw (capt)
8. Ben Morgan

Replacements
16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Kieran Brookes
19. Joe Launchbury
20. Billy Vunipola
21. Richard Wigglesworth
22. Owen Farrell
23. Sam Burgess

connachta

Schmidt declared

Therefore we wanted to go with a specialist 12/13 and Darren’s performances, both at training and in the match at the Millennium Stadium, meant he was a pretty deserving player to be involved.

The "mickey mouse" friendly did count, then, whatever some said:D

Quint2010

JF100 wrote: »

Competition: who can read Joe's mind now?

Name all 15 starters + 8 subs v Eng?

[OR: does it even really matter..?]

Kearney, Bowe, Payne, Henshaw, Kearney, Sexton, Murray, Furlong, Best, Ross, Toner, POC, POM, SOB, Heaslip

Healy, Cronin, White, Ryan, Henry, Madigan, Cave, Zebo.

The reason I have picked Furlong at LH is that I would like him to get some game time there before the tournament starts. Same reason for Madigan.

total former

connachta wrote: »

Schmidt declared
The "mickey mouse" friendly did count, then, whatever some said:D

Quite literally nobody said it didn't count.

connachta

total former wrote: »

Quite literally nobody said it didn't count.

Oh do you want some direct quotes? Will take a while, but i can easily find them

bilston

connachta wrote: »

I'd go with

1) McGrath
2) Best
3) Furlong
4) Ryan
5) Toner
6) O'Brien
7) Henry
8) Murphy
9) Redd
10) Mad
11) Zebo
12) Henshaw
13) Earls
14) Fitz
15) Payne

16) Cronin
17) Healy
18) White
19) Handerson
20) POM
21) Murray
22) Jackson
23) Cave

Payne needs to start at 13, other than that it's a fair selection.

connachta

bilston wrote: »

Payne needs to start at 13, other than that it's a fair selection.

I'd like him to have a go as 15, to provide cover for RK, in addition to Zebo