Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread V

aimee1

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Henshaw's been released? That's a surprise.... I think.

either he needs gametime badly or its McCloskey, Payne v wales

irishbucsfan

aimee1 wrote: »

Define progressive?

Kind've like Leinster from 2010-2013

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

aimee1 wrote: »

either he needs gametime badly or its McCloskey, Payne v wales

Didn't think of it like that, he could still be in contention for the Wales game. Was just about to rush off and change my Fantasy Rugger team too

irishbucsfan

If Fitzgerald really has pulled out of training with an injury I wonder if Schmidt might ask Connacht to pull Henshaw from the Scarlets game?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If Fitzgerald really has pulled out of training with an injury I wonder if Schmidt might ask Connacht to pull Henshaw from the Scarlets game?

Depends on why he released him. If it was because he wanted him to get some game time before the 6 Nations probably not. If it was because he wasn't in contention for the match day 23, then maybe.

b.gud

aimee1 wrote: »

either he needs gametime badly or its McCloskey, Payne v wales

probably game time, he's only played 80 minutes since the Munster match at the end of November. That 80 minutes was in an 8 try demolition of Enisei so not really the best of preparations for a game against Wales

irishbucsfan

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Depends on why he released him. If it was because he wanted him to get some game time before the 6 Nations probably not. If it was because he wasn't in contention for the match day 23, then maybe.

Doesn't really depend, if they saw Fitzgerald as contingency at 12 (IE McCloskey not considered ready) and they see Henshaw as the starting 12, it would be a big risk to play him and potentially end up down to their 3rd choice 12.

aimee1

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If Fitzgerald really has pulled out of training with an injury I wonder if Schmidt might ask Connacht to pull Henshaw from the Scarlets game?

twitter post said Fitz left the field

Hard to know without much details in how he left.

Michael O'Donnell ‏@MOD_sportsmgmt 2h2 hours ago
Worrying signs as @lukefitz11 leaves the @IrishRugby open session, here's hoping it's nothing too serious #ShoulderToShoulder

Bazzo

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Didn't think of it like that, he could still be in contention for the Wales game. Was just about to rush off and change my Fantasy Rugger team too

I think everyone was expecting him to be released to get some more time under his belt before the 6 nations, or at least Connacht fans certainly were.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Bazzo wrote: »

I think everyone was expecting him to be released to get some more time under his belt before the 6 nations, or at least Connacht fans certainly were.

Yeah, I just saw "released" and thought cut. Had I taken a few more minutes I would have come to the same conclusion myself. He's played very little rugby all season, really. He missed the first few WC games and then has only had 3 or 4 games for Connacht.

dtpc191991

Henshaw starting at 13 for Connacht do we dare to dream?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Doesn't really depend, if they saw Fitzgerald as contingency at 12 (IE McCloskey not considered ready) and they see Henshaw as the starting 12, it would be a big risk to play him and potentially end up down to their 3rd choice 12.

That's still a depends though, isn't it.

It depends on what their plan for him and Fitzgerald was.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

dtpc191991 wrote: »

Henshaw starting at 13 for Connacht do we dare to dream?

Dream what? He always plays 13 for Connacht, unless he's playing 15.

jm08

the42.ie are spinning it as a big game for Connacht - home to Scarlets who are top of the league. Sky Sports is the broadcaster as well.

Bazzo

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Dream what? He always plays 13 for Connacht, unless he's playing 15.

There was talk of players being released to "get game time in their Irish positions" or something along those lines so people are extrapolating that Robbie being picked at 13 might mean that's where Joe is looking at him.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Bazzo wrote: »

There was mention in Joe of players being released to "get game time in their Irish positions" or something along those lines so people are extrapolating that Robbie being picked at 13 might mean that's where Joe is looking at him.

Ah, I see. Which could also point to McCloskey at 12. Dare we dream?

Bazzo

jm08 wrote: »

the42.ie are spinning it as a big game for Connacht - home to Scarlets who are top of the league. Sky Sports is the broadcaster as well.

It's probably one of the most important games of the season for Connacht. It's do or die here really, a win and they're in with a good shot of the top 6 and playing in the champions cup next season.

errlloyd

Bazzo wrote: »

It's probably one of the most important games of the season for Connacht. It's do or die here really, a win and they're in with a good shot of the top 6 and playing in the champions cup next season.

Not to mention their victory in general is good for all the Irish provinces, getting Scarlets out of the top 4 will probably mean 3 Irish teams in the top 4 again.

b.gud

errlloyd wrote: »

Not to mention their victory in general is good for all the Irish provinces, getting Scarlets out of the top 4 will probably mean 3 Irish teams in the top 4 again.

unfortunately it'll take a couple of weeks to get Scarlets out of the top 4 they are 5 points ahead of Connacht, so unless Connacht absolutely trash then they will still be ahead of Connacht by the end of the weekend. Ulster and Munster are a further 3 points behind Connacht. If Edinburgh lose without a bonus point they'll fall out of the top 4 and all the Irish provinces win then the top 5 will be Leinster, Scarlets, Connacht, Munster and Ulster in that order assuming all Irish teams pick up non BP wins

errlloyd

b.gud wrote: »

unfortunately it'll take a couple of weeks to get Scarlets out of the top 4 they are 5 points ahead of Connacht, so unless Connacht absolutely trash then they will still be ahead of Connacht by the end of the weekend. Ulster and Munster are a further 3 points behind Connacht. If Edinburgh lose without a bonus point they'll fall out of the top 4 and all the Irish provinces win then the top 5 will be Leinster, Scarlets, Connacht, Munster and Ulster in that order assuming all Irish teams pick up non BP wins

Oh I know it's not likely to happen any time soon, but basically I think the point stands that all the provinces benefit a lot from Connacht winning this match, because we're all in a tustle with Scarlets.

aimee1

aimee1 wrote: »

twitter post said Fitz left the field

Hard to know without much details in how he left.

Michael O'Donnell ‏@MOD_sportsmgmt 2h2 hours ago
Worrying signs as @lukefitz11 leaves the @IrishRugby open session, here's hoping it's nothing too serious #ShoulderToShoulder

Luke Fitz nips off to pinch a quick jobby and comes back to discover he's injured and out of the six nations.

#winnersdontpoop

b.gud

errlloyd wrote: »

Oh I know it's not likely to happen any time soon, but basically I think the point stands that all the provinces benefit a lot from Connacht winning this match, because we're all in a tustle with Scarlets.

Oh yeah definitely, there is also the fact that Scarlets have had a bad run of results lately, bar their last gasp win against us, so if we could add to that it might help knock them back a bit

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Deleted User wrote: »

Luke Fitz nips off to pinch a quick jobby and comes back to discover he's injured and out of the six nations.

#winnersdontpoop

I know we joke but he must be the most injury prone player ever involved with Ireland. There must be something he's not doing right, or he's just a very delicate flower.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I know we joke but he must be the most injury prone player ever involved with Ireland. There must be something he's not doing right, or he's just a very delicate flower.

Yeah he has been unfortunate. Either terrible coincidence or just one of those people who tend to break down more often. That said, all we have to go on is some randomer on twitter with no actual detail.

He could have a flu or a finger in the eye, or he could be injured and it's a couple of days soft tissue. Hope for the best.

That or my original suggestion.

dub_skav

Confirmation of what we always suspected. Even the pros get very excited about free gear.
Apologies if posted before (probably many, many times)

dub_skav

dub_skav wrote: »

Confirmation of what we always suspected. Even the pros get very excited about free gear.
Apologies if posted before (probably many, many times)

You get around 3 times more gear than you'll ever need. I think it's done intentionally so that you have plenty to give away / trade with other teams.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I'd love to see their faces if they showed up and were told "ah now, lads! Most of you got all this gear for the World Cup. You can't have gone through it all already. Go on now. Go home and root it out."

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I'd love to see their faces if they showed up and were told "ah now, lads! Most of you got all this gear for the World Cup. You can't have gone through it all already. Go on now. Go home and root it out."

Can't remember whose book it was but not that long ago this was the case. It's certainly the case in other sports without the financial support the IRFU has.

I remember there was a big hoopla when Sonya O'Sullivan went to wear ASICS gear who sponsor the AAI (Athletics Ireland) in the Olympics when the Olympic Committee of Ireland who were sponsored by PUMA forced her to change in a tunnel leading to the track (with a fine big audience) right before she competed.

Neil3030

Not sure if whether Mike Mac is excited by the gear, or if he's recently joined this coffee club with Heaslip etc. He appears completely wired!

Noopti

dub_skav wrote: »

Confirmation of what we always suspected. Even the pros get very excited about free gear.
Apologies if posted before (probably many, many times)

Am I the only person who realises he is taking the piss in this video? I thought it was obvious, but then I see loads of twitter posts, messages etc exclaiming how excited he is getting as if that is his actual reaction to the getting the gear.

MJohnston

I saw that vid on their FB page the other day and I thought it was obvious he was playing it up. Could be a comedian that fellow, the overly aggressive shaking of the bag, "Christmas all over again", and "everything, everything...we've just got everything" made me laugh out loud.

Zzippy

Noopti wrote: »

Am I the only person who realises he is taking the piss in this video? I thought it was obvious, but then I see loads of twitter posts, messages etc exclaiming how excited he is getting as if that is his actual reaction to the getting the gear.

Well Sean Cronin tweeted he was clinically insane, so maybe he's like this all the time...

It's as if he had a bet to go through the bag as quickly as possible. The boot bag got the better of him though.

PTH2009

Got an official padded jacket for 45 euro just after the world cup. It adds about 5 pounds to ur weight buts it so warm and good for this weather

Don't own an Irish jersey but have a few polo shirts. Can't stand those lidl/aldi jerseys

awec

Heard that in training today it was Jackson playing at 10.

Apparently it was Murray, Jackson, Kearney, Fitz, Payne, Trimble and Kearney.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

awec wrote: »

Heard that in training today it was Jackson playing at 10.

Apparently it was Murray, Jackson, Kearney, Fitz, Payne, Trimble and Kearney.

Could Sexton still be being rested after the head knock? I know they said it wasn't concussion but they might still be taking precautions.

awec

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Could Sexton still be being rested after the head knock? I know they said it wasn't concussion but they might still be taking precautions.

Well we've always heard that under Schmidt if players don't train they don't play.

That said, it was an open training session so might not really mean anything.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

awec wrote: »

Well we've always heard that under Schmidt if players don't train they don't play.

That said, it was an open training session so might not really mean anything.

The match isn't this weekend either.... is it?

If he's not training next week then it might mean something. Was he actually there, do you know?

b.gud

awec wrote: »

Well we've always heard that under Schmidt if players don't train they don't play.

That said, it was an open training session so might not really mean anything.

Don't say that lets engage in wild speculation based solely on todays session

Based on this pick you could for instance speculate that Heaslip, Kearney, Sexton and Toner have all been dropped, or that they're the only ones who kept their places, and Zebo has been brought into the starting 15

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

b.gud wrote: »

Don't say that lets engage in wild speculation based solely on todays session

Based on this pick you could for instance speculate that Heaslip, Kearney, Sexton and Toner have all been dropped, or that they're the only ones who kept their places, and Zebo has been brought into the starting 15

Why dropped? Because they have bibs on?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

All the free gear they get and Zebo is wearing a pair of sports socks.

b.gud

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Why dropped? Because they have bibs on?

In general the group is split into two groups, bibs and no bibs. Given that the no bibs contains the captain and a large number of what would be considered guaranteed starters, O'Brien, Murray, Mc Grath etc, it would look like those with bibs on are not going to be in the starting 15.

Also I should note my post was very firmly tongue in cheek

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

b.gud wrote: »

In general the group is split into two groups, bibs and no bibs. Given that the no bibs contains the captain and a large number of what would be considered guaranteed starters, O'Brien, Murray, Mc Grath etc, it would look like those with bibs on are not going to be in the starting 15.

Also I should note my post was very firmly tongue in cheek

I know it was tongue in cheek. I was just wondering what the connection between the named players was. Bibs. Obviously.

errlloyd

Ah lads, bib theory more than a week out is a mugs game for sure.

aimee1

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I know it was tongue in cheek. I was just wondering what the connection between the named players was. Bibs. Obviously.

15 guys in red bibs?

13 in the navy tshirt. Maybe the curveball is JS is going to get them playing League :eek:

Zzippy

errlloyd wrote: »

Ah lads, bib theory more than a week out is a mugs game for sure.

It's a ploy to confuse Welsh spies and troll boards posters. Joe isn't sure which he gets more satisfaction from...

hype101

b.gud wrote: »

Don't say that lets engage in wild speculation based solely on todays session

Based on this pick you could for instance speculate that Heaslip, Kearney, Sexton and Toner have all been dropped, or that they're the only ones who kept their places, and Zebo has been brought into the starting 15

Is that Harrison Brewer and Josh Murphy on the left?

Zzippy

Zzippy wrote: »

It's a ploy to troll boards posters

We will finally get Joe to come on boards for an AMA and he'll immediately get hit with a 3 week ban for trolling...

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

hype101 wrote: »

Is that Harrison Brewer and Josh Murphy on the left?

Brewer yes, think Ian Fitz-something is the other Leinster academy guy that was there today.

The Lost Sheep

hype101 wrote: »

Is that Harrison Brewer and Josh Murphy on the left?

Probably is. Academy players are regularly used to fill in as extra bodies on training weeks with irish team. All depends on where irish team are based for the week as to who is used