6N 2016 - build-up thread

swiwi_

Might as well get it started, given this from planet rugby.

France head coach Guy Novès has named his first squad since being installed in the role, with 30 players included ahead of the Six Nations.
Rory Kockott, Sebastien Tillous-Borde, Mathieu Bastareaud and Noa Nakaitaci are four players missing after France's dismal World Cup campaign.
François Trinh-Duc, Paul Jedrasiak, Sébastien Bezy, Yacouba Camara, Hugo Bonneval, Jonathan Danty and Jefferson Poirot are named by Novès.
The 30-man group will meet in Marcoussis for the day on January 4 before another squad is announced for a January 11 camp ahead of 2016's Six Nations, a tournament that will see France begin life without retired captain Thierry Dusautoir.

France's 30-man squad: Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing 92), Sébastien Bezy (Toulouse), Hugo Bonneval (Stade Français), Yacouba Camara (Toulouse), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Jonathan Danty (Stade Français), Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing 92), Benjamin Fall (Montpellier), Gaël Fickou (Toulouse), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Français), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Loann Goujon (Bordeaux-Bègles), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Paul Jedrasiak (Clermont), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Rémy Lamerat (Castres), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Bernard le Roux (Racing 92), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Jules Plisson (Stade Français), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Bègles), Rabah Slimani (Stade Français), Scott Spedding (Clermont), François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Clermont).

flouncer

so will we see
1/ r kearney, d kearney, payne, henshaw, earls, sexton, murray

or do we go with

2/ toh, earls, fitzgerald, mccloskey, trimble, sexton, marmion

Sadly i think it will be the former selection.

Stan27

flouncer wrote: »

so will we see
1/ r kearney, d kearney, payne, henshaw, earls, sexton, murray

or do we go with

2/ toh, earls, fitzgerald, mccloskey, trimble, sexton, marmion

Sadly i think it will be the former selection.

Really like to see toh start a game at 15

ClanofLams

flouncer wrote: »

so will we see
1/ r kearney, d kearney, payne, henshaw, earls, sexton, murray

or do we go with

2/ toh, earls, fitzgerald, mccloskey, trimble, sexton, marmion

Sadly i think it will be the former selection.

You'd start Luke Fitzgerald over Robbie Henshaw in the centre? Christ. I really like Luke Fitzgerald as a winger and if he hadn't gotten some cruel luck with injuries he would be one of the best wingers in the world but he's not close to Henshaw in centre terms.

flouncer

ClanofLams wrote: »

You'd start Luke Fitzgerald over Robbie Henshaw in the centre? Christ. I really like Luke Fitzgerald as a winger and if he hadn't gotten some cruel luck with injuries he would be one of the best wingers in the world but he's not close to Henshaw in centre terms.

I posted the second backline based on form. And yes I would start Luke over Robbie. Defensively strong and far more exciting

Correction: Sexton has not shown form but I cant see an alternative

Clareman

Is it wrong that I'd like to just use the next few 6Ns to prepare for the RWC?

bilston

swiwi_ wrote: »

Might as well get it started, given this from planet rugby.

France head coach Guy Novès has named his first squad since being installed in the role, with 30 players included ahead of the Six Nations.
Rory Kockott, Sebastien Tillous-Borde, Mathieu Bastareaud and Noa Nakaitaci are four players missing after France's dismal World Cup campaign.
François Trinh-Duc, Paul Jedrasiak, Sébastien Bezy, Yacouba Camara, Hugo Bonneval, Jonathan Danty and Jefferson Poirot are named by Novès.
The 30-man group will meet in Marcoussis for the day on January 4 before another squad is announced for a January 11 camp ahead of 2016's Six Nations, a tournament that will see France begin life without retired captain Thierry Dusautoir.

France's 30-man squad: Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing 92), Sébastien Bezy (Toulouse), Hugo Bonneval (Stade Français), Yacouba Camara (Toulouse), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Jonathan Danty (Stade Français), Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing 92), Benjamin Fall (Montpellier), Gaël Fickou (Toulouse), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Français), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Loann Goujon (Bordeaux-Bègles), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Paul Jedrasiak (Clermont), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Rémy Lamerat (Castres), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Bernard le Roux (Racing 92), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Jules Plisson (Stade Français), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Bègles), Rabah Slimani (Stade Français), Scott Spedding (Clermont), François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Clermont).

I remember the days when I looked at the French teamsheet and was filled with fear. That just doesn't happen anymore.

thomond2006

That's not quite the 6N squad, more a squad for a camp. Changes can be made before the tournament.

CatFromHue

Clareman wrote: »

Is it wrong that I'd like to just use the next few 6Ns to prepare for the RWC?

Yes, very much so.

ClanofLams

flouncer wrote: »

I posted the second backline based on form. And yes I would start Luke over Robbie. Defensively strong and far more exciting

Correction: Sexton has not shown form but I cant see an alternative

You must have missed Connacht's win in Thomond then? Henshaw was excellent, obviously from fb but nonetheless his role in Aki's try showed his class and he's unquestionably better defensively in the centre than Fitzgerald.

Pink Fairy

After the WC debacle, the provinces performance in Europe, and the fact some of our normal starting 15 players are off form or injured, I'm not looking forward to this upcoming 6N at all at the moment

stephen_n

Not including Bastareaud is a big call.

stephen_n

ClanofLams wrote: »

and he's unquestionably better defensively in the centre than Fitzgerald.

Is he really? Based on what?

Thelomen Toblackai

I was really hoping Joe would try succeed where Kidney failed in 2010 and switch to an offloading game.

Unfortunately I think the injuries we suffered in the WC will paper over some of the gaps between the north and south as far as quality goes. And I think Ireland have had too much success with the well drilled, accuracy and kicking stuff to abandon it.

I'm expecting them to work on more depth in key positions so we should see a good bit of change between games (hopefully). Above all else desperately need another quality 10 so I don't think we'll be overly reliant on Sexton this year.

Fireball07

For once in my life, I am finding it difficult to look forward to this 6N. Maybe it's because I have less time in general and am getting less rugby exposure, but the disappointing finish to the World Cup and the poor performances of the provinces, particularly Munster, is making it difficult to muster up enthusiasm.

Still a good bit away, I suppose. All the injuries is another frustrating thing. But really, what the World Cup showed us is that our style of rugby was good enough to beat the NH teams (and the SH teams on tour) but maybe we need to add a little more to be the best. And why not aim to be the best? I do believe that we are better than we showed against Argentina, injuries crippled us, but were we good enough to beat Australia or New Zealand if it had come to it, with everyone fit? I don't think so, although I had thought we could do it beforehand.


So, while I reckon we could win this 6N, Wales must be favourites after the WC despite all their own injuries. But France could be good under Noves, and God knows they have a lot of talent. England under Jones will be interesting too. I think I'd like to see a bit of tweaking to our gameplan... less full-backs on the bench too :P

ClanofLams

stephen_n wrote: »

Is he really? Based on what?

Based on Henshaw having been excellent defensively for the last year in a green jersey, even in the QF against Argentina when all were falling apart around him. That's not a knock on Fitzgerald, he has looked good defensively in the centre as far as I can recall (certainly this season) but Henshaw is in a different class.

stadedublinois

thomond2006 wrote: »

That's not quite the 6N squad, more a squad for a camp. Changes can be made before the tournament.

Yeah, there is conflicting information on whether the second 'meeting' will be a very different or just slightly different 30.

There is no training in these two meetings, just Novès 'presenting' his game plan and interviews with the players.

On the selection, the backline seems a bit odd. There are 5 centres, 3 full backs and only 1 pure winger, although Fofana, Medard and Bonneval (and maybe Fickou) can all play on the wing.

Thelomen Toblackai

ClanofLams wrote: »

Based on Henshaw having been excellent defensively for the last year in a green jersey, even in the QF against Argentina when all were falling apart around him. That's not a knock on Fitzgerald, he has looked good defensively in the centre as far as I can recall (certainly this season) but Henshaw is in a different class.

I wouldn't say he's in a different class at all. Henshaw is good but Fitz is a solid defender too and showing himself to be a quality centre the more he plays there. I don't see how Henshaw is in a different class.

Personally I'd be more excited to see Fitz starting than Henshaw and not in the least concerned about the solidity of the defence. I'd love to see how McCloskey and Fitz would work as a partnership.

swiwi_

stadedublinois wrote: »

Yeah, there is conflicting information on whether the second 'meeting' will be a very different or just slightly different 30.

There is no training in these two meetings, just Novès 'presenting' his game plan and interviews with the players.

On the selection, the backline seems a bit odd. There are 5 centres, 3 full backs and only 1 pure winger, although Fofana, Medard and Bonneval (and maybe Fickou) can all play on the wing.

What's up with Teddy Thomas? Seems the forgotten man. Or was he just a one-hit wonder?

ClanofLams

Thelomen Toblackai wrote: »

I wouldn't say he's in a different class at all. Henshaw is good but Fitz is a solid defender too and showing himself to be a quality centre the more he plays there. I don't see how Henshaw is in a different class.

Personally I'd be more excited to see Fitz starting than Henshaw and not in the least concerned about the solidity of the defence. I'd love to see how McCloskey and Fitz would work as a partnership.

People seem to have short memories on here, Henshaw was our best player at the World Cup and now people don't want him starting for the 6N, seriously?! Unless you're suggesting him at 15?

Fitzgerald doesn't offer the same physicality as Henshaw in defence, I would that is fairly obvious.

Great piece from Murray Kinsella here on how good Henshaw was against France.

http://www.the42.ie/robbie-henshaw-break-analysis-ireland-france-2385318-Oct2015/

CatFromHue

Has Henshaw played much/at all at 12 for Connacht?

I thought he only really played 12 for Ireland and 13/15 for Connacht so I wouldn't be against moving him out one.

When he got the job in the first place there weren't really any other options at 12 so putting in a more specialist or even just someone who plays 12 more wouldn't be a bad idea for the team. Especially as it's 13 where the ground is a bit sparse with Payne injured.

ClanofLams

CatFromHue wrote: »

Has Henshaw played much/at all at 12 for Connacht?

I thought he only really played 12 for Ireland and 13/15 for Connacht so I wouldn't be against moving him out one.

When he got the job in the first place there weren't really any other options at 12 so putting in a more specialist or even just someone who plays 12 more wouldn't be a bad idea for the team. Especially as it's 13 where the ground is a bit sparse with Payne injured.

Hasn't played much for Connacht this season with World Cup and injury but has been at 15 for the couple of games he played. Would like to see him at 13 too, using him as a bosh merchant at 12 doesn't do him justice.

flouncer

ClanofLams wrote: »

You must have missed Connacht's win in Thomond then? Henshaw was excellent, obviously from fb but nonetheless his role in Aki's try showed his class and he's unquestionably better defensively in the centre than Fitzgerald.

I don't like getting grumpy but... Its kinda like the Ringrose argument. So he is a fine player, did a nice shimmy and offloaded to isa. Great. But Fitz does this all the time. Reading the papers today I was at a loss. Ringrose for Ireland. At least Tony Ward got it right. He doesn't have any visibility to say he is ready. All the players I listed on my preferred team have been the consistently best players in Ireland.

As for Henshaw, he worked a nice pass to Aki. Has Toh not done insanely good passes every week. But because Henshaw makes one good pass he is the dogs bollox because that is what we must believe. McCloskey, Fitz and ToH everytime

stadedublinois

swiwi_ wrote: »

What's up with Teddy Thomas? Seems the forgotten man. Or was he just a one-hit wonder?

He has barely played since the last six nations, and I don't think at all this season. A problem with his hamstrings I think.

ClanofLams

flouncer wrote: »

I don't like getting grumpy but... Its kinda like the Ringrose argument. So he is a fine player, did a nice shimmy and offloaded to isa. Great. But Fitz does this all the time. Reading the papers today I was at a loss. Ringrose for Ireland. At least Tony Ward got it right. He doesn't have any visibility to say he is ready. All the players I listed on my preferred team have been the consistently best players in Ireland.

As for Henshaw, he worked a nice pass to Aki. Has Toh not done insanely good passes every week. But because Henshaw makes one good pass he is the dogs bollox because that is what we must believe. McCloskey, Fitz and ToH everytime

It was a rather impressive offload, one not many players would be capable of. Henshaw was pretty unanimously Ireland's best player at the World Cup, SO'B would have given him competition but for one punch. He was also one of the standout players in Ireland retaining the 6N, man of the match against England in case you forgot. I think Garry Ringrose has the potential to be excellent but he shouldn't be compared to Henshaw at this stage given the latter's accomplishments.

Thelomen Toblackai

ClanofLams wrote: »

People seem to have short memories on here, Henshaw was our best player at the World Cup and now people don't want him starting for the 6N, seriously?! Unless you're suggesting him at 15?

Fitzgerald doesn't offer the same physicality as Henshaw in defence, I would that is fairly obvious.

Great piece from Murray Kinsella here on how good Henshaw was against France.

http://www.the42.ie/robbie-henshaw-break-analysis-ireland-france-2385318-Oct2015/

We're talking about the first 6 nations after the WC. People want to see changes and new combinations and effort toward improving the team. Personally I don't want to see 15 nailed on unchanging starters because they were good last year.

Henshaw was good in the world cup but at 12 and we're talking about playing Luke at 13 outside McCloskey. I'd assume you have no issue with McCloskey getting a go at 12 ahead of Henshaw ? So why do you have issue with Henshaw not being a constant starter at 13 ? Or do you not want to see any other options ? Or don't care as long as Henshaw is on the starting sheet ?

Journeyman_1

I can see Fitz/Henshaw being our midfield this 6N unless Payne starts playing for Ulster soon and doing very well. McCloskey may get a start against Italy/Scotland but I don't see him starting (or benching) against the other 3 unless Joe decides to take a risk early and go with him as our long-term starting 12. Fitz has been excellent every time he has played since the WC, and he was the only real attacking threat we had against Argentina so I can't see him being left out.

There is also Marshall in the conversation now, and he has been impressive at 13 in the last few games. Good times!

I don't want to crack open the mess that is going on elsewhere, but do France have a policy of not playing players based overseas? Will Picamoles be the first time they have had this problem next year? I actually can't think of any French players playing anywhere else.

ClanofLams

Thelomen Toblackai wrote: »

We're talking about the first 6 nations after the WC. People want to see changes and new combinations and effort toward improving the team. Personally I don't want to see 15 nailed on unchanging starters because they were good last year.

Henshaw was good in the world cup but at 12 and we're talking about playing Luke at 13 outside McCloskey. I'd assume you have no issue with McCloskey getting a go at 12 ahead of Henshaw ? So why do you have issue with Henshaw not being a constant starter at 13 ? Or do you not want to see any other options ? Or don't care as long as Henshaw is on the starting sheet ?

I want to see Henshaw starting because he's the best centre we have and it's not particularly close. He's twenty two and barring injury will be a key player for Ireland for the next 7/8 years. Sadly given his injury profile, Fitzgerald will do well to still be in the mix for Ireland in 2019 at the age of 32.

The 6N is our bread and butter, achieving three championships in a row would be a huge achievement and is more likely with Henshaw in the 15 than without him. It's also important for IRFU finances and to retain the best provincial players going forward from French/English clubs IRFU finances need to be as healthy as possible.

Anyway this debate is a bit silly as there is no chance Henshaw won't be in the 15 barring injury.

flouncer

ClanofLams wrote: »

I want to see Henshaw starting because he's the best centre we have and it's not particularly close. He's twenty two and barring injury will be a key player for Ireland for the next 7/8 years. Sadly given his injury profile, Fitzgerald will do well to still be in the mix for Ireland in 2019 at the age of 32.

The 6N is our bread and butter, achieving three championships in a row would be a huge achievement and is more likely with Henshaw in the 15 than without him. It's also important for IRFU finances and to retain the best provincial players going forward from French/English clubs IRFU finances need to be as healthy as possible.

Anyway this debate is a bit silly as there is no chance Henshaw won't be in the 15 barring injury.

unless you pick players based on performance. but thats obviously daft.

ClanofLams

flouncer wrote: »

unless you pick players based on performance. but thats obviously daft.

Yeah it must have been a different Robbie Henshaw I saw in Thomond and Cardiff who was excellent. You're the only Connacht supporter on here who doesn't rate Henshaw and considers him 'boring'. Maybe you're right or maybe the rest of us, Joe Schmidt, Pat Lam, every pundit going,etc are. Have a think about it.

flouncer

ClanofLams wrote: »

Yeah it must have been a different Robbie Henshaw I saw in Thomond and Cardiff who was excellent. You're the only Connacht supporter on here who doesn't rate Henshaw and considers him 'boring'. Maybe you're right or maybe the rest of us, Joe Schmidt, Pat Lam, every pundit going,etc are. Have a think about it.

thought about it. feic. same conclusion. boring. a recent version of kearney as a fullback (please dont have me watch that anymore) and then as a centre (conjoined with payne) well its simply a boring experience. payne and henshaw are honestly awfully awful

ClanofLams

flouncer wrote: »

thought about it. feic. same conclusion. boring. a recent version of kearney as a fullback (please dont have me watch that anymore) and then as a centre (conjoined with payne) well its simply a boring experience. payne and henshaw are honestly awfully awful

Awfully awful. Right. I won't be engaging any further with that viewpoint because it's pointless.

Hotei

Pink Fairy wrote: »

After the WC debacle, the provinces performance in Europe, and the fact some of our normal starting 15 players are off form or injured, I'm not looking forward to this upcoming 6N at all at the moment

Yeah, there's very little for us to be optimistic about at the moment, but this time last year I would never have dreamt we would retain the 6 Nations championship, so who know?!
For me, I think England under Eddie Jones will be hard to beat in 2016.

Thelomen Toblackai

Hotei wrote: »

Yeah, there's very little for us to be optimistic about at the moment, but this time last year I would never have dreamt we would retain the 6 Nations championship, so who know?!
For me, I think England under Eddie Jones will be hard to beat in 2016.

I'm not sold on Eddie Jones yet. He did well with Japan but bringing a team like Japan forward and bringing a team like England together are two entirely different jobs. I think he's a slight bit over hyped in terms of what people think he can do with England tbh.

I think it'll be a more transitional year for them than anything anyway and I don't expect them to hit top form for a while. I think the main contenders for the title will be Ireland and Wales. I expect France to continue their rudderless form under Noves. Scotland may cause an upset or two though.

flouncer

ClanofLams wrote: »

Awfully awful. Right. I won't be engaging any further with that viewpoint because it's pointless.

maybe mccloskey fitzgerald. future?

stadedublinois

Journeyman_1 wrote: »

I don't want to crack open the mess that is going on elsewhere, but do France have a policy of not playing players based overseas? Will Picamoles be the first time they have had this problem next year? I actually can't think of any French players playing anywhere else.

Hasn't been an issue in a while but there was no official rule, Ibanez played regularly for France while playing in England, as did Chabal although not as regularly.

Can't see it being an issue with Picamoles.

Richard Hillman

stephen_n wrote: »

Not including Bastareaud is a big call.

I haven't watched any Top14 this season but he was one of the few French players that played with a bit of heart in the 6N and WC.

Hotei

Thelomen Toblackai wrote: »

I'm not sold on Eddie Jones yet. He did well with Japan but bringing a team like Japan forward and bringing a team like England together are two entirely different jobs. I think he's a slight bit over hyped in terms of what people think he can do with England tbh.

It's extraordinary to think that Jones is England's first foreign coach, and in that respect may help bring a new dynamic to the way they play. When you consider how close they've come to winning the 6N in recent years, he may be the difference in getting them over the line this time round.

Clegg

I've always wondered if Basterued is limited by the way coaches want him to play or if he's just lacking in those particular skills. I've never seen him pass the ball enough to see if he's actually any good at it. Will be harder to analyse a French side now you know the bosh isn't coming 99% of the time.

PTH2009

Wales for me i think. They always win it the year after the world cup.

We got a difficult start against them which will define our campaign.

This will be the best time to bury our hoodoo away to england (2010 was the last time we beat them in England).

We should beat Italy, France can go either way the same with Scotland (hopefully the game will mean something)

oneofakind32

Does anyone know when Ireland's home game tickets go on sale? Or I have I missed that boat?

English Lurker

Beginning to get quite excited by this one because there's such a lot of unknowns. For me, the biggest question is whether Scotland are finally ready to start winning the games instead of losing heroically - they look close and have a lot of young talent, but the last few inches are the hardest ones.

Really not sure what to expect from Jones yet other than something well drilled and full of intensity.

PTH2009

oneofakind32 wrote: »

Does anyone know when Ireland's home game tickets go on sale? Or I have I missed that boat?

they went on sale to the Irsc on the 8th december and sold very quick before that they went to the clubs.

there a few left from the MRSC (Munster rugby supporters club) but you have to be a member and can only get 2 tickets per member.

Tickets for the wales game will be hard to pick up but cant see tickets for the Italy and Scotland match (unless its a grand slam game) being too hard to find closer to the games.

The Pheasant2

I'm a big fan of RK but I'm wondering does he need a bit of a kick up the arse? His play of late has been a tad stale - we could have some interesting options if we were to try something new out at FB

eg:
Murray
Sexton
Fitz
McCloskey
Henshaw
Earls
Payne

Marmion
Jackson/Mads
Trimble/Zebo

Or

Murray
Sexton
Trimble
McCloskey
Fitz
Earls
Henshaw

Or

Murray
Sexton
Trimble
Henshaw
Fitz
Earls
Payne

There are actually quite a few permutations to work with if any of the above had to be left out or whatever

Edit: and of course there's TOH to consider also

mfceiling

Centre "should" be a hotly contested area but barring injury it will be Henshaw and Payne. Thing is, if Payne isn't fit then chances are it will be Earls...and that will make me cry a little.

oneofakind32

PTH2009 wrote: »

they went on sale to the Irsc on the 8th december and sold very quick before that they went to the clubs.

there a few left from the MRSC (Munster rugby supporters club) but you have to be a member and can only get 2 tickets per member.

Tickets for the wales game will be hard to pick up but cant see tickets for the Italy and Scotland match (unless its a grand slam game) being too hard to find closer to the games.

It was easier to get world cup tickets. There was transparency there at least.

stephen_n

ClanofLams wrote: »

Based on Henshaw having been excellent defensively for the last year in a green jersey, even in the QF against Argentina when all were falling apart around him. That's not a knock on Fitzgerald, he has looked good defensively in the centre as far as I can recall (certainly this season) but Henshaw is in a different class.

Henshaw is excellent defensively, so is Luke, I've never seen any evidence (which is limited by how little Luke has played 12) to show Henshaw is in a different class. They are both excellent defenders and both very intelligent defenders. I would see a possibility of Luke at 12 and Robbie at 13 if Payne doesn't get back playing soon. Although McCloskey is probably the best 12 in the country at present, I can't see Joe going with someone inexperienced against Wales, France or England, unless he has to.

oneofakind32

stephen_n wrote: »

Henshaw is excellent defensively, so is Luke, I've never seen any evidence (which is limited by how little Luke has played 12) to show Henshaw is in a different class. They are both excellent defenders and both very intelligent defenders. I would see a possibility of Luke at 12 and Robbie at 13 if Payne doesn't get back playing soon. Although McCloskey is probably the best 12 in the country at present, I can't see Joe going with someone inexperienced against Wales, France or England, unless he has to.

Newstalk spent 10 minutes talking about Gary Ringrose last night and weather to not Joe Schmidt would use him in the 6N. Not a mention of Mccluskey in entire segment. The 2 provence Dublin media strikes again.

stephen_n

oneofakind32 wrote: »

Newstalk spent 10 minutes talking about Gary Ringrose last night and weather to not Joe Schmidt would use him in the 6N. Not a mention of Mccluskey in entire segment. The 2 provence Dublin media strikes again.

Was that based on Payne not being available? McCloskey is ahead of Ringrose one way or the other I'd assume, he is also the exact sort of 12 Joe likes but Henshaw is the incumbent 12, so maybe they were discussing the 13 jersey assuming Henshaw will start at 12. It's still ludicrous anyway, there's no way Ringrose will make it into the 6N squads this year.

torqtorq

This article is presently on Independent site yet there is no confirmation on the irfu site. I wonder has David Kelly written this article upfront.



Schmidt calls up Ringrose as Cullen seeks to tone down hype

Newest Leinster midfield star primed for Six Nations role



David Kelly Twitter

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Published
01/01/2016 | 02:30
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Leo Cullen has great hopes for Garry Ringrose but doesn’t want the youngster rushed. Leo Cullen has great hopes for Garry Ringrose but doesn’t want the youngster rushed.


Although already anointed, it seems, as the special one for 2016 by his gilded predecessor in a 13 jersey, Leinster coach Leo Cullen has sought to dim the hype surrounding his midfield wunderkind Garry Ringrose.


Brian O'Driscoll was moved enough by the underage star's performance in the Thomond Park win last weekend to suggest that Ireland coach Joe Schmidt could do worse than pitch him into the side for the Six Nations opener against Wales next month.

And, while the national coach rarely heeds counsel from beyond his Clonskeagh bunker, the Kiwi has rushed to include Ringrose in his large gathering this weekend, a one-day camp on Sunday as Ireland plot a hat-trick of northern hemisphere titles.

And, although predecessors like O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy were plunged into international waters when their faces were still dotted with teenage fluff and acne, Cullen has sought to limit the euphoria about what is undoubtedly a star in the making.

"You don't want to put undue pressure on young players for sure," said Cullen, who must be given credit for persisting with the blooding so many youngsters - Josh van der Flier is another who will meet up with prospective Irish colleagues on Sunday.

"It's a hard one. Before Christmas, Garry was doing his exams because he is a full-time student. We had to balance a lot of that for him in terms of giving him time off.

"He's definitely someone we have earmarked to have a big involvement with Leinster for a large number of years. But it's about bringing guys through in the right fashion and giving them exposure when they can have positive experiences.

"That is why we gave him a bit of leeway last month because he had those exams. We feel that being a student is a really important part of a player's development from out of the Academy. They have to do their courses and get on with that at this time of the year.

"As for the Six Nations, it's great that he got named in that Ireland squad and that sort of exposure will be important for him as well.

"But the decisions on where he plays beyond that is obviously someone else's call. However, he's definitely one for the future and we will try to manage him as best we can and do what is right for him."

Ringrose's captain in the RDS this evening, in their Pro12 clash against Connacht, will be Rhys Ruddock, who knows all about the shouldering of expectations.

He was sprung into action as a teenager on an Antipodean tour five years ago but a combination of injury and the stiffest of competition in his back-row position blunted the sharp intake of breath that greeted his impressive debut from the bench against Australia in Brisbane.

Down-to-earth

"He is a very down-to-earth guy and hard-working and I can't see him getting carried away," Ruddock demurs.

"I think he deals with the pressures pretty well and when you look at his performances he seems to be consistently playing well when he gets a chance. So yes he seems to be dealing with it at a young age pretty well.

"A lot of it is about the body and being physically strong enough to play week after week, winning the collisions that you have to take on the field, and getting up for it again the next week, then being physically ready to go out again and do it.

"Mentally as well, just being confident in your own ability sometimes takes different guys a little bit longer than others.

"But having that kind of self-belief, and believing that, even though you haven't got as much experience as the guy opposite you, that you've got the ability, is a really big part of it.

"Looking at the way Garry has been playing, it's obvious that he has shown that he deserves to be there, and he's every bit capable of playing at that level.

"In terms of how long it takes, it's different for everyone, but it seems like Garry is a long way to doing it already.

"He's only really been playing for a couple of months and he already seems every bit capable in terms of his mental application and physicality.

"I know some people might think that he looks quite slight but he's a tall kind of physical guy. I don't see that being a problem for him."

While it remains to be seen whether Ringrose may yet cause any headaches for Welsh coach Warren Gatland - the man who gave O'Driscoll his debut before he played for Leinster and nearly capped D'Arcy in his Leaving Cert year - other rival coaches are beginning to sit up and take notice.

"I know when I first arrived here people were saying we don't have this, we don't have that," said Connacht coach Pat Lam, addressing the wider sense of anguish that Irish rugby's stocks may be rapidly depleting.

Talent

"But there's plenty of talent and it is what you do with it. Fair play, I saw Garry Ringrose play for the U-20s but not only in Leinster, in Munster and Ulster, right throughout the country there is some serious talent.

"It is how to develop them, it is how you grow them. And obviously the culture and the type of rugby you play. If you give them belief and confidence they will come through.

"Sometimes there are a lot of doomsayers around and we tend to look over the fence and think what this country has got this and that country has got that. Certainly Garry is someone who is making the most of his talent, which is great."

Ringrose is the future; Ian Madigan, soon enough, will be the past although Cullen conceded that the Scottish weather may have scuppered any lingering hopes of him remaining here.

"Ian was due to start against Glasgow and that game got called off," revealed Cullen.

"He ran the team really, really well that week and it was just unfortunate that the game got called off due to that waterlogged pitch.

"If he had played well he gave himself a better shot at making selections later down the track but unfortunately that never materialised.

"That would have been part of my thinking and whether Ian would have made that decision to go regardless, you have to ask him."

penybont exile

Henshaw / Ringrose opposite Roberts / JD2 would be interesting ........