Ireland RWC 11 Thread

[munstermuffin]

Ok well lads we are 1 game from the end of the current season and start of RWC preperations so I decided to start a thread for Ireland.

So anyone want to try predict starting XV or RWC squads.
I'll have to think mine through before posting but obviously today and next Saturday will have a big impact on that decision

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

15. Keith Earls
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Fergus McFadden
11. Luke FitzGerald
10. Jonathon Sexton
9. Isaac Boss
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. Sean O'Brien
6. Stephan Ferris
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Leo Cullen
3. Mike Ross
2. Rory Best
1. Cian Healy


I'd like to see that team butit'll more likely be
12. D'Arcy
11. Trimble
9. O'Leary
4. O'Callaghan

 

[munstermuffin]

15. Keith Earls
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Fergus McFadden
11. Luke FitzGerald
10. Jonathon Sexton
9. Isaac Boss
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. Sean O'Brien
6. Stephan Ferris
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Leo Cullen
3. Mike Ross
2. Rory Best
1. Cian Healy


I'd like to see that team butit'll more likely be
12. D'Arcy
11. Trimble
9. O'Leary
4. O'Callaghan

Can accept that team C but maybe (if fit) i'd have Fla at 2, I think Ferris has to earn shirt back as Wallace has been in good form and was superb for 6Nations and O'Brien is a machine, at 9 I think Murray is argubally our most all-round 9 at the moment but I don't know who is our best choice at 9.
Also I think Keith would struggle at 15 and well may be best IF he is put on wing ahead of Luke Fitz and Kearney or Murphy at 15 if fit. And if not I know people will say this is bias but I think Felix is good enough for 15 at that level if he gets the chance and stays fit.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How's Flannery's recovery going?
Going to be a bit of an ask to go from a big lay off straight into the world cup

 

[munstermuffin]

Olyy was working with him this morning and did a good jog and well all going well he will be working through the summer and will be right for August games all going well and be as fit as redt come New Zealand.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair enough - just hope he doesn't rush himself back as he did before and get another injury as it could put him out of the game for good

 

[nato]

15. Keith Earls
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Fergus McFadden
11. Luke FitzGerald
10. Jonathon Sexton
9. Isaac Boss
8. Jamie Heaslip
7. Sean O'Brien
6. Stephan Ferris
5. Paul O'Connell
4. Leo Cullen
3. Mike Ross
2. Rory Best
1. Cian Healy


I'd like to see that team butit'll more likely be
12. D'Arcy
11. Trimble
9. O'Leary
4. O'Callaghan

9 will most likely be eoin redden, also I say Ronan o gara will start a few matches since he is retiring after world cup. I don't really see Keith earls as a number 15, we don't really have any good fullbacks besides rob Kearney and I don't know if he will be fit for the rwc.

 

[theonlychubbychild]

I'd Like to see Rob kearney in as full back. Does anybody know what his injury status is? Is he going to NZ at all?

 

[irelandfan123]

If i was kidney this would be my choices and why -

1.Cian Healy - Great runner for a big lad , the man can scrum aswell
2.Rory Best - Mr consistent, never puts a foot wrong in my eyes and hes a good leader
3.Mike Ross - great replacement for Hayes , much needed for the Ireland set piece , not to mention the man munched up the english scrum

4. Donncha O'Callaghan - With Paulie he always plays well and has a great work rate
5. Paul O'Connell- Big line out man great leader great all round forward

6- Stephen Ferris - Big strong runner who would run over anyone on his day (on his day being not injured) and he clears up the ruck aswell
8 - Jamie Heaslip - Strong runner , smart player around rucks and in open play
7- Sean O'Brien- Bruising runner , always crosses the game line and great in the loose

9. Eoin Reddan - Great at sniping and has a great pass. He has some sort of mental connection with Sean O'Brien
10.Johnny Sexton - starts the running game and really gets the game going in a Big game

12. D'Arcy - good runner and links well with drico my only problem is he crabs across the pitch to much
13. O'Driscoll - "Knowlegde is to know tomato is a fruit , wisdom is to not put it in a fruit salad" philosopher and a legend , great man

11.Andrew Trimble - Strong runner , knows how to break the line and is an all-round solid wing
15.Keith Earls - is good under high ball and is a immense counter-attacker
14.Tommy Bowe - Great runner , the mans a flyer

Subs
16. Cronin - Don't like him but hes the only other Irish hooker that isnt ancient and gets decent game time
17.Court - Plays at both sides so he is useful and has a solid scrum (not to good not to bad)
18. Dan Tuohy - Scored a try against the all blacks then everyone just forgot him , hes a huge runner and offers a decent line out choice
19. Leamy - Covers the back row and is good cover , we suffered without a replacement 8 during the summer.
20. Stringer - still got that killer pass and controls the pack well
21. Ronan O'gara - Good for when sextons playing bad and to close out a game well, uses the corners as his *****
22. Luke Fitzgerald - as good as he is on the pitch from the start to have him on the bench is much more useful as he covers fullback wing and centre

Reserves
R. John Hayes - would be a shame to leave him after all hes done for us
R. Leo Cullen - Great leader and solid round the set piece
R. David Wallace -More than possible he would be on the back row if theres and injury
R. Issac Boos - has played well all season and is a bullish player to add a more straight forward approach
R.Fergus McFadden - can cover centre and played well during six nations
R.Nevin Spence - Great season for Ulster and can breaks the game line ever time he touches the ball and would really add a different approach to the midfield
R.Shane Horgan - Only reason hes not starting in trimble place would be the fear of lack of international game time , but he has played amazing this year
R. Rob Kearney - Good attacking option but hasnt played alot so I'll wait untill there is a injury until I could get him back on the field

 

[munstermuffin]

irelandfan123 was the nightclub good or were you just boozing at home

 

[irelandfan123]

irelandfan123 was the nightclub good or were you just boozing at home

Home

 

[DorceOutSide]

Fair enough - just hope he doesn't rush himself back as he did before and get another injury as it could put him out of the game for good

i just hope he dosent trip another frenchman.

 

[theonlychubbychild]

I have big problems with both D'arcy and Fitzgerald's inability to catch a ball.

But I will say that I reckon that O'gara will be played the same way he was in the 6 nations; Incase of emergency-break glass, or in other words; When plans gone to ****, Bring on O'gara to slow down the game pace and go for the more tactical approach.

 

[monkeypigeon]

If i was kidney this would be my choices and why -

1.Cian Healy - Great runner for a big lad , the man can scrum aswell
2.Rory Best - Mr consistent, never puts a foot wrong in my eyes and hes a good leader
3.Mike Ross - great replacement for Hayes , much needed for the Ireland set piece , not to mention the man munched up the english scrum

4. Donncha O'Callaghan - With Paulie he always plays well and has a great work rate
5. Paul O'Connell- Big line out man great leader great all round forward

6- Stephen Ferris - Big strong runner who would run over anyone on his day (on his day being not injured) and he clears up the ruck aswell
8 - Jamie Heaslip - Strong runner , smart player around rucks and in open play
7- Sean O'Brien- Bruising runner , always crosses the game line and great in the loose

9. Eoin Reddan - Great at sniping and has a great pass. He has some sort of mental connection with Sean O'Brien
10.Johnny Sexton - starts the running game and really gets the game going in a Big game

12. D'Arcy - good runner and links well with drico my only problem is he crabs across the pitch to much
13. O'Driscoll - "Knowlegde is to know tomato is a fruit , wisdom is to not put it in a fruit salad" philosopher and a legend , great man

11.Andrew Trimble - Strong runner , knows how to break the line and is an all-round solid wing
15.Keith Earls - is good under high ball and is a immense counter-attacker
14.Tommy Bowe - Great runner , the mans a flyer

Subs
16. Cronin - Don't like him but hes the only other Irish hooker that isnt ancient and gets decent game time
17.Court - Plays at both sides so he is useful and has a solid scrum (not to good not to bad)
18. Dan Tuohy - Scored a try against the all blacks then everyone just forgot him , hes a huge runner and offers a decent line out choice
19. Leamy - Covers the back row and is good cover , we suffered without a replacement 8 during the summer.
20. Stringer - still got that killer pass and controls the pack well
21. Ronan O'gara - Good for when sextons playing bad and to close out a game well, uses the corners as his *****
22. Luke Fitzgerald - as good as he is on the pitch from the start to have him on the bench is much more useful as he covers fullback wing and centre

Reserves
R. John Hayes - would be a shame to leave him after all hes done for us
R. Leo Cullen - Great leader and solid round the set piece
R. David Wallace -More than possible he would be on the back row if theres and injury
R. Issac Boos - has played well all season and is a bullish player to add a more straight forward approach
R.Fergus McFadden - can cover centre and played well during six nations
R.Nevin Spence - Great season for Ulster and can breaks the game line ever time he touches the ball and would really add a different approach to the midfield
R.Shane Horgan - Only reason hes not starting in trimble place would be the fear of lack of international game time , but he has played amazing this year
R. Rob Kearney - Good attacking option but hasnt played alot so I'll wait untill there is a injury until I could get him back on the field

Major onjection to the presence of Leamy in the 22 and possinly even the squad,,,Coughlan's been better than him pretty much all season, if there any justice he'd be ahead of him for selection and Wally should definitely make the bench ahead of him.

 

[Melhor Time]

I´m presently looking at compiling an Irish side. Lots of old meat being thrown away.

Can Keith Earls play 12....

Someone has to start ahead of D´Arcy. Won´t be Paddy Wallace could perhaps be Luke Fitzgerald or Earls.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I´m presently looking at compiling an Irish side. Lots of old meat being thrown away.

Can Keith Earls play 12....

Someone has to start ahead of D´Arcy. Won´t be Paddy Wallace could perhaps be Luke Fitzgerald or Earls.

If there was any justice in the world Fergus McFadden would have the 12 jersey. He's been excellent for Leinster recently, far better than D'arcy anyway.

Fitzgerald could play there, but I'd rather see him on the wing while Earls is more of a 13 if he is to play in the midfield. Tommy Bowe could be put at 13 and Drico shifted to 12, but it probably wouldn't be a fantastic idea to move BOD to a position he's never really played in. James Downey is a massive outsider but probably merits a shot more than Paddy Wallace.

The only other options would be Eoin O'Malley (too raw, doesn't get enough game time), Darren Cave and Nevin Spence up at Ulster (both are really 13's) and Kyle Tonetti at Sale (can't see that happening). Don't see any of them being considered though It's a serious weak point for us at the moment.


In general the team isn't as old as it is made out to be. Aside from the centres and locks, we're pretty youthful. Here's what I'd pick:

15) SuperRob Kearney
14) Tommy Bowe
13) Brian O'Driscoll
12) Fergus McFadden
11) Keith Earls
10) Johnny Sexton
9) Eoin Reddan (I dunno, why not?)
8) Jamie Heaslip
7) Sean O'Brien
6) Stephen Ferris
5) Paul O'Connell
4) Leo Cullen
3) Mike Ross
2) Sean Cronin
1) Cian Healy

There's a bloody massive backrow in there, could go toe to toe with pretty much anyone. 2,9 and 12 are worries, but I have a lot of faith in Fergus. Were it up to me, Donncha O'Callaghan would be 4th choice lock. I think he's been shocking this season. Ill disciplined, ineffective, not worth a place. Tuohy, Cullen and O'Connell have all been better, but I'd be shocked if O'Callaghan doesn't start. Steady Deccie eh?

 

[munstermuffin]

If there was any justice in the world Fergus McFadden would have the 12 jersey. He's been excellent for Leinster recently, far better than D'arcy anyway.

Fitzgerald could play there, but I'd rather see him on the wing while Earls is more of a 13 if he is to play in the midfield. Tommy Bowe could be put at 13 and Drico shifted to 12, but it probably wouldn't be a fantastic idea to move BOD to a position he's never really played in. James Downey is a massive outsider but probably merits a shot more than Paddy Wallace.

The only other options would be Eoin O'Malley (too raw, doesn't get enough game time), Darren Cave and Nevin Spence up at Ulster (both are really 13's) and Kyle Tonetti at Sale (can't see that happening). Don't see any of them being considered though It's a serious weak point for us at the moment.


In general the team isn't as old as it is made out to be. Aside from the centres and locks, we're pretty youthful. Here's what I'd pick:

15) SuperRob Kearney
14) Tommy Bowe
13) Brian O'Driscoll
12) Fergus McFadden
11) Keith Earls
10) Johnny Sexton
9) Eoin Reddan (I dunno, why not?)
8) Jamie Heaslip
7) Sean O'Brien
6) Stephen Ferris
5) Paul O'Connell
4) Leo Cullen
3) Mike Ross
2) Sean Cronin
1) Cian Healy

There's a bloody massive backrow in there, could go toe to toe with pretty much anyone. 2,9 and 12 are worries, but I have a lot of faith in Fergus. Were it up to me, Donncha O'Callaghan would be 4th choice lock. I think he's been shocking this season. Ill disciplined, ineffective, not worth a place. Tuohy, Cullen and O'Connell have all been better, but I'd be shocked if O'Callaghan doesn't start. Steady Deccie eh?

Feic I could agree with that except maybe have DOC on bench at least as I think Cullen and POC and DOC are too far ahead of the rest. Also I think Wallace ahead of Ferris is other call simply because Wallace has done nothing to loose the jersey and Ferris has to firstly prove his fitness and then prove his form.
And well at 9 while I don't disagree with Reddan I don't know who to pick, I think Murray is the in form 9 but I don't know who I'd have as my 9 at this moment

 

[Jockstap]

15 Felix Jones - is Ireland's best counterattacking fullback and Kearney hasn't been in form since 2009
14 Bowe
13 O'Driscoll
12 McFadden
11 Earls
10 Sexton
9 Murray - the kid looks good why not bring him and see what he can do against USA, Russia
8 Heaslip
7 Wallace
6 O'Brien - putting O'Brien at 7 really devalues his ball carrying ability, Saturday was a perfect example of this
5 O'Connell
4 Cullen
3 Ross
2 Best - Serious weak point in our team, if only Strauss had come a year sooner.
1 Healy

16 Cronin
17 Court
18 O'Callaghan
19 Ferris
20 Reddan
21 O'Gara
22 Fitzgerald

Good team but Hooker is very weak as is our Front Row replacements.

 

[psychic duck]

There are quite a few positions up for grabs in the Ireland squad at the moment, which could be decided over Ireland's summer matches, the Magners Grand Final and the early pool games.

15. R Kearney/G Murphy/F Jones, really need to see Kearney and Murphy back in action to say who I would pick here, Fitzgerald didn't impress at full back during the 6 nations
14. T Bowe
13. B O'Driscoll
12. G D'Arcy/F McFadden, I think McFadden is better than D'Arcy at the minute and maybe even Nevin Spence, but I can't see the Irish selectors considering dropping D'Arcy until after the World Cup
11. K Earls/A Trimble, I think Trimble is better in my opinion and he has improved a lot over the last 2 seasons, but I think the Irish selectors will pick Earls, which doesn't weaken the side that much anyway
10. J Sexton
9. T O'Leary/E Reddan, O'Leary's not really had any momentum this season, no real string of games together, I was impressed by Reddan in the H Cup final so I think the first choice number 9 will be a straight shootout, I've noticed a lot of posts have forgotten O'Leary, yes he has had a mediocre season but one shouldn't forget his performance against Wales in the 2010 6 nations.
1. C Healy
2. J Flannery/R Best, doubt Flannery will be fit enough though
3. M Ross
4. D O'Callaghan
5. P O'Connell
6. S Ferris/S O'Brien, hardest selection of all the team neither player deserves not to be in the side, neither player will significantly weaken the team, so I'll wait until Ferris has had a few games back from injury
7. D Wallace/S O'Brien, another option could be to play O'Brien or Ferris at 7, I don't know how Wallace has been playing for Munster of late, but I had written him off myself as over the hill during the 6N and he then played awesome against England so I don't want to make that mistake again
8. J Heaslip

Tony Buckley should NOT be in the squad

 

[Feicarsinn]

We haven't forgotten about Tom O'Leary. Quite the opposite really. He's still not getting anywhere near my squad.