[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Ireland

[MLB3BB2]

After seeing what a big guy like Mathieu Bastareaud can do at 13, I think Ireland should move Cian Healy there Jack McGrath can take over at loosehead.

 

[Big Ewis]

actually, that's one of the things Ireland could use a bit more of. Power in the backline. Schmidt and co. have made it so the Ireland attack goes around and past defenders with clever schemes with the decoys and good passing game and all, but they sure could do with a big winger or center.

 

[TheSaffycen]

In fairness Bowe isn't a small guy 6'3 100kg+ and he will be there at 14 or 13. Henshaw is also 6'4 and he will be there at 13 so size isn't a problem but Schmidt prefers to have small players as you say because he plays decoys and sets up 2 on 1 in many situations. The real problem is pace as they got on the outside but couldn't get past defenders on many occasions

 

[lynam1104]

In fairness Bowe isn't a small guy 6'3 100kg+ and he will be there at 14 or 13. Henshaw is also 6'4 and he will be there at 13 so size isn't a problem but Schmidt prefers to have small players as you say because he plays decoys and sets up 2 on 1 in many situations. The real problem is pace as they got on the outside but couldn't get past defenders on many occasions

I think your right and wrong here Joe definitely has used miss matches in numbers and superior skill in the past however thats down the players hes had I'd say, the leinster and Ireland back-lines have been quite small but with the introduction of Henshaw as a likely 13 and Bowe/Trimble at 14 there will be more pace and power and if joe chooses to he could alter the game plan to accommodate that.

 

[big ginger 8]

Zebo accepts he needed more game time prior to the Six Nations after a second serious foot injury in successive seasons.
"I didn't have any expectations to be playing straight away in the Six Nations or anything like that."
"I can't really have too many complaints really because the boys, Dave (Kearney) and Andrew (Trimble), have been going so well for the nearly four months that I've been out.
"I'm delighted for their success and happy for my friends, on the other side obviously you kinda want to be a part of that."
Zebo was adamant Joe Schmidt had never communicated his displeasure over the winger's trademark celebratory 'Z' sign. "Joe likes to have fun just as much as anyone else on the training park."
More pertinently Schmidt demands huge work-rate, notably at ruck time, and defensive reliability from his wingers – not exactly Zebo virtues.
The coach has spoken to Zebo who freely admits he needs to improve his work around the breakdown.
"I'd be the first to say I can be inefficient there and sometimes don't do too much at the breakdown . . . I'm not a Donncha O'Callaghan or a Paul O'Connell. I don't hit as many rucks as they do. But when the ball does go wide, I need to be just as efficient as they are in securing ball . . . going forward I'd have no issues and I'd back myself every time. But there are definitely little parts I can iron out so at the back end I can be a better player."

So just making it even clearer, for Schmidt it is not all about strikerate.

 

[Peat]

In fairness Bowe isn't a small guy 6'3 100kg+ and he will be there at 14 or 13. Henshaw is also 6'4 and he will be there at 13 so size isn't a problem but Schmidt prefers to have small players as you say because he plays decoys and sets up 2 on 1 in many situations. The real problem is pace as they got on the outside but couldn't get past defenders on many occasions

Henshaw is 6'1". Somewhere between 15 and a half stone and 16 stone. Bowe's only a bit over 15 stone as well according to Irishrugby.ie

Schmidt played a big backline at Clermont. I imagine he would love to get some size and pace in the Ireland backline - but not at the cost of performing the fundamentals it seems.

There are some very big Irish backs out there - but they're youngsters, guys looking to break in at their provincial teams.

 

[Goodey]

When does Hayne qualify?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

When does Hayne qualify?

Payne will be available for this years Autumn internationals, can't believe how fast time has went - I remember watching clips of him on youtube for the Blues before he arrived at Ulster.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Henshaw is 6'1". Somewhere between 15 and a half stone and 16 stone. Bowe's only a bit over 15 stone as well according to Irishrugby.ie

I got my stats of wiki so god knows how accurate they are. Bowe is very powerful and athletic though, I would have thought he was more around 16 1/2 stone but he is so dynamic and is very hard to bring down he may just appear to be bigger than he is.

 

[big ginger 8]

Henshaw is 6'1". Somewhere between 15 and a half stone and 16 stone. Bowe's only a bit over 15 stone as well according to Irishrugby.ie

I've seen a lot of people question those stats for Henshaw. He certainly does seem a bit taller than 6'1" close up anyway.

 

[munstermuffin]

I've seen a lot of people question those stats for Henshaw. He certainly does seem a bit taller than 6'1" close up anyway.

To be honest having seen Robbie up close a lot I'd say he is more 14-14.5 stone and 6'1 maybe 6'2 max. But I will get stick for this but I'm really not convinced yet he's a good enough option at 13. I know Schmidt and BOD are/have worked with him and I hope he does be a success just don't feel it'll work out and he's bit over hyped as a 13

 

[big ginger 8]

To be honest having seen Robbie up close a lot I'd say he is more 14-14.5 stone and 6'1 maybe 6'2 max. But I will get stick for this but I'm really not convinced yet he's a good enough option at 13. I know Schmidt and BOD are/have worked with him and I hope he does be a success just don't feel it'll work out and he's bit over hyped as a 13

Last time I came up close with him was two years ago so I could be wrong but just saying what others have said.

I agree that he currently at least is not the answer to our 13 question.

 

[munstermuffin]

Last time I came up close with him was two years ago so I could be wrong but just saying what others have said.

I agree that he currently at least is not the answer to our 13 question.

Just thinks he's been a bit over hyped. He may become a international 13 but at moment he is totally untested for all hype that says he's a natural replacement. I hope he does be a success but like I think he needs to leave Connacht to get bigger games more frequently.

 

[ruggabee]

How many times has he played 13 for Connacht? I found it strange when he was first being touted as a replacement 13 for Ireland some months back cos I'd only ever seen his name on the team sheet at 15.. Since then I've just gone with it assuming I just don't watch Connacht enough. At the moment I'm a fan of Caves but would be great if Henshaw meets expectations with his size/athleticism and all that.

 

[munstermuffin]

How many times has he played 13 for Connacht? I found it strange when he was first being touted as a replacement 13 for Ireland some months back cos I'd only ever seen his name on the team sheet at 15.. Since then I've just gone with it assuming I just don't watch Connacht enough. At the moment I'm a fan of Caves but would be great if Henshaw meets expectations with his size/athleticism and all that.

In fairness he played a lot of HEC at 13 only moving to 15 when Duffy was unavailable but think 15 is his better position.

 

[Peat]

I've seen a lot of people question those stats for Henshaw. He certainly does seem a bit taller than 6'1" close up anyway.

Call me a cynic but whereas I can always understand a person inflating these stats up, I can never understand someone actually under-reporting them - I can't see him as more than 6'2" at the most.

Odd to think both Eoin Griffin and Darren Cave have had hamstring problems that seem to have robbed them of a bit of pace. The question could be very different otherwise. A massive shame that Spence isn't part of this argument too.

 

[munstermuffin]

Peat I think sometimes its more "just enter a reasonable stat" as opposed to actually inflating.
On other point, may he rest in peace, but Nevin Spence would certainly have been a serious contender for 13 shirt

 

[ruggabee]

Was just thinking about wingers after that top 10 thread. Can't believe back in 06 there was so little depth that Anthony Horgan had to be fielded against the ABs. He was soo slow. I suppose it has been 8 years. How time flies.

 

[Conal]

Was just thinking about wingers after that top 10 thread. Can't believe back in 06 there was so little depth that Anthony Horgan had to be fielded against the ABs. He was soo slow. I suppose it has been 8 years. How time flies.

don't mention that name again

 

[conorsinnott]

Would Trimble have made the squad if Bowe, Fitzgerald, Earls and Zebo weren't injured? I doubt it, D.Kearney was probably ahead of him in the ranks too. Regards Tuohy, with Ryan injured he always was going to be in the squad as we have so little options there, and he brings qualities that our other locks don't have.
I don't blame Cave for his comments, he's been very consistent for Ulster and never got a shoe in, even right now he's probably our best 13 with BOD now gone. You can argue that Henshaw has more potential, but as of right now Cave is the best 13 in Ireland.

Trimble is certainly ahead of Earls! Boy oh boy is he ahead of Earls. And he was before his impressive 6N as well!