[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Ireland

[Feicarsinn]

I guess. I agree that Jones is unlikely to be starting any 6 nations games any time soon, however had Keatley toured he'd no doubt have expected to see at least some time at 10 over the two or three weeks. Schmidt seems to think that 6 half backs is a bit much in terms of getting the boys to gel, so I can see why he'd rather go with a dedicated back three player.

If Keatley carries this form into next season he shouldn't have too much to worry about regarding making touring squads.

 

[munstermuffin]

I guess. I agree that Jones is unlikely to be starting any 6 nations games any time soon, however had Keatley toured he'd no doubt have expected to see at least some time at 10 over the two or three weeks. Schmidt seems to think that 6 half backs is a bit much in terms of getting the boys to gel, so I can see why he'd rather go with a dedicated back three player.

If Keatley carries this form into next season he shouldn't have too much to worry about regarding making touring squads.

I understand that and accept that. More I don't think Jones is at this level at moment

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

For the craic, here's a team made up of players not travelling for whatever reason:

15) Luke Fitzgerald
14) Tommy Bowe
13) Eoin Griffin
12) Gordon D'arcy
11) Dave Kearney
10) Ian Keatley
9) James Hart

8) Robin Copeland
7) Peter O'Mahony
6) Sean O'Brien
5) Mike McCarthy
4) Donnacha Ryan
3) Stephen Archer
2) Sean Cronin
1) Cian Healy

and James Coughlan still can't get into the team #Schmidtsleinsterbias

 

[munstermuffin]

Don't think anyone expected Coughlan Snoop. Wonder would we have benefited from bringing Copeland. Heaslip is 1 guy who seems to never get rested and we aren't certain who back up 8 is.

 

[big ginger 8]

Copeland has 4 yellows and a red this season. Given how Schmidt is about discipline, I'd say that's a huge factor in him not going.

 

[munstermuffin]

Copeland has 4 yellows and a red this season. Given how Schmidt is about discipline, I'd say that's a huge factor in him not going.

Well I've no issues with Schmidts stance on that but a deputy for Heaslip could've been a check.

 

[big ginger 8]

Well I've no issues with Schmidts stance on that but a deputy for Heaslip could've been a check.

I'd say Murphy will get a game at 8.

 

[Peat]

A lot has been made of O'Donnell's recent Irish involvement, or lack there of. I've seen some blame Schmidt for his post 6 nations form, saying that it is a direct result of being dropped from the Irish squad. For me that isn't good enough from a prospective Irish international, particularly in the back row where we're very competitive. If he can't pick himself up after being cut, then he can't complain about not being there. Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo and Dave Kilcoyne serve as excellent examples of how to bounce back.
...
Apparently Bowe is getting the summer off with an eye towards the World Cup next year. You'd imagine that it's going to be a pretty tough summer in 2015, so giving a few of the senior guys the summer off makes a lot of sense. It would have been good for him to get some time with the squad though. As for Jones, word is that Dave Kearney is looking at some cruciate damage. He probably would have toured as wing/fullback cover, but Jones is the next guy up who can play both spots.

Trimble went through a long period of ropey form and clearly not trusting himself in an Ireland jersey. Confidence clearly does matter - although I'd agree that TOD needs to get it out for Munster to force his way back in.

As for Jones... tbh, it all makes me sad. I remember watching him tear up England Saxons and thinking he was like Kearney, only quicker and therefore better. A whole bunch of injuries later and he's a nobody really. There's probably a pretty decent Ireland XV to be made simply out of players who've been massively banjaxed by misfortune and never got to show off what they could truly do. Fez honourary team captain clearly.

 

[Jockstap]

Don't think anyone expected Coughlan Snoop. Wonder would we have benefited from bringing Copeland. Heaslip is 1 guy who seems to never get rested and we aren't certain who back up 8 is.

Heaslip seems to have his daddy's special forces genes. He never seems to get injured and never needs to be rested.

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

HC Does anyone know how James Hart is getting on in France cause I have no idea

So what would Everyone's team be for the 1st test? Mine would be :

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Martin Moore
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Chris Henry
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Connor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Andrew Trimble
12. Luke Marshall
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Simon Zebo
15. Rob Kearney
subs
16. Rob Herring
17. Dave Kilcoyne
18. Mike Ross
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Paddy Jackson
23. Fergus McFadden

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I'd probably have Cave starting 13 for the first test with Henshaw on the bench in place of McFadden. (who has improved a lot in my opinion)
Apart from that not much else I would change, but I would like to see Henderson get a start..

 

[munstermuffin]

My team would be.

1. Kilcoyne
2. Best
3. Moore
4. Toner
5. POC
6. Ruddock
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Marshall
13. Henshaw
14. Trimble
15. Kearney

16. Varley
17. McGrath
18. Ross
19. Henderson
20. Murphy
21. Reddan
22. Jackson
23. Zebo

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

From a second test point of view, I'd be willing to throw younger boys in

1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Damian Varley
3. Martin Moore
4. Iain Henderson
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Robbie Diack
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Eoin Reddan
10. Paddy Jackson
11. Keith Earls
12. Luke Marshall
13. Darren Cave
14. Fergus McFadden
15. Felix Jones
subs
16. Rob Herring
17. James Cronin
18. Mike Ross
19. Devin Toner
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Simon Zebo

 

[ruggabee]

Not sure why Jones was selected. Zebo could've covered there with Gilroy coming in and taking that wing spot. Jones is never going to be test standard and we do need to produce some alternatives to Rob Kearney. Payne will provide that competition in November but we have a couple of wingers that have the skill level to cover or even develop into a quality 15. Zebo can do this I think. It would be a welcome surprise to see someone else start at 15 other than Kearney.

I'd like Henshaw to start one test and Cave to start the other at 13 but hope to god Cave isn't put at 12.

I wouldn't have Reddan in either match day squad unless there's an injury to the other two. Would like to either see Marmion start with Murray on the bench or visa versa.

My strongest 23 would be:

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Moore
4. Toner
5. O'Connell
6. Ruddock
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Marshall
13. Cave
14. Trimble
15. Kearney (Would be exciting to see Zebo given a go though. He's got the pace and ability to create something out of nothing that could cause a lot of damage against supposedly weak opposition.)

16. Herring
17. Kilcoyne
18. Ross
19. Henderson
20. Murphy
21. Marmion
22. Jackson
23. Henshaw

 

[Jaguares]

I can't understand why IRFU they take their best players, only going to play against our second team. Should call more kids from Connacht, please.

 

[ruggabee]

I can't understand why IRFU they take their best players, only going to play against our second team. Should call more kids from Connacht, please.

We haven't brought all our best players though. Those who need a rest have been rested. It would be a waste not to take advantage of the two tests no matter how easy they are as we're building a squad and positional combinations leading up to the wc.

 

[Peat]

As Ruggabee says, integrating newcomers with key figures gives Schmidt far more benefit than sending newcomers alone with wholesale resting.

That said, I wonder what sort of strength of team Argentina thought they'd get when they agreed this tour. Their second XV won't benefit too much from a casual wellying from what is still a very strong Ireland squad. Be interesting to see what plays out.

I've seen people speculate that the first test will have a relatively light Leinster representation due to it only being a week after the final.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/Lat...-ruled-out-of-Ireland-Tour-of-Argentina-.aspx

Jackson out of Argentina tour, Madigan in as cover. Disappointing.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ah finally something for people to complain about.

Pity for Jackson I was lucking forward to him starting a test.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Before our southern cousins cry foul, remember that this means that Keatley is likely to get pretty much all of the game time on the emerging Ireland tour now, while Madigan may see 40 minutes off the bench over the tour.