[2015 Six Nations] Ireland vs France (Round 2)

[Leonormous Boozer]

Kinsella is excellent, i posted his try breakdown in the "analysis" thread. Here it is: http://www.the42.ie/analysis-ireland-italy-conor-murray-try-1928118-Feb2015 worth a read.

It's incredible what he notices, he picks up at least one thing, and it's rare that it's only one, that I could never pick up on no matter how many times I watch a clip. The obvious example there is Henshaw and Toner on Haimona. He's the only journalist that I have never read given up reading halfway through one of his articles.

 

[goodNumber10]

It's incredible what he notices, he picks up at least one thing, and it's rare that it's only one, that I could never pick up on no matter how many times I watch a clip. The obvious example there is Henshaw and Toner on Haimona. He's the only journalist that I have never read given up reading halfway through one of his articles.

Well i'm a fan I can not remember a point where i ever read something he wrote and thought - "not sure i agree there". He's got a real way of leading you to the same conclusions as him.

On a personal level he's been massively encouraging and supportive of the stuff I've been doing so not only is he a superb detailed analyst/journo but a thoroughly nice guy to boot.

 

[big ginger 8]

So we are looking at a potential 23 of:

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. Henshaw
13. Payne
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Healy
18. Moore
19. Henderson
20. Murphy
21. Reddan
22. Madigan/Keatley
23. Jones/Fitzgerald

That would possibly be one of the strongest 23's we've fielded.

 

[TheSaffycen]

You guys are still going to stick with Henshaw and Payne ? They looked to have no cutting edge or carrying strength. Fofana and Bast won't be too worried by them. Put Fitzgerald in there and then you have a dangerous centre pairing.

 

[bw245]

You guys are still going to stick with Henshaw and Payne ? They looked to have no cutting edge or carrying strength. Fofana and Bast won't be too worried by them. Put Fitzgerald in there and then you have a dangerous centre pairing.

I would 100% still pick Henshaw and Payne. Schmidt is most likely looking to build a centre partnership that can grow to be solid over the next year or so. Henshaw and Payne have done nothing wrong as of yet. They've made no huge errors. Yes, they haven't been outstanding either, but a partnership like this is going to take time but Henshaw has a massive future ahead of him, and Payne, on form, is incredible. Fitzgerald is always in and out.

Also - I would play Healy for the first 40 minutes, then bring on McGrath. I don't think Healy would have the same effect coming on off the bench. I also can't see Sean O'Brien starting unfortunately. My starting XV would be:

1. Healy
2. Best (provided he's fit - if not I think Strauss, as Cronin has more of an effect coming off the bench)
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Donnell
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Dave Kearney (Zebo does nothing for me. Yes, when he's good, he's very good, but he's not been good in ages. Kearney had a great six nations last year. He is so quick that it is hard to hold him down)
12. Henshaw (although I would like to see him at 13)
13. Payne
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

I hope we can produce a performance that'll win us the match, but not show too much off. The tactics need to be kept for England.

 

[Peat]

Payne has never been seen on form in the centre since leaving New Zealand. You can't argue with the results he gets, but some of Schmidt's selection decisions are right head scratchers.

 

[profitius]

You guys are still going to stick with Henshaw and Payne ? They looked to have no cutting edge or carrying strength. Fofana and Bast won't be too worried by them. Put Fitzgerald in there and then you have a dangerous centre pairing.

Far too early to judge. They're getting used to playing with each other. Henshaw carried well against Italy and Payne made a few breaks. Nothing spectacular but not bad either. Henshaw is a good all rounder and we've yet to see the best of him for Ireland. Payne has class that can open up defenses. They should improve the more they play together.

 

[big ginger 8]

You guys are still going to stick with Henshaw and Payne ? They looked to have no cutting edge or carrying strength. Fofana and Bast won't be too worried by them. Put Fitzgerald in there and then you have a dangerous centre pairing.

I'd rather Henshaw Fitzgerald but I trust that Henshaw Payne will be good enough. Both are defensively strong and there were some positive signs from them in attack.

I would 100% still pick Henshaw and Payne. Schmidt is most likely looking to build a centre partnership that can grow to be solid over the next year or so. Henshaw and Payne have done nothing wrong as of yet. They've made no huge errors. Yes, they haven't been outstanding either, but a partnership like this is going to take time but Henshaw has a massive future ahead of him, and Payne, on form, is incredible. Fitzgerald is always in and out.

Also - I would play Healy for the first 40 minutes, then bring on McGrath. I don't think Healy would have the same effect coming on off the bench. I also can't see Sean O'Brien starting unfortunately. My starting XV would be:

1. Healy
2. Best (provided he's fit - if not I think Strauss, as Cronin has more of an effect coming off the bench)
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. O'Connell
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Donnell
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Dave Kearney (Zebo does nothing for me. Yes, when he's good, he's very good, but he's not been good in ages. Kearney had a great six nations last year. He is so quick that it is hard to hold him down)
12. Henshaw (although I would like to see him at 13)
13. Payne
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

I hope we can produce a performance that'll win us the match, but not show too much off. The tactics need to be kept for England.

There is no way on Earth that Schmidt will make 5 changes to the starting lineup.

 

[bw245]

I'd rather Henshaw Fitzgerald but I trust that Henshaw Payne will be good enough. Both are defensively strong and there were some positive signs from them in attack.



There is no way on Earth that Schmidt will make 5 changes to the starting lineup.

Well with Sexton, Heaslip and most likely Healy back that's already three that are a certain. I don't think D Kearnet will be in, just something I'd like to see. I really think he'll start Healy, as he'll be firing to go and will give him game time for the English.

 

[big ginger 8]

Well with Sexton, Heaslip and most likely Healy back that's already three that are a certain. I don't think D Kearnet will be in, just something I'd like to see. I really think he'll start Healy, as he'll be firing to go and will give him game time for the English.

I'd say SO'B is much more likely to start than Healy if fit. SO'B is a much bigger step up over TO'D/Murphy than Healy is over McGrath, SO'B has also actually got some gametime recently. Healy coming on at the 50 minute mark is the best fit as we get his impact over a decent period, gets some gametime before the break and he won't be blowing too badly.

 

[munstermuffin]

The team that trained today was
Healy
Cronin
Ross
POC
Toner
POM
Murphy (SOB did full training and fell in here)
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Zebo
Henshaw
Payne
Bowe
Kearney

Earls, Luke, Reddan, TOD(@6), Henderson and Felix as well as all front rows guys fell in at different stages

 

[Dolittle]

Are Ireland Big Enough to Win?

I wonder if the Irish players are physically big enough to win this tournament. England are HUGE and Wales are big enough. Can we cope?

 

[bw245]

I wonder if the Irish players are physically big enough to win this tournament. England are HUGE and Wales are big enough. Can we cope?

we did it last year, so we should, in theory, be able to do it again!

Did anyone else watch the return to play protocall video with Dr. Eanna Falvey? I was having enough trouble remembering the numbers he was calling out and I've never been concussed!

PS: can't understand choosing Murphy at nr 7 rather than O'Donnell?

 

[Peat]

I wonder if the Irish players are physically big enough to win this tournament. England are HUGE and Wales are big enough. Can we cope?

Total weight of England team last weekend = 2403 kg

Total weight of Ireland team last weekend = 2408 kg

 

[Dolittle]

Total weight of England team last weekend = 2403 kg

Total weight of Ireland team last weekend = 2408 kg

Excellent statistic Peat, Thanks. I think the white jersey makes the England guys look that much bigger.

 

[bw245]

There is something about the English in white jerseys - it makes them even scarier than they already are.

 

[munstermuffin]

Not from my source but quick browse through few sites. And rumoured Irish 23.

McGrath
Strauss (Best if fit but unlikely)
Ross
POC
Toner
POM
SOB
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Zebo
Henshaw
Payne
Bowe
Kearney

Cronin
Healy
Moore
Henderson
Murphy
Boss
Madigan
Have seen Jones and Fitzgearld at 23.

 

[munstermuffin]

we did it last year, so we should, in theory, be able to do it again!

Did anyone else watch the return to play protocall video with Dr. Eanna Falvey? I was having enough trouble remembering the numbers he was calling out and I've never been concussed!

PS: can't understand choosing Murphy at nr 7 rather than O'Donnell?

We struggled desperately in physical exchanges with England last year.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Does Cronin have the nickname Cronin the Barbarian and if not, why not?

 

[Dolittle]

Does Cronin have the nickname Cronin the Barbarian and if not, why not?

Because there are two Cronins in the Ireland squad.