[2016 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: Ireland vs. Wales (07/02/2016)

[collace]

Meh, maybe if Ruan Pienaar was Irish Jackson would be a potential starter until he shows the consistency he has with Pienaar he'll make very few 23's.

Not sure how he is able to show that consistency if he doesn't get the chance?

I'll admit to being biased but Jackson is and has been the form 10 in the country by a margin over the last few months. I understand that Madigan covers other positions but surely we have to recognise that Sexton's injury record recently means that there's a fair chance he might not get through 80 minutes - he's going to be targeted. Jackson should be in the squad for me.

 

[Amiga500]

Meh, maybe if Ruan Pienaar was Irish Jackson would be a potential starter until he shows the consistency he has with Pienaar he'll make very few 23's.

Consistency with who?

Paul "this ones at your feet but the next one's at 10 feet" Marshall?

 

[dunney77]

Ireland trained this way yesterday.

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. White
4. Toner
5. McCarthy
6. Stander
7. O'Donnell (SOB if fit)
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Henshaw
13. Payne
14. Trimble
15. Zebo

Bench rumoured - Cronin Cronin Furlong Ryan Ruddock Reddan Madigan Zebo (if RK fit), DK (if Zebo starts)

That team isn't going to beat Wales

- - - Updated - - -

Would like to see

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. Ruddock
7. SOB
8. Stander
9. Murray
10. Sexton (should be Jackson)
11. Earls
12. McCloskey
13. Henshaw
14. Trimble
15. Payne

 

[munstermuffin]

That team isn't going to beat Wales

- - - Updated - - -

Would like to see

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. Ruddock
7. SOB
8. Stander
9. Murray
10. Sexton (should be Jackson)
11. Earls
12. McCloskey
13. Henshaw
14. Trimble
15. Payne

I don't disagree with your team.
But the 1 I said is what the rumour is. Could be complete bogus too but rumour is also that SOB is a serious doubt now.

 

[profitius]

I don't disagree with your team.
But the 1 I said is what the rumour is. Could be complete bogus too but rumour is also that SOB is a serious doubt now.

I hope its the same as all the other rumours we've had lately. False.

 

[dunney77]

I don't disagree with your team.

But the 1 I said is what the rumour is. Could be complete bogus too but rumour is also that SOB is a serious doubt now.

I am hoping home advantage makes the difference this weekend.

 

[Peat]

If Jackson can't make an Ireland squad off of his recent form then it's time for French lessons.

As for Zebo at full-back - oh my days - and the continued presence of Henshaw-Payne barritting it up...

On the plus side, a good 6N period is ahead for Ulster.

 

[munstermuffin]

If Jackson can't make an Ireland squad off of his recent form then it's time for French lessons.

As for Zebo at full-back - oh my days - and the continued presence of Henshaw-Payne barritting it up...

On the plus side, a good 6N period is ahead for Ulster.

@profitius I don't know if there is truth but my source on this isn't media who got all other things false but it seems everyone who should know is saying same.

@Peat I agree. I think Jackson has been really done here. Madigan covers more is what I'm sure the argument is but does it stick.
Zebo at 15 is if RK doesn't make it and I think he will be a much better attacking option but defensively isn't up to international 15 standard. But he wouldn't be worst of my worries.
FWIW Payne at 15 and McCloskey at centre is what I'd go with.

 

[Peat]

If Zebo's hitting his peak, sure, why not. But, unless I've been grossly misinformed, he's not.

Plus, next year, he'll be abroad... are they about to quietly rip up the preference to home-based players? Or is Schmidt building a replacement for Kearney he's then going to lose (same question with Madigan on the bench).

You absolutely know Gatland's going to send the heavy traffic at Sexton with the intention of forcing him off early and getting Madigan put on too.

 

[munstermuffin]

If Zebo's hitting his peak, sure, why not. But, unless I've been grossly misinformed, he's not.

Plus, next year, he'll be abroad... are they about to quietly rip up the preference to home-based players? Or is Schmidt building a replacement for Kearney he's then going to lose (same question with Madigan on the bench).

You absolutely know Gatland's going to send the heavy traffic at Sexton with the intention of forcing him off early and getting Madigan put on too.

I agree. Zebo isn't playing well. But Rob K isn't either so whoever starts there won't make huge difference. Both have flaws and aren't good defensively. As I said I'd put Payne there.

Regards Madigan I agree 100% in that he hasn't earned the spot and it's 1 thing to be covering all the positions but would he do good job if he had to go 12 or 15.

On last bit I'm sure every team will be keen to test Sextons head and dare I say it if Sexton did get badly knocked and it was later discovered it was due to fact he had head trouble in past few weeks the IRFU will have serious questions to answer on all areas.

 

[big ginger 8]

If Zebo's hitting his peak, sure, why not. But, unless I've been grossly misinformed, he's not.

Plus, next year, he'll be abroad... are they about to quietly rip up the preference to home-based players? Or is Schmidt building a replacement for Kearney he's then going to lose (same question with Madigan on the bench).

You absolutely know Gatland's going to send the heavy traffic at Sexton with the intention of forcing him off early and getting Madigan put on too.

Zebo signed a two year contract this week...to stay with Munster.

I think not having Jackson is a mistake and wish he had been kept on. In many ways I imagine Madigan owes his selection to Fitzgerald's injury.

The supposed selection of Zebo is another that if it happens would annoy me but again there's some clear logic behind it. Schmidt already has to make a bunch of changes and this is the one that causes the least adjustment to the backline that has been training over the week. I'm not fundamentally opposed to the Henshaw/Payne combo as many people seem to be. I still would rather one of the two at fb but from Schmidt's pov it makes sense not to move either and keep continuity as best as possible with a player who offers many of the attributes that Schmidt likes in RK.

Very worried about the traffic that will be going down Sexton's channel.

 

[Peat]

Oops. Well, scratch that concern. Still a bit weird.

 

[munstermuffin]

Zebo signed a two year contract this week...to stay with Munster.

I think not having Jackson is a mistake and wish he had been kept on. In many ways I imagine Madigan owes his selection to Fitzgerald's injury.

The supposed selection of Zebo is another that if it happens would annoy me but again there's some clear logic behind it. Schmidt already has to make a bunch of changes and this is the one that causes the least adjustment to the backline that has been training over the week. I'm not fundamentally opposed to the Henshaw/Payne combo as many people seem to be. I still would rather one of the two at fb but from Schmidt's pov it makes sense not to move either and keep continuity as best as possible with a player who offers many of the attributes that Schmidt likes in RK.

Very worried about the traffic that will be going down Sexton's channel.

On that I thought Peat was on about Madigan going.

Regards Zebo. He will only be 15 if RK is out. He is a doubt.
And BG8 I'd be same I think Payne at 15 and McCloskey at centre should be the change. We loose nothing in physicality but gain in attacking from deep.

 

[corny]

Madigan benching was expected tbf. I don't agree but it was expected. The real issue comes when Sexton misses a game. If Madigan is picked ahead of Jackson then......

On the 15 issue? I think if we polled everyone on here we'd all go for 15 Payne, 12 McCloskey. Zebo has been putting in defensive displays not befitting a professional of late never mind an international full back. I'd be shocked if he was picked.

 

[munstermuffin]

Madigan benching was expected tbf. I don't agree but it was expected. The real issue comes when Sexton misses a game. If Madigan is picked ahead of Jackson then......

On the 15 issue? I think if we polled everyone on here we'd all go for 15 Payne, 12 McCloskey. Zebo has been putting in defensive displays not befitting a professional of late never mind an international full back. I'd be shocked if he was picked.

I'd agree but being fair RK doesn't ever put in a defensive display. But if RK is out Schmidt has made it clear Zebo is his 2nd choice 15

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd agree but being fair RK doesn't ever put in a defensive display. But if RK is out Schmidt has made it clear Zebo is his 2nd choice 15

Apart from the one on one tackle Kearney is a brilliant defensive fullback... His positioning and covering are superb!

 

[big ginger 8]

Apart from the one on one tackle Kearney is a brilliant defensive fullback... His positioning and covering are superb!

I think that's the only sensible thing you've said on this thread....

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think that's the only sensible thing you've said on this thread....

Suck my ass bro.

 

[big ginger 8]

Suck my ass bro.

I don't think that's possible.

 

[corny]

I'd agree but being fair RK doesn't ever put in a defensive display.

Rubbish.