[2021 Six Nations] Ireland Squad

[big ginger 8]

Very promising.

 

[Groundhog]

Tis a good day for injury news alright

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The tides are changing. World domination inbound, probably in 2022 though, won't get ahead of myself.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think we were flirting with our best available team there today. I don't think the pack needs changing really, strong, skillful and dynamic. Porter probably gets in on form but it's a decision you can't get wrong between him and Furlong, two elite players. Looseheads and hookers are needed but there's not much that can be done there on account of dubious selection, Healy should be one of a few in their last international window.

The backs are where we're in transition moreso, unlike the pack it's not a case of the players being there just not being picked but an actual lack of mature talent. Casey's progress absolutely has to be accelerated, he's the best passer and fringe 9 we have and suits our attack far more than any other available 9, if he's dropped out of the 23 Farrell has made an error.
Billy Burns just isnt good enough, he had a poor cameo with the luxury of Sexton coaching him through, Ross isn't the answer either and there's no point rushing Joey back yet, get Harry Byrne in there so him and Joey can take the reigns going forward. Stockdale into the back three, pushing Lowe to the bench should happen too, that should be a nice way to finish for Earls, he's made the most of his career. Centres are fine but we risk creating too big a gap there with the backups, Aki is the only one I'd trust at all, would like to see Frawley or Hume in the squad ahead of Farrell and McCloskey who've shown exactly what they can do at that level and never staked a claim.

Today could be a turning point but we need to let POM, Earls, Sexton and Healy go asap and move Murray to the bench. There's a strong player pool available but it'll take a strong coach to unleash it and bring success soon. This year was a missed opportunity so let's not continue underachieving please.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think we were flirting with our best available team there today. I don't think the pack needs changing really, strong, skillful and dynamic. Porter probably gets in on form but it's a decision you can't get wrong between him and Furlong, two elite players. Looseheads and hookers are needed but there's not much that can be done there on account of dubious selection, Healy should be one of a few in their last international window.

The backs are where we're in transition moreso, unlike the pack it's not a case of the players being there just not being picked but an actual lack of mature talent. Casey's progress absolutely has to be accelerated, he's the best passer and fringe 9 we have and suits our attack far more than any other available 9, if he's dropped out of the 23 Farrell has made an error.
Billy Burns just isnt good enough, he had a poor cameo with the luxury of Sexton coaching him through, Ross isn't the answer either and there's no point rushing Joey back yet, get Harry Byrne in there so him and Joey can take the reigns going forward. Stockdale into the back three, pushing Lowe to the bench should happen too, that should be a nice way to finish for Earls, he's made the most of his career. Centres are fine but we risk creating too big a gap there with the backups, Aki is the only one I'd trust at all, would like to see Frawley or Hume in the squad ahead of Farrell and McCloskey who've shown exactly what they can do at that level and never staked a claim.

Today could be a turning point but we need to let POM, Earls, Sexton and Healy go asap and move Murray to the bench. There's a strong player pool available but it'll take a strong coach to unleash it and bring success soon. This year was a missed opportunity so let's not continue underachieving please.

That logic and reality of what they wll do is world apart though. Not that I disagree. Lowe will never suit as a23 though

 

[Groundhog]

Ireland releases for inter-pro derbies this w'end:

Connacht - Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane, Dave Heffernan

Leinster - Ed Byrne, Ross Byrne, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier

Munster - Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Chris Farrell

Ulster - Stuart McCloskey, Tom O'Toole.

 

[big ginger 8]

'Ireland confirmed that the four players who sustained injuries during Saturday's win over Italy in Rome – Jordan Larmour [hip], Tadgh Furlong [ankle], Dave Kilcoyne [head injury], and Ronan Kelleher [ankle] – are continuing their recovery under the supervision of the national medical team.'

 

[munstermuffin]

Ireland releases for inter-pro derbies this w'end:

Connacht - Bundee Aki, Ultan Dillane, Dave Heffernan

Leinster - Ed Byrne, Ross Byrne, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier

Munster - Craig Casey, Andrew Conway, Shane Daly, Chris Farrell

Ulster - Stuart McCloskey, Tom O'Toole.

From that we can read Craig Casey won't see any time for remainder of the Championship. Andrew Conway is as good as done with Ireland (from others viewing what has been said), we are looking at same backrow vs Scotland hence Ryan Baird staying in camp.

I didn't even realize McCloskey was in the squad.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

From that we can read Craig Casey won't see any time for remainder of the Championship. Andrew Conway is as good as done with Ireland (from others viewing what has been said), we are looking at same backrow vs Scotland hence Ryan Baird staying in camp.

I didn't even realize McCloskey was in the squad.

Wait why is Conway done?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Wait why is Conway done?

A 29 year old Keith Earls clone who's not better than a 33 year old Keith Earls and facing opposition from Stockdale and Balacoune who are returning doesn't look great for him. I thought that last year felt like a bit of a last chance saloon for Conway with Daly coming into the squad and Both Stockdale and Larmour getting runouts at 15 under Farrell not to mention Keenan's emergence. Surprised he made the squad at all this year with how well Jimmy O'Brien and Dave Kearney have gone too.

Thinking now that if Addison and Adam Byrne weren't perpetually injured we'd be blessed with back three depth.

 

[munstermuffin]

Wait why is Conway done?

Was told in a polite way he is fringe at best and not suited to the style.

To be fair @The Alpha Bro he is still ahead of Dave K and Jimmy O B by a distance. He suffered awful from Covid effect(still is) and is in squad so shows how those 2 are rated. Daly will be fighting to regain his form and was basically the loosed of his call up in the Autumn,

Don't think Adam Byrne has the defensive game for a winger at international level either and will never be seriously in the conversation.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Was told in a polite way he is fringe at best and not suited to the style.

To be fair @The Alpha Bro he is still ahead of Dave K and Jimmy O B by a distance. He suffered awful from Covid effect(still is) and is in squad so shows how those 2 are rated. Daly will be fighting to regain his form and was basically the loosed of his call up in the Autumn,

Both have been better this season, by miles.

Don't think Adam Byrne has the defensive game for a winger at international level either and will never be seriously in the conversation.

Because he has less than 60 first class games at 26 because of injury...

 

[munstermuffin]

Both have been better this season, by miles.


Because he has less than 60 first class games at 26 because of injury...

On the 2 being better this season. No argument from me. On form yes. They have been better. But form and levels of ability aredifferent things. On form and stats Kevin O'Byrne has blown Kelleher and Herring out of water this season. But he is playing out of his skin. Noone saying he should be ahead of 2 lads.

On Adam B. Yes he has had issues qith injuries but even before them coaches picked out his poor defensive abilities. Superb leap and great pace bit not next to near level internationally in defense. Schmidt even said same and would know him alot better than most

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

On Adam B. Yes he has had issues qith injuries but even before them coaches picked out his poor defensive abilities. Superb leap and great pace bit not next to near level internationally in defense. Schmidt even said same and would know him alot better than most

What are you arguing here? He had one season that wasn't injury affected and got capped and has had two massive injuries since in prime development years. He'd definitely have more caps without those.

 

[munstermuffin]

What are you arguing here? He had one season that wasn't injury affected and got capped and has had two massive injuries since in prime development years. He'd definitely have more caps without those.

My point. If fully fit. Would he have got more caps. Probably. Would he have got plenty of 6Nations/RWC Caps. No not unless he hugely improved defence. Great feet and leap but was very poor defensively. And not effective enough in attack to dismiss that side.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sexbomb signed for another year. Inevitable as he's still the best 10 we have but plans should be in place to transition him out and on to a provincial deal next year. Carbery and HB can hopefully get good runs of fitness to make it happen.

 

[Groundhog]

One year is probably ok for Sexton. We're not ready for life without him just yet. Hopefully Joey is back for good now and the next man up becomes slightly less urgent.

 

[munstermuffin]

One year is probably ok for Sexton. We're not ready for life without him just yet. Hopefully Joey is back for good now and the next man up becomes slightly less urgent.

That is the big thing. Is the next year going to be gradual transition or kicking issue down the road sacrificing another RWC too

 

[jcahill1]

That is the big thing. Is the next year going to be gradual transition or kicking issue down the road sacrificing another RWC too

Yeah exactly. Even are we using Sexton the right way currently? Could we be pairing him starting with Casey so that Casey gets an easier ride or something? Seems worth doing, especially if we have a more experienced scrumhalf on the bench.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yeah exactly. Even are we using Sexton the right way currently? Could we be pairing him starting with Casey so that Casey gets an easier ride or something? Seems worth doing, especially if we have a more experienced scrumhalf on the bench.

That is it. No argument that Sexton is best 10 at moment. Joey is back and realistically the only 10 ready to step in if up to fitness. (Allowing Byrne, Healy etc more time to get European gametime). But Sexton is not the best 10 for RWC so need forward thinking. If it still constantly Murray at 9 with him or Gibson Park then well it a waste of a year.