Ireland, 2013 Six Nations

[lucky number 7]

^_^ I bet I do, Christmas Island, I bet I do !
There's a far more considerable amount of it in that ridiculous signature of yours for example, but I was courteous enough to keep my mouth shut though !

But anyways:
yup this is a pretty exciting Irish team, too bad for Bowe and big Paul...

That's a direct quote from one of history's greatest leaders.

But regardless. You flip flap from opinion to opinion on each thread and I'm not sure you comprehend what you are saying each time.

But best of luck finding someone to sodomize.

 

[Big Ewis]

that's a direct quote from one of history's greatest leaders.

But regardless. You flip flap from opinion to opinion on each thread and i'm not sure you comprehend what you are saying each time.

But best of luck finding someone to sodomize.

aaaahhh !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[osullie6]

Squad announcement. The biggest news seems to be Heaslip retaining the captaincy.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/2013/0117/1224328961229.html

Ireland training squad (*denotes uncapped player): Michael Bent (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Seán Cronin (Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Ulster), Craig Gilroy (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster, capt), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)*, Paddy Jackson (Ulster)*, Rob Kearney (Leinster), David Kilcoyne (Munster), Ian Madigan (Leinster)*, Paul Marshall (Ulster)*, Conor Murray (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Dave McSharry (Connacht/)*, Seán O'Brien (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), Lewis Stevenson (Ulster)*, Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Simon Zebo (Munster).
Not available due to injury: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), John Muldoon (Connacht), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster/5)

Happy to see Madigan get a call up, although he'll probably just end up holding tackle bags. There was a report in the Independent this morning that the four out-halves were going to be Sexton, Keatley, Rog and Jackson, which I felt would have been ridiculous, whatever the flaws in Madigan's game are he's far better than being the fifth best fly half in the country.

Obviously ROG is a Kidney favourite, but his inclusion is ridiculous in my opinion, especially as he's more than likely going to be banned for the majority if the tournament. If he's not going to be left out in those circumstances when will it ever happen?

Overall I'm pretty happy with the squad, I can't think of too many other players who would have definitely merited inclusion. Things will be a lot clearer though when the extended squad is cut down for the tournament.

 

[lynam1104]

Thats shockingly good.

On the Heaslip captaincy thats an interesting call not to bothered by it seems Deccie has figured out BOD will retire and is looking at the next generation of leaders. Hopefully this will take some pressure off BOD and he'll have a good championship.

ROG was always going to be there, the best we can hope for is a long ban for the kick so we can see Jackson/Madigan onto the bench.

Hopefully we employ a good game plan as theres some real attacking talent in the backline I don't want to see them chasing highballs.

 

[irelandfan123]

Will this hinder Drico's chance of making lions captian?
Good squad, only one inside centre (Realistically Fergus will never get a game there) might be hinting at drico 12 earls 13 like the first new zealand test, its also really good to see Luke Fitzgerald back.
Start squad out of that I expect kidney to pick is:
15. Kearney
14. zebo
13. Drico (playing inside)
12. Earls
11. Gilroy
10. Sexton
9. Murray
8. Heaslip
7. Henry
6. O'Brien
5. McCarthy
4.Ryan
3. Ross
2. Best
1. Healy
Which is actually a half decent squad personally would like to see D'Arcy and drico in the centres together again, Fitzgerald on zebo's wing and small Paul starting

 

[osullie6]

Will this hinder Drico's chance of making lions captian?

Possibly.

But I don't think it would hurt his chances too badly. He's still going to be a massive leadership figure on the pitch, especially among the backs.

Also, POC got picked in 2009 in spite of him not being the Irish captain, so it doesn't seem as though not having captaincy of your country rules you out.

 

[lucky number 7]

is Earls plays centre i'll cry

 

[irelandfan123]

Well he isn't going to pick McFadden and the last time they were both fit Deccie put them in the centre

 

[osullie6]

Seems like O'Gara's going to be available.

Only got a one week ban.

Balls.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Big Davey Mac's in! Horrah! Can't wait for him to join the Chris Robshaw League for players that I liked until they became successful internationals.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Good squad I guess, disappointed about Bowe and Ferris.
I hope Cave gets a run out, he really deserves it and is a good player. I don't know, I just have a good feeling about Ireland this year. Also wish Marshall would get one half against Italy or Scotland.

Squad I would like to see:
1: Healy
2: Best
3: Ross
4: McCarthy
5: Ryan
6: O'Brien
7: Henry
8: Heaslip
9: Murray
10: Sexton
11: Gilroy
12: Drico / Cave
13: Cave / Drico
14: Fitzgerald
15: Kearney

 

[coonor]

Good initial squad, but I reserve my judgement untill the team for the Wales is announced.

On the captaincy, Best had a good shout but Heaslip's performance in the AIs was very good. At the end of the day people forget that Heaslip has had that Irish No.8 jersey for 4 uninterrupted years! He's been on the team as a key player for longer than any other player in the Irish team without any break.

 

[big ginger 8]

My Wolfhounds team:

1. Kilcoyne
2. Strauss
3. Fitzpatrick
4. Stevenson
5. Toner
6. Henderson
7. O'Brien
8. O'Mahony
9. Marshall
10. Madigan
11. Earls
12. McSharry
13. Cave
14. Trimble
15. Zebo

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. Bent
19. O'Callaghan
20. Henry
21. Boss
22. Jackson
23. Henshaw

 

[coonor]

My Wolfhounds team:

1. Kilcoyne
2. Strauss
3. Fitzpatrick
4. Stevenson
5. Toner
6. Henderson
7. O'Brien
8. O'Mahony
9. Marshall
10. Madigan
11. Earls
12. McSharry
13. Cave
14. Trimble
15. Zebo

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. Bent
19. O'Callaghan
20. Henry
21. Boss
22. Jackson
23. Henshaw

I agree with apart from I'd have Fitgerald opposed to Trimble.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Am I the only one who thinks dropping BO'D from captaincy is a disgrace?

 

[big ginger 8]

Am I the only one who thinks dropping BO'D from captaincy is a disgrace?

Looks like it although I don't think it's the best move but not a disgrace. I feel they're still not sure about his fitness.

 

[Peat]

I agree with apart from I'd have Fitgerald opposed to Trimble.

Believe they've said that all of the recent returnees from injury such as Fitzgerald will be running out for the Wolfhounds - BOD and Kearney too.

 

[big ginger 8]

Believe they've said that all of the recent returnees from injury such as Fitzgerald will be running out for the Wolfhounds - BOD and Kearney too.

Yeah heard that two, Depends how they go on Saturday I guess.

 

[coonor]

To be honest the games on Saturday with give a far greater picture of players capabilities and form, than a game against the English rejects.

Key player battles to watch on the weakend:

Jackson v Madigan

Stevenson v Henderson v DOC

Marshall v Boss

Kilcoyne v Court

Fitzpatrick v Bent

O'Mahony v Henry

Fitzgerald v Trimble v Gilroy v Zebo v McFadden

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Looks like it although I don't think it's the best move but not a disgrace. I feel they're still not sure about his fitness.

Don't agree with it at all, O'Driscoll plays unless he his forced not to, if it wasn't for him Ireland wouldn't have that Grand slam and probably none of the triple crowns either. Irish rugby for the last ten years has been Brian O'Driscoll and Declan Kidney is nothing more than a gobshite who is probably a little bit jealous. Brian O'Discoll should have been Ireland captain until the day he retired and this move by Kidney is hugely disrespectful.

I'd say Heaslip is embarrassed about it too to be honest.