Ireland: 2014 Six Nations

[UlsterRugby2012]

Sorry if I missed another Ireland Six Nations thread but I haven't come across one.
Here's the extended squad and some comments;

Head Coach Joe Schmidt, explained, "As always a number of the selections were very tight. Following on from the Guinness Series, there is an experienced core of players in the squad who will offer continuity, as well as some new additions who have been selected with an eye to the future.
With Robin Copeland returning to play in Ireland next season it will be an opportunity for him to impress during the training week, while some of the younger or less experienced players such as Rob Herring, Iain Henderson, Rhys Ruddock, Kieran Marmion and Felix Jones have turned in some very positive performances to earn spots in the squad."


A number of players currently injured or returning from injury will remain with their provinces to gain further recovery time or game time.


They include Richardt Strauss, Donnacha Ryan, Roger Wilson, Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo, Declan Fitzpatrick and Craig Gilroy. Some of these players may yet return for RBS 6 Nations test matches.


IRELAND Extended 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship Squad


Forwards (24)
Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)*
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)*
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
Rob Herring (Ballinahinch/Ulster)*
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
Damian Varley (Garryowen/Munster)


Backs (20)
Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)


*Denotes uncapped player

 

[profitius]

They're taking the **** now. How many more non Irish are going to be selected?? So there's Strauss already, Diack and Ah You now. Payne later this year and Nathan White also.

 

[big ginger 8]

Well if you managed to get left out of that I'd say you'd be feeling pretty ****.

 

[profitius]

I'm glad to see Copeland there and he should make the cut IMO. No Court I see.

 

[munstermuffin]

Agree if you were left out (and not mentioned) well then you must feel like crap.
But regards Copeland he's in super form but will we possibly see him getting game time.

 

[Big Ewis]

I was looking at the schedule for the Irish team and I guess *realistically* the best result they can expect is a 4 out of 5 tournament victory.
With 3 matches at home they can manage to win all of them - Scotland, Wales and Italy - and then one of Paris or London but I don't see them claiming both.

Again realistically I think the worst we can see from Ireland is they lose both away games to England and France, and fall at home to an angry Welsh team starving for revenge (and various other foods, also) and only manage wins against Scotland and Italy. 2 out of 5.

 

[Peat]

I'm glad to see Copeland there and he should make the cut IMO. No Court I see.

Was never likely to be with a move to LI on the way

I've re-ordered this in terms of position for the sake of my sanity

LH
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)

HK
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Rob Herring (Ballinahinch/Ulster)*
Damian Varley (Garryowen/Munster)

TH
Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)

SR
Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)

BR
Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)*
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)*
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)

SH
Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

FH
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92)

CE
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster)

W
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

FB
Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)

Think the biggest name missing from that is Kevin McLaughlin and if you're missing a squad the size of that with two younger pups from your own province there, that's some kick to the teeth.

Delighted for Rob Herring. Completely and totally earned.

 

[lynam1104]

looking forward to the wolfhounds game, hope somebody really puts their hand up for 7 either this weekend or next.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Agree with Ewis, two away games against big opposition is always tough. I said the same of England last year, that we would perhaps win one of the away games against Wales and Ireland, but not both. I would give Ireland a higher change away against England than against France. You guys just don't seem to be able to do the whole 'rage thing' as well against France - you know, that thing that you do that makes you angry and automatically win!

 

[Big Ewis]

Agree with Ewis, two away games against big opposition is always tough. I said the same of England last year, that we would perhaps win one of the away games against Wales and Ireland, but not both. I would give Ireland a higher change away against England than against France. You guys just don't seem to be able to do the whole 'rage thing' as well against France - you know, that thing that you do that makes you angry and automatically win!

Yes its true i agree with that odd tad effeminate bozo too. He knows so little about rugby but theres just a strange charm about him...but in deed England are the kryptonite (u know like in star wars) of France. In fact thats the only reason alone i give england a chance in paris this year cos on paper and with home adv... Anywys and france are irelands achilles heel. And since it is such a gorgeous erotic period of young blossoming thoughts and bold predictions ill throw this out there - with just one hand though - maybe ireland and those weird frenchmen do really well the whole tournament and we have a 2007ish "final" betw the two in paris to finish off the thing..... Of course france crushes ireland by 64 pts and thats that....but no GS because well have lost to scotland before that. Oh wait wait forget the last few lines....

 

[munstermuffin]

Been honest though there's a few names just there simply to be opposition at training or fill gaps for Wolfhounds game

 

[Groundhog]

We're going to win the Grand Slam because the rest of you are nobodies, and we are the chosen ones.

 

[lynam1104]

Just going to put out my prediction for the opener because sI have nothing better to do

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. POC
6. POM
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Muarry
10. Sexton
11. Fitzy
12. D'Arcy
13. BOD
14. Earls
15. R.Kearny

A couple of positions where I think it could go one way or another is the 2nd row and back-row. Open side is obviously the most troubling one and it would only make sense to go for Henry at 7 and leave the rest the same, Murphy and TOD will have a lot fo work to do to move Henry but I think that if one of them puts in a good performance this weekend and other for the Wolfhounds it should be given serious consideration. Who to partner POC? Toner seems like the obvious option but to me they a bit weak in the scrum and a little to similar, McCarty, and Tuohy I think fit better with POC but again I think we'll see him stick with Toner and try and develop that as a combo for 2015.

And seeing as Is till have time I'll go over who I put out for the Wolfhounds

1. Kilcoyne
2. Herring
3. Moore
4. McCarty
5. Henderson
6. Ruddock
7. Murphy
8. Copeland
9. Marmion
10. Jackson
11. McFadden
12. Marshal
13. Henshaw
14. Trimble
15. Jones.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just going to put out my prediction for the opener because sI have nothing better to do

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. POC
6. POM
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Muarry
10. Sexton
11. Fitzy
12. D'Arcy
13. BOD
14. Earls
15. R.Kearny

A couple of positions where I think it could go one way or another is the 2nd row and back-row. Open side is obviously the most troubling one and it would only make sense to go for Henry at 7 and leave the rest the same, Murphy and TOD will have a lot fo work to do to move Henry but I think that if one of them puts in a good performance this weekend and other for the Wolfhounds it should be given serious consideration. Who to partner POC? Toner seems like the obvious option but to me they a bit weak in the scrum and a little to similar, McCarty, and Tuohy I think fit better with POC but again I think we'll see him stick with Toner and try and develop that as a combo for 2015.

And seeing as Is till have time I'll go over who I put out for the Wolfhounds

1. Kilcoyne
2. Herring
3. Moore
4. McCarty
5. Henderson
6. Ruddock
7. Murphy
8. Copeland
9. Marmion
10. Jackson
11. McFadden
12. Marshal
13. Henshaw
14. Trimble
15. Jones.

Seems right. I fully expect it'll be TOD on bench and between them 4 there's lots of room to swap around. 2nd row I'm still not full convinced by Toner (not saying he's play bad) and feel we need a physical guy for scrims be it McCarthy or don't be surprised to see Donnacha Ryan back. I think backs are easily the best available and on form but regards bench there'll be some competition and it's super incentive for Wolfhounds game. But I don't think guys like Jackson, McCarthy, Trimble and Marshall will appear. Or McFadden they usually hold a few back and I'd presume these will be guys close to team. I know Schmidt rates Madigan but sure Jackson is ahead of him at moment.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

To say Rodney Ah You's inclusion is a surprise is a bit of an understatement. Reports from Connacht suggest he's improved a lot this season but he's still their backup tighthead. I guess it shows how poorly off Ireland are at the position. That Ah You will likely lose his spot to Nathan White once he's qualified shows the dearth of Irish born 3s at the moment.

The sooner Tadhg Furlong gets up the speed to challenge Mike Ross and Martin Moore at Leinster, the better but it says a lot that we're/I'm pinning my hopes on a guy who has played about 10 minutes for his province in competitive action.

 

[munstermuffin]

To say Rodney Ah You's inclusion is a surprise is a bit of an understatement. Reports from Connacht suggest he's improved a lot this season but he's still their backup tighthead. I guess it shows how poorly off Ireland are at the position. That Ah You will likely lose his spot to Nathan White once he's qualified shows the dearth of Irish born 3s at the moment.

The sooner Tadhg Furlong gets up the speed to challenge Mike Ross and Martin Moore at Leinster, the better but it says a lot that we're/I'm pinning my hopes on a guy who has played about 10 minutes for his province in competitive action.

To put it easy Snoop we have 4 THs in there and only 1 is a first choice.
Anyone been watching Hagan lately and say how he's going.

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

Might as well do mine too then
1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. Paulie (C)
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Donnell
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Fitzy
12. Marshall
13. BOD
14. Kearney
15. Kearney
Subs
16. Cronin
17. Moore
18. McGrath
19. Henderson
20. Henry
21. Marmion
22. Jackson
23. Earls

Thats what I would like to see start, very young bench and It will be very different to the real one but I'd like to see him take a chance and really build to 2015. Marmion is looking a class player, better than Reddan. Jackson is better than Madigan, but he will pick Madigan due to his versatility. I can see them starting henry and leaving TOD on the bench. Moore has to be involved as he is the second best behind Ross. These are only my opinions

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Might as well do mine too then
1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. Paulie (C)
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Donnell
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Fitzy
12. Marshall
13. BOD
14. Kearney
15. Kearney
Subs
16. Cronin
17. Moore
18. McGrath
19. Henderson
20. Henry
21. Marmion
22. Jackson
23. Earls

Thats what I would like to see start, very young bench and It will be very different to the real one but I'd like to see him take a chance and really build to 2015. Marmion is looking a class player, better than Reddan. Jackson is better than Madigan, but he will pick Madigan due to his versatility. I can see them starting henry and leaving TOD on the bench. Moore has to be involved as he is the second best behind Ross. These are only my opinions

I like that team, I'd only make three changes, swap Earls and D. Kearney, anyone but Toner and I'd bring D'Arcy in ahead of Marshall. Earls has arguably been Munster's best player this season, definitely their best back and as much as I have slated him in the past few years he probably deserves the 14 jersey even ahead of the likes of Tommy Bowe at the moment. My only problem with Earls is that he has delivered with Munster before and been **** with Ireland!
I am really not convinced by Toner, the sort of performance he put in at the weekend have been a bit too prevalent for me this season and I'd rather have a more secure powerful option.
As for D'Arcy vs Marshall, D'Arcy has been in fantastic form this season, probably our best back with Luke Fitzgerald. He could pick Marshall for development but I don't see the point considering BOD and D'Arcy are the better pairing and Marshall will play the majority of his early (ish) caps with Jared Payne outside him.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I know people are going to stick up for their own players but I think Trimble, Tuohy and Cave need a shout somewhere.
Trimble: under the high ball he's been great, especially in the up and unders. I haven't watched too much rugby from the other provinces and from what I hear Earls is playing well so that's fair enough, but has D.Kearney really been playing that well?
Tuohy: IMO, he's the best ball carrier out of all our second rows which I feel Ireland are missing a lot of the time. He's extremely consistent and even from what I've seen from Toner I'm not entirely impressed.
Cave: I hope he doesn't get dropped from the squad, he really is a vital link in our back line which to be honest I feel has the most attacking potential from the 3 provinces at this moment.

Just on D'arcy, I don't mind him in the centre but do you think he can keep up that form he should against NZ?

EDIT: Here's mine anyway.
Healy
Best
Ross
PO'C
Tuohy
PO'M
Henry
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Earls
D'arcy (provided he keeps his form up...)
BO'D
Fitzgerald / Trimble
Kearney

McGrath
Cronin
Moore
Henderson
O'Donnell
Marmion
Jackson
Trimble / Earls / Fitzgerald

 

[big ginger 8]

No love for Mike McCarthy? Been the best performing Irish lock in recent weeks imo.