Ireland: 2014 Six Nations

[Kapa O Pango]

Brian O'Driscoll, what a lovely, lovely man.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Didn't want to seem too firm on my opinions as like I said I haven't watch a lot of the other provinces - but he'll be 33 this year and I just can't see him being as effective in the loose as Tuohy which IMO is what we need. At least Dan will probably still be running good around the World Cup.

Besides, he's really the only lock that hasn't been given a proper shot.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Dan Tuohy shouldn't be anywhere near the Irish setup. He's a straight up thug.

 

[big ginger 8]

Didn't want to seem too firm on my opinions as like I said I haven't watch a lot of the other provinces - but he'll be 33 this year and I just can't see him being as effective in the loose as Tuohy which IMO is what we need. At least Dan will probably still be running good around the World Cup.

Besides, he's really the only lock that hasn't been given a proper shot.

I was kind of questioning everyone on the thread not picking you out. Age isn't really an argument you can use too well against locks anyway. McCarthy looks fitter than ever this season and seems to have put on some extra muscle. I don't think his mobility will drop dramatically over the next year. As ever he's doing well at the breakdown and brilliantally at the choke tackle. He's also improved his carrying greatly recently.

 

[profitius]

Dan Tuohy shouldn't be anywhere near the Irish setup. He's a straight up thug.

Well maybe thats a bit too strong Feicarsinn. I wonder about Tuohy. What do coaches see in him that turns them off? Is it his workrate, breakdown ability, attitude etc? Fans will spot the big hits easily but they don't win you rugby matches.

 

[Groundhog]

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.

Agree with you on everything but arms not performing at Ireland. He's always delivered quite well on the wing, not at centre obviously. Dunno about best back, but he's been on great form, and like Fitzgerald proving what a player he Is injury free and in position.
Agree about Toner. As you know I find him to be a lanky unaggressive halfwit lump, who took being 8"9 and wasted it. Think Hodo from Game of Thrones, only not as funny, loveable or Northern Irish. Either Tuohy or McCarthy works for me. If Ryan comes back he may get the nod as the man has killers eyes capable of sending a man to hospital with a wink.
D'Arcy and Marshall is a tough one. I'd go for D'Arcy because age is no reason to drop a player when they're playing as well as D'Arcy is. He'll be greatly missed at Leinster as even though he's often in His shadow when it's going wrong for Leinster it's Dorce who will keep things alive.
If you're obese, have a pair of boots, know the national anthem and feel like being manshamed in a scrum for 20 minutes when Mike Ross needs a big mac and a quick Team Deathmatch on Call of Duty you may as well make yourself known to Joe Schmidt, because even ducking Rodney Ah You can make the Irish team and you couldn't possibly cheapen the jersey any more.

 

[munstermuffin]

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

Ah now that's taking the p!$$. Not saying he shouldn't be in or is poor just he not been amazing lately. As I said D. Ryan is back training so don't be surprised to see him in. Schmidt seems to like Toner and while I not his biggest fan he's playing well but my main issues is all his strengths are cover by POC. They're too alike.

On it Cave got in despite his comments and just wondering is Tuohy in same category. And will we see BOD play all 5 at 13 or will someone else get go

 

[big ginger 8]

Ah now that's taking the p!$$. Not saying he shouldn't be in or is poor just he not been amazing lately. As I said D. Ryan is back training so don't be surprised to see him in. Schmidt seems to like Toner and while I not his biggest fan he's playing well but my main issues is all his strengths are cover by POC. They're too alike.

On it Cave got in despite his comments and just wondering is Tuohy in same category. And will we see BOD play all 5 at 13 or will someone else get go

Eh no it's not you not somehow thinking he didn't play well vs Castres nearly is. Tell me why he hasn't being better than average as you seem to be implying. Tell me which one's been in better form recently and why. Saying how Ryan's back in training has nothing to do with form as he hasn't played in ages and his form before injury was crap anyway. I'm also simply picking up on how no one even has him benching not who Schmidt seems to like.

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

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.

I can see where you are coming from and I agree with you in ways. I think if toner is to be dropped, Tuohy needs a chance. He has been playing class and outplayed Paulie when ulster played Munster. He would give us a more ball carrying threat which we will miss with o brien out. But I still think toner is a favourite of Schmidt and is playing well, thought he played very well against Castres apart from the scrum. Other second row options, McCarthy doesn't offer us anything that a younger option won't give us. I have just never seen him play well in an Ireland jersey since South Africa. Will Henderson get a chance to start? Probably not, I'd prefer him to be coming off the bench at lock. I think although his best position is 6, we are quite well covered there and don't have enough young second rows coming through. Ryan could well be picked and I would have no problem with it, IF he is playing well. If not, drop him and try different options.

Whoever is playing back row needs to put a shift in and get us over the game line. They need to be big and carry strong, o Donell and o mahony to start for me, but Ruddock and copeland waiting on wings. Does anyone know if copeland can play 6?

Im on the fence with D'Arcy and Marshall. I don't mind either way. I'd prefer to have a split of 3 games for Marshall and 2 for D'Arcy but that might not help the continuity of the team. Maybe play D'Arcy in the slightly more important games but I don't know if this is a good option.

It really wouldn't hinder us if we had earls or Dave Kearney play. I just like Dave Kearney, really impressed with his autumn series but earls' club form has been brilliant and been top notch. Zebo, Gilroy, Bowe, Fitzy, Earls. Kearney, McFaddenn, Trimble? Pick 4 out of those boys and it is nearly impossible. For me, Zebo, Bowe, Fitzy, Earls and Kearney to be
honest, I'd cheat and pick 5 and leave a back out somewhere else.

Who is every ones Bets to be dropped to the 35 man squad?
Mine is Ah You, Varley, Diack, Murphy, Boss, Keatley, McFaddenn, Trimble, Jones.

When injured players come back. I'd drop McCarthy for Ryan, Cave for Zebo, Probably Tommy for someone too

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

If Ireland play anything like they did against the ABs, they can be sure to lose every game in the last seconds

 

[munstermuffin]

Eh no it's not you not somehow thinking he didn't play well vs Castres nearly is. Tell me why he hasn't being better than average as you seem to be implying. Tell me which one's been in better form recently and why. Saying how Ryan's back in training has nothing to do with form as he hasn't played in ages and his form before injury was crap anyway. I'm also simply picking up on how no one even has him benching not who Schmidt seems to like.

Well where I start ok - Never said Ryan should or would start just said it a possibility as he is obviously rated after getting a nice pay increase on a 3 year central contract. And he's played badly on 5 games (2 of which he was candidate for MOTM) and then the Perpignan game where he was rushed back from injury and well put himself out again. Not saying he was in super form or has form as all those 5 games wereOctober.

McCarthy in my opinion was average at best vs Castres and people I've spoke to have agreed. Does it make us right. No. It's an opinion.

I think POC was best of all locks at weekend getting man of match. Over past few weeks haven't seen enough of Ulster so they're been excluded. But if you go since festive period I'd say Dave Foley if you go longer I'd say DOC has equalled McCarthy. Over longer time POC and Toner have been on form but that's just an opinion.

 

[munstermuffin]

I can see where you are coming from and I agree with you in ways. I think if toner is to be dropped, Tuohy needs a chance. He has been playing class and outplayed Paulie when ulster played Munster. He would give us a more ball carrying threat which we will miss with o brien out. But I still think toner is a favourite of Schmidt and is playing well, thought he played very well against Castres apart from the scrum. Other second row options, McCarthy doesn't offer us anything that a younger option won't give us. I have just never seen him play well in an Ireland jersey since South Africa. Will Henderson get a chance to start? Probably not, I'd prefer him to be coming off the bench at lock. I think although his best position is 6, we are quite well covered there and don't have enough young second rows coming through. Ryan could well be picked and I would have no problem with it, IF he is playing well. If not, drop him and try different options.

Whoever is playing back row needs to put a shift in and get us over the game line. They need to be big and carry strong, o Donell and o mahony to start for me, but Ruddock and copeland waiting on wings. Does anyone know if copeland can play 6?

Im on the fence with D'Arcy and Marshall. I don't mind either way. I'd prefer to have a split of 3 games for Marshall and 2 for D'Arcy but that might not help the continuity of the team. Maybe play D'Arcy in the slightly more important games but I don't know if this is a good option.

It really wouldn't hinder us if we had earls or Dave Kearney play. I just like Dave Kearney, really impressed with his autumn series but earls' club form has been brilliant and been top notch. Zebo, Gilroy, Bowe, Fitzy, Earls. Kearney, McFaddenn, Trimble? Pick 4 out of those boys and it is nearly impossible. For me, Zebo, Bowe, Fitzy, Earls and Kearney to be
honest, I'd cheat and pick 5 and leave a back out somewhere else.

Who is every ones Bets to be dropped to the 35 man squad?
Mine is Ah You, Varley, Diack, Murphy, Boss, Keatley, McFaddenn, Trimble, Jones.

When injured players come back. I'd drop McCarthy for Ryan, Cave for Zebo, Probably Tommy for someone too

Have to agree the Ulster locks that night (in a high intensity game) were excellent. Is Henderson on bench for Ulster lately due to injury and lack of game fitness or what. As I said in previous post I think D. Ryan is nowhere near fit so maybe he'd have to play Wolfhounds and make big point or else let him get few Rabo games and be fit for HEC and Summer.

Back row I'd have TOD on bench not starting he can cover 6/7 and well Henry is the better 7. They're 2 different players and it's Henry's type we need. I think Copeland could really give Heaslip a fright and it'll be interesting to see how both respond.
Centres I'd be same as you but wings I'd say even if Zebo and Bowe are fit for me Earls and Luke Fitz by a country mile have been 2 best wingers in this country. Trimble has been closest but he just isn't up to it internationally

 

[Peat]

Well maybe thats a bit too strong Feicarsinn. I wonder about Tuohy. What do coaches see in him that turns them off? Is it his workrate, breakdown ability, attitude etc? Fans will spot the big hits easily but they don't win you rugby matches.

Consistency, I think. At his best he is a very good player but he goes up and down in form. His key attribute is very obviously his athleticism, he's got lovely hands and plenty of aggression and a bit of brain, but it all comes down to being a big bloke with a lot of fast twitch muscle. If he's carrying an injury, then it will affect his game in a big way. Maybe there's other things, I don't know, but he certainly does have consistency issues. At his worst I question whether he should start for Ulster, at his best I feel confident he could go in a green shirt.

I was also brought up to believe that being a thug was a great advantage in a lock.

 

[Big Ewis]

Brian O'Driscoll, what a lovely, lovely man.

ENOUGH, YOU !!!

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

Gilroy and Zebo called into training squad. Roumours that Earls will be out cause of his injury caused in Edinburgh match. I would see Zebo starting now, looked sharp yesterday.

 

[munstermuffin]

Gilroy and Zebo called into training squad. Roumours that Earls will be out cause of his injury caused in Edinburgh match. I would see Zebo starting now, looked sharp yesterday.

Earls injury not as bad as feared but still doubtful for 6 nations

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

Earls injury not as bad as feared but still doubtful for 6 nations

Good good, but he still won't be available for Scotland? Wings will be Fitzy and Zebo for me and Dave Kearney on the bench.

 

[munstermuffin]

Good good, but he still won't be available for Scotland? Wings will be Fitzy and Zebo for me and Dave Kearney on the bench.

No unlikely to play much I'd say but it weeks rather than months. Gilroy maybe for bench too. Or what's McFaddens update

 

[lynam1104]

No unlikely to play much I'd say but it weeks rather than months. Gilroy maybe for bench too. Or what's McFaddens update

My understanding is hes penciled in to start for wolfhounds. Could be wrong.

 

[munstermuffin]

My understanding is hes penciled in to start for wolfhounds. Could be wrong.

Well I presume he must be near fit as he was included in original squad unlike Zebo and Gilroy (who've both proven fitness more so). But McFadden is a Schmidt favourite and is versatile and I predict he will have 23 jersey.

On side note as I said in a thread already Paulie signed and Earlsy is wrapped up now too