Ireland: 2014 Six Nations

[siochain]

Drop sexton! now that's a load of b***s.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd love to see Luke Fitzgerald involved but he was very rusty on Thursday. His injury came at precisely the wrong time. I'd have him in the 23 but it's take a Herculean effort from it to put him in the team if I was selecting it.

My team:
Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Simon Zebo, Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Martin Moore, Paul O'Connell, Devin Toner, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Jamie Heaslip. Bench: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Mike Ross, Tommy O'Donnell, Jordi Murphy, Eoin Reddan, Paddy Jackson, Luke Fitzgerald.

Chris Henry is out of the 23 but back in for France. Removing him is just to give other backrowers a shot. Andrew Trimble is out of the 23 because other wingers are available again. I don't think Simon Zebo will start but I'd love if he did. If Brian O'Driscoll isn't fit, I'd start Robbie Henshaw alongside Gordon D'arcy in the centre and give Luke Marshall all the starts on the summer tour to Argentina.

On this I'd drop BOD as form isn't great but we need to find replace my also. I think Sexton should be dropped against Italy to allow Jackson time but more because Sexton needs break as he doesn't get it in down weeks and we need him for France. I think TOD deserves a start and dare I say Heaslip could do with dropping too just to see alternative option at 8. Against Italy would it be crazy to try Moore with Archer benching

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I'm well aware that the running game isn't Murray's strength, but looking at stats, 13 out of the 14 backs made an average of 45 metres each, with all making around 20 or more. It was a day when even Farrell got going. Murray made just 2 metres; he has huge strengths but perhaps his inability to mix it up and break the line cost Ireland?
I cant' even remember if he was replaced at any stage, or did he play the full 80?

Edit: This can't be right surely; Rory Best made 7 tackles but missed 7?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

@munstermuffin
It's a tricky one. I don't necessarily disagree with you about resting players like Brian O'Driscoll, Jonny Sexton and Jamie Heaslip next time out but their replacements are a long way behind them in terms of standard. Let's not forget that Italy beat Ireland handsomely last time the sides met so they're not to be disrespected with a second string team facing them. As I view it, the Argentina summer tour is the time to try new players in greater numbers and run the risk of losing games in the process.

The biggest issues for Ireland are finding a replacement for O'Driscoll (Robbie Henshaw? Luke Fitzgerald? Fergus McFadden?), experience for the backup props, an alternative at fullback to Rob Kearney (Jared Payne will fill this role) and an alternative number 8 (Robin Copeland? Jordi Murphy? A wildcard like Jack Conan since Ireland lack numbers at the position?).

Being a fantasist for a minute, if I were in charge, I'd freshen things up against Italy but not do anything too radical. First and foremost, getting a win is the priority there. During the summer I'd be a lot more daring and, for the most part, rest the 2013 Lions players. This is an opportunity to get players like Paddy Jackson, Robbie Henshaw, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Rhys Ruddock and Iain Henderson a couple of test starts/appearances in a tough environment. Maybe even give players like JJ Hanrahan and Kieran Marmion a chance to tour.

 

[munstermuffin]

@munstermuffin
It's a tricky one. I don't necessarily disagree with you about resting players like Brian O'Driscoll, Jonny Sexton and Jamie Heaslip next time out but their replacements are a long way behind them in terms of standard. Let's not forget that Italy beat Ireland handsomely last time the sides met so they're not to be disrespected with a second string team facing them. As I view it, the Argentina summer tour is the time to try new players in greater numbers and run the risk of losing games in the process.

The biggest issues for Ireland are finding a replacement for O'Driscoll (Robbie Henshaw? Luke Fitzgerald? Fergus McFadden?), experience for the backup props, an alternative at fullback to Rob Kearney (Jared Payne will fill this role) and an alternative number 8 (Robin Copeland? Jordi Murphy? A wildcard like Jack Conan since Ireland lack numbers at the position?).

Being a fantasist for a minute, if I were in charge, I'd freshen things up against Italy but not do anything too radical. First and foremost, getting a win is the priority there. During the summer I'd be a lot more daring and, for the most part, rest the 2013 Lions players. This is an opportunity to get players like Paddy Jackson, Robbie Henshaw, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Rhys Ruddock and Iain Henderson a couple of test starts/appearances in a tough environment. Maybe even give players like JJ Hanrahan and Kieran Marmion a chance to tour.

But my point is any of them guys should be up to it if good enough for Ireland. I'm not saying all to be dropped but some as in only replacing for guys with some experience ie TOD Zebo Fitz guys who've played before but are on form. Argentina in my eyes should be guys like Hanrahan and guys further out on fringes like Henshaw. I'd still want to put out strong team vs Italy ie not drop both centres but 1. Keep Murray at 9 while rest Sexton. If we rest Heaslip 1 of POM/Henry stays and sort of combine experience and other areas.
Regards 1 guy mentioned there Marmion. I hope I'm wrong but I still have serious doubts if he's good enough and feel Schmidt thinks same. I'd believe in Leinsters 2 young 9s more

 

[siochain]

We need to rack points up against Italy not the time to be bring fringe (out side of squad) players through.

 

[munstermuffin]

We need to rack points up against Italy not the time to be bring fringe (out side of squad) players through.

You obviously haven't seen table I'd say if we beat Italy and France we will be ok and no point flogging guys against Italy and then going to France as some guys bodies won't stand a chance. Schmidt is a man who wants 23+ guys not 15 so I'd expect and hope for changes

 

[Rumpi]

You obviously haven't seen table I'd say if we beat Italy and France we will be ok and no point flogging guys against Italy and then going to France as some guys bodies won't stand a chance. Schmidt is a man who wants 23+ guys not 15 so I'd expect and hope for changes

Our mythical strength in depth was exposed today. So many of the back line misfired. Bring back SOB & Bowe ASAP.

We've a shocking record in Paris, although the French do seem to be in disarray, so we could win unless they sack PSA between now & then.

 

[munstermuffin]

Our mythical strength in depth was exposed today. So many of the back line misfired. Bring back SOB & Bowe ASAP.

We've a shocking record in Paris, although the French do seem to be in disarray, so we could win unless they sack PSA between now & then.

On top of today's players, TOD Zebo Fitzgearld Bowe Donnacha Ryan and few more are already proven good enough don't doubt our depth. And 1 bad game against a good English team doesn't make us poor. I agree our record in France is poor but now it's like this:
French team are on ropes and by right England should've beaten them and bar 15min spell Italy matched them. We are good enough to get a plan together and simply put I think French team just hasn't got the interest as something is going on there.

 

[Peat]

Our mythical strength in depth was exposed today. So many of the back line misfired. Bring back SOB & Bowe ASAP.

We've a shocking record in Paris, although the French do seem to be in disarray, so we could win unless they sack PSA between now & then.

Unless Jesus owes you a favour, ASAP isn't quick enough.

I think some of you guys are overreacting a little. You had a bit of a failure in terms of accuracy and good thinking at the critical moments. That's it. It's not huge. I don't think Ireland were exposed for quality of player, although there's a point to be made that they were missing a type of player.

The only changes Schmidt should make for Italy are a) Guys he's thinking about bringing in for the France game b) Rotating out guys who can't play both effectively. That's it.

 

[munstermuffin]

Unless Jesus owes you a favour, ASAP isn't quick enough.

I think some of you guys are overreacting a little. You had a bit of a failure in terms of accuracy and good thinking at the critical moments. That's it. It's not huge. I don't think Ireland were exposed for quality of player, although there's a point to be made that they were missing a type of player.

The only changes Schmidt should make for Italy are a) Guys he's thinking about bringing in for the France game b) Rotating out guys who can't play both effectively. That's it.

Both of them reasons are why we need to rotate

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We need to bring in a winger, or two, who can break the line. We've made a very small number of line breaks in the three rounds so far and we don't have any centres or Sean O'Brien to do it. Keep the backrow as it is because it has been working very well but bring TOD back to the bench. I'd like to see Fitzy and Zebo on the wings for the rest of the tournament and I'd like to see Marty Moore start, they're the only changes I'd make. I might have been a bit melodramatic yesterday but it was only a small stumbling block. The goal now must be to win the championship, it's still ours to lose, have a successful summer tour where we blood some new players and find new combinations and work from there. Sexton needs to start being that 1-2% better in the really, really big games as is needed from the team's key player. A really hard loss to take but possibly one that was needed.

 

[lynam1104]

I defiantly think we should look at some different wingers Fitzy and Zebo probably. Possibly give TOD a start other than that I don't think changes are needed.

 

[munstermuffin]

@Cmac. A good point. This defeat might be the best thing to happen Schmidt in long run. It brings everyone down a peg but shows while progress is being made there still little alterations needed.

 

[Gavin]

People looking for Zebo in the squad, now that is a turn up for the books. I thought Trimble played quite well yesterday, though he did make a few errors.

 

[munstermuffin]

Not over yet but strongly advise Irish to watch tg4 Munster Ospreys highlights in bit.
Zebo has only gone and scored again while AGAIN showing he has form, match fitness and killer instinct as he's scored 5 in last 4 games for Munster. Think this might be hard to bear when he's left out again but at least our league campaign is going well. Also Duncan Casey could be in Irish squad in next 12-18months at rates he's going.

 

[Peat]

Both of them reasons are why we need to rotate

Right, but they are the only reasons imo. I know he wants to build a squad of endless depth but I feel that if he wants to beat France, he needs to keep guys on the pitch working on the international version of Schmidtball.

 

[munstermuffin]

Right, but they are the only reasons imo. I know he wants to build a squad of endless depth but I feel that if he wants to beat France, he needs to keep guys on the pitch working on the international version of Schmidtball.

But will our current team with current tactics beat France over there? We can't play a running game with a severe lack of pace. If we play kicking game we can't afford sloppy kicks as they will hurt us coming back and I expect them to be well up for Irish game. As bad as they can be a tea time game in Paris is what they thrive on

 

[Big Ewis]

Ireland scored their only try on a maul last year in Dublin vs us. Ireland needs to watch the Wales game and analyze, not so much our weaknesses per se, but our inability to use our strengths rather.
e.g.: Picamoles isn't a French weakness. But using Picamoles to carry and look for the individual exploit all by himself - isolate him quickly like Wales did, put him down and win a TO ball or bring him out to touch with a couple of big guys.

Be ferocious at the breakdown and expect penalties to come eventually. English style. This French team doesn't have enough chemistry so that they can rely on any form of solidarity atm, and someone like Papé or whoever will eventually try smt stupid and Ireland in their many phases will eventually have Sexton with a nice shot at goal.

Defend hard like they did against Wales in particular. France will just throw waves of individual talents at Ireland: isolate, take down and use O'Mahony and Healy and PO'C and co to get those turnovers.

Ireland has looked alright even last year in the scrum against us, and we were really on form in 2013 there. Shouldn't be a major issue here.

France need to really step it up if they want to protect their home. A bit of a fluke worked against England, good, but it may very well not here. And Ireland will have a huge heart as always, but also good efficiency this year.

 

[Peat]

But will our current team with current tactics beat France over there? We can't play a running game with a severe lack of pace. If we play kicking game we can't afford sloppy kicks as they will hurt us coming back and I expect them to be well up for Irish game. As bad as they can be a tea time game in Paris is what they thrive on

Hence me saying play the guys who he's thinking about bringing in...

That was an abnormally poor display of kicking and chasing as well, mind, don't think we'll see things that poor again in a hurry.