Ireland: 2014 Six Nations

[siochain]

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

England have to play Italy yet and could easily rack up a big score so we need to do the same.

 

[Amiga500]

For starters Sexton should be dropped after that performance.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

View attachment 2732

If only!

 

[lynam1104]

Fitzgerald is fit to play Italy, I'd definitely give him a start he was so good before injury and has the pace we need.

 

[Gavin]

Sexton out?

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9187432,00.html

Ireland fly-half Jonny Sexton faces at least ten days on the sidelines according to his Racing Métro head coach, Laurent Labit.

"Sexton has damaged ligaments in the thumb and will be unavailable for between 10 days and six weeks," Labit told press in Paris.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

In other news T Bowe is back starting for Ulster tomorrow..

 

[Big Ewis]

Sexton out...that's fkd up for Ireland...you guys want Michal...ok this has got old.
So...Paddy Jackson ??? mmm...

Great Ireland get the "easiest possible match" of the tournament with Italy, and at home...to try that out again and he'll be a little more settled in for the France one, if Sexton still doesn't feel like playing. Oh no wait, this is Ireland not Racing Métro (meh hehe hehe....).

 

[munstermuffin]

Few interesting points:
Mike Ross on bench for Leinster. Martin Moore starts in 23. Is he starting vs Italy?

McFadden at 13. Possibility replace BOD. Possibly his place in 23 is gone to Luke Fitz/Bowe. Both cover as much as he does and are superior players.

 

[Big Ewis]

apparently staff and co. still want Sexton to try and make the effort to play against even (as early as) Italy. They must really consider him an absolutely irreplaceable part of the game plan.

 

[munstermuffin]

apparently staff and co. still want Sexton to try and make the effort to play against even (as early as) Italy. They must really consider him an absolutely irreplaceable part of the game plan.

As was said today. He will return to Ireland Sunday. Under IRB laws IRFU don't have to accept Racings medical report. They can access him themselves and play him if they wish. However IF the injury gets worst IRFU will be liable for paying all the wages and medical bills for time Sexton misses. This would not be covered either by insurance so could be hefty wedge if goes wrong.

But Big Ewis your right it doesn't say much about how Schmidt and Co rate Jackson. Sexton had howler vs England and I'd say felt effect of heavy defensive effort yet Jackson only saw field due to BOD getting injured. And now against Italy they're practically mad to rush Sexton back for the game instead of trying to encourage and build up Jackson's confidence for Italian game while saving Sexton for Paris

 

[Big Ewis]

I was looking at Paddy Jackson a little "statistically". Pretty hard to believe he's almost 90kg, he looked like some boss's nephew the first time I saw em some years ago, and he still looks like some boss's nephew now !
Can't remember which one, but he had a pretty good int'l game like 1 year 1/2 ago...

But a big step down from Sexton, and although it shows the staff aren't very flexible, it also shows good structure: a guy like PSA would just throw another FH in there, praising the many qualities he'd bring, and assume things will just work more or less accordingly. The Irish staff know exactly what they're doing, and want to keep very specific parts of the puzzle because their plans are fixed and well grounded.

That being said, so much pressure can't be placed on just one flyhalf, and yes, again, this was the perfect opportunity (if any in *this* tournament) to test out a younger personnel and it's not like he's a virgin-rookie either. But Ireland feels like they missed out in England, obviously, and won't take any chances it seems in these last two meetings and still believe very firmly in their chance at a ***le.

 

[munstermuffin]

Tommy Bowe playing super tonight. It'll be hard to leave him out now. 2 well taken tries.

 

[ruggabee]

I'd love to see this back line after the six nations.

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Fitzgerald/Zebo
12. Marshall
13. Cave
14. Bowe
15. Payne

Attack written all over it. And with the way our forwards are playing, this back line will thrive off the go forward. I know Payne isn't ready till November but couldn't resist.

 

[MunsterMan]

Tommy Bowe playing super tonight. It'll be hard to leave him out now. 2 well taken tries.

Agreed, I'd have him straight in. Zebo on the bench too, no need for McFadden with Madigan's versatility on the bench. Looks like Luke Marshall took a knock to the head tonight, with his unfortunate concussion history I'd leave him out of the squad for Italy altogether.

Potential for Zebo Kearney Bowe back three for France then, all going well

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed, I'd have him straight in. Zebo on the bench too, no need for McFadden with Madigan's versatility on the bench. Looks like Luke Marshall took a knock to the head tonight, with his unfortunate concussion history I'd leave him out of the squad for Italy altogether.

Potential for Zebo Kearney Bowe back three for France then, all going well

Look I don't think Schmidt wants Zebo so fair enough it suits Munster. Will be interesting now what he does even regards bench.
McFadden isn't a international class back 3 player but is there for versatility. But now Bowe is back he covers 11,13,14,15. So it allows for bit more scope.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

How are people feeling about Payne playing 13? If even starting at all? It just seems hard to drop one of Kearney or Payne as they both have their strengths.
9 Murray
10 Sexton
11 Fitzgerald
12 Cave (I would honestly have Cave over Marshall at 12)
13 Payne
14 Bowe
15 Kearney

I just wish Olding wasn't out, he could have put a serious fight up for the jersey very soon - but I guess this will be a pretty big set back.

 

[munstermuffin]

How are people feeling about Payne playing 13? If even starting at all? It just seems hard to drop one of Kearney or Payne as they both have their strengths.
9 Murray
10 Sexton
11 Fitzgerald
12 Cave (I would honestly have Cave over Marshall at 12)
13 Payne
14 Bowe
15 Kearney

I just wish Olding wasn't out, he could have put a serious fight up for the jersey very soon - but I guess this will be a pretty big set back.

I don't he's an ok centre but not good enough internationally but world class 15 and needs that bit of space he doesn't get at 13. I hope he's left at 15 to fight with Kearney for jersey.
Cave should be give real crack at 13.

 

[big ginger 8]

Forwards (19)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
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)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Backs (14)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
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)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Now be happy.

Not considered for selection:
Tommy O'Donnell – received a stinger at the weekend and is facing a week's recovery.
Tommy Bowe – tightened up after 30 minutes on Friday but finished the half as planned and will continue to follow a staged return to play programme.
Isaac Boss – has been given a week off after not having a break since the start of the season.
Felix Jones – took a knock to the knee and will be unavailable to train this week. He has been replaced in the squad by Simon Zebo.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Zebo in to play Jones' tackle bag role?!

 

[big ginger 8]

Zebo in to play Jones' tackle bag role?!

How the hell did you get that as a Munstermuffin quote?