Ireland 6 Nations 2012

[Conal]

I'd have Healy over Court everytime. I'd like to see some new caps so we're proactive instead of reactive for once to replacing player. I've amazingly actually being impressed by Toner this season and would like him to get a start. I'd also like O'Mahony to get some good game time same with Mike McCarthy as a 2nd row.

tuhoy and toner have been good . i think nothing but club bias comes between them for me

 

[big ginger 8]

Tbh I haven't seen enough of Ulster recently wo comment on Tuohy obviously a different type of player to toner possibly more suited to playing with O'Connell than Toner though I think McCarthy would be very good with him.

 

[Peat]

Toner's got some lovely skills and is really coming to the fore, but he seems more O'Connell's heir than O'Connell's partner.

Tuohy is the best ball carrying lock in Ireland by some distance and would combine well with O'Connell, like he does with Muller. Should be between him and Ryan if O'Callaghan's going, with Toner in the unfortunate position of understudy to an undroppable.

Also, harsh as it is, I don't see why you'd want to start giving caps and international development time to a 30 year old who probably won't be around at next World Cup, when you've got three locks looking ready for international action who do need it.

edit: Oi! Cmac! Get that needle out of the iHumph voodoo doll.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

This is the 22 I'd pick:
15. Kearney
14. Bowe
13. O'Malley
12. McFadden
11. Fitzgerald
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip
Subs: Cronin, Court, Toner, O'Mahony, Murray, O'Gara, Earls

Some new blood is needed in the team hence the uncapped Eoin O'Malley and Peter O'Mahony warrant inclusion. Gordon D'arcy and Donncha O'Callaghan should be put out to pasture.

I believe Mike McCarthy is the form second row in the country but his age counts against him. I'd have no problem if he got a bench spot ahead of Devin Toner though. I'd put Donnacha Ryan next to the captain because they're used to playing together. Likewise Eoin Reddan should get the nod ahead of Conor Murray if Jonny Sexton is the starting 10. Tom Court only gets in due to a lack of alternatives. Sean Cronin, Peter O'Mahony, Keith Earls, Ronan O'Gara and Conor Murray are terrific impact subs who should be brought on between the 50th and 60th minute.

 

[Jockstap]

I reckon O'Malley would get dicked(putting it mildly) defensively at international level. He was thrown around like a rag doll a few times by Banahan, fair enough Banahan is 6'7 but then he was boshed out of the way by Donald(a fly half) for a try. But I suppose you've got to play the hand that's dealt to you, he looks a very good player on the attack and his distribution skills are excellent.

 

[lynam1104]

O'Malley's defense is the only reason i wouldn't pick him he has been superb in pretty much everything else. My biggest concern about this 6N is if Kideny picks D'Arcy and McFadden in the centers. D'Arcy is well past it and McFadden is not a 13.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

D'arcy is indeed past it but I think Declan Kidney will pick him and Earls in the centre. The problem I have with Earls in the centre is that he never, ever passes the ball. McFadden also takes the ball into contact too much when he plays 13. O'Malley and to a lesses extent both Darren Cave and Eoin Griffin are more rounded 13s in that they seek to bring others into play.

If Kidney goes with Earls or McFadden at 13, he needs to play a passer like Paddy Wallace in the 12 shirt. I've been pleasantly surprised by McFadden's performances when he plays 12 as he looks to move the ball wide far more often than when he's picked at outside centre.

 

[Jockstap]

D'arcy is indeed past it but I think Declan Kidney will pick him and Earls in the centre. The problem I have with Earls in the centre is that he never, ever passes the ball. McFadden also takes the ball into contact too much when he plays 13. O'Malley and to a lesses extent both Darren Cave and Eoin Griffin are more rounded 13s in that they seek to bring others into play.

If Kidney goes with Earls or McFadden at 13, he needs to play a passer like Paddy Wallace in the 12 shirt. I've been pleasantly surprised by McFadden's performances when he plays 12 as he looks to move the ball wide far more often than when he's picked at outside centre.

This, McFadden looks as if he's trying to impress too much when he's at 13, resulting in him trying to run and find space everytime he puts his hand's on the ball. He reminds me of a young D'Arcy who passes the ball a bit more when he plays 12. As you say though all this is wishful thinking, it will be D'Arcy/Earls come the 6 Nations.

 

[big ginger 8]

If he'd actually gotten gametime I'd have liked to see Hagan involved oh well. Also I wouldn't put it past Kidney to have 10. O'Gara 12. Wallace 13. Earls the amount of tries we'd let in would be incredible. I want O'Malley in 13 although I wouldn't mind Cave. Are there many Wolfhound games this year I'd like to see Griffen and McSharry to be involved with them and Irish training squad have been impressed by them.

 

[Jockstap]

If he'd actually gotten gametime I'd have liked to see Hagan involved oh well. Also I wouldn't put it past Kidney to have 10. O'Gara 12. Wallace 13. Earls the amount of tries we'd let in would be incredible. I want O'Malley in 13 although I wouldn't mind Cave. Are there many Wolfhound games this year I'd like to see Griffen and McSharry to be involved with them and Irish training squad have been impressed by them.

Nah, Kidney will have as little change as possible to the team that played Wales, the only change will be the BOD's replacement and possibly Sexton in for O'Gara.

 

[lucky number 7]

Lads why is there talk of Court taking Healys place... They aren't even in the same ballpark..well they were ..and Court was getting sausaged. but they aren't on the same ballpark now.. literally speaking of course.

 

[big ginger 8]

Nah, Kidney will have as little change as possible to the team that played Wales, the only change will be the BOD's replacement and possibly Sexton in for O'Gara.

I don't know for all the stick we give him he's not stupid. He knows the W.C. is the pinnacle and will have to start blooding players as some players won't be there. Also there will almost certainly be a new 4 as O'Callaghan hasn't started enough. Finally I said who I wanted in 13 which as you say has to change.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think Kidney is an inately conservative coach who'll only make changes when they're forced upon him. That's not to say he's a bad coach but his conservatism is a major flaw. In my opinion Kidney's refusal to blood young players with the Munster first team in Magners League games is a large reason why Tony McGahan has such a tough job on his hands now (and he's doing bloody well in managing Munster's overhaul in personnel).

I belive he'll pick D'arcy in the centre because he won't want to pair two "rookies" together in a 6 Nations game. He'll pick Earls at outside centre because he's worked with Earls in the centre before. Experimentation will be left for the Wolfhounds game and the midweek games on the summer tour (if there are any).

As for the Wolfhounds, I'd like to see quite a few new players brought in. Andrew Conway, Craig Gilroy, Dave McSharry, Darren Cave, Nevin Spence, Eoin Griffin, Ian Madigan, Paul Marshall, Paddy McAllister, Ian Nagle, Rhys Ruddock and Dominic Ryan could be live contenders for the 2015 World Cup squad and deserve a chance to prove their worth.

 

[Peat]

If Kidney goes with Earls or McFadden at 13, he needs to play a passer like Paddy Wallace in the 12 shirt. I've been pleasantly surprised by McFadden's performances when he plays 12 as he looks to move the ball wide far more often than when he's picked at outside centre.

This. I didn't think McFadden had it in him, but he does, and 12 now definitley looks his position. What's more, he looks like a superior hybrid of D'Arcy and Wallace, and should be starting at 12 in the 6N. Alongside Cave.

Except against England, where I strongly encourage D'Arcy/Earls.

Wolfhounds have a game against England in Exeter on the 28th which is being televised, don't know of any others yet.

 

[Peat]

I'm bored, so this is what Ireland's first squad should look like

Kearney, Trimble, Cave, McFadden, Fitzgerald; Sexton, Reddan; Healy, Best, Ross, Ryan, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip

Sherry, Court, Tuohy, O'Mahony, Murray, O'Gara/Wallace, Bowe/Earls

I trust you all agree with my genius.

 

[dullonien]

This has got to be the slowest Ireland thread in history. It's still on the first page with my settings. Posts regarding anything Irish are usually 100 pages long by now. What's going on?

 

[Jockstap]

Tis the team I'd pick bar Cave although I admit I haven't seem him play much recently, but whenever I do he's never really stood out for me. He's a guy I'll be watching closely tonight though along with Touhy. Peat if you weren't an Ulster fan would you really have over Ireland's other options or are the tinted glasses on?

 

[big ginger 8]

I'm sorry but I don't missing O'Driscoll we need Bowe as he's our best finisher I don't watch him for the Ospreys because no matter what he plays well in an Irish jersey. I really do rate Trimble but we need tries and Fitzy's been our form winger but he's only got 2 international tries. I'd give Trimble the 22 shirt leave Earls out. I'm still in 2 minds about Cave and O'Malley certainly wouldn't follow Paul Wallaces suggestion of 12. Downey 13. D'arcy and am happy enough with Ryan, Tuohy or Toner all around same level.

 

[Jockstap]

This has got to be the slowest Ireland thread in history. It's still on the first page with my settings. Posts regarding anything Irish are usually 100 pages long by now. What's going on?

There really isn't much to debate as we all know Kidney will pick the same team that played Wales in the WC bar one or two changes.

 

[big ginger 8]

This has got to be the slowest Ireland thread in history. It's still on the first page with my settings. Posts regarding anything Irish are usually 100 pages long by now. What's going on?

Look at the English squad threads ridiculous and you Welsh aren't exactly slow remember Wales Baa-Baa's thread. There are loads of us but we're not as bad as the rap we get.