Ireland AI 2014

[TheSaffycen]

The apparent concussion is going to stunt Furlong's case for the AI.

Think you're being pretty harsh on Ross as well.


My team to play S.A. at the moment:

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Toner
5. O'Connell (c)
6. Ruddock
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Bowe
12. Olding
13. D'arcy
14. Trimble
15. Kearney

16. S. Cronin
17. J. Cronin
18. Moore
19. Foley
20. O'Mahony
21. Marmion
22. Jackson
23. Zebo

I'm sure PO'M and Zebo on the bench won't be met well by fans from certain quarters but there are some pretty valid reasons for the guys ahead of them starting. Without Healy and SOB are pack lacks people who can guarantee go forward ball. Ruddock does that PO'M doesn't. Ruddock is also the more physical option and you don't actually lose too much with him in the lineout. PO'M coming off the bench could also wreak havoc.

I would personally have Zebo or Earls just because the lack of pace you guys had out wide when playing us. You managed to get on the outside many times but your entire backline was pretty poor for pace, just a thought.

 

[profitius]

So apparently Trimble's arm is in a cast.

Bad timing. He is in flying form at the moment. Ireland running out of wingers.


McCloskey had another big performance against Glasgow in front of the watching Schmidt.

 

[big ginger 8]

I would personally have Zebo or Earls just because the lack of pace you guys had out wide when playing us. You managed to get on the outside many times but your entire backline was pretty poor for pace, just a thought.

Earls isn't an option as he's injured.

With the news that Trimble is injured Zebo will start anyway if he's out. Tbh I don't really agree with the whole lacking pace thing. Trimble isn't slow at all and because of his form he has to start anyway and as I said before Tommy Bowe is pretty much a guranteed starter and is actually a lot faster than most people think being the fastest player in Ulster.

If we were to go with the two fastest wingers that Schmidt has picked in his squads it'd be Zebo and McFadden and I don't think anyone is advocating that as a starting partnership. Not that it wouldn't do a job of course.

 

[munstermuffin]

Earls isn't an option as he's injured.

With the news that Trimble is injured Zebo will start anyway if he's out. Tbh I don't really agree with the whole lacking pace thing. Trimble isn't slow at all and because of his form he has to start anyway and as I said before Tommy Bowe is pretty much a guranteed starter and is actually a lot faster than most people think being the fastest player in Ulster.

If we were to go with the two fastest wingers that Schmidt has picked in his squads it'd be Zebo and McFadden and I don't think anyone is advocating that as a starting partnership. Not that it wouldn't do a job of course.

Thing I'd say is Tommy not really in great form. Agree regards Trimble he's our 1st choice at this moment (if fit).

 

[big ginger 8]

Thing I'd say is Tommy not really in great form. Agree regards Trimble he's our 1st choice at this moment (if fit).

Yeah he's not lighting everything up but he's still at a decent level. The thing with Bowe is he's proven over the years that even if he's in poor club form he can still turn it on for Ireland and I trust him to do that.

 

[Peat]

Ulster's backline has been a mess due to rotation, injury and the Jared Payne experiment. Most of our backs have been underperforming and I'd back most of them to get a boost from Schmidt.

Bowe and Zebo's a very tidy pairing if Schmidt can get them sharp.

Finally, people saying Trimble dislocated his toe. No idea what that's got to do with a cast on the arm or whether that's true, I'm repeating forum rumours.

 

[profitius]

Not too many wingers to choose from now. Bowe, Zebo, Gilroy and ??

Finally, people saying Trimble dislocated his toe. No idea what that's got to do with a cast on the arm or whether that's true, I'm repeating forum rumours.

Think they ment an air-cast. Type of cast for the foot if I'm not mistaken.

 

[big ginger 8]

Not too many wingers to choose from now. Bowe, Zebo, Gilroy and ??

From the intial injury report I think there's a chance that McFadden will be back otherwise Darragh Fanning edges ever closer to the Irish team.

 

[Peat]

Could be profitus, I've not been following too closely.

Is Conway out? Michael Allen might be in with a shout if it keeps on like this... assuming he doesn't get injured too... well, sure Madigan can play everywhere :lol:

Just not Fanning

 

[ruggabee]

Anyone else feel we shouldn't be using D'Arcy from now on? His experience for the end of year tour would be useful but with promising young midfielders in the country right now I'd like to see them form combos with one another leading up to the WC. What's the point in minimizing damage when these guys are the future. They are exciting, he isn't.

Something like this where the midfield gets tried out over the year. I really think we should be giving young guys a go against the big nations, not just against Georgia where it's not so difficult to shine.

9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Marshall/McCloskey/Reid
13. Olding/Cave/Henshaw
14. Bowe
15. Kearney with Payne nipping at his heels. Personally I don't rate Kearney and have him as first choice knowing Schmidt will go with him. He needs to improve his counter and isn't much of a tackler. Great boot and fielder but in the modern game I expect a fullback to be more of a playmaker. Edit. Also Leader is a prospect. Who knows what he'll produce in the next year.

The wings could change over the year as well depending on how Earl's and Fitzgerald's injury woes play out. Zebo there too. Gilroy developing nicely.

I don't think there's too much debate over the forwards and will depend on form over the year.

 

[big ginger 8]

Moore is out for 12 weeks anyway.

 

[ruggabee]

One injury after another. I hope we don't get any more going into the AIs.

 

[profitius]

Guaranteed to be more injuries in the next 2 weeks. Just got to hope they're not too serious.

Any predictions for bolters? Darragh Leader playing well at fullback for Connacht. Might be too soon for him. I'm hoping to see 2 or 3. Just to keep the first steamers on their toes.

McCloskey looks odds on to make the side so not really a bolter anymore.

 

[Peat]

Tadgh Furlong is the obvious name with Moore out.

Apparently Trimble might be fit for the AIs.

 

[ruggabee]

Nathan White could be the backup tighthead now Moore is out. I'd like Furlong to stake a claim in the mean time as well.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads he can laugh at this but on form Archer, Nathan White and Furlong looked a lot better than Ross and Moore hasn't looked good this year either. He's not really a big loss. It'll allow at least 2 form guys get game during AI's and will ensure Furlong progresses a bit with few big games for Leinster in Europe.

 

[profitius]

Lads he can laugh at this but on form Archer, Nathan White and Furlong looked a lot better than Ross and Moore hasn't looked good this year either. He's not really a big loss. It'll allow at least 2 form guys get game during AI's and will ensure Furlong progresses a bit with few big games for Leinster in Europe.

Ross has looked poor so far but he was the same early last season. It might take him a few months to get back to his best.

Archer has looked good in his return games so far. He has to prove it week in week out though. He always had the power but struggled with technique. White is very solid so could jump the queue. One positive thing nowadays is Ireland have some depth at tighthead. Its not impossible to see Mike Ross missing out in the 6 nations. Furlong is obviously the one to watch.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We're gonna win every game!!! Go on John O'Shea!!!

 

[munstermuffin]

Ross has looked poor so far but he was the same early last season. It might take him a few months to get back to his best.

Archer has looked good in his return games so far. He has to prove it week in week out though. He always had the power but struggled with technique. White is very solid so could jump the queue. One positive thing nowadays is Ireland have some depth at tighthead. Its not impossible to see Mike Ross missing out in the 6 nations. Furlong is obviously the one to watch.

But Ross is 35 in December so it'll be tough to get back up and slow starts ain't good with pressure from others.

But as CMAC said go on John O'Shea.

 

[SimonG]

We're gonna win every game!!! Go on John O'Shea!!!

Went ape**** when that went in. Wonderful finish.

Have to laugh at Giles, Brady and the Dunph, two failed managers and an alky, telling Martin O'Neill, whose team has just got a result at the world champions, how to do his job.:lol: