Ireland AI 2014

[profitius]

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.

At least having some depth means we don't have to play players who are out of form. So Ross has to keep performing. It would be harsh if he missed the world cup squad but thats professional sport.

On the other side of the scrum, if James Cronin can keep up his form then it'll be close between himself and McGrath.

Do you think Duncan Casey will make the squad? Statistically he is the best thrower in the NH so far this season throwing something like 42 from 43 accurately. Varley is a dodgy thrower so that should push casey ahead of him. I must admit that I've not seen enough of Casey so far to judge how good a player he is.

 

[munstermuffin]

At least having some depth means we don't have to play players who are out of form. So Ross has to keep performing. It would be harsh if he missed the world cup squad but thats professional sport.

On the other side of the scrum, if James Cronin can keep up his form then it'll be close between himself and McGrath.

Do you think Duncan Casey will make the squad? Statistically he is the best thrower in the NH so far this season throwing something like 42 from 43 accurately. Varley is a dodgy thrower so that should push casey ahead of him. I must admit that I've not seen enough of Casey so far to judge how good a player he is.

Duncan will be international standard in 12 months. He's struggling with ****les and while he's best thrower in country he's still a bit behind Best and Cronin. He just needs consistency in terms of a run of games. Cronin on current form is ahead of McGrath but as said he's in magical form.

 

[Groundhog]

Trimble's toe will have him out for a few months apparently.

 

[big ginger 8]

Trimble's toe will have him out for a few months apparently.

Marshall out as well.

Fanj for Ireland!

Could put out a decent team (without halfbacks) with our injuries.

1. Healy
2. Sherry
3. Moore
4. Ryan
5. Tuohy
6. Henderson
7. O'Brien
8. Murphy
11. Kearney
12. Marshall
13. Earls
14. Trimble
15. Fitzgerald

 

[Big Ewis]

least O'Brien's back. Ireland had lots of injuries two years ago during the 2012 EOYT and they still had a pretty successful tour, although there are lots of names missing in that squad there..

 

[lynam1104]

least O'Brien's back. Ireland had lots of injuries two years ago during the 2012 EOYT and they still had a pretty successful tour, although there are lots of names missing in that squad there..

SOB is out for around 6 months I think, had to have shoulder surgergy again.

 

[munstermuffin]

Fanning must be red hot for a cap now so I suppose

 

[lynam1104]

Fanning must be red hot for a cap now so I suppose

He's basically the second coming of Antony Horgan.

 

[Conal]

He's basically the second coming of Antony Horgan.

dont mention that name

stop it

 

[Groundhog]

He's basically the second coming of Antony Horgan.

You think all gingers look the same cos you is racist mate!

 

[lynam1104]

You think all gingers look the same cos you is racist mate!

Actual photo of both Darra Fanning and BG8

 

[Groundhog]

Darragh Fanning is a wonderful example of how hard work, dedication and being really tall can compensate for a lack of actual talent or speed in rugby at a certain level.

 

[big ginger 8]

At the moment Fanning is probably our 4th or 5th choice fit wing so there is a pretty realistic chance he'll be in the squad and fair play to him. He does appear to be showing the benefits of his first proper pre-season. Still wouldn't exactly be excited about him starting against S.A. though...

Squad will be named at 5 today

 

[lynam1104]

1. Bowe
2. Gilroy
3. Zebo
4. Fitz
5. Conway
6. Andrew Trimble without a toe



Fanj


He had a good game and I have a lot of respect for him, but he should not play for Ireland.

 

[big ginger 8]

1. Bowe
2. Gilroy
3. Zebo
4. Fitz
5. Conway
6. Andrew Trimble without a toe



Fanj


He had a good game and I have a lot of respect for him, but he should not play for Ireland.

It's one thing to make the squad and another to actually play.

I somehow doubt Schmidt will play injured players ahead of him either

Don't forget Schmidt was the one who asked Fanning to play for Leinster...


EDIT: And I forgot about the other ginger Darragh who's now in the squad.

Forwards (21)
Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster) 2
Rodney Ah You (Corinthians/Connacht) 1
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 77
James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster) 1
Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 35
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster) 1
Dave Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster) *
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 16
Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster) 67
Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 10
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 15
Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 10
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 94 CAPTAIN
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 4
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 23
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 41
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) 3
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) *
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster) 4
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 17
Nathan White (Galwegians/Connacht)*

Backs (16)
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 54
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 79
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster) 5
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht) 3
Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) 6
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 55
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster) 2
Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster) 10
Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht) 2
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 28
Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 1
Jared Payne (Ulster) *
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 55
Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro) 45
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 8

No McCloskey one that stands out.

EDIT EDIT: Also no Casey.

 

[Groundhog]

Schmidt is truly the king of rodents. His reign of terror must be brough to an end.
#NoCaseyNoParty #IrishCoachlLynchmob2014

 

[big ginger 8]

Didn't even notice on first viewing but no Jackson either! Presumably injured?

hookers; Best, Cronin, Strauss
TH Props: Archer, Ah You, White, Ross
LH Props: McGrath, Cronin, Kilcoyne
Locks: Foley, McCarthy, O'Connell, Toner
Back-row: Diack, Henry, O'Mahony, Heaslip, Dom Ryan, Ruddock
SH: Murray, Reddan, Marmion
OH: Sexton, Madigan, Keatley
Centre: D'Arcy, Payne, Henshaw, Olding
Wing: Bowe, Gilroy, Zebo
FB: Kearney, Leader, Jones

 

[Peat]

edit edit: Jackson started Ulster's most recent match and didn't go off, doubt its fitness related.

That squad is going to go down like a ton of bricks on the Ulster site...

 

[lynam1104]

Not seen much (any) of Ulster this season how has Jackson played?

Most of the starting XV picks itself only the centres and one wing are contentious. Personally I would go with Olding-Henshaw but I reckon it will be D'Arcy-Henshaw. Zebo V Gilroy to be fought out over the next few weeks but glad Gilroy is back big fan of his.

 

[Peat]

Jackson's been no great shakes, came back late due to injury,picked up another knock, started looking frisky against Leicester. He hasn't been the sort of form that justifies a player dropping from 2nd to 4th in the international pecking order though.