Ireland AI 2014

[munstermuffin]

Apparently there is still a chance that Ross will be out for S.A. and if he is we'll see White starting with probably Ah You on the bench. It's a situation I can just about live with but I'm sure the slagging will be merciless.

My current team for the boks.

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Ross (if fit)/ White
4. Toner
5. O'Connell
6. Ruddock
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. D'arcy
13. Henshaw
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Cronin
18. White/Ah You
19. Foley
20. O'Mahony
21. Reddan (no Marmion yet let him start vs Georgia and sub vs Aus)
22. Madigan (although I am very tempted to have Olding here)
23. Gilroy

Ruddock ahead of POM????
Also how can Ross be first choice on current form.
And Gilroy will push Zebo hugely on form.

 

[Peat]

I love Gilroy and reckon he dumps all over Fitzgerald's step but I'd be surprised if he was ahead of Zebo unless he roasts Toulon on a spit while doing everything else right.

 

[munstermuffin]

I love Gilroy and reckon he dumps all over Fitzgerald's step but I'd be surprised if he was ahead of Zebo unless he roasts Toulon on a spit while doing everything else right.

At moment Zebo definitely ahead but Gilroy is playing nicely and if he has a big game against Toulon it will throw him in mix. But on earlier comment about Zebo's defensive side of game. While it's not perfect yet it has improved massively in last year and he has put in huge extra work there.

 

[profitius]

Gilroy coming into a bit of form again but since he burst onto the scene 2 years ago he has been a disappointment. He has to iron out a few flaws in his game.

People have been calling for Ruddock ahead of POM since the summer. POM was one of the players of the 6 nations and Munsters best player for over a year now, while Ruddock performed well against a weakened Argentina. Ruddock is a good player but not at POM's level. He could move POM to 7 or 8 but I doubt it. The same backrow will likely be kept on. Dom Ryan could be a darkhorse.

 

[munstermuffin]

Gilroy coming into a bit of form again but since he burst onto the scene 2 years ago he has been a disappointment. He has to iron out a few flaws in his game.

People have been calling for Ruddock ahead of POM since the summer. POM was one of the players of the 6 nations and Munsters best player for over a year now, while Ruddock performed well against a weakened Argentina. Ruddock is a good player but not at POM's level. He could move POM to 7 or 8 but I doubt it. The same backrow will likely be kept on. Dom Ryan could be a darkhorse.

Back row is getting intense as TOD finding form too but POM is a step above Ruddock (who I'm huge fan of). POM has great line out awareness, superb on ground and is making yards going forward too now. Ruddock is great carrier and is physical but there are areas he still has to develope.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ruddock ahead of POM????
Also how can Ross be first choice on current form.
And Gilroy will push Zebo hugely on form.

Yeah Ruddock's been the best backrow in the country this season. We're missing both SO'B and Healy we need someone who can run over people and that's something he can do. He's also a much underrated lineout player and while he won't win as many turnovers his clearouts are immaculate. He's exactly the type of player you want against the boks. Let PO'M come on later and wreak havoc.

You've massively overstated Ross' poor form, he always comes through for us anyway and I'd rather not start a New Zealander.

He might push him but Zebo will start.

 

[lynam1104]

I think I'd agree with BG8 on Ruddock at 6, he adds what we may be lacking in bulk/carrying. However if Heaslip keeps doing what he did last week the argument for POM is much more convincing as he is better over the ball than Ruddock. I really feel it will come down to the type of game that Joe wants to bring.

 

[munstermuffin]

That's fair but we'd loose a lot on the ground without POM and his line out work is gone up massively. Won't disagree with what was said about Ruddock as I've been singing his praises for well over 2 years. Even said he should've been ahead of Jordi Murphy last year as in my eyes he's a much better player.

And yes I know Ross usually a slow starter but anytime I've seen him this year he's struggled badly and then went off injured. Mother time waits for no one and he's 35.

 

[Jockstap]

So after the first block of Europe the Ireland team to beat the Springboks IMO

15 Kearney
14 Bowe
13 Henshaw
12 D'arcy
11 Zebo
10 Sexton
9 Murray
8 Heaslip
7 Henry
6 O'Mahony
5 O'Connell
4 Toner
3 Ross
2 Best
1 McGrath

16 Cronin
17 Cronin
18 White
19 Foley
20 Ruddock
21 Marmion
22 Madigan
23 Payne

 

[big ginger 8]

Apparently James Cronin is out. Probably Buckley called up possibly Warwick.

 

[munstermuffin]

Apparently James Cronin is out. Probably Buckley called up possibly Warwick.

He's going for scan Wednesday but it's 50-50. Lads are in camp from today. We are fighting to try get some released for Saturday vs Cardiff if possible.
Also have heard Rob Kearney is in trouble and this ****le in his back (related to back injury few years ago) is a lot more problematic that is being reported.

 

[profitius]

He's going for scan Wednesday but it's 50-50. Lads are in camp from today. We are fighting to try get some released for Saturday vs Cardiff if possible.
Also have heard Rob Kearney is in trouble and this ****le in his back (related to back injury few years ago) is a lot more problematic that is being reported.

Re Kearney, that might explain why so many fullbacks got called into the squad. Crazy to think that himself, Jones, Leader, Payne, Henshaw, Bowe, Zebo, Gilroy, Madigan, Olding and Keatley have all played fullback.

Re Cronin, hopefully its nothing serious. He is in flying form this season and would be a blow for himself, Munster and Ireland if he misses out.

 

[munstermuffin]

Re Kearney, that might explain why so many fullbacks got called into the squad. Crazy to think that himself, Jones, Leader, Payne, Henshaw, Bowe, Zebo, Gilroy, Madigan, Olding and Keatley have all played fullback.

Re Cronin, hopefully its nothing serious. He is in flying form this season and would be a blow for himself, Munster and Ireland if he misses out.

Well in fairness I'd presume Henshaw Payne and Olding are there as centres. Madigan and Keatley as 10/12s.
Schmidt has spoke of Leaders ability to play as winger so it'll be interesting to see how he fits the jigsaw.

Re Cronin if I was betting man I'd say he won't see action for Ireland.

 

[lucky number 7]

Ruddock isn't all that imo big and abrasive and granted he does give a bit of go forward ball , but not of the calibre of seanie pom or heaslip not even close I reckon. However I hope I get proven wrong.
POM is our best back row without seanie and he's been stand out for Ireland quite consistently.

With what's on the table atm I'd ideally like to see
6 POM
7 Domenic Ryan or To'd ,
8 Heaslip


With Copeland off the bench covering 6 and 8 to a high standard.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ruddock isn't all that imo big and abrasive and granted he does give a bit of go forward ball , but not of the calibre of seanie pom or heaslip not even close I reckon. However I hope I get proven wrong.
POM is our best back row without seanie and he's been stand out for Ireland quite consistently.

With what's on the table atm I'd ideally like to see
6 POM
7 Domenic Ryan or To'd ,
8 Heaslip


With Copeland off the bench covering 6 and 8 to a high standard.

Could be horses for courses.

I'm huge fan of Ruddock and think he's good enough. Dom Ryan is an interesting 1. Nobody is mentioning him much but he's been outstanding and been able to stay fit. He's outplayed Henry for sure this year. Copeland still needs to do bit more this year to get a bench spot. TOD may be a bench option as POM can play 8

 

[ruggabee]

Olding and Bowe with concussion so the later could possibly be out for the SA clash Hope not though. When will the injuries stop? One more injury to the wing and Fanj could make his international debut lolz. I'm hoping Kearney doesn't make it because really he's getting picked on reputation at the moment. Payne on the other hand is a joy when he gets to play 15.

 

[munstermuffin]

Andrew Conway called in to squad will be in camp tomorrow.

 

[profitius]

Now White is out for 16 weeks. Injuries mounting up.


Out
White
Healy
Moore
J Cronin
Henderson
Tuohy
Jordi Murphy
SOB
Donnacha Ryan
Dave Kearney
Earls
Luke Marshall
Trimble
Fitzgerald
McFadden


Doubts for the SA match
Bowe
Olding
Ross
R Kearney
D'Arcy

 

[Jockstap]

OK this is getting rigoddamndicuous, but luckily I'm pretty sure Joe is a witch and will somehow manage to pull off a few wins.

 

[munstermuffin]

I've no fear of Archer or Furlong. Are they up to it on a consistent basis and current ability? Probably not at this moment but neither has been playing poorly and will I hope be able to drag it through AI's.
Out of that injury list a good few wouldn't start or get in squad regardless.