Ireland Squad 2017/18

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

On O'Mahony versus Ruddock, I simply think Ruddock is showing fantastic form and is playing at a higher level than the Munster player. He's no slouch out of touch either. I'd fully expect O'Mahony to get the nod though.

 

[munstermuffin]

On O'Mahony versus Ruddock, I simply think Ruddock is showing fantastic form and is playing at a higher level than the Munster player. He's no slouch out of touch either. I'd fully expect O'Mahony to get the nod though.

They bring 2 different games but Ruddock in great form TBF

 

[Jockstap]

On O'Mahony versus Ruddock, I simply think Ruddock is showing fantastic form and is playing at a higher level than the Munster player. He's no slouch out of touch either. I'd fully expect O'Mahony to get the nod though.

Again, Ireland's entire gameplan is based of set piece and a good lineout. We had the worst lineout in the Six Nations before POM was introduced so what's to discuss??

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Again, Ireland's entire gameplan is based of set piece and a good lineout. We had the worst lineout in the Six Nations before POM was introduced so what's to discuss??

Ruddock has played second row and is very good in the line put.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Again, Ireland's entire gameplan is based of set piece and a good lineout. We had the worst lineout in the Six Nations before POM was introduced so what's to discuss??

The fact that Ruddock is in better form, offers more around the field and leads just as well as O'Mahony. You mustn't watch many Leinster games because Ruddock is a frequent lineout option. He also didn't play in the 2017 6 Nations so can't be at fault for perceived lineout woes then.

 

[munstermuffin]

The fact that Ruddock is in better form, offers more around the field and leads just as well as O'Mahony. You mustn't watch many Leinster games because Ruddock is a frequent lineout option. He also didn't play in the 2017 6 Nations so can't be at fault for perceived lineout woes then.

On current form Ruddock should start. Peter hasn't played brilliant as of late. But again 2 different types of player

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Just an observation but does Peter O'Mahony communicate well with referees? Last night wasn't the first time I heard Nigel Owens tell him to go away. John Muldoon seems to fall into the same category of annoying referees rather than manipulate them! Perhaps O'Mahony is a better leader in the dressing room (by all accounts he's excellent at this) and CJ Stander is a better person to talk to referees.

 

[Gavin]

Just an observation but does Peter O'Mahony communicate well with referees? Last night wasn't the first time I heard Nigel Owens tell him to go away. John Muldoon seems to fall into the same category of annoying referees rather than manipulate them! Perhaps O'Mahony is a better leader in the dressing room (by all accounts he's excellent at this) and CJ Stander is a better person to talk to referees.

I've always thought that O'Mahony seems to annoy the referees rather than influence them. During the European Cup match against Racing he seemed to get continually told off my the officials.

 

[munstermuffin]

To be honest Snoop it a fair question but equally Nigel was very cranky last night. I think the answer I'd give is you want to get a balance between the CJ style and Peter style. I find Peter can get frustrated easily and while this is good for his performance it can effect captaincy

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's not a criticism more an observation of Peter O'Mahony as clearly being on the edge helps his game. Perhaps there's something to be said for Munster having CJ Stander as field captain and O'Mahony as club captain much as Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell dovetailed for Ireland. Rhys Ruddock, Jamie Heaslip and Johhny Sexton perform like this for Leinster. England had Lawrence Dallaglio and Martin Johnson. Likewise have Rory Best as Ireland captain and O'Mahony as emotional leader.

 

[Jockstap]

On current form Ruddock should start. Peter hasn't played brilliant as of late. But again 2 different types of player

Muff who calls then lineouts for Munster, who took over for POC?

 

[munstermuffin]

Muff who calls then lineouts for Munster, who took over for POC?

Billy Holland has been doing it and CJ has at times too

 

[munstermuffin]

I'm sorry but after watching tonight I'm even less convinced that the 2 Kearneys should be anywhere near Irish team. I thought overall it was a poor back 3 performance.
I said Sean O'Brien is getting picked as an 8 and I think it is very much an option. Conan is in fine form but may not be thrown in. CJ hasn't been at the top of his game and his body is still struggling from Lions tour. Sean O'Brien slated Gatland lately but to be fair he has hit ground running.

From viewing this weekend I think a few interesting things showed.
1. Scannell and O'Halloran showed they were wronged in my eyes
2. The SOB at 8 option
3. The Backrow issue. I genuinely think POM needs to be left out. He isn't playing well (normal reasons for guys on Lions) and Ruddock is on form.
4. I think Bealham has been very unlucky too
5. I worry about our hookers. None have the darts and Best hasn't the game time

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

RK played well... Notice how Ulster basically got shite all out of their tactical kicking and no possession, it has a wee bit to do with the 15. He ran well too, and was strong defensively and has more than enough in the bank as Ireland's best back three player against tier 1 oppo in the last 12 months to earn his spot! As for DK, well there were two Leinster's players more worthy of a spot than him tonight.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I know Ulster's pack is nothing to write home about but Andrew Porter put in his best scrummaging performance since switching to tighthead tonight in Ravenhill. If he can gain parity in the scrum, his carrying game makes him a huge asset.

Luke McGrath progressed his claims tonight too.

The best Farrell playing centre on Friday night was Connacht's Tom.

Is James Tracy now Ireland's form hooker by default after Ulster's lineout issues?

 

[munstermuffin]

RK played well... Notice how Ulster basically got shite all out of their tactical kicking and no possession, it has a wee bit to do with the 15. He ran well too, and was strong defensively and has more than enough in the bank as Ireland's best back three player against tier 1 oppo in the last 12 months to earn his spot! As for DK, well there were two Leinster's players more worthy of a spot than him tonight.

Id disagree on RK but just an opinion. I thought they were poor as unit.

Snoop you are correct on Farrell comment and also McGrath has really improved his sniping.

 

[Amiga500]

I still think RK is a better test option than TO'H who avoids criticism for a lit of mistakes because he's usually in a back three where the wings are mistakes (No offence Mr & Mrs Healy, Kelleher and Adeolokun) but with one not playing in a few weeks, albeit having started the season well, he's taking a risk picking RK especially if he starts.

RK should not have been picked, he's regressed into an average full back with little chance of improving.

Other options need to be explored. Be they TOH, JS, AC, JC.... I'd have Jordan Larmour in ahead of him. If the kid is good enough (and he's been shaping up over the past few years to be so), he's old enough.

At this point, playing Rob Kearney in the tests is basically a waste of 3 matches with nothing new learnt.

 

[Amiga500]

Notice how Ulster basically got shite all out of their tactical kicking and no possession

What tactical kicking?

We couldn't win our own f__king lineouts never mind pressure yours! Anything we did win we promptly knocked on.


I wouldn't rave about Porter in the scrum just yet. I was amazed at how well ours went - I expected us to get minced in the scrum - so I'd hold fire on concluding too much.

 

[Groundhog]

Yeah tactical kicking isn't really a factor when your pack is going backwards at a rate of knots, your scrum half is making his first start and your set piece is poor.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I wouldn't rave about Porter in the scrum just yet. I was amazed at how well ours went - I expected us to get minced in the scrum - so I'd hold fire on concluding too much.

Not raving at all. This is the first time he didn't lose the battle with the opposing loosehead. That's a sign of progress. If Andrew Porter can get to a point where he can hold his own in scrummaging battles, Ireland will be very well served there. At the moment he's taking baby steps. Could be a 3 or 4 year process for him by which time he'll still be in his mid 20s only.

It took Mike Ross until he was in his 30s before establishing himself with Ireland and John Ryan until 28 before showing signs of reaching international standard so Porter has plenty of time on his side.