Ireland Squad Announcement

[darkozone]

Good to see all those Leinster guys on the squad. I really don't have a problem with the list, but the big question us, will the Leinster boys ignite the intensity within the Irish team? They can't get by with the same old stuff every year. If they want that trophy they better bring the fire. A 6 Nations win may actually men some recognition during the RWC. But it might not matter since NZ is gonna win it all anyway but at least it means publicity during the Cup for the IRFU.

 

[Jockstap]

Neil Francis is an utter joke of a man, that is all.

 

[coonor]

I think Kidney will be under alot of pressure to play Ross. If he plays Buckley and the scrum crumbles etc. which it will I feel he will have no choice but to pick Ross. I a way I feel the bias refereeing towards Buckley in the scrum against Argentina may hurt us as it gives Kidney an excuse to pick Buckley. I agree our tighthead props should Ross, Hagan and Court. Buckley scrummaging will never improve but Healy's has and since he's young I can see that continuing. I agree I don't think you can read into this squad to much as changes our bound to happen but on the like you said Jockstrap allow its good for Ruddock and McCarthy to train with Ireland, they have little chance of getting in the squad so they should be in the wolfhounds. I think its great we have a A side as it makes it so much easier for players close to the senior to get international game time.

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads can 95% confirm. John Hayes is going to retire after the World Cup. He will be finished with Munster at end of season but realistically he is guaranteed spot to NZ in World Cup.

 

[durbutter]

Varley still wont be able to hit a lineout but he'll be promoted

Serious issues with this. Are you trying to highlight a Munster bias by picking on Varley?

He's the second best hooker we have, not far off Cronin and MILES ahead of everyone else. His throwing is not bad, not Flannery but just as good as Cronin.

Fla is injured, donno why he's in the squad

 

[lucky number 7]

I have grown up loving the bull....but he is tarnishing the reputation of his long servitude to Ireland by playing for much longer ..he isn't what he used to be sadly and I just hope people remember him for the solid and dedicated player that he was :/

 

[coonor]

John Hayes doesn't make any mistakes apart from the scrum but he is the only player I know actually does nothing. When was the last time you saw him carry the ball? He is a waste of space and has no qualities what so ever. He should have retired after the lions tour and grand slam.

 

[munstermuffin]

John Hayes is a poor scrummager but probably the best lifter in Europe but look we need an all around player and well just received that news in past hour so when/if an annoncement will be made I don't know but as Lucky said I hope he's remembered for his true input in Irish Rugby

 

[coonor]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/uk...zoMPe4UG2AD3PnIsA?docId=N0289911295619253005A

Tommy Bowe has given Ireland a major injury scare ahead of this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.
The British and Irish Lions Test wing and prolific try-scorer will miss the Ospreys' Heineken Cup clash against Toulon on Saturday, and Ireland coach Declan Kidney must now await news over Bowe's availability for the opening Six Nations appointment with Italy in Rome on February 5.
"We've withdrawn Tommy from this weekend's game on medical grounds, pending further investigation and specialist opinion for a knee problem," said Ospreys physiotherapist Chris Towers.
"Due to the onset of some recent symptoms, we scanned him this week, which highlighted an issue that could potentially develop into something problematic.
"As such, we felt that it is in Tommy's best interest to take these precautions.
"We have notified the Irish medical team, and following further investigations next week we should be able to establish the most appropriate course of treatment for the problem and to confirm whether it will interfere with Tommy's involvement in the Six Nations with Ireland."
Bowe, 26, is rated among the most dangerous wings in European rugby and is a major part of Kidney's Six Nations plans. He has scored 16 tries in 36 appearances for Ireland

Don't know how true this is or how bad the injury is but hopefully he is fully fit come the 6 nations.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would certainly be a big blow for Ireland that - though they shouldn't rush him back - his fitness for the WC is more important than the 6N, and they don't want to aggravate anything by getting him playing when he's not 100%

 

[Feicarsinn]

Nooo!!!

 

[lynam1104]

like olyy said don't pick him if hes not 100% plus Shaggy is on great forum ATM.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So Irelands line-up could, potentially, be:
1. Healy
3. Ross
4. Cullen
7. O'Brien/Jennings
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. Fitz
12. D'arcy
13. O'Driscoll
14. Shaggy

It'll be Leinster vs the 5Nations

 

[Feicarsinn]

It the moment I'd fancy taking on any of the 6N powers. We're pretty awesome.


Reddan probably won't start, but the rest easily could and, with the exception of Lukey F, should.

Da, da, da, sing when you're winning, da, da.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Aye, I don't think Reddan or Cullen will start (Kidney seems to dislike Cullen despite him being, probably, the best lock in Ireland) but 9/15 isn't too shabby

 

[Peat]

Happily for everyone else, they don't get Schmidt as well.

If someone entered Leinster as are into the 6N they'd probably win.

 

[Feicarsinn]

If any of John Hayes, Mick O'Driscoll, Andrew Trimble and Donnacha O'Callaghan are picked, I'll personally administer an unexpected colonoscopy on Declan Kidney using Alan Gaffney's face.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What's with all the Mick O'Driscoll hate in here?
I've always thought he's a decent lock, certainly a step above DOC at any rate

 

[Gavin]

IMO the starting line-up should be around the lines of this -

Healy
Varley
Ross
Cullen
POC
Ferris
O'Brien
Heaslip
Stringer
Sexton
Bowe
D'arcy
BOD
Horgan
Earls / Fitzgerald

Now that is if everyone if fit. That is a pretty strong team.

 

[Feicarsinn]

What's with all the Mick O'Driscoll hate in here?
I've always thought he's a decent lock, certainly a step above DOC at any rate

Mick O'Driscoll epitomises everything that's wrong with Irish selection policy. He's a decent player, good enough for the Magners League and probably good enough to sit on the bench for the HC, but that's where it should stop. He doesn't have the quality to play the international game.

Despite this, he's been picked ahead of the likes of Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy and Leo Cullen, players who can either bring something different or have the potential to be good enough to wear the Irish jersey on a consistant basis. It isn't his fault, but he gets alot of the flack.