Ireland Squad

[Leonormous Boozer]

Dropping today. You really have to get rid of everyone who played the Heineken Cup final so France don't have the edge. So that's Munster with Sexton thrown in, provided he doesn't get a lifetime ban.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Leinster
Number of Sale academy graduates in side: 0
Trophies won: 0

Munster
Number of Sale academy graduates in side: 1
Trophies won: 1

Makes you think, really.
Farrell needs to make the right call.

 

[munstermuffin]

Original Ireland 2023 Six Nations squad

Backs (17): Bundee Aki, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Keith Earls, Jamison Gibson Park, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Garry Ringrose, Johnny Sexton (capt), Jacob Stockdale.

Forwards (20): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Gavin Coombes, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Rónan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.

In-tournament call-ups

Backs (3): Caolin Blade, Joey Carbery, Ciarán Frawley.

Forwards (9): Michael Milne, Ross Molony, Scott Penny, Roman Salanoa, Tom Stewart, Nick Timoney, Kieran Treadwell.

In the running: Calvin Nash, Shane Daly, Robert Baloucoune, John Ryan, John Hodnett, Jean Kleyn, Jeremy Loughman

Saw this.

Squad expected to be 43-45 players.

Would add Frisch and Mike Haley to the "In The Running"

They're performances the last few weeks have been World Class but equally both have been superb all season even when chips were down.

 

[Groundhog]

There won't be a huge overcorrection from Farrell here and rightly so. Don't think recent weeks have changed the starting 15 an iota, barring Sexton doing 10 in the pen when footage emerges of him tombstoning Jaco Peyper.

Some fringe guys have put their hand up..... And some down in the respective finals, but if our 23 doesn't change drastically from the one that has dominated world rugby and won a grand slam in the last 18 months, I won't be mad.

Coombes should start and captain the side though

 

[munstermuffin]

There won't be a huge overcorrection from Farrell here and rightly so. Don't think recent weeks have changed the starting 15 an iota, barring Sexton doing 10 in the pen when footage emerges of him tombstoning Jaco Peyper.

Some fringe guys have put their hand up..... And some down in the respective finals, but if our 23 doesn't change drastically from the one that has dominated world rugby and won a grand slam in the last 18 months, I won't be mad.

Coombes should start and captain the side though

I think it more like having ready made replacements. Like Haley I think is 2nd best 15 in this country by a mile. Shouldn't be in 23 but if Hugo goes down or needs rest.
Then the geography matters. The fact the tournament is in France allows you gamble with regards props and that but I suppose it is the approach that matters like the schedule is very friendly too.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Haley doesn't make my 33 man squad, I think you sacrifice his expertise for Jimmy's versatility, same with Frisch really.

Haley definitely needs minutes in the warm-ups in case of injury to either Jimmy or Keenan though. Similar with Frisch, Aki and Henshaw can work but it's hit and miss, having a real 13 back up would be preferable.

 

[big ginger 8]

I'd imagine we'll have 4 centres on the WC squad? Would rather have Frisch over McCloskey given Henshaw and Aki will be there already and Hume has fallen off so much.

Think Hodnett might sneak in as well, Timoney hasn't been as good this year.

 

[munstermuffin]

Haley doesn't make my 33 man squad, I think you sacrifice his expertise for Jimmy's versatility, same with Frisch really.

Haley definitely needs minutes in the warm-ups in case of injury to either Jimmy or Keenan though. Similar with Frisch, Aki and Henshaw can work but it's hit and miss, having a real 13 back up would be preferable.

But that is my whole point. If it a case of 23 jersey/filling in vs Tier 2 team no issue with Jimmy O B. He is of a high standard over various positions. But if Hugo was ruled out for tournament say then I'd want Haley as a starter. Yes he does need to be in camp though and learn the ropes a bit.

Frisch I think is the closest thing to Ringrose so again needs minutes but I would have Frisch ahead of McCloskey. Controversial I know but if there is 4 centres I'd want Henshaw and AKi as specialist 12s and Ringrose and Frisch as 13s. Now I know Robbie H can play 13 with Aki and no issue there either. Just think I do want a 2nd Ringrose type there as opposed to a 3rd big man runner. I suppose it just a preference thing. No real wrong answer

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

If we beat France in a world cup final with a French centre and a dodgy referee, I'd die of happiness / alcohol poisoning reading their reaction the next day.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

In agreement with 4th choice Frisch yeah.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd imagine we'll have 4 centres on the WC squad? Would rather have Frisch over McCloskey given Henshaw and Aki will be there already and Hume has fallen off so much.

Think Hodnett might sneak in as well, Timoney hasn't been as good this year.

100% agree with the top bit.

Hodnett I would 100% have in but then it is how do you see it like there is a big balance. Is Conan a 8 or a 6/8. Will POM be a 6 or possibly be 7 too. Then where do we see Beirne and Ryan B. Like that creeps in to 2nd row selections too. Like Conan thinking effects Big Gav. Like Doris to me is a 8. Like there so many combinations and then you want to keep balance. Need a lock that will do heavy duty. So like if James Ryan drops who goes in. Will Kleyn sneak in to squad or is it Joe McCarthy.

Also does Ross Byrne drop out of squad or will Frawley drop out and they see Crowley as a 10/12.

 

[munstermuffin]

In agreement with 4th choice Frisch yeah.

Like this is my thinking is more on when you play tier 2 to try keep like for like. At 15 ok Jimmy O B playing is grand as he will cover from 23 so get Haley not being there but when Ringrose comes out of 13 at moment it changes alot as we go to heavy strike runners tactic a bit. Now it hasn't failed and again it balance. Like I know people say 6 props will go but would you chance 5 when you can replace an injury fairly fast compared to if RWC was in NZ/Aus

 

[Groundhog]

I'd imagine we'll have 4 centres on the WC squad? Would rather have Frisch over McCloskey given Henshaw and Aki will be there already and Hume has fallen off so much.

Think Hodnett might sneak in as well, Timoney hasn't been as good this year.

All sense to me. Don't expect them to play, but I do think these lads deserve a place in the squad over lads who don't have form or really much Irish game time in the bank.

My mildly hot take is that I'd have Jimmy in the squad over Haley, but if Keenan went down I'd parachute Haley straight in to start. Completely unrealistic at this stage I'd say, but I think Jimmy is very valuable for us as a sub over a starter.

At this stage all 50/50s will go to the guys Farrell knows and that's fine.if it were a year out from a RWC I'd maybe have a different view on some position battles, but I ultimately trust Farrell

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Pitchfork sales

 

[munstermuffin]

Pitchfork sales

No real issues as Farrell has got it right so far. He has laid cards out and I suppose we knew there wasn't going to be much change if you hadn't been in camp already.

It is interesting though that Dave Kilcoyne is argubally Musters 3rd choice LHP and is in ahead Loughman who has excelled and been our best #1 for months. And is more suited to Farrells plan.

 

[munstermuffin]

Also should add - My only 2 gripes.

1. Is Ulster massively over valued here. And Stockdale very lucky to be ahead of Robbie B up there alone never mind Daly.
Nash got in to camp before and that mixed with his form has obviously blown Larmour out of it.

2. He is a good player but has Jamie Osbourne earned his spot. Like big confidence on him coming back to make it.

But looking at it now 9 players will be cut come RWC.
Barring any miracles I'd bet Blade, Stockdale, Frawley, Osborne, Kilcoyne, Treadwell, Stewart, Prendergast, Coombes/McCarthy will be out of final squad

 

[Groundhog]

Jesus completely forgot Prendergast made these squads.... He's not a bad player, but we absolutely have better. Stockdale lucky to be in over Robby B Daly or even Larmour imo.

Killer seriously lucky too with Loughman back fit and firing.

Completely forgot Frawley doesn't have a cap yet. Was sure he'd got a game already for some reason

That squad will get tonnes of scrutiny online, but people need to remember there's no massive point debating or getting upset about who holds bags and watches the WC in the pub with the rest of us .

 

[munstermuffin]

Jesus completely forgot Prendergast made these squads.... He's not a bad player, but we absolutely have better. Stockdale lucky to be in over Robby B Daly or even Larmour imo.

Killer seriously lucky too with Loughman back fit and firing.

Completely forgot Frawley doesn't have a cap yet. Was sure he'd got a game already for some reason

That squad will get tonnes of scrutiny online, but people need to remember there's no massive point debating or getting upset about who holds bags and watches the WC in the pub with the rest of us .

This and people forget our schedule for RWC is actually brilliant.
Romania, Tonga then play South Africa. Then we get 2 week break before Scotland game. And then on to a QF. It as nice a prep as you'd hope.

Only 1 big fear is that the team doesn't go stale as has happened before and we loose form and are pigeon holed in to that tunnel vision approach.
But equally it is hard slate Farrell. Personally I'd have Hodnett, Haley and Kleyn in. First 2 I can't see how they are left out of training squad based on form and approach. Kleyn I get Joe McCarthy there who is a younger guy, who at the moment isn't as good, is on an upward curve.

Hodnett I think should be there also as there is no real true 7 after Josh. My method is looking at it if someone got injury.
For example I think based on the squad I see:
- Porter is very vital as Kilcoyne I don't think is at the level and Healy in winding down.
- Bulky lock. I thinkI'm mixed. James Ryan needs to stay fit but if he goes down we need a firing Henderson or else it will hurt.
- Josh. If we loose Josh we may be able to paper over cracks with POM at 7 but still think against a top top team we need out and out 7.
- 13. As stated think Ringrose is massively vital to our chances
- 15 again Hugo is massively vital as he is only true 15. I know JOB can cover and do well. But 15 is a specialist position that you gain so much from playing regularly and not being in and out.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This and people forget our schedule for RWC is actually brilliant.
Romania, Tonga then play South Africa. Then we get 2 week break before Scotland game. And then on to a qf. It as nice a prep as you'd hope

It's nice of them to consider my liver with that two week break

 

[munstermuffin]

It's nice of them to consider my liver with that two week break

My liver needs a replacement, as does the jacks, and we ain't done yet.

But think the Romania game is where we go hard first lol