Ireland v Samoa

[TRF_Olyy]

Ireland squad:

Ireland: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt),
12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Denis Leamy, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: To be confirmed...








Can't believe that Trimble got the nod over Earls?! Would've put Earls at FB and left Fitzgerald at 11
Also, shame that Carr wasn't involved in the squad, as I'd rathe him over Trimble as well

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

3 John Hayes

Thank God. I was beginning to fear this 37 year old poor scrummager who's a replacement for his province would never get the call again ahead of Jamie Hagan and Mike Ross who are significantly younger and proficient scrummagers in their provinces first teams.

Good to see Fitzgerald tried at 15, Wallace given a shot at 12, Cronin have a chance to claim the hooker spot and Leamy and O'Brien given an opportunity in the backrow. I'm not sure his inclusion is deserved but congrats to Toner on his first cap.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop I agree. Toner doesn't deserve cap. Hayes has barely played recently so I wonder. Earls is again left out and Leamy and O'Brien are deserving but why couldn't we rest BOD and at least try get a player like Earls or Bowe and let then play there in case BOD suffers an injury. Overall I'm more sad than happy with team

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I don't share your opinion that Toner will never be international class but am surprised he's been given a cap before establishing himself with Leinster. He has a lot of games for his province and started both Heineken Cup games this season but is he a better option than Leo Cullen, Donncha O'Callaghan and the much maligned Mick O'Driscoll? Not yet in my book. I do think he's a better option than Donnacha Ryan but feel he's lucky to get a start rather than a bench spot.

 

[durbutter]

I dont mind playing Hayes in this game in itself. Its just that this is a signal that he doesn't rate Ross and may even be 4th choice TH behind Mushy, Hayes and Court. I honestly don't see why Hayes should get his game with Ireland or Munster in future and so i cannot fathom his inclusion.

Maybe the fact that he's purportedly one of the highest payed players in Ireland............

 

[munstermuffin]

Well snoop I can accept Toner may break in but at moment he needs bit more agression. Ryan is more a 6.
Hayes as I said only stayed on until World Cup because Deccie promised him a spot but what happens if Borlaise pushes him down the ladder further at Munster although Borlaise realistically signed with next season in mind.

I just would love to know why Earls Ross and to a lesser extent Cullen aren't in. We say Cullen needs games well this would be perfect preperation for NZ game

 

[durbutter]

Well snoop I can accept Toner may break in but at moment he needs bit more agression. Ryan is more a 6.
Hayes as I said only stayed on until World Cup because Deccie promised him a spot but what happens if Borlaise pushes him down the ladder further at Munster although Borlaise realistically signed with next season in mind.

I just would love to know why Earls Ross and to a lesser extent Cullen aren't in. We say Cullen needs games well this would be perfect preperation for NZ game

Well in fairness, Earls and Cullen are coming back from injuries..... no excuse for Ross

 

[munstermuffin]

Earls is fit and Cullen is back long enough. Johne Murphy deserved a chance in this game too. I just annoyed at poor calls.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Looking at the team from 1-15:

Many people were calling for Tom Court to start against South Africa so him coming in for this game is no surprise. Picking him is a good call.

Sean Cronin is the form hooker in Ireland, followed by Damien Varley. Another good call from the coach.

John Hayes is a baffling decision. Mike Ross must have shat on the coach's cornflakes or something because he's clearly a better option and probably Ireland's best tighthead. Essentially this selection shows that Declan Kidney rates him 4th in the pecking order behind Tony Buckley, Hayes and Court. Poor call.

Donnacha O'Callaghan was poor against SA but Ireland have no choice but to pick him.

Devin Toner has talent but is a bit fortunate to get picked. That said, we want to see young players get a chance so it's hard to criticise the selection.

Stephen Ferris is always broken so resting him in favour of the in form Denis Leamy makes sense. Good call.

Sean O'Brien gets picked a week after he deserved to be. A belated good decision.

Jamie Heaslip is clearly Ireland's best 8 but we need to know what other options are available. Perhaps this was a good chance to pick John Muldoon.

Peter Stringer is the best scrum half we have unfortunately.

Ronan O'Gara played better than Jonny Sexton against SA and deserves to start.

Andrew Trimble is fortunate to be picked ahead of munstermuffin's love child Johne Murphy.

Paddy Wallace is Ireland's best 12.

Brian O'Driscoll could do with a rest but it makes sense to give him game time alongside Wallace.

Tommy Bowe is undroppable when fit.

Luke Fitzgerald being picked ahead of Geordan Murphy and Gavin Duffy is a big call. It remains to be seen if it's the right decision but good on the coach for having the balls to make the pick.

All in all, I've no major qualms with the team apart from the ridiculous selection at tighthead prop.

 

[Conal]

i think duffy has a back compliant

 

[Faatau82]

Come on Samoa

 

[coonor]

My changes would be:

Ross>Hayes: Last week showed that winning is almost imposible with out a stable scrum so why pick Hayes who has been probably the worst scrummager in Ireland for over a year.

Earls>BOD: I think we could do with playing someone apart form BOD at 13 incase he gets injured. Earls has been playing well for Munster at 13 so I think he should get the nod there.

I would have left Heaslip out put Leamy at 8 and have either Ronan, Jennings (I know ther not in the squad) or Muldoon at flanker.

I think Toner deffinatly has international capablity but Casey and Cullen are better options but I would have dropped DOC to the bench and replaced him with Cullen or Casey.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think Toner deffinatly has international capablity but Casey and Cullen are better options but I would have dropped DOC to the bench and replaced him with Cullen or Casey.

I disagree about Bob Casey. He has a column in the Irish Times in which he says London Irish no longer feel he's capable of playing more than 60 minutes per game. The Premiership is a poor league and if Casey can't last a full game in it, there's no chance that he's up to test rugby.

I agree that Leo Cullen deserves a chance. He's a tough ******* which is what Ireland need in the tight 5.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The Premiership is a poor league

I agree with what you say about Cullen being in there though

 

[SavageLez]

Ireland should snaffle the underperfoming and underachieving Samoans.

 

[Sam Owen]

Ireland squad:

Ireland: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt),
12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Denis Leamy, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: To be confirmed...

Oh man look at this team...ohh I dont know what to say.

Well definately play our best.

CMON SAMOA!!!

Ireland should snaffle the underperfoming and underachieving Samoans.

What country do you support Savage?

 

[munstermuffin]

Still peeved at this team but well if Samoa can't beat Connacht.

 

[lynam1104]

We need to win this.

 

[munstermuffin]

If we loose this the whole lot should be retired. No disrespect to Samoa but.
-we at home
-we together more than they are
-we the stronger nation
-they can't even beat Connacht

 

[lynam1104]

I want to see Stringer and Sexton to play together for at lest 15 minutes in the game, we need to see what he can do off stringers pass. We also need to sort the bloody line out out I think Leo should have started instead of DOC, maybe he chose to keep DOC because he wants to play Toner and DOC aginst the AB's. I don't think we will see BOD at 12 I think it would be a good move but it won't happen. If we lose the entire team/management should be fired.