Ireland's Backrow

[big ginger 8]

We have three worldclass backrowers but obviously we're lacking a world-class openside. One of the reasons for this I think is our youth system I think we don't bring natural 7's through because coaches think they're too small and wouldn't make it professionally. Anyway I hoping to get peoples views on the matter on one thread instead of being spread over many. The main question of this is if everyone was fit who would you play at 7? (maybe show your entire backrow as if someone new is picked people will want to see who you dropped).

 

[lucky number 7]

I'd have SOB at 8 to be honest. Let him put back on all the weight he lost by going to 7 and get him ****ing **** up again

Heaslip could make a great 7

 

[killer08]

really want to see SOB smashing through players again so guess its worth mixing things up

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree all 3 are Worldclass players but each position is specialized and well simply put worldclass is a waste unless we have balance.

 

[Tadginator]

I think they should stick o'brien at 8 just to try it

 

[Peat]

I believe that right now Chris Henry is Ireland's best 7 but am unsure as to whether he's international standard in that position.

O'Mahony should be playing 7 for Munster week in week out in the hope of creating one but I'm not sure he's there yet. I think Heaslip is a fantastic 8 partially because he'd make half-decent 7 as well, but I'm not sure he'd be more than half-decent there if he concentrated on it.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

This whole thing about Dominic Ryan being a natural 7 is just a myth. He's a 6.

 

[RedCard]

Ireland desperately need to find an out and out openside with pace. One of the current 3 will have to be an impact bencher.

 

[Holycow]

Is the sole reason To have an out and out 7 to win turn overs? To get into rucks early and poach ball.

I dont think we lost yesterday because we don't have an out and out seven.

Too many handling errors,can't retain the ball for long periods and put opposition under pressure.

How is a seven going to help there?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Is the sole reason To have an out and out 7 to win turn overs? To get into rucks early and poach ball.

I dont think we lost yesterday because we don't have an out and out seven.

Too many handling errors,can't retain the ball for long periods and put opposition under pressure.

How is a seven going to help there?

Right there.

 

[big ginger 8]

A friend of mine who's not exactly a rugby guy's brilliant suggestion was Move SO'B to 12 in his words allowing us to have a 7 and fixing our lack of a big center. Genius.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Is the sole reason To have an out and out 7 to win turn overs? To get into rucks early and poach ball.

I dont think we lost yesterday because we don't have an out and out seven.

Too many handling errors,can't retain the ball for long periods and put opposition under pressure.

How is a seven going to help there?

yeap. In an ideal world Ireland would have a 7 who is standing out but right now I wouldn't seek to change things too quickly. The current three are worldclass and if the workload can be balanced between them and share roles I think it could yet work. I think Ferris SOB and Heaslip is the way forward, just with more flexible approaches to the 7 and 8 positions.

I don't think this was THE reason why Ireland lost.

 

[big ginger 8]

yeap. In an ideal world Ireland would have a 7 who is standing out but right now I wouldn't seek to change things too quickly. The current three are worldclass and if the workload can be balanced between them and share roles I think it could yet work. I think Ferris SOB and Heaslip is the way forward, just with more flexible approaches to the 7 and 8 positions.

I don't think this was THE reason why Ireland lost.

Don't think it's the reason we lost yesterday but it is hindering us somewhat.

 

[Peat]

Don't think it's the reason we lost yesterday but it is hindering us somewhat.

Yes, but it doesn't need to hinder you so much. Still, with Fez cited they can try O'Mahony and Henry - if it doesn't work, I'd tell Ferris on his return to forget carrying and simply smash into attacking ruck he can see.

Right now Ireland are trying to use Ferris and Heaslip as dedicated carriers with SOB both clearing and carrying. Doesn't work. One man needs to charge in, the other two need to be more involved - and my obsession with bigger backs would be useful here too

 

[Feicarsinn]

Yes, but it doesn't need to hinder you so much. Still, with Fez cited they can try O'Mahony and Henry - if it doesn't work, I'd tell Ferris on his return to forget carrying and simply smash into attacking ruck he can see.

Right now Ireland are trying to use Ferris and Heaslip as dedicated carriers with SOB both clearing and carrying. Doesn't work. One man needs to charge in, the other two need to be more involved - and my obsession with bigger backs would be useful here too

The funny thing is that Heaslip is actually pretty handy round the break down as far as 8's go. I'd agree that both he and Ferris do need to get themselves more involved, especially considering that O'Brien is by no means a specialised 7.

 

[Olliekooga]

What happened to Neil Best he was an absolute Psycho (if your reading this Neil I dont mean it)

 

[Peat]

The funny thing is that Heaslip is actually pretty handy round the break down as far as 8's go. I'd agree that both he and Ferris do need to get themselves more involved, especially considering that O'Brien is by no means a specialised 7.

No argument there. In fact I'd say O'Brien is the worst of the three. I honestly can't see Ireland having too much trouble dominating their own ball if those three are being told 'Get me the ball free of that ruck'. Particularly if O'Callaghan is dropped for a quicker lock to join the party. Defence is slightly different, but there we go.

 

[Feicarsinn]

What happened to Neil Best he was an absolute Psycho (if your reading this Neil I dont mean it)

Went to Northampton with Roger Wilson, didn't get his game, ended up at Worchester. Not in the same league as the 3 guys we have at the moment.

No argument there. In fact I'd say O'Brien is the worst of the three. I honestly can't see Ireland having too much trouble dominating their own ball if those three are being told 'Get me the ball free of that ruck'. Particularly if O'Callaghan is dropped for a quicker lock to join the party. Defence is slightly different, but there we go.

Yup, and if Donnacha Ryan were to come into the side we'd effectively have 4 backrows on the pitch, or at least 4 players who have played there an awful lot.

 

[Peat]

Best not getting his game at Northampton had a lot to do with getting into his car drunk and driving over to a teammate's house to give him a beating. Or so I have been led to believe. And various other acts of penisry. He's currently injured at Wuss, but I believe he's not reformed his act there.

In the unlikely circumstances of him returning to fitness and outstanding form in the next three hours, I believe the drunken rant he left on Kidney's voicemail in 2010 might mean he's still out the Ireland team anyway.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Best not getting his game at Northampton had a lot to do with getting into his car drunk and driving over to a teammate's house to give him a beating. Or so I have been led to believe. And various other acts of penisry.

!!!
I've never heard that before!