Ireland's flyhalf versus Scotland?

[Big Ewis]

We are never going to win a World Cup until we actually start to believe we can and plan on that basis.


We are in a somewhat unique position, while rugby is not our main game (unlike NZ), a large part of our population do play Gaelic football, which goes a long way to developing the handling/kicking skills required for rugby. Hence why we should be able to punch above our weight on the international scene. The population of NZ is ~4.5 million. The population of Ireland is 4.5 + 1.8 ~ 6.3 million. No reason why we shouldn't be looking to develop our talent pool to a level necessary to seriously challenge for the world cup.

I'd love to see it happening (IRE winning the WC), but like you're saying it's not going to happen in this mold, with these current settings. Ireland can upset big nations, test match or 6N or RWC, they've been impressive throughout at given points, but to string a consistently dominant series of games all the way til the Final and then win THAT against the likes of NZ and co....it can't be done with this current setting. They'll have to evolve somehow, and it would take the entire nation taking the sport much more seriously than they already are.

 

[Groundhog]

Madigan is the most talented of all of them, but lets not get excited, O'Gara will start. And as someone who has huge respect for O'Gara and all he's done for Ireland, I have to say it's a horrifying prospect. He hasn't performed on any level for Munster this year, and doesn't deserve to start ahead of Keatley, let alone for Ireland

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

We are never going to win a World Cup until we actually start to believe we can and plan on that basis.

I completely agree. In this country we're happy just to turn up at events. I despise Roy Keane but the one admirable trait he had was refusing to accept being second best. Ireland's goal is to make a World Cup semi final? Screw that. Ireland's goal should be to win the World Cup whether it's realistic or not. There's not much seperating England, France and Ireland. Do you think they'd be happy with a last 4 spot? No more settling for something, blue sky thinking is required. Set higher goals and strive to reach them.

Picking Ronan O'Gara won't help Ireland's goal of winning now or in the future. Ian Madigan would and Paddy Jackson could. I'm not conviced about Ian Keatley just yet.

 

[big ginger 8]

With McCarthy out as well are people happy enough to stick DO'C in or should we give someone else experience?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

With McCarthy out as well are people happy enough to stick DO'C in or should we give someone else experience?

Nah, DO'C is grand, a regular starter for Munster this season and playing decent rugby.

 

[big ginger 8]

Nah, DO'C is grand, a regular starter for Munster this season and playing decent rugby.

I'd agree but Scotland's an ideal chance to test locks.

 

[coonor]

I'd agree but Scotland's an ideal chance to test locks.

Is it really? Considering the lack of options, I don't really see what other lock we could start. Stevenson would be my bench choice but I don't think he's ready to start a game at this level.

 

[big ginger 8]

Is it really? Considering the lack of options, I don't really see what other lock we could start. Stevenson would be my bench choice but I don't think he's ready to start a game at this level.

Only one way to find out if people are ready. You can get away with one below standard lock the Welsh didn't think Combs was anywhere near good enough but he's been solid at international level.

 

[Peat]

D'Arcy is also out gents.

 

[big ginger 8]

D'Arcy is also out gents.

Luck of the Irish is Marshall fit yet?

 

[Peat]

Luck of the Irish is Marshall fit yet?

Tune in to BBC Norn Iron in 3 hours time and find out!

 

[big ginger 8]

Tune in to BBC Norn Iron in 3 hours time and find out!

Great.

If he is my team for Scotland:

1. Court
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Callaghan
5. Ryan
6. O'Brien
7. Henry
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. Madigan
11. Fitzgerald
12. Marshall
13. O'Driscoll
14. Gilroy
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Kilcoyne
18. Fitzpatrick
19. Stevenson
20. O'Mahony
21. Murray
22. Jackson
23. McFadden

 

[Peat]

Times very well with me hyping Marshall as a Lions tourist, gotta say.

If you look at the Ireland training photos from yesterday, Jackson appears in the same colour bib as Murray, O'Driscoll and Gilroy... so does McFadden.

Make of it as you will.

 

[big ginger 8]

Times very well with me hyping Marshall as a Lions tourist, gotta say.

If you look at the Ireland training photos from yesterday, Jackson appears in the same colour bib as Murray, O'Driscoll and Gilroy... so does McFadden.

Make of it as you will.

If that happens I'd be pretty ok with it.

 

[lynam1104]

that would be much nicer

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think that is the best we can hope to see.

10. Jackson - Infinitely better than ROG
11. Earls - To be fair to the useless ****er he was good on the wing
12. McFadden - Kidney will probably have Earls 12 with McFadden 11 though
13. O'Driscoll
14. Gilroy - Hopefully with a bit more space against the Scots he'll find form
15. Kearney

 

[Peat]

12. McFadden - Kidney will probably have Earls 12 with McFadden 11 though

McFadden was wearing 11 right enough...

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I think that is the best we can hope to see.

10. Jackson - Infinitely better than ROG
11. Earls - To be fair to the useless ****er he was good on the wing
12. McFadden - Kidney will probably have Earls 12 with McFadden 11 though
13. O'Driscoll
14. Gilroy - Hopefully with a bit more space against the Scots he'll find form
15. Kearney

Good is a bit far - he made one good break which a forward could have ran, he had miles of space. As soon as he came on, he was fended off. He's ****, and shouldn't be near the 23. Darren Cave is so much better, in attack but especially defence. He needs to be given a chance.

 

[big ginger 8]

Good is a bit far - he made one good break which a forward could have ran, he had miles of space. As soon as he came on, he was fended off. He's ****, and shouldn't be near the 23. Darren Cave is so much better, in attack but especially defence. He needs to be given a chance.

He made two breaks and is a good winger not a good enough one to be in the 23 but a good one none the less **** centre but sill not as bad a player as many would have you believe.

Cave is a better sentence but you shouldn't take your anger on Cave not getting selected out on Earls.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

What would everyone think of Dave McSharry coming in for D'Arcy, then? I really rate him, even if I know Kidney's far too conservative.