Ireland's Guinness Series Squad

[Peat]

Yeah well, I don't know how much of what Peat says is true mind.

In any case, going on recent form I'd probably pick something like: Morris, Bowe, O'Driscoll, McSharry, Zebo, Sexton, Marshall, Healy, Best, Ross, Henderson, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Mahony, Heaslip

Few marginal calls in there. I've been impressed with Zebo this season. While there are some very big faults in his game he's got pace to burn and a real eye for the line. He needs work, but he's got bags of potential. On a similar note I wouldn't have a problem with throwing Henderson in. He looks a real player. People will argue that it's too soon, but we capped Rhys Ruddock at a similar age (admittedly he hasn't been fantastic as of late but I don't think it did him any real harm. Marshall is the form scrum half, simple as. McSharry probably deserves a go considering how few 12's we have going. D'arcy had a bloody good game the other week mind.

I but repeat what is said in a lot of other places online.

 

[coonor]

So this weekend we will all be focusing on the fullback and prop position to see who deserves the final places.

At fullback we have no real international class players available. With Kearney injured our class of player suddenly drops massively. I personally like Felix Jones and I thought prior to his injury before the WC he was the best fullback in Ireland. He will have a lot to prove this weekend but if he can show that's he's fully fit and raring to go then he would be my first choice. Madigan has shown he can do a job at 15 and is deserving of a place in the original squad anyway. I would have no problem with him being chosen but essentially I think that he is a 10 and his lack of experience at 15 worries me. Having said that Schmitd clearing wants him in the team even if that is at 15. Atleast if he is selected then he could still be used at 10. Niall Morris appears to be following in Geordan Murphy's foot steps and from what ive heard he is playing well but then so is Robbie Henshaw. He's still only 19 but from what I've seen he has a big future. Is it worth taking a punt on him ala Welsh style or is he not ready. Of course we have Hurley, who has been in good form lately, but in my opinion is not international class and inconsistent. Gilroy could also do a job at fullback and is certain,y deserving of a place.

Prop is position with even weaker depth. Fitzpatrick is the only prop that is a viable option (if fit). Loughney can't scrummage and that's been proven. Hagan is not even trusted at Leinster and considering Schmitd is a believer in prop rotation, it doesn't look good for him. In fact at this stage I think for him to develop any further he will have to leave the province. I don't know why he isn't rated but he certainly isn't international class. Adam Macklin has shown some promise but is very inexperienced. Basically if Fitzpatrick isn't fit, the. We're screwed.

 

[Peat]

In case no one's noticed, Deccie Fitz starts for Ulster this Friday - with Tommy Bowe at 15...

 

[Feicarsinn]

Bowe to 15 is an interesting call. I'm sure he'd do okay there. I'd imagine we'd be seeing two of Earls, Zebo or Trimble on the wing should he get the nob there. Outside should could be Dave Kearney who I believe will be back playing this week, although we could really do with holding onto him at Leinster during the break with Isa out.

Yep, Fitzpatrick, Archer and Loughney will all start on the weekend. Would expect to see Hagan too if it's orders from on high. No real problem with that in my books.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Bowe to 15 is an interesting call. I'm sure he'd do okay there. I'd imagine we'd be seeing two of Earls, Zebo or Trimble on the wing should he get the nob there. Outside should could be Dave Kearney who I believe will be back playing this week, although we could really do with holding onto him at Leinster during the break with Isa out.

Yep, Fitzpatrick, Archer and Loughney will all start on the weekend. Would expect to see Hagan too if it's orders from on high. No real problem with that in my books.

Lulz.

 

[Draggs]

Bowe to 15 is an interesting call. I'm sure he'd do okay there. I'd imagine we'd be seeing two of Earls, Zebo or Trimble on the wing should he get the nob there. Outside should could be Dave Kearney who I believe will be back playing this week, although we could really do with holding onto him at Leinster during the break with Isa out.

Yep, Fitzpatrick, Archer and Loughney will all start on the weekend. Would expect to see Hagan too if it's orders from on high. No real problem with that in my books.

I thought you wanted O'Gara dropped?

 

[Feicarsinn]

I thought you wanted O'Gara dropped?

Off a very tall building if at all possible.

 

[Draggs]

Off a very tall building if at all possible.

Sure. How about we go back to 2000 and do this?

 

[Big Ewis]

Sure. How about we go back to 2000 and do this?

hehehe...I mean EY !!! They got us in Paris that year !!!

 

[mulldog]

Good performance from JJ Hanrahan tonight, looks a good player and really excelled for the u20's during the World Cup.

Have also been reading that Michael Bent could be fast tracked into Ireland squad - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1026/1224325731750.html Any thoughts?

 

[mulldog]

I know I'm only joking. If you're referring to Kilcoyne I'd say it's cause most people are happy enough to have him. He's been playing well and needs to be tested. Also as has been said before we have a real lack of props.

Kilcoyne worth a test i'd say (maybe against the arggies if South Africa goes well and should play against Fiji), did well against Luc Ducalcon who is international standard at the end of the day!

Liam Toland also brought up an interesting point in his article this week about Denis Buckley in the Harlequins game last weekend. The 100kg Buckley went toe to toe against James Johnson, all 138kg of him! On top of that Johnson had Olly Kohn behind him who provides a extra 18kg in scrum support/grunt compared that of Michael Swift. Surely with such a disadvantage against him and not to get completely destroyed shows that the 22 year old may have the potential to play or at least scrummage at test rugby.

 

[coonor]

So another tighthead and fullback are to be selected this week. Following this weekend and the season so far, I would go with Fitzpatrick and Madigan.

Fitzpatrick looked good in the scrum on Friday and really developed into the game... I see no other option to be honest.

Madigan has been more than solid in the 15 jersey and I would have him mainly due to the fact that he can play 10 aswell. The tests have come to early for Jones in my opinion and I think it would be better for him to establish himself at Munster and get abit more match times particularly against so tougher opposition.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

https://twitter.com/MichaelC_RTE/status/262649834601869313

paul marshall, craig gilroy, paddy jackson, declan fitzpatrick, sean cronin, tiernan o'halloran, Michael bent added to Irl squad <s>#</s>rterugby

Paul Marshall: Deserved to be there in the first place.
Craig Gilroy: Lucky to be called up.
Paddy Jackson: Clearly highly rated. I've not been a huge fan thus far but he's started the season well.
Declan Fitzpatrick: We're short on tightheads and he did okay in the summer.
Sean Cronin: The big loser from Risteard Strauss qualifying to play for Ireland.
Tiernan O'Halloran: Showing good form and has real talent.
Michael Bent: Nothing against him but I'm slightly disgusted he's there. He needs to show his form for Leinster first.

 

[Peat]

Craig Gilroy: Lucky to be called up.

And was unlucky not to go to New Zealand this summer, and has been unlucky to be benching behind Trimble and Bowe this. Evens out sometimes - not that he's going to play. If you're looking for a guy to cover a wing injury, who would you have picked instead?

p.s. Ginger Messiah - told ya

 

[coonor]

Paul Marshall: Deserved to be there in the first place.
Craig Gilroy: Lucky to be called up.
Paddy Jackson: Clearly highly rated. I've not been a huge fan thus far but he's started the season well.
Declan Fitzpatrick: We're short on tightheads and he did okay in the summer.
Sean Cronin: The big loser from Risteard Strauss qualifying to play for Ireland.
Tiernan O'Halloran: Showing good form and has real talent.
Michael Bent: Nothing against him but I'm slightly disgusted he's there. He needs to show his form for Leinster first.

Disagree with you on Gilroy, he has shown consistent talent over 2 years and is unlucky not to be capped yet. It's about what players will bring to the squad and how that can develop them as individuals and the whole team. Gilroy has alot of class and can cover fullback. To be honest I think Jackson has been the best 10 in Ireland thus far this season, so he deserves a call up. Don't really know why Cronin wasn't selected in the first place... Leinster may face a few problems at hooker now. O'Halloran is playing well and its good to see form rewarded.

Bent is a strange issue... If Kidney has been watching him closely down south and has a real knowledge of how capable he is, then I can't blame him for selecting Bent.

 

[irelandfan123]

do you think this is a sick plan from kidney to destroy Ulsters winning streak taking all of our players?
Tom Court
Rory Best
Declan Fitzpatrick
Dan Tuohy
Iain Henderson
Stephen Ferris
Chris Henry
Paul Marshall
Paddy Jackson
Tommy Bowe
Luke Marshall
Darren Cave
Andrew Trimble
Craig Gilroy

That is a full ulster squad and with Ruan out with saffers that leaves ulster with almost no back line and a bit of a lack luster pack

 

[jcahill1]

O'Driscoll and Best are out.

 

[Conal]

i know it sounds bad but drico being out good be good ,lets us try options at 13

 

[big ginger 8]

i know it sounds bad but drico being out good be good ,lets us try options at 13

That's what we had the last six nations for that. We really need the ranking points now. Cave should go 13 but Kidney will probably go Earls to 13 Zebo replacing Earls.

Best's also a big loss presume Cronin in for him.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Considering that Cronin was only called up when it became apparent that Best might not play I'd imagine he'll opt for Strauss. Strauss is playing better too eh?