Irish Wolfhounds vs England Saxons 30/1/15 Independent Park ko 19:45

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think we could see more interesting rugby in this game than the opener vs Wales. A lot of England talent there who will want to show they have what it takes for the senior squad. I just hope they have been coached well because last year was shocking.

 

[big ginger 8]

15. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster) (capt)
14. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
9. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
2. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
5. Mike McCarthy (Leinster)
6. Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
17. Michael Bent (Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Galwegians/Connacht) *
19. Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)
20. Eoin McKeon (Corinthians/Connacht) *
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster)
23. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)

- - - Updated - - -

Fitzgerald starting on the wing is very very very interesting. Otherwise all understandable (although I'm sure D'arcy and to a lesser extent Ross' place will be questioned). Pretty strong team overall. Should be a cracker.

Our scrum should be very good but lineout will be a worry.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

As always, this will be immensely frustrating I expext.

Excellent side on paper...Ireland by 30!

 

[Peat]

Worried that the defensive line could be a little porous, but other than that, not bad.

edit: Jesus hotdog that's strong. Not many lineout targets for Strauss, but other than that, bloody hell...

 

[goodNumber10]

yeah, we have to question wether these are truly development/A sides now - i know they aren't players in the full squad but how many caps in that irsih side? Anyone not capped?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

In a world cup year I don't mind sides putting out internationals in A games - everyone needs game time.

How's Earls defence these days? Few early testers from Waldrom and Burgess (genuinely not sure who carries harder )

 

[munstermuffin]

This is very interesting selection. As BG8 said Fitz at 11 and Earls at 13. Would've thought they'd have swapped. Also to see Madigan starts and Keatley not in squad. Also in pack there few interesting calls.

 

[goodNumber10]

In a world cup year I don't mind sides putting out internationals in A games - everyone needs game time.

yeah but, Caps:

15. Felix Jones - 9
14. Fergus McFadden - 27
13. Keith Earls - 39
12. Gordon D'Arcy - 81
11. Luke Fitzgerald - 27
10. Ian Madigan - 13
9. Kieran Marmion - 3
1. Jack McGrath - 12
2. Richardt Strauss - 6
3. Mike Ross - 44
4. Iain Henderson - 12
5. Mike McCarthy - 17
6. Dominic Ryan - 1
7. Sean O'Brien - 30
8. Jack Conan - 0

321 caps

 

[munstermuffin]

In a world cup year I don't mind sides putting out internationals in A games - everyone needs game time.

How's Earls defence these days? Few early testers from Waldrom and Burgess (genuinely not sure who carries harder )

He's actually gone exceptionally solid defensively. His technique has changed and he has benefitted from working with St. Helens Rugby League for a week in November.

 

[Peat]

yeah, we have to question wether these are truly development/A sides now - i know they aren't players in the full squad but how many caps in that irsih side? Anyone not capped?

Conan, White and McKeon.

I have no problem with A sides containing a number of full internationals or players who are returning and need game time; on the contrary, it makes for a better test for us.

And, finally, I get to see my wish of seeing SOB and Henderson the same pitch...

 

[big ginger 8]

yeah, we have to question wether these are truly development/A sides now - i know they aren't players in the full squad but how many caps in that irsih side? Anyone not capped?

Our depth is better than ever and with a number of players lacking game time due to injury and suspension our team was always going to be a very strong one.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

yeah but, Caps:

15. Felix Jones - 9
14. Fergus McFadden - 27
13. Keith Earls - 39
12. Gordon D'Arcy - 81
11. Luke Fitzgerald - 27
10. Ian Madigan - 13
9. Kieran Marmion - 3
1. Jack McGrath - 12
2. Richardt Strauss - 6
3. Mike Ross - 44
4. Iain Henderson - 12
5. Mike McCarthy - 17
6. Dominic Ryan - 1
7. Sean O'Brien - 30
8. Jack Conan - 0

321 caps

More caps than Burgess has minutes playing Union?

 

[munstermuffin]

Our depth is better than ever and with a number of players lacking game time due to injury and suspension our team was always going to be a very strong one.

Agreed.
Few points though.
Shows how high Felix is being considered when you see him being made captain and way he was used in Autumn.
No James Cronin - Does that mean he will play wth McGrath or ahead of McGrath with Healy?
No TOD/Jordi - Ok I not biggest fan of Jordi BUT surely 1 of them would be involved here if not in the Italian game which raises fears over Heaslip now in my mind.
No Keatley - Is it meaning he starts vs Italy or Madigan needs gametime at 10.
Earls/Luke Fitz - Earls has played brilliant since being back. Luke Fitz has too. Is it possible Henshaw is Irelands 12 now and Payne just wasn't good 13 so now these 2 are batling for that 13 shirt.
No Jared Payne - Surely he needs gametime.

 

[goodNumber10]

Our depth is better than ever and with a number of players lacking game time due to injury and suspension our team was always going to be a very strong one.

no issue with that at all, just saying can these games really be palmed off as development squads...

 

[Feicarsinn]

Only 11 Leinster starters? Schmidt out.

 

[munstermuffin]

Only 11 Leinster starters? Schmidt out.

Ha but if you include Felix ye make the quota Every other province will have 1 token man then

But in fairness hard to argue with anything just very interesting questions on thinking. As BG8 said our depth is as good as ever and genuine competition for every spot.

 

[msf]

Jesus, Wade can't even get a start for the Saxons - this despite him having easily the best stats of any winger in the league, which shows how Lancaster just uses stats to back up his own prejudices about players. His presence anywhere other than the first team is a joke really, surely hes proven his ability at every level save full international? So what would the next step be, Stuart? I think the fact that this still hasn't been taken is proof that Lancaster's team development talk is just that, talk.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

89 England caps
316 Ireland Caps

definitely inflated by Gordon D'arcy's 80 caps but still.

 

[Groundhog]

Yum Yum Yum. I'm visibly excited by the fact SO'B is in there. Just ask the lady sitting across from me in the library. Very tasty English team too. Pennell is a ledge. Not sure why I like him, but he's a ledge ledge.

 

[goodNumber10]

89 England caps
316 Ireland Caps

definitely inflated by Gordon D'arcy's 80 caps but still.

321 caps (not including Lions caps) - same could be said about England and Ashton though re: inflated.