Italy v Ireland

[TRF_Olyy]

It's now looking as though I'm going to miss the Italy game

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/9380326.stm

 

[Feicarsinn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/irish/9380326.stm

Oh,





well that isn't very good at all, is it?



Now, let's assess options:

6) O'Brien
7) Jennings
8) Wallace

6) Leamy
7) Wallace
8) O'Brien

6) Wallace
7) Jennings
8) O'Brien

etc...

The last one is my favourite. Admittedly, it's a bit light, but O'Brien has the bulk to make up for the other two. Image the amount of quick ball we'd get..

 

[coonor]

Excuses at the ready boys

 

[lucky number 7]

In fairness lads Italy are a tough team , but a backrow of SOB and wallace with jennings thrown in there is still bloody formidable.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It's **** that Ferris and Heaslip are injured but O'Brien, Leamy, Wallace and Jennings are still a strong bunch of backrowers. If one of those falls too, I'd be tempted to bring Dominic Ryan into the squad. After that, Roger Wilson deserves a go. They're better than the other still standing options, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry and Niall Ronan.

 

[coonor]

lets get the combinations of Sexton, D'Arcy and O'driscoll working to put our back three in space. Still a strong backrow and one that might have different benefits.
I would have 6.Wallace 7. Jennings 8. O'Brien. I still think thats a stronger backrow than the Italians.

 

[danit]

I would have 6.Wallace 7. Jennings 8. O'Brien. I still think thats a stronger backrow than the Italians.

the backrow is the only unit where Italy is (slightly) better than Ireland, 6 Zanni 7. Derbyshire / Barbieri 8. Parisse, it's the only unit fully at international level, not even the frontrow is at a decent level actually (only Castro is), locks are playing shite, let alone the backs... (only Mi. Bergamasco and, recently, Canale, are having a decent season)

will be an easy win for the Irish

 

[coonor]

That is a good Italian Backrow. They probably do have the slight upper Edge in that area now (depending how the game goes) although if we had Heaslip and Ferris fit our backrow would be able to take any backrow in Europe. I think Sextons creativity simply cut through the Italians backs but they have a strong pack and a few individuals but maybe lack players in key possitions, fly half is probably a bit of a worry for Italy.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is Zanni the guy who filled in for Parisse last year?
If so: He was quality.

 

[Peat]

It's **** that Ferris and Heaslip are injured but O'Brien, Leamy, Wallace and Jennings are still a strong bunch of backrowers. If one of those falls too, I'd be tempted to bring Dominic Ryan into the squad. After that, Roger Wilson deserves a go. They're better than the other still standing options, Willie Faloon, Chris Henry and Niall Ronan.

I am neither agreeing nor disagreeing with you at the moment but merely pointing out it seems very unlikely you'll get your wish with Kidney's usual preferencs...

 

[Jockstap]

As long as O'Brien is there we'll be fine, he's being destroying backrows pretty much by himself all season. Anybody read Kidney's comment in the Irish Times that if we had an Irish Under 30's match vs an Irish Over 30's match it would be a great game. If I was to put the teams together

Under 30 Irish team

15 Fitzgerald 23
14 Bowe 26
13 O'Malley 22
12 McFadden 24
11 Earls 23
10 Sexton 25
9 O'Leary 27
8 Heaslip 27
7 O'Brien 23
6 Ferris 26
5 Toner 24
4 Nagle 22
3 Hagan 23
2 Cronin 23
1 Healy 23

Over 30's Irish Team

15 Murphy 32
14 Horgan 32
13 O'Driscoll 32
12 D'Arcy 30
11 Hmm, We'll get Denis Hickie out of retirement 34
10 O'Gara 33
9 Stringer 33
8 Wallace 34
7 Jennings 29(close enough plus there's no one else really)
6 Quinlann 36
5 O'Connell 31
4 O'Callaghan 31
3 Ross 31
2 Flannery 32
1 Horan 33

It would be an awesome match. The Over 30's would have it in the Tight 5 but that's just because the younger guys are still relatively lightweight.

 

[lynam1104]

I would have to go wit the U30's based on those line ups.

 

[Feicarsinn]

4 Nagle 22

Steady on. I think we may be going a wee bit overboard on young Ian Nagle at the moment. He's a good player yes, but he certainly isn't better than Dan Tuohy at the moment.

 

[coonor]

Ireland team to face Italy to be named on Tuesday. Kevin McLaughlin, Gavin Duffy and Tomas O'Leary have all been promoted to the senior squad however Buckley has not.

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/20...m-to-play-italy-will-be-announced-on-tuesday/

 

[durbutter]

Thomas O'Leary

Who is he?

 

[coonor]

I have changed Thomas to Tomas just for you.

 

[Feicarsinn]

WTF? Stringer dropped in favour of O'Leary? Wow, didn't see that coming.

Good to see Kev McLaughlin back in there. He's a quality player and was in or around the Irish panel before his injury and with our current backrow crisis it's good to have a man of his talent back.

I suppose Duffy had to come in all things considered. O'Leary however, did not.

 

[coonor]

TOL is playing crap however I do think he can get to much stick. I would have picked Stringer but O'Leary was quite good in last years 6 nations.

 

[DorceOutSide]

(Bullit) if england can win a world cup with ******* dads army we can beat the itallians with a mix of young and experinced players

 

[Feicarsinn]

(Bullit) if england can win a world cup with ******* dads army we can beat the itallians with a mix of young and experinced players

Eh? Has Bullitt even commented on this thread?