Italy v Ireland

[TRF_Olyy]

Eh? Has Bullitt even commented on this thread?

Also, the 2003 team are old...now.
8 years ago they were 8 years younger, surprisingly

 

[Feicarsinn]

Also, the 2003 team are old...now.
8 years ago they were 8 years younger, surprisingly

That's vicious slander right there.

 

[coonor]

The Squad announcement is tomorrow and my Irish team would be:

1: C Healy
2: S Cronin
3: Mike Ross
4: D O'Callaghan
5: P O'Connell
6: D Leamy
7: D Wallace
8: S O'Brien
9: E Reddan
10: J Sexton
11: K Earls
12: G D'arcy
13: B O'Driscoll (c)
14: F McFadden
15: L Fitzgerald

16: T Court
17: R Best
18: L Cullen
19: S Jennings
20: T O'Leary
21: R O'Gara
22: G Duffy

I think Leamy has the experience needed with the injuries in the backrow and he has bulk which may be needed against Italy. I have picked DOC over Cullen because I want to see him and POC have more game time together however I don't mind if Cullen or DOC played. Duffy is in for cover at fullback but P Wallace may be the better option however I think Duffy deserves a cap for consistency.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Haven't DOC and POC played together for Munster and Ireland for many a year? Can't see any need to see them together more
Cullen should be the first name on the team list (in the 4. or 5. spot anyway )

 

[Feicarsinn]

Surely DOC shouldn't be picked on the basis of how awful he is.

 

[Conal]

i would love to see o'connell and cullen or o'connell and toner

 

[DorceOutSide]

maybe so but poc and doc have both play really well together. so poc mightnt be able to play well with cullen we would'nt have this problem if paul and leo had played together in the autumn we could have seen if it would be a mistake or not !

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pity Tuohy isn't in there, I'd have Cullen/Tuohy with Toner on the bench

 

[coonor]

It was a quick decision on the DOC choice I just thought that their partnership is usually solid and I want that back again but your probably right in saying Cullen deserves it more.

 

[durbutter]

Pity Tuohy isn't in there, I'd have Cullen/Tuohy with Toner on the bench

No POC? You're on drugs.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Cullen is much better these days, and O'Connell will only be injured or banned for the WC so you need to bring in some new talented locks
I feel I'm going to get lynched for this post :lol:

 

[durbutter]

Cullen is much better these days, and O'Connell will only be injured or banned for the WC so you need to bring in some new talented locks
I feel I'm going to get lynched for this post :lol:

Drugs. POC was great against LI, destroyed their excellent line-out carried well too. And to be fair, he has a decent disciplinary record.

 

[munstermuffin]

How can people big Tuohy up when he isn't playing out of his skin and let's not forget couldn't make Ulster team at start of season. Toner has to make Leinster team before he nails down Irish spot.
Realistic fact is POC DOC and Cullen are the only 3 options we have at lock.

 

[Peat]

How can people big Tuohy up when he isn't playing out of his skin and let's not forget couldn't make Ulster team at start of season. Toner has to make Leinster team before he nails down Irish spot.
Realistic fact is POC DOC and Cullen are the only 3 options we have at lock.

Facts are off there. Tuohy had a stand down period as he'd been on tour (and played well) then had injury complications as well. By that point, Tim Barker was playing out of his skin and Muller was undroppable so it was difficult to force his way back in. He's done it and he's been very impressive for Ulster. Maybe not playing out of his skin, but definitley impressive.

Chewwie still has parts of his game to work on and I've seen it suggested he could work harder but he's in form and very talented.

He also offers things that no other Irish lock does. None of them are as fast as he is (genuinely think he could outpace Ferris) and none of them carry as explosively. I'm willing to hear names suggested if people disagree with that cos I can't think of any.

That said, suggestions he should be ahead of POC are either fishing or the produce of drugs, they really are.

Oh, and Paddy Wallace should be playing 12, 21 or not at all. And right now that means not at all, pains me as it does to say it.

 

[Logorrhea]

Well the team will be announced in the next few hours. I reckin it'll be something like this, though I am praying it wont be;

1: Healy
2: Best
3: Ross
4: DOC
5: POC
6: Leamy
7: Wallace
8: O'Brien
9: TOL
10: J Sexton
11: K Earls
12: G D'arcy
13: B O'Driscoll (c)
14: Fitzgerald
15: Duffy

DOC, Leamy and O'Leary shouldnt be anywhere near the match day squad but they are pretty much undroppable in the coaches eyes so thats all that matters.

DOC has simply been dreadful of late, absolutely dreadful. I'd play anyone instead of him.
Leamy hasnt had one stand out performance in the last two -three months. When given the chance to perform hes seemed more interested in starting fights and whinging to the ref. Leader me arse. I'd bring in Dom Ryan or Jennings ahead of him (though Heaslips return solves the problem).
TOL simply cant pass the ball. How he is in the squad instead of Stringer or Boss is a reflection of the coaches loyalty to certain players, regardless of form or ability.

 

[lynam1104]

Is string not in squad, thats cow **** if so.

EDIT: what time is the team being named at?

Further Edit: just looked at pics from yesterday training session looked the Rory Best will be in front row with Ross and Healy. Other then that it seems like what most are is saying is spot on.

 

[Logorrhea]

Usually hits the boards about 12:00 or so with the actual announcement at 1:00 ish.

As for Stringer, I miss heard this morning that he had been dropped out of the squad. He should still be there in contention but Kidney will go for O'Leary though.

The alternative is to see what Thornley puts in the Times today. He has picked the right team for the past year or so (he is very cosy with the management). He says the team will be;

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. POC
5. DOC
6. Leamy
7. Wallace
8. O'Brien
9. TOL
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Darcy
13. BOD
14. McFadden
15. Fitzgerald

 

[munstermuffin]

Stringer is dropped for O'Leary.
And I can accept comments on Tuohy peat but still don't believe he is ready for Ireland YET.

 

[Peat]

Stringer is dropped for O'Leary.
And I can accept comments on Tuohy peat but still don't believe he is ready for Ireland YET.

Fair enough. I don't know whether he is myself, although I'd try him in Kidney's shoes simply because he's such a physical freak. But I can live very easily with him being with Ulster all 6N!

 

[lynam1104]

Team as expected happy with every but 9 4 and 2 should win this.