Italy v Ireland

[munstermuffin]

Buckley won't be in 22. I expect Ross and Healy to start with Court as cover.
I've heard Bowe will be ready and is a strong candidate for 15.

 

[coonor]

With a pack going forward Reddan plays well as the tempo is fast but if our packs goes backwards we could be in a spot of trouble. To be fair to Wallace he hasn't played to badly for Munster and i would have him playing if Heaslip as I think we need to keep a bit of experience in the backrow and I think he could help introduce O'Brien quite nicely. Question for me is whether to have Leamy and Jennings on the bench. With Leamy we have a player that can play 6 and 8. He also has a good work rate. With Jennings we get something completely different and his ruck skills and the abilty to link well with other players may come in handy. Backrow is coming on nicely last year if Heaslip was injured we would have been F*cked but this year we have options. Hopefully they can front up to the challenge. In the front row i'd still have Healy, Cronin and Ross with Court and Varley on the bench but Buckley does seem to work well as an impact sub.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I'd like to see Bowe tried at 15 at least once before the World Cup actually. He showed for the Lions that he can play 13 very effectively too so I'd like to see him get one start there too in the World Cup warm ups.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Question for me is whether to have Leamy and Jennings on the bench.

I like Jennings a lot and he's in terrific form for Leinster but he's never taken his chance with Ireland when he's been given an opportunity. I think being a good Heineken Cup player may be his level. Leamy is a fool but he has pedigree as an international. He'd get the bench spot for now if I was selecting the squad.

 

[munstermuffin]

So Earls Fitz and Bowe seem like last 3 of original wingers in squad. I expect Kidney knows Earls is a lethal winger but not a centre and will play him on one wing with other 2 getting wing and FB between them

 

[Feicarsinn]

Bowe, Earls and McFadden. That'd do.

Jenno for the bench. If the backrow isn't functioning it would be good tobe able to throw on an actual seven.

 

[durbutter]

Yeah. With SOB starting, i think it would be important to have an alternative type of backrow to bring on. So as all action as Bear is i'd have Jennings for versatility

 

[Peat]

Apparently Shane Horgan and John Hayes are injured as well now.

 

[roscommon guy]

looks like Duffy will be starting at 15.

 

[coonor]

Its a tough decision as I want Fitz to play and I think he had a great time at 15 in the autumn internationals. Maybe play him against Scotland A this week and see how things go. I would preferably have 11) Earls 14) Bowe 15) Fitz but if Bowe is injured i'd bring in Mcfadden and although I don't think Duffy is of the same quality he is solid and therefore he could be an option aswell.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop I think O'Connor there because Keatley had some slight strain it was rumoured.

I agree with comments about McFadden and would add Varley to that too. I'd possibly start McFadden ahead of Earls but it hard to tell. I know Keith isn't in best form and considers himself a centre but he is a winger and can be lethal here. So will his form be back on wing. I think so. Varley should be ahead of Best and Flannery in terms of form.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think you over-rate Varley. He's done a solid job in Jerry Flannery's absence but he's part of a poor scrummaging unit, his lineout throwing is iffy and he goes to ground too easily when he's carrying the ball. Maybe that's a harsh assessment but it rings broadly true.

The other options available to Declan Kidney are hardly perfect either. Flannery is the best thrower of the lot and is dynamic in the loose but can't stay fit and is ill disciplined, Cronin is a brilliant carrier in space and a decent scrummager but he's got dodgy hands and his darts are very shaky while Best is the best scrummager of the lot, is a leader and he defends well but he's not an explosive carrier and his lineout throwing has gone to ****.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree in some way but Varley is on form and Im rating it like the McFadden situation

 

[coonor]

I think you over-rate Varley. He's done a solid job in Jerry Flannery's absence but he's part of a poor scrummaging unit, his lineout throwing is iffy and he goes to ground too easily when he's carrying the ball. Maybe that's a harsh assessment but it rings broadly true.

The other options available to Declan Kidney are hardly perfect either. Flannery is the best thrower of the lot and is dynamic in the loose but can't stay fit and is ill disciplined, Cronin is a brilliant carrier in space and a decent scrummager but he's got dodgy hands and his darts are very shaky while Best is the best scrummager of the lot, is a leader and he defends well but he's not an explosive carrier and his lineout throwing has gone to ****.

I have to disagree with the top bit. Varley's darts are pretty solid, When i've seen him he is a very strong ball carrier that makes alot of yards (I think he went over the trie line 3 times against london irish) and his rucking and jackling skills are very good. He seems to make alot of turnovers.

I agree with you on the second bit as like scrum half we have hookers that have some great qualities but not a full package. to be honest I don't think England are spoilt for choice at hooker either as Hartley has poor darts and is very ill disciplined but he has leadership skills and is good on the scrum.

 

[munstermuffin]

It hard to disagree and while I think Varley should be there it is simply he is on top form. He had bit of a dodgy period with his darts vs London Irosh but he is generally accurate and excellent in way he carries at back but I do think a hooker can only be good when props do job so wouldn't slam him at scrum time yet

 

[Jockstap]

Bowe and Heaslip out of Italy game


Tommy Bowe: definitely out of Italy game
It has been confirmed that Tommy Bowe and Jamie Heaslip will miss Ireland's RBS 6 Nations opener against Italy on 5 February.

A statement from the IRFU confirmed that Bowe's knee injury is too serious for him to be allowed to play. It was reviewed by medical teams from the Ireland squad and his club team, the Ospreys.

The statement added that the Ireland medical team will 'continue to liaise with the Ospreys to determine when he will be fit to return to play'.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney had said he would not rule Heaslip out of contention as late as this afternoon.

But the number eight also saw a specialist today and it has now been confirmed he will miss the Italy match.

The IRFU statement added that Heaslip will continue his rehabilitation and has not been ruled out of contention for the France game the following week at this point.

Stephen Ferris, who had an ankle injury, is expected to be fit.

The statement made no mention of when Bowe might be available for selection again.

Bowe's injury means Ireland have now lost five contenders for places at wing of full-back with Rob Kearney, Geordan Murphy, Andrew Trimble and Shane Horgan also ruled out.

Fergus McFadden has been drafted into the senior squad from the 'A' panel as a result of the injury problems. Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald are the other players currently in the senior squad who are in contention for starting places.

Kidney could promote more players from the 'A' squad after Friday night's game against Scotland at Netherdale.

 

[Jockstap]

Shitehawk

 

[Jockstap]

Ok

15 Fitzgerald
14 McFadden
11 Earls

if one of these guys get injured we're rightly kerfuffled.

 

[Feicarsinn]

No Bowe, Horgan, Kearney, Murphy, Trimble. That's quite a few of our options gone. Still, we'd have a decent back three with Fergus, Luke and Keith Earls. Bowe is a class act though, massive loss.

 

[coonor]

Hopefully Heaslip and Bowe will be ok for the France game as they are both huge players in the Irish squad and their experience may be needed.