Mr. Schmidt's Wild Ride - Ireland 2015 6 Nations

[munstermuffin]

If McFadden had had more rugby under his belt I'd imagine that he'd be in the mix too, a firm Schmidt favourite. And with good reason.

Reasilitically the back three is Bowe, Kearney + an other. I'd imagine it may come down to opposition, or whoever is going well in camp.

True but I'll put it this way who'd you pick as your 5+1 from
Kearney Bowe Payne D'Arcy Fitzgearld Earls Zebo McFadden Jones Henshaw Trimble and well that's off top of my head. It'll keep lads sharp for next 2 weeks

 

[big ginger 8]

I think that's well established from most recent camp.
Regards our backs. Zebo Bowe Kearney and Trimble (if fit) will all expect to be in 1st 15/23. It's no secret Schmidt is massive fan of Felix too so like it'll be very interesting. Add in Fitzgearld, D'Arcy, Payne and Henshaw. Only 2 will be in 23 as centres. Competition is hot.

BG8 had long day lol so not catching which of JJ bit is joke?

The playing him just so England can't cap him.

I think the Keatley over Jackson argument is far from well established. Jackson has a much greater run of games available to him this time and is actually in decent form now. He's our second best outhalf imo although Keatley isn't far behind. I'd argue that Schmidt has shown that he's not the biggest fan of Keatley really in his past selections.

 

[munstermuffin]

The playing him just so England can't cap him.

I think the Keatley over Jackson argument is far from well established. Jackson has a much greater run of games available to him this time and is actually in decent form now. He's our second best outhalf imo although Keatley isn't far behind. I'd argue that Schmidt has shown that he's not the biggest fan of Keatley really in his past selections.

I can accept that for sure but he's not Jacksons biggest fan either BUT it is a fair debate either side

 

[profitius]

Mike Ross dropped out of the 23 for Leinster. Moore starts with Furlong on the bench. Interesting with regard to Ireland. Nathan White is coming back for Connacht too while Ross has looked very ordinary this season. Ross 4th choice tighthead now?

 

[big ginger 8]

Mike Ross dropped out of the 23 for Leinster. Moore starts with Furlong on the bench. Interesting with regard to Ireland. Nathan White is coming back for Connacht too while Ross has looked very ordinary this season. Ross 4th choice tighthead now?

On the basis of the selections for one weekend? No, he's played a lot of rugby this season and I'd suggest he's part dropped part rested.

 

[profitius]

On the basis of the selections for one weekend? No, he's played a lot of rugby this season and I'd suggest he's part dropped part rested.

On the basis of his declining form and other players making progress. Irish provinces don't rest their best players for the European cup.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

What Joe Schmidt does at tighthead will be interesting. You'd have to figure that if Martin Moore is ahead of Mike Ross with Leinster that he should be ahead of him for Ireland. If Schmidt makes Moore his top choice tighthead, does he stick the uncapped Nathan White or Tadhg Furlong on the bench backing him up? I suspect Moore will start with Ross on the bench in the opening two fixtures. If Moore shows well in those games, the internationally experienced Ross may then be deemed surplus to requirements and moved out of the squad in favour of White or Furlong. In my opinion Ireland's starting tighthead rankings will be thus initially:
1. Martin Moore
2. Mike Ross
3. Nathan White
4. Tadhg Furlong
5. Rodney Ah You
6. Stephen Archer

Also of interest will be the options in the centre. Will Robbie Henshaw remain at 12 with Luke Fitzgerald at 13? Will Henshaw shift to 13 with Stuart Olding or Ian Madigan coming in at inside centre?

 

[big ginger 8]

On the basis of his declining form and other players making progress. Irish provinces don't rest their best players for the European cup.

Look at the Ulster team for this weekend they're resting a number of players. Yeah it doesn't happen often but it still does happen. Ross has had a huge workload this year and a lot of his form since the AI could be attributed to that. Also notice I said part dropped but that could be because of gameplan as well as form. Schmidt has picked Ross to start in every single game he's been in charge for. He's not going to be 4th choice now and desevedly so. As much as I'm a fan of Furlong he's not ready for international level and Moore and White are just back. Don't forget that Moore was starting ahead of Ross before the AI's in 2013 but Ross still started for Leinster.

 

[Peat]

What on earth do you mean that Bronson Ross against Toulon is rotating? :lol:

 

[big ginger 8]

What on earth do you mean that Bronson Ross against Toulon is rotating? :lol:

Ok so they're starting one star player.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

yeah knew there was already an Ireland chat for the six nations just it was a different name.

 

[Peat]

Ok so they're starting one star player.

:mellow: Maybe we should have started a few more. No Jackson, no Olding. Maybe Hanrahan will get a Wolfhounds cap now (cynically speaking, he should 110pc get one). I couldn't hate this season more if I tried.

Didn't see the game - luckily I was playing - but people seem to be saying we looked better with Cave at 13 and Payne at 15... what a shocker... hopefully this now becomes a thing again.

 

[lynam1104]

:mellow: Maybe we should have started a few more. No Jackson, no Olding. Maybe Hanrahan will get a Wolfhounds cap now (cynically speaking, he should 110pc get one). I couldn't hate this season more if I tried.

Didn't see the game - luckily I was playing - but people seem to be saying we looked better with Cave at 13 and Payne at 15... what a shocker... hopefully this now becomes a thing again.

Cave ran some nice lines and Payne is a better 15 than 13, particularly with Ulster. Was also fairly impressed with McComish.

 

[Conal]

Cave ran some nice lines and Payne is a better 15 than 13, particularly with Ulster. Was also fairly impressed with McComish.

i can safely say it will be the only game on his career anyone was impressed by

 

[collace]

Paddy Jackson has dislocated his elbow so that is likely to be him out of the Six Nations. It's doubtful how much he would have been playing but it's a shame as he looked like he was starting to come into a bit of form over the last few weeks.

Realistically, it's going to be tough for him to get into the WC Squad if he is missing for the SN which will be a shame for him.

Hopefully Olding's injury isn't too serious.

 

[big ginger 8]

Jackson and Olding confirmed to be out for the 6N.

Henshaw has a low grade ankle strain so should be back for the Italy match I'd imagine but the big question will be if he'll be able to train the week before as Schmidt won't pick him otherwise.

Zebo also has an ankle injury of some kind and Murray's neck problem is being 'monitored'.

There was a chance for one of Healy or SO'B to be registered for this weekends game but the deadline has passed and neither were included.

There is some good news though as Henderson could play this weekend.

 

[lynam1104]

******** on the Olding news. Jackson is a bit of a loss too, but Murray would be the biggest loss. I suppose it would give Marmion some more game tim coming into a WC though.

 

[munstermuffin]

Murray and Zebo will be ok. No fears of either at this moment

 

[big ginger 8]

Murray and Zebo will be ok. No fears of either at this moment

Can you comment on the rumour that Murray's neck injury is being used to help him recover from concussion problems?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Been a bit behind on rugby news recently - what's the updates on O'Brien and Healy?