[Six Nations 2018] - Ireland

[munstermuffin]

Moore and Madigan would definitely be in the 40 if they were wearing Leinster colours.

I'd disagree as Furlong would've limited his gametime and Ryan and Bealham have been unreal this year and would be really challenging to be starters most years but Furlong is in beast mode and that far ahead. I'd say maybe Madigan would've been in 40 but then Carberry wouldn't even be a consideration. Carberry is a better 10 and while Madigan is a good player he's not an international standard 10 in terms of tactical sode of it all

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Munster bias. #Schmidtout

On a serious note, happy enough, Zebo Kearney Trimble will be the back 3 with Earls in the 23 shirt.

 

[munstermuffin]

Probably right but if I were to pick a 23.

I'd go
McGrath
Best
Furlong
Ryan
Toner
Stander
Van Der Flier
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Earls
Henshaw
Ringrose
Trimble
Zebo

Scannell
Kilcoyne
Bealham
Henderson
O'Mahony
Marmion
Jackson
O'Halloran

On it O'Brien will bench though ahead of O'Mahony as he is bigger impact player.
Healy will be ahead of Kilcoyne but not much in it.
Bealham just ahead of Ryan.
In backs Alpha probably got it right but just I'd have Zebo as my starting 15 and had O'Halloran as again he'd be a better impact on tired defenses

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

O'Halloran has been playing far worse than Kearney in recent weeks though. What I said is what I'd pick with the players picked, Byrne, ROL or Sweetnam (If he was fit) would push Kearney to 23 and Earls out of my 23 though. On provincial form Earls doens't make my squad.

 

[munstermuffin]

O'Halloran has been playing far worse than Kearney in recent weeks though. What I said is what I'd pick with the players picked, Byrne, ROL or Sweetnam (If he was fit) would push Kearney to 23 and Earls out of my 23 though. On provincial form Earls doens't make my squad.

My point is Kearney isn't an impact. Like I said O'Mahony is in superb form. But he won't make same impact as SOB.
Earls is Munsters top assist of back 3 and defenders beaten in past 3 months. He's playing well. Like I accept Kearney in better form but I don't know just think there better players who impact more.
Of course Byrne I'm shocked isn't in and maybe O'Loughlin. Sweetnam I think would've if injury didn't occur

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

My point is Kearney isn't an impact. Like I said O'Mahony is in superb form. But he won't make same impact as SOB.
Earls is Munsters top assist of back 3 and defenders beaten in past 3 months. He's playing well. Like I accept Kearney in better form but I don't know just think there better players who impact more.
Of course Byrne I'm shocked isn't in and maybe O'Loughlin. Sweetnam I think would've if injury didn't occur

Again I'd disagree, Kearney has been Leinster's 23 the last two weeks and has come on and made multiple linebreaks and obviously he has the ability to make some gamebreaking catches too. He's looking fitter and faster than he has for months too so I'm praying for a Heaslip like return to form!

 

[munstermuffin]

Again I'd disagree, Kearney has been Leinster's 23 the last two weeks and has come on and made multiple linebreaks and obviously he has the ability to make some gamebreaking catches too. He's looking fitter and faster than he has for months too so I'm praying for a Heaslip like return to form!

Maybe. As I said I wouldn't loose much sleep as other options available aren't tearing it up. Zebo and Conway are probably the 2 form guys by a bit in squad. Zebo will play and Conway won't.

 

[corny]

Listened to a Podcast with SOB. He was asked if Leinster had to beat Castres would you playing. His answer was telling..... 'no there's a big couple of months ahead'. Crystallises it in my my mind that the IRFU are telling Leinster to wrap their prized assets in cotton wool for the national team. He'll be a bit of Sam Warburton for the next couple of years but i'd be confident he'll be able to break out the NZ form on command. No way is he bench material if thats true.

 

[munstermuffin]

Listened to a Podcast with SOB. He was asked if Leinster had to beat Castres would you playing. His answer was telling..... 'no there's a big couple of months ahead'. Crystallises it in my my mind that the IRFU are telling Leinster to wrap their prized assets in cotton wool for the national team. He'll be a bit of Sam Warburton for the next couple of years but i'd be confident he'll be able to break out the NZ form on command. No way is he bench material if thats true.

But it's a gamble. Also would it be a risk at disharmony in squad if guys whonare bursting their balls know that a guy who's playing sparingly is guaranteed a spot.
Look I know that Sean O'Brien on form is worth that but he hasn't been superb lately. Not poor but not form to warrant that type of treatment.

 

[corny]

But it's a gamble. Also would it be a risk at disharmony in squad if guys whonare bursting their balls know that a guy who's playing sparingly is guaranteed a spot.
Look I know that Sean O'Brien on form is worth that but he hasn't been superb lately. Not poor but not form to warrant that type of treatment.

Well if you look at Ireland form he's earned the jersey. Despite no rugby for 9 months he got the better of the NZ'ers in a very attritional game 2 months ago. Does that constitute 'form'?

That was my point btw. The IRFU want him on the pitch for Ireland. Not breaking himself in a low key game in Castres or a Pro 12 game where he's not essential and younger men are benefiting hugely from exposure at that level. He's deliberately playing well within himself when he's not in cotton wool with a view to more important games later in the season imo. Its a long season from here on lets not forget. For a man thats struggled with bad injuries over the last 2-3 years i think thats only prudent. Don't you?

Has he earned this seemingly 'special' treatment? Yes, he earned the central contract. Took them a while to give one mind you.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well if you look at Ireland form he's earned the jersey. Despite no rugby for 9 months he got the better of the NZ'ers in a very attritional game 2 months ago. Does that constitute 'form'?

That was my point btw. The IRFU want him on the pitch for Ireland. Not breaking himself in a low key game in Castres or a Pro 12 game where he's not essential and younger men are benefiting hugely from exposure at that level. He's deliberately playing well within himself when he's not in cotton wool with a view to more important games later in the season imo. Its a long season from here on lets not forget. For a man thats struggled with bad injuries over the last 2-3 years i think thats only prudent. Don't you?

Has he earned this seemingly 'special' treatment? Yes, he earned the central contract. Took them a while to give one mind you.

Maybe some view him like that but sorry not me. Because the back row is so competitive I want every man busting a gut. I was Heaslips biggest critic and wanted Stander at 8. I'd still like to see it tried but admire he's always fit and kept his spot because he's busting a gut.
I've seen it with Munster and worked with Ian Dowlings, Denis Leamys, Jerry Flannerys and Barry Murphys. That wrapping in cotton wool doesn't work for me.
No player should get a free pass. Form for me is over past few months who's done the job. And yes Leinster could say great these young guys can play. But hell if Jack Conan keeps up his form or VDF. And Sean O'Brien is playing poorly for Ireland then tell me where's the justice there. Yes he's played well in that NZ game but 1 game never earns you that jersey.
Bigger question is if fit who'd he keep out?
Stander is playing unreal arguably in top 3 8s at club game and equally as good at 6
Van Der Flier is a true 7 and I hate to say it but is a true class act 7 which is needed.
Heaslip - Just read Stander comment and change name without the 6 bit.

O'Mahony is in superb form and has proven his pedigree with Ireland making a superb impact vs Aus after even longer injury layoff.
And there guys like Conan O'Donoghue O'Donnell and Leavy lurking too.

All bursting a gut for clubs

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

With Stander and Heaslip nailed on its between SOB and VdF, VdF might have more minutes and form but SOB is the better player, pick your best players. VdF is a better impact option off the bench too.

 

[munstermuffin]

With Stander and Heaslip nailed on its between SOB and VdF, VdF might have more minutes and form but SOB is the better player, pick your best players. VdF is a better impact option off the bench too.

But this was point I'd make. I think Leinster have issue they don't know where to play O'Brien. He's not the true dogged 7 VDF is. Like I get what your saying but you look at balance of back row and SOBs strongest areas of his game. Aren't the kind of covered by other 2. Like before O'Mahony played like the 7 in the POM SOB Heaslip back row.
But in a Stander SOB Heaslip back row it's hugely exposed at competing at breakdown a bit.
I know 3 guys can but their not true specialists. I think if VDF doesn't play POM has to be option. For balance.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Although he's playing some of the best rugby of his career ATM, it has to be asked how much longer Heaslip will be playing international rugby for. Surely he won't be around for then next RWC and after the Lions Tour it may finally be time to phase him out. In which case I'd like to see:
6. O'Brien
7. VDF
8. Stander

20. POM

 

[corny]

But this was point I'd make. I think Leinster have issue they don't know where to play O'Brien. He's not the true dogged 7 VDF is. Like I get what your saying but you look at balance of back row and SOBs strongest areas of his game. Aren't the kind of covered by other 2. Like before O'Mahony played like the 7 in the POM SOB Heaslip back row.
But in a Stander SOB Heaslip back row it's hugely exposed at competing at breakdown a bit.
I know 3 guys can but their not true specialists. I think if VDF doesn't play POM has to be option. For balance.

The fact you think VDF is better at the breakdown than SOB really harms your case in my book. Its not even close like. VDF plays like your archetypal 6. Lots of tackles, straight direct carries.

- - - Updated - - -

Although he's playing some of the best rugby of his career ATM, it has to be asked how much longer Heaslip will be playing international rugby for. Surely he won't be around for then next RWC and after the Lions Tour it may finally be time to phase him out. In which case I'd like to see:
6. O'Brien
7. VDF
8. Stander

20. POM

He signed a new National Contract deal with the IRFU till 2020. I think he'll play in the WC if i was betting on it.

 

[munstermuffin]

The fact you think VDF is better at the breakdown than SOB really harms your case in my book. Its not even close like. VDF plays like your archetypal 6. Lots of tackles, straight direct carries.

- - - Updated - - -



He signed a new National Contract deal with the IRFU till 2020. I think he'll play in the WC if i was betting on it.

I'm more looking at stats and he has alot more turnovers and less carries than SOB. As I said if you look at before RWC and RWC it's POM that plays like 7

 

[corny]

I'm more looking at stats and he has alot more turnovers and less carries than SOB. As I said if you look at before RWC and RWC it's POM that plays like 7

From what game or collection of games are you getting these stats?

 

[munstermuffin]

From what game or collection of games are you getting these stats?

From opta stats over last 18months.
I averaged them per game myself. And it games played so club and country

 

[munstermuffin]

Schmidt's comments on 10 area today were very interesting. And turned many heads

 

[Groundhog]

For those wondering Schmidt said Sexton and O'Brien would be for and available for Scotland.
Also on the Scan Man: “The first time I saw Rory play was at 10 for Dolphin against Belvedere,†said Schmidt. “He had a fantastic game at 10. There’s a big difference between that and Murrayfield, but he would be the guy who could cover there.â€
On Madigan: “With Ian, he could only have done those two first days with us,†said Schmidt. “You only get that three-day opportunity with the window, so it complicates that.“Ian had an injury earlier in the season, so he hasn’t had a lot of rugby really. I’ve kept in touch with Ian. He would slot back in pretty seamlessly for us, so that’s still something potentially that we coud look at.â€