If you look at a matchday squad, there would be two nines versus maybe four back three players, so from that point of view the number of scrum-halves goes up a bit.molloyjh wrote:This. An NIQ utility back (even if just for the back 3) takes up 8% of the places available to Ireland. An NIQ 9 takes up 25%. Big difference there. With Leinster contributing 2 back 3 players to the Irish squad compared to Ulster contributing no 9s we've another big difference there. The 2 things simply aren't the same at all, regardless of how much some people out there try to equate the 2.simonokeeffe wrote:Just the one, but theres 3 back 3 players in a team v one 9Dave Cahill wrote:And how many NIQ scrum half's with a contract for next season are there?
Youd imagine Connacht would get one/retain one especially with Leader looking like retiring and Poolmans injury troubles but by no means certain
And for as much grief as Nucifora gets I really don't think he's that bad at all. If Leinster don't extend Kirchner and give regular game time to Rob, Dave and at least 1 of the Academy lads then DN and the IRFU should be happy. If we do that there actually won't be a single position on the park that Leinster are not contributing at least 1 player (if not more) to Ireland. And I'd hope the IRFU would be more than happy to tell us we can do what we want re Isa.
The worry if Nacewa isn't retained would be what happens at full-back when Rob Kearney isn't available. Wing looks relatively okay with DK, McFadden, Adam Byrne, Barry Daly, Rory O'Loughlin, Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour and Ian Fitzpatrick but the options don't appear to be as good for 15. Dardis could get some gametime, but is he good enough to play every game RK misses? I suppose DK could play some full-back if we don't have Nacewa or another NIQ