Pro 12 Semi-final vs Scarlets

[mildlyinterested]

Molony with outside shot at place on tour to Japan - if he starts.

How is that? Hasn't the squad already been selected.

Either he or Dillane will get called up after the weekend.

[arsebiscuits1]

Molony with outside shot at place on tour to Japan - if he starts.

How is that? Hasn't the squad already been selected.

One more place to be announced after this weekend, and with only 3 locks named in the Ireland squad you'd expect that to be the position to be filled

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Going with 6-2 doesn't make a lot of sense given likely potential to lose a back or two in the course of a probable high tempo game against a quick backline. Not having cover for JS other than Joey (who didn't manage well at 10 in Belfast) slotting in from 15 is a risk especially if we need to control things at the death.

I know you're extremely biased towards Ross Byrne but I agree with that. Byrne has been playing well and it looks like Joey is suffering from being moved around. I know he's pencilled in as backup ten for the summer tour but that doesn't mean he has to cover there tomorrow.

Who knows, maybe SOB won't make it and we put an extra back on the bench.

[cormac]

Given the split on the bench I'm surprised ROL or Ferg aren't there instead of Kirchener.

I know we have great strength in depth up front and we're well covered in the backs but I'm not a fan of that, it feels like we were too worried about leaving one of the back rowers out.

Surprised at Dev being dropped but don't think he can have any complaints. Fingers crossed he's fired up when he comes on and gets back to his best.

In fairness to Kirchner he's played wing, centre and full-back for us this season.

[matt]

Good selection. With Carbury able to play out-half and Luke decent on the wing in an emergency we will be ok with 2 backs on bench.

The back row of VDF, Ruddock & Conan is excellent & to be able to bring on 2 high impact backrowers is a major asset. Expect SOB after 50 mins with Leavy also playing a big part.

Difficult game but Owens & Ball a huge loss for them & equally important Henshaw is fit & makes an impact. We need to play well to win & I think we will.

[arsebiscuits1]

Given the split on the bench I'm surprised ROL or Ferg aren't there instead of Kirchener.

I know we have great strength in depth up front and we're well covered in the backs but I'm not a fan of that, it feels like we were too worried about leaving one of the back rowers out.

Surprised at Dev being dropped but don't think he can have any complaints. Fingers crossed he's fired up when he comes on and gets back to his best.

In fairness to Kirchner he's played wing, centre and full-back for us this season.

He's been very versatile in fairness yeah.

Plus he's a dedicated FB in my eyes. Plan is clearly to haul Johnny off at 50-60 and minimise disruption to the backline.

Possibility of thunderstorms tomorrow so I can't imagine the backs will see a lot of ball anyway

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Given the split on the bench I'm surprised ROL or Ferg aren't there instead of Kirchener.

I know we have great strength in depth up front and we're well covered in the backs but I'm not a fan of that, it feels like we were too worried about leaving one of the back rowers out.

Surprised at Dev being dropped but don't think he can have any complaints. Fingers crossed he's fired up when he comes on and gets back to his best.

In fairness to Kirchner he's played wing, centre and full-back for us this season.

Yeah I know and he's played well recently but still surprised they left out the Irish international and soon to be Irish international. My own preference would have been ROL.

[cormac]

Given the split on the bench I'm surprised ROL or Ferg aren't there instead of Kirchener.

I know we have great strength in depth up front and we're well covered in the backs but I'm not a fan of that, it feels like we were too worried about leaving one of the back rowers out.

Surprised at Dev being dropped but don't think he can have any complaints. Fingers crossed he's fired up when he comes on and gets back to his best.

In fairness to Kirchner he's played wing, centre and full-back for us this season.

Yeah I know and he's played well recently but still surprised they left out the Irish international and soon to be Irish international. My own preference would have been ROL.

No great surprise that McFadden doesn't feature. O'Loughlin can probably feel a little disappointed but as Arsebiscuits also pointed out, I suspect Kirchner's ability to play full-back has swayed it in his favour.

[Blueberry]

Going with 6-2 doesn't make a lot of sense given likely potential to lose a back or two in the course of a probable high tempo game against a quick backline. Not having cover for JS other than Joey (who didn't manage well at 10 in Belfast) slotting in from 15 is a risk especially if we need to control things at the death.

Not concerned - our pack and the pack impact from the bench is gonna blow Scarlets over if they perform well and after Belfast I think we gonna see them tearing up trees. Bear in mind you now have O'Brien, Ruddock, Leavy, VDF, Conan all killing themselves for a start and all with points to prove. Bear in mind Luke McGrath has shown the ability to play in the outside backs before and is very mobile and quick. Worst case JGP comes in and we push Luke out.

Expecting a huge performance and I don't think the Scarlets will be able to get enough ball to do any damage. Rare game where we'll need 3 back subs.

If we lose this game it will be a serious under performance. That pack and pack bench should blast us home.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

No great surprise that McFadden doesn't feature. O'Loughlin can probably feel a little disappointed but as Arsebiscuits also pointed out, I suspect Kirchner's ability to play full-back has swayed it in his favour.

I'd say that Ferg starting the European semi and then being left out entirely is a bit surprising in fairness. I'm sure that's why Zane is there alright (along with, surprisingly, strong defence at 13) but when Isa covers 15 I don't really see the point. Think it would be better to go with better wing cover. No issue with it btw.

[Flash Gordon]

Love it !! Gonna be some serious impact off the bench with Healy, Leavy and O'Brien all bursting to get on.

Huge confidence boost for Molony.

Kirchner v ROL on the bench the only thing I'd have a substantial 'meh' about but perhaps experience here is key and Kirchner has been solid.

BRING IT ON, can't wait now.

No Jake Ball is a big hit for the Scarlets, he's been class.

Possibly the strongest bench named in Pro-12 history!!

Interesting to see Dev dropped to the bench. The lad has been seriously out of sorts since the 6 Nations.

[wixfjord]

Jaysus, pretty big statement of faith in Henshaw's fitness (and Ringer to a lesser extent). Has ZK every played 12 for us? ROL would've been a better shout surely?

I'd agree with the above that a 6/2 split is an unnecessary risk in my eyes. We seem to be unwilling to make a choice in the backrow.

I have to say I'm heartened by the Toner choice. Leo et al have shown again that they're happy to back young guys. The selections this year have been anything but conservative.

I'd want Dev in for a potential final however.

Owens and Ball out are big losses for them.

[TrapperChamonix]

Jaysus, pretty big statement of faith in Henshaw's fitness (and Ringer to a lesser extent). Has ZK every played 12 for us? ROL would've been a better shout surely?

I'd agree with the above that a 6/2 split is an unnecessary risk in my eyes. We seem to be unwilling to make a choice in the backrow.

I have to say I'm heartened by the Toner choice. Leo et al have shown again that they're happy to back young guys. The selections this year have been anything but conservative.

I'd want Dev in for a potential final however.

Owens and Ball out are big losses for them.

Ringrose has played 12 for Ireland. So that is an option to cover Henshaw if he goes off.

I still would have put 3 backs on the bench

[wixfjord]

Jaysus, pretty big statement of faith in Henshaw's fitness (and Ringer to a lesser extent). Has ZK every played 12 for us? ROL would've been a better shout surely?

I'd agree with the above that a 6/2 split is an unnecessary risk in my eyes. We seem to be unwilling to make a choice in the backrow.

I have to say I'm heartened by the Toner choice. Leo et al have shown again that they're happy to back young guys. The selections this year have been anything but conservative.

I'd want Dev in for a potential final however.

Owens and Ball out are big losses for them.

Ringrose has played 12 for Ireland. So that is an option to cover Henshaw if he goes off.

I still would have put 3 backs on the bench

That's true alright. Ringrose to 12 and ZK to 13. Big shift in the whole backline though.

[wixfjord]

Interested to see whether Johnny can pull off a few cross field kicks. Byrne could make hay against Evans and McNicholl.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I've a feeling Ringrose has covered there a few times now but can't think of the other games apart from NZ.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Interested to see whether Johnny can pull off a few cross field kicks. Byrne could make hay against Evans and McNicholl.

MCNicholl is generally terribly at everything to do with defence, hope we target him.

[offshorerules]

Some interesting picks there. The 5/2 split on the bench and Moloney ahead of toner.

[Laighin Break]

JGP could probably do a decent stint on the wing if needed. Let's not forget his Champions Cup try

[Dave Cahill]

Interesting that Scarlets have benched DTH vdM after having an absolute nightmare against Adam Byrne back in march. Sanjay and Stefvans (gents outfitters) will provide a considerably stiffer challenge.