neiliog93 wrote:
6.Leavy 8.Jo.Murphy (on form ahead of Conan) 7.SOB
Picking Jordi on form is fair enough...but, if that is your selection logic, how does SOB make it in?
I'll see how we're set after this weekend before making any judgement. But Jordi-Leavy-Conan is a well-balanced and good backrow.
I also would take any information about centrally-contracted players (like Johnny and SOB) with a pinch of salt, whilst hoping they are all fully fit.
I don't think anybody really believes that Johnny and Murray weren't playing through injuries for the last few games, do they?
LeinsterLeader wrote:According to Des Berry in the Indo, Luke M could take part against Ospreys this Weekend and SOB and Ruddock should both be available for Saracens.
neiliog93 wrote:
6.Leavy 8.Jo.Murphy (on form ahead of Conan) 7.SOB
Picking Jordi on form is fair enough...but, if that is your selection logic, how does SOB make it in?
I'll see how we're set after this weekend before making any judgement. But Jordi-Leavy-Conan is a well-balanced and good backrow.
I also would take any information about centrally-contracted players (like Johnny and SOB) with a pinch of salt, whilst hoping they are all fully fit.
I don't think anybody really believes that Johnny and Murray weren't playing through injuries for the last few games, do they?
I think that's incredibly harsh on Conan. Jordi's form based on how many minutes? Jack makes one 'maybe' suspect read v Italy and suddenly he has lost form. I'm not sure about that; where's the other evidence. I like the Jordi-Leavy-Conan combo.
More a reflection of Jordi being outstanding off the bench against England and very good for Leinster of late than any criticism of Conan.
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
neiliog93 wrote:More a reflection of Jordi being outstanding off the bench against England and very good for Leinster of late than any criticism of Conan.
So he starts at 6, the position he has generally been playing off the bench for Ireland and where he has played mostly this season for Leinster.
As I said i'd be surprised to see Conan not starting at 8.
In positions like back row, where we have alternatives. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Irish team players don't start.
1. A lot of those Irish players have had a few days on the beer, which is far from ideal in terms of prep. It can seriously affect you in a match of this intensity.
2. Players that haven't been away with Ireland have been 100% on this match for a long while now, and have probably spent a lot of time doing specific drills with Leocaster.
“As you all know first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Anyone wanna see second prize? Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired.”
Classic case of someone writing a headline not reading the article:
"I’ve a bit of work to do this week to get right and hopefully I’ll be alright next week.
"It was the Wales game that I picked up a knock...
"In the game at the weekend against England I picked up a couple of bangs, but I kicked the rest of them and there was only one kick where I was struggling a little bit"
Edna Kenny wrote:Is there an argument to play Fardy at 6 for this?
6 Fardy, 7. Leavy. 8 Conan with Jordi on the bench (that's on the basis SOB and Ruddock not being available)
Fardy at 6 with 2 back rows on the bench would be just the ticket if SOB doesn't make it I feel.
Ruddock at 19 (covering back row only) with Jordi 20 could be a seriously beneficial tactic.
But if SOB is fit, the back row should be 6) SOB 7) Leavy 8.) Conan 20) Jordi
Ruddock and SOB in the same match day squad, at this point, would be a risk too far.
In particular SOB should be eased back into form.
A couple of pro12 matches before going to the next level.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who's the greatest player of them all? It is Drico your majesty.
Oldschool wrote:
Ruddock and SOB in the same match day squad, at this point, would be a risk too far.
In particular SOB should be eased back into form.
A couple of pro12 matches before going to the next level.
I think Ruddock would be able to come on at 60 against Sarries with pretty little game time.
And I think SOB would be able to start. But they'd both have to be 100% fit obviously.
I'd much prefer to see them in the 23 than Deegan (who I rate) or Josh M or Molony/ Kearney/ Nagle
Oldschool wrote:
Ruddock and SOB in the same match day squad, at this point, would be a risk too far.
In particular SOB should be eased back into form.
A couple of pro12 matches before going to the next level.
I think Ruddock would be able to come on at 60 against Sarries with pretty little game time.
And I think SOB would be able to start. But they'd both have to be 100% fit obviously.
I'd much prefer to see them in the 23 than Deegan (who I rate) or Josh M or Molony/ Kearney/ Nagle
Danger is if Ruddock had to come on in first half he wouldnt be up to speed
Retired from babbling. Can be found on twittter @okeeffesimon
"While the Ireland international, who underwent surgery on his shoulder, recognises the need to be patient as there are still several markers to be hit, there is renewed optimism that Henshaw could provide Leinster with a major fillip towards the business end of the Pro14 and Champions Cup campaigns.
“It’s five weeks in, everything is going really well at the moment, roughly halfway there,” Henshaw said yesterday.
“At least I’m not ruled out for the rest of the season, which is really good and has me in a good mindset. If you have a season-ending injury you might go through the motions, you might get caught up with it [the disappointment] but the fact that I have a target to get back.
“I’m not really sure when that target is, we’ll just have to take it week to week, but the physios and the medical staff have been impressed with how things are going.”
The Champions Cup quarter-final against Saracens on Easter Sunday will come too soon for the Athlone native, but, all going well, he could return to full training and be available for selection again in time for a potential semi-final at the end of April or, more realistically, the Pro14 play-offs at the start of May.
“We have the hurdle of Saracens first,” he continued. “It’s not a bad mark [semi-final] to get back for but fingers crossed. The lads will put in good work this next two weeks and hopefully we can go on.
