Ireland World Cup Squad (17-14 split) Forwards

[Golf Man]

Ruddock is back in the mix and after the stellar Autumn he had...
only thing is Jamie Heaslip no longer being immortal

Murphy has kind of been playing himself out of contention a bit but warm ups will be key

Heaslip, SOB, POM, Henry, Ruddock my guess now

First 4 nailed on imo - Ruddock/Murphy/TOD battle for the last place - all have impressed when given the chance and will only miss out due to sheer quality of alternatives - Murphy probably favourite as he is probably the most versatile and covers 8 the best of the three options (where we are a little light)

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Henderson is having such a big impact at 6 now that it'll be interesting to see if that has an effect. Could be bad news for Ruddock in particular.

[Golf Man]

Henderson is having such a big impact at 6 now that it'll be interesting to see if that has an effect. Could be bad news for Ruddock in particular.

He won't be picked as a 6 but it will definitely have an effect on selection - if you presume that the starting 3 are POM/SOB/Heaslip and that Henry goes - if SOB is injured then Henry goes straight to 7, POM injured then Henry goes to 7 and SOB to 6, or Henderson goes straight to 6 (with Ryan/McCarthy/Tuohy on the bench). With those 4 and Henderson you have decent cover at 7, and excellent cover at 6, and little or no cover at 8 - this very much plays into Murphys hands as he has played at 8 when Heaslip was out and covers 7 as well as Ruddock does if not better. I think Murphy would be quite lucky to get in one way - I think Ruddock and TOD are generally better than he is, but he fits the requirements that bit better (particular at , and in fairness has really taken his chances - of course all of that is not to say that Schmidt won't try out Ruddock/someone else at 8 to see who the best fit is.

We would obviously expect Schmidt to consider all eventualities but I do get the impression that he will base decisions based initially on starting players and then starting backups, who can slot straight in

I do think that we have to use Henderson as much as possible - there does seem to be some doubt over his buy in to systems etc - but the plus side is so huge. I think Schmidt may have a real look at Ryan as well in the warm ups - there is definitely a slot there for the fourth lock and he will want it to be someone dependendable who could drop straight in to eth starting team if needed (I can see that he will keep Henderson as a sub covering4,5&6 even if one of Toner/POC/POM get injured) - that fourth spot is probably down to McCarthy/Tuohy/Foley and Ryan - if Ryan stays fit I'd be going with him

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Thornley suggested a while ago that Ryan should go and play some currie cup or something to get games. I'd like to see that, and for Trimble too, he's missed the guts of a year.

[simonokeeffe]

Thornley suggested a while ago that Ryan should go and play some currie cup or something to get games. I'd like to see that, and for Trimble too, he's missed the guts of a year.

without being pedantric Currie Cup doesnt start til same time as World Cup warm ups, same with Aussie NRC and NZ NPC

Vodacom Cup which is a lower level again, on at same time as Super rugby, is on, so would be that or NZ club rugby

Tblisi Cup might be better option

[goreyguy]

from a leinster perspective i really hope the following go: Healy, McGrath, Cronin, Strauss, Ross, Moore, Toner, SOB, Heaslip, Murphy.

[simonokeeffe]

from a leinster perspective i really hope the following go: Healy, McGrath, Cronin, Strauss, Ross, Moore, Toner, SOB, Heaslip, Murphy.

first 9 nailed on anyways

[Peg Leg]

from a leinster perspective i really hope the following go: Healy, McGrath, Cronin, Strauss, Ross, Moore, Toner, SOB, Heaslip, Murphy.

Is that so the academy lads get a go during the regular season?

[goreyguy]

from a leinster perspective i really hope the following go: Healy, McGrath, Cronin, Strauss, Ross, Moore, Toner, SOB, Heaslip, Murphy.

Is that so the academy lads get a go during the regular season?

i think leinster can handle losing those players during the RWC

1. Bent
2. Byrne
3. Furlong
4. McCarthy
5. Douglas
6. Ruddock
7. Ryan
8. Conan

[leinsterforever]

i think leinster can handle losing those players during the RWC

1. Bent
2. Byrne
3. Furlong
4. McCarthy
5. Douglas
6. Ruddock
7. Ryan
8. Conan

I'd prefer to see van der Flier at openside. Ryan's a blindside. And hopefully Ruddock will go to the World Cup anyway

[Peg Leg]

from a leinster perspective i really hope the following go: Healy, McGrath, Cronin, Strauss, Ross, Moore, Toner, SOB, Heaslip, Murphy.

Is that so the academy lads get a go during the regular season?

i think leinster can handle losing those players during the RWC

1. Bent
2. Byrne
3. Furlong
4. McCarthy
5. Douglas
6. Ruddock
7. Ryan
8. Conan

That'd be a yes then!
I'd tend to agree, but Furlong looking like a bolter

[Dave Cahill]

I reckon Bent will be at the world cup and that Furlong will be down south.

[goreyguy]

I reckon Bent will be at the world cup and that Furlong will be down south.

who will be playing Tighthead for Leinster then? Royce Burke Flynn?

Munster will still have Botha and Archer during the next world cup.

[goreyguy]

i think leinster can handle losing those players during the RWC

1. Bent
2. Byrne
3. Furlong
4. McCarthy
5. Douglas
6. Ruddock
7. Ryan
8. Conan

I'd prefer to see van der Flier at openside. Ryan's a blindside. And hopefully Ruddock will go to the World Cup anyway

I agree on Ryan but i think MOC/Cullen will start him at 7 over JVDF or Leavy.
Can't see Ruddock and Murphy going.

[Dave Cahill]

I reckon Bent will be at the world cup and that Furlong will be down south.

who will be playing Tighthead for Leinster then? Royce Burke Flynn?

Munster will still have Botha and Archer during the next world cup.

He'll have to I guess.

[johng]

If any of our props go south it won't be before November.

BJ is signed up until Christmas nall in nannyways

[simonokeeffe]

If Ruddock is out SOB, POM, Heaslip, Henry, Murphy looks a slam dunk

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Such a shame. After the November internationals I'd have said he was building up to being a star at this WC. Always had the talent to be a really top player and has ironed out all the flaws that he used to have, real pity.

[Ruckedtobits]

If Henderson starts our warm-up games the way he finished last season, or better, he must be a serious contender for our big games in the back-row. He's great to have as a bench option, but he's looking more and more like the sort of ball carrier we cannot afford to leave out of starting line-up

[simonokeeffe]

If Henderson starts our warm-up games the way he finished last season, or better, he must be a serious contender for our big games in the back-row. He's great to have as a bench option, but he's looking more and more like the sort of ball carrier we cannot afford to leave out of starting line-up

who loses out then POM or SOB? or even Toner?