Will Ireland open up

[johng]

The Olympics are in less than 6 months

[simonokeeffe]

I'll see if I can dig it up Xan, IIRC it was mentioned by Thornley and read it elsewhere too

[Ruckedtobits]

Lots of calls for Matt Healy to get a squad call-up, or even a run in 6N. Looking again last night at latest Connacht performance and consider him one of the best counter-attackers and open-field runners in Pro12. He has taken over from DTHVan der Merve and Visser as most potent try scorer in Pro12. But, dear oh dear, some of his defence is terrible. He needs serious remedial work on his footwork in tackle zone and his hip alignment in backline defence.

Love to see him get some time on Sevens circuit with Eddy giving him one-on-one coaching on openfield defensive reading. It worked for Adam Byrne, who has brought back some good habits from Sevens, to his 15 aside performances.

Healy is a glass half full player at the moment and deserves to have special attention to fill up that glass and make him an international prospect. We need wide try scoring pace in our wings!

[jezzer]

Lots of calls for Matt Healy to get a squad call-up, or even a run in 6N. Looking again last night at latest Connacht performance and consider him one of the best counter-attackers and open-field runners in Pro12.

So was Fionn Carr. So is Craig Gilroy.

[simonokeeffe]

Lots of calls for Matt Healy to get a squad call-up, or even a run in 6N. Looking again last night at latest Connacht performance and consider him one of the best counter-attackers and open-field runners in Pro12.

So was Fionn Carr. So is Craig Gilroy.

The problem for Gilroy and Healy (and even to an extent Zebo) who are far better attackers than defenders, is that as you move up the ladder the opposition improves in all facets so theyre less likely to score tries but much more likely to give them away

eg Gilroy has 2 tries in 6 European games this year but both against Oyannax, Healy only has 2 European tries this year (Challenge Cup too)

[jezzer]

Lots of calls for Matt Healy to get a squad call-up, or even a run in 6N. Looking again last night at latest Connacht performance and consider him one of the best counter-attackers and open-field runners in Pro12.

So was Fionn Carr. So is Craig Gilroy.

The problem for Gilroy and Healy (and even to an extent Zebo) who are far better attackers than defenders, is that as you move up the ladder the opposition improves in all facets so theyre less likely to score tries but much more likely to give them away

eg Gilroy has 2 tries in 6 European games this year but both against Oyannax, Healy only has 2 European tries this year (Challenge Cup too)

Zackly.

[Golf Man]

The problem for Gilroy and Healy (and even to an extent Zebo) who are far better attackers than defenders, is that as you move up the ladder the opposition improves in all facets so theyre less likely to score tries but much more likely to give them away

eg Gilroy has 2 tries in 6 European games this year but both against Oyannax, Healy only has 2 European tries this year (Challenge Cup too)

Zackly.

Except its completely wrong

Gilroy has a 34% strike rate for Ulster domestically, in Europe its 25%
Zebo has 39% strike rate domestically, in Europe its 50%
Matt Healy has 40% domestically and 44% in Europe (7 in16 - including in HC)
Dave Kearney has 23% for Leister domestically, in Europe its 6%
Lke Ftzgerald has22% domestically, 21% in Europe
Earls 31% domestically, 30% in Europe
Trimble 32% domestically, 36% in Europe
Bowe 44% domestically, 29% in Europe

Gilroys does drop in Europe but the other two examples are actualy more prolific in Europe !!

Scmidt ust doesn't rate Gilroy and ealy - hie prerogative of course - but I really can't see why he wouldn't at last get them into the squads and actually look at them himself - Healy has never beenin one - he had areal chance to bring Gilroy in particular in given injuries - even if he wasn't in line to start bring himand give him exposure to the set up

Ca't use the system excuse al the time

[simonokeeffe]

Healy's data is skewed as he's not competing at anywhere near the same level (Challenge Cup v HC), could probably argue CC is a lower standard than the league

but look at the Scarlets game if you want to see what Gilroy's defence is up to

If your stats are right though, that reinforces the rough pecking order

ANy chance of the stats of the tries scored by their opposite numbers

[fourthirtythree]

I had a good hard look at Healy in the RDS and that he isn't playing international rugby is no surprise. He was awful.

[Donny B.]

I had a good hard look at Healy in the RDS and that he isn't playing international rugby is no surprise. He was awful.

Sure how was the poor lad meant to play well with that weirdo in the crowd giving him the eye for the whole match?

[fourthirtythree]

I had a good hard look at Healy in the RDS and that he isn't playing international rugby is no surprise. He was awful.

Sure how was the poor lad meant to play well with that weirdo in the crowd giving him the eye for the whole match?

It worked right?

[Xanthippe]

Healy's data is skewed as he's not competing at anywhere near the same level (Challenge Cup v HC), could probably argue CC is a lower standard than the league

People are screaming for Healy on the basis that he's top try scorer in league but are not giving any consideration to the fact that 6 of his 8 tries came against the bottom three teams with 4 of them being against Zebre

[Golf Man]

Healy's data is skewed as he's not competing at anywhere near the same level (Challenge Cup v HC), could probably argue CC is a lower standard than the league

but look at the Scarlets game if you want to see what Gilroy's defence is up to

If your stats are right though, that reinforces the rough pecking order

ANy chance of the stats of the tries scored by their opposite numbers

somewhat skewed - although he has played hc and scored

Gilroy - he's the one I don't get not being involved - versatile real attacking threat and experienced - some doubts about his defence sure but you can say that about most of them tbh

[Peg Leg]

Healy's data is skewed as he's not competing at anywhere near the same level (Challenge Cup v HC), could probably argue CC is a lower standard than the league

but look at the Scarlets game if you want to see what Gilroy's defence is up to

If your stats are right though, that reinforces the rough pecking order

ANy chance of the stats of the tries scored by their opposite numbers

somewhat skewed - although he has played hc and scored

Gilroy - he's the one I don't get not being involved - versatile real attacking threat and experienced - some doubts about his defence sure but you can say that about most of them tbh

You can say that about most of them, about Gilroy.... Operation Fortitude springs to mind.

[simonokeeffe]

Healy's data is skewed as he's not competing at anywhere near the same level (Challenge Cup v HC), could probably argue CC is a lower standard than the league

but look at the Scarlets game if you want to see what Gilroy's defence is up to

If your stats are right though, that reinforces the rough pecking order

ANy chance of the stats of the tries scored by their opposite numbers

somewhat skewed - although he has played hc and scored

Gilroy - he's the one I don't get not being involved - versatile real attacking threat and experienced - some doubts about his defence sure but you can say that about most of them tbh

only his mother would say theres only some doubts about his defence

his kicking aint great neither