Ireland: what next?

[Oldschool]

Tough question that Joe needs to address.
Who should be considered for the shepherd's hook.
Some of the criteria that might would be age, injury proneness, better options coming thru.
Age, Reddan is probably the most obvious.
Injury. Healy, SOB, POM, Kearney Bowe Luke Fitz Moore maybe
Better options Trimble McFadden McCarthy.

[simonokeeffe]

Tough question that Joe needs to address.
Who should be considered for the shepherd's hook.
Some of the criteria that might would be age, injury proneness, better options coming thru.
Age, Reddan is probably the most obvious.
Injury. Healy, SOB, POM, Kearney Bowe Luke Fitz Moore maybe
Better options Trimble McFadden McCarthy.

IMO Reddan, McCarthy, White, the only players who should be excluded on age

I'd take Ross and give Furlong 3 x 30 mins. Am assuming Moore wont be back/in ship shape

[neiliog93]

Tough question that Joe needs to address.
Who should be considered for the shepherd's hook.
Some of the criteria that might would be age, injury proneness, better options coming thru.
Age, Reddan is probably the most obvious.
Injury. Healy, SOB, POM, Kearney Bowe Luke Fitz Moore maybe
Better options Trimble McFadden McCarthy.

IMO Reddan, McCarthy, White, the only players who should be excluded on age

I'd take Ross and give Furlong 3 x 30 mins. Am assuming Moore wont be back/in ship shape

Yeah I'd agree with that. White is old and not good enough, Furlong is young and not good enough, at least give him a chance to develop. Ross brings key scrum stability.

[simonokeeffe]

Tough question that Joe needs to address.
Who should be considered for the shepherd's hook.
Some of the criteria that might would be age, injury proneness, better options coming thru.
Age, Reddan is probably the most obvious.
Injury. Healy, SOB, POM, Kearney Bowe Luke Fitz Moore maybe
Better options Trimble McFadden McCarthy.

IMO Reddan, McCarthy, White, the only players who should be excluded on age

I'd take Ross and give Furlong 3 x 30 mins. Am assuming Moore wont be back/in ship shape

Yeah I'd agree with that. White is old and not good enough, Furlong is young and not good enough, at least give him a chance to develop. Ross brings key scrum stability.

in fairness White seemed the most keen for proper fisticuffs with the Scots, so credit where its due

bad news is The Beast is one of the few experienced Boks to have stayed in SA, rest of the team could be quite new
Alistir Coetzee rumoured to be incoming coach (according to twitter)

[Ruckedtobits]

Latest IRFU appointment of Director of Athletic Performance and Science, Nils Winkleman, from NFL background in the US, looks like a good find. For followers of NFL, he comes from a private company EXOS and ran the NFL Combine Development programme and produced seven No 1 draft picks in that role.

That background is cutting-edge internationally and based on an incredible back catelogue of player S&C development.

Although a change of title, this is apparently a replacement for Dave Clarke, Director of Fitness, who has been quietly moved on.

Welcome and good luck

[simonokeeffe]

Latest IRFU appointment of Director of Athletic Performance and Science, Nils Winkleman, from NFL background in the US, looks like a good find. For followers of NFL, he comes from a private company EXOS and ran the NFL Combine Development programme and produced seven No 1 draft picks in that role.

That background is cutting-edge internationally and based on an incredible back catelogue of player S&C development.

Although a change of title, this is apparently a replacement for Dave Clarke, Director of Fitness, who has been quietly moved on.

Welcome and good luck

yeah this looks like a good one going by background alone

money and expertise in College Football is incredible