Ireland v Italy 6Ns 2016

[Xanthippe]

So, Italy will be without Castro for the game next week (well I had to come up with something to get the thread started!)

[jimbobjoe]

Keeping in tune with my day of wishful thinking, I'd like to see something along the lines of..

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Furlong
4. Toner
5. Dillane
6. Stander
7. van der Flier
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Jackson
11. Earls
12. McCloskey
13. Henshaw
14. Gilroy
15. Payne

16. Cronin
17. Cronin/Buckley
18. Ross
19. Ryan
20. Ruddock/TOD
21. McGrath
22. Sexton
23. Zebo

In reality I think we'll see something very similar to the England selection

[neiliog93]

Why drop Sexton?

[jimbobjoe]

Why drop Sexton?

I'm just rotating Sexton (dropping Madigan). Jackson's good enough to beat Italy and he needs international game time ahead of summer/next season.

[simonokeeffe]

So, Italy will be without Castro for the game next week (well I had to come up with something to get the thread started!)

not that he'd make any difference but Scotland without a fiercesome scrum pretty much destroyed them up front

[neiliog93]

It's sad to say but Castro's had it at this stage. His ball carrying is still decent-ish but he's a penalty machine and is now average at best in the scrum. Used to be the best in the world in his position so it's a pity.

I wouldn't drop Sexton, he's coming into some serious form and I think he's the best man to bring on younger guys outside him (McCloskey, Henshaw, maybe Zebo at fullback, Marmion at 9 etc). Also he helps us win games and we should beat Italy quite handsomely at home, not get over the line unconvincingly as I'd imagine might happen with an out of sorts Jackson at 10 (his goal-kicking and general play have been poor for Ulster of late).

[enby]

having seen Gilroy's "tackling" in Cardiff last week, I wouldn't have him anywhere near a return to the international team. Marmion deserves a bench spot

[Ruckedtobits]

JS will want a good win on Sat against an Italian team which is not great up front and does not have half-backs who are great kickers. This is possibly the game to select Payne at full-back, if he's 100%, is a logical choice. McCloskey & Henshaw will get fast service from Murray & Sexton and Earls, Zebo and Trimble can all finish.

Ryan played well in first-half against England and provides the dog that neither Toner or Dillane offer. Dillane as impact player on 50 mins can give a big impact.

No change in back-row as the three lads were really looking like a unit in last quarter.

Little point in experimenting with starting front-row, but Furlong might make the bench with Cronin as LHP.

Finally, whether to risk Marmion at sub SH? The risk is minimal, the upside could be a breaking SH to take pressure off J10.

[Dave Cahill]

Little point in experimenting with starting front-row, but Furlong might make the bench with Cronin as LHP..

Furlong didn't make the squad.

[neiliog93]

Based on his scrummaging that's not unfair. Sad to say it.

[Ruckedtobits]

Little point in experimenting with starting front-row, but Furlong might make the bench with Cronin as LHP..

Furlong didn't make the squad.

I stand corrected and am surprised. Having only two over-35 players available to cover one specialist position is not good management. Despite the injury to Moore, we really need to be developing the next generation of THP, as we certainly need them soonest.

[fourthirtythree]

Playing for Leinster is developing him right now. He doesn't need another international cap where the coach is afraid to put him on. He needs games for Leinster.

[simonokeeffe]

Little point in experimenting with starting front-row, but Furlong might make the bench with Cronin as LHP..

Furlong didn't make the squad.

I stand corrected and am surprised. Having only two over-35 players available to cover one specialist position is not good management. Despite the injury to Moore, we really need to be developing the next generation of THP, as we certainly need them soonest.

Bealham got a call up, Leinster have done their part, Ulster (completed project in a year) and Munster have been trying

Italy are sweating on Ghiraldini and Gori according to the RTE, either would be a huge blow, probably 2 of their top 4 players

[Twist]

Ruaidhri O'Conner reporting on Twitter that Rob Kearney is a major doubt due to a hamstring injury

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Shirley that means Payne will start at 15 then? That would make this game far more interesting.

There are times when Furlong doesn't look fit to me so even just on that point alone I think he could do with more games.

[simonokeeffe]

Shirley that means Payne will start at 15 then? That would make this game far more interesting.

There are times when Furlong doesn't look fit to me so even just on that point alone I think he could do with more games.

also says Reddan a doubt

if Payne starts at 15 he better go well for all the hyping and pleading

[Ruckedtobits]

Just listening to Jackman talking on RTE2 Sports show with Greg Allen and feeding the frenzy about Matt Healy with the quote 'when i was training him in DCU............ he was a good defender and a great finisher .......and just because he came into the Pro game by an unorthodox route, he shouldn't be ignored for selection'.

Is Jackman an objective commentator or a potential competitor for Joe's job?

The vast majority of objective commentators agree that Healy is one of the best attacking wings in Ireland, but almost all of them agree that his defence is not international standard and thus his selection is not worth the risk.

Feeding the frenzy should be below Jackman, but who knows, maybe he believes his view of Healy's defence.

[neiliog93]

Long-term it's an interesting question. I'd bring Matt Healy to South Africa and start him against Canada in November 2016 and against Japan in June 2017 and see how he goes. Short-term though it's irrelevant as Healy's obviously not in the 6 Nations squad.

Reddan and Kearney being out could be a blessing in disguise. We get to see a more in form player at 15 (his best position) and a promising young player gets a shot off the bench as opposed to a 35 year old with max one season left at the highest level (if that).

[Xanthippe]

Reddan and Kearney being out could be a blessing in disguise. We get to see a more in form player at 15 (his best position)

Zebo?

[Oldschool]

Reddan and Kearney being out could be a blessing in disguise. We get to see a more in form player at 15 (his best position)

Zebo?

Judging by the broad smile on his face this morning on TV3, YES