Tour to Japan

[Peg Leg]

Bam Bam?

[simonokeeffe]

Bam Bam?

Bad Peg

Better off with some potential investment in the future

[leinsterforever]

Could be Holland if he's in line to start alongside Toner

[johng]

Is anyone else constatly singing this thread title to the tune of this classic 1984 synth hit?

[brotheroffrank]

This tour just got more interesting after the RWC draw......

[scentofgunpowder]

I would like to see us bring a squad similar to England's, i.e. bring a core of experienced players to set standards and work with younger lads, then give lads in their 20s with a good few caps who aren't and aren't going to be first choice at home in favour of the top prospects in the country.

Take Dave Kilcoyne for example. 28 years old, 3rd choice for Ireland, unlikely to ever be first choice. Extremely effective ball carrier, question marks over his scrummaging. If he goes to Japan he's unlikely to be tested in the scrums, would probably score a try or two and come back after a good tour, still 3rd choice. Especially given he's had a long season, I'd rather see him given a rest and someone younger given a chance to impress and get familiar with Joe/training. With that in mind I'd like to see the following:

Loosehead: Healy, Buckley, Dooley
Hooker: Cronin, Scannell, Delahunt/Heffernan/Tracy
Tighthead: Ryan, Bealham, Porter
Lock: Toner, Holland, Treadwell, Molony, Ryan
Back row: Ruddock, O'Brien, Leavy, Van der Flier, Conan, O'Donoghue
Scrum half: Marmion, McGrath
Out half: Jackson, Byrne
Centre: McCloskey, Scannell, Ringrose, Marshall
Wing: Trimble, Zebo, Conway, Sweetnam, Byrne
Full back: O'Halloran, Carbery

[simonokeeffe]

SOB is with the Lions
Dillane is ruled out isn't he?

Think same argument for Killer applies to Buckley but theres always Cronin there too

Other than that think youre pretty spot on

[scentofgunpowder]

SOB is with the Lions
Dillane is ruled out isn't he?

Think same argument for Killer applies to Buckley but theres always Cronin there too

Other than that think youre pretty spot on

Other Sean O'Brien. For me it's either Buckley or Kilcoyne there's not really anyone else, I'd personally rather have a look at the uncapped lad and give him a chance to win Joe over. As a Connacht fan I wouldn't mind Buckley not going he looks shagged.

Dillane is out of the tour yes.

[cormac]

They only took 32 to South Africa for a three-match tour last year so can't imagine the squad will be any bigger this June. Split was 18 forwards, 14 backs

[Oldschool]

So who tipped Joe off that Japan would be in our group.
Will the draw affect the numbers that go on this tour?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Yeah I can't see the squad being that big.

There's quite a few interesting calls. Bealham has been in awful form and if he misses out this summer then I don't see him getting back in any time soon. I could see Cronin being left at home because of his injury (and possibly due to his twins, just seems a good time to take a break) and if that happens then Scannell could stay ahead of him.

I'm assuming that D Ryan will be ostracised but no guarantee that will happen. Will James Ryan actually play?

Could McGrath get ahead of Marmion? Probably not but I wouldn't rule it out. Who are the back up centres? Will Zebo be on the wing or at fullback? Where will Joey play? I expect to see one clear favourite on the wing in terms of a youngster earmarked to play in November and beyond but hope that two or three guys get game time, no idea how that will he split up.

As mentioned above, the captaincy will be interesting too.

[scentofgunpowder]

Yeah I can't see the squad being that big.

There's quite a few interesting calls. Bealham has been in awful form and if he misses out this summer then I don't see him getting back in any time soon. I could see Cronin being left at home because of his injury (and possibly due to his twins, just seems a good time to take a break) and if that happens then Scannell could stay ahead of him.

I'm assuming that D Ryan will be ostracised but no guarantee that will happen. Will James Ryan actually play?

Could McGrath get ahead of Marmion? Probably not but I wouldn't rule it out. Who are the back up centres? Will Zebo be on the wing or at fullback? Where will Joey play? I expect to see one clear favourite on the wing in terms of a youngster earmarked to play in November and beyond but hope that two or three guys get game time, no idea how that will he split up.

As mentioned above, the captaincy will be interesting too.

True, from what I listed you could drop a loosehead, if Bealham is travelling, a second row, and a winger.

Bealham is struggling big time this year, he would be travelling by default rather than on merit. Could Cronin be next man in at hooker for the Lions? Would that be a reason for him to travel?

I'd love to see James Ryan travel in some capacity whether he plays or not. New Zealand often bring an uncapped player on tour at the end of the season. I think it would be great for him to integrate with the squad, get familiar with Joe's systems, etc. The fitness work could be good for him after so long out injured too.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

One thing I'd say about Bealham is that I was full sure he was injured around the time when Connacht were down to the bare bones a few months back and maybe a proper rest will see him return to form. He really was very Impressive before that.

[scentofgunpowder]

One thing I'd say about Bealham is that I was full sure he was injured around the time when Connacht were down to the bare bones a few months back and maybe a proper rest will see him return to form. He really was very Impressive before that.

Yeah he's a very good player, he's played 58 games since the start of last season so a rest would probably do him good.

[simonokeeffe]

Bealham's selling point is his ability to cover both sides and if we only want to take 5 props to Japan he makes it as number 5 UNLESS form of himself and or others sees J Ryan or heck even Porter get that gig

6 props means we lose a specialist somewhere else or theres pressure on utility value

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Thought that about Porter but really wouldn't be moving him around now unless we were desperate.

Part of the reason I mentioned Bealham is because I wonder if Bent might be in the mix. I doubt it but he can't be that far off. Not that we're talking about great players here but amazing to think we don't even consider Marty Moore.

[simonokeeffe]

Thought that about Porter but really wouldn't be moving him around now unless we were desperate.

Part of the reason I mentioned Bealham is because I wonder if Bent might be in the mix. I doubt it but he can't be that far off. Not that we're talking about great players here but amazing to think we don't even consider Marty Moore.

Depends how wedded we are to 5 props
Dont think Ryan or Porter would be moved around now but its someone with experience of both sides

Loosehead order is McGrath Healy Killer Cronin Dooley
Tighthead order is Furlong Ryan Herbst Bealham Bent

First two either side miles out in front. Bent probably sees more gametime next season

[ronk]

I wouldn't bring any of our young potential stars who haven't broken through for Leinster yet because it would be robbing them of their potential provincial start and they'll benefit more from early season Leinster gametime than a short tour that will have them missing the start of the season. I'd count Porter, Deegan, Ryan, Larmour in that camp. They'll break through internationally when ready if they're good enough. I'd see things differently for guys like Molony or Tracey.

If Keatley still doesn't have a club, I think you bring him.

I'd try to leave Bent because at his age I don't think he gains much and we have to sign someone if he gets picked. John Ryan absolutely could do with going and will be good for the team. Possibly Ah You if his injury isn't bad.

Toner goes because if he needs a rest that will be early season Leinster. Heaslip is a fitness call. If he's back he goes too as tour captain.

Marmion and McGrath an easy call at 9. I don't know what happens at 10 but think Keatley might go. Reid would be a good centre and there are loads of other options.

TOH is an obvious call at fullback and there are plenty of wing options, including experienced players like Trimble, Zebo and Earls.

[Oldschool]

I wouldn't bring any of our young potential stars who haven't broken through for Leinster yet because it would be robbing them of their potential provincial start and they'll benefit more from early season Leinster gametime than a short tour that will have them missing the start of the season. I'd count Porter, Deegan, Ryan, Larmour in that camp. They'll break through internationally when ready if they're good enough. I'd see things differently for guys like Molony or Tracey.

If Keatley still doesn't have a club, I think you bring him.

I'd try to leave Bent because at his age I don't think he gains much and we have to sign someone if he gets picked. John Ryan absolutely could do with going and will be good for the team. Possibly Ah You if his injury isn't bad.

Toner goes because if he needs a rest that will be early season Leinster. Heaslip is a fitness call. If he's back he goes too as tour captain.

Marmion and McGrath an easy call at 9. I don't know what happens at 10 but think Keatley might go. Reid would be a good centre and there are loads of other options.

TOH is an obvious call at fullback and there are plenty of wing options, including experienced players like Trimble, Zebo and Earls.

I'd agree re the young guys you but Bealham has been flogged all season and shouldn't go which probably means we'll need Bent on tour.
Carberry as 10 or 15 what say you? (In the starting 15)

[Ruckedtobits]

No logic in bringing Trimble IMO.