Are the whole squad flying out to the US or are some going direct to Japan?
Its a fairly heavy load travelling to New York, match sat then jumping on a plane to Japan presumably the shorter route over the Paciffic (international date line) loosing a day and being ready for a game the next Saturday.
Would see the first game as a genuine chance for Japan to catch us off guard
Scannell is covering 10. Makes sense to have him fresh if he's needed.
This is a fairly strong team with a good mix of seasoned veterans who could be with Lions, guys trying to break in and a few guys who are really inexperienced.
Decent selection from those available in Tour party. Front rank of front five to take on US scrum. Experienced mid-field pairing to counter their covered passing and changing lines. Back three which will alternate and give kick-pass options for Carbery to exploit. The back-row will be the dominant feature of our performance and, with Leavy to come off the bench, they will keep the pace up for the full 80.
Expect the front row to change en bloc at 60 mins and Ryan to come in for Toner at 55 mins. McGrath, Scannell and Ryan will get to pick over the carcass.
These changes are predicated on giving all 23 adequate time to make an impression and reflect the playing conditions rather than the match situation.
Don't expect a bonanza, but do expect to see that the new faces can live at this standard against a Tier 2 nation.
Definitely a better selection than Jones' choice against the Argies.
This is an interesting tour with an eye to the future. A few newbies are going to be tested against solid opposition who might see this as an opportunity to get the scalp of an under-powered tier 1 nation. Ryan and Porter are the two I am particularly interested. It will also be interesting to see if Carbery can kick on and boss the game from 10.
TOH having a good game and showing Schmidt that he is a legitimate alternative to Kearney and Zebo at 15.
Marshall and Ringrose connecting as Henshaw will miss a huge amount of next season because of the Lions so having a viable alternative for the AI's is a must.
Don't know a lot about Stockdale but with he has being given a golden ticket to show what he can do so he better not f**k up. Ditto Porter and Ryan.
For Carberry to show the form he had last time he was in the states playing.
For Marmion to kick on as Murray has being muck the past few weeks. If he continues in that form next season Ireland will need Marmion to start games.
For Cian Healy to show the form of old not the shadow he has being the last season or two.
John Ryan to play a good 65 mins at a strong pace to show he can be started against Tier 1 teams if he needs to.
That Dave Heffernan actually gets used as a sub. Ditto Ryan and Porter.
That Kilcoyne shows us definitively why he was picked in front of Cronin and Buckley.
sunshiner1 wrote:as Henshaw will miss a huge amount of next season because of the Lions.
Lions are always back the same time as the Irish summer tourists.
Which is a bit silly from a point of view of longevity, mental and physical burnout and and player welfare generally. They need an extra week off.
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
