Ireland 2017-18

[simonokeeffe]

No one has more experience of being interviewed as a losing captain than POM

Once again John Muldoon is overlooked

[CiaranIrl]

I see from the Indo today that POM must be appointed captain because of Reggiegate. I might be wrong but somehow I don't see Joe deciding on his captain on the basis of a (losing) post match interview

This paragraph in the article tells you all you need to know.

"Corrigan tried on three separate occasions to get O'Mahony to bite, and he did, on the first occassion. It was clear then that the Munster captain wasn't going to engage with Corrigan's line of questioning and nor should he of."

Who the f%~k is Jack O'Toole anyway?

[simonokeeffe]

Zebo has made sacrifices to the right Gods and according to Rassie in IT today he might play this weekend; Zebo 11 Earls 14 then

[Experimental]

Carbury/TOH at full back is a very tight call TOH has looked very sharp this season, but the fact that Carbury is playing with the others on a regular basis might give him a slight advantage should it come down to a choice between the pair.Its possible that TOH might get the nod with Carbury on the bench to cover 15 and 10. Zebo would probably claim the 15 jersey if he proves his fitness, but Joe has never been the type to rush players back in unless they are really badly needed. TOH definitely has the talent to play international rugby consistently, and hes doing some good things at the moment.

[paddyor]

At this moment in time id imagine an Ireland starting 15 for november would look a little like this (excuse the blue tinted specs):

Furlong
Best
McGrath
Henderson
Toner
POM
O'Brien
Stander
Murray
Sexton
Earls
Henshaw
Aki
Stockdale
Carbury

Fixed.
I'd be very surprised if he deviated from the backrow that started against England (assuming all are fit). And for the subs

Scannell
Healy
Ryan
Dillane
Conan
Marmion
Byrne?
Conway
Heal

[Experimental]

I wish Byrne would cut out the stupid defensive mistakes that are plaguing his introduction to senior international duty. Would love to take that question mark away from his name, but the reality is if he gets picked for Montpelier he's gonna have to have a huge game to even have a chance to get on the bench for Ireland, I would say there are still one or two ahead of him. I've also not been convinced by Dillane, and I think he has regressed since he first burst on the scene, letting DR go to france was one of the biggest mistakes I can remember in Irish rugby. Possible that Beirne could play a role? Personally I would love to see James Ryan given a shot if fit, I think him and stockdale are ready for the seniors in a more meaningful capacity.

[ronk]

Ryan cause be called if needed, but isn't he injured anyway.

[simonokeeffe]

Beirne wont get a look in til he moves back
Dillane is a good impact bench option/like for like for Henderson
James Ryan will definitely play v Fiji

DR was always leaving and was out of the 23 when centrals were being decided

right wing is a bit of a pickle, Earls is far better at 11, Conway is 7/10 at international level, nordie boys are old af, we have no one who can defend, TOH is playing more at 15 but he hasnt been shown much love by Joe is quite some time

[leinsterforever]

Beirne wont get a look in til he moves back
Dillane is a good impact bench option/like for like for Henderson
James Ryan will definitely play v Fiji

DR was always leaving and was out of the 23 when centrals were being decided

right wing is a bit of a pickle, Earls is far better at 11, Conway is 7/10 at international level, nordie boys are old af, we have no one who can defend, TOH is playing more at 15 but he hasnt been shown much love by Joe is quite some time

I like Sweetnam on the right wing, but he does seem quite fragile. He's always in and out of the Munster team with injury

[simonokeeffe]

Beirne wont get a look in til he moves back
Dillane is a good impact bench option/like for like for Henderson
James Ryan will definitely play v Fiji

DR was always leaving and was out of the 23 when centrals were being decided

right wing is a bit of a pickle, Earls is far better at 11, Conway is 7/10 at international level, nordie boys are old af, we have no one who can defend, TOH is playing more at 15 but he hasnt been shown much love by Joe is quite some time

I like Sweetnam on the right wing, but he does seem quite fragile. He's always in and out of the Munster team with injury

definitely
He is a bit like Adam Byrne too

[suisse]

They're getting a lot of mileage from the POM interview. either deflecting attention or there's really nothing else to talk about. Incredibly unimportant and irrelevant.

If that was a former Munster player asking Jamie Heaslip the same question, he'd be a ligind.

[blockhead]

Game v South Africa is a sell out.

[Oldschool]

They're getting a lot of mileage from the POM interview. either deflecting attention or there's really nothing else to talk about. Incredibly unimportant and irrelevant.

If that was a former Munster player asking Jamie Heaslip the same question, he'd be a ligind.

Reggie IS a Legend.

[Oldschoolsocks]

They're getting a lot of mileage from the POM interview. either deflecting attention or there's really nothing else to talk about. Incredibly unimportant and irrelevant.

If that was a former Munster player asking Jamie Heaslip the same question, he'd be a ligind.

Reggie IS a Legend.

Have to agree here. Our Reginald has no apologies to make to PO glarey eyes M.

I chuckle just a little more every time I’m temitof it

[CiaranIrl]

They're getting a lot of mileage from the POM interview. either deflecting attention or there's really nothing else to talk about. Incredibly unimportant and irrelevant.

If that was a former Munster player asking Jamie Heaslip the same question, he'd be a ligind.

Reggie IS a Legend.

Have to agree here. Our Reginald has no apologies to make to PO glarey eyes M.

I chuckle just a little more every time I’m temitof it

Are you definitely different people?

[Ruckedtobits]

So now, has the landscape changed at all after Weekend One of real rugby in regard to the Irish Squad?

Contenders

No 15: Carbery, Zebo, O'Halloran.
No 14: Maybe Sweetnam or Kelleher but no visible contenders.
No 13: Henshaw
No 12: Aki, Marshall, Scannell.
No 11: Earls, Stockdale, Daly.
No 10: Sexton, Keatley.
No 9: Murray, Marmion, Cooney.
No 8: Conan, Stander.
No 7: VdF, SO'B.
No 6: PO'M, Ruddock, Murphy, Beirne
No 5: Henderson, Ryan, Dillane.
No 4: Toner, Treadwell.
No 3: Furlong, Ryan, Bealham.
No 2: Best, Scannell, McCartney.
No 1: McGrath, Healy.

A Squad with no surprises then, but what do I know?

[jimbobjoe]

So now, has the landscape changed at all after Weekend One of real rugby in regard to the Irish Squad?

Contenders

No 15: Carbery, Zebo, O'Halloran.
No 14: Maybe Sweetnam or Kelleher but no visible contenders.
No 13: Henshaw
No 12: Aki, Marshall, Scannell.
No 11: Earls, Stockdale, Daly.
No 10: Sexton, Keatley.
No 9: Murray, Marmion, Cooney.
No 8: Conan, Stander.
No 7: VdF, SO'B.
No 6: PO'M, Ruddock, Murphy, Beirne
No 5: Henderson, Ryan, Dillane.
No 4: Toner, Treadwell.
No 3: Furlong, Ryan, Bealham.
No 2: Best, Scannell, McCartney.
No 1: McGrath, Healy.

A Squad with no surprises then, but what do I know?

No 15: Carbery, Zebo, O'Halloran.
No 14: Sweetnam, Byrne/Gilroy? Don't think Kelleher is anywhere near.. is Gilroy injured?
No 13: Henshaw, Marshall
No 12: Aki, Scannell, McCloskey.
No 11: Earls, Stockdale, Daly.
No 10: Sexton, Tyler, JJ, Carbery. As much as I like Keatley, he's not up to the level required (JJ is questionable).
No 9: Murray, Marmion, Cooney, McGrath - Very hard to decide the back up right now
No 8: Conan, Stander.
No 7: VdF, SO'B.
No 6: PO'M, Ruddock, Murphy, Beirne - Don't think Murphy's shown enough and Beirne won't be brought in yet. JO'D?
No 5: Henderson, Ryan, Dillane. - Dillane's been quiet for a while, how's his form?
No 4: Toner, Treadwell.
No 3: Furlong, Ryan, Bealham/Herbst.
No 2: Best, Scannell, McCartney, Tracey/Cronin - Best injured so likely Cronin in as Scannells backup
No 1: McGrath, Healy. Buckley/Kilcoyne? Kilcoyne mixed the excellent with the awful today so unsure about him

[simonokeeffe]

POM (and Zebo) had another ill disciplined display at the weekend, so Ruddock, Conan (pushing Stander to 6), and maybe SOB in with a real shout.

Unless his form improves and or he's picked just for the captaincy POM is under threat

If Best is out and POM isn't picked then personally I'd give the captaincy to Murray and let Stander or Ruddock lead the forwards

[Oldschool]

So now, has the landscape changed at all after Weekend One of real rugby in regard to the Irish Squad?

Contenders

No 15: Carbery, Zebo, O'Halloran.
No 14: Maybe Sweetnam or Kelleher but no visible contenders.
No 13: Henshaw
No 12: Aki, Marshall, Scannell.
No 11: Earls, Stockdale, Daly.
No 10: Sexton, Keatley.
No 9: Murray, Marmion, Cooney.
No 8: Conan, Stander.
No 7: VdF, SO'B.
No 6: PO'M, Ruddock, Murphy, Beirne
No 5: Henderson, Ryan, Dillane.
No 4: Toner, Treadwell.
No 3: Furlong, Ryan, Bealham.
No 2: Best, Scannell, McCartney.
No 1: McGrath, Healy.

A Squad with no surprises then, but what do I know?

No 15: Carbery, Zebo, O'Halloran.
No 14: Sweetnam, Byrne/Gilroy? Don't think Kelleher is anywhere near.. is Gilroy injured?
No 13: Henshaw, Marshall
No 12: Aki, Scannell, McCloskey.
No 11: Earls, Stockdale, Daly.
No 10: Sexton, Tyler, JJ, Carbery. As much as I like Keatley, he's not up to the level required (JJ is questionable).
No 9: Murray, Marmion, Cooney, McGrath - Very hard to decide the back up right now
No 8: Conan, Stander.
No 7: VdF, SO'B.
No 6: PO'M, Ruddock, Murphy, Beirne - Don't think Murphy's shown enough and Beirne won't be brought in yet. JO'D?
No 5: Henderson, Ryan, Dillane. - Dillane's been quiet for a while, how's his form?
No 4: Toner, Treadwell.
No 3: Furlong, Ryan, Bealham/Herbst.
No 2: Best, Scannell, McCartney, Tracey/Cronin - Best injured so likely Cronin in as Scannells backup
No 1: McGrath, Healy. Buckley/Kilcoyne? Kilcoyne mixed the excellent with the awful today so unsure about him

No Ringrose, Tommy O'Donnell or Henry???
Longer term Joe really needs to be looking at Henshaw to FB and Carberry to 10.

[jimbobjoe]

No Ringrose, Tommy O'Donnell or Henry???
Longer term Joe really needs to be looking at Henshaw to FB and Carberry to 10.

Ringrose still injured. Would prefer see him back to form for Leinster.
TOD's a good player but hasn't excelled at european level yet. Bring him in if/when he does.
Haven't seen much of Henry yet this season but probably ahead of Murphy.