Ireland v South Africa AI 2017.

[Gearzbox2]

Aki not involved according so some grumblings I've heard
Uncle joe going with McCloskey and Henshaw
Church also supposedly in, which id interesting as I don't see Jack Mc as much of an impact player...Kilcoyne maybe off the bench???
Back Row of Ruddock, SOB and Stander????
Other than that it's as you are really

Bench will have interesting calls...hooker???, hardly proven at Test level at any capacity
Back Row bench spot???
Few juicy calls on Thursday

[Ruckedtobits]

Team I think Joe will pick to play SA - limited outlook towards 2019, solely towards beating them to maintain confidence and new-found stature in world game:

15. RK
14. EARLS
13. HENSHAW
12. AKI
11. STOCKDALE
10. JS
9. Murray
1. JACK MC
2. RB
3. TF
4.DEV
5. HENDO
6. RHYS
7. SO'B
8. STANDER

16. TREACY
17. CHURCH
18. RYAN
19. DILLANE
20. PO'M
21. MARMION
22. CARBERY
23. CONWAY

[Oldschool]

Team I think Joe will pick to play SA - limited outlook towards 2019, solely towards beating them to maintain confidence and new-found stature in world game:

15. RK
14. EARLS
13. HENSHAW
12. AKI
11. STOCKDALE
10. JS
9. Murray
1. JACK MC
2. RB
3. TF
4.DEV
5. HENDO
6. RHYS
7. SO'B
8. STANDER

16. TREACY
17. CHURCH
18. RYAN
19. DILLANE
20. PO'M
21. MARMION
22. CARBERY
23. CONWAY

+1

[ronk]

Of Ireland’s top 6 backrows, 1 is gonna be picked at lock, 2 are injured (Josh and Jamie) and 3 are returning Lions who can use a slow buildup as mitigation of any minor form issues.

You’d then expect the 3 Lions to be picked. Bench is probably more about versatility.

There’s a new look midfield enforced and a relatively inexperienced wing at a minimum.

Fullback is missing people but the big choice is between Carbery who’s young and still learning the position and Rob Kearney who’s coming off a run of injuries but who’s very experienced at this level.

There’s additional information at training camp but you have to think that Rob gets the nod for the first match at least unless he’s not right.

Sub row is interesting. All young players and there’s no reason why it has to be Dillane. How rare is an Ireland squad with no Munster locks.

[Oldschool]

Of Ireland’s top 6 backrows, 1 is gonna be picked at lock, 2 are injured (Josh and Jamie) and 3 are returning Lions who can use a slow buildup as mitigation of any minor form issues.

You’d then expect the 3 Lions to be picked. Bench is probably more about versatility.

There’s a new look midfield enforced and a relatively inexperienced wing at a minimum.

Fullback is missing people but the big choice is between Carbery who’s young and still learning the position and Rob Kearney who’s coming off a run of injuries but who’s very experienced at this level.

There’s additional information at training camp but you have to think that Rob gets the nod for the first match at least unless he’s not right.

Sub row is interesting. All young players and there’s no reason why it has to be Dillane. How rare is an Ireland squad with no Munster locks.

Did Big Mal and Leo ever get it together or Casey and not a Munster a lock maybe?

[simonokeeffe]

TOD is out injured
Conan sat out training today due to heavy workload
Leavy had tight hamstring

Interesting one about the locks
I do think though its more a case of Ulster having a small backrow than Ireland having no locks

[ronk]

Of Ireland’s top 6 backrows, 1 is gonna be picked at lock, 2 are injured (Josh and Jamie) and 3 are returning Lions who can use a slow buildup as mitigation of any minor form issues.

You’d then expect the 3 Lions to be picked. Bench is probably more about versatility.

There’s a new look midfield enforced and a relatively inexperienced wing at a minimum.

Fullback is missing people but the big choice is between Carbery who’s young and still learning the position and Rob Kearney who’s coming off a run of injuries but who’s very experienced at this level.

There’s additional information at training camp but you have to think that Rob gets the nod for the first match at least unless he’s not right.

Sub row is interesting. All young players and there’s no reason why it has to be Dillane. How rare is an Ireland squad with no Munster locks.

Did Big Mal and Leo ever get it together or Casey and not a Munster a lock maybe?

Probably 2006 or 2008 summer tours.

This is usual in that they have no injuries and they're still relatively far away from having a player who'll fight for a squad place.

Kleyn is ages away from qualifying and young locks arent generating the excitement yet.

Will Munster even have any caps for locks before the world cup?

[cormac]

Of Ireland’s top 6 backrows, 1 is gonna be picked at lock, 2 are injured (Josh and Jamie) and 3 are returning Lions who can use a slow buildup as mitigation of any minor form issues.

You’d then expect the 3 Lions to be picked. Bench is probably more about versatility.

There’s a new look midfield enforced and a relatively inexperienced wing at a minimum.

Fullback is missing people but the big choice is between Carbery who’s young and still learning the position and Rob Kearney who’s coming off a run of injuries but who’s very experienced at this level.

There’s additional information at training camp but you have to think that Rob gets the nod for the first match at least unless he’s not right.

Sub row is interesting. All young players and there’s no reason why it has to be Dillane. How rare is an Ireland squad with no Munster locks.

Did Big Mal and Leo ever get it together or Casey and not a Munster a lock maybe?

Leo and Mal started two games together, a 64-17 win over Fiji in November and a 25-24 win away to Wales in the 2003 6N. Bob Casey and Mal started the 50-18 defeat to England in our first ever 6N match.

[simonokeeffe]

Ben O'Keefe is the ref for this one

The O'Keefe's with the one f are the ones that took the soup

[Peg Leg]

Ben O'Keefe is the ref for this one

The O'Keefe's with the one f are the ones that took the soup

They dont sing the national anthem either...

[simonokeeffe]

Ben O'Keefe is the ref for this one

The O'Keefe's with the one f are the ones that took the soup

They dont sing the national anthem either...

Paddy O'Brien sang Ireland's call

Gerry proclaimeth the team thusly

RELAND (possible, v South Africa): R Kearney; J Stockdale, R Henshaw, B Aki, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best (capt), T Furlong, D Toner, I Henderson, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, C J Stander. Replacements: D Kilcoyne, R Herring, J Ryan, U Dillane, R Ruddock, K Marmion, J Carbery, A Conway.

[desperado]

I really don't get the Herring selection. I don't know his lineout stats --- but is he anymore accurate than Nugget. Dundon was if I recall correctly very strong on the basics of hooker, don't see him working wonders with Ulster hookers though (perception).

[neiliog93]

Herring was a mess against Leinster but in general he is a very tidy and accurate player. Rarely misses tackles, makes bad decisions, drops the ball, throws badly, or gives away penalties. Not the most outstanding athlete but definitely the type of guy who is often underrated. IMO he still shouldn't be in the squad btw, but he is a solid player.

What is your source Gearzbox? Joe loves Ruddock and POM hasn't been playing well so it is plausible that he picks Ruddock ahead of POM, especially given Ruddock's try-scoring performance against them on his home debut back in 2014.

[Oldschool]

Ben O'Keefe is the ref for this one

The O'Keefe's with the one f are the ones that took the soup

They dont sing the national anthem either...

Paddy O'Brien sang Ireland's call

Gerry proclaimeth the team thusly

RELAND (possible, v South Africa): R Kearney; J Stockdale, R Henshaw, B Aki, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best (capt), T Furlong, D Toner, I Henderson, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, C J Stander. Replacements: D Kilcoyne, R Herring, J Ryan, U Dillane, R Ruddock, K Marmion, J Carbery, A Conway.

Is Jack McGrath injured?

[domhnallj]

Is Jack McGrath injured?

I heard himself and Earls were injury worries on Morning Ireland.

[wixfjord]

Prepare for the incoming Rob Kearney selection shitstorm.

Usually hits around this time every year. Could be worse than Ophelia.

[Dave Cahill]

A lack of greed brings its own rewards.

[olaf the fat]

Ben O'Keefe is the ref for this one

The O'Keefe's with the one f are the ones that took the soup

They dont sing the national anthem either...

We have a choice of several*, surely they could of picked 1

*(3 when playing england, 2 when playing everyone else ).

[Laighin Break]

Is the third one "Come Out Ye Black and Tans" or "Go On Home British Soldiers"?

[fourthirtythree]

It's "don't come for our corporate tax rate!" a stirring anthem of xenophobia.