Ireland Vs Italy, Lansdowne Road, Saturday 10th Feb @14:15

[RoboProp]

Will Larmour get a call up?
Will PO'M make an angry face?
Will Johnny attempt the Randwick loop?

[simonokeeffe]

Larmour and Porter and Murphy on the bench

Leavy to start

Wouldnt change it otherwise

[RoboProp]

I think Larmour and Nugget coming on for the last 30 mins against a tiring Italy could be a try fest.

[Peg Leg]

Joey to start

[neiliog93]

Very unlikely that he'll pick Joey to start, but if all is going to plan he'll probably get on around the 60 minute mark. Same for Larmour. McFadden might start ahead of Stockdale, with the latter potentially dropping out of the XXIII to allow Larmour a spot on the bench. He might also put Dillane on the bench instead of Toner. Conan to take the no.20 jersey, J.McGrath to start and Porter on the bench ahead of John Ryan.

1.J.McGrath 2.Best 3.Furlong

4.Henderson 5.Ja.Ryan

6.POM 8.Stander 7.Leavy

9.Murray 10.Sexton 12.Aki 13.Henshaw 14.McFadden

11.Earls 15.R.Kearney

16.S.Cronin 17.Healy 18.Porter 19.Dillane 20.Conan 21.L.McGrath (20 mins+) 22.Carbery (20 mins+) 23.Larmour (20 mins+)

[betty swallocks]

I think we'll see more change than suggested above. I would see the 23 as follows:
1 McGrath, 2 Best, 3 Furlong, 4 Toner, 5 Dillane, 6 Murphy, 7 Leavy, 8 Conan, 9 Marmion, 10 Sexton, 11 Earls, 12 Aki, 13 Henshaw, 14 McFadden, 15 Larmour.
16 Cronin, 17 Healy, 18 Porter, 19 James Ryan, 20 O'Mahony, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Carbery, 23 Farrell.

[TerenureJim]

Mostly same squad but Stockdale out and Larmour in, maybe flip Ryan and Toner, Leavy to start and Jordi to bench? Maybe also McGrath in as back up 9, possibility to "rest" Healy and start McGrath to reverse to Healy starting and McGrath bench for Wales?

[hugonaut]

Larmour and Porter and Murphy on the bench

Leavy to start

Wouldnt change it otherwise

I think it's important to stick with Stockdale on the wing, even though he didn't cover himself in glory. Young players are occasionally going to struggle when they're involved in a type of game they haven't played before, and there's no doubt in my mind that Stockdale had never played in a game of that intensity.

I think Larmour will come in as outside back cover in the No23 jersey and, as with one of the other posters, I'd seriously consider swapping in Jack Conan for CJ Stander. Stander put in a huge effort against the French and I doubt he will be at his best against the Italians. In any case, Conan has outperformed him all season and you could easily argue that he deserved the jersey. Lastly, as the months roll by I am getting more and more pessimistic about Heaslip returning, so we need to have a second option at No8.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I haven't watched the game back but did I miss poor elements of Stockdale's performance? He got caught for the try but so did several others, and I don't remember anything else bad.

My team would be...

McGrath
Best (tempted to start Cronin but he could be lethal if the Italians collapse late on like they did against England, and with a day less recovery, away game etc)
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
Stander
Leavy
Conan
Murray
Sexton
Stockdale
Aki
Henshaw
Earls
Larmour (I've come around to the idea of starting him. Italy don't have a kicking game that should worry us so don't think we need Rob)

Cronin
Healy
Porter (I've been wondering if his inexperience would have been a hindrance in the last 5 mins on Saturday, but I've no doubt he could have a huge impact this week)
Toner
Jordi
Luke
Joey
Scannell

Not a hope in hell that POM and Rob will be left out but that's what I'd go with.

[mildlyinterested]

team doing the rounds:

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O' Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan
9. Conor Murray
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Keith Earls
15. Rob Kearney

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. Ultan Dillane
20. CJ Stander
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour

[FLIP]

They've dropped the wrong back row there.

[CiaranIrl]

team doing the rounds:

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O' Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan
9. Conor Murray
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Keith Earls
15. Rob Kearney

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. Ultan Dillane
20. CJ Stander
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour

If Jordi was number 20 there, I'd be happy with that team.

[Logorrhea]

I haven't watched the game back but did I miss poor elements of Stockdale's performance? He got caught for the try but so did several others, and I don't remember anything else bad.

Thought he was really hesitant both with the ball and without (though didn't think he was at fault for the French try). Give him a run of games though and see how he gets on.

Could see Toner and McGrath coming in. Could also see Murphy coming straight in too.

[simonokeeffe]

Larmour and Porter and Murphy on the bench

Leavy to start

Wouldnt change it otherwise

I think it's important to stick with Stockdale on the wing, even though he didn't cover himself in glory. Young players are occasionally going to struggle when they're involved in a type of game they haven't played before, and there's no doubt in my mind that Stockdale had never played in a game of that intensity.

I think Larmour will come in as outside back cover in the No23 jersey and, as with one of the other posters, I'd seriously consider swapping in Jack Conan for CJ Stander. Stander put in a huge effort against the French and I doubt he will be at his best against the Italians. In any case, Conan has outperformed him all season and you could easily argue that he deserved the jersey. Lastly, as the months roll by I am getting more and more pessimistic about Heaslip returning, so we need to have a second option at No8.

Thats what Im getting at, let Stockdale start and hopefully score a couple and keep his confidence up

[matt]

team doing the rounds:

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O' Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan
9. Conor Murray
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Keith Earls
15. Rob Kearney

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. Ultan Dillane
20. CJ Stander
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour

If that team is correct then we will have used 28 players in first two games (17 Leinster, 3 Connacht, 5 Munster, 3 Ulster). Shows our strength in depth.

[Flash Gordon]

I think Larmour and Nugget coming on for the last 30 mins against a tiring Italy could be a try fest.

Let's hope Jordan doesn't score a hatrick, it could be the end of his international career!

[Oldschool]

Will Larmour get a call up?
Will PO'M make an angry face?
Will Johnny attempt the Randwick loop?

POM's angry face's have been a bit off form lately, hard to a put even a brave face on it.

[sunshiner1]

Possible Ireland team v Italy:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray

1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. Iain Henderson
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. Quinn Roux
20. CJ Stander
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour

This is Murray Kinsella's team so I'm assuming he has the inside track. JVDF out and James Ryan has a niggle so is not being picked. Glad to see Stander getting a rest with Conan coming in. The two big surprises are Marmion on the bench in front of McGrath and Roux in front of Dillane. There's not much to chose from Marmion and McGrath but I would have thought with Dillane's pace and fend he would have being the more obvious choice than Roux.

[paddyor]

Dillanes mam died in her sleep Monday. I'd imagine he's out. Poor Family. RIP.

[sunshiner1]

by paddyor

Dillanes mam died in her sleep Monday. I'd imagine he's out. Poor Family. RIP.

Didn't know. Condolences to the family.