Short debate on Irelands options at centre

Given Darcy is looking more and more and more doubtful i'm interested to see who else could support BOD in the upcoming world cup. I am aware there are many people out there who would say even a fit Darcy should not start, but i'm assuming if fit he will start in the crunch games.

Right now, I believe Wallace is the best choice. A specialist 12 with all the attendant skills and experience. He has the ability to create opportunities for our strike runners in the back three that the other options do not and there's no learning curve bringing him in at this stage. He can take the pressure off Sexton at 10 with his ability to come in at first receiver and that adds variety to our attack.

Notch wrote:Right now, I believe Wallace is the best choice.

Surprise surprise

It's a no brainer Stag. No one other than D'arcy or Wallace has played 12 under Kidney. I don't understand why this is even being debated.

If anyone else was being seriously considered they'd have got some gametime there over the past 12 months. The fact that McFadden isn't starting at 12 against Scotland with D'arcy, O'Driscoll and Earls out is probably a good indicator of where is is in the midfield pecking order.

Unless there are further injuries I don't think we'll see anything other than D'arcy/Wallace and BOD in midfield.

A 'short' debate from my Irish cousins?! Ha, ha, not a chance!!

Rodders relax I'm just teasing Notch. I voted Paddy too.

Wallace for me too think Sexton and he could really well together. I would choose Wallace over a fit Darcy.

I am looking forward to our centre options post Darcy, Wallace and BOD too, kind of excited by the competition for places.

red_stag wrote:Rodders relax I'm just teasing Notch. I voted Paddy too.

The wind up on notch would have been more effective if you pm'd me that...

Just between you and me I'm hoping to wind up Gibson and Boyne with my response (although I am right of course)...

SOB seems a popular selection?!

No wind up. Just a long running joke between us. More of a one liner than anything. Notch knows me too well to think anything of it.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:SOB seems a popular selection?!

Thats a good point actually. Would playing SOB at 12 resolve the backrow conundrum if Ferris is fit?

Think about he has all the skills. whats his kicking game like?

Would Sean O'Brian have the soft hands needed for playing an international class 12? He would certainly cause problems with his physicality and ha has a good offload out of contact, but would he be able to translate that into a 12.

I think 12s need to be either Fly Halfs or 12s. Moving wingers or flankers into the 12 slot is not normally successful since they lack the awareness and anticipation that all the world class 12s have.

Radge I'm surprised you gave that a serious response

Sometimes you have to think outside the box though. It would be an interesting experiment for sure and O'Brien isn't really your conventional backrower. He does have a 'Inga Tuigimala-ness' or 'Scott Gibbs-ness' 'to the way he looks and plays.

It would never happen though.

I voted Wallace, but I'm starting to regret not picking SOB now...

The question is

If Darcy doesn't make it who will partner Brian O'Driscoll for the rugby world cup?

That's a no brainer. But should we not talk about why Fergus McFadden should partner Brian O'Driscoll for the rugby world cup?

Wallace will,don't know if he should but he is a experienced fella with an ability to create space for the backs.

Mickado wrote:The question is

That's a no brainer. But should we not talk about why Fergus McFadden should partner Brian O'Driscoll for the rugby world cup?

Well we could debate that but as McFadden hasn't played for Ireland at 12 and hasn't played much for Leinster their either then there's not really a lot to debate.

It would be just as valid to debate why Nevin Spence should partner O'Driscoll as he has probably started more games at 12 than McFadden this year.

it will be Wallace. It should be McFadden. The only people I have ever heard saying Wallace is up to it have been on this board.

He'll be grand against the likes of Scotland, but will be shown up against the big boys.

Overall, his contribution to Ireland has been more negative than positive and I cannot see why he is being persevered with.

But, it will be him. For better or worse.

roddersm wrote:

Mickado wrote:The question is

That's a no brainer. But should we not talk about why Fergus McFadden should partner Brian O'Driscoll for the rugby world cup?

Well we could debate that but as McFadden hasn't played for Ireland at 12 and hasn't played much for Leinster their either then there's not really a lot to debate.

It would be just as valid to debate why Nevin Spence should partner O'Driscoll as he has probably started more games at 12 than McFadden this year.

Yeah, Nevin Spence. Good man. Maybe in 2018.

I cant get over this, well, hes never played for Ireland BS...

There was a time when BOD had never played for Ireland. Was that used as an excuse to keep him out?

If we all took this POV, nobody would get capped and we'd still have Gibson in the centre.

Boyne wrote:
Yeah, Nevin Spence. Good man. Maybe in 2018.

I cant get over this, well, hes never played for Ireland BS...

There was a time when BOD had never played for Ireland. Was that used as an excuse to keep him out?

If we all took this POV, nobody would get capped and we'd still have Gibson in the centre.

Boyne BOD didn't get his first cap at centre a couple of games before a WC did he? He'd been around for 3 seasons before his 1st WC. The time to throw McFadden into the deep end is post WC and only when he has established himself as 1st team player at Leinster.

Why is it that you are applying one rule for Spence and one for McFadden? You are happy to make the judgement that Spence is not ready but berate anyone for suggesting the same about McFadden. I haven't looked at the stats but I'd be surprised if Spences didn't compare more than favourably against McFadden's this year and at 5 years younger that says a lot.

I think both players will get their chances post WC but you should really take your blue goggles off.

roddersm wrote:Radge I'm surprised you gave that a serious response

Sometimes you have to think outside the box though. It would be an interesting experiment for sure and O'Brien isn't really your conventional backrower. He does have a 'Inga Tuigimala-ness' or 'Scott Gibbs-ness' 'to the way he looks and plays.

It would never happen though.

You don't know what it's like here in Scotland. We are used to these rediculous experiments so it's only natural I would respond thinking people might be serious. He does after all have 4 votes on the poll!

Just in the 6N we had a crash ball winger at inside centre and a lock at blindside flank!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
Just in the 6N we had a crash ball winger at inside centre and a lock at blindside flank!

Radge that's an interesting point. To be honest it's not that rediculous. I think we tend to be very conservative here with our views and tend to be stuck in the view that players can only play in one position and to try them in another would be a massive risk. So what it doesn't work out? at least you've tried and know for sure and you can see the robinson is at least thinking outside the box.

Take Bowe for example. Neither the Ospreys or the Lions had any problem throwing him into the centre, yet here we have sleepless nights trying to work out what to do if BOD got injured. We'll loose 80% of our lineouts because our back rows are too short against Italy and the penny won't drop to stick a 2nd row into the backrow.

There's just no lateral thinking in our coaching and selection.

Rodders. No offense but I think McFadden is a better player, from what I have seen so far, than Spence.

Please, take your white goggles off (see, I can do that too)

Is it better to have Wallace at 12 and BOD at 13, or if BOD moves to 12 do our options look better?

Earls? Bowe? McFadden? Spence...?

Can BOD play effectively at 12?

Boyne wrote:Rodders. No offense but I think McFadden is a better player, from what I have seen so far, than Spence.

Non taken. I think he is too but only marginally and don't forget Spence is 5 years younger. Cave is there or there abouts too.

The point is, the reason for not considering either for this WC is because both are inexperienced and unproven at International level, in McFadden's case he is arguably unproven at provincial level too as a centre. There just isn't the performances, at least not enough of them, to back up this argument that he's ready to start alongside O'Driscoll.

greybeard wrote:Is it better to have Wallace at 12 and BOD at 13, or if BOD moves to 12 do our options look better?

Earls? Bowe? McFadden? Spence...?

Yes I think so but it's too late to be tinkering in my view. I think 12 is a more pivotal position than 13 though, in that there is more decision making involved therefore it's less of a risk to try an untested player at 13 than 12. The 12 is more likely to handle the ball more and needs to gel with the players around him more than the 13, in attack and defence.

I voted Wallace

You have to remember he was first choice 12 in first few games of the 2009 6 Nations, even though D'arcy was fit, and during the last 6 nations D'arcy wasn't playing well and there were calls for Wallace to replace him.

roddersm wrote:

greybeard wrote:Is it better to have Wallace at 12 and BOD at 13, or if BOD moves to 12 do our options look better?

Earls? Bowe? McFadden? Spence...?

Yes I think so but it's too late to be tinkering in my view. I think 12 is a more pivotal position than 13 though, in that there is more decision making involved therefore it's less of a risk to try an untested player at 13 than 12. The 12 is more likely to handle the ball more and needs to gel with the players around him more than the 13, in attack and defence.

I would have thought now is the perfect time for tinkering. We avoid tinkering during the 6N and even the AIs to a large extent. We have 5 matches, 40 minutes of a-tinkering isn't going to do any harm. BOD pops up at 12 sometimes and when D'Arcy won 6N player of the tournament it was mostly him at 13 and BOD at 12.

We have to be fairly consistant. If Paddy plays two/three warm up games and plays well, He MUST remain first choice regardless of D'arcys fitness.

At this stage, my feeling is D'arcy should only be reconsidered as starting 12 in the evnt of paddy wallace underperforming.

Paddy will be in ownership of the 12 shirt for RWC unless he has a mare!

greybeard wrote:I would have thought now is the perfect time for tinkering. We avoid tinkering during the 6N and even the AIs to a large extent. We have 5 matches, 40 minutes of a-tinkering isn't going to do any harm. BOD pops up at 12 sometimes and when D'Arcy won 6N player of the tournament it was mostly him at 13 and BOD at 12.

Yes but the problem is that 40 minutes of tinkering now isn't really going to prove anything to the extent needed in relation to this years WC. The time for tinkering was the AI's and, yes in a WC year, the 6N.

Regardless of how well players go in these warm up games any player we take who didn't feature in either the AI's or the 6N is a big risk.

roddersm wrote:

Boyne BOD didn't get his first cap at centre a couple of games before a WC did he?

Eh... Yeah.. he did actually do just that. Remember he played for Ireland before he played for Leinster.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/match_centre.php?section=lineups&fixid=28107

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

roddersm wrote:

Boyne BOD didn't get his first cap at centre a couple of games before a WC did he?

Eh... Yeah.. he did actually do just that. Remember he played for Ireland before he played for Leinster.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/match_centre.php?section=lineups&fixid=28107

By jeebus I stand corrected. I have no relection of BOD playing in the 1999 WC. Anyway it doesn't really support Boynes point very well because we were rubbish and crashed out in the group stages. It wasn't until the 2000 6N that BOD really found his feet internationally.

clivemcl wrote:We have to be fairly consistant. If Paddy plays two/three warm up games and plays well, He MUST remain first choice regardless of D'arcys fitness.

At this stage, my feeling is D'arcy should only be reconsidered as starting 12 in the evnt of paddy wallace underperforming.

Paddy will be in ownership of the 12 shirt for RWC unless he has a mare!

I know I have blue glasses here. But McFadden is twice the player Paddy is. He has him for speed, strength, skill, footwork, Everything bar experience.

At the moment that experience may keep Paddy ahead, that will only last till the end of the World cup though.

Not for a moment saying that Paddy is rubbish. He is a great distributor, and has a fairly decent Rugby brain in that area. But I believe Ferg is/will be a really special player.

roddersm wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

roddersm wrote:

Boyne BOD didn't get his first cap at centre a couple of games before a WC did he?

Eh... Yeah.. he did actually do just that. Remember he played for Ireland before he played for Leinster.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/match_centre.php?section=lineups&fixid=28107

By jeebus I stand corrected. I have no relection of BOD playing in the 1999 WC. Anyway it doesn't really support Boynes point very well because we were rubbish and crashed out in the group stages. It wasn't until the 2000 6N that BOD really found his feet internationally.

From memory. He was on the plane but didn't feature. A fact which probably did his rep no harm after Lens.

That was a Summer International before the WC

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

clivemcl wrote:We have to be fairly consistant. If Paddy plays two/three warm up games and plays well, He MUST remain first choice regardless of D'arcys fitness.

At this stage, my feeling is D'arcy should only be reconsidered as starting 12 in the evnt of paddy wallace underperforming.

Paddy will be in ownership of the 12 shirt for RWC unless he has a mare!

I know I have blue glasses here. But McFadden is twice the player Paddy is. He has him for speed, strength, skill, footwork, Everything bar experience.

At the moment that experience may keep Paddy ahead, that will only last till the end of the World cup though.

Not for a moment saying that Paddy is rubbish. He is a great distributor, and has a fairly decent Rugby brain in that area. But I believe Ferg is/will be a really special player.

I think Fergus will feature in the starting team at some point (but that will be short lived when Paul Marshall and Nevin Spence come of age), but with paddy playing this game, you would I'm guessing call for McFadden to be tried in the next warm up game? and then if darcy is fit he will get the third game?
Theres not a chance Kidney will go to the world cup with a 12 only having one game warm up.

i suspect either one of Wallace or Mcfadden is on a make or break outting tomorrow OR, Darcy is already a very serious doubt alltogether. They won't get one warm up game each at 12, they just won't.

Personally, i don't think it would be a major blow if darcy got left behind.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
Not for a moment saying that Paddy is rubbish. He is a great distributor, and has a fairly decent Rugby brain in that area. But I believe Ferg is/will be a really special player.

Jen I'm not disputing this but he needs to get a bloody move on because he's 25. If he's as good as you and some others suggest then he's only got himself to blame for being behind Wallace in the pecking order bcause I've seen very little first hand evidence of all of these skills you say he has.

I've seen him score some good tries, mostly from the wing and he looks like he has the attributes that you are describing but I just haven't seen him deliver the performances that suggest he will be the special player he's made out to be.

To be perfectly honest all I've see is a decent utility back with some good strength and a decent turn of pace. I'm looking forward to see him on saturday but I really haven't seen what the fuss is about yet.

roddersm wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

roddersm wrote:

Boyne BOD didn't get his first cap at centre a couple of games before a WC did he?

Eh... Yeah.. he did actually do just that. Remember he played for Ireland before he played for Leinster.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/match_centre.php?section=lineups&fixid=28107

By jeebus I stand corrected. I have no relection of BOD playing in the 1999 WC. Anyway it doesn't really support Boynes point very well because we were rubbish and crashed out in the group stages. It wasn't until the 2000 6N that BOD really found his feet internationally.

Yes. But what feet they were. Paris 2000. The same season as the 99 WC in fairness. Ireland turned the corner between being hammered by England and hammering the then current 5 nations champs.......Scotland. :-)

clivemcl wrote:

Personally, i don't think it would be a major blow if darcy got left behind.

I do. If we are talking experience and talent, Darce is a no brainer. Perhaps his form has not been great, but I think that point has been overdone actually. Only if he is fit enough though.

Not seen enough of Spence and Marshall. (Did you mean Luke rather than Paul) I would say Paddy will go to 10 when Sexton goes off and Ferg will get a run at 12 tomorrow.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:He was on the plane but didn't feature. A fact which probably did his rep no harm after Lens.

That was a Summer International before the WC

He did feature in the world cup in 1999 as well actually. He only played against the minnows in our group as far as I remember but it's still quite an achievement to reach four world cup's (which he's about to do).

On the debate, for me Paddy is miles ahead of Fergus at this point in time. McFadden has never played well at inside centre in a game of importance for Leinster, never mind Ireland. I think he's being massively overhyped as some sort of demi-god but, in reality, he's just another young player with potential. He may well play out of this world in the warm up games and force his way into the team but I just don't see it happening. In saying that, I think he should definitely be on the plane as our versatile back if you like (this is dependent on Fitzgerald still playing shoite - and ya never know, he might just surprise us all and return to his 09 form).

roddersm wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
Not for a moment saying that Paddy is rubbish. He is a great distributor, and has a fairly decent Rugby brain in that area. But I believe Ferg is/will be a really special player.

Jen I'm not disputing this but he needs to get a bloody move on because he's 25. If he's as good as you and some others suggest then he's only got himself to blame for being behind Wallace in the pecking order bcause I've seen very little first hand evidence of all of these skills you say he has.

I've seen him score some good tries, mostly from the wing and he looks like he has the attributes that you are describing but I just haven't seen him deliver the performances that suggest he will be the special player he's made out to be.

To be perfectly honest all I've see is a decent utility back with some good strength and a decent turn of pace. I'm looking forward to see him on saturday but I really haven't seen what the fuss is about yet.

In fairness I am fairly well placed in the RDS and Lansdowne rd to see him. And I would see every second of any Leinster away game that I am not at. (Baring Italian ML) A bit like Doncha Ryan (who's nearly fecken 30) at Munster, he is behind 2 legends....

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

clivemcl wrote:

Personally, i don't think it would be a major blow if darcy got left behind.

I do. If we are talking experience and talent, Darce is a no brainer. Perhaps his form has not been great, but I think that point has been overdone actually. Only if he is fit enough though.

Not seen enough of Spence and Marshall. (Did you mean Luke rather than Paul) I would say Paddy will go to 10 when Sexton goes off and Ferg will get a run at 12 tomorrow.

LOL, yes i meant Luke! oops!

How can you be championing Darcy and his experience whenever you are willing to ignore Paddy's experience in favour of the unproven McFadden?

I'm all in favour of the young ones getting their chances, I'm always sitting waiting for some young irish boy to set the world on fire again like BOD did. Which is why, for me, its about Paddy or D'arcy to start, but McFadden to go for his versitality and youth.

Paddy is in the driver seat over Darcy. And both may go at Fergus' expence because I'm not Sure Kidney shares my youthful naive dreamy attitude of what might be!

mrsuperclear wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:He was on the plane but didn't feature. A fact which probably did his rep no harm after Lens.

That was a Summer International before the WC

He did feature in the world cup in 1999 as well actually. He only played against the minnows in our group as far as I remember but it's still quite an achievement to reach four world cup's (which he's about to do).

On the debate, for me Paddy is miles ahead of Fergus at this point in time. McFadden has never played well at inside centre in a game of importance for Leinster, never mind Ireland. I think he's being massively overhyped as some sort of demi-god but, in reality, he's just another young player with potential. He may well play out of this world in the warm up games and force his way into the team but I just don't see it happening. In saying that, I think he should definitely be on the plane as our versatile back if you like (this is dependent on Fitzgerald still playing shoite - and ya never know, he might just surprise us all and return to his 09 form).

I'd choose wallace before mcfadden and I think that Kidney will as well. I also think that we are more likely to see a bod earls/bowe partnership before we see mcfadden at 12 in the world cup. There is a very good chance that if darcy is fit, that mcfadden will miss out entirely. For all of fitz and darcy's poor form during the season, mcfadden never got ahead of them for leinster. Paddy Wallace seems to be the most hated player in Ireland and I really don;t understand what so many people have against him. Some of Ireland's best displays against australia and new zealand in recent times have come with him at 12.

mrsuperclear wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:He was on the plane but didn't feature. A fact which probably did his rep no harm after Lens.

That was a Summer International before the WC

He did feature in the world cup in 1999 as well actually. He only played against the minnows in our group as far as I remember but it's still quite an achievement to reach four world cup's (which he's about to do).

On the debate, for me Paddy is miles ahead of Fergus at this point in time. McFadden has never played well at inside centre in a game of importance for Leinster, never mind Ireland. I think he's being massively overhyped as some sort of demi-god but, in reality, he's just another young player with potential. He may well play out of this world in the warm up games and force his way into the team but I just don't see it happening. In saying that, I think he should definitely be on the plane as our versatile back if you like (this is dependent on Fitzgerald still playing shoite - and ya never know, he might just surprise us all and return to his 09 form).

I do take your point. And in all fairness I would not EXPECT Ferg to be picked at 12 ahead of Paddy. But I would like it. I agree he is all potential and no experience, and that that is no recipe for a starting spot in the WC.

Where I really see him ahead of Paddy is the 22 jersey when Darce is at 12. With Rog at 21 we are covered at 10. I was not impressed to see Paddy there ahead of him during the 6N.

I hope he makes the plane though

clivemcl wrote:

How can you be championing Darcy and his experience whenever you are willing to ignore Paddy's experience in favour of the unproven McFadden?

I'm all in favour of the young ones getting their chances, I'm always sitting waiting for some young irish boy to set the world on fire again like BOD did. Which is why, for me, its about Paddy or D'arcy to start, but McFadden to go for his versitality and youth.

Paddy is in the driver seat over Darcy. And both may go at Fergus' expence because I'm not Sure Kidney shares my youthful naive dreamy attitude of what might be!

Makes no sense Must be the blue goggles. I'll have to get a new prescription.

I suppose I feel that Darce has bags more talent to go with that experience.

The hype over McFadden is borderline madness imo. He's a good ML level player at the moment who's being made out to be a test star in waiting. He needs to prove himself for Leinster to justify this.

I have some sympathy with the fact he's stuck behind D'Arcy/BOD but D'Arcy hasn't had a particularly good season after all. BOD is a legend of the game, but D'Arcy is just a good player and not undroppable should an outstanding player come through behind him.

I believe he will go on to win more Ireland caps, but the fact he can't make the first team of his province is a rather big black mark against him no?

I'm saying all this as a guy who believes McFadden has all the attributes to be a very good player. Bar gametime and experience.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:In fairness I am fairly well placed in the RDS and Lansdowne rd to see him. And I would see every second of any Leinster away game that I am not at. (Baring Italian ML) A bit like Doncha Ryan (who's nearly fecken 30) at Munster, he is behind 2 legends....

Exactly thats why I'm not in a position to dispute what you are saying but I've watched most of Leinsters televised games over the last few seasons and I'd be lying if I said McFadden has stood out as anything exceptional. In fact I've barely seen him at all.

Given D'arcy and Fitzgerald's sub par form this year I'm surprised that he still hasn't featured more.

I don't see anyone claiming Donnacha Ryan is a special talent? He hasn't nailed down a starting spot at Munster because he's simply not good enough and until McFadden does then logically I have to conclude the same.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

clivemcl wrote:

How can you be championing Darcy and his experience whenever you are willing to ignore Paddy's experience in favour of the unproven McFadden?

I'm all in favour of the young ones getting their chances, I'm always sitting waiting for some young irish boy to set the world on fire again like BOD did. Which is why, for me, its about Paddy or D'arcy to start, but McFadden to go for his versitality and youth.

Paddy is in the driver seat over Darcy. And both may go at Fergus' expence because I'm not Sure Kidney shares my youthful naive dreamy attitude of what might be!

Makes no sense Must be the blue goggles. I'll have to get a new prescription.

I suppose I feel that Darce has bags more talent to go with that experience.

Come on Jen, I went as far as to agree on McFaddens plane ticket, your just being gready now!
One for you and one for me?

valjester wrote: I'd choose wallace before mcfadden and I think that Kidney will as well. I also think that we are more likely to see a bod earls/bowe partnership before we see mcfadden at 12 in the world cup. There is a very good chance that if darcy is fit, that mcfadden will miss out entirely. For all of fitz and darcy's poor form during the season, mcfadden never got ahead of them for leinster. Paddy Wallace seems to be the most hated player in Ireland and I really don;t understand what so many people have against him. Some of Ireland's best displays against australia and new zealand in recent times have come with him at 12.

He is a very much hated man alright. I feel bad for all the Ulster boys having to defend him all the time so I try to lend a hand when I can I think you're right and Kidney will play him at the world cup and I hope he rediscovers some of those "best displays" against Australia for that pivotal match. He could be a key part of a victory against them. I know McFadden never got infront of Fitz or D'arcy, it's true, but I don't think I would have dropped D'arcy for the key games either. I would definitely have dropped Fitzgerald though. He truly was abysmal at one point (but even Kidney persevered with him at FB during the 6N so who knows what the coaches see from the two players in training every day). I think, at this point in time, it would be better to bring McFadden ahead of Fitz but if Fitz gets back in form I'd take him. (although for all the talk of Fitz's versatility he only really can play wing in my opinion).

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:I do take your point. And in all fairness I would not EXPECT Ferg to be picked at 12 ahead of Paddy. But I would like it. I agree he is all potential and no experience, and that that is no recipe for a starting spot in the WC.

Where I really see him ahead of Paddy is the 22 jersey when Darce is at 12. With Rog at 21 we are covered at 10. I was not impressed to see Paddy there ahead of him during the 6N.

I hope he makes the plane though

I absolutely 100% unequivocally agree with you on the 22 jersey. Kidney deserved all the criticism he got for that move. Made no sense whatsoever during the six nations and it will make no sense in the world cup either.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:
Where I really see him ahead of Paddy is the 22 jersey when Darce is at 12. With Rog at 21 we are covered at 10. I was not impressed to see Paddy there ahead of him during the 6N.

I agree 100% with but I suspect Kidney doesn't. Actually I'd have Trimble or Fitzgerald in the 22 jersey before McFadden, assuming Earls and Kearney start with bowe.

I suppose that means I don't actually agree 100% at all then.....