Paul Oconnel v Donaca Ryan???

Paul Oconnel, he has been a great player for Ireland, a great captain when he has had to be. He has also been a great Lions captain.

But Should he (Paul Oconnel) now step aside and Make way for Donaca Ryan?

He was a man mountain today, he was truly worthy on Man of the Match.

Has he (Donaca Ryan) done enough to take Paul Oconnels place in the Ireland team?

Your thoughts.

They are a good combination, why do you want to replace Paul O'Connel with donnacha?

No. Donncha O'Callaghan should and will make way for Ryan. That's the Munster second row partnership. 4. Ryan 5. O'Connell

O'Connell is an inspirational presence on and off field... he has a good bit of mileage left in him yet.

biltongbek wrote:They are a good combination, why do you want to replace Paul O'Connel with donnacha?

I was just listening to the game, and the commantator said that he(donnaca) will be in the starting line up for ever.
So i just thought that he would be keeping Oconnel out of the game.

Paulie has been brilliant since he has come back from his injury. Still has a few more years in him as well. He should be ahead of DOC when POC comes back from injury.

A couple of seasons ago I never thought that Ryan would reach the playing levels he has over the last two seasons. Up until then he never looked like overtaking the other 2nd rows at Munster.

Ryan and Paulie at international level will be brilliant. DOC has been picked purely for his chock tackle abilites. Ryan is now better than him.

POC has plenty left in the engine and up until his injury he had been one of Irelands top performers. DOC on the other hand, should not have been selected ahead of Ryan this 6 nations campaign. Although, he's been ok, we finally can see why Ryan has ousted him out of the Munster team this year. Ryan was great today and has shown an intensity and hunger for the game that two years ago I could never have predicted. So, POC and Ryan for future internationals for me.

I had to laugh when Kidney was bigging Ryan up after the match today. His first start came a few matches to late and only because Kidneys hand was forced. Still, it was worth the wait.

Yeah it's very hard to get out of the Irish team if you're one of Kidneys favourites,O'Callahan has been solid this 6 Nations but that shouldn't be enough to keep his place when a player like Ryan is clearly outperforming him.

Ryan should be starting next week and in the future if he keeps this form going.

No dissrepect meant but this is a silly post really. Are you seriuosly suggesting dropping Irelands best ever lock currently in top form for a relatively unproven player.

Dont get me wrong I am hugely excited about DR. I think he has it all, aggression, line out, speed good hands and will get many caps.

He and POC have been outstanding together in the HC. Long may that continue.

majesticimperialman wrote:

biltongbek wrote:They are a good combination, why do you want to replace Paul O'Connel with donnacha?

I was just listening to the game, and the commantator said that he(donnaca) will be in the starting line up for ever.
So i just thought that he would be keeping Oconnel out of the game.

Not a chance - Ryan should start every game if fit but so should POC.

DOC is the one who should go

I'll go further both Ryan and POC should be in next years Lions squad

Shouldn't be talking about O'Connell being ousted, if anyone should be it's O'Callaghan. Ireland ain't big enough for the two Donncha's

Couldn't disagree more with the first sentence of the article though. I said it before Ireland's first game and as much as I think POC is a great player and club captain, I have to maintain I don't rate him as a good skipper at this level. He looked out of sorts with the Lions armband and unless I'm mistaken his highest profile win as Ireland captain is Italy.

Rory Best should now be looked at as BOD's full-time replacement imo.

Your mistaken - I can remember beating England for a start

What year?