Ireland JWC Squad

First topic message reminder :

Full Name DOB (AGE) Position
Adam Boland 15/07/1993(19) Prop
Edward Bryne 09/09/1993(19) Prop
Jake Caulfield 07/02/1993(20) Prop
Peter Dooley 04/08/1994(18) Prop
Niall Horan 21/04/1993(20) Prop
Brian Scott 09/03/1993(20) Prop
Chris Taylor 11/03/1993(20) Prop
John Andrew 26/05/1993(19) Hooker
Brian Byrne 09/09/1993(19) Hooker
John Donnan 16/02/1993(20) Lock
Sean McCarthy 12/02/1993(20) Lock
Gavin Thornbury 19/10/1993(19) Lock
Conor Joyce 05/07/1993(19) Flanker
Dan Leavy 23/05/1994(18) Flanker
Ryan Murphy 05/03/1993(20) Flanker
Peadar Timmins 08/01/1994(19) Flanker
Josh Van Der Flier 25/04/1993(20) Flanker
John Creighton 20/03/1993(20) Scrumhalf
Luke McGrath 03/02/1993(20) Scrumhalf
David Shanahan 20/06/1993(19) Scrumhalf
Steve Crosbie 10/01/1993(20) Flyhalf
Tom Daly 31/01/1993(20) Centre
Mark Roche 25/01/1993(20) Centre
Rory Scannell 22/12/1993(19) Centre
Max McFarland 13/07/1993(19) Wing
David Panter 03/02/1993(20) Fullback
Rory Scholes 23/04/1993(20) Fullback
Darren Sweetnam 05/05/1993(19) Fullback

Tried formatting that, but it didn’t work.

So – no Olding, Chris Farrell or Henshaw. Farrell has been injured all season, so I’d imagine it’s just bad luck for him.

Henshaw will probably be with the senior team in North America, Olding might well be with the Emerging Ireland team.

Great result

Well deserved the Aussies never looked like creating anything and only an intercept try made it close.

What a scrum to end it, some real silly calls, and poor execution from Irelands pack, but the set peice was excellent throughout!!

Great win, well deserved, bravo!

Still have to beat the AB's to qualify though sadly!

Ireland have Fiji up next, they have the chance to gain some momentum going into the final game against the Baby Blacks.

Looking at the size of ABs in the stand has me worried. Decent result though. Our backs, particularly in the centre are weak but there is pace out wide. backrow won us that imo

I think our target will be 5th again. NZ will have too much.

Standulstermen wrote:Looking at the size of ABs in the stand has me worried. Decent result though. Our backs, particularly in the centre are weak but there is pace out wide. backrow won us that imo

Eh? 13 is limited but Daly at 12 is one of your best players!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I think our target will be 5th again. NZ will have too much.

They lost twice last time out to SA and Wales, and they have a lot of similar players (for good or bad) Theyre not unbeatable, and Ireland should have 2 wins and lots of confidence with them!

I thought Farell did really well at 13. Scholes is something special.

Scannell looked good at 12 in the 6 nations too with Daly outside him and Leader is solid at fullback

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I thought Farell did really well at 13. Scholes is something special.

He didn't do anything wrong, but he didn't ooze class like Scholes and Daly did, and I know of none of them only seen them play today and immediate it was obvious Daly and Scholes were the class.

Ireland have to gamble now and play their second choice players against Fiji. That would mean they're fresh going into the NZ match.

Ye Blues, thats fair. I think Farrell did really well in the first half then faded a bit. He isn't long back from a bad injury so I'm sure there is more to come from him.

Farrell showed some lovely touches in the first half. I was very impressed by him. Crosbie also played well with a touch of class.

Scholes looks a good intelligent player who isn't lightening quick but more than makes up for it with talent.

Scannell had an OK game. Looked a bit out of place at 15. Adam Byrne threw some bad passes. I also expected him to be a bit faster after hearing all the hype.

I don't think either centre did poorly in terms of defence and Dalys kicking is excellent but they aren't really creative. I think our back line looks a little pedestrian in attack and I include Crosbie in that. I think the finishers are there out wide but I don't see that in the centre.

Bear in mind that Olding and Chris Farrell are missing and Robbie Henshaw to and that goes some way to explaining that though.

Standulstermen wrote:I don't think either centre did poorly in terms of defence and Dalys kicking is excellent but they aren't really creative. I think our back line looks a little pedestrian in attack and I include Crosbie in that. I think the finishers are there out wide but I don't see that in the centre.

Bear in mind that Olding and Chris Farrell are missing and Robbie Henshaw to and that goes some way to explaining that though.

Not sure I agree with the first paragraph there, Stand. I thought there was some great handling at times especially in the first half. After the first 20 Australia seemed to defend more out wide. It was their first game too so maybe they need to knock off some of the rust.

Team v Fiji:

15 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)
13 - Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
12 - Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster)
1 - Edward Byrne (UCD /Leinster)
2 - Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5- Sean McCarthy (Shannon/Munster)
6 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)(Captain)
7 - Daniel Leavy (UCD /Leinster)
8 - Jack O'Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements:
16 - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile)
17- Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
18 - Ryan Furniss (Worcester/Exile)
19- John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
20- Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
21 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
22- Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
23- David Panter (Corinthians/Connacht)


I'm glad to see so many changes. Unlike last year it gives the squad a chance to progress.

Well we are all here to disagree prof

I like the team v Fiji. Taylor is probably the weakest of our TH options so it makes sense to start him in this one. Have to say I thought thhe backrow of VDF, Joyce and Leavy that ended the Oz game were very very good. Hope to see more of the same

I Would have rathered see Adam Byrne get some gametime instead of Scholes because Byrne has been out injured for so long and I don't want to risk Scholes who has been our best winger.

Can't wait to see more of Leavy. Only 18 years old and was one of the best forwards on the park against Aus.

Good win today.46-3 with scholes (2), sweetnam (2), Taylor, leavy getting tries.

Leavy and scholes were the standouts IMO but an excellently drilled side. Gives them a chance of a semi but we need to draw with NZ realistically

One thing I'm sure of after this match, Darren Sweetnam was a massive loss to Cork hurling! Took his two tries very well, he has bulked up a bit would have been an even better midfileder or half forward now, shame. good performance all round although the quality of the opposition is questionable don't think we have much hope vs the Baby Blacks but you never know, it's been a good tournament regardless.

Leavy v Savea will be an excellent contest

Thomond wrote:One thing I'm sure of after this match, Darren Sweetnam was a massive loss to Cork hurling! Took his two tries very well, he has bulked up a bit would have been an even better midfileder or half forward now, shame. good performance all round although the quality of the opposition is questionable don't think we have much hope vs the Baby Blacks but you never know, it's been a good tournament regardless.

Sweetnam was impressive and his step for the second try was straight from a GAA coaching manual. Given the number of players switching in Ireland will the GAA become intolerant of rugby?

It will never get to that stage GAA will be the number one sport in this country for a long time to come in reality, I've seen a lot of kids playing both sports, it's mutually beneficial, you pick up skills from both that transfer, I'm a big advocate of kids playing mutliple sports in that regard, you learn numerous things from it.

The Great Aukster wrote:

Thomond wrote:One thing I'm sure of after this match, Darren Sweetnam was a massive loss to Cork hurling! Took his two tries very well, he has bulked up a bit would have been an even better midfileder or half forward now, shame. good performance all round although the quality of the opposition is questionable don't think we have much hope vs the Baby Blacks but you never know, it's been a good tournament regardless.

Sweetnam was impressive and his step for the second try was straight from a GAA coaching manual. Given the number of players switching in Ireland will the GAA become intolerant of rugby?

We're not greedy...we'll only take their best lads, that's all. No harm done...

The Great Aukster wrote:

Thomond wrote:One thing I'm sure of after this match, Darren Sweetnam was a massive loss to Cork hurling! Took his two tries very well, he has bulked up a bit would have been an even better midfileder or half forward now, shame. good performance all round although the quality of the opposition is questionable don't think we have much hope vs the Baby Blacks but you never know, it's been a good tournament regardless.

Sweetnam was impressive and his step for the second try was straight from a GAA coaching manual. Given the number of players switching in Ireland will the GAA become intolerant of rugby?

Interestingly Sweetnam plays with his head up. He always looks for passing options first instead of running into contact. In Hurling you have to do that so thats one example of a cross over skill.

The team has been named, btw.

15 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
13 - Thomas Farrell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) Captain
1 - Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5- John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
6- Daniel Leavy (UCD /Leinster)
7- Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)

Replacements:
16- Edward Byrne (UCD /Leinster)
17- Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
18 - Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht)
19 - Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
20 - Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster)
22- Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
23 - Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)

15 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
13 - Thomas Farrell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) Captain
1 - Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5- John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
6- Daniel Leavy (UCD /Leinster)
7- Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)

Replacements:
16- Edward Byrne (UCD /Leinster)
17- Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
18 - Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht)
19 - Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
20 - Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster)
22- Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
23 - Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)

Team for NZ.

if Sweetnam can indeed cover 15 he can count himself unfortunate. I didnt think much of Leader. The bad news is that Tom Daly wrecked his hand and has flew home hence his omission.

The backrow looks good to me but i am a tad surprised that Chris Taylor is starting at TH. Boland looked good against vastly superior opposition although perhaps Taylor is better around the park. he did score a good try. The locks have been going very well and as i mentioned previously leavy v Savea is mouthwatering

Damn you prof!

Thats feicin Ruddock's fault. Daly should have been rested and Tom Farrel should have been given the game time against Fiji. That is a huge blow.

Standulstermen wrote:
Damn you prof!

Someone had to do it.

Decent team. Fully agree about the bench being unleashed around the hour mark. It should be interesting to see how many changes NZ make and how many played at the weekend.

I make out that Crosbie, Scholes, Joyce and Leavy have played the most so far. The rest have got at least one match off.

Leader has looked solid so far. Done nothing wrong. Personally I think Sweetnam is unlucky. Adam Byrne threw a few poor passes in good positions in the first game.

Ruddock has a history of playing his best players in the first three games and then rotating for the last two games. Three games in nine days is a punishing schedule especially with only a 28 man squad and maybe he adopted the pragmatic approach by targeting the first two games?

OTOH maybe consistently playing a core group of players is the best way to get the team playing for one another and despite losing Daly, gives them the best chance of success?

He rotated the squad better this year but he still can improve with his squad rotation and use of subs. Its my only gripe with him otherwise I think he is a great coach.

Last year we lost to England in the group because he used 0 subs in the game. I think he learned a bit from that.

I think there is a bit more depth this year particularly in the front row. Our backs im still not convinced by but you cannot argue with the forward pack or indeed the organisation

Anyone know when the Ireland match is? I thought it was the morning?

It's tomorrow, Thursday June 13th - 6.45pm French time.  You'll have to do your own calculations there laurie.  You're 11 hours ahead?

Fly thanks mate, so thats Friday the 14th.

Yep, around 5.45ish in the morning or something?  Just check the JWC IRB site for details

NZ team named. I just checked their previous teams to see how many changes they made and they seem to be rotating at about the same level as Ireland so as far as freshness is concerned both teams are about even. 

The weather is supposed to be bad too I think which is unfortunate.

Unfortunate for one side.  I think Wales beat New Zealand
a year or two ago and I think it was a low scoring game played in heavy rain.  So.................................there's hope!

Wales beat them last year I believe. Who knows. The baby blacks will be big favourites (20 points on the handicap roughly)

It will need a massive performance from the pack. Good luck to them. A draw would essentially take both teams through

3-0 Ireland,our lineout has ben good and we've demolished hem in he scrum a couple of times but hey look dangerous every time hey get it wide.Could be a cracker of a game.

6-3 NZ Ireland dominating he set piece but NZ so dangerous in open play and could have 2 or 3 tries now only for some last ditch heroics.

ah forward pass, should have been a try (for Ireland) there!

NZ kicker has now missed 2 scoreable penalties,leting Ireland off he hook a bit.

New Zealand scrum getting mangled by this Irish front row.

why was the irish hooker penalised in the line out? taking too much time for throwing ?

NZ are in a different class. They can make ground at will.

I dont know why Leader is in the team.

good interception by Irish ouside center here to make it 11-11

Just as well this isn't cricket as otherwise the ref would have to hop around on one leg with this score.

Usually I hear the comment these commentators don't know what they're talking about. In this match, I don't know what the commentators are talking about. My Gaelic is good enough to know the score is 14 - 11.

Ireland getting cleaned out at the breakdown. Up to Ruddock to do something about that at half time.