An EPS for Ireland

Simple thread to kill time during the off-season.

England named their 33-man Elite Player Squad today. If you were Joe Schmidt and you had to name a 33-man Irish squad for the Autumn tests and Six Nations Who would be in it?

The England squad has 5 props, 2 hookers, 4 locks, 6 backrows, 3 scrum-halves, 3 out-halves, 4 centres, 6 back three players

PROPS
Cian Healy, David Kilcoyne, Declan Fitzpatrick, Mike Ross, Jamie Hagan
HOOKERS
Rory Best, Richardt Strauss
LOCKS
Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Dan Tuohy, Mike McCarthy
BACKROW
Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, Kevin McLaughlin, Chris Henry, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip
SCRUM-HALF
Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Paul Marshall
OUTHALF
Jonathon Sexton, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson
CENTRE
Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Marshall, Brian O'Driscoll, Darren Cave
BACK THREE
Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald, Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo

Spoiler:

Props (5): Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Ross, Stephen Archer/Jamie Hagan, Tom Court

Hookers (3): Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Mike Sherry

Second Row (5): Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Iain Henderson, Dan Touhy, Mike McCarthy

Back Row (5): Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Peter O'Mahony, Chris Henry, Tommy O'Donnell

Scrum-Halves (3): Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Kieran Marmion

Out-Halves (3): Jonathan Sexton, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson

Centres (4): Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls

Back Three (5): Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy, Tommy Bowe, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney

Second row really worries me for decent future international options.  I think Hendy is really going to have to settle in at second row because we are very scarce there and he is one of the most talented players we have.

The only real omissions from my list would be Andrew Trimble and Luke Fitzgerald.  The reason I selected Keith Earls and Fergus McFadden is for their versatility and familiarity with the irish squad over the past few seasons.  I want to see Keith Earls kick on as a 13 too, I really do.  Who else do we have?

Props ; healy, kilcoyne, hagan, archer, ross
hookers; best, Strauss, sherry
locks;O'Connell, Ryan, Henderson, toner
backrow; O'mahoney, O'brien, heaslip, O'donnell, henry,mclaughlin
9's; murray, marmion, reddan/marshall
10's; sexton, Jackson, madigan
centre; Marshall, olding, O'driscoll
back three; Kearney, zebo, bowe, gilroy, trimble, earls

If it's an EPS then surely Sexton and Hagan would have to be omitted as they are now based overseas?

Fitzgerald wont be fit for the AIs will he? Is Reddan back?

Golden wrote:Fitzgerald wont be fit for the AIs will he? Is Reddan back?

Both of them started pre season a month ago. They are ready to rock. Darce too.
Leinster have a full deck to start the season. Even Cian Healy started pre season last Monday.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Props (5): Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Mike Ross, Stephen Archer/Jamie Hagan, Tom Court

Hookers (3): Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Mike Sherry

Second Row (5): Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Iain Henderson, Dan Touhy, Mike McCarthy

Back Row (5): Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Peter O'Mahony, Chris Henry, Tommy O'Donnell

Scrum-Halves (3): Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Kieran Marmion

Out-Halves (3): Jonathan Sexton, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson

Centres (4): Brian O'Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls

Back Three (5): Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy, Tommy Bowe, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney

Second row really worries me for decent future international options.  I think Hendy is really going to have to settle in at second row because we are very scarce there and he is one of the most talented players we have.

The only real omissions from my list would be Andrew Trimble and Luke Fitzgerald.  The reason I selected Keith Earls and Fergus McFadden is for their versatility and familiarity with the irish squad over the past few seasons.  I want to see Keith Earls kick on as a 13 too, I really do.  Who else do we have?

+1
I think thats fairly accurate and close to what Schmidt will pick.


Personally I think we might see a few changes with the props this season. At tighthead Martin Moore, Archer, Hagan and Bent (too early to write him off) could have a big season. Deccie Fitz is jinxed with injuries. At loosehead Jack McGrath, James Cronin, Paddy McAllister and John Ryan are all ones to watch.


At hooker I'd pick Cronin ahead of Strauss simply because he is Irish. Ability wise Strauss is a much better thrower so a better hooker in my book.


I'd also phase out D'Arcy this season. There are some options emerging now. Zebo also should be dropped for a while so he can come back down to earth.

Agree too. that is the closest to what I would have.

Darce is still our best 12, but I hope that will change during this season.

I would probably have Cronin ahead of Sherry. Sherry's throwing is far superior in fairness but the rest of his game is behind, Cronin is a great scrumager and peerless in the loose.

Paddy Mac is switching to TH I believe. I think Hagan is not far enough ahead of Bent to justify his inclusion from a team which is not under IRFU control.
Moore as 3rd choice (for now) for Leinster should be allowed to develop there. He only just left the academy. If he can get ahead of Bent for Leinster then he will have earned a shot for Ireland.

Tommy O'Donnell ahead of Chris Henry. Earls and McFadden are ahead of Gilroy, Trimble and Luke Fitz. Lukey should show his class for Leinster first, then mount a challenge for an Ireland spot.

I had an awful lot of time for Zebo before his current bad boy antics. Be a good idea for him to cool his heels for a while.

I'm not sure I agree that D'Arcy is still our best 12 as Luke Marshall looked very comfortable at 12 and very dangerous in the midfield in a weak team. A few more games should cement his place in the Ireland team I reckon.

Sherry has looked much better in the loose recently, he is a very skilful hooker. His abilities at the breakdown remind me of Rory Best too. Cronin is the best of the lot when it comes to ball carrying though. The guy runs like a centre!

Also, why would Earls and McFadden be ahead of Gilroy, Jenifer?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I'm not sure I agree that D'Arcy is still our best 12 as Luke Marshall looked very comfortable at 12 and very dangerous in the midfield in a weak team. A few more games should cement his place in the Ireland team I reckon.

Sherry has looked much better in the loose recently, he is a very skilful hooker. His abilities at the breakdown remind me of Rory Best too. Cronin is the best of the lot when it comes to ball carrying though. The guy runs like a centre!

Also, why would Earls and McFadden be ahead of Gilroy, Jenifer?

Darce still has it (I believe anyway) perhaps we both see the player that we watch more often as being ahead.

Sherry is a bit underpowered for International Rugby IMHO. Lovely silky player as you say though.

I am seeing both Earls and McFadden as Utility backs. Gilroy as an out and out winger. Ferg will be playing on the wing for Leinster this year. Earls? Who knows. Personally not convinced he is the best option at 13 for Ireland. Him and Ferg consigned to the 23 jersey by their versatility?

If Zebo gets time on the naughty step, then I would have Gilroy in ahead of him as a winger. With Zebo and Bowe fit and firing, I'd take Earls and McFadden ahead of him.

Wouldn't have McFadden or Earls ahead of Gilroy or Trimble. In terms of 'who had the best season' then Trimble wins that hands down but earls wad plagued by injury, Gilroy was very good when used and McFadden has been fecked around so much it's hard to know. We probably have the luxury of just seeing on form in this area. Zebo to my mind could emerge as a contender at 15 but Rob still has it, just need to refined it.

I was very disappointed with not seeing hpmuch of sherry in the summer and would pick him again.I have him challenging Strauss strongly. D'arce is done IMO. Not because he is rubbish but because we simply can't afford another season of D'arcy/BOD when we know the great one will retire. I think Marshall can offer more too but realistically we need to evolve and that starts at 12 in this back line given the age profile.

The forward pack is more problematic with no standout TH and no real young locks pushing on. Backrow is decent with plenty of scope to try a few combinations in the AIs form permitting

Submachine wrote:If it's an EPS then surely Sexton and Hagan would have to be omitted as they are now based overseas?

Aye, but it's a hypothetical one.

Wilko and Haskell were both included in the EPS while playing in France. Was written into contracts. Remember there being trouble on a 6 nations weekend when Stade wanted to play Hask but due to the contract terms linked to the EPS he wasn't available and England played hard ball

I'd go

Healy-kilcoyne-Ross-archer-kilcoyne
Best-Strauss-Sherry
O'Connell-Ryan-henderson-McCarthy/Toner
O'Brien-Heaslip-O'Mahony-Henry-McLaughlin
Murray-Marmion-Reddan/BOSS
Sexton-madigan-Jackson
Marshall-O'driscoll-Olding
Kearney-Zebo-Bowe-Trimble-Mcfaddan-(2 of Fitzgerald/Earls/Gilroy)

Props: Healy, Kilcoyne, Ross, Hagan, Court, Archer
Hookers: Best, Struss, Cronin
2nd Row: POC, Ryan, Henderson (covers 6), Touhy, McCarthy
3rd Row: Heaslip, SOB, Henry, POM, O'Donnell
Half back: Murray, Reddan, Marimon
10: Sexton, Madigan, Jackson
Centre: BOD, Marshall, Cave, Olding
Back 3: Kearney, Bowe, Trimble, McFadden, Zebo, Gilroy
I'm torn between D'Arcy and Olding but went for youth, we need to blood new centres ASAP. Marshall and Olding are our 2 best options at 12 currently and will learn a lot beside his BODness. Earls needs to be considered at 13 only as that is where he will most likely play for Munster. He is behind BOD and Cave at the moment but he is by no means written off.
 
The pack looks quite weak without POC so we need him to be injury free! Henderson to step up and take the torch from POC and be our pack leader.

I can see Joe really thinking about keeping the Leinster backrow together. He is a massive McLaughlin fan and I think McLaughlin understands how to get the best out of sob and heaslip. Really don't think a backrow of those two and pom will work. I believe if pom is in the team then Henry needs to be. Pom is in direct competition with heaslip and o'brien.

Obviously having a guy like hagan or Strauss in the front row or Henderson in the second row will alter the balance but I think if we are starting with best and Ross the balance means that having the 3 backrow who's strengths are primarily carrying then we could find ourselves back in the quarterfinal against Wales 2011

I think people are putting far too much store in familiarity and retaining units who play together at provincial level. I understand obviously it has value, but the flip side of the coin is having better players available from other provinces at international level - sometimes substantially better. I'd rather O'Mahony or Henderson spent a few games learning how to get the best out of O'Brien and Heaslip, than playing McLaughlin.

And as much as Zebo has truly been acting the ganch, I wouldn't banish him from the international team. That's overkill, in my opinion.

PROPS
Cian Healy, David Kilcoyne, Declan Fitzpatrick, Mike Ross, Jamie Hagan
HOOKERS
Rory Best, Richardt Strauss
LOCKS
Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Dan Tuohy, Mike McCarthy
BACKROW
Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, Kevin McLaughlin, Chris Henry, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip
SCRUM-HALF
Conor Murray, Isaac Boss, Paul Marshall
OUTHALF
Jonathon Sexton, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson
CENTRE
Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Marshall, Brian O'Driscoll, Darren Cave
BACK THREE
Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Fergus McFadden, Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo

Pretty much the same as Notch except I'd have McFadden and Boss ahead of Fitzgerald, who needs to prove himself again and Reddan who's on the slide imo.

Toner and Cronin would make the cut if there were another hooker and lock spot.

I'll be honest, I forgot about McFadden. I would have him ahead of Fitzgerald too.

Don Alfonso wrote:I'd rather O'Mahony or Henderson spent a few games learning how to get the best out of O'Brien and Heaslip, than playing McLaughlin.

I think McLaughlin deserves his place on the basis he is the only natural 6 bar Ferris. The other options O'Mahoney, Henderson, O'Brien - whilst they bring something extra in terms of dynamism the balance of the backrow needs to be altered to accommodate them. I wouldn't see McLaughlin as a starter but he's a decent option.

i would also have Chris Henry ahead of O'Donnell because we need cover at Number 8 and blindside. O'Mahony- I don't know what his best position is. Like Henry he can play all across the backrow but Henry has developed into a specialist 7. I suspect he's best at Number 8. I'd start O'Mahony at 6 though. POM-SOB-Heaslip. Henry to cover all three positions on the bench. Henderson will be in and around there too.

Incidentally, I'm expecting Plumtree to really sort out our backrow problems. He's renowned as a very good technical forwards coach. While he's no scrum specialist, he's very well renowned for his work on the breakdown and lineout which is what we need.

Good Interview with John Plumtree here; http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/second-captains

Starts an hour into the latest podcast.

Don Alfonso wrote:I think people are putting far too much store in familiarity and retaining units who play together at provincial level. I understand obviously it has value, but the flip side of the coin is having better players available from other provinces at international level - sometimes substantially better. I'd rather O'Mahony or Henderson spent a few games learning how to get the best out of O'Brien and Heaslip, than playing McLaughlin.

And as much as Zebo has truly been acting the ganch, I wouldn't banish him from the international team. That's overkill, in my opinion.

Id rather play McLaughlin than POM simply because Mclaughlin is a much better player.

No idea what Zebo did or didnt do but a few players like him, Heaslip, Healy are building too much of a profile outside rugby. Id like to see the three of them brought down to earth a bit. They are rugby players and should not act like the cast of Gerodie shore.

GunsGerms wrote:
Id rather play McLaughlin than POM simply because Mclaughlin is a much better player.

Nah man, I get that you Leinster guys like McLaughlin but he's bottom of the pecking order and for pretty good reason. It's him or Diack to fill that last spot as cover for the backrow.

As for the 'playboy' style thing. I think this is just what happens to young men when they get fame at an early age. Goes to their heads. They act the eejit. They just need a senior player or coach to give them a bollocking. Keep them in line. Zebo just needs a bit of humility- his teammates will do that for him when he gets back, aye. Expecting lots of 'threeball' jokes to get thrown Murrays and his way.

Whats the good reason?

Diack has never been capped so surely McLaughlin is ahead in the pecking order. I like Mclaughlin because he does what he does very well. He is very reliable. He will never be as good as Ferris obviously but still a very decent player.

GunsGerms wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:I think people are putting far too much store in familiarity and retaining units who play together at provincial level. I understand obviously it has value, but the flip side of the coin is having better players available from other provinces at international level - sometimes substantially better. I'd rather O'Mahony or Henderson spent a few games learning how to get the best out of O'Brien and Heaslip, than playing McLaughlin.

And as much as Zebo has truly been acting the ganch, I wouldn't banish him from the international team. That's overkill, in my opinion.

Id rather play McLaughlin than POM simply because Mclaughlin is a much better player.

No idea what Zebo did or didnt do but a few players like him, Heaslip, Healy are building too much of a profile outside rugby. Id like to see the three of them brought down to earth a bit. They are rugby players and should not act like the cast of Gerodie shore.

Guns, I know you aren't a fan of POM but honestly that is total rubbish. O'Mahony is a lot better in every single way. Breakdown, tackling, line-out, handling, pace, ball carrying, aggression, leadership.. honestly POM blows McLaughlin away in every single facet of the game. The guy is 23, captain of Munster and has immense potential. I don't know how you can possibly think McLaughlin is a much better player, I really don't.

Equally from your posts I know you are a POM fan. I have never understood whats so good about him. Simple as that. Obviously a big part of it is his leadership qualities which are quite obvious given he has had leadership roles at every level he has played at. However, that doesnt mean he is better in every way. In fact of the things you have mentioned leadership in my opinion leadership is the significant advantage he has over McLaughlin.

There's nothing amazing about him really, he's just a little better than McLaughlin in my opinion. I think he's played better overall in previous appearances for Ireland. He's more athletic than McLaughlin, a better lineout option and like you say a better leader. Also he has much more potential to improve.

I'm not overly happy about O'Mahony being our first choice blindside, but he is the best option in a position where we haven't had any really good options since Ferris' injury woe began. I hope that Henderson can continue to develop and push him for that shirt over the next year or two.

GunsGerms wrote:Whats the good reason?

He's just not that impressive at any facet of the game. For me he's the perfect example of a guy who is a good provincial player but will never be anything special on the international stage.

No love for Doncha O'Callaghan? He was a starter and bench option in last 6 nations and played very well last season. If it was restricted to four second rows I would probably opt for POC - Tuohy - McCarthy - Ryan. I am worried about Ryans tendency to pick up injuries.

I would love to see a backrow combination of O'Brien - Heaslip - O'Donnell. I think O'Donnell has the potential to be a phenomenal 7 on the international stage. I think Peter O'Mahony's long term future is at 8 where he had a brilliant summer tour and could usurp Heaslip in the near future. At the very least there is genuine competition there now. I'm a big McLoughlin fan, I think he's a better line out operator than POM, as good at the break down, perhaps doesn't carry as much. The problem for me with him is his form can vary wildly. It can take quite a run of games for him to get back up to speed after even a realtively short period out injured.

I hope Marshall goes straight back in to the 12 jersey. I love Darce but I think Marshall deserves another go after his performances in the 6 nations.

Can't see Hagan getting in to the squad until next season at the earliest. Joe was clearly not worried about losing him from Leinster and it will take a standout season from him in the Jeff to force himself in to consideration. Would love if Declan Fitzpatrick can get an injury free run together as he is a better scrumager than Ross.

Other guys I hope get a run in the Autumn are Olding at 13 and Marmion.

There is a lot to be optimistic about this group of players and coach.

Bring it on.

The reason I prefer McLaughlin is because he is a ferocious tackler and very effective at the breakdown IMO. He is very physical and the pack usually improves when he is involved. He does what he does well. A rugby version of Claude Makélélé. Maybe noone will remember him but he was one of the unsung heros of the Real Madrid galacticos team.

POM for me has a wider variety of skills and gets involved at more areas of the park. You can see him with ball in hand, in the lineout, at the breakdown, on the wing but while he has a lot of heart, is very brave and industrious to me seems a backrow jack of all trades master of none bar maybe leadership. An Irish version of Spies without the muscles.

I think it just in terms of balance

Pom-heaslip-sob are three guys who all want to do the same job where heaslip and sob I believe are better than pom in most facets of the game

McLaughlin-heaslip-sob is a really well balanced backrow. It allows heaslip and sob to work in the 20m and 10m channels respectively. Also I'd argue that McLaughlin is one of the best backrow lineout operators in Ireland. He is insane opposition ball.

He certainly is very good in the lineout.

In all honesty I expect to see POM rise on the international scene over the next few years, and possibly become the irish captain by 2015. It is a question of when rather than if in my opinion.  He seems to be vastly underrated on here.

Don't forget that in the last game Munster and Leinster met (with full strength back rows) POM was easily the best of the lot alongside TOD. That includes the likes of SOB and Heaslip.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:In all honesty I expect to see POM rise on the international scene over the next few years, and possibly become the irish captain by 2015. It is a question of when rather than if in my opinion.  He seems to be vastly underrated on here.

Don't forget that in the last game Munster and Leinster met (with full strength back rows) POM was easily the best of the lot alongside TOD. That includes the likes of SOB and Heaslip.

What sets POM apart from the rest? Look at past Munster greats. Quinlan was a very crafty player, Foley a great tactician, tryscorer and leader, Wallace incredibly strong with ball in hand. When I look at POM I just dont see anything that makes him really stand out. I dont think leadership alone is enough. Hope Im wrong.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:In all honesty I expect to see POM rise on the international scene over the next few years, and possibly become the irish captain by 2015. It is a question of when rather than if in my opinion.  He seems to be vastly underrated on here.

I think he's vastly overrated by many but paradoxically am coming to believe that not only may you be spot on here but that I too am guilty over underrating him in the face of blatent overrating.

Remember he is still young. I probably had a knee jerk reaction to the massive overhyping by the Cork mafia but he has potential.

What he's not is massively physical which is what we need in our backrow, unfortunately, nor will he ever be. Thats Plumtrees job. Work out how we can consistently get the better of bigger forward packs. And do weekly rain dances for Ferris' ankle because he really is a step up in terms of physicality from anyone else we have maybe bar Henderson down the line.

Peter O'Mahony reminds me of Simon Easterby. Similar kind of player. No-one really missed him when he was gone but he was a pretty effective international option for a long time. If he can be as good as Easterby then thats a win for us.

Not sure I accept the really young arguement. If he is too young dont pick him. We arent short of experienced backrow options.

I remain unconvinced by O'Mahoney at international level but it's hard to know what was going on in the last 12 months of Deccies reign. I do believe he is in line for a spot in the backrow which is fair enough and we can judge on form going forward.

I have been seriously impressed with O'Donnell though, both in terms of physicality and athleticism. I'm not sure he is great on the deck but we may be able to find a balance with him in the side.

GunsGerms wrote:Not sure I accept the really young arguement. If he is too young dont pick him. We arent short of experienced backrow options.

He's not young. The point is he's going to get better whereas McLaughlin probably isn't. But if I thought McLaughlin WAS better than him right now I'd say pick him- point is I disagree with you on that.

I think tod is a sob light myself. He does all the same things just not quite as well, that's just my opinion though. Henry surely has to be in the mix for a backrow spot no?

Do people agree or disagree with my opinion that with the make up of our front 5 currently (don't see it changing for a bit) that we need a "worker" at 6 or 7 as opposed to another big carrier.

One of joe's mottos is "make someone else in the team look good"

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I think tod is a sob light myself. He does all the same things just not quite as well, that's just my opinion though. Henry surely has to be in the mix for a backrow spot no?

Do people agree or disagree with my opinion that with the make up of our front 5 currently (don't see it changing for a bit) that we need a "worker" at 6 or 7 as opposed to another big carrier.

One of joe's mottos is "make someone else in the team look good"

Well, TOD isn't the penalty machine that SOB is  

One would have thought that Henry would have been next in line for Ireland captaincy on US tour. The fact that he wasn't suggests that Tommy O'Donnell has caught up with him.

Sin é wrote:One would have thought that Henry would have been next in line for Ireland captaincy on US tour. The fact that he wasn't suggests that Tommy O'Donnell has caught up with him.

I wouldn't read too much into the Summer Tour. John Plumtree is coming in, Schmidt will be more involved, so the pecking order may change- especially in the pack once Plumtree gets his say.

People are always talking about the size of the Irish pack. I'd like Schmidt to concentrate on fixing the main problem that Ireland have had for years... the lack of a decent attack. You play to your strengths. They have some fine athletes in the pack but the attacking style has to change to get the best out of the whole team as a unit.


Having as big a pack as possible has gone out of date. NZ are the worlds best team by miles but they don't have a huge pack. Its not small but they tend to go for athletic ability and workrate over size.

Just a quick word on the Peter O'Mahony spiel that we go through every few months seemingly. O'Donnell got a lot of plaudits last season and he deservedly got some. Without O'Mahony he doesn't look half as good played a vital role for Munster, hard to critique anyone in the Irish set up. They all start with a clean slate so it means feic all really.

What is O'Mahoney's best position?

Thomond wrote:Just a quick word on the Peter O'Mahony spiel that we go through every few months seemingly. O'Donnell got a lot of plaudits last season and he deservedly got some. Without O'Mahony he doesn't look half as good played a vital role for Munster, hard to critique anyone in the Irish set up. They all start with a clean slate so it means feic all really.

This is the big thing for me.Every player gets a clean slate whether it is Earls as a 13,Trimble,McCarthy or any Leinster player who underperformed on the international stage.I expect huge improvements from our 1st team as I don't believe that they had a chance to show their true worth in the last few years.I really can't wait until the 6N as I expect us to be ready to click into gear by then.

I really believe that performances will improve and as a natural consequence results will follow.

For me it's probably 8, the way Ireland's backrow is structured we don't have a typical groundhog or carrier by and large. Their roles are all interspersed which is how the game is going really few teams stick to the traditional roles really. There just numbers now really I don't think they matter to much to Ireland. Now I must be off to eat a Krusty Burger I bid you adieu.

POM and Heaslip should fight it out for the 8 jersey. I see 6 as O'Brien's best and most natural position. Problem is, he may be our best 7 too so might have to play there. O'Connell should be captain, not Heaslip.

SOB can play 7 for us as long as we have a guy at 6 working hard and who has the ability to be knee deep in sh!te and excel