An EPS for Ireland

First topic message reminder :

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

Sin é wrote:His confidence is fine in Munster where people don't jump on his back if he makes a mistake (which is rare anyway). Despite BOD bawling him out, it didn't seem to affect his game either.

Earls biggest problem is being injury prone (or being played continually without a chance to get properly fit).

Its not an Ireland v Munster debate Sin. He suffered in confidence for the Lions in '09 too. Granted it was a huge step up for him but he has also publically spoken about his issues with confidence.

Sin é wrote:Isn't it a bit cheeky of him stating that he wants to play in the centre? Where is all that indignant outrage at his neck to say where he wanted to play (Must have been all used up on Earls). 

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/i-dont-care-where-i-play-earls-29482954.html

Earls goes back to Penney, says "I'll play anywhere you tell me to. Sir. Sorry about that."

GunsGerms wrote:

Sin é wrote:His confidence is fine in Munster where people don't jump on his back if he makes a mistake (which is rare anyway). Despite BOD bawling him out, it didn't seem to affect his game either.

Earls biggest problem is being injury prone (or being played continually without a chance to get properly fit).

Its not an Ireland v Munster debate Sin. He suffered in confidence for the Lions in '09 too. Granted it was a huge step up for him but he has also publically spoken about his issues with confidence.

Seems like he still has them he said this in his interview with the Indo

Keith Earls wrote:It was kind of a lack of confidence when a new coach comes in and signed two class centres in James Downey and Casey Laulala, I got a bit of a fright.

Don Alfonso wrote:

Sin é wrote:Isn't it a bit cheeky of him stating that he wants to play in the centre? Where is all that indignant outrage at his neck to say where he wanted to play (Must have been all used up on Earls). 

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/i-dont-care-where-i-play-earls-29482954.html

Earls goes back to Penney, says "I'll play anywhere you tell me to. Sir. Sorry about that."

I think Earls is a good guy and a very good player. But I did think Ferg McFadden's approach to a similar problem was a bit smarter. He asked for a run of games in one position without insisting on whether that was wing or centre. 13 is both players favourite, whereas Keith can cover 11 to 15 and Ferg 11 to 14.

I hope Keitho can get a run of games to cement his position whichever one that is. It could be really good for him to specialise more at this point in his career. Just focus on playing and developing in that spot rather than being shifted about. For a while anyway.

Yep- best thing is for everyone to agree on one position and stick to it.

Certainly the most interesting part of Schmidts first selection will be who gets picked in the back three. Lot of options in the old back three. Dunno if Earls will be considered as wing or centre yet, but even so. A lot of very interesting selection decisions to be made.

Schmidt will rotate more than previous managers. That will be the difference. One week a back line might be:

Murray
Sexton
Gilroy
Marshall
Drico
Bowe
Kearney

the next

Reddan
Sexton
Trimble
Darcy
Earls
McFadden
Zebo

We need to put faith in our players and get them all involved more (and some less). It is now a squad game now more than ever before.

This has been Irelands biggest failing and the reason why the 07 RWC was a disaster why we lost so convincingly to Wales in the 2011 RWC and why we got hammered 60-0 v NZ.

We will aslo see our injury rates drop.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

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.

Nice. Makes a change.

GunsGerms wrote:Schmidt will rotate more than previous managers. That will be the difference. One week a back line might be:

Murray
Sexton
Gilroy
Marshall
Drico
Bowe
Kearney

the next

Reddan
Sexton
Trimble
Darcy
Earls
McFadden
Zebo

We need to put faith in our players and get them all involved more (and some less). It is now a squad game now more than ever before.

This has been Irelands biggest failing and the reason why the 07 RWC was a disaster why we lost so convincingly to Wales in the 2011 RWC and why we got hammered 60-0 v NZ.

We will also see our injury rates drop.

Good post.

Gibson wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

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.

Nice. Makes a change.

Don't get too excited. Strong rumour of the imminent announcement of Eoin O'Malley retiring. Zane Kirchner will not be appearing until at least October.  

We could see many changes in the next 2 seasons. There are so many places up for grabs and more contenders than ever so Schmidt might give many players a go. We should see him rotate the squad much more than Kidney or EOS.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

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.

Nice. Makes a change.

Don't get too excited. Strong rumour of the imminent announcement of Eoin O'Malley retiring. Zane Kirchner will not be appearing until at least October.  

Not worried about Kirchner, but please tell me its not true about EOM. Pretty please.

I rate him even higher than Madigan as a footballer. Ireland's 13 in waiting.

What's wrong with him? Is it still the cruciate?

Sad news if true. One of my favourite Leinster lads and if injury free he could make this a big season for himself considering our options in the outside backs

Very sad about O'Malley. Anyone know what his injury issue is?

Yeah sad news on O'Malley indeed. Physicality was always going to be an issue for him but he had a good orthodox skill set for a 13 and was a clever footballer.

Ok. Seeing as it was me that started this rumour on here.

Added to the whispers that he was "considering his options" from a few people.

There are the facts that....

He was removed from the squad page on the Leinster site yesterday.

Ireland u20 centre Tom Farrell was brough into the academy yesterday.

He was the only one of the senior squad, academy or coaching staff, not to have their picture taken yesterday (on sportsfile)

He has been training up to very recently though.

His injuries have always been lower leg.... Cruciate. Knee. calf. etc.

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/780423/

He shnuck in and shnuk back out again.....

Looks good in that Jersey. Bet Gibo goes from not being worried to actually fancying him. In a semi manly way.

Photo of Schmidt coaching Connacht here.

http://www.thescore.ie/schmidt-ireland-tactics-1028607-Aug2013/

Sin é wrote:Photo of Schmidt coaching Connacht here.

http://www.thescore.ie/schmidt-ireland-tactics-1028607-Aug2013/

Smart move from Joe. Works very well in NZ getting the teams to play similar styles and it is going to make the tansation to International rugby a lot easier if everyone is playing from the same hymm sheet already. New Zealand always look highly organised on the pitch. Ireland havent looked organised at all since EOS got the chop.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:http://www.sportsfile.com/id/780423/

He shnuck in and shnuk back out again.....

Looks good in that Jersey. Bet Gibo goes from not being worried to actually fancying him. In a semi manly way.

Mans a total roide. He's no Isa (Blesses himself), but  I'd still ave im anyway, cos I'm a rugby-slag.

Really hope he puts it up to Chilli. Gone off the boil somewhat after being European Player of the Season.

Watched Toulouse v Leinster (2006) last night, Ive used up all de porn on de Internet.  

Chilli was so young. As was Heaslip.They came on as subs.

Keith Gleeson was a God. Will we ever find his like again? We did in Jenno,  but had 2 x Cork boggers stymieing his progress.

Ah well. Forgive and forget eh?

De useless, blind,  basterds.

Yea Gibbo, David Wallace only got 70 Ireland caps because he was born in Cork  

There is that SIN mate. There is that.

But he should have been at 6 or 8.

Quinny
Jenno
Wally.

That was the ticket.

No point harping on about the failed past. What is our future backrow? The one for the RWC2015?

SOB
Henry
Heaslip
POM
McLaughlin
Henry
?
?

Gibson wrote:
No point harping on about the failed past. What is our future backrow? The one for the RWC2015?

SOB
Henry
Heaslip
POM
McLaughlin
Henry
?
?

There are plenty of contenders. Dom Ryan, Ruddock, Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan, Conor Gilsenan, Leavy. Thats just from Leinster.

Put Henry in twice there Gibbo. I rate him that much.

Yeah Prof, there are some excellent backrowers coming through the ranks.   Ruddock and Ryan could be eclipsed by some of the latter options you pointed out, if they don't step it up next season. Great competition for places in that sector. If only we had it in others. Standoff is looking good mind. In fact its in the best health it has ever been in.  Sexton, Madigan, Jackson, Keatley.

Be nice to see Marmion join Murray and Reddan in the fold soon. Murray really has made that SH position his now. Was excellent with the Lions. He just gets better.

Joe needs to get another  whole new international-level front row combo together over the next 2 years. Healy will be there for years, but Ross wont. We need 2 TH's and another LH to come through, leading up to 2015. Best and Strauss will cover hooker well. Cronin needs to watch his back as backup.  And 2 or 3 more international class locks competing in the mix would not go amiss. We basically need 2 top players for each position as a minimum requirement.

He has his work cut out for him in those weak areas though, does Joe.

Only 1 of those guys prof lists will seriously be in the frame for the World Cup squad- 2 would be exceptional.

Seriously- Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip will be Leinsters first choice backrow. I can see Ruddock maybe overtaking McLaughlin if he pulls his finger out (he's gone very quiet after a promising start, as has Dom Ryan), anyone else would be an exceptional effort to get in there for the big games at Leinster. Massive amount depends on whether Matt O'Connor wants to use O'Brien as 7 all the time.