Ireland v Canada, 19 September

 
IRELAND v CANADA
19 September 2015
KO: 14:30 BST
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [tbc]

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) & Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

A. Head to Head

6 Played 6
5 Won 0
1 Drawn 1
0 Lost 5
226 Points 77

B. Recent Form

Sat 30 May 1987
Canada 19 - 46 Ireland

Sun 30 Nov1997
Ireland 33 - 11 Canada

Sat 17 Jun 2000
Canada 27 - 27 Ireland

Sat 8 Nov 2008
Ireland 55 - 0 Canada

Sat 23 May 2009
Canada 6 - 25 Ireland

Sat 15 Jun 2013
Canada 14 - 40 Ireland

C. Teams

IRELAND

[tbc]

CANADA


1. Hubert Buydens – (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
2. Ray Barkwill – (Unattached/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
3. Doug Wooldridge – (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
4. Brett Beukeboom – (Cornish Pirates) Lindsay, ON
5. Jamie Cudmore, Captain – (Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC
6. Kyle Gilmour – (Rotherham Titans/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
7. John Moonlight – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
8. Aaron Carpenter – (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues) Brantford, ON
9. Gordon McRorie – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
10. Nathan Hirayama – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
11. DTH van der Merwe – (Scarlets) Victoria, BC
12. Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
13. Ciaran Hearn – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL
14. Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys) Okotoks, AB
15. Matt Evans - (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC

16. Benoit Piffero – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
17. Djustice Sears-Duru – (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
18. Andrew Tiedemann - (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
19. Jebb Sinclair – (London Irish/Atlantic Rock) Fredericton, NB
20. Richard Thorpe – (London Welsh) Beckenham, England
21. Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
22. Liam Underwood – (Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
23. Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC

Unavailable for selection:

Tyler Ardron – (Ospreys) Lakefield, ON
Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC

50-0 Ireland.

Aim high there Guns
I'll go for 43-9 to Ireland.

Pete330v2 wrote:Aim high there Guns
I'll go for 43-9 to Ireland.

Thats fairly similar really but you will probably be closer to be fair.

I was going for the safer bet against your 50-0 is all
We'll probably falter to a 13 - 3 win knowing our RWC form.

Hopefully Joe will leave POC out of this one -we can't afford a dust up between him and that big fella from x-men 2 again.

Jamie Cudmore has to officially be the Least Nice Person in Canada.

Apparently he's quite nice when you get to know him, though.

He'll break both your legs. But then he'll apologise and make you some french toast.

.............. are we allowed in here, given not one of us wrote up the thing?

Rodders, you promised me you were going to do it! .... (that's me covered)

Although I believe that Ireland will win, Canada are not the easiest side to break down. I see Ireland by 25 but it could be less if Ireland don't play with some creativity.

I think Ireland will pummel the Canadians with the dreary stuff.  Close combat, scrums, breakdown ferocity.  They'll probably kick away to Canada and let them run at us.  The hardening up of our defensive posture will be the order of the day I feel.
So I don't expect a free scoring game - Ireland will do enough again and probably add a little pace in the second part of the second half.

But then, I could be all wrong and we're clinging at the end by our fingernails having casually let the Canadians build a lead we're struggling to get to - or Joe could release his hounds of speed and have the game wrapped in the first half (doubt it but it's there as a possible)

So anything could happen really - story of Ireland pretty much for the last seven or eight years.  I'd love for us to be as predictable as England and Wales.  We absolutely know those two sides will go for it from the off.

Points diff could be be a factor if we draw with France or if Italy spring an upset so I expect we'll go for the jugular here.

100 - 0 to Ireland.

What would we do without you, rodders? Always there with the pep pills when the doom boys speak.

rodders wrote:Points diff could be be a factor if we draw with France or if Italy spring an upset so I expect we'll go for the jugular here.

100 - 0 to Ireland.

Jaysus, I thought herself banned you from Vodka and Red Bulls

Only until the final billser - she said I could have a few to celebrate

Ha haa, she is a grand lady then

Well I wouldn't go that far - I'll probably end up paying...

Stephen Ferris is backing Iain Henderson for the team- but at blindside

But first things first, I think he should pick the same team he intends to go with against France on 11 October for Saturday's opener against Canada.

There's no getting away from the fact that there has to have been concern in the Ireland squad after the recent performances - and in particular the awful first half against England on 5 September.

Ireland have been getting beaten up physically and there were more missed Irish tackles at Twickenham than the team slipped off in this year's entire Six Nations.

We are missing that little bit of go forward and that's why I think it's so important Iain Henderson is in the team and, just as crucially, in the back row.

I would keep Devin Toner at lock alongside Paul O'Connell because in the back row you can use your energy a little more efficiently by carrying ball and making big tackles and that's what Henderson is good at.

Seanie O'Brien's form is not quite there yet after all his injury problems over the past couple of years which is putting a big burden on Jamie Heaslip even though you can see he is trying very hard.

And with Peter O'Mahony coming back from shoulder reconstruction last season, the back row just isn't firing.
However, Henderson is a marauding force at the moment and we have got to get him in there alongside Seanie and Jamie and let him tear at teams.

Also wants to give Healy game time from the start and Bowe a chance to redeem himself. Zebo on the left wing- the rest is as you'd expect.

I am home for this one and the Wales Uruguay game think I may need a week off to recover before heading to London Welsh for the Wales England game.

Ireland will win..
a.50+ points = V Good.
b.30-50 Points = Good - carry on lads.
c.<30 Points = hmmm could be a blip...right...
d. The unthinkable.


I expect it to be a. (or the higher end of b.)

Canada are no pushovers. If they get a 10 point margin, they should be happy. And no injuries obviously

Pot Hale wrote:Canada are no pushovers.    If they get a 10 point margin, they should be happy.  And no injuries obviously

You have obviously not seen them recently, they are bloody awful

Gwlad wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Canada are no pushovers.    If they get a 10 point margin, they should be happy.  And no injuries obviously

You have obviously not seen them recently, they are bloody awful

I agree with a slightly less strident version of that statement.

Just to give you some context, Glasgow played Canada in Nova Scotia on 29 August this year.

Canada were at full strength, Glasgow had 20 of their internationlists missing and 4 Academy players on the bench.

Final score: 19-12 to Canada, via a 88th minute Canadian try.

I expect Ireland to win this by 4 scores if you put a decent team out.

Your pack will squish theirs. If they get some ball to their backs, then they will score. Daniel van der Merwe and Jeff Hassler are two of the best wingers in the Pro12 and in Connor Braid (ex-Glasgow Warriors, we were urined off that he wasn't kept) and Ciaran Hearn they now have a test match quality centre combination where none existed before.

Chill, my paddy brethren.

I have seen them play on numerous occasions. Complete inability to do the basics and finsih off opportunities combined with a schoolboy understanding and application of the kicking game.

Gwlad wrote:I have seen them play on numerous occasions. Complete inability to do the basics and finsih off opportunities combined with a schoolboy understanding and application of the kicking game.

Ireland have been very poor in the warm up matches but not that bad

Gwlad wrote:Complete inability to do the basics and finsih off opportunities

Well Cudmore is well able to do the basics of a left jab and right hook alright. I agree though, he should have finished POC when he had the chance.

Pot Hale wrote:Canada are no pushovers.    If they get a 10 point margin, they should be happy.  And no injuries obviously

Disagree. Canada have been dire. Fiji just beat them by 30 points. USA are recording rare comprehensive 20 point wins over them. If they dont smash them by 50 points they aren't doing their job right.

GunsGerms wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Canada are no pushovers.    If they get a 10 point margin, they should be happy.  And no injuries obviously

Disagree. Canada have been dire. Fiji just beat them by 30 points. USA are recording rare comprehensive 20 point wins over them. If they dont smash them by 50 points they aren't doing their job right.

Yep, perhaps I wasn't clear above - if Glasgow's third choice 23 can finish within a score with Canada playing at home, then Ireland should be looking to score at least 5 tries and put at least 50 points on the board.

GunsGerms wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Canada are no pushovers.    If they get a 10 point margin, they should be happy.  And no injuries obviously

Disagree. Canada have been dire. Fiji just beat them by 30 points. USA are recording rare comprehensive 20 point wins over them. If they dont smash them by 50 points they aren't doing their job right.

Under normal circumstances I would agree but this is Ireland we're talking about. It would be completely out of character not to start a campaign slowly, sputtering our way towards the France game with nothing but complaints from us mere mortals.
Then again, why look back at previous form, Ireland may have a plan to barnstorm their way unstoppably to the final with winning margins unheard of in the dark, dismal past.

With Ireland, as usual and unfortunately, anything can happen.

Watch this space.

I'd even feel more comfortable if I knew they'd bomb out with two shock defeats to Canada and Romania.

But it's the not knowing, as t'Unbelievables used to say

Henshaw out injured with Luke Fitz in to replace him. Cave not that reliable then?

Henshaw could be out for the RWC possibly. Update at squad announcement

I cannot fathom why Schmidt would have Fitz ahead of Cave.

I truly hope that Henshaw is not that badly injured and can return for France.

eirebilly wrote:I cannot fathom why Schmidt would have Fitz ahead of Cave.

I truly hope that Henshaw is not that badly injured and can return for France.

Neither can I but we aren't privy as to what goes on in training.

I am thinking something more sinister than performing in training guns

It is strange that you would bring Cave to provide additional centre cover and then pick Luke Fitzgerald there instead. If Fitzgerald covers 12, and Earls covers 13, why bring Cave and not an additional 9? I'm not a massive fan of Fitzgerald at 12, although of course anyone in the squad is a big step down from Henshaw.

Could have sworn Schmidt said before the season started that he saw Fitz as a wing and not a centre. And also Fitz saying he had been cutting the weight that he put on to play centre.

Strange that now it looks like hell be starting there in a World Cup game with little to on form to speak of.

Elsewhere, I'm very happy to see the reports that Henderson will be starting alongside O'Connell at lock.

I am loving the idea of Henderson playing alongside POC. Really rate Henderson.

Did Henshaw have a niggle? Was that why they put Cave into the squad instead of the extra scrum half.

It all seems a little wierd. We have;
Healy - dodgy shoulder coming off surgery, no game time
D Ryan - barely back from long layoff with injury
SOB - easing back
POM - dodgy shoulder
Sexton - appears a little too tender
Henshaw - rumours
Fitz - long odds to survive a warm-up session without injury

Feels like Ireland are a stiff breeze away from a decimated squad. Hope the doctor has the sponge to hand.

If henshaw is out of the tournament would they be brave enough to call up McCloskey?

Canada have named their team, and I've updated the OP to reflect that. They are missing Tyler Ardron through injury- quite a blow, as the Ospreys flanker is certainly one of their better players. With just three players in the starting XV plying their trade in the top leagues in Europe (Cudmore, Hassler and Van der Merwe) this is a team that Ireland should be able to win comfortably against.

Brett Beukeboom is my favourite name of the Rugby World Cup so far.

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Did Henshaw have a niggle? Was that why they put Cave into the squad instead of the extra scrum half.

It all seems a little wierd.  We have;
Healy - dodgy shoulder coming off surgery, no game time
D Ryan - barely back from long layoff with injury
SOB - easing back
POM - dodgy shoulder
Sexton - appears a little too tender
Henshaw - rumours
Fitz - long odds to survive a warm-up session without injury

Feels like Ireland are a stiff breeze away from a decimated squad.  Hope the doctor has the sponge to hand.

It isnt wierd at all. All teams want to have their best players at the WC. Clive Woodward selected Lawrence Dallaglio in his '03 squad despite Dayglo being completely crocked. He didnt play until the knock out stages but was one of the key players for England in the final games. It was a similar story for Carter and McCaw in the last WC.

You have to make brave decisions as a coach.

Heres the Canada team. Looking at the level of these players we really should be smashing this team.

15. Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates)
14. Jeff Hassler (Ospreys)
13. Ciaran Hearn (Unattached/Atlantic Rock)
12. Nick Blevins (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack)
11. DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets)
10. Nathan Hirayama (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears)


9. Gordon McRorie (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack)
1. Hubert Buydens (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack)
2. Ray Barkwill (Unattached/Ontario Blues)
3. Doug Wooldridge (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues)
4. Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates)
5. Jamie Cudmore (Clermont Auvergne) (capt)
6. Kyle Gilmour (Rotherham Titans/Prairie Wolf Pack)
7. John Moonlight (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues)

Replacements:

16. Benoit Piffero (Unattached/Atlantic Rock)
17. Djustice Sears-Duru (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues)
18. Andrew Tiedemann (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack)
19. Jebb Sinclair (London Irish/Atlantic Rock)
20. Richard Thorpe (London Welsh)
21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/BC Bears)
22. Liam Underwood (Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues)
23. Conor Trainor (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears)

You can't really be scared of any player whose club side is called "Balmy Beach".

George Carlin wrote:You can't really be scared of any player whose club side is called "Balmy Beach".

Particularly when they don't have those in Canada

That's a strong team we are putting out. Not to be too arrogant but we really should be destroying that Canada team.

Oh dear, did I see Jayrad Paynes thingy as being @thepain15?

I'm............................. I'm afraid you did, Billy....................................

Canada to win easily now.

Im sure Earls will be feeling the pain when Jared is lining up at 13 for the tournament.

Earls will be playing 13 before the end of this tournament and Payne will feel the pain...