Question for the non-Irish rugby fans out there...

Hello non-Irish rugby people / experts / pundits / fans out there...

I was hoping to pick your brains for 1 short moment.

Simple question... Would you, as part of a 30 man Ireland squad, pick Kearney for one of the full back spots?

Your honest and respected opinion would be very welcome.

Thanks lads.

i'd pick kearney only because he's a leinster player

Yes, quality player, not much game time but definitely worth the risk!

Boyne, tbh, I'd want to see how he's going in training and the warm-up matches, and I'd want to see the alternatives too. If he looks like he's getting back towards his best (ie doesn't need to be quite there), then he gets the nod. Jones is inexperienced but on form, and Murphy remains a conundrum for me - again would want to see how they all get on in the run-up.

Both Kearneys would do a decent job for Ireland.

Yes if fully fit

Don't know in what form he is in currently, but if good yes.

Bath- love the picture.

Thanks for the opinions so far- keep 'em coming!

Just to explain- he is up to full training after a long lay off from injury. So I reckon he will be part of some of the warm up games, therefore we can count on him being fully fit...

On his best day Kearney is a top fullback, maybe not the best in the world, but deffinitely one of Irelands better choices. Murphy is showing signs of aging, which I thought would never happen, but he still remains a cool head. Haven't seen enough of Jones playing to make a comment on him though.

Thanks Boyne

It depends in what you want from a full back.

If you want the best balance go with Kearney.

If you want a powerful strike runner give Earls a shot.

I would also maybe try McFadden at full back in one of the warm up games to see how he gets on.

Kearney has been out for a long time and I think big question marks remain about his fitness. Murphy more often than not seems pretty dependable.

I'd pick Kearney in a squad of 30, definately, only Earls ahead of him for FB in my mind and he covers wing and centre as well

Bathite wrote:I'd pick Kearney in a squad of 30, definately, only Earls ahead of him for FB in my mind and he covers wing and centre as well

Agreed.Kearney though is obviously woth his place in the 30!

Was good on Lions tour, havent seen a lot of him since

Geordan Murphy would be a better bet if he returns promptly from injury. Offers a secondary first receiver and is a better all round footballer. If you want the FB to sit back and just field kicks with the occasional appearence down the backline then Kearney might be a better option.

I'd include Earls as a winger who can cover 13 and 15 if needed.

I think I would probably go with Kearney over Murphy as the back up FB to Jones (who looks class), with Earls also in the squad as cover. I'm guessing I will get hammered by the Tigers fans but before his injury I thought age was beginning to catch up with Murphy and he was getting a bit too slow for an International 15. Kearney also covers wing which could be usefull in an emergency although I don't think he is as effective now as he was in 2008/2009 (when the laws encouraged rugby tennis).

That's not to say I never rated Murphy. No offense to G.Dempsey but I've no idea why EOS preferred him to Murphy through the late 90's and 00's. At the time Murphy was one of the best FB's around.

A lot depends on the warm-ups. Earls will go to the World Cup, and if he's first choice 15 then only one more full-back will be required, f he's first choice wing then 2 full-backs will be required and if he is a utility back not expected to start than 1 or 2 full-backs can be taken, so a lot will depend on where Kidney sees Earls.

I think one of Kearney or Murphy should go, unless Felix Jones plays unbelivably well in the warm-ups. I think one of Kearney or Murphy and Felix Jones in the squad, with Earls and Bowe starting on the wings (and Trimble on the bench) could be the way to go. Most of the bases are covered there.

Then Kearney Vs Murphy comes down to a battle for form and fitness.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Geordan Murphy would be a better bet if he returns promptly from injury. Offers a secondary first receiver and is a better all round footballer. If you want the FB to sit back and just field kicks with the occasional appearence down the backline then Kearney might be a better option.

I'd include Earls as a winger who can cover 13 and 15 if needed.

Agree absolutely, assuming Murphy is healthy. besides Murphy has played in a ton of high pressure matches with Leicester and almost always comes off looking good. Smart, heads up player.

If he plays anything like he did for the lions there is no one better in the home nations. When he took over from Byrne in the test it was seemless, just like Henson he has the ability but is he ready? I think he is worth a punt if he is fit as it is a key position!

Tough one.

TBH, I probably would, if only because he's one of the few specialist full-backs that Ireland have at the moment. I'm not saying he's brilliant (pretty good in '09, mind), but against SH opposition in a tight quarter-final, I wouldn't want Earls or Fitzgerald at FB.

He needs to have some game time over the summer and back with Leinster in the new season first because he's been off injured for so long. Assuming that happens, then I'd possibly pick him for the Six Nations, depending on his condition after he's been back a while.

Another question for the non-Irish:

Would you bring Tomás O'Leary???

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Another question for the non-Irish:

Would you bring Tomás O'Leary???

Yeah I don't rate Stringer or Reddan, howaver to be honest I don't really rate TOL either.

I was going to ask, who are the best alternatives for TOL?

Reddan and Stringer should go IMO, then it seems to be between TOL, Murray and Boss.

Been out the game a while but when on form he is a hell of a player.

Cari wrote:I was going to ask, who are the best alternatives for TOL?

The best alternative to TOL is to pick someone who can play scrum half.....

roddersm wrote:

Cari wrote:I was going to ask, who are the best alternatives for TOL?

The best alternative to TOL is to pick someone who can play scrum half.....

+1

If OLeary could pass and box kick he would be very decent. He is horrendous at both though.

On the Kearney question id say no.
if Earls is going as a winger would take Jones, in fantastic form, and Murphy, classy fullback offers something ifferent to everyone else, as fullback.

TOL shouldnt be near the Irish squad this world cup. If it were me Id go with Reddan starting, Stringer bench and Murray 3rd choice for the experience. murray to start to take over the 9 shirt next 6 nations

leinsterbaby wrote:If OLeary could pass and box kick he would be very decent. He is horrendous at both though.

Kind of ammusing.... do scrum halves do anything else? Mind you Mike Phillips seems to get away with it.

Mike Phillips mainly got away with it when he had Martyn Williams clearing up after him. Since Gatland has found Warbs he's been struggling to show any of his former glory.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

leinsterbaby wrote:If OLeary could pass and box kick he would be very decent. He is horrendous at both though.

Kind of ammusing.... do scrum halves do anything else? Mind you Mike Phillips seems to get away with it.

A lot of people would argue that TOL doesn't have to do either of those things but should still get picked!

I have never understood the Irish frustration with TOL. Everyone else seems to like him, me included, but when it comes to the fans themselves most prefer Stringer who I think is too much of a defensive weak link.

To be honest having an international class Scrum Half is something I take for granted at Scotland. We seem to have crazy ammounts of talent in one positon

Current
Cusiter
Lawson
Blair

Future
Laidlaw
Gregor

We have been struggling at Fly half where as the problem seems to be the other way around for Ireland

The central issue with TOL and indeed Stringer is what is important to a 9?

Some people think defence in a 9 is most important than others.
Some think that the 9 has to be able to pass and get the ball out of ruck quickly, more than others