Irish Team Naming Thread

[MBTGOG]

First topic message reminder :

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/ Leinster)
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
13 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/ Leinster)
12 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/ Ulster)
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/ Leinster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/ Munster)
1 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
2 - Sean Cronin (Leinster)
3 - Tony Buckley (Sale)
4 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
5 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster) Captain
6 - Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/ Connacht)*
7 - Niall Ronan (Shannon/ Munster)
8 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:
16 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/ Munster)
17 - Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster)
18 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
19 - Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/ Munster)
20 - Kevin McLaughlin (St Mary's College/ Leinster)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/ Leinster)
22 - Felix Jones (Shannon/ Munster)*

[RuggerRadge2611]

Anyway off-topic... for now. Scotland to try and deal with 1st. It wont be pretty...

I can see this actually being relatively close. We bigger and Stronger, but also heavier.

Your backs actually look quite dangerous, from our point of view I'm confident that if we can deprive you of quick ball and possesion in general Scotland will run out comfortable winners.

That theory is based completely on the mis-match in the backrow. I reckon if Ireland can dominate the set piece it will be a close game. Your set piece might be the only way to get good/clean/quick ball. If you can't get the line and Scrum working it might become a horror show.

But bear in mind guys "we are Scotland" and are all to often willing participents in our own destruction.

[rodders]

Yeah but there is a difference between backs and forwards. Time will tell, I'm not writing him off. I'm just not overly confident of him making it.

Of course there is but I've made the comparison because 10 seasons ago no one would have thought O'driscoll would have developed into one of the most robust and physical centres around. Falloon has plenty of time to work on his physicality.

[rodders]

Anyway off-topic... for now. Scotland to try and deal with 1st. It wont be pretty...

I can see this actually being relatively close. We bigger and Stronger, but also heavier.

I can't. I can see Scotland chewing that pack up and spitting it out.

[MBTGOG]

Anyway off-topic... for now. Scotland to try and deal with 1st. It wont be pretty...

I can see this actually being relatively close. We bigger and Stronger, but also heavier.

I can't. I can see Scotland chewing that pack up and spitting it out.

I love the faith in our team on this site sometimes.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Anyway off-topic... for now. Scotland to try and deal with 1st. It wont be pretty...

I can see this actually being relatively close. We bigger and Stronger, but also heavier.

Your backs actually look quite dangerous, from our point of view I'm confident that if we can deprive you of quick ball and possesion in general Scotland will run out comfortable winners.

That theory is based completely on the mis-match in the backrow. I reckon if Ireland can dominate the set piece it will be a close game. Your set piece might be the only way to get good/clean/quick ball. If you can't get the line and Scrum working it might become a horror show.

But bear in mind guys "we are Scotland" and are all to often willing participents in our own destruction.

I can see our pack getting minced a little bit, not as bad as some may think but think it could be a poor showing from them.
That being said if players like Cronin, Buckley and Leamy get rolling forward then we should get some forward momentum and we have plenty of work horses too.

We will not get that much quick ball, the selection of our pack and TOL doesn't benefit us in terms of getting the ball out quickly.
We really need to get our own lineout and scrum ball whatever about challenging theirs.

If we can get our own I'd give us a shot to win.

[Notch]

I truly believe that we would be taking about pollock v pocock this world cup if it weren't for the f****g injuries.

What an exaggeration.

Why?

To be fair, Pollock was a rare and special talent. It was obvious.

He managed to play a whole half of one season fully fit at the start of his career- then it was over

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Still really surprised by the bench make up, just seems really un-Kidney like. Glad he is trying it out jsut surprised. Still think someone else should be there instead of Mick

[red_stag]

Still really surprised by the bench make up, just seems really un-Kidney like. Glad he is trying it out jsut surprised. Still think someone else should be there instead of Mick

Agree about Micko. I'd have Henry, Ruddock, Faloon, Coughlan AKA another flanker there. But Micko has played backrow in the past.

[rodders]

Still really surprised by the bench make up, just seems really un-Kidney like. Glad he is trying it out jsut surprised. Still think someone else should be there instead of Mick

Agree about Micko. I'd have Henry, Ruddock, Faloon, Coughlan AKA another flanker there. But Micko has played backrow in the past.

I'd imagine MOD's in there because he still has an outside chance of making the WC squad, especially so if there's injuries. I'd say he's still 4th in the 2nd row pecking order.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Yeah that's true, I guess he is 5th though after Ryan but yeah can see your point. Would have loved if Tuohy got into this team.

He is doing ok now isn't he?

dominic Ryan why isn't he there instead of Ronan!?!
Well I know why but I still think he is a much better player

[Gibson]

SOB isn't that great at cleaning rucks,Ferris is far better,for the gmae we play I think Wallace is a better option.

Yes,I have to agree with that T. Ferris is a master at it. Literally a huge presence. Optimum backrow selection for Oz: Ferris(if fit), Jennings, Heaslip. SOB on the bench. Bring him on once Rocky & Pocock are worn-down and let him run-riot. Save Wally for Russia & Italy.

Believe.

[red_stag]

Well I know why

Let me guess. . . .Declan Kidney is biased etc etc etc

[Gibson]

I wouldnt worry too much about the lineout. Best operator and our Captain for the day is a lineout master. In fact he's a lineout nerd. Ryan compliments him well. Need Cronin to throw straight arrows though. Quick off-the-top ball and we could really do some damage there. Looking forward to seeing Paddy and McFadden in action. PWs hands and Mcfaddens speed and strength = more damage.



OK Munsty, its not as bad as 1st thought.



Believe more.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Well I know why

Let me guess. . . .Declan Kidney is biased etc etc etc

No was incinuating that at all.
It's because Ronan has caps already and will bring some experience to an already unsettled backrow, where as Dom Ryan hasn't even played in a HCup knock out match

More than a bit pressumtious of you Stag

[red_stag]

Well I know why

Let me guess. . . .Declan Kidney is biased etc etc etc

No was incinuating that at all.
It's because Ronan has caps already and will bring some experience to an already unsettled backrow, where as Dom Ryan hasn't even played in a HCup knock out match

More than a bit pressumtious of you Stag

[MBTGOG]

Also, we have McCarthy as an option at the tail of the line-out.

[red_stag]

And McLaughlin as one on the bench. Are we targetting Scotlands lineout?

[Gibson]

Yeah that's true, I guess he is 5th though after Ryan but yeah can see your point. Would have loved if Tuohy got into this team.

He is doing ok now isn't he?

dominic Ryan why isn't he there instead of Ronan!?!
Well I know why but I still think he is a much better player

Oh Dom Ryan will be huge for Leinster and Ireland - at 7, imo. Bit undercooked yet tho. Not enough game time. And not enough experience. But he's an animal.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

We aren't targetting theirs, but we are giving Cronin a lot of options to hit and to try and move their defencive jumpers around because they will try and win our ball on most throws

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

And McLaughlin as one on the bench. Are we targetting Scotlands lineout?

Unlikely? Gray, Hamilton & Beattie at the back on our own ball - pretty solid; then you have to thro over big Richie on yours = wonky Cronin darts

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Don't worry As long as, he will have been practising getting them over Devin Toner for the last 2 weeks

[greybeard]

Also, we have McCarthy as an option at the tail of the line-out.

And he has plenty of experience with Cronin, I'd expect him to pop up in a few different spots in the lineout over the course of the game.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Don't worry As long as, he will have been practising getting them over Devin Toner for the last 2 weeks

Ah right, pete, so he'll fire those way over the back of the lineout for Morrison to pick up in midfield

[MBTGOG]

Yeah we might see plenty of movement at the line-out, maybe with Ryan at the back sometimes. With Mushy lifting as well, we should get a lot of height.

[red_stag]

ASbo - Kidney and Gaffney (backs coach used to coach Munster) are both fond of "hammering the hammer".

Its a term they use for taking on the opponents biggest strenght to instill confidence in themselves and rattle their opponents biggest strenght.

Testing the lineout against Scotland isn't a bad idea. As you say they are very very good lineout operators.

[MBTGOG]

Don't worry As long as, he will have been practising getting them over Devin Toner for the last 2 weeks

Ah right, pete, so he'll fire those way over the back of the lineout for Morrison to pick up in midfield

Is he fast enough?

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Nah man, Rob Kearney will be back so he will just jump 15 feet in the air and grab it cos he's Rob Kearney, you know? usual stuff really.

In all seriousness we do have a few lineout options, (4), to try and move you guys around the place cos realistically you do have a better lineout than we do. Cullen is clever though and should be able to come up with something and I imagine POC who is a lineout genius will be coming up with a few ideas too.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Don't worry As long as, he will have been practising getting them over Devin Toner for the last 2 weeks

Ah right, pete, so he'll fire those way over the back of the lineout for Morrison to pick up in midfield

Is he fast enough?

Oh aye, if ye give him 5 minutes and a bit of advance notice like!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Nah man, Rob Kearney will be back so he will just jump 15 feet in the air and grab it cos he's Rob Kearney, you know? usual stuff really.

In all seriousness we do have a few lineout options, (4), to try and move you guys around the place cos realistically you do have a better lineout than we do. Cullen is clever though and should be able to come up with something and I imagine POC who is a lineout genius will be coming up with a few ideas too.

Up against Wagga giving away all Cullen's lineout secrets and Kellock figuring out the Irish lineout patterns again (:sigh:)!!!

[MBTGOG]

Don't worry As long as, he will have been practising getting them over Devin Toner for the last 2 weeks

Ah right, pete, so he'll fire those way over the back of the lineout for Morrison to pick up in midfield

Is he fast enough?

Oh aye, if ye give him 5 minutes and a bit of advance notice like!

[valjester]

Nah man, Rob Kearney will be back so he will just jump 15 feet in the air and grab it cos he's Rob Kearney, you know? usual stuff really.

In all seriousness we do have a few lineout options, (4), to try and move you guys around the place cos realistically you do have a better lineout than we do. Cullen is clever though and should be able to come up with something and I imagine POC who is a lineout genius will be coming up with a few ideas too.

And afaik mccarthy is able to call a lineout and I think he does so for connacht.
Stag I love the expression of hammering the hammer and I love it as a gameplan. If you accept that the other team is better than you in a certain position so you are just going to concede it and try and attack their weaknesses is madness.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Haha I love playing the Scots there is banter but none of it is maliscous or anything. You guys are awesome! So if you could keep up that trait and give us a win on Saturday we'd greatly appreciate it.

Also no hurting our fella's, we're only ickle

[red_stag]

Stag I love the expression of hammering the hammer and I love it as a gameplan. If you accept that the other team is better than you in a certain position so you are just going to concede it and try and attack their weaknesses is madness.

Yes its a great feeling when its pulled off properly.

[greybeard]

well... that was unfortunate

[WillyGilly]

Time to air my views.

Backline fine.
Front row? Experimental and all likely subs so fine.
Second row? See above.
Back row? Well to put it blunty abominable. Ronan and McCarthy shouldn't be within an Irish country mile of the squad. McLaughlin as a sub? Well let's just say I'm not holding my breath. Chris Henry had a steady decent season without being spectacular and yet he's placed behind these guys in the pecking order. What a load of absolute Love sacks.

[greybeard]

But you can't infer any kind of pecking order in a sequence of matches where everyone is going to get game time.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Just an innocent thought, so pls don't all jump down my throat at once - last time around, one of the criticisms of EOS's Irish preparation was that due to lack of match time, Ireland were undercooked. This time around, you've got 4 'test' matches and a game against Connacht, but it seems that most Irish posters are happy to give everyone in the training squad (42?) some game time, so likely as not you'll end up with your actual 30-man RWC squad or your best XXII only getting a couple of games together (albeit that most of the XXII have been playing together for donkeys) - does this give any cause for concern?

[red_stag]

No Im not worries. i see your point but I don't think its a big problem.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Didn't think so - the part in brackets at the end should be what matters

[red_stag]

By the way you'd swear Chris Henry was first choice for his province.

[GunsGerms]

Yeah that's true, I guess he is 5th though after Ryan but yeah can see your point. Would have loved if Tuohy got into this team.

He is doing ok now isn't he?

dominic Ryan why isn't he there instead of Ronan!?!
Well I know why but I still think he is a much better player

Oh Dom Ryan will be huge for Leinster and Ireland - at 7, imo. Bit undercooked yet tho. Not enough game time. And not enough experience. But he's an animal.

He has had plenty of Hcup experience and is a far more useful player than Ronan. Bizarre inclusion.

[Jenifer McLadyboy]

Time to air my views.

Backline fine.
Front row? Experimental and all likely subs so fine.
Second row? See above.
Back row? Well to put it blunty abominable. Ronan and McCarthy shouldn't be within an Irish country mile of the squad. McLaughlin as a sub? Well let's just say I'm not holding my breath. Chris Henry had a steady decent season without being spectacular and yet he's placed behind these guys in the pecking order. What a load of absolute Love sacks.

Well. Both McLoughlin and McCarthy are better 6s than Henry. Leamy is a better 8 (I won't argue McLaughlin at 8 because he has not played there for a few seasons, even though it WAS his 1st position), and Ronan...... Well actually he IS a better 7 (than Henry) because he is a specialist.

I know Henry has played 7 for ulster, but he is really an 8, and if I had to put him on the flank it would be at 6.

[Notch]

By the way you'd swear Chris Henry was first choice for his province.

Isn't he?

He didn't start as many Heineken Cup games as I thought- having played 3 out of 7- but he's pretty much always in our 22 and usually starts if fit.

[Notch]

Just an innocent thought, so pls don't all jump down my throat at once - last time around, one of the criticisms of EOS's Irish preparation was that due to lack of match time, Ireland were undercooked. This time around, you've got 4 'test' matches and a game against Connacht, but it seems that most Irish posters are happy to give everyone in the training squad (42?) some game time, so likely as not you'll end up with your actual 30-man RWC squad or your best XXII only getting a couple of games together (albeit that most of the XXII have been playing together for donkeys) - does this give any cause for concern?

Well, are you worried Scotland have only two games together?

No, not really. Last time we had 2 warm-ups. The Scotland one was approached in exactly the same way as this- entirely second/third string- and then just one test against Italy were the first team played. A number of players were also involved against Bayonne, which was a nightmare.

Whereas this game pretty much everybody who is in the final squad will get at least 2 games and some players who need more gametime will get 3 games. Which is as much gametime or more as players from any other nation are getting.

[WillyGilly]

Time to air my views.

Backline fine.
Front row? Experimental and all likely subs so fine.
Second row? See above.
Back row? Well to put it blunty abominable. Ronan and McCarthy shouldn't be within an Irish country mile of the squad. McLaughlin as a sub? Well let's just say I'm not holding my breath. Chris Henry had a steady decent season without being spectacular and yet he's placed behind these guys in the pecking order. What a load of absolute Love sacks.

Well. Both McLoughlin and McCarthy are better 6s than Henry. Leamy is a better 8 (I won't argue McLaughlin at 8 because he has not played there for a few seasons, even though it WAS his 1st position), and Ronan...... Well actually he IS a better 7 (than Henry) because he is a specialist.

I know Henry has played 7 for ulster, but he is really an 8, and if I had to put him on the flank it would be at 6.

Highly debatable to say both McLaughlin and McCarthy are better 6s. To be frank I see that as Henry's strongest position for us as he isn't a specialist 7 and he doesn't have the height or weight of an 8. Besides I didn't bring Leamy up? I could say something controversial but given the angst there's been in here of late I'll leave it at that. Very disappointed.

Oh and another thing I see the comedy BBC reporting has kicked into 4th gear in time for September, apologies if someone already raised this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14372339.stm

'Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary also returns after missing the end of last season with an eye injury.
He will resume his half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton in what is likely to be Ireland's first-choice combination for the World Cup.'

Please for the love of all that's holy no...

[rodders]

Oh and another thing I see the comedy BBC reporting has kicked into 4th gear in time for September, apologies if someone already raised this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14372339.stm

'Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary also returns after missing the end of last season with an eye injury.
He will resume his half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton in what is likely to be Ireland's first-choice combination for the World Cup.'

Please for the love of all that's holy no...

Oh dear god in heaven I hope that is just lazy journalism.

What's the deal with this McCarthy guy? Is he any good? Didn't realise he was pushing 30. Is he likely to make the WC squad? if not I don't see much point in selecting him.

[valjester]

Oh and another thing I see the comedy BBC reporting has kicked into 4th gear in time for September, apologies if someone already raised this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14372339.stm

'Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary also returns after missing the end of last season with an eye injury.
He will resume his half-back partnership with Jonathan Sexton in what is likely to be Ireland's first-choice combination for the World Cup.'

Please for the love of all that's holy no...

Oh dear god in heaven I hope that is just lazy journalism.

What's the deal with this McCarthy guy? Is he any good? Didn't realise he was pushing 30. Is he likely to make the WC squad? if not I don't see much point in selecting him.

Maybe its optimism, the piece is probably written by an englishman.

McCarthy is very good imo, and he has the added bonus of being able to run a lineout quite well. I think ryan is ahead of him in the lock/backrow position but Kidney rates him so a good performance could push him ahead of ryan into the 30man squad

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Could McCarthy be Ireland's bolter? I confess I'd never heard of him, and with S4C I get to watch a reasonable amount of magners

[valjester]

Could McCarthy be Ireland's bolter? I confess I'd never heard of him, and with S4C I get to watch a reasonable amount of magners

I think connacht had the least number of games of any side televised last season. I remember at the start of last year it being something ridiculous like two of their first 7 games being on tv. For the other three province nearly every game is available to watch if you can't make it to the ground.

[The Great Aukster]

Good choice from Kidney. This team is to help decide the second string and also keep those who won't make the 30, enthused enough to keep fit in case of injury.

Court and Buckley are in pole (as backups) and hence their starting berths, but Kidney has nodded towards his old faithfuls in a mixture of sentimentality and reward to give then a deserved chance to remind him of their worth from the bench.
Cronin starts over Flannery which is slightly strange and may be due to Fla's (lack of) fitness, but also boosts Cronin's confidence a tad. Having a familiar face in McCarthy to throw to, will help so I expect some mixing of the lineout lineup.
Ireland only have three lineout specialists in the squad - POC, Cullen and MOD in that order. An injury to POC or Cullen could very well see Micko called up as a replacement so keeping him involved in the home guard is Kidney's aim.
Kidney is also looking at a straight shootout between Ryan and McCarthy for the fourth lock/ blindside emergency so I wouldn't be surprised to see switches of MOD for Cullen and McLaughlin for Ryan, with McCarty moving to second row to compare him directly as a lock.
Ronan is a surprise at 7. IMO Henry and Jennings come from exactly the same mould. Both are 6.5s and neither are international class, but at least they play the fill-in role, so I would have expected Henry to hold sway for this one.
Leamy is a good call for 8. His best test position IMO and is the no.2 to JH for the position.
With TOL needing time to prove his fitness, he should play the full 80, but with Reddan and Stringer bound to go there is surely no place at all for Murray. The third SH spot looks to be between TOL and Boss.
I too would expect Wallace to move to 10, with every one of the higher numbers dropping down one. Yes, I fancy Kidney will play Trimble at 13 as he is the most experienced centre Ireland have in that position behind BOD, and a lot more credibility there than Fitzgerald. This game is about fringe players showing their versatility so having only two backs subs indicates that players will be moved around.
Kidney will want to see Kearney show some such versatility by moving him to wing, and I suspect he will play the full 80 to prove his fitness.

Even Ireland's first choice pack have struggled with Scotland's physicality, so I'd expect them to lose the forward battle on Saturday. However I haven't been convinced with Scotland's ability to score penalties from anywhere of late, and without that their points scoring ability is severely restricted. Close call.

[Sponsored content]