If Kearney isn't fit for the Autumn

After a lay off due to injury there mus be concerns about Rob Kearneys fitness.

Has an Irish player stuck up their hand during his absence?

- Leinster. Ian Madigan has been playing at fullback here along with Nacewa (not Irish).

- Munster. A mix of Denis Hurley, Ian Keatley and Felix Jones.

- Ulster. Jarred Payne (not Irish) is the only one getting game time.

- Connacht. Gavin Duffy is injured although teenager Henshaw is looking sharp.

Who would you like to see come in. Keith Earls and Luke Fitz are injured.

Do we reward the form of exciting Henshaw?

Do we go for the second playmaker route of Madigan/Keatley?

Do we take a punt of Felix Jones who did so so well once upon a time but is only back from injury himself?

Personally I think Henshaw would deserve a shot,he's been playing there and playing well consistently.Hurley has done well too and he would be my second choice.I don't think Madigan or Keatley have done enough to get ahead of those 2 imo.

Jones is probably who Kidney would go for and I'd have no major issue with that but would be slightly worried as he's been out of the game a long time now with only short playing stints between injuries.

I would expect kidney to pick Hurley.

I would rather we picked henshaw or did something like

Trimble, Bowe, Zebo as our back three.

I would be very surprised to see Hurley get selected StandUlsterman.

I would expect Felix Jones or a half fit Rob Kearney to play.

Personally I'd like to see us do like Wales do and strike when the iron is hot - Renshaw could be the option with Madigan covering 10/15 from the bench.

- Has Heineken Cup experience
- Is playing very well at the moment
- Other options are not attractive
- Sends out a strong signal that you can be selected no matter your reputation

red_stag wrote:I would be very surprised to see Hurley get selected StandUlsterman.

I would expect Felix Jones or a half fit Rob Kearney to play.

Personally I'd like to see us do like Wales do and strike when the iron is hot - Renshaw could be the option with Madigan covering 10/15 from the bench.

- Has Heineken Cup experience
- Is playing very well at the moment
- Other options are not attractive
- Sends out a strong signal that you can be selected no matter your reputation

Slight derail but it's Henshaw isn't it?

Jones has played how much? I would be appalled if he were called up if he has played as little as I think he has?

Uuugghhh

Bloody Henshaw

Standulstermen wrote:Jones has played how much? I would be appalled if he were called up if he has played as little as I think he has?

He has hardly played. Got about 15 minutes of rugby for Munster and one match for Munster A team.

However thats what I expect Kidney to do - go back to what worked over a year ago.

I could never see him for example picking:

09 Murray
10 Sexton
11 Gilroy
12 L. Marshall
13 O'Driscoll
14 Bowe
15 Henshaw

21 P.Marshall
22 Madigan
23 Zebo

which is probably a pretty on form selection.

I hear what you are saying stag I just dont believe in playing your way back to fitness (and potentially form) on the international stage.

If I was a new coach coming in I would start over, damn the ranking points and build.

Reddan
Sexton
Zebo
Marshall
Earls
Bowe
Kearney

Marmion, Jackson/Madigan, henshaw

I should add thats presupposing no injuries

What about going for Old Geordan Murphy?

StandUlsterman,

I don't believe in it either. I fear that Kidney might think that way.

Maesteg - Geordan is retired and I believe he is actually injured himself at the minute.

Geordan's only just returning from injury, and wouldn't have a chance to get much rugby under his belt. Still, he's more than a very decent option!

I think Hurley desreves a shot... hes reliable under the high ball and in defence, but his biggest asset is his size, he adds a bit of power to a back line that is easily bullied.

I think Hurley is a bad option. He has absolutely no pace

Madigan for me. Easy choice...unless we can get Payne an Irish Granny from somewhere.

I expect Kidney to go with Hurley though.

Sure Payne can just borrow Waldrom's rodders

bluestonevedder wrote:Geordan's only just returning from injury, and wouldn't have a chance to get much rugby under his belt. Still, he's more than a very decent option!

Yes a good option with plenty of experience at this level. I didnt know how far down the recovery road he was.

maestegmafia wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:Geordan's only just returning from injury, and wouldn't have a chance to get much rugby under his belt. Still, he's more than a very decent option!

Yes a good option with plenty of experience at this level. I didnt know how far down the recovery road he was.

Well, he failed the last minute fitness test for the Ospreys game, so by all accounts was hoping to start or at least make the bench. THinks he's fully recovered by now, so will hopefully be available this weekend!

bluestonevedder wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:Geordan's only just returning from injury, and wouldn't have a chance to get much rugby under his belt. Still, he's more than a very decent option!

Yes a good option with plenty of experience at this level. I didnt know how far down the recovery road he was.

Well, he failed the last minute fitness test for the Ospreys game, so by all accounts was hoping to start or at least make the bench. THinks he's fully recovered by now, so will hopefully be available this weekend!

Nearly there then. Good news for you guys though i have to say Keatley won't let anyone down, looks very good.

There are some great young Irish players who should be in for new caps, Marshall and Murray should be having a great battle for the nine shirt, Keatley and Paddy Jackson fighting for flyhalf...

Ozzy3213 wrote:Sure Payne can just borrow Waldrom's rodders

Jarod O'Payne it is then!

Remember we used to seem so injury free for the most part under EOS? Does anyone else think this player management malarkey is not working AT ALL? In fact Kidney's reign seems to have been riddled with long term injuries to players. Our injury rate seems to have gotten much worse since this player management thing has been in place. Is it just me?

We know to many games is bad for a player. But maybe strictly limiting a players game time to a pre set number, regardless of any other circumstances can be bad for him too?

Or maybe the game has just gotten more physical.

Hmmm that's an interesting one Feckless.

Maybe the idea of resting let's say BOD for games against Zebre and Dragons means he is undercooked when he comes up against Ulster and Clermont.

Going from naught to sixty in no time at all.

Could be on to something there mo chara

Nah I think we just have a load of old geezers now who are more prone to injury.

Plus the young bucks aren't getting enough regular game time so they aren't used to high intensity week in week out.

And the Welsh and Scots players got bigger and ours shrank.

Also the Gulf stream seems to go further south now meaning colder winters.

There's all sorts of reasons....

A new deck of old returning cards is all we need. Those decks usually have the little tiny codes written on the back side. The cheater's deck.

We'll use them to good effect in the AIs. I can see big results for us.

I'm convinced you have a voodoo doll of rob Kearney now Stag!