Irish World Cup 30

Declan Kidney announced the Ireland Rugby Squad for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand today.


The squad will be captained by Brian O'Driscoll.

Forwards (16) Caps in Brackets

Props (4)
Tony Buckley (Sale Sharks)(23)
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)(20)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(20)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)(9)

Hookers (3)

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)(49)
Sean Cronin (not assigned club yet/Leinster)(13)
Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)(39)

Second Rows (4)

Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)(31)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)(74)
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)(77)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)(9)

Backrows (5)

Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)(25)
Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)(37)
Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)(52)
Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)(11)
David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)(72)

Backs (14)

Scrumhalves (3)

Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)(14)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(1)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(31)

Outhalves (2)

Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)(110)
Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)(18)

Centres (3)

Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)(58)
Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) captain(113)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)(28)

Outside Backs (6)

Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)(39)
Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster)(20)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)(29)
Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers)(69)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(4)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)(35)

Provincial Breakdown; Leinster 13, Munster 9, Ulster 5, Overseas 3

And the county breakdown. There are 12 counties and 2 overseas countries represented in the squad. For players born oversea but who grew up in Ireland, I put them down in the county they grew up and regard themselves as being from.

Limerick (7); Cronin, Flannery, Poc, D. Wallace, Reddan, Murray, Earls
Cork (4); Buckley, Ross, Doc, Rog
Dublin (3); Bod, Healy, Sexton
Kildare (3); Heaslip, G. Murphy, McFadden
Tipperary (2); Leamy, Ryan
Antrim (1); Ferris
Down (1); P.Wallace
Carlow (1); O'Brien
Armagh (1); Best
Wicklow (1); Cullen
Wexford (1); D'arcy
Louth (1); Kearney
Monaghan (1); Bowe
Derry/Londonderry/Whatever you want yourself (1); Trimble
Brisbane (1); Court
Tokoroa (1); Boss

That breaks down as;
Munster 13
Leinster 10
Ulster 5
Abroad/Poaches 2

No problem, thanks for doing it.

Jones out of it according to the IRFU website. Have to say although I have been a major critic of Lukey all season, I still expected him to go. He looked fairly decent in our warm up games. 1pm tomorrow for the squad announcement. Exciting times. Gutted for Felix.

WillyGilly wrote:Jones out of it according to the IRFU website. Have to say although I have been a major critic of Lukey all season, I still expected him to go. He looked fairly decent in our warm up games. 1pm tomorrow for the squad announcement. Exciting times. Gutted for Felix.

Yeah I expected luke to go especially as he is a favourite of kidneys. I would have preferred him in the squad ahead of murphy. The rumours are flying around the place over twitter and forums but I'm not sure whether to believe them or not, there is a few surprises in what has been mentioned.

Not sure about ahead of Murphy. We have a problemo at fb and Luke doesn't solve that in fact he compounds it. Players should all know by now right. Bound to be at least one disappointed scrum scrum half from Munster.

I'm not on twitter at all but I wouldn't necessarily believe what I hear unless it comes out of Deccie's mouth. Some lad on here said Cullen was going to be left out of the squad last week on account of a rumour he heard, but that's clearly not going to happen.

I hope he picks Murray and, now that Jones is gone, Geordan Murphy. Aside from that I have no real issue with the 50/50 selections (ryan or mccarthy, mcfadden or fitz, leamy or jennings, buckley or hayes). It will be interesting to see who he goes for though. World cup is just around the corner now boys!

I've got to say, I would take Fitz. I think when he came on yesterday he made things happen.

With hindsight, it's probably a case of he knew he had to stake a claim yesterday or face exclusion!

valjester wrote:Also apologies to others who normally start these topics, I'm not sure if I overstepped a line.

Don't worry at all val, there are no 'lines'. Just whoever is quickest off the mark! I personally can't wait for tomorrow. This place is going break under the weight of angry Irishmen

In my opinion there is no way Kidney will drop O'Leary at this stage. He should have done it a long time ago, but if he does it now he will be going in to the WC with two scrumhalfs who have barely made an appearance in the warm up matches in Boss and Murray.

Based on the last match Luke Fitz should be going instead of Earls. I think Jones has been confirmed as out, it's interesting that Kidney agrees with what George Hook was saying after the France match. He said that even though Murphy has had limited game time, it would be foolish to go into the WC with only one specialist fullback, and it seems that opinion might be shared with the Irish camp. Could all be false though, we'll have to wait and see tomorrow.

That said, I would actually be really happy with that squad.

Notch wrote:That said, I would actually be really happy with that squad.

Yeah, same Notch. Would you really take Fitz though? For me, he's far too much of a liability. Away to France last week he should have got two yellow cards, and if it was a full six nations/world cup test match, he would have. I don't think a decent twenty minute cameo is enough to justify saying he's no longer a complete and utter liability. If we get a yellow card against Australia or South Africa at the world cup we're most likely stuffed ... I'm not going to hold McFadden out as some sort of world beater but I really think he'd deserve to go ahead of Fitz but, mc fadden hasn't been particularly great either, so I wouldn't be particularly upset either way I suppose. No way should either man be starting for us in the absence of injury though. And I'd prefer if they weren't on the bench either (unless Paddy has the number 22 shirt instead )

This might prove impossible but how about we try to not post too much before the squad announcement?

Whatever happens Declans choices will divide opinions.
Personally i would'nt take TOL or D'Arcy.

MBTGOG wrote:This might prove impossible but how about we try to not post too much before the squad announcement?

That's like asking an athlete not to train before a big meet! How are we supposed to work up enough outrage if we go in cold?

Actually, we might as well just cut right to the chase now and complain that TOL is going, then have a long 3 hour debate over minor issues like Ryan going over McCarthy because we more or less agree with everything else.

I wouldn’t have any grumbles if that was the squad. Although I would prefer to see Luke go than McFadden.

I’m gutted for Jones, he’s had some vicious bad luck.

Awful luck and he was doing really well, very composed and looked hungry. Gutted for him.

Luke should go, McFadden hasn't done anything to convince anyone he should be there. Decent squad besides that. Munster would end up playing TOL though

Thomond wrote:Luke should go, McFadden hasn't done anything to convince anyone he should be there. Decent squad besides that. Munster would end up playing TOL though

TOL would be on the bench behind Stringer, you'd be ok

No he wouldn't it's just the way it is.

JmD wrote:In my opinion there is no way Kidney will drop O'Leary at this stage. He should have done it a long time ago, but if he does it now he will be going in to the WC with two scrumhalfs who have barely made an appearance in the warm up matches in Boss and Murray.

Based on the last match Luke Fitz should be going instead of Earls. I think Jones has been confirmed as out, it's interesting that Kidney agrees with what George Hook was saying after the France match. He said that even though Murphy has had limited game time, it would be foolish to go into the WC with only one specialist fullback, and it seems that opinion might be shared with the Irish camp. Could all be false though, we'll have to wait and see tomorrow.

I think it made sense to give the time to o'leary, he just didn't take the chance and kidney is very ruthless when he wants to be. I will still be quite surprised if it comes to pass.

It would be ridiculously harsh to pick a player who has had one good 15 minutes preceded by 12months bad form over a player who has had one bad game preceded by 6months of excellent form.

TOL deserves to be left behind. He has had a terrible season as has Fitzgerald though at least Fitz has improved in his last 5 or 6 games. OLeary has probably got worse.

McFadden should be picked he has had a great few years.

leinsterbaby wrote:TOL deserves to be left behind. He has had a terrible season as has Fitzgerald though at least Fitz has improved in his last 5 or 6 games. OLeary has probably got worse.

McFadden should be picked he has had a great few years.

Tol has never had a chance to get back to form due to injuries and the fact that it is beginning to look like 2009 was a fluke where he played at a level way beyond what he is actually capable of. I think fitz's exclusion, if true, is very unlucky, yes he hasn't been great but class is permanent and the confidence boost may have helped him stop trying to force his game and settle back to just doing his natural thing.

I'd be quite happy with that Fanning squad.
In fact I'd be very happy with it

Glad O'Leary isn't going, not sticking the boot in but he isn't up to it.

Fitzgerald didnt do enough in the warm up games given how poor his season was.

Yep rumours are wild about the squad. Has thornley done an article because you could almost be guaranteed its right. McFadden over Fitz would be a big call and i must say if Deccie doesnt select TOL i dont think anyone can accuse him of red tinted glasses.

Was gonna say the same stand, when gerry comes out with one I'm sure it will be pretty damn close to perfect

Really don't want TOL to go.

Standulstermen wrote:Yep rumours are wild about the squad. Has thornley done an article because you could almost be guaranteed its right. McFadden over Fitz would be a big call and i must say if Deccie doesnt select TOL i dont think anyone can accuse him of red tinted glasses.

Thornley seems to have been out of the loop for the last while. Fanning knew that stringer was out of contention before anyone else did. He has a piece on hisblog about tol missing out but nothing about fitz. I bumped into fla today and was trying to get some info out of him but he wouldn't let anything slip.

EDIT PETE; I think thornley had tol and fitz in his squad today but like I said he seems to have been out of the loop since the end of the six nations.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Glad O'Leary isn't going, not sticking the boot in but he isn't up to it.

Fitzgerald didnt do enough in the warm up games given how poor his season was.

If Fitzgerald didn't do enough could someone explain to me how McFadden did?

Connacht game Willy? If Fitz isnt going its clear that Trimble, Bowe and Earls are the three wingers. The uncertainty over the centres may be a possible reason (if) fitz isnt selected

No way TOL is going he just isn't. I will make sure he doesn't if Kidney picks him...

Standulstermen wrote:Yep rumours are wild about the squad. Has thornley done an article because you could almost be guaranteed its right. McFadden over Fitz would be a big call and i must say if Deccie doesnt select TOL i dont think anyone can accuse him of red tinted glasses.

So if he does go he can be accused of red tinted shades

[quote="D24tress"][quote="Standulstermen"]Yep rumours are wild about the squad. Has thornley done an article because you could almost be guaranteed its right. McFadden over Fitz would be a big call and i must say if Deccie doesnt select TOL i dont think anyone can accuse him of red tinted glasses. [/quote]

So if he does go he can be accused of red tinted shades [/quote]

More like insanity.

Irish Curry wrote:

D24tress wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:Yep rumours are wild about the squad. Has thornley done an article because you could almost be guaranteed its right. McFadden over Fitz would be a big call and i must say if Deccie doesnt select TOL i dont think anyone can accuse him of red tinted glasses.

So if he does go he can be accused of red tinted shades

More like insanity.

If it came out that kidney was insane it would not get as much reaction as if it cam out he had been bias.

(for the record i think he is neither)

No i like Kidney but if TOL goes he will be lambasted by some as having red tinted glasses and having undroppable favourites. If not then i dont see how that accusation could be levelled at him. I hope it isnt in either case

[quote="D24tress"][quote="Irish Curry"][quote="D24tress"][quote="Standulstermen"]Yep rumours are wild about the squad. Has thornley done an article because you could almost be guaranteed its right. McFadden over Fitz would be a big call and i must say if Deccie doesnt select TOL i dont think anyone can accuse him of red tinted glasses. [/quote]

So if he does go he can be accused of red tinted shades [/quote]

More like insanity.[/quote]

If it came out that kidney was insane it would not get as much reaction as if it cam out he had been bias.

(for the record i think he is neither) [/quote]

I don't think he is either but TOL just should not go no matter what happens.

Cant get on to Irishrugby.ie

No O'Leary!

No Fitz and no O'Leary. He made the hard call. Credit to the man

I missed half of it the irish website crashed. Got it on RTE. Murray is in though! Fitz should be in there.

Fair play Declan

Someone post the squad!! In work and no rte live here or on iphone!

Big calls by Kidney.

Updated the op, correct me if I'm wrong on anything please.

Oops - its at the top isn't it.

I think Fitz would have gone had D'arcy been fit and firing. As it was McFadden gives us another option in the centre. TOL is a big call given the time and investment that Kidney has put in him. It hasnt paid off and Kidney has acknowledged that in this selection

I still would have gone with Fitzgerald over McFadden but can't complain about anything else. I think it's a good squad.

Wow, wow!

No-one can call Kidney conservative anymore. That's all I'll say. McFadden and Murray brought in, two grand slam winners left out. Stick that in your pipe! Go Kidney.

Poor Shane Jennings and Luke Fitzgerald. They've lost out in competitive areas.

Delighted for Leo Cullen. This will mean the earth to him.

Declan Kidney talks about Tommy Bowe- exactly what I was thinking.

I think Fitzgerald McFadden was incredibly marginal, I thought Fitzgerald would go but would rather McFadden personally, he should of been playing at 11 in the Leinster first team most of the season instead of Fitzgerald.

Good squad. Happy with that. I guess Boss must be due a start on Saturday, then? Who starts at 11 for Aus (assuming Bowe is 14) - Earls v Trimble. Trimble gets it I think.

Agreed Munsty. T'is a decent squad and damn near the one we picked ourselves in Pete's articles. I hope Murray gets a chance to shine and isn't stuck on the bench.