BOD out for six months

Goes without saying that this is a major blow to Ireland in the Six Nations and to Leinster

I would never wish an injury on any player - but this may be a blessing in disguise.

Leinster and Ireland will need to give a run of games to people other than BOD. Yes it forces the coaches hands, but that may be no bad thing.

Tough luck on BOD who would have been hoping for a decent swansong.

playing Devil's advocate, it could be just what Ireland need, it'll force them to blood a youngster who may not have played if BOD was available, injury replacements worked out well for Wales over the last season, Priestland wouldn't be where he is if it wasn't for injuries. It's sad for BOD though obviously, especially if he doesn't make it back to where he was in the game.

Time for Leinster to play 12. McFadden 13. O'Malley. D'arcy on the bench.

I suspect all that we'll see is Leinster playing McFadden at 13 and Ireland simply moving Earls to 13 and Trimble to the wing. Fergus McFadden as our versatile bench man.

Could this spell the end of his carear or will it prolong it? For a few years now he has been playing less n less and nursing one injury after another.

I am sure he wouldn't want to end it like this and even as a neutral I would like to see him go out in better circumstances.

Terrible shame. I was looking forward to seeing him in the HC at Firhill v the Warriors.

In fairness to the man he's been running himself into the ground for ages, its time for him to take a break anyway me thinks. Its possibly the best thing to happen to him and Ireland outwise worse might have happened.

If he can get over the surgery it might prolong his career. Louis Deacon has said previously the time he had out to get his back right gave him chance to sort all his other niggles as well and has meant he feels years younger and meant he could banish plans for early retirement.

Ireland will have some interesting choices come the 6N, do they go with Earles who tends to look lost at OC (see game vs England where Manu breezes past him), Cave who from what I gather appears to be injured most the time or one of the talented but inexperienced McFadden or Spence?

I want Tommy Bowe at 13. I'm convinced he can be just as good there as on the wing. Trimble could then play at 14.

Feckless Rogue wrote:I want Tommy Bowe at 13. I'm convinced he can be just as good there as on the wing. Trimble could then play at 14.

+1

Put McF at 12 and Sexton at 10 then we are sorted.
Strong defencive unit.
Distribution is good although not amazing.
Good running threats from all 3 and offloading ability.
Good kicking options (2 out of 3)
Creative partnership??

Distribution would be poor i think Pete.

I am for the Bowe to 13 experiment but with BOD out Leinster are increasingly likely to play 12.D'arcy. 13. McFadden.

as such that potential partnership would have a guy who is playing 13 at 12 and a guy who is playing 14 at 13. Doesnt work for me. Similarly i dont think Earls should get the 13 shirt unless he is starting there for Munster.

There will (most likely) be three IQ young guys playing 13 in the Heineken Cup and the run up to the 6N. McFadden at Leinster, Barnes at Munster and Cave at Ulster. If one of them performs then give them the shirt. If none of them step up then we can look at shifting wingers around.

Stand what about Griffin at Connacht?

i totally forgot about Griffin Stag. he might suffer purely based on the team he is in but by all means if he is good enough he is old enough.

Cave and McFadden the two front runners imo though. i doubt Deccie would agree with me.

There was a beautiful outside centre-wing combination we saw glimpses of in the RWC and twice it yielded textbook winger tries from a classic centre break.........

.......it was off course Trimble and Earls. Trimble was wing but powering through the midfield like a centre and Earls was centre and loitering and finishing like a top wing. Trimble at 13 with Earls and Bowe on the wings will create and score tries all day long IMO.

I agree with stand though, there 2 or 3 guys playing 13 for their provinces. Cave is the guy IMO. The most underrated player in Ireland right now. Our very own Conrad Smith.

Rodders I'd happily take Trimble at 13

We all know what will happen, Deccie will move Earls to 13! What a shame as it's a perfect opportunity to try Cave, Spence, Barnes etc

I wouldn't move Bowe to 13, let's put someone who plays there regularly in that spot. Bowe is a brilliant winger so let's keep him there.

while trimble is playing really well can we select someone at 13 that wont play at all for their province?

Im not sure it will work.....

I think you can stand, its not ideal but you can't rule the person out because they are playing in another position at club level.

I mean Bowe isn't playing regularly on the wing for the Ospreys but people have a heart attack if you suggest moving him anywhere else.

However I think you should look at the candidates playing their regularly 1st. Cave is top of the list IMO along with McFadden.

It can happen Stag i agree. Look at kahui in the world cup. To my mind pre RWC 11 he was an out and out 13 but he did well on the wing. That being said i am tending to lean towards guys who play there week in week out.