Ireland Official 6N Squad 2012*

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:12

Ireland squad (sponsored by 02) for the matches against Wales (5 February) and France (11 February) in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship:

Backs: Isaac Boss (Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Gordon Darcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Denis Hurley (Munster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Johne Murphy (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Tomas O'Leary (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Munster), Jonathan Sexton (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster)

Forwards: Stephen Archer (Munster), Rory Best (Ulster), Tony Buckley (Sale Sharks), Tom Court (Ulster), Sean Croinin (Leinster), Leo Cullen (Leinster), Stephen Ferris (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leinster), Denis Leamy (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Connacht), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster, CAPTAIN), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Damien Varley (Munster)

MUNSTER LEAD THE WAY FOR IRELAND
Thursday, 05 January 2012

Head coach Declan Kidney has selected a familiar team in Ireland's 36-man squad for the opening two matches of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship. Munster lead the way with 17 players selected from last season's Magners League champions. 28 players from last year’s Rugby World Cup squad are included – the exceptions being Paddy Wallace and Geordan Murphy who has now retired – while potential Six Nations debuts could lie ahead for Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony, both of whom have been excelling in the Heineken Cup with Munster.

O'Mahony, a product of PBC, the school where Declan Kidney taught, has captained Ireland U18, Ireland U20, Munster A and the Munster Senior Team. He looks sure to ruffle feathers in a very settled backrow. Murray – who sprung to fame in the Summer Tests and Rugby World Cup – has never played in a Six Nations match. He played his first Heineken Cup match this season winning man of the match against the Llanelli Scarlets.

He told www.irishrugby.ie: “I am looking forward to the Six Nations immensly. My upbringing from my mother means I’ve always known about Ireland and I was still in school when I saw Drisco (Brian O'Driscoll) lift the cup 3 years ago".

Kidney said: “I am pleased to reflect on the winning displays we have seen from both Munster Rugby and Leinster over the last two months and the contribution a number of our uncapped players have made to them.

“I think what’s also encouraging is that a number of players who have forced their way into contention in that period and who have not made the squad this time, are really knocking on the door and that competition for places can only raise our standards, so this Ireland squad can be very much a work in progress over the coming months especially with the Summer looming.

“We said after the Rugby World Cup that the challenge we must confront is to get on with the business of winning international rugby matches. Potential counts for nothing if you don’t deliver results.”

The squad will gather at Carlton House on the week beginning Monday 23 January before it is trimmed for match specific preparations for Ireland's opening game of the championship against Wales at Aviva Stadium on Sunday 5 February.

You can still buy tickets for the 6 Nations 3pm via the IRFU website www.irishrugby.ie
*actually its unofficial and made up

by **rodders** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:23

Please tell me thats a joke?

by Mickado Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:26

A good mix of slightly plausable inclusions and unbelievable wind ups.

Not bad Stag - but not your best work.

by **rodders** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:27

I should have known when Paddy Wallace was left out.... Whistle

by **Notch** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:27

With the way our scrum has been hit and miss, they are wise to have kept the experience of Horan and Buckley as capable understudies to our main three props.

EDIT; I don't need to pretend anymore do I? Mickado spilt it.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:27

Rodders, read the very last line.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:28

Well done Mick, ruined everything Rolling Eyes

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:28

roddersm wrote:Please tell me thats a joke?

That's a joke

white writing is always the giveaway

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:29

I think the Shane Jennings bit gave it away Run

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:30

Looks like you've targeted a fair few in that post Stag! (am resisting the urge to edit out a place name Whistle

)

My favourite bit: Jonathan Sexton (Munster) - ha!

by **rodders** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:30

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:31

I just like to make sure everyone is catered for.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:32

rugbydreamer wrote:My favourite bit: Jonathan Sexton (Munster) - ha!

He plays the Munster way.

by Mickado Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:33

Sorry! I didn't know this was planned.

Anyway, you could have just ignored me and pretended you were for real, people wouldn't have paid any attention to one post when the majority of posters are up in arms.

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:34

red_stag wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:My favourite bit: Jonathan Sexton (Munster) - ha!

He plays the Munster way.

Must not comment!

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:34

OK so we all agreed. Lets get all angry about this and we'll get the rest of them at it.

ahem . . . I wonder which player will feature at 13. Its good to see that Fergus McFadden is considered as a 12 with Wallace missing.

by **rodders** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:36

How the flip does Leamy get in ahead of Jennings!

McCarthy FFS! furious

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:37

I reckon your best bet is McFadden at 13, Sexton at 12 with O'Gara at 10. You need to use your most effective players (O'Gara and Sexton), so why not have them both starting?

Also I think to protect what could then be a defensively wobly mid-field, you need to start with O'Leary at 9. He brings an excellent physical and defensive edge to the team.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:37

McCarthy actually did well when he played last season. Gives us a real lineout option along with O'Mahony and Ryan in the backrow.

BTW Rodders, Leamy and Jennings both made the squad.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:38

Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:39

oh look a turnip!

by Mickado Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:40

What the point in Buckley even making the squad. He's a shining paradigm of how the new IRFU policy will fail, more Irish players getting more time, in key positions will NOT result in a top class player.

You can't polish a turd lads.

by Mickado Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:41

red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

Really? A Scarlets fan? Surely she'd enjoy watching a try, every now and again.

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:41

Well you can, but it won't shine.

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:41

red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

There are no words.....

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:42

Mickado wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

Really? A Scarlets fan? Surely she'd enjoy watching a try, every now and again.

Think how much more pleasureable a try would be then though. Absense makes the heart grow fonder.

by Mickado Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:42

Well we tried. And it didn't. It was still sh1te.

by eirebilly Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:43

red_stag wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:My favourite bit: Jonathan Sexton (Munster) - ha!

He plays the Munster way.

He gets that from his uncle Willie Sexton the Munster legend Wink

by **rodders** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:43

Right I've had it with Kidney....I'm away to see if I have a Welsh or Scottish great grandparent or something! Bollix to this nonsense! Braveheart

by Mickado Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:43

red_stag wrote:
Mickado wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

Really? A Scarlets fan? Surely she'd enjoy watching a try, every now and again.

Think how much more pleasureable a try would be then though. Absense makes the heart grow fonder.

I bet you used to save your easter eggs until christmas.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:43

Sin E wrote:
red_stag wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:My favourite bit: Jonathan Sexton (Munster) - ha!

He plays the Munster way.
The statistics show that in 17 starts for Munster, Jonathan Sexton has player more minutes in the opposition half than he did in his own 22. Couple this with the fact that he has passed the ball twice as many times from his left hand as he has from his right, and this proves that he is a better player with Munster.

Couldn't have put it better mesel', Sin

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:43

And it was too tall. Just like John "stand up" Hayes.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:43

Mickado wrote:
red_stag wrote:
Mickado wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

Really? A Scarlets fan? Surely she'd enjoy watching a try, every now and again.

Think how much more pleasureable a try would be then though. Absense makes the heart grow fonder.

I bet you used to save your easter eggs until christmas.

Nah til the following Easter.

by **rodders** Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:45

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
Sin E wrote:
red_stag wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:My favourite bit: Jonathan Sexton (Munster) - ha!

He plays the Munster way.
The statistics show that in 17 starts for Munster, Jonathan Sexton has player more minutes in the opposition half than he did in his own 22. Couple this with the fact that he has passed the ball twice as many times from his left hand as he has from his right, and this proves that he is a better player with Munster.
Couldn't have put it better mesel', Sin

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:46

rugbydreamer wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

There are no words.....

When did you ever hear Munster fans shouting: "Get it out of there! Just chuck it out mun! Oh, er mwyn y tad! Get it out mun, what are you holding it in for!"

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:48

Glas a du wrote:
When did you ever hear Munster fans shouting: "Get it out of there! Just chuck it out. Get it out, what are you holding it in for!"

All the time, but they are usually talking about vomitting after a few dozen pints of Guinness.

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:48

Glas a du wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

There are no words.....

When did you ever hear Munster fans shouting: "Get it out of there! Just chuck it out mun! Oh, er mwyn y tad! Get it out mun, what are you holding it in for!"

This is very true Glas. I would also have to ban myself from shouting things like "Stop slowing the ball down!"

Not sure I'm capable of that.

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:50

Dont be silly Dreamer. Having double standards is what being a Munster** is all about.

** OR ANY OTHER RUGBY FAN INCLUDING THE SCARLETS!!!!

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:52

Glas how tall is too tall.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:52

rugbydreamer wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

There are no words.....

Nah, Shovey would never be able to beat the urge to blame abject team performances on Scottish refs! Wink

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:53

red_stag wrote:Dont be silly Dreamer. Having double standards is what being a Munster** is all about.

** OR ANY OTHER RUGBY FAN INCLUDING THE SCARLETS!!!!

Double standards? And Scarlets fans? Never seen that happen before in my life! Whistle

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:55

Anyway, back to being serious, reckon a back row of Leamy, Jennings and O'Mahoney could work for Ireland. Forget the big ball carriers like Ferris, O'Brien etc, Wales showed exactly how to stop them in the WC, no point sticking with what doesn't work. I'd gamble with the first three I mentioned. Fiery, cunning and quick - sure why not?

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 15:56

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
rugbydreamer wrote:
red_stag wrote:Dreamer you'd make a great Munster fan.

There are no words.....
Nah, Shovey would never be able to beat the urge to blame abject team performances on Scottish refs!

Ah c'mon now, that's not true!

It's not just the Scottish refs I blame Wink

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:05

red_stag wrote:Glas how tall is too tall.

over 6' for a prop.

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:06

rugbydreamer wrote:Anyway, back to being serious, reckon a back row of Leamy, Jennings and O'Mahoney could work for Ireland. Forget the big ball carriers like Ferris, O'Brien etc, Wales showed exactly how to stop them in the WC, no point sticking with what doesn't work. I'd gamble with the first three I mentioned. Fiery, cunning and quick - sure why not?

by red_stag Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:08

The Scarlets fans just come in and make a mockery of this thread

by Gibson Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:10

I hear Jenno is vice-captain to give Paulie some of his experience. POC is bit shy.

P.S. Sexton is not a Munsterman. He's from the Kingdom Of Kerry.

P.P.S. Kidney must go!

by Guest Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:11

red_stag wrote:The Scarlets fans just come in and make a mockery of this thread

Sure twas just an overly optimistic idea, setting up a team to win against the odds, think it's something ingrained in the Scarlets mentality.

Could easily quickly switch to eternal despair and gloom though so who knows....

by Glas a du Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:17

red_stag wrote:The Scarlets fans just come in and make a mockery of this thread

Don't do yourself down lad, you're more than capable of doing that on yer own!

by dublin_dave Thu 5 Jan 2012 - 16:21

hahahaha. nice one red stag top post!!!!

actually glanced over it and was buying it until i saw stephen archer.

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