Pick Your Ireland Squad for the Six Nations

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Pick your squad for Ireland in the Six Nations, and you could win the chance to be in a long, boring, meaningless argument with Sin E and/or rodders. Call now!

Here's my effort;

PROPS
Cian Healy, Mike Ross, Tom Court, Tony Buckley, Paddy McAllister
HOOKERS
Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Damien Varley
LOCKS
Paul O'Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Donncha O'Callaghan, Dan Tuohy, Devin Toner
BACKROW
Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Peter O'Mahony, Chris Henry
SCRUM HALF
Eoin Reddan, Conor Murray, Isaac Boss
OUTHALF
Ronan O'Gara, Johnny Sexton
CENTRES
Gordon D'Arcy, Paddy Wallace, Fergus McFadden, Darren Cave, Keith Earls
BACK THREE
Luke Fitzgerald, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney, Gavin Duffy

Captain; Paul O'Connell
Vice-Captains; Rory Best, Ronan O'Gara, Johnny Sexton, Jamie Heaslip

Additional Players to feature for Ireland A but not the squad for the tournament proper;

Stephen Archer, Mike Sherry, Shane Jennings, Mike McCarthy, Paul Marshall, Ian Madigan, Nevin Spence, Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy

Best senior team available from squad named

Healy – Best – Ross
POC – Ryan
O’Brien – Healsip- Ferris
Murray – Sexton
Trimble – McFadden – Earls – Bowe
Kearney

Cronin – Court – DOC – Jennings – Reddan – ROG – Conway/Zebo/TOH

Best wolfhounds team available from squad named

Wilkinson – Varley – Archer
Toner – Touhy
Muldoon – Ruddock – Henry
Boss – Madigan
Fitzgerald – Spence – O’Malley – Kearney
Duffy

Sherry – Loughney – McCarthy –McLaughlin – TOL – Keatley – Hurley/Conway/Zebo/TOH


See, it’s not all that bad when you consider anyone can move from the WH squad into the main squad.

Mickado you think Conway or Tiernan O'Halloran are amongst the best 22?

Mickado wrote:Vice captain - Johnny Sexton!

What did Gibbo say?

He's being primed to follow Paulie.

I am not surprised by any of the selections. Fitz maybe, but Kidney is easing him back in. He will be smarting from this and I believe Kidney is putting it up to him. I think he will play in the 6-N.

Oh, and My Captain - Cullen, should not be there. Id rather he got it together for Leinster. Same for Jennings. Kidney wont play em so...

This is the way Kidney always picks his squad. Its a lot of fudge. It will change and become clearer, when we get down to the nitty-gritty. I hope.

Strong Wolfhounds squad. Dying to see Spence & O Malley play.

With the exception of Paddy Wallace instead of McFadden and bearing in mind Soence isn't a 12 and should never play there for club and country, I basically agree with Mick.

Dying to see Spence & O Malley play.

If these two play together, please God let O'Malley play at 12. Stop wasting everyones time with this Spence at 12 experiment and move him to 13 or the wing where he can do some damage. There are three better Irish 12s at Ulster alone and that number looks set to increase to four once Farrell gets more gametime.

Mickado wrote:Best senior team available from squad named

Healy – Best – Ross
POC – Ryan
O’Brien – Healsip- Ferris
Murray – Sexton
Trimble – McFadden – Earls – Bowe
Kearney

Cronin – Court – DOC – Jennings – Reddan – ROG – Conway/Zebo/TOH

Best wolfhounds team available from squad named

Wilkinson – Varley – Archer
Toner – Touhy
Muldoon – Ruddock – Henry
Boss – Madigan
Fitzgerald – Spence – O’Malley – Kearney
Duffy

Sherry – Loughney – McCarthy –McLaughlin – TOL – Keatley – Hurley/Conway/Zebo/TOH


See, it’s not all that bad when you consider anyone can move from the WH squad into the main squad.

I've bolded the part that I have a problem with. If they do make it onto the main team over the likes of Fitzgerald, or even Gilroy, that is a complete joke.

Mickado wrote:Best senior team available from squad named

Healy – Best – Ross
POC – Ryan
O’Brien – Healsip- Ferris
Murray – Sexton
Trimble – McFadden – Earls – Bowe
Kearney

Cronin – Court – DOC – Jennings – Reddan – ROG – Conway/Zebo/TOH

To me this strengthens even further the fact that Fitz will be in the 22 to face Wales.

red_stag wrote:Mickado you think Conway or Tiernan O'Halloran are amongst the best 22?

Not at all. I just used the last players that were available and weren’t in the WH squad.

Realistically, that spot could be Fitzgerald or maybe Bowe if Fitz starts.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I've bolded the part that I have a problem with. If they do make it onto the main team over the likes of Fitzgerald, or even Gilroy, that is a complete joke.

Once again, for the hard of thinking, this is not the final squad.

Guarantee all the Wolfhounds back three players are ahead of those in the pecking order.

red_stag wrote:Mickado you think Conway or Tiernan O'Halloran are amongst the best 22?

They won't be in the 6N 22 - none of the Additionals will be.

Also as there is only 1 Wolfhounds game a number of those players will be added to the 6N squad.
What will happen is the Additionals will be returned to their provinces, better for the experience, and those who performed with the Wolfhound will be brought in to bring the squad up to 30/32 or so players for the rest of the 6N.

Makes perfect sense to me.

mc fadden or p wallace will be back cover lads.

Notch wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I've bolded the part that I have a problem with. If they do make it onto the main team over the likes of Fitzgerald, or even Gilroy, that is a complete joke.

Once again, for the hard of thinking, this is not the final squad.

Guarantee all the Wolfhounds back three players are ahead of those in the pecking order.

Mickado asked if I would have a problem with his team, and I bolded the part I would have a problem with. Then said if that were to happen it would be a joke. I didn't say it was the main squad..

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

dublin_dave wrote:when i was sent team first i did not see * beside ohalloran etc. so on second reading its actually pretty munch as expected.

Biggest bone is also 2nd row and omission of fitzgerald but hopefully he features in six nations.

Cave injured for how long lads?

6 weeks apparently which is another thing I don't get. He could have still played the majority of games no?

That effectively rules him out of the first 3 games - you cannot select a player on that basis.

Gilroy is only 21 so plenty of time for him. Could he not replace Fitz in the Wolfhounds assuming Fitz is called up?

I just filled in the gaps with “additional” players, the reality is as Geoff just explained, the additional players will be holding tackle bags and won’t play for either side.

Fair enough, thought he would miss 2 at the most. Guess the 6 nations is closer than I thought!

Thomond wrote:Gilroy is only 21 so plenty of time for him. Could he not replace Fitz in the Wolfhounds assuming Fitz is called up?

The WH game is first, and they only play once.

Some over the top reactions. I agree that Marshall deserved selection and Cullen didn't. But I wouldn't be panicking over it. What does concern me is this..

CENTRES:
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster - Munster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena - Ulster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere - Leinster)

Not hugely impressive is it? Particularly defensively. What would be the best combination? I'd want Wallace's creativity but I'd worry about the big Welsh backs running at him. Earls looks a shoe-in for 13 now that Cave is injured. The other three selected are 12's.

Pretty depressed about that squad announcement. I'm not calling for revolution but certainly there has to be some evolution.

Recalling people like Cullen and DOC is just wrong and frustrating. When are Toner and Tuohy going to get their chance? Yes we need experience but lets build up people's experience as well.

No Marshall or Gilroy in either squad is just ridiculous.

This again shows Deccies conservatism and it's very frustrating keeping players in the squad when they're not preforming for their province's when younger players are!

Really? I suppose England are the only ones with a second team. Is the 2nd tier six nations on at the same time as the proper one? It would have been interesting to see our As go up against Georgia,Romania et al.

Gibson wrote:

Mickado wrote:Vice captain - Johnny Sexton!

What did Gibbo say?

He's being primed to follow Paulie.

That I'm happy with. Sexton will be the next Ireland captain, no doubt about it. He's born for the role.

...actually now I've calmed down a bit I'm happy enough ...disappointed for Paul Marshall and Gilroy but there's an exciting Wolfhounds side there so its all good.

Thomond wrote:Really? I suppose England are the only ones with a second team. Is the 2nd tier six nations on at the same time as the proper one? It would have been interesting to see our As go up against Georgia,Romania et al.

I think that cup runs all season unfortunately. It would be good to see alright.

Will the wolfhounds game be televised?

I don't think they ever are Rory. Against the Head usually starts around 6N time, they will have highlights at least. U-20 6N games on the Friday before the real thing is another to look forward to.

1F'sgonnagetya! wrote:This again shows Deccies conservatism and it's very frustrating keeping players in the squad when they're not preforming for their province's when younger players are!

You know that Kidney has named FOURTEEN uncapped players right?

As some have said a number of the Wolfhounds wil be promoted to the first XV after the Wolfhounds match.

Maybe, just maybe, Toner and Tuohy are in the Wolfhounds to get experience. There would be no point O'Calalghan being in the Wolfhoulds team.

However some would have been happy if one of those 2 were swapped for DOC .

As has been mentioned I will die a little inside if we see nevin spence at 12. He and EOM did well the last time they played e Saxons but he isn't a 12 and given a resources there we need to be looking for a 13.

This made me laugh.

Someone on the Ulster board saying that Gilroy was not selected because "I don't think Deccie likes Ulster wingers..."

and the starting wingers for the 6N are likely to be.. Bowe..and..Trimble

You couldn't make it up...............paranoia is alive and well.

monaghan is ours unfortunately geoff : )

you can have it back if you want though

Geoff its brilliant isn't it. I had a pal tell me with a straight face that the only reason ROG was dropped for Sexton is that "Deccie had to prove that he wasn't Munster biased so had to drop that bombshell"

geoff998rugby wrote:This made me laugh.

Someone on the Ulster board saying that Gilroy was not selected because "I don't think Deccie likes Ulster wingers..."

and the starting wingers for the 6N are likely to be.. Bowe..and..Trimble

You couldn't make it up...............paranoia is alive and well.

Ya but Bowe was terrible and reeeeeally slow until the Ospreys discovered him. George Hook said so.

I genuinely don't think anyone bar maybe Fitzgerald will move up to the main squad. Hope I'm wrong but we will see.

Monaghan is Ulsters

Standulstermen wrote:I genuinely don't think anyone bar maybe Fitzgerald will move up to the main squad. Hope I'm wrong but we will see.

Monaghan is Ulsters

Ya that was a bit of a clanger in fairness.

dublin_dave wrote:monaghan is ours unfortunately geoff : )

Hope you got a reciept for that sat nav dave....

Thomond wrote:Really? I suppose England are the only ones with a second team. Is the 2nd tier six nations on at the same time as the proper one? It would have been interesting to see our As go up against Georgia,Romania et al.

Eh? Scotland A

As,Scotland's first team are barely good enough so.......

Standulstermen wrote:As has been mentioned I will die a little inside if we see nevin spence at 12. He and EOM did well the last time they played e Saxons but he isn't a 12 and given a resources there we need to be looking for a 13.

If anything I would rather see EOM at 12 with Spence at 13. Has Spence had more game time as a 12 or 13 this season?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Will the wolfhounds game be televised?

Sometimes they are - remember watching Wolfhounds vs Scotland A in a bar somewhere in Dublin two years ago

red_stag wrote:

1F'sgonnagetya! wrote:This again shows Deccies conservatism and it's very frustrating keeping players in the squad when they're not preforming for their province's when younger players are!

You know that Kidney has named FOURTEEN uncapped players right?

Yes, in the Wolfhounds, what good is that going to do when they only play one game? We should have more in the top squad.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:As has been mentioned I will die a little inside if we see nevin spence at 12. He and EOM did well the last time they played e Saxons but he isn't a 12 and given a resources there we need to be looking for a 13.

If anything I would rather see EOM at 12 with Spence at 13. Has Spence had more game time as a 12 or 13 this season?

O Malley is being primed as Ireland's next 13. Waste of time putting him at 12. Thats where Mcfadden will be.

I think the wolfhounds game is on sky

I find the squad underwhelming to a certain extent and am beginning to agree with Gibson in terms of Kidney being too conservative. I agree with the train of thought that the jersey shouldnt be cheapened in terms of giving caps out to all and sundry but if you look at what Gatland did for the World Cup and what Lancaster is doing in England it seems more of the same to a certain extent with BODs enforced change being the only real change overall.

I doubt O'Malley is going to be the next 13 honestly. He doesn't look it to me. He has attacking prowess but his physicality and defensive duties are lacking heavily. Griffin played much better than him in the Connacht/Leinster game. And I believe Spence is a better prospect than the both of them.

I count 24 in that main squad so that means six places up for grabs in final 30-man (?) 6N squad. Going by that archer/Loughney, Cullen's replacement Toner/Tuohy, 2 of Henry/Ruddock/McLaughlin/Muldoon, and 2 of Hurley/Duffy/Fitz/Kearney to be added after saxons game. Perhaps another one or two for injuries/common sense.

FitzStephen wrote:I count 24 in that main squad so that means six places up for grabs in final 30-man (?) 6N squad. Going by that archer/Loughney, Cullen's replacement Toner/Tuohy, 2 of Henry/Ruddock/McLaughlin/Muldoon, and 2 of Hurley/Duffy/Fitz/Kearney to be added after saxons game. Perhaps another one or two for injuries/common sense.

I counted 23 but same difference...

Reckon Archer/Loughney won't get near it. Hagan might have been the better call but props will stay the same. Paddy Mac back to Ulster.

Both Toner and Tuohy will be called up or Deccie has really gone senile.

Henry up and probably PO'M to stay/McLaughlin called up. Boss also getting a call up.

If O'Malley or Spence impress they could get themselves into a shout.

Fitz is only in the wolfies to get some gametime and will be in the squad... Maybe Duffy for FB cover or will Geordan get a phonecall?

Dan Tuohy should be in the main squad any day - ludicrous that he isnt.

Artful_Dodger wrote:Dan Tuohy should be in the main squad any day - ludicrous that he isnt.

Don't be so sure. Even if he is ahead of Donnacha O'Callaghan or Leo Cullen don't forget that Devin Toner and Donnacha Ryan have both been man of the match in the HEC this season. I would say the only nailed on cert is Paulie.

Even if he was behind Toner and Ryan he would still be 4th choice at best and in the squad and personally I would have him ahead of Toner anyday, very close with Ryan.

O'Connell, Ryan, Tuohy, O'Callaghan/Toner in that order for me. Cullen is not only injured but has been in rather poor form when he has played this season.

Mistakes as I see them:

PROPS
There's no tighthead cover in the main squad, Tom Court is a loosehead these days, as shown by his cameo against Leinster on the tighthead side.
MacAllister should be getting game time for the Wolfhounds, not holding tackle bags for the main squad.

SECOND ROWS
Was Kidney watching Leinster matches where Toner was performing well while Cullen was anonymous thinking, "I want that man in my squad! No, not the good one, the other one."?
O'Callaghan is taking up space which should be occupied by Tuohy. If either Cullen or O'Callaghan make a match day squad ahead of one of the Wolfhound locks then I won't be happy.

BACKROWS
It's time to let go of Jennings from the main squad, how many times do we need to see him on the pitch for Ireland to know that he isn't up to it?
If the hierarchy of Main Squad > Wolfhounds > Additionals is true, then that's very harsh on O'Mahony, who has been playing well and arguably deserved a full spot in the main squad.

BACK 3
What's the point of the uncapped 3 all training with the main squad when Fitzgerald, who deserves to be in the match day squad, is training with the Wolfhounds? As far as I know, Fitzgerald isn't coming back from any injury and needs gametime, so why not just get him to train in the main squad?

Wiith regards to the Wolfhounds, like most on here I'm extremely disappointed in the absence of Marshall and Gilroy. Archer seems to be ahead of another notable absentee in the shape of Hagan, despite MacAllister tearing Archer a new one when they faced off in December. O'Malley and Spence are both 13s, so I expect to see Spence shoved into 12, a position he is clearly not suited to. I can't see what purpose Duffy serves in a Wolfhounds team, so hopefully he's just there to add some experience in training and not to take up somebody else's place in the team.

I agree with Rory, this is probably the worst of all the squads posted on this thread.

Appears this whole squad announcement is nothing more than a product of protocall.

After the initial panic - and there was panic! I actually think this is a reasonably positive announcement as long as the WH game will carry weight for those playing in it.

WH V Saxons game will generate a bit more interest now I think.

red_stag wrote:

Artful_Dodger wrote:Dan Tuohy should be in the main squad any day - ludicrous that he isnt.

Don't be so sure. Even if he is ahead of Donnacha O'Callaghan or Leo Cullen don't forget that Devin Toner and Donnacha Ryan have both been man of the match in the HEC this season.

What's that got to do with it?