Pick Your Ireland Squad for the Six Nations

First topic message reminder :

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

FitzStephen wrote:Who is the best Irish scrummaging tighthead after Ross? In my opinion it has to be Ulster's own import Jerry Cronin. Is he better than Macklin? Yip. Better than Fitzpatrick? Totally. Better than Archer? Haven't seen enough of him. Better than Hagan? Probably not, but in far better form. Better than Buckley? Christ yes. So, why no love for Jerry?

Thank you for the funniest post of the year.

He is 5th choice TH at Ulster - behind Afoa, Fitzpatrick, Macklin and Court.
He is not considered good enough for a full contract and will almost certaintly be droped from the Ulster squad altogether next year.

No disrespect but you post is truly bizarre.

lol I'll keep away from front row from now on, obviously I have a keen Aussie sense for it! I do rate him tho...

If you go to Ballynahinch next year you will be able to see him week in week out as he will not be playing for Ulster

On a more serious note does anyone know when the squad is actually announced

Think it is next Tuesday o Wednesday

Ireland

15. Rob Kearney
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Keith Earls
12. Fergus Mcfadden
11. Luke Fitzgerald
10. Jonathon Sexton
9. Eoin Reddan

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Paul O'Connell (c)
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip

16. Sean Cronin 17. Tom Court 18. Devin Toner 19. Peter O' Mahony 20. Conor Murray 21. Ronan O'Gara 22. Tommy Bowe


I still think Kidney will play Darcy & Earls at centre and Bowe instead of Trimble on the wing (Fitz OR Mcfadden - on the bench).

David Wallace won't be back to play any part in the 6 Nations will he?

Good team Gibson...it will never happen though. I'd have the same bar Cave instead or Earls at 13.

Marshall is playing better than Murray, who had a shocker on saturday, but I'd give Murray the benefit of the doubt.

After this weekend Gibson's team stands up.

As Neil Francis (of all people) says - Trimble is Ireland's number one winger.

With Cave looking iffy Earls will probably be 13.

One worry I do have is Ross. Against Ulster Ravens and against Glasgow he looked poor in the scrum - that is a big concern.

Gibbo, you disappoint me. Where is Jennings? Not even on the bench! They have worn you down my friend. Why Earls at 13? Earles has 22 written all over him, a handy utility back to come off the bench.

Glas a du wrote:Gibbo, you disappoint me. Where is Jennings? Not even on the bench! They have worn you down my friend. Why Earls at 13? Earles has 22 written all over him, a handy utility back to come off the bench.

Most sensible comment on this thread. Why don't you send it to Deccie?

I'm not going to pick as I would only be duplicating others and there would be no point in that. I would say that Ulster's form over the past two months will hopefully be giving Kidney at least some sleepless moments during the day.

Trouble is we are running out of options at 13.

O'Malley isn't getting enough game time to be considered.
If Cave injury is serious it will be Earls position as the last man standing.

geoff998rugby wrote:Trouble is we are running out of options at 13.

O'Malley isn't getting enough game time to be considered.
If Cave injury is serious it will be Earls position as the last man standing.

Now there's a great subject for another thread.

Oh wait........

Could we stand another 600 odd comments?

By the way I have always thought it was going to be Earls. Won't be changing my mind just yet.

I sincerely hope cave isn't too bad. Of course I want him fit for ulster but for him personally I hope he would be fit enough to be selected in the 6N squad. He deserves it

Anyone know if the squad is announced tomorrow or wednesday?

Is Paddy MacAllister even close to the main squad? I'm not saying that he shouldn't be, but has Kidney shown any interest in him whatsoever? Lots of Ulster players were left out of the last Ireland training camp, so I wouldn't be getting my hopes up over seeing them in the 6 nations squad.

The team I would be selecting is:
15) Rob Kearney
14) Tommy Bowe
13) Darren Cave
12) Fergus McFadden
11) Andrew Trimble
10) Jonathan Sexton
9) Eoin Reddan

1) Cian Healy
2) Rory Best
3) Mike Ross
4) Donncha Ryan
5) Paul O'Connell
6) Stephen Ferris
7) Sean O'Brien
8) Jamie Heaslip

16) Damien Varley, 17) Tom Court, 18) Dan Tuohy, 19) Chris Henry, 20) Conor Murray, 21) Ronan O'Gara, 22) Luke Fitzgerald

From what I've seen, D'Arcy has been average recently and now that the world cup is over I don't see any point in just sticking with someone just because they're tried and tested when better players are available. The backline I think Kidney will select is:

Kearney, Bowe, Earls, D'Arcy, Fitzgerald, Sexton, Murray.

Is there now a chance that McFadden might start seeing as Sexton's kicking seems to have dropped off again? Or will we see ROG back starting with J10 on the bench?

Also Roberts will more than likely miss the Ireland game! Chance to try a new centre partnership?

And lineout will be key with Wales missing both 1st choice locks! (Toner/O'Connell to start? Tuohy on the bench?)

First I've heard about Sexton's kicking dropping..

I know he had an ankle injury against Glasgow, but every time I seem to watch Leinster he makes the hard ones and misses the easy ones...

Although I will give him the benefit of the doubt as he gets things moving, I think someone posted his kicking percentage was about 40%?? Now don't get me wrong, he's the best 10 in Ireland at the minute but should a top class international 10 have a kicking percentage that low?

His kicking is superb for Leinster. He stopped taking them in the last match because of an injury.

But your right, for Ireland his percentage is very poor. 50% overall in the tests he's played according to this website.

I'd definitely start him and hope he improves on that. The step up to international level brings higher pressure and it can be difficult to adapt at first. But I don't see any reason why he can't bring his high success rate with Leinster to the test arena with more a bit more experience. I actually think it would be helpful if he was definitively backed as our number one flyhalf and given more time to get used to the higher pressure and improve that poor stat.

In the long run that would certainly be more beneficial to Ireland than starting O'Gara. He's in his mid-thirties now. He can wind down his international career as a super sub, a role he's excellent at.

For what it is worth the squad will be announced tomorrow.

Whiff of Cordite's take on the squad.

http://whiffofcordite.blogspot.com/2012/01/keep-calm-and-carry-on-picking-donncha.html

Keep Calm and Carry On (Picking Donncha)

Deccie announces his Six Nations squad tomorrow. It’s his first since the World Cup, in which he made a couple of bold, surprise calls for the squad. Deccie doesn’t throw too many curveballs, and tends to give as little away as possible until the actual team has to be picked for the first game, so don’t expect to learn too much tomorrow. Nonetheless, we expect a little culling around the fringes, with ageing tackle-bag holders moving aside for younger, fresher tackle-bag holders.

Last season he announced a 32-man squad as well as a 22 man Wolfhounds squad of players who were ‘still in contention for the first game’. And sure enough, Tomas O’Leary played so well in the Wolfhounds’ defeat to Scotland that he gazumped all the other scrum halves to start against Italy, where he utterly justified his selection. He must have, right, why else would they have stuck with him for the France game the week after?

Props

Senior Squad: Cian Healy, Tom Court, Tony Buckley, Mike Ross
Wolfhounds: Brett Wilkinson, Paddy McAllister, Stephen Archer
Thanks for the memories: Marcus Horan, John Hayes

Very much a case of ‘as you were’, with few alternatives emerging. Lamentably, Tony Buckley, being used mainly as an impact sub by Sale, will make another senior squad, but can expect to be on Eddie Rockets duty. Court maintains his hold on the No.17 jumper, as he can scrummage badly on both sides. Paddy McAllister looks the real deal, despite injuries curtailing his impact, but should still make the Wolfhounds. Brett Wilkinson is a mainstay at that level, and Jamie Hagan and Stephen Archer will fight it out for the last spot. It could go either way. Hayes has retired and Horan’s days as a test level prop are long since gone. There’s little point in calling him up.

Hooker
Senior Squad: Rory Best, Sean Cronin, Damian Varley
Wolfhounds: Adrian Flavin

With Flannery still out and Mike Sherry also injured, the cupboard is pretty bare beyond the first three. Varley might have to play the Wolfhounds game before joining up with the main squad. Are we missing anyone? Except Nigel Brady obviously.

Second Row

Senior Squad: Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callagan, Dan Tuohy, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner
Wolfhounds: Damian Browne, Ryan Caldwell
Thanks for the memories: Leo Cullen, Mick O’Driscoll

As we’ve already discussed at length, we can expect some change in this division, with Micko and Cullen making way for some bright young things. Ryan, Toner and Tuohy have all stepped up admirably this season, and each deserve the chance to earn caps this Spring, even if its for 4 seconds. It’ll be a case of one from the pack to partner the great O’Connell. O’Callaghan will still make the senior squad, but his place as a mainstay in the team must be under pressure, with Ryan displacing him at Munster. We suspect one of Tuohy or Toner may be sent down to help out with the Wolfhounds, before joining the main squad. Failing that, Caldwell deserves to be reminded that he’s in the picture following some abrasive performances for Bath. One hopes Paddy McAllister's lifting of Johann Muller has given him adequate muscular power to lift Damian the Hutt.

Back row

Senior Squad: Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris, Kevin McLaughlin, Peter O’Mahony, Mike McCarthy
Wolfhounds: Chris Henry, Willie Falloon, James "Cawlin" Coughlan, Rhys Ruddock
Injured: David Wallace, Niall Ronan
Thanks for the memories: Denis Leamy, Shane Jennings

With Denis Leamy hurt, it appears injury has once again been Ireland’s best selector. It was surely time to cut the Munster reserve flanker loose anyway, as a Deccie mainstay he would probably have been called up again. Likewise, Jennings’ time has surely passed. Mike McCarthy has played some great rugby in a poor side, and Kevin McLaughlin is a solid presence and good lineout option. Peter O'Mahony has had a positive impact with Munster, and should get the call, although whether he has been better than Chris Henry (who won't make it) is a debate for another day. All three will be scrapping for a place in the matchday squad. James Coughlan would be an ideal candidate to captain the Wolfhounds, for whom Henry must be on the verge of breaking some kind of appearance record.

Scrum Half

Senior Squad: Eoin Reddan, Conor Murray, Isaac Boss
Wolfhounds: Paul Marshall, Tomas O’Leary
Thanks for the memories: Peter Stringer

Boss holds on to his squad place by his fingernails. Paul Marshall has impressed hugely, but until he’s a nailed on starter with Ulster, may find the full breakthrough elusive. Nonetheless, he deserves a chance to impress with the Wolfhounds. Tomas O’Leary has started the season where he left off, i.e. playing dreadfully, despite Quinny's assurances to the contrary on Saturday, and looks to be falling further off the radar. [Aside: while we have been impressed with Quinny's musings in the IT, would truth-telling about Munster players get him banished from Club Ligind?]


Out Half

Senior Squad: Johnny Sexton, Ronan O’Gara
Wolfhounds: Ewan Madeegan, Ian Keatley
Thanks for the memories, such as they were: iHumph

The senior squad-members pick themselves. In the Wolfhounds, as we’ve discussed here, it’s time for a look at the exciting talents of try-happy Ian Madigan in green. iHumph departs the scene - a talented player, but one unlikely to make the step up to test rugby.

Centres & Utility Men

Senior Squad: Gordon D’Arcy, Paddy Wallace, Fergus McFadden, Keet Earls, Darren Cave
Wolfhounds: Ian Whitten, Eoin O’Malley
Injured: Brian O’Driscoll

Yes, Paddy Wallace, but hold on for a sec .... the burning question first. Just who will play 13? We’ve been over it many times, and one thing’s for sure: we won’t find out tomorrow. We'll come back to this issue before the team announcement, but suffice to say Keet Earls' awful performance on Saturday didn't do him any favours. Eoin O’Malley’s lack of recent gametime is likely to leave him out of contention, but he should get a run with the Wolfhounds. We think Paddy Wallace will just about squeeze into the squad after a successful comeback on Friday night, where he hilariously dumped Lionheart Croft into touch.

Outside Backs

Senior Squad: Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble
Wolfhounds: Craig Gilroy, Denis Hurley, Dave Kearney, Tiernan O’Halloran
Thanks for the memories: Shane Horgan, Geordan Murphy, possibly Gavin Duffy

A big welcome back to Luke Fitzgerald, whose return to form ensures a return to the squad. He’ll be duking it out with Trimble to fill the 11 jersey, as we're still assuming Keet will be picked in centre. Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney are nailed on starters. Gavin Duffy could make the seniors (he generally does) as a second specialist full-back, probably at the expense of Wallace or Cave. A number of other good players are knocking on the door, but will have to settle for Wolfhounds action. O’Halloran has caught the eye, while Simon Zebo hasn’t been included in our list, but could feature. Hurley will provide security at 15.

I'd say Whiff of Cordite is fairly close to the mark although I think there may be slightly less changes from the RWC and pre RWC squads than suggested.

I like his caustic writing style. I think it'll be close to that alright. It's very easy to pick the core squad that Deccie will pick, it's the fringe guys that are tricky. I don't expect to see any surprises in it though (and by surprises I mean something like DOC being dropped to the Wolfhounds).

I suppose it makes sense to keep all the discussion to one thread doesn't it? Could rename this one maybe, Notch?

I'm very interested to see the Wolfhounds. I would include a few players like Court, McFadden and O'Mahony who could make the senior squad.

Wolfhounds:
01 Tom Court
02 Damien Varley
03 Jamie Hagan
04 Devin Toner
05 Dan Tuohy
06 Peter O'Mahony
07 Chris Henry
08 James Coughlan
09 Paul Marshal
10 Ian Madigan
11 Simon Zebo
12 Fergus McFadden
13 Eoin O'Malley
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Gavin Duffy

16 Sean Cronin
17 Paddy McAllister
18 John Andress
19 Mike McCarthy
20 John Muldoon
21 Tomas O'Leary
22 Ian Keatley

Pretty close to what it should be .

The only changes are the enforced one of no Cave - I assume
and Spence should be added to the Wolfhounds

Based on current form there should be no more than 3 Munster players in the 30 man squad.... and 1 of them is BJ Botha.....

roddersm wrote:Based on current form there should be no more than 3 Munster players in the 30 man squad....

Thats never stopped us before.

roddersm wrote:Based on current form there should be no more than 3 Munster players in the 30 man squad.... and 1 of them is BJ Botha.....

Ireland have lost 63% of games where there hasn't been at least 9 Munster players in the starting XV. FACT.

MMC when are you going to start your round ups of the Pro 12 matches? Them is great

red_stag wrote:I'm very interested to see the Wolfhounds. I would include a few players like Court, McFadden and O'Mahony who could make the senior squad.

Wolfhounds:
01 Tom Court
02 Damien Varley
03 Jamie Hagan
04 Devin Toner
05 Dan Tuohy
06 Peter O'Mahony
07 Chris Henry
08 James Coughlan
09 Paul Marshal
10 Ian Madigan
11 Simon Zebo
12 Fergus McFadden
13 Eoin O'Malley
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Gavin Duffy

16 Sean Cronin
17 Paddy McAllister
18 John Andress
19 Mike McCarthy
20 John Muldoon
21 Tomas O'Leary
22 Ian Keatley

Might be fairly close to the mark. Is Duffy still worth a shout. He won't ever progress to the Test side. If Keatley is to push on and be Sexton's main rival then he is worth a shout at fly-half.
Squad places for Eoin Griffiths and Adam D'Arcy.

MMC and Stag...only messing sure we'd be lost without the Munster lads...all 28 of them....

The real question isn't what the squad will be, that's obvious ......it's how many tries that are scored against us through defensive lapses by Keith Earls, Gordon D'arcy or Fergus McFadden or via poor decision making by Ronan O'Gara will be blamed on Paddy Wallace?......

I'm not sure is Eoin Griffin fit to be honest. He wasn't in the Connacht squad against Toulouse at the weekend.

I think Duffy is worth a shout. An experienced head in an inexperienced backline. I don't see Adam D'Arcy ever progressing to test level either. Felix Jones, Rob Kearney and Keith Earls will see to that. Duffy is definitely the right choice for me here.

Peter O'Mahony or Chris Henry as captain.

McFadden needs the game at 12 IMO. He can also kick and therefore Madigan plays. He has stepped up in Heineken Cup and Pro 12 and deserves his spot.

McFadden will be with the senior squad, no question about it. I'd say Whitten will line out for the Wolfhounds.

Don't see any point picking Coughlan. I'd have Henry or Ruddock at 8 instead. Gilroy or D'arcy at 15 rather than Duffy. This is representative rugby not the golden oldies.....

I haven't had time all season, Glas. I'm hoping to do a roundup of the season before the playoffs though.

Any idea whether the squad announcement is televised everyone? If it is I'm assuming it'll be on the IRFU website. As the article the Rava posted said though, we're guaranteed to get the old "none of the 200 players selected between the 2 squads are out of contention for the Wales game" disclaimer though.

I do look forward to banter here on squad announcement day.

Rodders, the point of the Wolfhounds is to benefit our Senior team.

As explained Duffy contributes to things more than Darcy or Hurley.

McFadden can surely play both senior and Wolfhounds no? Why waste a place on Whitten. Lets see McFadden deliver and stake a claim for the 12 shirt against Wales.

red_stag wrote:Rodders, the point of the Wolfhounds is to benefit our Senior team.

As explained Duffy contributes to things more than Darcy or Hurley.

McFadden can surely play both senior and Wolfhounds no? Why waste a place on Whitten. Lets see McFadden deliver and stake a claim for the 12 shirt against Wales.

I what way Stag? Even when we had Kearney and Murphy injured Duffy wasn't even being considered. Earls and Fitzgerald were picked at fullback and neither of them regularly play in the position. On another thread you suggested Jones (The next big thing coming out of Munster) wouldn't get back into the team because of Hurley's form. Why not give him a run.To coin your phrase "Why waste a place on him?"

Fair point Rava.

red_stag wrote:Rodders, the point of the Wolfhounds is to benefit our Senior team.

As explained Duffy contributes to things more than Darcy or Hurley.

McFadden can surely play both senior and Wolfhounds no? Why waste a place on Whitten. Lets see McFadden deliver and stake a claim for the 12 shirt against Wales.

How does Duffy benefit the senior squad? He's been found time and time again not to be international standard whereas D'arcy and Hurley are younger and more talented.

Whitten has huge potential and needs to be looked at again. McFadden is in the mix for a starting spot in the senior team so the Wolfhounds would be a step backwards for him.

Any chance Steven Shingler will get a call up?

MMC wrote:Any chance Steven Shingler will get a call up?

Only if he can prove a Munster connection

Touché, Rava.

When is the Ireland squad announced...

Welsh Squad

https://www.606v2.com/t21312p100-ireland-vs-wales-build-up-thread-wales-squad-announced-here

1pm would be my guess, Maesteg.

EDIT: I was wrong...

EDIT: Removed. See squad below.

Luke Fitzgerald in the Wolfhounds squad? Pretty shocked at that to be honest.
Cullen over Touhy is another I'd disagree with.

Seems Reddan and Murray are confirmed as the top 2 SH's in the country.

Cullen got injured today for 8 weeks. However it seems Nagle is above Tuohy??

So by position thats:

Main Squad

PROPS:
Tom Court (Malone - Ulster)
Cian Healy (Clontarf - Leinster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf - Leinster)
Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch - Ulster)* - Additional

HOOKERS:
Rory Best (Banbridge - Ulster)
Sean Cronin (St.Mary's College - Leinster)

SECOND ROWS:
Leo Cullen (Blackrock College - Leinster)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Paul O'Connell (Young Munster - Munster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon - Munster)
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution - Munster)* - Additional

BACKROWS:
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon - Ulster)
Jamie Heaslip (Naas - Leinster)
Shane Jennings (St.Mary's College - Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (Clontarf - Leinster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution - Munster)* - Additional

SCRUMHALFS:
Conor Murray (Garryowen - Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne - Leinster)

OUTHALFS:
Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution - Munster)
Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary's College - Leinster)

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

BACK 3:
Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
Rob Kearney (UCD - Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena - Ulster)
Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians - Connacht)* - Additional
Andrew Conway (Blackrock College - Leinster)* - Additional
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution - Munster)* - Additional



O2 Ireland Wolfhounds

PROPS:
Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution - Munster)*
Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians - Connacht)*
Ronan Loughney (Buccaneers - Connacht)*

HOOKERS:
Mike Sherry (Garryowen - Munster)*
Damien Varley (Garryowen - Munster)

SECOND ROWS:
Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers - Connacht)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne - Leinster)
Dan Touhy (Ballymena - Ulster)

BACKROWS:
Chris Henry (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)
Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College - Leinster)
John Muldoon (Galwegians - Connacht)
Rhys Ruddock (St.Mary's College - Leinster)

SCRUMHALFS:
Isaac Boss (Terenure College - Leinster)
Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin - Munster)

OUTHALFS:
Ian Keatley (Young Munster - Munster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College - Leinster)*

CENTRES:
Eoin O'Malley (Old Belvedere - Leinster)*
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch - Ulster)*

BACK 3:
Gavin Duffy (Galwegians - Connacht)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College - Leinster)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution - Munster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne - Leinster)*


Not considered due to injury:
Brian O'Driscoll, David Wallace, Darren Cave, Felix Jones, Jerry Flannery, Eoin Griffen*, Denis Leamy, Niall Ronan.

N.B. * denotes uncapped player

red_stag wrote:Cullen got injured today for 8 weeks. However it seems Nagle is above Tuohy??

...and Toner...What a flipping joke!

Fitzgerald in the wolfhounds! Paul Marshall behind TOL!