Ireland Team vs Barbarians

Ireland XV (Team & Replacements v Barbarians, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Tuesday May 29th, 19:35):

15. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
14. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)*
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12. Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
10. Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1. Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians /Connacht)*
2. Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3. Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)*
4. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6. John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7. Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)
8. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
17. Ronan Loughney (Galwegians/Connacht)*
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19. James Coughlan (Dolphin/Munster)*
20. Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
21. Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
22. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

The match won't be televised, which is a real shame.
It's also worth noting that no Leinster players were considered for this game due to having played in the RaboDirect PRO12 final on Sunday.

I love the look of the backline, though I can't help thinking that Madigan would've been a more exciting option at 10. Having said that, the entire team looks a bit green so O'Gara's experience will certainly have been a big reason for his selection.

The back 3 has absolutely blistering pace, and the centres are a partnership that have been working well all season.

The pack is callow looking but very dynamic at the same time. The team is set up for one thing and one thing only, running rugby.

That's the kind of team I kinda knew would be necessary given the injury worries and Leinster's heavy run of games. I thought it might be necessary but I didn't think I'd see it. I like it. Lots to look out for in a genuine "experimental" side! We keep calling for them and we have one here.

Nice side, the big surprise is Earls at 15.

Gutted this isn't on TV .

rodders wrote:Nice side, the big surprise is Earls at 15.

Gutted this isn't on TV .

Not really when you consider who else was in the squad and the fact
that earls will be backup 15 for New Zealand so he needs gametime there.

Can anyone tell me the point in a Barbarians game in the modern world that isn't televised...by someone? You'd tend to say call a game like that off? Surely there is enough interest to attract a TV audience or else why the concept of Barbarian Verse at all?

So many questions - nevermind answering, they're all rhetorical

Experimental is right Fly! I'd say it'd be a great game to go to, or to have watched on TV. I'd imagine both sides will be running it from everywhere.

For me the most interesting things that can be found out from this game are:

- Zebo or Gilroy (though that decision has already been made).
- How does Earls get on at FB?
- Does Tuohy / Ryan work as a partnership?
- How does POM compare to Heaslip at 8 on current form?
- Should Henry be one of the A.N. Others on the plane to NZ?

MMC wrote:For me the most interesting things that can be found out from this game are:

The bit in bold is complete rubbish really...

As you say MMC, a good high jinx game would be good for the soul if not central to Kidney's overall plans. But what it might do is induce confidence in the quality of replacements that haven't been given opportunities to prove themselves over the year.
It might also loosely suggest that Irish mentality at coaching level is changing. (I'm not so sure anything that really happens in this game would overly suggest that drastic change of plans but they might give slight hints that things are being organised differently).

But mostly, confidence simply needs to be restored in the build up to down under and virtually any players in an Irish shirt will help that along...IF they play in a way that encourages confidence!

MMC wrote:Experimental is right Fly! I'd say it'd be a great game to go to, or to have watched on TV. I'd imagine both sides will be running it from everywhere.

For me the most interesting things that can be found out from this game are:

- Zebo or Gilroy (though that decision has already been made).
- How does Earls get on at FB?
- Does Tuohy / Ryan work as a partnership?
- How does POM compare to Heaslip at 8 on current form?
- Should Henry be one of the A.N. Others on the plane to NZ?

I'm pretty sure the Henry decision was already made and it was just a case of him proving that he was fit.
McLaughlin has been called in as a replacement for Ferris but Henry just needs to make it through the game
and he is on the plane.

Pretty happy with this team tbh, got to give Kidney that one.

The Ryan and Tuohy partnership I'm very happy with
The backline (apart from ROg instead of Madigan though I understand why) I am happy with
The backrow is experimental too so all in all pretty good.

Amazing how weak our pack looks when we don't have any Leinster players to choose from.

I'd say the backs (bar the centres) look a bit vulnerable defensively

MMC wrote:Amazing how weak our pack looks when we don't have any Leinster players to choose from.

And POC, Ferris and Best taken out of it as well.

I'm happy with the team except for Rog who is going to destroy everything before it gets to the backs.

MMC we also don't have Ferris or O'Connell or Best or Court playing either.

I would say that they would bolster the pack considerably.

If you had:

Court, Best, Fitzpatrick
Ryan, O'Connell
Ferris, O'Mahony, Henry

Its really just O'Brien, Heaslip, Healy and Ross who are absent from Leinster

I'm not suggesting that the Leinster guys are the only ones that make the pack strong. Obviously we need Best, POC and Ferris.

We're considerably weaker at prop and in arguably (though less so) in the backrow without the Leinster players that normally fill those positions.

It's also worth noting that of the 3 guys mentioned above, O'Brien is a very able replacement for Ferris at 6.

I think the side shows how poor and naive tactically our coaches are though.

The dynamics of the side bear no resemblence ot the 1st XV. Kidney really doesn't have a clue how he wants the side to play and its reflected in the mish mash selection.

I know there's a limited availibility of players but when you look ay the starting XV and back up players they are so radically different that the team can't possibly implement anything like a consistant style of play.

I'd expect a lot of lateral play behind the gainline with that 9-12 axis and Cave to be under a lot of pressure to get us going forward.

I can see the Baa-baas putting a massive score on us to be honest.

I'm not sure there will be a massive score put on us but I do think it reflects the tactical naivety especially in the backline.

rodders wrote:
I can see the Baa-baas putting a massive score on us to be honest.

I kinda 'fear' that too. But then I was thinking even a more familiar looking team might also be severely tested, given our rustiness when joining Irish camp!, our style of play when the players get there, the punishments of the season and the injury reservations and niggles (even with players still playing and maybe harbouring soreness and stiffness etc.)

I wasn't and still am not too positive about any result...but I keep repeating, I'm looking for intent to play positively and not to sit back and soak up more pressure in an 80 minute game than is your fair percentage. Ireland do that and I want to see us break out of that mould. Not sure this side will show it..but we have an experimental side and it's better not knowing how they'll play than not knowing how the regulars will play!

Barbarians, I expect to leave holes which a scartch side will- not worried about our centres and back three because I expect them to make 'cheap' line breaks a test side would never allow them too make.

Could be a lot of line breaks made which papers over the cracks for us in attack.

I know I'm a bit like a on this but having a scrum-half who supplies slow ball + a Fly half who stands deep and isn't able to commit defenders + not having any big, strong carrying 3/4s to soak the pressure and give the back row a target is a 3 way recipe for disaster.

There are ways around it if you have a dominant pack and use a territorial kicking game but theres no way we can play attacking rugby with that side.

However I'm convinced we will attack, by moving the ball out to Cave, Zebo and Gilroy and if the Baa-baa's are half decent then they'll be able to turn us over behind the gainline and we will be in big trouble.

We'll find holes with the Barbarians scratch defence. There will be space out there for both sides to exploit. It's if we think we can do the same against New Zealand that will spell serious trouble...

You are right, you're just overestimating the Barbarians defensive organisation. There will be holes to be exploited.

It's the standard story for Paddy Wallace, pretty much useless with a 10 standing deep = smallest crash ball centre in International rugby. He'll be getting the ball deep and with no support players nearby.

He ends needing to carry the ball to the gainline and recycle rather than play his natural game we see at Ulster which is getting the ball flat and drawing men before freeing the hands and getting the ball away to the supporting runners. Story of his international career!

What I wouldn't give to have seen a Sexton/Wallace combo standing flat to the gainline and under a good attack coach in the wasted years since 2009! Just let them play their natural game and develop a chemistry. Instead Kidney has chopped and changed and rotated uselessly.

I just hope Cave, Gilroy and Zebo get a chance to show their talents and aren't just shipped lateral balls and put under pressure.

Apart from Tuohy and O'Mahoney its hard to see how that side are going to get across the gainline. I jsut see a lot of over elaborate play behind the gainline.

Wallace is clearly going to move to 10 at some stage too, with Spence going to 12.

Very happy with that side.

What? Its not televised? Theres little enough on Sky Sports as it is for me to justify paying it.

My excitement at the team pretty much evaporated with that news!

rodders wrote:I know I'm a bit like a on this but having a scrum-half who supplies slow ball + a Fly half who stands deep and isn't able to commit defenders + not having any big, strong carrying 3/4s to soak the pressure and give the back row a target is a 3 way recipe for disaster.

There are ways around it if you have a dominant pack and use a territorial kicking game but theres no way we can play attacking rugby with that side.

However I'm convinced we will attack, by moving the ball out to Cave, Zebo and Gilroy and if the Baa-baa's are half decent then they'll be able to turn us over behind the gainline and we will be in big trouble.

Completely agree with that Rodders.

We are going to need some pretty bad defending. The worst thing about it is that all we'd need is a different 10 and that would actually be quite a good backline. If Madigan or Sexton Jeez even Keatley were playing their style would have them closer to the gainline and give us a chance, Murray doesn't help but he isn't awful. ROG the captain could hamstring this side.

The bench is impressive in all fairness.

Its a gather-up to play a nonsense game. I agree with other posters who have said this team won't replicate anything like the tactics we will deploy against the all-blacks.
There are only five players in the 22 who will get near the starting lineout in NZ.
Still look forward to "seeing" the younger lads in action although just feel there will be so much sniping on here afterwards if any of them make so much as one mistake.

SecretFly wrote:Can anyone tell me the point in a Barbarians game in the modern world that isn't televised...by someone? You'd tend to say call a game like that off? Surely there is enough interest to attract a TV audience or else why the concept of Barbarian Verse at all?

So many questions - nevermind answering, they're all rhetorical

This games in Gloucester. How many people will even be at the stadium. Its not like televising it will overly reduced the gate takings.

Rava wrote:Its a gather-up to play a nonsense game. I agree with other posters who have said this team won't replicate anything like the tactics we will deploy against the all-blacks.
There are only five players in the 22 who will get near the starting lineout in NZ.
Still look forward to "seeing" the younger lads in action although just feel there will be so much sniping on here afterwards if any of them make so much as one mistake.

We won't know though. All we will know about how players performed is what the journos decide to tell us. Everyone looking forward to reading the news arcicles? oooooh exciting!

ROG? Just as well its not on TV so.....

I do really hope that the Murray-ROG axis doesn't harm the rest of the team, which looks very good. I wonder how Earls feels being at 15 also..

I resent the title of this post. We Kiwis are not barbarians. We have culture. Sure Crowded House doesn't compare with Van Morrison but we showed evolution from Split Enz.

MMC wrote:Ireland XV (Team & Replacements v Barbarians, Kingsholm, Gloucester, Tuesday May 29th, 19:35):

15. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
14. Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)*
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
12. Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
10. Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1. Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians /Connacht)*
2. Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3. Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)*
4. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6. John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht)
7. Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)
8. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
17. Ronan Loughney (Galwegians/Connacht)*
18. Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19. James Coughlan (Dolphin/Munster)*
20. Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
21. Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
22. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

The match won't be televised, which is a real shame.
It's also worth noting that no Leinster players were considered for this game due to having played in the RaboDirect PRO12 final on Sunday.

Is this a capped game - could Wilkinson be the first project to play for Ireland?
Kidney is obviously restricted with having no Leinster players and by injuries, so he's decided to use the game to build a bit more injury cover.

Aukster I dont think Wilkinson is a project player. I think he is just a residency player. I dont think the project player system was in place 7 years ago but couldnt be sure.

I thought both he and Stephen Knoop were recruited by Connacht with a view that they would qualify for Ireland after three years?

No caps are awarded in the game.

The Great Aukster wrote:I thought both he and Stephen Knoop were recruited by Connacht with a view that they would qualify for Ireland after three years?

They may well have been. I don't know one way or the other so just speculating. I'd be surprised if the project player thing went back that far though.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I resent the title of this post. We Kiwis are not barbarians. We have culture. Sure Crowded House doesn't compare with Van Morrison but we showed evolution from Split Enz.

Look, the easy story is you might have ...some...culture; but because of our proximity to Blighty, we have something here in northern Europe called Cultcha!; which is a damn bit better than ordinary culture and things like that. We goh ahitude and cultcha...and you never can beat those two things when they dance together....unless you're a Kiwi - and there's the rub.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I do really hope that the Murray-ROG axis doesn't harm the rest of the team, which looks very good. I wonder how Earls feels being at 15 also..

Murray isn't the problem. Rog is going to f**k us over one way or another. The Baa Baas backrow is incredibly strong will be a great test for the Henry and POM to see if they're up to standard. Muldoon will do his job defensively, going forward I don't expect much from him.

This is the type of unstructured game in which Earls could run riot if Rog allows him. If the centres get decent ball it will be interesting to see what the Munster lads to when they are actually passed good ball.

Looks good to me. The only glaring error is O'Gara, would have definitely jumped on this opportunity to combine the youth and dynamism of Madigan with the likes of Earls, Gilroy, Cave and Zebo.

Is this on TV anywhere?

Exceptionally negative call to make O'Gara captain too. Jeebus christ he's 35 and it's only a Baa-baas game. Henry or O'Mahoney could have been given the nod.

rodders wrote:Exceptionally negative call to make O'Gara captain too. Jeebus christ he's 35 and it's only a Baa-baas game. Henry or O'Mahoney could have been given the nod.

Especially when you consider Rog isn't exactly a good captain, and has in the past completely lost the plot when given the armband.

Even Donnacha Ryan Val. It's a very poor call by Kidney.

rodders wrote:Even Donnacha Ryan Val. It's a very poor call by Kidney.

Ryan isn't captain material, I probably would have given it to POM as he looks like
he is probably going to captain Munster after POC and be a candiate for the Irish
job down the line.

I think we'll probably lose this, but there will obviously be some value in giving some of these guys game time in green.

As a Leinster man I'm dissapointed Madigan and Kearney Jr aren't playing. I thought they've been really good in the league. Reall really good.

Two players I'm most interested in

Fitzpatrick at 3: Getting him up to test standard is a matter of national urgency. He can scrummage. I hope he can make the step up over the next year or two. Because after Ross the cupboard is quite bare.

O'Mahoney at 8: If he proves to be good here I'd drop Heaslip immediately. If anything to give Jamie a kick up the behind, but also because POM is potentially an outstanding international player in the future. And O'Brien has made huge strides at openside and a storming motm display in the HC final at the end of this season, after a quiet 6 months.

PS is Buckley completely out of the picture now? Would he be called back if Ross was ruled out?

Feckless Rogue wrote:I think we'll probably lose this, but there will obviously be some value in giving some of these guys game time in green.

As a Leinster man I'm dissapointed Madigan and Kearney Jr aren't playing. I thought they've been really good in the league. Reall really good.

Two players I'm most interested in

Fitzpatrick at 3: Getting him up to test standard is a matter of national urgency. He can scrummage. I hope he can make the step up over the next year or two. Because after Ross the cupboard is quite bare.

O'Mahoney at 8: If he proves to be good here I'd drop Heaslip immediately. If anything to give Jamie a kick up the behind, but also because POM is potentially an outstanding international player in the future. And O'Brien has made huge strides at openside and a storming motm display in the HC final at the end of this season, after a quiet 6 months.

PS is Buckley completely out of the picture now? Would he be called back if Ross was ruled out?

I think Buckley has had major issues, once again, with illness this season and hasn't played as much as was hoped by the Sharks.
Were Madigan and Kearney not involved with Leinster yesterday in some capacity, either in the 22 or as reserves? The Irish team
have probably been together since last week so they wouldn't want to drop someone into the 22 especially with the Leinster game
only having been yesterday.


Fitzpatrick's huge problem has been getting injured at the wrong time, his problem in this match is going to be whether Wilkinson can play well
its very hard for one prop to shine if the other is getting his ass hand to him.


On Heaslip I think he needs a rest. His form hasn't been at his best but he is still playing well enough. I'd start POM at 8 in one game anyway just
to rest Heaslip.

Feckless Rogue wrote:
As a Leinster man I'm dissapointed Madigan and Kearney Jr aren't playing. I thought they've been really good in the league. Reall really good.

As an Ulster man I'm disappointed they aren't playing too....

Why is O'Gara captain? POM would be captain at Munster before ROG!

Brett Wilkinson is going to be scrummaging against John Afoa

No better way to earn his stripes Dodger.....