JJ Hanrahan

First topic message reminder :

Could he manage to oust Ronan O'Gara this season for Munster?

Highlights of him in action against SA in the JRWC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvK57bRwA6g&feature=g-all-u

I dont understand how Munster have never played him.

Good post Rory, I think you've summed up most of these guys pretty well

Thanks very much rodders.

I think a lot of people will disagree with my assessment of Spence, as not many people seem to think he has the skills necessary (using the season just past as evidence, that is a fair observation) though I do think Spence has been critically underused this season at 13. He is not a simple minded crash ball centre. He is actually a very clever and well balanced runner, who needs to work on his distribution (like many other centres do). He also outplayed Tuilagi last year!

Also, here is a thread created by Ruby at the end of last season regarding Spence (Ruby is a welsh fan).

https://www.606v2.com/t12824-nevin-spence

Any thoughts on o'halloran and conway? Also what about cooney? He looked great when he came on in the HC final...

I like the look of O'Hallaran, he looks classy but it remains to be seen how he'd go at a higher level.

Conway looked fantastic at last years u-20s RWC but hasn't done much at senior level yet. I'd imagine he'll find it hard to break into Leinsters back 3.

Not sure about Cooney. What about Macken? Is he potentially better than O'Malley?

Macken has had really bad luck with injury. In his first start for the senior team he broke his collar bone.

Up until this year he only had 2 appearances off the bench for us. This season he got 10 games (6 starts) and scored 2 tries.
I think is the victim of being a massive phooker and having things a bit too easy at schools level, Schmidt obviously has him working on his skillset really hard.
I think O’Malley has all the skills but lacks the physicality. Macken has 3 years on O’Malley so I’d say he could pass him out soon enough.

I personally rather macken...o malley just isnt physical enough he was easily shrugged off by donald in the leinster v bath game

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Any thoughts on o'halloran and conway? Also what about cooney? He looked great when he came on in the HC final...

The HC final was an armchair ride at that stage. Even I could have trotted on and looked good at that stage.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I personally rather macken...o malley just isnt physical enough he was easily shrugged off by donald in the leinster v bath game

I wouldn't go that far. It was a highlight of the game, Donald getting through, but EOM went to Clermont in his first year and took care of Rougerie and Leinster don't really miss a beat now when BOD is taken out of the lineup. The grandstand doesn't even voice concern prior to kick off in any of the games. Guess what I'm saying is that the fella is very young and already HCup grade at the 13 position. On the size front, he brings something else to the table (conrad smith stealth 'n' lightning instead of Nonu thunder).

He isn't yet international grade though and being behind BOD for the big starts at Leinster will hold him back, same as Madigan being behind Sexytoes will hold him back.

Pete, good choice on turning this into a discussion about the depth at the centres position. After the final Test at the weekend, I'd be interest in views by the other positions in a similar way (props, hooker, locks, backrow, back3)

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I personally rather macken...o malley just isnt physical enough he was easily shrugged off by donald in the leinster v bath game

I wouldn't go that far. It was a highlight of the game, Donald getting through, but EOM went to Clermont in his first year and took care of Rougerie and Leinster don't really miss a beat now when BOD is taken out of the lineup. The grandstand doesn't even voice concern prior to kick off in any of the games. Guess what I'm saying is that the fella is very young and already HCup grade at the 13 position. On the size front, he brings something else to the table (conrad smith stealth 'n' lightning instead of Nonu thunder).

He isn't yet international grade though and being behind BOD for the big starts at Leinster will hold him back, same as Madigan being behind Sexytoes will hold him back.

Thats fair enough its just my opinion...i do think o malley looks a great prospect but i just really like the looks of macken

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I personally rather macken...o malley just isnt physical enough he was easily shrugged off by donald in the leinster v bath game

I wouldn't go that far. It was a highlight of the game, Donald getting through, but EOM went to Clermont in his first year and took care of Rougerie and Leinster don't really miss a beat now when BOD is taken out of the lineup. The grandstand doesn't even voice concern prior to kick off in any of the games. Guess what I'm saying is that the fella is very young and already HCup grade at the 13 position. On the size front, he brings something else to the table (conrad smith stealth 'n' lightning instead of Nonu thunder).

He isn't yet international grade though and being behind BOD for the big starts at Leinster will hold him back, same as Madigan being behind Sexytoes will hold him back.

Thats fair enough its just my opinion...i do think o malley looks a great prospect but i just really like the looks of macken

Fair enough, won't be the first time (or the last) that 2 people on here kind-a-agree and disagree at the same time.
Will Sheridan make it back?

I hope he does...he is very unlucky with injuries. My brother is actually good friends with eamonn hope he gets on well in england

thebandwagonsociety wrote:Pete, good choice on turning this into a discussion about the depth at the centres position. After the final Test at the weekend, I'd be interest in views by the other positions in a similar way (props, hooker, locks, backrow, back3)

Band-
Well there seems to be interest. I'm away from sat-thur but when I get back I'll set up a see series on this if no one beats me to it.

I think eom is a bit more physical than people give him credit for there have been a few high profile boshs though. He has stood up against rougerie, lualala, spence, Roberts and others. His distribution is also underrated IMO.

I don't think Macken r Sheridan will make the bigtime tbh but could become good pro12 players.

It's a bit daunting seeing who some of these guys have to leap frog to get into their starting xv's! The ulster kids defo have it easier there. Would love to see Marshall-Jackson-Marshall-spence

Wow