Irish Autumn Squad-BOD AND BEST OUT!

First topic message reminder :

So Kidney announces his squad today, a 32 man panel against the boks and pumas. More players come into consideration for the Fiji game.

A 31 man Ireland squad including four uncapped players has been named by Ireland Coach Declan Kidney for the 2012 Guinness Series games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

Centre Luke Marshall and forward Iain Henderson named in the panel and who were involved in the Ireland training camp in September are included in the squad as are prop David Kilcoyne and hooker Richardt Strauss, who is now eligible to play for Ireland based on his residency for the past three years.
In addition to the naming of the Ireland squad for the 2012 Guinness Series, there were also changes announced to the makeup of the national coaching staff with current Munster Assistant Coach and former international Anthony Foley joining the Ireland coaching team.

Foley will be now be leading the defence plans and systems allowing Assistant Coach Les Kiss to lead the attack shape for the team as well as continue to coach the backline. Foley will remain working with Munster Rugby outside of the international window. It was also confirmed that Leinster scrum coach, Greg Feek will continue providing his expertise to the Ireland team during competition time.

Commenting on the Guinness Series games and the addition of Anthony Foley, Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said: "We have three incredibly competitive games ahead of us in November and while there have been quite a few injuries and niggles in the early part of the season, it has opened up opportunities for other players to step into the squad. There are world ranking points on offer, so the underlying challenge for us is to work towards retaining and improving our ranking position ahead of the Rugby World Cup pool draw. While that is the end goal, our focus will be getting our preparations right to match the intensity of international games.

"I'm pleased that Anthony has taken up the offer of working with the squad to assist during this vital period in November. His previous experience of working with the team during the last RBS 6 Nations championship was important, but his own abilities and experience were central to bringing him onboard. I would like to thank Rob Penney and Joe Schmidt for being so positive and giving Anthony Foley and Greg (Feek) the scope to be part of the plans that we have."

Anthony Foley said: "I was delighted when Declan approached Rob and me about the possibility of working with the Ireland team again. I enjoyed the opportunity I got during the Six Nations working with the players and I felt once we were all comfortable with the balance between Munster and Ireland, I jumped at the chance. I certainly feel I can contribute positively and when you get the chance to coach with your country, you don't want to pass it up.

Ticket sales have reached over 46,000 for the South Africa game with only a limited number of categories available for purchase from IrishRugby.ie and www.ticketmaster.ie

While the Argentina game is a full month away, ticket sales are at just over 37,000 tickets and are selling quickly and have already surpassed the attendance the last time Argentina visited the Aviva.

Feckless Rogue wrote:

DOD wrote:Would much rather Ireland going on tour

I agree with you there.

+1.

+2

thebluesmancometh wrote:+2

Why?

Without offending I don't think there is much the Irish bring to the party...

Healy, Bowe, SOB, and Sexton being their best chances of traveling but are replacable.

In all honesty though from what I read here and hear from freinds in Ireland the attitude to the Lions is far from pleasant at times, don't get me wrong some really embrace it but others look down their nose at it.

But then it doesn't help that the missus is a dub and is rubbing my nose in last nights results so maybe I'm just trying to retract a bit of revenge by insulting the Irish

thebluesmancometh wrote:Without offending I don't think there is much the Irish bring to the party...

Healy, Bowe, SOB, and Sexton being their best chances of traveling but are replacable.

In all honesty though from what I read here and hear from freinds in Ireland the attitude to the Lions is far from pleasant at times, don't get me wrong some really embrace it but others look down their nose at it.

But then it doesn't help that the missus is a dub and is rubbing my nose in last nights results so maybe I'm just trying to retract a bit of revenge by insulting the Irish

very poor effort at a windup. So do you think Wales will implode in the same Manor as the last time their coach took the Lions.

I may be on the wind up a touch tecphobe (great name by the way ) but there are elements of the Irish who aren't Lions freindly surely you have to admit that.

Imploding means you were at a decent level at least beforehand, I fear the welsh boys are so demoralised by their 'regions' and the hammerings theyre taking week in week out we're are about to have a poor AI and nightmare 6N, so no.

I was more alluding to what happened when Henry took the Lions. The difference between the regions and Wales is the coaching setup in that the Welsh set-up under Gatland is mostly competent. Wales are already suffering due to the Lions in that you could argue that standards have dropped since Gatland removed himself from the day to day running. I think there are reason for some Irish people's antipathy to the Lions due to things that have gone on in the past. I will certainly watch all the games will i get as excited as i would about an Ireland match no chance but i will watch and enjoy it. So Long as there is no nonsense with songs. Id also prefer it they kept the royals away from it.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Without offending I don't think there is much the Irish bring to the party...

Healy, Bowe, SOB, and Sexton being their best chances of traveling but are replacable.

In all honesty though from what I read here and hear from freinds in Ireland the attitude to the Lions is far from pleasant at times, don't get me wrong some really embrace it but others look down their nose at it.

But then it doesn't help that the missus is a dub and is rubbing my nose in last nights results so maybe I'm just trying to retract a bit of revenge by insulting the Irish

Thats probably because most sky and bbc presenters and analysists are forever calling it the British lions. So its hardly a surprise some irish people dont care much for the team.

I enjoy the Lions so long as it stays apolitical. It's like the Barbarians but a much higher standard and much more exciting. Think if this tour goes badly we should bring the French and Italians on board! How good would that be?

Well thats part of the attitudes I dislike.

Don't get me wrong not a fan of the Royals, but they are part of the Lions community like all of us.

Re the British lions, it will get very silly soon when they are renamed to the british and Irish and Scottish lions, then maybe the British and Irish and Scottish and Welsh lions, which will evolve to English and Irish and Scottish and Welsh lions.

Why don't we just call them the W.I.S.E lions and be done with it?

thebluesmancometh wrote:Well thats part of the attitudes I dislike.

Don't get me wrong not a fan of the Royals, but they are part of the Lions community like all of us.

Re the British lions, it will get very silly soon when they are renamed to the british and Irish and Scottish lions, then maybe the British and Irish and Scottish and Welsh lions, which will evolve to English and Irish and Scottish and Welsh lions.

Why don't we just call them the W.I.S.E lions and be done with it?

Or like I said before just call it the lions?

Euro-Lions. A team with an actual chance of winning a series. The French and Italians would help light it up.
Just like the Ryder Cup grew from hapless, losing, Brits & Paddies into a powerful European team. We started beating the Yanks regularly then.

The lions is probably the only thing Ive ever called it TBH.

It sounds a little like the Cardiff Blues/Blues debate, so I understand where your coming from.

Either way I will be going on my first ever Lions tour so I am unbeleivably excited and enthusiastic about them this time

Or the Euro-Lions against a SH combined team. 6N vs the 4N. I would love to see that.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Or the Euro-Lions against a SH combined team. 6N vs the 4N. I would love to see that.

Like yer thinking there Rory.

The French wouldn't bother as they are more successful at beating the SH teams than the rest of us put together...er...i think I just came up with a new concept. Just have to think of a name???

Thomond wrote:Well disappointing is the overall theme, some mystifying absenses. There's some inter provincial bull on this thread, only thing I will say is those writing off POM need their head examined. If we had written Sexton off after 7 games for Ireland, then we would probably be playing ROG again.


POM can play 7 but is at his best at 6 or 8, he could start for us, Heaslip has improved somewhat but jesus he was a dire for long portions of last year.

Has he been written off,I can only speak for myself but I've said that while he's not currently good enough to start for Ireland I'm sure he will go on to get a lot of caps for Munster and Ireland as he has bags of potential.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Thomond wrote:Well disappointing is the overall theme, some mystifying absenses. There's some inter provincial bull on this thread, only thing I will say is those writing off POM need their head examined. If we had written Sexton off after 7 games for Ireland, then we would probably be playing ROG again.


POM can play 7 but is at his best at 6 or 8, he could start for us, Heaslip has improved somewhat but jesus he was a dire for long portions of last year.

Has he been written off,I can only speak for myself but I've said that while he's not currently good enough to start for Ireland I'm sure he will go on to get a lot of caps for Munster and Ireland as he has bags of potential.

Speaking for yourself is something you should stick to..

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Thomond wrote:Well disappointing is the overall theme, some mystifying absenses. There's some inter provincial bull on this thread, only thing I will say is those writing off POM need their head examined. If we had written Sexton off after 7 games for Ireland, then we would probably be playing ROG again.


POM can play 7 but is at his best at 6 or 8, he could start for us, Heaslip has improved somewhat but jesus he was a dire for long portions of last year.

Has he been written off,I can only speak for myself but I've said that while he's not currently good enough to start for Ireland I'm sure he will go on to get a lot of caps for Munster and Ireland as he has bags of potential.

Really? POM walks into the Irish side i feel.

thebluesmancometh wrote:Well thats part of the attitudes I dislike.

Don't get me wrong not a fan of the Royals, but they are part of the Lions community like all of us.

Re the British lions, it will get very silly soon when they are renamed to the british and Irish and Scottish lions, then maybe the British and Irish and Scottish and Welsh lions, which will evolve to English and Irish and Scottish and Welsh lions.

Why don't we just call them the W.I.S.E lions and be done with it?

I don't see the need for the Lions to be prefaced with the name of any nation in this day and age to be honest. If there is to be another name change (not necessary at this juncture imo) the next official name change should be to rename them simply 'The Lions'. Keep nationalities out of it. It's like the Barbarians, bringing rugby players together regardless of their national allegiance. Sure the Royals can come along for the ride. Sit in the cheap seats with the rest of the fans!

Sure the Royals can come along for the ride. Sit in the cheap seats with the rest of the fans! Smile

Would agree with that 100%, not sure if Wills and Kate would enjoy being sat next to me though, I tend to get a bit animated!!!

eirebilly wrote:

Really? POM walks into the Irish side i feel.

Much too much walking in the Irish side. Run, guys! Run!.

Far too many walk into the Irish side..maybe that is the problem

Kidney is the problem.

Yeah, they should at least jog in - at least they'd look interested then.

Well Feckless runs...let's try him out.

Ireland are going on tour at same time as Lions. It allows us develop new players when key guys are with Lions.

red_stag wrote:Ireland are going on tour at same time as Lions. It allows us develop new players when key guys are with Lions.

Is that not the wolfhounds that are touring?

Just reading that Paddy Jackson, Craig Gilroy, Declan Fitzpatrick and Paul Marshall have all been called up, almost a full Ulster 15 in there now

So Paul Marshall, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson and Declan Fitzpatrick added to the squad along with Sean Cronin, Tiernan O'Halloran and Michael Bent.

Who is Michael Bent?

Just found this..

"Tight head prop Bent is Ireland qualified through his maternal grandmother and has been playing regularly for Taranki in the provincial championship in New Zealand.

Bent arrived in Ireland today and will link up with the Ireland squad for training tomorrrow"

What is that all about???

Delighted to see O'Halloran in the squad. He deserves to be rewarded for his performances this season.

Why not throw Bent into the training squad? We are hardly blessed with tight heads.

Its a joke that somebody can just arrive in the country and get a call up to the Irish squad. Kidney confuses me.

Tiernan O'Halloran is a surprise inclusion but I think he deserves a call up.

He is Leinster's new Prop, MrsP. Mainly a TH, but can play both sides of the scrum.

And he is IQ. Smart eh?

I dont like it either. But we need the granny-rule in this instance. Maybe it will wake Hagan & Co up?

Bent is in the squad??? Thats crazy. He hasnt even played with leinster yet.

Oh my word that is shocking!

He is match fit. Super Rugby and ITM match fit. It makes some sense.

Michael Bent is Leinsters new IQ Kiwi tighthead. He was due to join them in the next couple of weeks after his side were knocked out of the ITM Cup, but looks like he's being fast-tracked into the national set-up before he even has a single training session in his province.

I guess that shows how desperate we are!

Here's a team that could be selected from the Ireland panel;

Court Best Fitzpatrick
Tuohy Henderson
Ferris Heaslip Henry

P. Marshall Jackson
L. Marshall Cave
Gilroy Bowe Trimble

It was annoying when Munster and Leinster fans used to do it, and even though I'm typing I still find it deeply, deeply annoying. Yes I'm trolling, but I've just trolled myself!

I guess its just a case of who is available to start on Friday night for us. Normally the first XV is sort of known and those players are unavailable for the provinces whilst the others get gametime to stay sharp, unless they have any knocks.

This time though I think he should make a couple of exceptions. I'm not a supporter of moving Bowe to 15 for Ireland at all, but if Kidney is going to do that he should get more gametime there versus Edinburgh. Similarly Ferris will be fit to play this week, his omission for the Dragons was precationary. Given he's only played twice this season, surely he could use some gametime too. We need these guys fit, but they are going into this test match cold.

I expect we'll have those four recent additions back for Edinburgh, we'll probably also get Court, Henderson, Cave and Luke Marshall back as they won't make the first XV. Not sure about whether we'll get Trimble, Ferris, Bowe, Henry or Tuohy. Best is a definite no. Bowe is also a definite no if he's going to be on the wing.

The IRFU started this. I hope it doesn't get out of hand.

Marshall called up days overdue. Bent who? Sorry...

Gibson wrote:He is Leinster's new Prop, MrsP. Mainly a TH, but can play both sides of the scrum.

And he is IQ. Smart eh?

I dont like it either. But we need the granny-rule in this instance. Maybe it will wake Hagan & Co up?

Would have rathered he had gone to munster. Moore and furlong have no chance of getting gametime now.

WillyGilly wrote:Marshall called up days overdue. Bent who? Sorry...

This is just injury cover for the most part. The four backs are just injury cover anyway, and Cronin is in because Best took a knock on Friday. Only way these guys will be anywhere near is an injury crisis. The exception is that Fitzpatrick or Bent will be our bench prop. Anyone notice anything? Still no specialist fullback. Earls or Bowe it is

It is a shame Felix Jones has not had more game-time. He is our only other specialist FB. On his way to the last RWC, before he had another bad injury. I would love to see him back in the squad for the 6-N.

Gibson wrote:It is a shame Felix Jones has not had more game-time. He is our only other specialist FB. On his way to the last RWC, before he had another bad injury. I would love to see him back in the squad for the 6-N.

Was Jones not added to the squad? If not then thats totally bone headed. Jones is a very good 15, scored a great try there against Zebre. Oh, and also, he's the only 15 we have left standing.

Don't worry H&H. Sure we'll just find some New Zealander 15 with an Irish Granny and fly him in Tuesday.

He's not ready. It would be unfair on him. The lad badly needs a long run without injury at Munster. I'm with Deccie on this one.

MrsP wrote:Don't worry H&H. Sure we'll just find some New Zealander 15 with an Irish Granny and fly him in Tuesday.

Isa O Nacewa? He'd do rightly.

You've changed gibbo. You're henceforth barred from the anti-dk club. Please turn in your badge and get the club tattoo removed.

Did madigan get added to the squad? He could play 15

Don't worry guys, this is all just smoke and mirrors to hide the fact that Paddy Wallace is going to start at 15 against the Boks

Just laughed out loud at a comment on Ulsters official facebook page. Back when Ulster were basically not very good and didn't get many players called into Ireland training camps, there was a certain subsection of angry Ulster fans who alleged this was evidence of an anti-Ulster bias in the corridors of the perfidious Southern-based IRFU.

Now we have 14 guys in the training camp starting tomorrow someone on FB came out with this gem;

Gr8 for the guys to get a call up. But, call me a cynic, I think the powers that be reckon Ulster are getting above their station by remaining unbeaten this season and need taken down a peg or two by weakening our squad.

Gotta love fools!