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.

Kidney will do anything, just to make sure we dont have an attack coach. The guy has lost the plot.

Deccie out!!

DOD wrote:Didnt look good the way Ferris went off tonight....

No way should he be involved with Ireland until he is match fit. The ankle injury is unfortunate, but even before that he looked to be at 40/50% of what he is capable of.

Rava wrote:

DOD wrote:Didnt look good the way Ferris went off tonight....

Looked very bad DOD. I'd be convinced we won't see him at all for these three games. Another big opportunity for someone to put their hand up and hopefully give our new coach some selection headaches (if and) when he takes over.

POM at 6 and Henry at 7 for the SA game anyway?

It looks that way. I'm quite unhappy- they are both excellent players but we have very little way of replacing Ferris' dynamic ball carrying. Maybe we should pick Tuohy for that reason to compensate- Strauss is also comfortable in the open spaces.

Stephen Archer called up to the Irish squad..

Feckless Rogue wrote:And the job of defence coach is given to the Munster forwards coach Axel Foley (who hasn't been a defence coach before as far as I know).

He has. Was Munster defence coach when Leinster couldn't buy a try against them. Ket tryless in 3 games I think. I'm surprised you were not asking who Muster's defence coach was back then as Munster were the only team in Europe that Leinster couldn't score a try against.

As for Kiss - Ireland scored most tries in last 6Ns.

Standulstermen wrote:Stephen Archer called up to the Irish squad..

Will be needed for Fiji.

Archer will be needed indeed. To sell tickets to the great Munster rugby public.

Does he have telesales experience?

Notch wrote:Archer will be needed indeed. To sell tickets to the great Munster rugby public.

Does he have telesales experience?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I find it the most enticing out of all of them if I am honest. That is the game I really wanted to go and see just the lads I normally go with couldn't make it.

So its too much trouble for your mates as well!

I amn't that fussed about seeing our mediocre negative team as they frustrate me hugely.

I'd love to see the uninhibited young Irish guys go and strut their stuff. I'd love to see the likes of Marshall x2, Doughall, Gilroy, Madigan, Jackson, Jones, Henderson etc.

If it turned in to Munster vs Fiji I'd almost ask for money back

Since you have such a low opinion of the Ireland coaching staff and the type of rugby they coach, why would you want any of those young guys near them. Its not as if they get a cap for their trouble.

PS - Munster have lots of young players who are as deserving as any of those you mention, yet because they are Munster players you don't want them in the team. Would you have a problem with a team like

Kilcoyne, Sherry, Archer
Nagle, Henderson
DOC2, Henry, POM
Murray, Keatley
Gilroy, Marshall, Earls, Trimble
Jones

Notch wrote:Archer will be needed indeed. To sell tickets to the great Munster rugby public.

Does he have telesales experience?

Well, we could use Ross again since Fitzpatrick seems to be always injured.

Sin é wrote:
Kilcoyne, Sherry, Archer
Nagle, Henderson
DOC2, Henry, POM
Murray, Keatley
Gilroy, Marshall, Earls, Trimble
Jones

Why would you call in so many players who haven't been involved in training camps, aren;t with the squad and won't be involved in the Argentina game? What has Nagle done to take over Tuohy, what has Sherry done to take over Cronin, what has Keatley done to take over Jackson etc. etc. More realistically something like;

Kilcoyne, Cronin, Bent
Tuohy, O'Callaghan
Henderson, Muldoon, O'Mahony
Murray, Jackson
Zebo, Marshall, Cave, Gilroy
Hurley

Totally moot point at this stage anyway.

Foley has been Munsters forward coach during some of the most humiliting man shamings their pack have ever got (Ospreys last year anyone?)

Makes perfect sense he would be installed as Irish defense coach.

Yes Kimberly not the only Irish team to be man shamed by the ospreys...

MeAnt to add an Irish team with numerous internationals and double HC winners no less

LOL, this just got interesting. Talking about who got the more shamed by a lowly welsh team.

Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

Archer being called up is a bit of a surprise and probably not a good surprise either.

Archer has the natural strength to be a good tighthead and regularly pushes opposition scrums back but he struggles against technical props.

It's not a surprise really prof, Declan Fitzpatrick has picked up a concussion and is under observation. Right bad luck to get concussed just as he was getting over another glut of injuries.

With the way he played in NZ, a lot of people came out and criticised Ulster for having an NIQ tighthead as first choice ahead of him. There is some merit in those criticisms, but if we were to have an Irishman as first choice it could NEVER be Deccie Fitz. Too many fitness worries to be a first choice player. Mind you, his luck with injuries this season has been bad even by his standards. He's started two games for Ulster and got injured in both of them.

It's a shame- when he does get fully fit, you can see he has a lot of potential. He's also a lovely bloke by all accounts and has worked hard in the last few seasons. If he had just one season without any injuries he could make a very good scrummaging prop.

Archer gets called up ahead of Andress. Andress must have a bad attitude or something to not get picked.

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

Hmmm European Champions (who really wanted it) or Developing team whose season had gone t.ts up...must try harder coconut cream

DOD wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

Hmmm European Champions (who really wanted it) or Developing team whose season had gone t.ts up...must try harder coconut cream

How was it embarrasing though? We lost by 1 point after being down to 14 men for 20 minutes of the game.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

Hmmm European Champions (who really wanted it) or Developing team whose season had gone t.ts up...must try harder coconut cream

How was it embarrasing though? We lost by 1 point after being down to 14 men for 20 minutes of the game.

You are right it wasn't so much embarrassing as funny

DOD wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

DOD wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

Hmmm European Champions (who really wanted it) or Developing team whose season had gone t.ts up...must try harder coconut cream

How was it embarrasing though? We lost by 1 point after being down to 14 men for 20 minutes of the game.

You are right it wasn't so much embarrassing as funny

Ye it was actually funny seeing the ref implode. Felt sorry for Poite during the game.

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

In front of your own fans ..... twice.... double ouch.

Sin é wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

In front of your own fans ..... twice.... double ouch.

Our HC's makes up for it though, so dont worrie about us

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Archer gets called up ahead of Andress. Andress must have a bad attitude or something to not get picked.

Got it in one, I gather.

Notch wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Archer gets called up ahead of Andress. Andress must have a bad attitude or something to not get picked.

Got it in one, I gather.

He definately doesn't lack confidence.

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

red_stag wrote:

Mickado wrote:I think you have a point Rods, I don't like the central contract system at all. Creates a group of untouchables.

+1

I' ve been saying that since ye lot were schitting yella. And, if you are going to give them a central contract, make it yearly renewable. That will keep them all on their toes.

Far healthier for all concerned.

Sin é wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

In front of your own fans ..... twice.... double ouch.

3 Yellow Stars, while ye lot can only watch-on jealously. Perchance to dream again.
Triple ouch. With extra knobs on.

We are Leinster. We are the best side Europe has ever seen.

Gibson wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

In front of your own fans ..... twice.... double ouch.

3 Yellow Stars, while ye lot can only watch-on jealously. Perchance to dream again.
Triple ouch. With extra knobs on.

We are Leinster. We are the best side Europe has ever seen.

The best side Europe has ever seen....they don't seem to have got that message around Neath and Swansea

Gibson wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

In front of your own fans ..... twice.... double ouch.

3 Yellow Stars, while ye lot can only watch-on jealously. Perchance to dream again.
Triple ouch. With extra knobs on.

We are Leinster. We are the best side Europe has ever seen.

Ahhh! Showing such maturity beyond your years Gibbo!

Gibson wrote:

Sin é wrote:

Mickado wrote:Hmm 30-31 or 45-10....

Must try harder Dekkie!

In front of your own fans ..... twice.... double ouch.

3 Yellow Stars, while ye lot can only watch-on jealously. Perchance to dream again.
Triple ouch. With extra knobs on.

We are Leinster. We are were the best side Europe has ever seen.

+ 1 ....

Sin é wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I find it the most enticing out of all of them if I am honest. That is the game I really wanted to go and see just the lads I normally go with couldn't make it.

So its too much trouble for your mates as well!

I amn't that fussed about seeing our mediocre negative team as they frustrate me hugely.

I'd love to see the uninhibited young Irish guys go and strut their stuff. I'd love to see the likes of Marshall x2, Doughall, Gilroy, Madigan, Jackson, Jones, Henderson etc.

If it turned in to Munster vs Fiji I'd almost ask for money back

Since you have such a low opinion of the Ireland coaching staff and the type of rugby they coach, why would you want any of those young guys near them. Its not as if they get a cap for their trouble.

PS - Munster have lots of young players who are as deserving as any of those you mention, yet because they are Munster players you don't want them in the team. Would you have a problem with a team like

Kilcoyne, Sherry, Archer
Nagle, Henderson
DOC2, Henry, POM
Murray, Keatley
Gilroy, Marshall, Earls, Trimble
Jones

The lads are in Germany that weekend so less of your lip and assumptions.
We went down to the Ireland baabaas game down in thomond and it was savage.
Great Craic.

So much wrong with your team there:

What have sherry, archer, nagle and keatly done to deserve being in the team ahead of others like tuohy, Cronin, Jackson other than be born from your neck of the woods.

Iv 0 problem with munster players representing Ireland AT ALL as long as they deserve it and they aren't in to boost the "ticket sales"

"Fans" like you are what's wrong with a certain part of Irish rugby

So Ferris out of the Autumn Internationals. Pretty standard!

I'm thinking;

6. O'Mahony
7. Henry
8. Heaslip

With O'Brien also missing, we've lost a huge amount of pace and dynamism from our backrow. It puts a lot of pressure on Heaslip who has previously seemed to drift through games at this level...

Notch wrote:So Ferris out of the Autumn Internationals. Pretty standard!

I'm thinking;

6. O'Mahony
7. Henry
8. Heaslip

With O'Brien also missing, we've lost a huge amount of pace and dynamism from our backrow. It puts a lot of pressure on Heaslip who has previously seemed to drift through games at this level...

Huge loss but not insurmountable,all 3 in that backrow can carry well while Heaslip and Henry are excellent at the breakdown along with Strauss,Healy and PoC if fit,I'm not sure on POM in that area.

We need to see a lot from our pack but we're lucky that S.A. seem to have an even worse injury crisis than we do.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

Notch wrote:So Ferris out of the Autumn Internationals. Pretty standard!

I'm thinking;

6. O'Mahony
7. Henry
8. Heaslip

With O'Brien also missing, we've lost a huge amount of pace and dynamism from our backrow. It puts a lot of pressure on Heaslip who has previously seemed to drift through games at this level...

Huge loss but not insurmountable,all 3 in that backrow can carry well while Heaslip and Henry are excellent at the breakdown along with Strauss,Healy and PoC if fit,I'm not sure on POM in that area.

We need to see a lot from our pack but we're lucky that S.A. seem to have an even worse injury crisis than we do.

Heaslip hasn't been a ball carrier since 09/10. He is more of a solid no.8 now rather than being a dynamic one.

True but I think he can still do it if needed as I assume he adapted his game to suit playing with SOB,I'm basing that on nothing more than blind faith.

POM does decent work at the breakdown alright, probably not our best but certainly one of the better guys there.


This bitchiness is great lads keep it up!

Thomond wrote:POM does decent work at the breakdown alright, probably not our best but certainly one of the better guys there.


This bitchiness is great lads keep it up!

Cheers,haven't seen enough of him to know for certain his strengths in that area,although I've just remembered he did some good jackling in the last 6N.

Heaslip has been much more effective with ball in hand so far this season than he has been over the last few years. He seems to be taking it upon himself now to make the hard yards and create a platform. Plus he has made a few good breaks like the Heaslip of old. I hope he can continue in this fashion.

Not sure how I feel on this but does anyone think Kidney may put in McLaughlin instead of POM for 6 like he did during the Summer?

That would be a very solid back row, and give Heaslip a lot of room to roam. However there is a real lack of dynamism there. Alberts, Louw and Vermeulen are all massive, all over 190cm and over 110kg. They are all great ball carriers, and also very solid at the basics. I am not sure we have the players to match their firepower. Not with Ferris and O'Brien missing anyway.

I don't think McLaughlin has been playing well this season so I can't see Kidney picking him but who can say for sure,Deccie does have favourites who he'll pick no matter what their form is like.Did McLaughlin get into that group over the summer?

asoreleftshoulder wrote:I don't think McLaughlin has been playing well this season so I can't see Kidney picking him but who can say for sure,Deccie does have favourites who he'll pick no matter what their form is like.Did McLaughlin get into that group over the summer?

That is what I was wondering, I think he may have. He did very well in the AI's I thought but has not been playing amazingly so far this season. He is good but no more

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Not sure how I feel on this but does anyone think Kidney may put in McLaughlin instead of POM for 6 like he did during the Summer?

Not really but wouldn't rule it out.....from what I've seen McLaughlin hasn't yet hit the same heights as last season, when he was one of Leinsters real unsung heroes, but maybe I'm wrong on that.

No you are he was outstanding last season and he isn't playing badly at the moment just kind of a level down or so. Jennings has stepped up I think

Yeah Henry has gone up a gear again too and O'Mahoney probably hasn't. Its early days though and SOB and Ferris injury problems have opened up opportunities for others.

Henderson has been monstrous at 6 for Ulster and Ryan is playing there too.

Its hard to know what Kidney is planning, we'll just have to wait and see....

rodders wrote:Yeah Henry has gone up a gear again too and O'Mahoney probably hasn't. Its early days though and SOB and Ferris injury problems have opened up opportunities for others.

Henderson has been monstrous at 6 for Ulster and Ryan is playing there too.

Its hard to know what Kidney is planning, we'll just have to wait and see....

Hate to see Ryan at 6. Hendo at 6 is a great idead though.