Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Looking ahead to this game, Eoin Reddan is a doubt apparently but there are no other new injury concerns. Ferris and O'Connell are confirmed out of this and next week.

I've already talked about the issue of this game not being considered a full international which can be found HERE and we should should probably try and keep discussion of that issue to the relevant thread.

I'm very much of the opinion that we should largely keep the same team. I don't see how wholesale changes are going to help prepare the firsts for Argentina. There should of course be a few tweaks (please put Earls back in the back three) but this team needs time on the pitch together. Of course, I think our problems run deeper than a lack of pitch time together but we're in a desperate situation here. We need to beat Argentina and this game has to be treated as a dry run for the week after.

[rapidsnowman]

I have no doubt that if it was a capped game then ROG would have been on the bench or maybe even starting to get his cheap cap.

Good to see we can still have a dig at ROG even when he isn't picked!

[LeinsterFan4life]

[quote="pete (buachaill on eirne)"][quote="Notch"]Confirmed team (1-15);

Kilcoyne, Cronin, Ross, O'Callaghan, Tuohy, Henderson, Muldoon, Heaslip (c), Murray, Jackson, Gilroy, L. Marshall, Cave, McFadden, Hurley

Replacements; Strauss, Healy, Bent, Ryan, Henry, P. Marshall, Sexton, Zebo

Positives:
1) Henderson, Jackson, Kilcoyne, Marshall, Cave, Gilroy all getting game time.
2) There is still a bit of experience in there.
3) Good that the new midfield unit are familiar with each other.

Negatives:
1) This is not a warm up to Argentina
2) Of all the guys who needed gametime in the front row Ross was not that guy! Strauss and Bent should be starting to become more familiar.
3) Why Hurley? We need Zebo in there so he has more experience in the position come Argentina.
4) If we are not using this as a warm up for Argentina (and we aren't) why start Murray instead of the in form half back partner of Jackson, Paul Marshall.

When do Kidney's selections ever make sense? McFadden on the wing is so annoying. The guy is not a winger at all. He's way ,way better at 12.

[clivemcl]

Luke Marshall was so awkward answering questions. He said "so it is' about five times!

Would be good to see Paul and Luke on the pitch at the same time.

[Notch]

Positives:
1) Henderson, Jackson, Kilcoyne, Marshall, Cave, Gilroy all getting game time.
2) There is still a bit of experience in there.
3) Good that the new midfield unit are familiar with each other.

Negatives:
1) This is not a warm up to Argentina
2) Of all the guys who needed gametime in the front row Ross was not that guy! Strauss and Bent should be starting to become more familiar.
3) Why Hurley? We need Zebo in there so he has more experience in the position come Argentina.
4) If we are not using this as a warm up for Argentina (and we aren't) why start Murray instead of the in form half back partner of Jackson, Paul Marshall.

Yeah, agree with all that. It's another one of these Irish selections which doesn't seem to have a whole lot of joined up logic behind it. I do think that whoever succeeds Kidney- be it after the Six Nations or after this series- will be grateful to him for getting a lot of young players involved in the national set-up these past few weeks. But there's not much logic to how he picks his sides. I know Reddan was meant to start if he was fit enough.

[Notch]

Amidst the younger guys getting their chance there are a couple of things like Muldoon at 7- seriously, are we ever going to consider Muldoon at openside in another test match? If not, why pick him now.

I'll give him a pass on Hurley given the scarcity of options we have at fullback!

[Kingshu]

Well it looks like DK have given a lot of the players we wanted a chance, and even a few we didn't.

Theres a number of them that if play well could make the Argentina game.

Heres hoping, D'arcy at 12 isn't the answer anymore. hope marshall has a good showing. For Cave its a chance to show he is international material, Jackson and small paul, just a chance to gain experience, they won't get to be in team to face Argentina (bad for them they aren't winning caps, I don't know if paul will be given another chance).

O'Callaghan, Tuohy, Henderson are hoping to get a test starting place.

[profitius]

Not a bad team. The Ross selection doesn't make much sense to me, unless I'm missing something.

I'd prefer to see Madigan or Felix Jones at fullback. Denis Hurley has been good for Munster this season but he is not the future. Felix Jones offers way more threat and if not him then why not put Madigan or Dave Kearney in there.

The backline looks good. Theres mostly Ulster players there so they should be familiar with each other and I think the center combination could be better than the Earls/D'Arcy combination.

I'm happy witht he team though despite the puzzling selections.

[Sin é]

The Ross selection is to counter Kilcoyne's inexperience (Bent hasn't trained a lot with Ireland). Munster usually start Kilcoyne with BJ.

Hurley hasn't played in a couple of weeks - needs some gametime and not worth risking Zebo against Fiji as he will be needed next week.

It will be interesting to see how Jackson & Murray work out together. We all know how Marshall & Jackson work.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Positives:
1) Henderson, Jackson, Kilcoyne, Marshall, Cave, Gilroy all getting game time.
2) There is still a bit of experience in there.
3) Good that the new midfield unit are familiar with each other.

Negatives:
1) This is not a warm up to Argentina
2) Of all the guys who needed gametime in the front row Ross was not that guy! Strauss and Bent should be starting to become more familiar.
3) Why Hurley? We need Zebo in there so he has more experience in the position come Argentina.
4) If we are not using this as a warm up for Argentina (and we aren't) why start Murray instead of the in form half back partner of Jackson, Paul Marshall.

Yeah, agree with all that. It's another one of these Irish selections which doesn't seem to have a whole lot of joined up logic behind it. I do think that whoever succeeds Kidney- be it after the Six Nations or after this series- will be grateful to him for getting a lot of young players involved in the national set-up these past few weeks. But there's not much logic to how he picks his sides. I know Reddan was meant to start if he was fit enough.

Yeah and it is genuinely a good thing that these guys are getting gametime in the Irish set up and are exposed to this level of media hype, playing with some guys who they may end up playing a lot of rugby with but that being said....in three years time there may be guys saying "I wish I hadn't got that cap that day and we'd beaten Argentina so we don't have France and the All Blacks in our World Cup pool."

Bit of a long shot but you get the point.

Can't understand why Zebo isn't starting, he did well last week and needs to kick on not get the brakes pushed. He really could have used this game.
Bent as well looked better than Ross why not give him another bash. Strauss looked good too and the pair both need gametime getting used to irish lineout calls and scrum tactics. Madness.

I like the fact that Tuohy and DOC are given a shot since they are both in good form and deserve a chance to challenge for a place. It may have been good for McCarthy and Ryan to get a bit more time together but.....ah well.......

Interesting that Sin didn't get all his Munster players in the squad to sell out Thomond and thus the IRFU are letting kids go free. 6 out of the 23 are from Munster with 2 on the bench.

[Mickado]

Only 4 Munster players starting, I expect attendances to be low…

[The Great Aukster]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

[MrsP]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

I can't believe any of those players would be thinking that way.

If they are I don't ever want to see them in an Ireland jersey!

Wearing that jersey should be the height of their ambitions no matter what the record books will say!

[Mickado]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

I agree, that's the politics of rugby these days though.

[LeinsterFan4life]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

I agree, that's the politics of rugby these days though.

Politics are no where near as bad as they were. Remember we used to have a certain amount of ulster players in the squad no matter how good they were.

[MrsP]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

I agree, that's the politics of rugby these days though.

Politics are no where near as bad as they were. Remember we used to have a certain amount of ulster players in the squad no matter how GOOD they were.

I know! It was shocking that EOS would only pick one Ulsterman no matter how good the others were!!!

[LeinsterFan4life]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

I agree, that's the politics of rugby these days though.

Politics are no where near as bad as they were. Remember we used to have a certain amount of ulster players in the squad no matter how GOOD they were.

I know! It was shocking that EOS would only pick one Ulsterman no matter how good the others were!!!

Im talking before Gatland was coach. He was the one that got it changed.

[Kingshu]

It's ridiculous that Jackson won't earn his first cap in this game when Sexton won his first against Fiji at the RDS three years ago.

Since this is an Ireland XV and not the full side then should they win, it will not break Kidney's losing streak! Presumably because there isn't the pressure of a "proper" Test, it won't matter how well anyone plays as the performance is already devalued?

SA have a strong pack and injury hit backs, Fiji have a weakish pack and a flying backline, yet Kidney powers up the pack and slows down the backs compared to last week!??

I agree, that's the politics of rugby these days though.

Politics are no where near as bad as they were. Remember we used to have a certain amount of ulster players in the squad no matter how GOOD they were.

I know! It was shocking that EOS would only pick one Ulsterman no matter how good the others were!!!

Im talking before Gatland was coach. He was the one that got it changed.

When Gatland took over you were 8! not sure how well you would remember before that?

[MrsP]

That would explain why you think that!

Not sure many would agree that EOS picked purely on form! But maybe things look different when you are still wee!

[Mickado]

I meant the politics of how we can only play tests in Dublin so this isn’t a test and isn’t a cap.

That got sidetracked pretty quickly though!

[LeinsterFan4life]

Apparently Archer was destroyed by McGrath in the scrum in the 'A' game today between Leinster and Munster. Not looking good for him.

[the-goon]

Well I hope the new guys go well and show what they can do. The value of this match all depends on Kidney's mindset. If he sees great performances from the Marshalls, Cave, Gilroy, Jackson etc.. Will he reward it with a test place vs Arg. Or is it a return to type regardless on how this match goes.

How will Ireland approach the game? Same "tactics/game plan" as SA? Will we try a tweek the plan for ARG (i.e. a dry run) or will this be treated as a BaaBaas game (which would be a waste as it doesn't prepare us at all for Arg).

Will he focus on the areas where we were poor as well and address them? Is Murray getting his final chance to prove is form? Will be dropped if he plays badly? Are the centre spots up for grabs? Is full back up grabs???

Tighthead and 2nd row certainly do. And the back row? Places available?

[Notch]

This is a weird auld team. Not much sense in parts of it.

It reminds me of the Eddie O'Sullivan selections for these sorts of games where he'd just change the whole side to give everyone else a go. We've made 12 changes- completely new back three, centres and locks and major change in the front row, back row and halfbacks too. All this major change ives the impression its a bit of a dirt trackers selection- we can only hope that they show some cohesion for what is essentially a scratch team or it could be a sticky match.

I'm not sure what we're hoping to learn from it. You would want to ask; can Cave play with D'Arcy? Can Henderson combine with O'Mahony/Henry and Heaslip? How would Gilroy slot in with Zebo and Bowe? There are a few combinations we could see again for Argentina. Jackson may be being considered for a bench role although the smart money is still on O'Gara. It's good to see Kilcoyne get a chance to scrummage with Ross on the other side. But mostly there are guys who it just seems are there for a bit of a run-out after being with the squad.

Really the only benefits are long term, we're not gonna learn too much about our options for next week. Too much change. And god knows we need some of these young lads to give us some hope going forward. If even one or two show they can be thrown into the deeper end sooner rather than later it'll be a boost for us.

[MrsP]

I could have sort of understood this selection if we had beaten SA. Giving the kids a run would make sense if the Arg match didn't have so much riding on it.

It would also make sense if we thought Kidney was taking a look at lads for the Arg match but we all know he really isn't. I reckon we could all have picked his side for the Arg game 3 weeks ago!

Just seems like this team is neither Fish nor Fowl!

[Notch]

Next weeks team (barring injuries);

Healy, Strauss, Ross, Ryan, McCarthy, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, McFadden, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Zebo

What do you I win if I'm right?

[Submachine]

Next weeks team (barring injuries);

Healy, Strauss, Ross, Ryan, McCarthy, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, McFadden, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Zebo

What do you I win if I'm right?

Why would you drop Trimble?

[GunsGerms]

Paddy Jackson is good and its great to see him picked for this match but I cant really understand why Ian Madigan continues to get overlooked.

[rodders]

Does any one else feel like there is very little to gain here?

If we play well and win then it doesn't matter because Kidney already has the team for next week more or less picked.

If we don't and lose, well there's no ranking points at stake anyways.

Don't get me wrong I'll watch it for the craic but I'm really not that bothered about this one.

They may as well have stuck a wolfhounds fixture here, at least that would have some status about it. This is just a waste of everyones time.

[dublin_dave]

i agree rodders. dont get me wrong i hope we play well and win but it is pointless and a bit of an insult to fiji

hope we dont come unstuck but i think our pack will see us through.

[JmD]

Next weeks team (barring injuries);

Healy, Strauss, Ross, Ryan, McCarthy, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, McFadden, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Zebo

What do you I win if I'm right?

Why would you drop Trimble?

He didn't say he would, he said Kidney will. McFadden on the wing is about as uninspiring as it gets, but it's exactly the kind of change Kidney would make.

[MrsP]

Next weeks team (barring injuries);

Healy, Strauss, Ross, Ryan, McCarthy, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, McFadden, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Zebo

What do you I win if I'm right?

Why would you drop Trimble?

Notch,

Hopefully the match?

Submachine,

I suspect this isn't the team Notch would pick but the team Notch thinks DK will pick!

[Marshes]

Hello lads, first time poster. Just wondering if the inclusion of Ross versus Fiji suggests Deccie will go with Bent starting against Argentina? It would be a suprise, but he seemed up to speed when he came on vs SA, capable enough in the scrum, only he looks a sight fitter than Ross does, could offer a bit more in the loose? Will need to see a bit more of him, but maybe the coaches are impressed enough with what they've seen so far..

[Notch]

Next weeks team (barring injuries);

Healy, Strauss, Ross, Ryan, McCarthy, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, McFadden, D'Arcy, Earls, Bowe, Zebo

What do you I win if I'm right?

Why would you drop Trimble?

Notch,

Hopefully the match?

Submachine,

I suspect this isn't the team Notch would pick but the team Notch thinks DK will pick!

Correct. I'm guessing the team not picking it. As for the Trimble question...

Spoiler:

"Well we've been hugely impressed with the way Andrew has gone about his work, right, but we just felt the time was right to give Fergus this opportunity. There's a lot of lads putting their hand up for that spot on the wing with Tommy and Simon, and also Craig Gilroy and Tiernan Hallornan. We were very impressed with how they went about their work in training these past few weeks. We'd be keeping an eye on a few other lads like Luke O'Dea in Munster who's been impressive and David Kearney. We've been very impressed with how they've gone about their work in the provinces.

But all things considered, I've decided to pick an inside centre there"

[Kingshu]

Marshes I think Bent should be good, he played for Hurricans in super XV thats a good level in my book,
The front row is new enough with Strauss there last week do don't think they would have been overly fimilar with each other, for Bent to have to be catching up that much. Ross and Bent prob will get a half each to decide who starts and who comes on after 60 mins against Argentina.

I think Trimble keeps getting dropped when he deserves a shot, and Earls gets picked when he doesn't.

DK always fits Earls in somwhere.

Locks are hard to call, McCarthy did a lot last week, Tuophy and DOC and Ryan are all making good claims for it also?

[clivemcl]

What does it do to you if say, you are Luke Marshall and in your first outing for Ireland you play an absolute blinder, and inspire a backline like we havnt seen in a few years, only to have Gordon D'arcy casually take the shirt back again the following week.

My excitement at this team selection has suddenly evaporated upon realisation that no performance from a young guy is likely to affect Deccies selection policy in the near future.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Marshes I think Bent should be good, he played for Hurricans in super XV thats a good level in my book,
The front row is new enough with Strauss there last week do don't think they would have been overly fimilar with each other, for Bent to have to be catching up that much. Ross and Bent prob will get a half each to decide who starts and who comes on after 60 mins against Argentina.

I think Trimble keeps getting dropped when he deserves a shot, and Earls gets picked when he doesn't.

DK always fits Earls in somwhere.

Locks are hard to call, McCarthy did a lot last week, Tuophy and DOC and Ryan are all making good claims for it also?

Bent only played 5 times for the Hurricanes. ITM cup is his level, so we will have to wait and see how good he is.

[profitius]

He didn't say he would, he said Kidney will. McFadden on the wing is about as uninspiring as it gets, but it's exactly the kind of change Kidney would make.

Yeah. McFadden is a jack of all trades but master of none. I personally think hes a very good player and most teams would be happy to have him but like Trimble, I think the step up to international rugby is a step too far. I hope he proves me wrong but if he was that good he would be getting more games for Leinster.

Dave Kearney deserves a chance after his display last season, outplaying Gilroy and Zebo.

[profitius]

Marshes I think Bent should be good, he played for Hurricans in super XV thats a good level in my book,
The front row is new enough with Strauss there last week do don't think they would have been overly fimilar with each other, for Bent to have to be catching up that much. Ross and Bent prob will get a half each to decide who starts and who comes on after 60 mins against Argentina.

I think Trimble keeps getting dropped when he deserves a shot, and Earls gets picked when he doesn't.

DK always fits Earls in somwhere.

Locks are hard to call, McCarthy did a lot last week, Tuophy and DOC and Ryan are all making good claims for it also?

Bent only played 5 times for the Hurricanes. ITM cup is his level, so we will have to wait and see how good he is.

Theres not many scrums in super rugby so although he wasn't getting a super rugby game he might be better suited to international level where the scrummaging is much higher.

[Notch]

Here's the Fiji team;

FIJI TEAM LIST v IRELAND XV

1. JERRY YANUYANUTAWA
2. VILIAME VEIKOSO
3. DEACON MANU
4. LEONE NAKARAWA
5. API NAIKATINI
6. ILIESA RATUVA
7. MALAKAI RAVULO
8. NEMANI NAGUSA
9. NICOLA MATAWALU
10. JONETANI RALULU
11. WATISONI VOTU
12. JOSH MATAVESI
13. VERENIKI GOVENA
14. SIMELI KONIFEREDI
15. METUISELA TALEBULA

16. TUAPATI TALEMAITOGA
17. MANASA SAULO
18. SETEFANO SOMOCA
19. APISAI RATUNIYARAWA
20. JOVILI DOMOLAILAI
21. KELEMEDI BOLA
22. SAULARADIDI/ RAVAI FATIAKI
23. TIMOCI MATANAVOU

Centre partnership of Matavesi and Goneva is pretty handy. Deacon Manu we obviously know quite well, he's the Captain and a veteran- biggish test for Kilcoyne. Matawula is the Glasgow 9, he's an electric runner with the ball. As are a few of these lads.

Especially the man in number 23, Timoci Matanavou. He's lethal. Not sure why he isn't starting tbh but then I don't know much about the back three they've picked.

[MrsP]

Is their No8 any relation to Timoci?

[LeinsterFan4life]

Wonder why Matanavou isnt starting.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

I really hope they don't stretch us into open field play we could be cut to ribbons in that area

[Sin é]

Apparently Archer was destroyed by McGrath in the scrum in the 'A' game today between Leinster and Munster. Not looking good for him.

I'd like to think that McGrath was really good. The final scrum of the match when McGrath was gone off, Archer locked out the scrum about 10 metres out from the Munster line. If McGrath was still on, Leinster would have got a try and win the game. Condon really struggled as well when he was on.

Otherwise, David Kearney had a very poor game. Jordi Coghlan was the only standout Leinster player other than McGrath. Leinster's skills were very poor. Munster backs much slicker. Ian Nagle & Felix Jones were excellent. JJ is just a cut above everyone else (although he missed a few kicks early on), but he has a super pass and varies the game really well and seems to have a lot of time on the ball.

One for the future - Phil Donnellan (lock Munster) although the Munster lineout was misfiring at that stage (hooker throwing wasn't great) when he came on. Leinster should be keeping an eye on this fellow - great around the pitch.

[rodders]

Hello lads, first time poster. Just wondering if the inclusion of Ross versus Fiji suggests Deccie will go with Bent starting against Argentina? It would be a suprise, but he seemed up to speed when he came on vs SA, capable enough in the scrum, only he looks a sight fitter than Ross does, could offer a bit more in the loose? Will need to see a bit more of him, but maybe the coaches are impressed enough with what they've seen so far..

Welcome sir! ..hmm no can't see Kidney starting anyone other than Ross against the Pumas...maybe they just feel Ross needs another game, this seemed like the game to start Bent in though so who knows....

[Sin é]

Rodders, where is Declan Fitpatrick? Is he available next week?

[rodders]

Good question...he had a concussion didn't he? Not sure when he's available again, I'd have thought he'd have been in the frame this week if fit..

[LeinsterFan4life]

Apparently Archer was destroyed by McGrath in the scrum in the 'A' game today between Leinster and Munster. Not looking good for him.

I'd like to think that McGrath was really good. The final scrum of the match when McGrath was gone off, Archer locked out the scrum about 10 metres out from the Munster line. If McGrath was still on, Leinster would have got a try and win the game. Condon really struggled as well when he was on.

Otherwise, David Kearney had a very poor game. Jordi Coghlan was the only standout Leinster player other than McGrath. Leinster's skills were very poor. Munster backs much slicker. Ian Nagle & Felix Jones were excellent. JJ is just a cut above everyone else (although he missed a few kicks early on), but he has a super pass and varies the game really well and seems to have a lot of time on the ball.

One for the future - Phil Donnellan (lock Munster) although the Munster lineout was misfiring at that stage (hooker throwing wasn't great) when he came on. Leinster should be keeping an eye on this fellow - great around the pitch.

where you at the game? I heard Jordan Coughlan didnt play great. Which is ok because he was playing 12. I wonder if they will continue to try convert him to a centre.

Archer shouldn't be in the Ireland squad if he's struggling against McGrath (although McGrath is a great prospect and looks ready to step up) surely Hagan after his performance against against Duncan Jones would have deserved a call up. But it doesn't really matter unless Ross or Bent gets injured. I hope Archer does improve though, he seems really dedicated.

[Notch]

Rodders, where is Declan Fitpatrick? Is he available next week?

Yeah, probably, would have to say he'll only get the call-up if Bent or Ross gets an injury.

He's been released to Ulster and cleared to play after recovering from concussion. He might play some part for Ulster against Zebre at the weekend. He's only played 2 or 3 games this year and in two of those he's gotten himself injured*. he's not exactly fully match fit. Probably needs gametime with Ulster tbh.

*seperate injuries, the first was a neck injury and the second was concussion. Think he might have picked up a third one in between, not sure. He's basically Samuel L. Jacksons character in Unbreakable.

[ME-109]

Archer blows hot and cold, looks like Penney is willing to give him full 80 mins which is important. Still young enough...

[clivemcl]

Rodders, where is Declan Fitpatrick? Is he available next week?

Someone said he's been added to the Ulster squad for the weekend. Will Declan call him up though after?

[Sin é]

where you at the game? I heard Jordan Coughlan didnt play great. Which is ok because he was playing 12. I wonder if they will continue to try convert him to a centre.

Archer shouldn't be in the Ireland squad if he's struggling against McGrath (although McGrath is a great prospect and looks ready to step up) surely Hagan after his performance against against Duncan Jones would have deserved a call up. But it doesn't really matter unless Ross or Bent gets injured. I hope Archer does improve though, he seems really dedicated.

Yes, but I missed about the first 25 mins or so. Coghlan was a stand-out Leinster player (but to be honest, that is not saying a lot). Leinster didn't have much other than a scrum. Not that many footballers, plenty of fans of the gym at a guess).

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