Ireland's 6N training squad announcement (this wednesday)

First topic message reminder :

This Wednesday see's Declan Kidney announce possibly his final training squad for a competition as Ireland Head Coach. Indeed within the next 5 months or so Kidney's contract will expire and he may very well find himself looking for another job. Is this reason to throw caution to the wind? Many of us certainly hope so although some young and/or exciting players are now injured it looks like it will have less of a bang than it could have had if it had been announced 2 weeks ago.

Injuries rule out O'Connell which is a huge loss, as well as Marshall and Bowe who would have been hoping to be involved. Ferris is another who is out for what would appear most of the tournament if not the whole thing.

This time last year Kidney announced a 30 man training squad and a 23 man squad for the Wolfhounds game.

Ireland Training Squad (39):

Ireland Squad (club/province/international caps):
Michael Bent (Unattached/Leinster/2)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster/62)
Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster/23)
Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster/71)
Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster/34)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster/1)
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster/35)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster/52) Captain
Iain Henderson (Queens University/Ulster/2)
Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster/4)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster/41)
David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster/14)
Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht/6)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster/16)
Dave McSharry (Galwegians/Connacht/)*
Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster/22)
Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster/91)
Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster/120)
Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster/126)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster/9)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster/47)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster/24)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster/23)
Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary's College/Leinster/34)
Lewis Stevenson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/)*
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster/2)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster/3)

rodders wrote:The most natural thing about Carr is his hilights.

Will we see Sexton perform the Racing loop then or do Leinster own the rights to this?

I always thought it was the Randwick loop.

Ah bollox

Gibson wrote:

Sin é wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Cheers lads your thoughts and information are greatly appreciated - The irony is my 2 young lads aged 6 and 13 always ridicule me (along with my wife) that I look exactly like ROG and have the same temperament - I aint researching any more Wait till I tell them I'm a Munster man

Good news for you Ruby, since your from Kerry, you would hate ROG as he is from Cork (apart from anything else, ROG is a blow-in as his Dad is from Sligo and his mother is from Mayo - both in Connacht - and he was born in the US).

Most Munster folk like Kerry people - thats probably down to the fact that they concentrate on being the best at Gaelic Football and let the rest of get on with playing hurling. Cork however is another matter as they play a bit of Gaelic football. Kerry (known as the Kingdom) kindly lets the Dubs win the All-Ireland every 30 odd years or so (Mickado will be the same age that Gibbo is now the next time they win it).

Famous Kerrymen include - Moss Keane, Mick Doyle, Mick Galwey and Daniel O'Connell.

As for Gibbo - would someone please explain to him that the great Anthony Horgan (better known as Hoggy) has a better international try scoring record than Luke Fitzgerald. (Hoggy has 1 in 7, Luke has 2 in 21).

SIN mate, you are priceless. And correct Sir. But Fitzy is the best and most natural winger we have. He creates so much for others and is incredibly strong defensively. Himself and Bowe bring so much experience and proven talent to the table.

Zebo and Gilroy have a long way to go before they can match up to either of them. But I'm well happy they are being challenged now. That's all we ever wanted. That and a Coach who would get the best out of them. I cant wait until he arrives...

Is Scmidt leaving then Gibson?

I wonder how Foley would get on as Leinster head coach!

Its a good thing we still have ROG now that Sexton is moving to France.

Means that we have an experienced first choice international while the others learn their trade.

JJ to Leinster confirmed:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/JJ-Goes-Blue

red_stag wrote:Its a good thing we still have ROG now that Sexton is moving to France.

Means that we have an experienced first choice international while the others learn their trade.

It's like when someone goes for a high 5 after making an bad joke and everyone ignores it. This is just cringy...

rodders wrote:He was spotted at Burger king at Dublin airport too ... ..... Sin e was carrying his bags ....

Nice of him to free up some IRFU cash so that ROG can now get a new 2 year Central Control

Sin, just a quick thing the other day, BOD wasn't rated in the SH? I think Oz remember him alright and you always see the Kiwis take out mediocre players in the first minute of a match.......

Thomond wrote:Sin, just a quick thing the other day, BOD wasn't rated in the SH? I think Oz remember him alright and you always see the Kiwis take out mediocre players in the first minute of a match.......

Maybe in Australia, but certainly not in NZ.

Mickado wrote:

red_stag wrote:Its a good thing we still have ROG now that Sexton is moving to France.

Means that we have an experienced first choice international while the others learn their trade.

It's like when someone goes for a high 5 after making an bad joke and everyone ignores it. This is just cringy...

Im used to it. That happens a lot to me in real life.

I think they do alright, I remember in the run up BOD being talked about as the main Lions threat.


ROG was nothing without that pack, he was very good at what he did but extremely limited after that. Couldn't master 2 of the 4 arts of out half play. He is an Irish great no that and deserves to be, but he is past and has been since late 2010 early 2011.

red_stag wrote:I wonder how Foley would get on as Leinster head coach!

Please god no

rodders wrote:JJ to Leinster confirmed:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/JJ-Goes-Blue

I see nothing...

Sexton to Racing! Delighted for him. Hes my boy...
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/provincial/2013/0125/364492-sexton-set-for-racing-metro-switch/

Step on up young Ian Madigan.

This will open the floodgates - as predicted by Gibbo, in an orticle that was ridiculed last year. Pandoras money-box has been well and truly opened now.

Heaslip will be next. Possibly Healy too. I wouldn't blame them either. I´d do it too.

It will do them and Ireland the World of good. And it will jolt the old codgers at the IRFU into a rethink. All good.

How we gonna keep em... down on the farm... now that they' ve seen Pareeee?!

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

rodders wrote:JJ to Leinster confirmed:

www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/JJ-Goes-Blue

I see nothing...

The blues obviously upset the Triskaidekaphobia gods. 2013 is a bit of an annus horribilis already with not qualifying for the heino, BOD losing the Irish captaincy, Sexton to France and Conway to Munster and the first month isn't over yet.

(PS - JJ signed a new 2 year contract a few weeks ago).

Sin é wrote:The blues obviously upset the Triskaidekaphobia gods. 2013 is a bit of an annus horribilis already with not qualifying for the heino, BOD losing the Irish captaincy, Sexton to France and Conway to Munster and the first month isn't over yet.

(PS - JJ signed a new 2 year contract a few weeks ago).

Its what we needed. We have oodles more in reserve, busting a gut to get through. It had to come...

Sin é wrote:The blues obviously upset the Triskaidekaphobia gods. 2013 is a bit of an annus horribilis already with not qualifying for the heino, BOD losing the Irish captaincy, Sexton to France and Conway to Munster and the first month isn't over yet.

(PS - JJ signed a new 2 year contract a few weeks ago).

Ah come off it Sin, you're just cherrypicking the negatives.... what about Mike Ross signing a new 2 year deal?.....

Gibson wrote:This will open the floodgates - as predicted by Gibbo, in an orticle that was ridiculed last year. Pandoras money-box has been well and truly opened now.

Heaslip will be next. Possibly Healy too. I wouldn't blame them either. I´d do it too.

It will do them and Ireland the World of good. And it will jolt the old codgers at the IRFU into a rethink. All good.

How we gonna keep em... down on the farm... now that they' ve seen Pareeee?!

The old codgers in the IRFU who have a say in this are Eddie Wigglesworth (former Leinster CEO) and Tom Grace - I bet he will be popular in the St. Mary's Clubhouse tonight.

Gibbo, I don't think it will open the floodgates. Heaslip won't go. The time for him to go was the last contract. Healy maybe - but don't Leinster have props coming out their ears.

rodders wrote:

Sin é wrote:The blues obviously upset the Triskaidekaphobia gods. 2013 is a bit of an annus horribilis already with not qualifying for the heino, BOD losing the Irish captaincy, Sexton to France and Conway to Munster and the first month isn't over yet.

(PS - JJ signed a new 2 year contract a few weeks ago).

Ah come off it Sin, you're just cherrypicking the negatives.... what about Mike Ross signing a new 2 year deal?.....

and apparently Munster are swapping the young Duncan Williams for the aging Eoin Reddan - thats good news (for Munster)

Munster boys wont go anywhere beyond Limerick or Cawrk. Not sophisticated enough to handle a different culture. Need Mammies home-cookin, pints with de lids(they are all related to each other) down in Clohessys ... and besides, no one would understand them anyway.

Us Leinster goys are sooo European ready roysh.

Speaking of Clohessy. He was one of our few players to cut his teeth in super rugby.

Gibson wrote:Munster boys wont go anywhere beyond Limerick or Cawrk. Not sophisticated enough to handle a different culture. Need Mammies home-cookin, pints with de lids(they are all related to each other) down in Clohessys ... and besides, no one would understand them anyway.

Us Leinster goys are sooo European ready roysh.

Leave us fecking Munster boys alone you pseudo pretentious cappucino cowboy. 1 night in Amsterdam and you''re Alan fecking Wicker
Come down to Kerry and talk to me face to face you fecker

Its not necessarily a bad thing for Leinster but they need now to trust their youngsters.

Ruddock, Ryan, O'Malley, Madigan et al have all played in big games but whenever the win was absolutely necessary Schmidt has (not unreasonably) rolled out the big guns. As such the appearances of these guys has been staccato.

We could see guys like the aforementioned getting prolonged gametime along with some gametime for Gilsenan, Conan, McGrathx2, Furlong and I don't think they will be too far away. It will be a rebuild though. After all their entire midfield will be gone next season (potentially)

might venture down to Thomond with Tarquin and the lads for the Rabo game.

Wave wads of cash at the natives while decked out in a wax jacket pink shirt, chinos and dubes

Sin é wrote:The blues obviously upset the Triskaidekaphobia gods. 2013 is a bit of an annus horribilis already with not qualifying for the heino, BOD losing the Irish captaincy, Sexton to France and Conway to Munster and the first month isn't over yet.

(PS - JJ signed a new 2 year contract a few weeks ago).

Oh great so JJ will be playing another two years in the B&I cup and AIL.

The french also have their eyes on Zebo, Murray and Sean OBrien as we speak

Ok Sexton leaving is fair enough but if they take SOB I will go crazy!!!!

RubyGuby wrote:

Gibson wrote:Munster boys wont go anywhere beyond Limerick or Cawrk. Not sophisticated enough to handle a different culture. Need Mammies home-cookin, pints with de lids(they are all related to each other) down in Clohessys ... and besides, no one would understand them anyway.

Us Leinster goys are sooo European ready roysh.

Leave us fecking Munster boys alone you pseudo pretentious cappucino cowboy. 1 night in Amsterdam and you''re Alan fecking Wicker
Come down to Kerry and talk to me face to face you fecker

Jayzuz Ruby, thats´ a huge step down though bud. I hope ya like turnips and boiled-cabbage... And have a picture of ROG (ligind), Deccie(ligind) and the Pope(Nazi) on yer wall.

dublin_dave wrote:might venture down to Thomond with Tarquin and the lads for the Rabo game.

Wave wads of cash at the natives while decked out in a wax jacket pink shirt, chinos and dubes

in the words of the duke of edinburgh

ghastly place. filthy bloody people

Gibson wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:

Gibson wrote:Munster boys wont go anywhere beyond Limerick or Cawrk. Not sophisticated enough to handle a different culture. Need Mammies home-cookin, pints with de lids(they are all related to each other) down in Clohessys ... and besides, no one would understand them anyway.

Us Leinster goys are sooo European ready roysh.

Leave us fecking Munster boys alone you pseudo pretentious cappucino cowboy. 1 night in Amsterdam and you''re Alan fecking Wicker
Come down to Kerry and talk to me face to face you fecker

Jayzuz Ruby, thats´ a huge step down though bud. I hope ya like turnips and boiled-cabbage... And have a picture of ROG (ligind), Deccie(ligind) and the Pope(Nazi) on yer wall.

We can talk about potatoes and coal mate and the good old days - yer now community and all that

red_stag wrote:Its a good thing we still have ROG now that Sexton is moving to France.

Means that we have an experienced first choice international while the others learn their trade.

Oh God, Id forgotten that side of it. Just stick Madigan in and get on with it.

Deccie would be mad not to play Sexton continually. I bet he has an Irish release clause in his contract anyway. Be crazy not to.

RubyGuby wrote:The french also have their eyes on Zebo, Murray and Sean OBrien as we speak

Zebo will end up in France at some stage. Although born and raised in Ireland his Dad is from Mauritius and he speaks fluent French.

Money + No Language Barrier + No Central Contract = Zebo in France

red_stag wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:The french also have their eyes on Zebo, Murray and Sean OBrien as we speak

Zebo will end up in France at some stage. Although born and raised in Ireland his Dad is from Mauritius and he speaks fluent French.

Money + No Language Barrier + No Central Contract = Zebo in France

Presumably every Irish player speaks English but that doesnt mean they will end up playing in England.

Yes but the money is shoite, the weather is awful and the culture in the East Midlands or West Country is a far cry from Paris or sunny southern France

red_stag wrote:Yes but the money is shoite, the weather is awful and the culture in the East Midlands or West Country is a far cry from Paris or sunny southern France

An Irish man would feel right at home so

The thought of sending someone like ROG to Coventry does have a familiar ring about it

haha. Rog at Worecester for a year would be gas or as Mark Robson would say:
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooster

sterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

We could do a lottery Which country gets to keep O'Gara

My team for next week on the basis of the most recent games leading up to this weekend would be:

Healy-Best-Ross
Ryan-McCarthy
SOB-Heaslip (c)- Henry
Murray-Sexton
Darcy-O'Driscoll
Zebo-Kearney-Fitzgerald

Sherry-Court-Fitzpatrick-Henderson-POM-Reddan-Madigan-Gilroy

No real options at bench scrumhalf or outhalf or tighthead. Henderson vs DOC is seriously close too. Sherry was very good last night and edges Cronin out