Wolfhounds v Saxons

Sportsground in Galway Friday night.

Anyone else going?

Went to the last one 2 years ago in Ravenhill and had great crack. Fock all people there though. Probably the same this time or worse.

Cheap night out though. Hour and a half drive from Dublin. Cheap B&B.

Sounds like your looking for a date with a happy ending

I have to say I love these games, they are always so informative. Also looking forward to seeing a depleted and hopefully young Irish team head to North America in the summer.

There is a fair bit of talent I want to see over the next few months and hopefully the Wolfie game this week will see a lot of them on the pitch

sickofwendy wrote:Sounds like your looking for a date with a happy ending

It's OK. I'm bringing my mate. Just trying to drum up a few more Euros for the IRFU.

I'll take the happy ending though

Get a room you two

Anyone know when the teams are announced?

23 man squad named. I have put them in some kind of order

Kilcoyne
Sherry
Bent
Henderson
Stevenson
McLoughlin
O'Donnell
Coughlan

Boss
Jackson
Fitzgerald
McSharry
Cave
Trimble
Madigan

Varley
Court
Fitzpatrick
Toner
Ruddock
Marshall
Keatley
Henshaw

Went to last years fixture at Sandy Park. Freezing night but blydi good fun, good crowd as well.

Spent the game with Nick Abendanon's Da. Lovely man.

That's the good thing about the A games. I came in with a basic ticket for the Prom. But ended up in the posh bar right on the halfway line. Good thing too. It was lashing rain.

I'd assume that Marshall and Jackson will be on the bench together and Madigan will get the nod to start with Boss. Keatley to cover 12/15 from the bench.

Kilcoyne to start and Fitzpatrick too as he needs gametime. Herring should be there for Varley... May see Toner ahead of Stevenson but probably not...

Henshaw is pretty much the only true FB (Madigan covers it but is a far better 10, Keatley ditto, Fitzy is a wing) so gets the nod there. Unless they're planning on having Marshall/Jackson/Cave benching... with either Keats/Madigan at 15...

Kilcoyne - Sherry - Fitzpatrick
Henderson - Stevenson
McLaughlin - Coughlan - O'Donnell

Boss - Madigan
McSharry - Cave
Fitzgerald - Henshaw - Trimble

Varley, Court, Bent, Toner, Ruddock, Marshall, Jackson, Keatley

Anyone know what the expected Saxon team is?

Forwards: Props: N Catt (Bath Rugby), P Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), S Knight (Gloucester Rugby), M Mullan (Worcester Warriors), H Thomas (Sale Sharks). Hookers: J Gray (Harlequins), D Paice (London Irish); Locks: M Botha (Saracens), L Deacon (Leicester Tigers), G Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), T Palmer (London Wasps), G Robson (Harlequins); Back-rows: P Dowson (Northampton Saints), W Fraser (Saracens), M Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), E Slater (Leicester Tigers), B Vunipola (London Wasps).

Backs: Back three: N Abendanon (Bath Rugby), T Biggs (Bath Rugby), K Eastmond (Bath Rugby), J May (Gloucester Rugby), U Monye (Harlequins), C Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), C Wade (London Wasps); Centres: A Allen (Leicester Tigers), E Daly (London Wasps), G Lowe (Harlequins), J Tomkins (Saracens), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins); Fly-halves: G Ford (Leicester Tigers); Scrum-halves: J Simpson (London Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Saracens).

With Monye, Kvesic and Botha in the senior squad now, I'd expect something like

Mullan, Gray, Doran-Jones, Kitchener, Robson, Dowson, Fraser, Vunipola
Simpson, Ford, Biggs, Allen, Tomkins, Sharples, May

That's just an effort at picking the best of the squad, feel free to correct me any English fans...

That looks a decent team but think the predicted wolfhound teams should beat them.

Catt, Gray, PDJ, Slater, Robson, Dowson, Fraser, Vunipola, Simpson, Ford, May, Turner-Hall, Lowe, Wade, Abendanon.

Not sure what side Knight plays on but i've heard a lot of good things and would go for him, Slater adds a lot of bulk alongside Robson. Have to have Wade in there and alongside May plus Abendanon that is a lot of pace! Keep the Quins combo in mid field for continuity and JTH gives some power in a pretty small backline (he can stand at 10 in defence if needed too etc) Simpson brings more danger with Lowe and Ford supplying the handling skills.

Knight is a tight head I believe (didn't he play with Marler at U20). Isn't Vunipola with the Englnd camp s cover for Croft?

Ireland look really strong on paper,it's gonna take a big effort from the saxons to get a result.Iwonder if the Irish lads will have more cohesion,back row looks strong.

I take it this isn't being televised?

It will be on sky surely

There have been a few more injury replacements, call ups to the senior side and some players just left with their club for the Saxons than that, the current training squad is meant to be:

Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby), Kieran Brookes (Leicester Tigers), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Will Fraser (Saracens), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Jamie Gibson (London Irish), George Lowe (Harlequins), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby), George Kruis (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), George Robson (Harlequins), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/175908.html


From that, personally I'd go for:

Wood, Gray, Knight
Robson, Kitchener
Gibson, Fraser, Crane
Wigglesworth, Ford
JTH, Lowe
Daly, Wade, May

Mullan, Buchanan, PDJ, Slater, Kruis, Simpson, Eastmond, Allen (would be inclined to start him, but an established Quins centre pairing would seem more sensible given how long the squad has been together)

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

Sky only do the home Saxons matches, the away matches are usually on that nation's broadcasters or on the union's website.

timhen wrote:There have been a few more injury replacements, call ups to the senior side and some players just left with their club for the Saxons than that, the current training squad is meant to be:

Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby), Kieran Brookes (Leicester Tigers), Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Will Fraser (Saracens), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Jamie Gibson (London Irish), George Lowe (Harlequins), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby), George Kruis (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), George Robson (Harlequins), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/175908.html


From that, personally I'd go for:

Wood, Gray, Knight
Robson, Kitchener
Gibson, Fraser, Crane
Wigglesworth, Ford
JTH, Lowe
Daly, Wade, May

Mullan, Buchanan, PDJ, Slater, Kruis, Simpson, Eastmond, Allen (would be inclined to start him, but an established Quins centre pairing would seem more sensible given how long the squad has been together)

That team looks about right Tim. Without experienced guys like Varndell, Monye or Abendanon in there the Quins partnership would be very useful.

At least Gaskel isn't in there any more! Although isn't Gibson another one of these willowy/quick lineout specialised flankers? Can't help but think against the Irish in Ireland we'll need muscle over pace in the backrow. If only Fearns was fit.

Yeah, it's a difficult one from the reduced options available. The experience issue is one of the reasons I thought the Quins partnership and Wigglesworth to start to help Ford out. Also thought Wigglesworth to start because if Ford gets injured Wigglesworth would have to go to 10, which would be easier for him to do with a feel for how the game is going, otherwise you're looking at Eastmond covering 10 maybe.

Gibson is quite tall and a strong lineout option, but quite tough and not too light (16st 12lb according to the AP website), he's played a lot at openside, so with Fraser gives us a strong breakdown presence. The other option would be to put Slater at blindside if we wanted more bulk in the backrow. I was thinking about Slater starting in the 2nd row for some extra meat, but I've been really impressed with Kitchener in all aspects of his play this season and given the match is in Galway I thought 3 very strong lineout options would be extremely useful.

I'd expect something like:

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Robson, Kitchener
Dowson, Fraser, Crane
Wigglesworth, Ford
JTH, Lowe
May, Daly (FB), Wade

Bit of a hotch potch really, with a few too many decent club players in the squad but in terms of potential future internationals it would be interesting to see Fraser, Ford and that back 3, and Kitchener still has a chance. I'd like to see Eastmond and Tompkins on the bench because we aren't going to learn anything new about Anthony Allen.

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Good man Jen. Might have to hit the bar for this one

Cheers

DaveM wrote:I'd expect something like:

Mullan, Gray, PDJ
Robson, Kitchener
Dowson, Fraser, Crane
Wigglesworth, Ford
JTH, Lowe
May, Daly (FB), Wade

Bit of a hotch potch really, with a few too many decent club players in the squad but in terms of potential future internationals it would be interesting to see Fraser, Ford and that back 3, and Kitchener still has a chance. I'd like to see Eastmond and Tompkins on the bench because we aren't going to learn anything new about Anthony Allen.

Dowson isn't in the revised squad. Callard has explained the players who are missing not due to injury or being called up to the EPS with these comments:

“Rather than take the whole squad into camp we have cut it down to really focus on this young and dynamic group who've been in good form this season and have got lots to offer England in the future.

"Both games provide us with a really tough test and will be a great way to measure their potential and progress.”

https://www.rfu.com/news/2013/january/news-articles/200113_squad_update

Is it me or does this Saxons side seem a little weaker then teams of the past? Is it because the youngsters are now getting more of a chance with the 1st team maybe or they're staying with their clubs?

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Flip don't have RTE just now! Will they be streaming it on the website?

rodders wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Flip don't have RTE just now! Will they be streaming it on the website?

Is that available on Sky?

yappysnap wrote:

rodders wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Flip don't have RTE just now! Will they be streaming it on the website?

Is that available on Sky?

you can tune in irish channels by adding the following codes on sky.10.740 h 22.0 5/6

I don't think they display in the UK (encryption) but worth a try.

I think you would have to go to a pub that shows Irish Rugby and has an Irish Sky card. Quite a few in London. I'll ask where if you like.

I read somewhere that BOD will play for the Wolfhounds to get in as much games time as possible before the 6N.

propdavid_london wrote:I read somewhere that BOD will play for the Wolfhounds to get in as much games time as possible before the 6N.

No. That was rumoured last week about him and Kearney. Not happening though.

Squad is named above. Only 23 in it. It's just a matter of who is playing where, with 3 x outhalves in the squad

ARPSE!

Just realised that I've agreed to take the missus out for dinner on Friday at 8...

At least it's on RTE so i can record it, keep in radio silence and watch it on Saturday morning...

Mickado wrote:ARPSE!

Just realised that I've agreed to take the missus out for dinner on Friday at 8...

At least it's on RTE so i can record it, keep in radio silence and watch it on Saturday morning...

Saturday Morning? You must be on a promise!

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:ARPSE!

Just realised that I've agreed to take the missus out for dinner on Friday at 8...

At least it's on RTE so i can record it, keep in radio silence and watch it on Saturday morning...

Saturday Morning? You must be on a promise!

Well, after i wine and dine her, i'd be expecting to not have to come home and switch the tele on.

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

rodders wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Flip don't have RTE just now! Will they be streaming it on the website?

Is that available on Sky?

you can tune in irish channels by adding the following codes on sky.10.740 h 22.0 5/6

I don't think they display in the UK (encryption) but worth a try.

I think you would have to go to a pub that shows Irish Rugby and has an Irish Sky card. Quite a few in London. I'll ask where if you like.

Cheers for that, i'll give it a go later.

Mickado wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Mickado wrote:ARPSE!

Just realised that I've agreed to take the missus out for dinner on Friday at 8...

At least it's on RTE so i can record it, keep in radio silence and watch it on Saturday morning...

Saturday Morning? You must be on a promise!

Well, after i wine and dine her, i'd be expecting to not have to come home and switch the tele on.

Darn right Mick....I'd be expecting her to switch it on for you.....

yappysnap wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

yappysnap wrote:

rodders wrote:

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:It will be on sky surely

RTE 2.......HD no less!

Flip don't have RTE just now! Will they be streaming it on the website?

Is that available on Sky?

you can tune in irish channels by adding the following codes on sky.10.740 h 22.0 5/6

I don't think they display in the UK (encryption) but worth a try.

I think you would have to go to a pub that shows Irish Rugby and has an Irish Sky card. Quite a few in London. I'll ask where if you like.

Cheers for that, i'll give it a go later.

Sorry mate. Been told by a UK based Leinster fan that it doesn't work. It's off to the pub with you.

Try working backwards through this thread http://forum.leinsterfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16993&start=220

The most recent and up to date info that way. It has pubs in all corners of the Globe. You may have to brave a few folks shouting for Ireland though

Here's another thread focusing on London

http://forum.leinsterfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20746&p=517135#p517135

timhen wrote:
Dowson isn't in the revised squad. Callard has explained the players who are missing not due to injury or being called up to the EPS with these comments:

“Rather than take the whole squad into camp we have cut it down to really focus on this young and dynamic group who've been in good form this season and have got lots to offer England in the future.

"Both games provide us with a really tough test and will be a great way to measure their potential and progress.”

https://www.rfu.com/news/2013/january/news-articles/200113_squad_update

Gibson, Slater or Kruis at blindside then.

I think Gibson at blind side, surprised he wasn't in the first saxons squad tbh although LI aren't exactly setting the world on fire at present

Side announced!

15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)
5 George Robson (Harlequins)
6 George Kruis (Saracens)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens)
8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers, captain)

Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)

Tomkins at 13, and Kruis at 6 the big stories, I think. I thought Kruis was a 7?

Anyway, more on RFU here:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/january/news-articles/240113_saxons_squadire

Strong looking side there, how many guys have senior caps there?

I could pretend to know, but instead I've lifted the below straight out of the RFU article:

"Crane is one of six full internationals in the team along with Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) and Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)."

I thought Wade had one, but obv. not...

Wonder who'll kick on and make the senior side come the Summer?

rodders wrote:Strong looking side there, how many guys have senior caps there?

6 and that's not a strong looking side

RubyGuby wrote:

rodders wrote:Strong looking side there, how many guys have senior caps there?

6 and that's not a strong looking side

Feic off Ruby I'm trying to get us underdog status here.....

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:I have to say I love these games, they are always so informative. Also looking forward to seeing a depleted and hopefully young Irish team head to North America in the summer.

There is a fair bit of talent I want to see over the next few months and hopefully the Wolfie game this week will see a lot of them on the pitch

Pete, Ireland are visiting North America this summer? You have a link or know the schedule? If I am still in the States st thst time, I would love to take my lads. Thanks.

rodders wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:

rodders wrote:Strong looking side there, how many guys have senior caps there?

6 and that's not a strong looking side

Feic off Ruby I'm trying to get us underdog status here.....

Apologies - Wolfhounds by 20

Rinsure wrote:Side announced!

15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)
5 George Robson (Harlequins)
6 George Kruis (Saracens)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens)
8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers, captain)

Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)

Tomkins at 13, and Kruis at 6 the big stories, I think. I thought Kruis was a 7?

Anyway, more on RFU here:

http://www.rfu.com/news/2013/january/news-articles/240113_saxons_squadire

I think you might be getting mixed up between Ksevic and Kruis.

Ksevic is a 7 who plays for Worcester. Kruis is a 2nd row who has been used a couple of times at 6 this season. He plays for Saracens.

Personally I don't like the balance of the team. I think Tomkins has been pretty good this season but ahead of Lowe and Daly? Tough call. I would probably gone with JTH and Lowe just to have two players in the centre who have worked together.

Kruis at 6? Odd. Should be in one of the 2nd row spots though he hasn't looked out of place at 6. He took on Munster there after all.

Surprised there's no room for Abendanon at full back.

Crane as captain? Seriously wtf?

Wigglesworth instead of Simpson? I suppose he's there for his experience and to help out the inexperienced Ford.

I don't think there's much cohesion there to work with.

beshocked wrote:
I think you might be getting mixed up between Ksevic and Kruis.

Ksevic is a 7 who plays for Worcester. Kruis is a 2nd row who has been used a couple of times at 6 this season. He plays for Saracens.

Aha.. yes. Thanks for that. Both good Scrabble names, hence confusion!

beshocked wrote:
Personally I don't like the balance of the team. I think Tomkins has been pretty good this season but ahead of Lowe and Daly? Tough call. I would probably gone with JTH and Lowe just to have two players in the centre who have worked together.

I agree it looks harsh on Lowe, but I think Tomkins is seen as a coming man, fast track from League and so on. Not saying I agree, but I suspect this might be the thinking.