Wolfhounds v Saxons

First topic message reminder :

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.

I guess it also depends on if you see this as a must win game or as a game to work out if certain players are up to this level. Lowe has caps (I think) - he was in SA last year anyways - so he's a known quantity.

I'm with you 'shocked, the centres are just too similar. If the Wolfhounds have decent organised defence I can see them making that centre partnership look very pedestrian. I doubt Wade will see much of the ball.

I'm not sure about the backrow, I like that there is a proper fetcher at 7 but would have preferred an out and out blindside at 6.

Assuming that Billy Vunipola is injured I can't think of too many other fit numbers 8's out there (other than Easter) so Crane was the default pick I suppose. Actually, who is covering no.8? I assume it must be Gibson, but I believe Slater has played there before too.

Is Wiggleswoth to cover 10? It could be Eastmond...

Not the best saxons side I've seen. Guess May is left out due to a recent return from injury

Rinsure I can understand the reasoning but I wonder if the balance is right.

True I don't expect to see much of the ball. With Lowe or Daly at 13 he might have. Hope I am wrong though.

Wigglesworth might be cover at 10 but I hope not.

Kruis does at least add a bit more lineout prowess and weight to the pack.

Plus his familiarity with Fraser should help actually. Fraser is a player I think has been excellent for Saracens this season.

Actually it's Crane who worries me the most. If B.Vunipola was at 8 I would be much more at ease.

Not a big fan of that side.....

I'd like to have seen Lowe starting, and not sure about Daly at fullback. As some have said, the centre partnership seems a bit too rigid, and might be taken apart quite easily.

Kruis at 6? Hmmmm...

Lowe wasn't capped in SA but did show up well in the midweek side before getting injured,played on the wing and scored.I think the fact that bendy has missed out probably means the end of the road for him and shows how highly the staff rate daly.

Yeh, I thought Lowe was fantastic in that game. Such a shame about his injury. You sure he played on the wing Ruby?

The Irish Wolfhounds are being named at 1pm, so it will be interesting to find out about the opposition.

In fairness the Wolfhounds team is pretty much the squad as announced, just positions to be worked out. The big questions will be who starts at 1, 9 and 10. Most of the other positions will be as the predicted teams have been!

1 Kilcoyne
9 Boss
10 Jackson

Nay doubt about it....

Rodders

I would have stuck with Marshall and Jackson but it's six and two threes...

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Rodders

I would have stuck with Marshall and Jackson but it's six and two threes...

No I think you'll find it will definitely be half a dozen.

I see this man is in the England backrow. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jveMc2Eue24/Ta5J4tCjeLI/AAAAAAAAtec/nEnN047Aa3I/s1600/600full-frasier-screenshot.jpg

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Rodders

I would have stuck with Marshall and Jackson but it's six and two threes...

No I think you'll find it will definitely be half a dozen.

It's the Scottish Borders way of saying it... Blame my Gala flatmate in uni...

I like the back row...
Kruis played 6 v munster and was MOM so he can certainly play there.
Fraser is another look really good for the openside spot..

Daly at 15? Has he played there before. Hes a classy 13 why move he away from that?

Dont mind JTH being there but Tomkins? Gotta agree above...Lowe or Daly for me.

Also not convinced on the combo in the Second Row. Surely you go one lineout guy and one powerhouse...not two lineout guys...

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:Rodders

I would have stuck with Marshall and Jackson but it's six and two threes...

Thats a no brainer but its Kidders primary selection policy to split up provincial halfback combinations where possible ......

Vunipola isn't available for the Saxons as he's with the EPS.

Like my post the other day suggested, I wouldn't have gone for JTH & Tomkins either, but the Quins pairing or Allen with Tomkins. Would have preferred May or Eastmond starting over Biggs as well, Wade gets a lot of stick for his defence, but his problems are positional whereas Biggs just misses lots of tackles (1 in 4 at present) and only has 2 tries in 13 premiership games.

I think Robson & Kitchener is the right choice for the locks as you need 2 go-to-guys in the lineout as a minimum, particularly in windy Galway. Kruis as a 2nd row can certainly jump, but he's not as solid or experienced as either of the selected locks (especially given how little time the lineout will have had training together, also why Robson was selected to work with the 2 Quins' hookers) and I think he needs to concentrate on being in the unusual position of blindside (I would have gone for Gibson). Quite aside from that, as I mentioned earlier I've been really impressed with Kitchener's all-round game, he's shown good power and is only half a stone lighter than Slater.

Kitchener - Slater
9 Matches 7
1 Tries 0
19 Passes 6
33 Carries 21
130 Metres carried 39
3 Clean breaks 1
0 Offloads 2
3 Defenders beaten 4
67 Tackles 41
4 Missed tackles 4
45 Line outs won own throw 3
2 Lineout steals 1


Agree with lostinwales, Callard's quote I posted the other day very much suggests that they are approaching this less as a must win game and more to test certain players out.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I like the back row...
Kruis played 6 v munster and was MOM so he can certainly play there.
Fraser is another look really good for the openside spot..

Daly at 15? Has he played there before. Hes a classy 13 why move he away from that?

Dont mind JTH being there but Tomkins? Gotta agree above...Lowe or Daly for me.

Also not convinced on the combo in the Second Row. Surely you go one lineout guy and one powerhouse...not two lineout guys...

He has, he was woeful there last season but better this one. It might be my imagination, but I seem to remember somebody at Wasps saying that they saw him as a long term option at fullback.

I always thought Kitchener was a bit of combination lock, part enforcer and part athletic lineout operator. Most of our young locks seem to be developing along these lines though...

15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain

Replacements:

16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Great to see Henshaw and Mcsharry start.

Would i be right in saying that Madigan is covering 10 and Keatley 12 and 15?

I'd guess Keatley covering 10 and Madigan 15?

Is the 22 position not usually the back up outhalf and 23 the cover for the outside backs?

sorry just see their jersey numbers, you right Golden....

What do you think of Stevenson rodders? Hes looked very good whenever Ive seen him for Ulster this season but do you think he will be step up to this level and then maybe to the first team?

Golden wrote:What do you think of Stevenson rodders? Hes looked very good whenever Ive seen him for Ulster this season but do you think he will be step up to this level and then maybe to the first team?

I don't know if he'll step up to the first team, but he is certainly capable of playing at this level. He's robust, agressive and has outshone Tuohy this season.

Pleased for Marshall as well - he deserve sthis.

Stevenson is having a fantastic season Golden, has really stood out every time he's played.... just the big physical lump Ireland need in the engine room to do the dirty work so hopefully he can have a good game.

Fully deserving of a call up even if Touhy and O'Connell were fit.

Good to see McShaz and Henshaw get their chances. I'm expecting Madigan and Boss to come on with 30 to go. Keatley will probably come on for Henshaw.

Imagine if we had Madigan, Jackson and Keatley all on the field at the same time?!? (Jackson 10, Keatley 12, Madigan 15...) Would be a hellishly creative team! Although who would take the kicks!?

Stevenson has been a standout whilst Muller and Tuohy have been injured. Works his @rse off and a good first man in lineout. Not afraid to put in the big hits too.

15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)* - Great selection, Kearney only back from injury, Felix is very injury prone, we need a FB that is playing that position regularly.
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49) - Direct competition between Trimble & Luke for that final wing option
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3) - obvious selection, needs to start taking leadership responsibility at this level to show he can step up further -- which is easy can (he has to put pressure on Kidney with his performances
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)* - A great selection, I want to see what this kid can do up at this level. Personally I prefer this kind of selection over a Downey, who we already know what we can get from him
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23) - no longer on a central contract, he is up against Trimble for who might hold tackle bags for the 1st team practice sessions
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)* - he is establishing himself as the long term successor to Sexton. Does any level of performance this weekend put him on the bench in front of ROG?
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)* - should be fighting for the bench spot with Reddan. Boss clearly an also ran at this stage. Reddan could find that Murray narrowly beats him as a starter and Marshall's pep narrowly pips him to the bench spot?
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2) - before he starts talking about how he is going to take Healy's position, he better knuckle down and get past Court first
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)* - can he do anything to get in front of Best/Cronin/Strauss out of this performance?
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2) - I would have gone with Fitz as starting, Bent was good in AIs but nothing great for Leinster since then.
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)* - I'm interested in this combination
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3) - I'm interested in this combination
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5) - Is this a McL v Henderson shoot out for the backrow bench spot?
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)* - I want to see more of this guy, great prospect.
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain - Interesting choice on captain. Does that put him in front of McL or do they plan to play McL for 60 minutes and want the captain on the field for the full game?

Replacements:

16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)
[b]

i really cant see this young saxons lineup going to galway and beating that wolfhounds side.

Perfect line up from that 23

HQ matt wrote:i really cant see this young saxons lineup going to galway and beating that wolfhounds side.

Agreed, anything other than a 30 whupping would surely be a moral victory for the saxons....

15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps) - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps) - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens) - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby) - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers) - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)


1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby) - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins) - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Saints) - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers) - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)
5 George Robson (Harlequins) - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 George Kruis (Saracens) - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens) - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
8 Jordan Crane (Tigers, captain) - James Coughlin (Munster) Captain

Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors) - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby) - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers) - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish) - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps) - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins) - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Bolded are my picks for the winners in each match-up.

Irish backs much more experienced and tight enough up front but the Wolfhounds bench the better of the two.

Really happy with this Irish selection. Would have like Hendy at lock but shan't complain

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps) - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps) - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens) - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby) - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers) - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)


1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby) - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins) - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Saints) - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers) - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)
5 George Robson (Harlequins) - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 George Kruis (Saracens) - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens) - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
8 Jordan Crane (Tigers, captain) - James Coughlin (Munster) Captain

Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors) - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby) - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers) - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish) - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps) - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins) - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Bolded are my picks for the winners in each match-up.

Irish backs much more experienced and tight enough up front but the Wolfhounds bench the better of the two.

From that it seems that you view every Wolfhound to be either better or equal to their Saxon counterpart?

LondonTiger wrote: From that it seems that you view every Wolfhound to be either better or equal to their Saxon counterpart?

Except Damien Varley.

I think the Saxons tight 5 will smash ours in the first half.

Like our backline but would be concerned about the setpiece and the lack of ball carriers.

Some good selections made there. From a Munster perspective Tommy O'Donnell has been a revelation this season. He was injured for the early part and Dougal was playing well but TOD has looked very good. Former forwards coach Lawrie Fisher said on twitter that he had "McCaw like physical qualities" but needed the right mindset. He has the right mindset now. Mike Sherry has stepped up a level this season and his darts has been spot on now for months.

They were talking about Robbie Henshaw on the radio last night. People who know him best say his main position is 13. That he can play so well at 15 at such a young age is credit to him.

Hopefully the centers have a big game. I rate Cave highly and McSharry has started the season well. I'd say the team for the Welsh match is almost picked with just a few sub spots to play for.

Luke Fitz looked sharp since his comeback. Although he was out injured the rest might have done him the world of good and a chance to think about and imprve him game, like not overrunning the ball which he had a habit of doing. I think he'd make a top class 12 but I doubt they'll change him at this stage.

I havn't seen much of Paul Marshall or Stevenson so looking forward to seeing them and also it'll be interesting to see how Jackson, Madigan and Keatley get on.

The English team might be better than we're giving them credit for. I don't know many of those players well so I can't judge. The game for me is more about development than winning. I hope to see both teams go for it and lots of tries scored.

LondonTiger wrote:

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps) - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps) - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens) - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby) - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers) - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)


1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby) - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins) - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Saints) - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers) - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)
5 George Robson (Harlequins) - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 George Kruis (Saracens) - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens) - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
8 Jordan Crane (Tigers, captain) - James Coughlin (Munster) Captain

Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors) - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby) - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers) - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish) - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps) - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins) - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Bolded are my picks for the winners in each match-up.

Irish backs much more experienced and tight enough up front but the Wolfhounds bench the better of the two.

From that it seems that you view every Wolfhound to be either better or equal to their Saxon counterpart?

Was about to say the exact same thing.

Not sure if this is serious?

Some interesting selections as already mentioned, I think the game plan is just give the ball to Wade in attack and the rest are selected for defence.

Interesting that Lowe is in the fly half slot on the bench will he or Edmonds come on for Ford if needed?

bluestonevedder wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps) - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14 Christian Wade (London Wasps) - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 Joel Tomkins (Saracens) - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)
11 Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby) - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers) - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
9 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)


1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby) - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 Joe Gray (Harlequins) - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)
3 Paul Doran-Jones (Saints) - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers) - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)
5 George Robson (Harlequins) - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 George Kruis (Saracens) - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 Will Fraser (Saracens) - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
8 Jordan Crane (Tigers, captain) - James Coughlin (Munster) Captain

Replacements:
16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors) - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby) - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers) - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 Jamie Gibson (London Irish) - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 Joe Simpson (London Wasps) - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 George Lowe (Harlequins) - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
23 Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby) - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Bolded are my picks for the winners in each match-up.

Irish backs much more experienced and tight enough up front but the Wolfhounds bench the better of the two.

From that it seems that you view every Wolfhound to be either better or equal to their Saxon counterpart?

Was about to say the exact same thing.

Not sure if this is serious?

To be fair to ulstermaninglasgow he probably doesn't know who most of the English side are.

yappysnap wrote:Some interesting selections as already mentioned, I think the game plan is just give the ball to Wade in attack and the rest are selected for defence.

Interesting that Lowe is in the fly half slot on the bench will he or Edmonds come on for Ford if needed?

I imagine Wigglesworth will switch to 10, and Simpson come on at 9?

I'd say there are 2 or 3 of the starting Saxons I've hardly heard of. And 2 or 3 of their bench that I have heard of.

I do know of quite a number of the Saxons, to be fair. I was probably a bit harsh on a few of the calls, Bent probably doesn't beat Doran-Jones, Turner-Hall probably beats McSharry too as does Wrigglesworth vs Marshall but I'd stand by at least 3/4 of those picks to beat their Saxons counterparts.

Apart from Damien Varley, who doesn't even deserve to be on the bench... That's how far he's fallen apart this season! Was unlucky last year but really hasn't stepped up his game while Sherry has upped his massively!

Is it just me or does this game sound like its going to be more fun than the real thing? Wont have that unbearable and magnificent tension, but..

I just want to see some good tries, attacking play, and a few promising youngsters to be honest! There's always quite a bit of fire and tenacity in these games, as players try to make a name for themselves.

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:I do know of quite a number of the Saxons, to be fair. I was probably a bit harsh on a few of the calls, Bent probably doesn't beat Doran-Jones, Turner-Hall probably beats McSharry too as does Wrigglesworth vs Marshall but I'd stand by at least 3/4 of those picks to beat their Saxons counterparts.

Apart from Damien Varley, who doesn't even deserve to be on the bench... That's how far he's fallen apart this season! Was unlucky last year but really hasn't stepped up his game while Sherry has upped his massively!

Fair enough I apologise for making that assumption.

I would say Fraser out trumps his opposite number. Fraser is the no 1 seven for his club. His rival is not.

Tomkins is equal to Cave IMO. Kruis is more than a match for his opposite 6 too.

O'Donnell is No. 1 for Munster too. Has probably been their stand out forward so far this season, has a good nose for the try line too from a forward!

On Cave vs Tomkins - Tomkins has potential, no doubt and he's a big boy, but Cave has been about the Ulster starting 15 since he was 18. He's about as close as we have to a replacement for O'Driscoll.

Kruis is a second row who plays a decent blindside. McLaughlin is a double Heino winner. We are blessed in terms of back rows in Ireland, with guys like McLaughlin, Coughlin, Henderson etc on the 'A' team panel!

If he's no 1 why didn't he face Fraser in either Munster match?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20730461

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/20651884

Cave is like BOD but not in the squad?

If these guys are so good in your eyes why are none in the Irish squad?

With Kruis I am going more with his MOM at 6 vs Munster. Maybe blinkered and over optimistic but I think he can match his opposite number.

Because the likes of O'Brien, Heaslip, Henry, O'Mahoney, Ferris are ahead of them?

Cave is unlucky as the position he plays in is the same one as the greatest centre of the past decade... Can't do much when he has that guy to get past and a coach who refuses to give him a shot in any other games... Plus it's difficult to make the bench when you cover one position!

O'Donnell has played 10 games in the league and started both the most recent games in the Heineken Cup, he's the current no 1 as O'Mahoney has moved back to his preferred 6 jersey!

From what I can see the Wolfhounds have been selected from the Irish 42man 6 nations squad. You would thus expect them to have more experience - which they have.