Ireland Tour of USA & Canada

First topic message reminder :

Ok so we're headed over for a two test tour of Canada and USA. Personally I think that there is little to be gained from such a tour. A once off match with USA and another with the Canadians but ce la vie.

The point is who do we want to see out there. We will have some guys on Lions Tour - I suspect Healy, Best, O'Connell, O'Brien, Sexton, O'Driscoll, Bowe and Kearney.

Other guys - like Mike Ross - I wouldn't bother bringing on tour. The man is currently invaluable as we have no depth. Giving him the Summer off rugby increases his longevity and also allows us to find new options.

Our objectives simply should be:

- To win both games
- To find new options in centre
- To find new options at tighthead
- To find new options at fullback
- To play for the full 80 minutes (like against Fiji)

I would be looking at the following team:

01 David Kilcoyne
02 Sean Cronin
03 Stephen Archer

Kilcoyne and Archer were our backups in the 6 Nations and I think its logical we give them a go. Sherry would be a good choice in that it makes an all Munster front row but I think its important to get our props used to scrummaging with a different hooker.

04 Donnacha Ryan
05 Mike McCarthy

Assuming that Paul O'Connell makes the Lions, why not keep our lock pairing from the 6 Nations. We need to make changes in other positions so some continuity is important.

06 Iain Henderson
07 Tommy O'Donnell
08 Jamie Heaslip (c)

Not a popular captain this is a good tour for Heaslip to become the leader he needs to be. The "grown ups" of the team are gone or rested, this is the chance he gets to prove his merits. I think O'Donnell is a better #7 than Peter O'Mahony who I think would make a good bench player. We need to learn how to use a bench and O'Mahonys aggression will raise the intensity whenever he is introduced.

09 Kieran Marmion
10 Ian Madigan

The all Ulster pairing of Marshall and Jackson is probably the more likely given they were ahead in the 6 Nations and already know each others game (especially with Marshall playing at 12). However I think Madigan needs to go into the Summer as the leading flyhalf and Marshall to me is the ideal #21. Its why he looks so good for Ulster, he comes in and changes the pace of the game attacking the fringes of the breakdown like Care does for England. Marmion has been a stand out player for Connacht starting every game and deserves to start. Let Murray have a break along with Reddan and Boss - we know what these guys can do.

12 Luke Marshall
13 Darren Cave

It makes sense. We always knew it really. He hasn't got bags of pace and he ain't the next O'Driscoll but he is an outside centre (a very difficult position to develop). There aren't many out and out #13s in world rugby, why ignore the only proper one we have outside of BOD. He's done the business for Ulster and sandwiched between Marshall and Gilroy he should be in his comfort zone delivering what we saw them do against Fiji. Marshall has been a good introduction during the 6 Nations and should continue in the role.

11 Simon Zebo
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Robbie Henshaw

Regardless of whether Kearney makes the Lions Tour I think its important to see Henshaw start at 15. We badly need options at fullback, we've seen Zebo at 15 but realistically Henshaw should play there. Zebo and Gilroy have I think always looked great for Ireland and should add competition when Bowe returns.

Ye he seems to be a very promising player. His mother is from Toulose so I don't want the French to get any ideas of capping him (do France have an A team?)

He definately would have been worth bringing to Georgia.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Ye he seems to be a very promising player. His mother is from Toulose so I don't want the French to get any ideas of capping him (do France have an A team?)

He definately would have been worth bringing to Georgia.

Nope, the French second team (i.e. the other team that would tie you into playing with them) is their U20's. And even at that for him to be tied to them they would have to play another nations second team, so unless he's eligible by age they could only cap him at senior level.

As far as I know the Emerging Ireland tour doesn't tie players in for Ireland? Can anyone confirm or deny that?

Well its not the wolfhounds so it wouldn't no.

But why arent they using the wolfhounds for this?

Emerging Ireland Squad (Tblisi Cup, Georgia)

Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Michael Bent (Leinster)
Andrew Conway (Blackrock/Leinster)*
John Cooney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's/Leinster)
David Foley (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
Eoin Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster)*
Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Robert Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Brendan Macken (Blackrock/Leinster)*
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster)*
Eoin McKeon (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Niall Morris (Leicester/Exiles)*
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)*
Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's/Leinster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*

Looks like some last minute decisions were made.

The whole squad is in alphabetical order apart from Cathal Marsh who has clearly replaced a flyhalf beginning with H. Also Robbie Diack is also out of sequence.

Does it mean anything?

red_stag wrote:

Emerging Ireland Squad (Tblisi Cup, Georgia)

Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Michael Bent (Leinster)
Andrew Conway (Blackrock/Leinster)*
John Cooney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's/Leinster)
David Foley (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
Eoin Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster)*
Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Robert Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Brendan Macken (Blackrock/Leinster)*
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster)*
Eoin McKeon (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Niall Morris (Leicester/Exiles)*
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)*
Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's/Leinster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*

Looks like some last minute decisions were made.

The whole squad is in alphabetical order apart from Cathal Marsh who has clearly replaced a flyhalf beginning with H. Also Robbie Diack is also out of sequence.

Does it mean anything?

Well the fly half half beginning with H must be Hanrahan. I guess Penny must want him for a full pre season to get him ready for next season.

I think its a good move personally. He will be playing a LOT this year and I want him fully ready to hit the ground running with Munster. It will serve him (and ultimately Ireland) better in the long run.

Not alone is O'Gara gone but so too is Scott Deasy who has been the Munster A flyhalf for a while.

Tommy O'Donnell elevated to make way for Diack?

Good spot Columbo!

Jesus Stag or should I say Inspector Morse, fair play!

Yeah Rodders I'd say it must have been O'Donnell who went up then.
Strange I would have thought it was McLaughlin who was the lucky one and more in Diack's position

red_stag wrote:

Emerging Ireland Squad (Tblisi Cup, Georgia)

Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Michael Bent (Leinster)
Andrew Conway (Blackrock/Leinster)*
John Cooney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's/Leinster)
David Foley (UL Bohemian/Munster)*
Eoin Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster)*
Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Robert Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*
Brendan Macken (Blackrock/Leinster)*
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's/Leinster)*
Eoin McKeon (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Niall Morris (Leicester/Exiles)*
Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster)*
Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht)*
Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's/Leinster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*

Looks like some last minute decisions were made.

The whole squad is in alphabetical order apart from Cathal Marsh who has clearly replaced a flyhalf beginning with H. Also Robbie Diack is also out of sequence.

Does it mean anything?

It means Munster pulled Hanrahan and Dave O'Callaghan out.

profitius wrote:
It means Munster pulled Hanrahan and Dave O'Callaghan out.

Prof ya killjoy!

Interesting that the Emerging team doesn't have Faloon, especially as they don't have any opensides either (Dougall/Doyle).

Dom Ryan will play 7 I'd imagine. Hope to see Murphy, Mckeon, Ryan and Griffin get a lot of game time.

I think this could be the strongest team from that squad.

McGrath
Cronin
Bent
Stephenson
Diack
Ruddock
Ryan
Murphy

Cooney
Keatley
O Halloran
Macken
Griffin
Conway
Kearney

Herring, Lutton, Moore, Nagle, Mckeon, Heaney, Marsh, Allen

The schedule for Emerging Ireland is three games in a week so I'd say nearly everyone will get one start and everyone will get some pitch time.

"Pitch time" I like it

"To play" we fuddy-duddies used to call it

Who wants to come out and play

Who wants a game of rugby

Notch wrote:The schedule for Emerging Ireland is three games in a week so I'd say nearly everyone will get one start and everyone will get some [to play].

Hmmm, doesn't quite work, Glas.

The US Eagles squad has been announced and Im immensly proud to gloat that my cousin has been included in the Eagles squad. Might have to support the US this summer!!!!!!!!!!

GunsGerms wrote:The US Eagles squad has been announced and Im immensly proud to gloat that my cousin has been included in the Eagles squad. Might have to support the US this summer!!!!!!!!!!

Traitor

Good luck to him!

Notch wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:The US Eagles squad has been announced and Im immensly proud to gloat that my cousin has been included in the Eagles squad. Might have to support the US this summer!!!!!!!!!!

Traitor

Good luck to him!

Thanks, he's an Aussie but could have played for Ireland under the granny rule. However, given that his dad and uncle have both been involved with the ARU Australia would always have been his first choice naturally.

So what is his link with the USA?

Notch wrote:So what is his link with the USA?

His dad worked as Cleveland Browns team doctor for years and he got citizenship that way.

Very good- well I hope he does well, and gets a chance to get on the pitch and show what he can do! Are the USA playing any other games this summer?

Notch wrote:Very good- well I hope he does well, and gets a chance to get on the pitch and show what he can do! Are the USA playing any other games this summer?

Thanks. Think they are playing Canada.

Well, here's to CousinGuns! Hopefully, he'll get a run against Ireland and you can have more to be proud about.......... as in good performance....not a win though

Anyway, what position does he play? You don't have to answer that one if you'd rather not.

SecretFly wrote:Well, here's to CousinGuns! Hopefully, he'll get a run against Ireland and you can have more to be proud about.......... as in good performance....not a win though

Anyway, what position does he play? You don't have to answer that one if you'd rather not.

Hooker. Is a big dude, claims to look like Russel Crowe but clearly doesnt.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a guy who doesn't look like Russell Crowe then.

Do you have the full US squad Guns?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Do you have the full US squad Guns?

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/us-eagles-announce-weakened-squad-1.1402649

Anyone see this on Trevor Brennans son?

http://balls.ie/rugby/trevor-brennans-son-is-an-absolute-beast/

Looks like he'll be a monster of a player. Pity he seems keen on playing for France.

Golden wrote:Anyone see this on Trevor Brennans son?

http://balls.ie/rugby/trevor-brennans-son-is-an-absolute-beast/

Looks like he'll be a monster of a player. Pity he seems keen on playing for France.

Saw that before. Trevor Brennan wants him to play for France eventually even though he is fully Iris. He might not turn out to be much good but good luck to him.

profitius wrote:

Golden wrote:Anyone see this on Trevor Brennans son?

http://balls.ie/rugby/trevor-brennans-son-is-an-absolute-beast/

Looks like he'll be a monster of a player. Pity he seems keen on playing for France.

Saw that before. Trevor Brennan wants him to play for France eventually even though he is fully Irish. He might not turn out to be much good but good luck to him.

Something must be wrong there. I thought we came to the conclusion that irish people are small and we can't produce big players in rugby.

We can if they eat French food............. so chips is fine.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

profitius wrote:

Golden wrote:Anyone see this on Trevor Brennans son?

http://balls.ie/rugby/trevor-brennans-son-is-an-absolute-beast/

Looks like he'll be a monster of a player. Pity he seems keen on playing for France.

Saw that before. Trevor Brennan wants him to play for France eventually even though he is fully Irish. He might not turn out to be much good but good luck to him.

Something must be wrong there. I thought we came to the conclusion that irish people are small and we can't produce big players in rugby.

He must have been adopted!

My cousin was around that size when he was 14 and he was a fast enough runner too. No interest in rugby though..

GunsGerms wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Do you have the full US squad Guns?

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/us-eagles-announce-weakened-squad-1.1402649

That is such a dissapointment. The US could have actually fielded a decent team if they had everyone available. Now the tour seems pointless really. Won't be competitive at all.

This is the squad for the game against Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup, not the Ireland test. It says in that article that they will have some of their European based players back for our visit.

So;

Rory Best, bumped up to the Lions.

Peter O'Mahony will Captain the tour in his stead. Sean Cronin is called up to the Ireland squad as Bests replacement. Niall Annett is going with Emerging Ireland, which is great for him as he prepares to step into Nigel Bradys shoes next year.

Notch wrote:So;

Rory Best, bumped up to the Lions.

Peter O'Mahony will Captain the tour in his stead. Sean Cronin is called up to the Ireland squad as Bests replacement. Niall Annett is going with Emerging Ireland, which is great for him as he prepares to step into Nigel Bradys shoes next year.

All good. One mans floor is another mans ceiling. I think.

Gibbo! Did you see Jennings play! Amazing...

Glas a du wrote:Gibbo! Did you see Jennings play! Amazing...

Who? Every other poster on here said we'd badly miss the overrated SOB at 7.

Bless em.

Gibson wrote:

Glas a du wrote:Gibbo! Did you see Jennings play! Amazing...

Who? Every other poster on here said we'd badly miss the overrated SOB at 7.

Bless em.

We missed SOB at 6 not 7!!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Gibson wrote:

Glas a du wrote:Gibbo! Did you see Jennings play! Amazing...

Who? Every other poster on here said we'd badly miss the overrated SOB at 7.

Bless em.

We missed SOB at 6 not 7!!

I thought McLaughlin was excellent,he has really come good again in the last few weeks after a difficult season.Maybe Ruddock putting pressure on him has done the trick.We didn't really miss SoB which is a credit to the squad Schmidt has developed.

Ye I know, Locky has been superb in the last couole of games. What I meant was SOB should be considered at 6 not 7

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Ye I know, Locky has been superb in the last couole of games. What I meant was SOB should be considered at 6 not 7

Yeah he's definitely better at 6,it'll be interesting to see what Schmidt does with his backrow.I don't think we're going to see the same players picked no matter what,he'll mix and match with Henry,O'Mahony,O'Brien and Henderson all playing depending on the opposition and whether he wants defensive solidity,breakdown nous,lineout options or big bruising ball carrying.

POM named captain of the tour. Just as well Kidney isn't there or it would be called Munster bias.

Notch wrote:So;

Rory Best, bumped up to the Lions.

Peter O'Mahony will Captain the tour in his stead. Sean Cronin is called up to the Ireland squad as Bests replacement. Niall Annett is going with Emerging Ireland, which is great for him as he prepares to step into Nigel Bradys shoes next year.

It would have saved a lot of hassle to just pick Brady for the Lions...

profitius wrote:POM named captain of the tour. Just as well Kidney isn't there or it would be called Munster bias.

I can only assume that Kidney's bias has rubbed off on Kiss.

Kidney didn't let Kiss off the hypnosis yet. He didn't tell him yet that in five seconds he'll wake up and remember nothing.

So it's an easy phone call: "Kiss, pick POM".

Kidney is going to enjoy how often Kiss strangely contradicts Schmidt's directions and opinions over the new few years.

GunsGerms wrote:

profitius wrote:POM named captain of the tour. Just as well Kidney isn't there or it would be called Munster bias.

I can only assume that Kidney's bias has rubbed off on Kiss.

Even worse he was picked to go...as well as Zebo and a few more Munster players that Kidney has had ...er nothing to do with their development as players............but hey you keep that Lulster thing going... I guess in the rabo final there were no losers only winners...

I mean Cave is going so clearly there is a requirement for filling quotas with mediocre players...along with most of the Ulster team bar possibly one....

DOD wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

profitius wrote:POM named captain of the tour. Just as well Kidney isn't there or it would be called Munster bias.

I can only assume that Kidney's bias has rubbed off on Kiss.

Even worse he was picked to go...as well as Zebo and a few more Munster players that Kidney has had ...er nothing to do with their development as players............but hey you keep that Lulster thing going... I guess in the rabo final there were no losers only winners...

I mean Cave is going so clearly there is a requirement for filling quotas with mediocre players...along with most of the Ulster team bar possibly one....

Check you out, backs to the wall, everyone hates us!

There is no Lulster, there's the team from up north, and there's Leinster "the greatest team in the history of European rugby" - you remember right?