Pick Your Irish XV For Scotland

First topic message reminder :

Alright, with the Wolfhounds winning 14-8 on a horrible night in Gloucester, we've no rugby left before Irelands 2014 Six Nations campaign kicks off on Sunday. Joe Schmidt has watched the 4 provinces from Rounds 3 to 6 in the Heineken Cup and tonights game was his last chance to see any player who needs game time after an injury or is on the fringes of the squad push their claim in a competitive match.

This time next week, the Ireland guys selected to play Scotland will be in a hotel in Dublin with I'd imagine some considerable amount of nerves and anticipation, all the preparation done, and we'll have seen the form of France, England and Wales on the opening day of the tournament.

So- who's gonna be in, who's gonna be out, who are the bolters, who are the conservative picks and who do you think should be there? Get cracking.

wolfball wrote:Pretty sickened that Boss is being brought up ahead of Marmion with the Reddan injury... Maybe I am the only one, but Marmion has played unreal rugby this season and I would put him ahead of Henshaw as Connacht's player of the season. Clearly Joe disagrees.

That's St Joe's first black mark in my book. Marmion should be well ahead of Boss!

rodders wrote:I think Boss is in good form and would also pick him ahead of Marmion, who for me is still a bit green - also Madigan/Jackson as international fly halves are fairly inexperienced so having an old head like Boss makes sense.

He was also MOTM in the Wolfhounds game.

He was, he's a good player is Boss and Marmion's time will come soon - it's a good call for me.

Remember we are 3 days away from the game and Boss is much more familiar with the other players and style of play.

Given the conditions picking Boss made sense

geoff998rugby wrote:Given the conditions picking Boss made sense

I completely disagree, but then the rest of ye probably see little of Marmion outside of the inter-pros. I rated Boss quite highly for years, but I thought he was poor in the saxons game - how many of his passes actually went properly to hand? Surely a requisite of a scrummy even in windy conditions? Marmion is all about tempo and is a better player currently then Boss - by quite a margin I would say. Boss would certainly not be ahead of Marmion at Connacht.

I thought Marmion was very poor when he came off the bench for the Wolfhounds, which is a massive disappointment because I rate him very highly.

The Irish Independent say Mike McCarthy is unlikely to play, with the 23 stitches he has in his head after the Ian Evans incident.

http://www.independent.ie/videos/sport/six-nations-conor-murray-likely-to-start-after-eoin-reddan-set-to-miss-scotland-showdown-with-injury-29962097.html

Having seen Lamont named on the left wing for Scotland, I think Andrew Trimble on the right wing has the physicality to deal with him and I'd pick him.

Touhy or Hendo on the bench then? Guessing Henderson...

Really Tuohy could do no more to be selected at this stage. He's one of the unluckiest guys in Ireland- no-one would bat an eyelid if he started.

wolfball wrote:

geoff998rugby wrote:Given the conditions picking Boss made sense

I completely disagree, but then the rest of ye probably see little of Marmion outside of the inter-pros. I rated Boss quite highly for years, but I thought he was poor in the saxons game - how many of his passes actually went properly to hand? Surely a requisite of a scrummy even in windy conditions? Marmion is all about tempo and is a better player currently then Boss - by quite a margin I would say. Boss would certainly not be ahead of Marmion at Connacht.

I would not put Boss ahead of Marmion either but in terrible condition Boss kept it tight and played to the forwards.
In the first half some box kicks were too long but 2nd half he was very good.
Also given we did not have much possession he was key - + Madigan is not a good game manager and it needed a 9 to keep close control.
We would have been doing Marmion no favours playing him in that game - I agree with someone above great talent but still a bit green.

Notch wrote:Really Tuohy could do no more to be selected at this stage. He's one of the unluckiest guys in Ireland- no-one would bat an eyelid if he started.

There's certainly areas were Touhy offers a bit extra but in fairness the guys ahead of him are performing well. Touhy just has to keep doing his thing, remember he's 5/6 years younger than McCarthy so I'm sure he'll have more opportunities ahead of him.

What were the locks against the All Blacks? Any pointers there from that? Seems that was the last match played of note so some direction may come from that.

POC and Toner. So why won't he pick them again?

Blanko wrote:What were the locks against the All Blacks? Any pointers there from that? Seems that was the last match played of note so some direction may come from that.

POC and Toner started against the All Blacks. I can't remember who was on the bench, think it was McCarthy.

Blanko wrote:POC and Toner. So why won't he pick them again?

Because as well as they played there's room for improvement. Touhy and POC have been the inform locks since that game and I think it would be a great combination, really compliment each other.

Interesting.. I do think he will eventually adjust to life there if they start getting results.

IRELAND FLY HALF Jonathan Sexton has revealed he felt like quitting French club Racing Metro after struggling to adjust to life in Paris following a high-profile move.
The former Leinster star became the first major Ireland player of his generation to pursue a club career in the Top 14, with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) largely successful in persuading Sexton’s team-mates to stay with their home provinces.
And Sexton, who admitted he sounded like a “hypocrite”, welcomed the recent confirmation that the likes of Ireland captain Paul O’Connell and back-row Jamie Heaslip had spurned big money moves to France.
“There have been some games where I thought, ‘I’m walking in on Monday and telling them (Racing) I’m going home’,” Sexton told the BBC in an interview to be broadcast in full on Sunday, shortly before he is expected to start in Ireland’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in Dublin.
“Then there’s other games where I’ve come off thinking ‘right, this is the start of it, that’s brilliant, and you could be here forever’,” added Sexton, a key figure in the British and Irish Lions 2-1 series win in Australia last year.
“That’s the same with everything, there’s ups and downs along the way.”
Sexton’s Lions colleague Leigh Halfpenny is set to join him in France next season after agreeing a move to big-spending European champions Toulon. But the Dubliner warned the full-back, who will be one of several Wales internationals in the Top 14, that adjusting to rugby would be the least of his problems.
“Me and my wife probably struggled with it at the start,” Sexton explained. “It’s pretty easy to settle into the club because everyone’s doing their best to make you feel at home.
“But the more simple things, like going round to the shop, you don’t know where it is, going to get petrol — you don’t where that is, things like that. Everything’s just a stress, so it was tough going at the start.”
As for his Ireland colleagues who’d opted to continue playing provincial rugby, Sexton said: “I think it’s great that they’re staying, the IRFU, fair play to them, they’ve really stepped up to the plate.
“I think it’s important for Irish rugby that guys stay. I sound like a hypocrite, but that’s the bottom line.”

http://www.thescore.ie/jonny-sexton-homesick-1288932-Jan2014/

Jeebus come on, how can you not find a petrol station in France? They're everywhere!

Maybe ROG stole his satnav!

Blanko wrote:POC and Toner. So why won't he pick them again?

He will. I think this has proved to be a good combination. Toner takes the pressure off POC in the lineout and has really improved as a ball carrier.

I like Toner you know, he's improved beyond recognition - I think his best years will come between now and his mid 30's as he continues to grow into that bean pole frame.

The only reason to change would be if the scrum struggles - Touhy and Henderson offer more power in this area, both are more dynamic ball carriers and can put the big hits in in defence.

I'd be inclined to stick with POC/Toner to start and use one of the others as an impact player. I'm happy whoever plays, all the locks are in good form.

Sounds like McFadden and Dave Kearney are starting wingers so we could see an all Leinster backline if D'arcy gets the nod.

rodders wrote:Sounds like McFadden and Dave Kearney are starting wingers so we could see an all Leinster backline if D'arcy gets the nod.    

I'm guessing McFadden and Kearney will start.

Fitz will be very unlucky to miss out if thats true.

Golden wrote:Fitz will be very unlucky to miss out if thats true.

He's an injury doubt. Calf strain.

If McFadden starts and Fitzgerald doesn't I'll be pretty surprised/disappointed.

The trip to Dublin is the match that worries me most from a Scottish point of view. Munster, Leinster and Ulster all been looking strong.

I think this one could be a bit of a dicking for us.

Mickado wrote:If McFadden starts and Fitzgerald doesn't I'll be pretty surprised/disappointed.

I've just been checking other forums trying to see if there are any team news anywhere, the rumoured team going around is;

R. Kearney, D. Kearney, BOD, Marshall, Trimble, Sexton, Murray
Healy, Best, Ross, Toner, O'Connell (c), O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip

Cronin, McGrath, Moore, Tuohy, O'Donnell, Boss, Jackson, McFadden

I would be very happy indeed with that team. Bear in mind Reddan is definitely out, and McCarthy and Fitzgerald are injury doubts. Pinch of salt etc. etc.

Mickado wrote:If McFadden starts and Fitzgerald doesn't I'll be pretty surprised/disappointed.

Fitzgerald is injured surprise surprise (lower abdomen issue). I reckon McFadden would have started anyway.

Still no Zebo ......!

Large chicken burrito (aubergine instead of salsa) from Wrap-It-Up plus a pot of hot orange sauce.

enjoyment: 4.5/5 - sublime, if c********************************over
health: 3.5/5 - contains guacamole, beans, aubergine and lean chicken which offsets the calorific tortilla and health-neutral rice and grated cheese
price: 4/5 - normally £6.45 but I had a 20% off voucher so paid only £5.16. Rowley could have bought two whippet-skin manbags for that
overall: 80%

Verdict: Staggeringly good. Quite weighty so the purchaser knows, immediately, that he's getting his money worth quantity-wise. Comes in its own (free and eco-friendly) brown paper bag with handles which can be torn open and used as a tray for rice overspill. Free as well are the very hot sauce and a useful napkin for wiping the face of the discerning burrito lover.

Galted where did you get this delicious sounding piece of heaven and I want one, I would happily pay twice that price for what you just described.......oh and it seems a little random

Thank you, Pete, you've just restored my faith in the rugby forum. Got it from Wrap-It-Up, there are a few scattered about London.

 

Galted wrote:Large chicken burrito (aubergine instead of salsa) from Wrap-It-Up plus a pot of hot orange sauce.

enjoyment: 4.5/5 - sublime, if c********************************over
health: 3.5/5 - contains guacamole, beans, aubergine and lean chicken which offsets the calorific tortilla and health-neutral rice and grated cheese
price: 4/5 - normally £6.45 but I had a 20% off voucher so paid only £5.16. Rowley could have bought two whippet-skin manbags for that
overall: 80%

Verdict: Staggeringly good.  Quite weighty so the purchaser knows, immediately, that he's getting his money worth quantity-wise.  Comes in its own (free and eco-friendly) brown paper bag with handles which can be torn open and used as a tray for rice overspill.  Free as well are the very hot sauce and a useful napkin for wiping the face of the discerning burrito lover.

That sounds nice. Irrelevant and tasty  

Notch wrote:

Galted wrote:Large chicken burrito (aubergine instead of salsa) from Wrap-It-Up plus a pot of hot orange sauce.

enjoyment: 4.5/5 - sublime, if c********************************over
health: 3.5/5 - contains guacamole, beans, aubergine and lean chicken which offsets the calorific tortilla and health-neutral rice and grated cheese
price: 4/5 - normally £6.45 but I had a 20% off voucher so paid only £5.16. Rowley could have bought two whippet-skin manbags for that
overall: 80%

Verdict: Staggeringly good.  Quite weighty so the purchaser knows, immediately, that he's getting his money worth quantity-wise.  Comes in its own (free and eco-friendly) brown paper bag with handles which can be torn open and used as a tray for rice overspill.  Free as well are the very hot sauce and a useful napkin for wiping the face of the discerning burrito lover.

That sounds nice. Irrelevant and tasty  

Mmmmmmmmmmmm... Irrelevance...

Mickado wrote:If McFadden starts and Fitzgerald doesn't I'll be pretty surprised/disappointed.

Both should start. Fadders for his immensity and all round footy-skills,  and Fitz, cos he's proven World Class and back in form. Dave Kearney on the bench. 3 wing winners.

Trimble is clinging on to the edge of the starting squad right now. His time has come and gone. Loved him as a player once, but he's gone as a top international pro. There are far better and younger options in the fold now. Lets be honest here.

Tommy Bowe, living on his past,  will have a large problem getting back into this team. Don't shoot me, its true, and I love it. Its a sign of serious competitiveness in our squad now.

Deccie has come and gone. Its all to play for under Schmidt.

Believe.

Gibson wrote:

Mickado wrote:If McFadden starts and Fitzgerald doesn't I'll be pretty surprised/disappointed.

Both should start. Fadders for his immensity and all round footy-skills,  and Fitz, cos he's proven World Class and back in form. Dave Kearney on the bench. 3 wing winners.

Trimble is clinging on to the edge of the starting squad right now. His time has come and gone. Loved him as a player once, but he's gone as a top international pro. There are far better and younger options in the fold now. Lets be honest here.

Tommy Bowe, living on his past,  will have a large problem getting back into this team. Don't shoot me, its true, and I love it. Its a sign of serious competitiveness in our squad now.

Deccie has come and gone. Its all to play for under Schmidt.

Believe.

Luke is a big doubt with an stomach injury hence noises about trimble and Kearney/mcfadden starting. Luckily our depth at wing is pretty good but they will have a handful to deal with hogg and maitland.

I've heard marshall may get the nod over darcy in whats proving to be a healthy battle for 12. Hope he has a cracking game but i'm a bit nervous that he may get exposed simply covering for BOD, whose form hasnt been great.

My hope is revenge for last year and a fired up pack will numb this dangerous scottish side.

Believe? Aye i do!!!

Gibson wrote:

Mickado wrote:If McFadden starts and Fitzgerald doesn't I'll be pretty surprised/disappointed.

Both should start. Fadders for his immensity and all round footy-skills,  and Fitz, cos he's proven World Class and back in form. Dave Kearney on the bench. 3 wing winners.

Trimble is clinging on to the edge of the starting squad right now. His time has come and gone. Loved him as a player once, but he's gone as a top international pro. There are far better and younger options in the fold now. Lets be honest here.

Tommy Bowe, living on his past,  will have a large problem getting back into this team. Don't shoot me, its true, and I love it. Its a sign of serious competitiveness in our squad now.

Deccie has come and gone. Its all to play for under Schmidt.

Believe.

A come on Gibbo, no way Tommy will be left out when fit sure the IRFU are paying him more than the rest of the backs put together...not enough to afford a hair cut like Jamie's but way too much to watch from the sidelines anyways ....