London Irish 2014/15 Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

  Welcome to this seasons thread for talking about all things London Irish.  

Senior Squad (36)
Hooker: David Paice, Michael Mayhew, Jimmy Stevens 
Prop: Tom Court, Matt Parr, Johnny Harris, Geoff Cross, Halani Aulika, Leo Halavatau, Jamie Hagan
Second Row: George Skivington, Nic Rouse, Sean Cox, Dan Leo 
Back Row: Kieran Low, Blair Cowan, Jebb Sinclair, Ofisa Treviranus, Tom Guest, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen 
Scrum Half: Tomas O'Leary, Darren Allinson, Scott Steele 
Fly Half: Shane Geraghty, Myles Dorrian, Chris Noakes 
Centre: Eamonn Sheridan, Eoin Griffin, Guy Armitage, Fergus Mulchrone
Wing: Topsy Ojo, Andrew Fenby, James Short
Full Back: Tom Homer, Alex Lewington

Senior Academy Squad (11)
Hooker: Gerard Ellis, Ollie Adams 
Prop: Tom Smallbone, Richard Palframan 
Second Row: Ollie Curry, Theo Vukasinovic 
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy 
Centre: Ross Neal, Tom Fowlie
Wing: Harry Lightfoot-Brown 
Full Back: Cameron Cowell

Season Preview

After what can only be described as a disappointing 2013/14 season there is cause for some optimism as we approach the season.  For the first time in a number of seasons, there are more players coming in than leaving, and those arriving are bring with them international experience in varying amounts.  Of those who have gone, only Marland Yarde and James O'Connor would be guaranteed starters this season, and overall the squad looks stronger in terms of both the first XV and depth behind it.  

Up front international props Tom Court and Geoff Cross have joined the club, and Halani Aulika returns after missing the whole of last season through injury.  These three players could be key for us, as an improvement in the set piece will be required if we are to improve on our league position this season, and I am confident that these guys will see us right in that area.  Behind them the combative Sean Cox and powerful Dan Leo have also arrived and should bring the sort of physicality needed to be successful in the Premiership.  In the back row Tom Guest, Luke Narraway and Conor Gilsenan will give us options that we did not have last season, and hopefully Jon Fisher has now recovered from the concussion that saw him miss all of last season.  In short the pack looks far better equipped to provide a platform to play from this time around, and one or two injuries shouldn't hurt us as much as they have done over the last couple of seasons.

Behind the scrum Scott Steele has arrived and has been highly touted to challenge for 9 jersey, and Chris Noakes arrives from Super Rugby to challenge at 10.  Shane Geraghty however may have other ideas after finishing the season strongly in that jersey, but whatever happens, the competition for places can only be good for the team moving forwards.  Eoin Griffin arrives from Connacht in the centres, and looks to be a very good player.  With all of the four senior centres able to play 12 or 13 there could well be some mixing and matching and horses for courses selections over the season, and that is not to mention Tom Fowlie in the academy, who impressed every time he put on the jersey last season, be it at centre or on the wing.  James Short arrives to bolster the wing options and is a proven finisher who the fans will hope can fill the hole left by the outgoing Marland Yarde.

From the academy, Gerard Ellis, Tom Smallbone and Tom Fowlie should get some extended game time this season.  Ellis in particular impressed at the back end of last season and has spent the summer in Australia to assist with honing his skills at hooker, and Smallbone has been in New Zealand playing club rugby and continuing his development as prop by working on his skills with the father of All Black props Owen and Ben Franks.

Whilst we will most definitely be a better side this season than last, it is fair to say that most other sides have also recruited well and will be stronger than last time around.  After a very poor start in 2013 we spent the majority of the year in the relegation scrap, and lost a lot of games by narrow margins.  The key for us will be turning those narrow losses into narrow victories if we want to finish higher than last season, and I think we have recruited well enough to do that.  We must start the season better though, and that won't be easy as we play all of last seasons top four in our first six games.  We will have to raise our game immediately, although it is fair to say that some of our best performances last season came against those sides, and we should be able to draw from those performances this time around.  

I fancy us to steer reasonably clear of the relegation scrap this time around and improve on last years finishing position.  Whatever happens though, one thing will always remain true, and that's I'd rather be a paddy than Quin!!!       

Ozzy's prediction: 8th

Fixture List

Day	Date	KO	Opponents	Venue	Competition	Result
Sat	6th Sep 14	16.30	Harlequins	Twickenham	Aviva Premiership	L 15-20    (7th)
Sun	14th Sep 14	15.00	Newcastle Falcons	Kingston Park	Aviva Premiership	W 20-18   (7th)
Sat	20th Sep 14	15.00	Saracens	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership	L 23-36    (8th)
Sat	27th Sep 14	15.00	Leicester Tigers	Welford Road	Aviva Premiership	W 22-19    (6th)
Sat	4th Oct 14	15.00	Northampton Saints	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	11th Oct 14	15.00	Exeter Chiefs	Sandy Park	Aviva Premiership
Sun	19th Oct 14	15:00	TBC	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
Fri	24th Oct 14	19:30	FC Grenoble	Stade Lesdiguières	European Challenge Cup
	TBC		Leicester Tigers	Madejski Stadium	LV Cup
	TBC		Wasps	Adams Park	LV Cup
Sat	15th Nov 14	14.00	Sale Sharks	Salford City Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	22nd Nov 14	15.00	Bath Rugby	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sun	30th Nov 14	15.00	Gloucester	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
			Cardiff Blues	BT Sport Arms Park	European Challenge Cup
			Cardiff Blues	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
Sun	21st Dec 14	14.00	Wasps	Adams Park	Aviva Premiership
Fri	26th Dec 14	15.00	London Welsh	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	3rd Jan 15	15.00	Saracens	Aliianz Park	Aviva Premiership
Sun	11th Jan 15	15.00	Exeter Chiefs	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
			FC Grenoble	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
			TBC		European Challenge Cup
	TBC		Scarlets	Parc y Scarlets	LV Cup
	TBC		Newcastle Falcons	Madejski Stadium	LV Cup
Sat	14th Feb 15	15.00	Northampton Saints	Franklins Gardens	Aviva Premiership
Sat	21st Feb 15	15.00	Leicester Tigers	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	28th Feb 15	14.30	London Welsh	Kassam Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	7th Mar 15	15.00	Harlequins	The Stoop	Aviva Premiership
					LV Cup Semi Final
					LV Cup Final
Sat	28th Mar 15	15.00	Newcastle Falcons	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Quarter Final
Sun	12th Apr 15	15.00	Sale Sharks	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Semi Final
Sat	25th Apr 15	15.00	Bath Rugby	The Rec	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Final
Sat	9th May 15	15.00	Gloucester	Kingsholm	Aviva Premiership
Sat	16th May	15.00	Wasps	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premership

Links

Official website
The Craic
Wikipedia page
London Irish ARFC
London Irish Supporters Club website

London Irish RFC Twitter feed
RugbyLI Twitter feed
LISC Twitter feed

[Ozzy3213]

Big Trev is huge for us SB, we really missed him when he was out injured, great to see him recognised by his country.

Interesting looking at your selection, as I would go slightly differently at the the start of the season.

15. Fenby
14. Short
13. Griffin
12. Geraghty
11. Lewington
10. Noakes
9. McKibbin

1. Court
2. Cruse
3. Cross
4. Symons
5. Skivington
6. Trayfoot
7. Gilsenan
8. Guest

Ellis, Smallbone, Palframan, Sheriff, Sisi, Murphy, Goode, Fowlie.

Will be really interesting to see how TC sees it.

[SirBurger]

Very interesting differences there.

Is Mulchrone out with a long term injury or something? I was under the impression you were a big fan of his, although I could be mistaken. Noakes finished the season really strongly, but he still doesn't inspire huge confidence my end sadly. I have no major issue with Shane at 12, so will be very interesting to see whether we go with one or two playmakers.

I will be very surprised if Paice is out of the 23 completely. Cruse and Ellis have huge potential, but Paice is one of our most experienced and consistent players. Palframan has shown real promise at 3 and I think he will keep that shirt to be honest, unless Cross has a stellar pre-season.

[Ozzy3213]

I am a big fan of Mulchrone and hope he kicks on again and goes to the next level.  I am also a big fan of Griffin though, and have those two vying for the 13 jersey early season.  My main problem is that I am also a massive Fowlie fan and want him in that jersey long term!  

Paicey has been a fantastic servant to the club, but if the other two have good pre seasons I can see them overtaking him quickly.  Discipline has to improve and Paicey has been one of the worst offenders.  Can he change that?  I'm not so sure.  Cruse and Ellis are the future for us at hooker, with Langdon also looking a great prospect behind them.  I can see Paicey having a real battle on his hands to keep the shirt.

[formerly known as Sam]

How's Jimmy Stevens been going for you?

[Ozzy3213]

Not great fkaS. Hasn't kicked on at hooker and likely to be 4th choice there next season and covering 7 in an injury crisis.

[SirBurger]

I am a big fan of Mulchrone and hope he kicks on again and goes to the next level.  I am also a big fan of Griffin though, and have those two vying for the 13 jersey early season.  My main problem is that I am also a massive Fowlie fan and want him in that jersey long term!  

Know the feeling! Definitely Fowlie for the long term. Of course, long term he will be partnered by Williams hopefully.

10. Brophy-Clews
12. Williams
13. Fowlie

That has me salivating...

[Ozzy3213]

Add in Murphy at 9 with Watson off the bench and we just need some back three lads through and we could have an all home grown back line in 5 years time.

[SirBurger]

Both of those 9s are great prospects. Interesting that you had Murphy on the bench as I am fairly sure I have read that he will be back at Henley next season. After a fairly big injury, that may well be for the best. Allinson looked sharp at the end of the campaign so I am fairly satisfied with him as back up for McKibbin while Steele recovers. I imagine Watson will also be loaned out.

[SirBurger]

Happy with Leicester first up at the Madejski. Head to head I think we might even have the stronger side on paper (with their World Cup absentees) and with home advantage I hope we can edge it. Having said that, we have an awful record against the Tigers at home. After that things get quite difficult and we have a very tough run into Christmas, but I am fairly confident we can take a few scalps. A lot depends on how Goode goes at 10...

[Heaf]

We had a pretty tough fixture list at the start of last season and did OK points-wise ... it was after that it all went a bit pear-shaped. Fingers crossed for a good start this time without a massive drop-off.

[formerly known as Sam]

Not great fkaS.  Hasn't kicked on at hooker and likely to be 4th choice there next season and covering 7 in an injury crisis.

That's a shame he looked to be a player with a future when he left us.

Sir Burger I think the first game will be after the group stages so we should have our PI, Japanese and Italian internationals back.

A team something like;

Mulipola, Ghilrildini, Balmain
Fitzgerald, Kitchener
Williams/Croft, Fonua, O'Connor
Harrison, Burns
Bai, Manu
Thompstone, Tait, Betham

obviously a bit lacking with the front row missing but not as heavily effected as in previous years.

[Ozzy3213]

fkaS

Will you really be playing those guys who are only back a week from the World Cup? I would have thought they'd be given a few weeks to settle back in.

[formerly known as Sam]

Only Mulipola and Ghilrildini will have played much or at all at the RWC and Samoa tend to use Mulipola off the bench whilst Ghilrildini gets subbed in every game. It will of course depend on how they fare whilst they're at the RWC but since it's in England there's no travelling issues.

If they don't play it'll be Rizzo (likely to miss out in Italy selection) and Bateman at 1 and 2. You guys should be able to pressure our scrum more than usual but otherwise we should be competitive.

[Margin_Walker]

I guess we are assuming Samoa won't make the QFs. Could be fairly tight between them and Scotland. It's an interesting question either way, as you would assume players would be conditioned to play that week anyway. Would be nice to have either Treviranus or Cowan (and Maitland) back for the game, but I get the feeling they will be given the week to get back into the swing of things and possibly make an appearance on the bench at best.

[SirBurger]

I actually think that Cowan and Treviranus, in particular, should get a longer rest period than that. Cowan has played almost non-stop Rugby for two years now and will need a break at some point. Treviranus will come off the back of a very physical campaign, whatever happens. Possibly Maitland and Tikoirotuma and a few others may be able to come straight back into the equation, but I am sure others will be carefully managed.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, could definitely make a good argument for that SirB. Will be interesting to see what stance the management take.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think it will depend on how much game time each player gets and whether the player was at the club last season or not. It might be a big ask for a player to come straight from the RWC and then in to a brand new team. I'd be fairly confident of our front row guys coming back in as not much will change for them within our pack and they've been here for years. Maybe Goneva will have to be eased back in though as we are due an overhaul in the backs tactics and he's likely to play a lot of minutes.

[SirBurger]

Just listened to the Tom Coventry interview on the podcast. Really enjoying the noises that he is making about the club's ambition and how he wants us to be able to play in a variety of ways. I just think he speaks in a very genuine way and doesn't appear to be the sort of bloke to dress things up. As much as I liked BS and (to a slightly lesser extent, particularly towards the end) TB, I could never really buy into what they said to the media. I think that will be different with TC at the helm.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, said all the right things. Definitely feels like there is a lot more energy and momentum behind this pre season. Good to have him with us so early as well.

In other news Jamie Hagan is moving on to the Rebels from the 2016 Super Rugby season. Guess he will go straight there from his short term gig at Leinster.

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=46982&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[SirBurger]

No great loss (as discussed elsewhere). Never really pushed on and I imagine he wanted to stay a tighthead rather than be converted to the loosehead side as we seemed keen on pushing.

[SirBurger]

It presents a good opportunity for Smallbone and Harris to push harder for selection next season, which I think will be a good thing.

[Margin_Walker]

It's pretty clear he wasn't in out plans anyway and has likely been released early.

I think Smallbone has a big chance this season after being stalled by injury. Him and Palf can really kick on if they get the opportunities.

[SirBurger]

Short has gone as well. A tiny bit surprised by that to be honest. He never let us down.

[Heaf]

Yes I was surprised he didn't get more game time too - very odd.

[Ozzy3213]

The little video clips the club have been putting out, along with stuff on The Blarney podcast have been great to see and hear. Seems to be a very different environment this pre season, with a vastly different approach to coaching from the new staff. I can't wait for the season to begin.

[SirBurger]

I really like the way that players have been split into teams so that players are winning something everyday. Sounds like a great way to get a winning mentality into a squad that hasn't seen too many victories in recent times.

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