The Ireland Squad Announcement Thread

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Following on from the discussion on the 'Ireland 2016 Squad' thread which can be found here.

Ireland squad has been announced. It contains four uncapped players- Stuart McCloskey, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander. However there is no room for Garry Ringrose. Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Chris Henry have all been omitted due to injury but may feature later as they return to fitness in their provincial set-ups.

Ireland Squad RBS 6 Nations 2016 Rounds 1 & 2

Forwards (19)

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) Vice Captain
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)*
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)*
Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs (16)

Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (McCloskey/Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)

*Denotes uncapped player

[Gwlad]

What seems apparent about Wales ireland games recently is that they have largely been very close. I think we are so similar in ability that it is ver tight margins that decide the games. I think Wales have a mental edge this time after RWC, with no expectation on the road and with Ireland defending a 3rd title. But we always start slow so i really expect an edict that it is hi tempo from the whistle.

And with no POC and Wales having a very consistent settled side i expect us to win, but again, by the finest of margins

[munkian]

Are Ireland now lacking in on the pitch leaders with so many retired and injured players ?

Obviously you have Best but what happens when he goes off after 60 mins ?

[Pete330v2]

Anyways, all joking aside. I am very interested to see the team Schmidt picks, I truly hope Jackson gets a start and the Ulster lads make up the centres and fullback. Just like to keep the familiarity between Marshall and McCloskey going with Payne brining them into attack from deep. Stuff of dreams

+1 Billy but unfortunately Marshall and McCloskey aren't as familiar with Joe's sytems as other centre partnerships that are either not on form or haven't played together since the RWC.
God I hope there's been a turn around in selection policy, the thought of Payne at 15 and a proper centre partnership would be an exciting prospect.

[eirebilly]

I agree in a way Pete but the form of Marshall and McCloskey has got to say something to Joe and I hope that he incorporates that into his style, could be very exciting.

[kunu]

Think Stander has to start for that reason (the loss of POC) as does Heaslip. Think it's a safe bet that at the weekend we'll have those two, Best, Sexton, Murray, Rob Kearney.

[eirebilly]

If that's the case Kunu, who starts at 6 and who starts at 8? I would prefer Heaslip at 6 and Stander at 8 if they were going to start together.

[kunu]

Yeah I wouldn't disagree with that. Would be a good way to give Heaslip the much needed reality check he needs without losing any of his experience. A lot is made about him being purely an 8, but surely he'd be decent enough at filling in the wide defensive channels in POM's absence.

[eirebilly]

I think that Heaslip is more than capable of playing 6 and he does bring that experience that is invaluable and the fact that I believe Stander is playing better at 8. Would not mind either way but just think this would be the better approach.

[kunu]

It's the only change I can see Joe making. Ruddock is good, but I think the prospective pack we'll see will benefit far more from Stander. Hope to see McCloskey at 12 too, but doubt it'll happen vs Wales. If we lose, then he'll surely be picked against France or England. I agree that Payne is far more exciting at 15, but am not convinced we should play him there. Ireland don't have a defence coach at the moment, and we've been told ad nauseam over the past few years that defence wins championships (well the 6 nations anyway). Payne is apparently a brilliant defensive communicator, and we'll need that as every tom dick and harry now knows you can attack Ireland effectively around the fringes. I don't know if Marshall could martial our defensive line in the necessary way.

[eirebilly]

McCloskey is not that bad at calling the midfield defensive line so he is a very good option there. I just feel that Payne's excellent defence will be called into action from 15 more than we think and I feel he is much better there than Kearney has been of late as well.

[kunu]

Kearney has been about as uninspiring as they come for a while now yeah. He'd be the last person any kid in Ireland pretends they are whilst playing a game of tip in the park. If picked, he'll do absolutely fine, but its probably not enough to win 3 in a row alright. It's just, as Irish rugby stands at the moment, our provinces are weaker than ever, and we're without a defence coach. I don't think there's any shame in being careful we don't completely implode above all else. That would obviously be disastrous. Its a tricky situation Joe finds himself in.

[rodders]

Stick McCloskey at 8.

[geoff999rugby]

I think this 6N will show us how good Schmidt is.

Shown us his abilities as a tactican and very successfully.
Has shown an inclination to go with what he knows which is understandable but he needs to take a step up in imagination even if that comes with some risks.

Go with the players with more potential rather than the one you trust.
Go with the player who worries the opposition rather than what you believe to be the safe defensive pair of hands.

Not saying wholesale changes but I'll give 2 examples

ONE
There is a stand out uncapped forward and a stand out uncapped back.
Bring in just 2 new players is a measured and justifiable risk, especially with experienced players around them.
So Stander and McCloskey should start, at the very very least in the 23

TWO
I put to you we have a lot of decent backthree players born here but not one is World Class (Bowe maybe in his hay day but not now)
We need to play the backthree that will ask the most questions of Wales.
Of those available that is Earls, Trimble, Payne.
Those are not inexperienced players.
Picking the Kearneys sends out the wrong message, Rob no longer asks questions of the opposition and Dave never has.
Also it allows McCloskey and Henshaw in the centre - more than a match for the Welsh physicality in that area.

Come on Joe show us you've got some balls and don't be content with safety first, which I predict will fail anyway

[Gretgael1]

Think Stander has to start for that reason (the loss of POC) as does Heaslip. Think it's a safe bet that at the weekend we'll have those two, Best, Sexton, Murray, Rob Kearney.

Kearney being labelled as a leader is wearing very thin because he hasn't been backing it up on the field. The first thing a leader should do is inspire others on the field with his performances, Kearney hasn't done this in awhile. I would describe him as an experienced international player, not a leader.

And we have plenty of experienced players but, for me, Best, SOB and Sexton are the players others look up to and more often than not they preform in a green jersey.

[profitius]

The common consensus is that Ireland have been really weakened since the world cup with injuries etc but its going to be a much stronger side than the one that lost to Argentina.

Some players who did not play in that match..
Sexton,
SOB
Payne
McCloskey
J Cronin
Stander
Furlong
Marshall
Trimble
Earls to wing


There are others who are in the potential category.

Henderson is the only player who played in that match that you'd consider a big loss.

[geoff999rugby]

Trouble is the front 5 - weaker at TH and the 2nd row is poor.

You can have the best players in the world behind that but if your front 5 don't deliver your screwed.
Rory cant do it on his own

[RubyGuby]

"Also it allows McCloskey and Henshaw in the centre - more than a match for the Welsh physicality in that area."

Geoff - whilst I acknowledge the potential of this mid-field I would say at best they would be a match for the welsh mid-field. Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts are 2 very experienced and powerful centres with Davies in particular having a good step to go with his power, indeed Foxy has always impressed against Ireland. It should be another cracker but Wales will be quietly confident after their last visit to Dublin. Certainly not over confident but they will believe they can win this

[rodders]

McCloskey on his own is more than a match for Dr crash ball and his overrated side kick.

Henshaw can have the day off.

[geoff999rugby]

Ruby my observation was with regard to physical presents - the 2 Irish boys are a net 2 and a half inches taller and only 5lbs lighter so whatever else they will not be out muscled

[munkian]

McCloskey on his own is more than a match for Dr crash ball and his overrated side kick.

Henshaw can have the day off.  

[RubyGuby]

Ruby my observation was with regard to physical presents - the 2 Irish boys are a net 2 and a half inches taller and only 5lbs lighter so whatever else they will not be out muscled

Its rugby not Basket Ball Geoff but with the weight difference being arbitrary although still in favour of the welsh boys may I suggest that they are a match rather than more than a match - Then again, with Sextons high balls you might be on to something, although last time I checked our wingers are 7ft 9 and 8ft 2 respectively. In all honesty I was expecting to see Rodders in the centre coming through on the crash ball with Eirebilly running an inside line - There's still time - Enjoy the game mate, these are nail biters these days

[munkian]

How's the kick and chase game working out for you ?

[GunsGerms]

Hilarious reading munsterfans having to get used to CJ being picked after getting themselves into a lather this morning with a yarn that he was going to be left out.

Happy with that squad given the injuries situation

Munster fans tend not to be good Ireland fans. They just want to support their local guys and don't care about the Ireland team.

I honestly don't care who is picked this six nations provided we get the three in a row then go to SA and pick up a series win and then grind out our first win v NZ in front of 60,000 Irish Americans in soldier field. I don't care if Simon Zebo scores a hat trick in every game and Dave Kearney gets overtaken by a prop. If we do all that or even half of it I couldn't care less who plays.

Put that in your turnip and smoke it.

[eirebilly]

Its rugby not Basket Ball Geoff but with the weight difference being arbitrary although still in favour of the welsh boys may I suggest that they are a match rather than more than a match - Then again, with Sextons high balls you might be on to something, although last time I checked our wingers are 7ft 9 and 8ft 2 respectively. In all honesty I was expecting to see Rodders in the centre coming through on the crash ball with Eirebilly running an inside line - There's still time - Enjoy the game mate, these are nail biters these days

Sadly rodders and I wont make it, we have too much flair for Schmidtball

[LordDowlais]

They just want to support their local guys and don't care about the Ireland team.

Since when has CJ Stander been a local guy ? He's fecking South African.

[eirebilly]

Picking the Kearneys sends out the wrong message, Rob no longer asks questions of the opposition and Dave never has.

I think that you may be a little harsh on Dave Kearney, in the lead up to the RWC I believe that he was Irelands best performing winger. He is not alone in underperforming for Ireland in the RWC.

I do think that he is not the correct choice as starting winger against Wales though as I feel his defence is not as good as Trimble or Earls.

[eirebilly]

They just want to support their local guys and don't care about the Ireland team.

Since when has CJ Stander been a local guy ? He's fecking South African.

Aah Lord, its just Guns having yet another pop at Munster, kind of boring really and I tend to ignore it these days

[LordDowlais]

They just want to support their local guys and don't care about the Ireland team.

Since when has CJ Stander been a local guy ? He's fecking South African.

Aah Lord, its just Guns having yet another pop at Munster, kind of boring really and I tend to ignore it these days

It's Ok bill, I was only joking myself.

[eirebilly]

You're golden there Lord

[RubyGuby]

As you may know Billy I recently discovered that my late Grandfather was born in Sneem where his family are still and I have since been told that I am a turnip picker and a Munster man. I'm finding this all very uncomfortable

[GunsGerms]

Sneem is a lovely spot. Right on the ring of Kerry. Magical place.

[RubyGuby]

I've yet to visit Guns, maybe this year, have spent a lot of time in Limerick and Galway though - Only discovered this in the last 12-18months - On the plus side I could claim that "we've" won the last 4, 6 Nations titles!!! I like to take the positives

[munkian]

Today's SOB interview is brought to you by the word o'pportunities

We are creating those opportunities so we can take a lot of confidence from them and just make sure we try to finish as best as we can.
Another big thing for us over the past few years against Wales has been our discipline.
That can be tightened up a lot and it will add to creating a few more opportunities for us.
They defended very well (last year) but we had opportunities at certain times in their ‘22 and we didn’t finish and that kept giving them air to breathe, but in fairness to them that day they defended very well.
But we didn’t look back any further than the Argentina game, we’re trying to move forward the best we can.
Against Argentina we created a lot of opportunities and that’s what people forget, we had chances to score at crucial times and we didn’t.
We can take a positive from that and just try and finish off those opportunities when they come, you don’t get as many at international level and when you do you have to take them.
Looking back on that day, it was more about the opportunities we left behind than anything Argentina did.

[GunsGerms]

If you like to cycle you should visit Sneem around the 1st July and do the Ring of Kerry cycle challenge. Its 180k but an absolutely beautiful trip with some of the nicest sights in Ireland. There is a real party atmosphere in nearby Killarney afterwards.

[RubyGuby]

Sounds good Guns but I think I'll take the car - I'm ok 3-5k with the kids but that's about it.

By the way we've picked our team and Warburton and Tipuric both start on Sunday

[rodders]

Its rugby not Basket Ball Geoff but with the weight difference being arbitrary although still in favour of the welsh boys may I suggest that they are a match rather than more than a match - Then again, with Sextons high balls you might be on to something, although last time I checked our wingers are 7ft 9 and 8ft 2 respectively. In all honesty I was expecting to see Rodders in the centre coming through on the crash ball with Eirebilly running an inside line - There's still time - Enjoy the game mate, these are nail biters these days

Sadly rodders and I wont make it, we have too much flair for Schmidtball

It could have been a great combo Ruby but sadly Billy had tall poppy syndrome ( a common Munster trait) and didn't hit enough rucks for Joe and the team was over the Ulster quota so I missed out too.

[rodders]

If you like to cycle you should visit Sneem around the 1st July and do the Ring of Kerry cycle challenge. Its 180k but an absolutely beautiful trip with some of the nicest sights in Ireland. There is a real party atmosphere in nearby Killarney afterwards.

Wow that sounds great Guns, think I might skip the cycle and go straight for Killarney though

[Sin é]

Its rugby not Basket Ball Geoff but with the weight difference being arbitrary although still in favour of the welsh boys may I suggest that they are a match rather than more than a match - Then again, with Sextons high balls you might be on to something, although last time I checked our wingers are 7ft 9 and 8ft 2 respectively. In all honesty I was expecting to see Rodders in the centre coming through on the crash ball with Eirebilly running an inside line - There's still time - Enjoy the game mate, these are nail biters these days

Sadly rodders and I wont make it, we have too much flair for Schmidtball

It could have been a great combo Ruby but sadly Billy had tall poppy syndrome ( a common Munster trait) and didn't hit enough rucks for Joe and the team was over the Ulster quota so I missed out too.

[carpet baboon]

If SOB is out flyer or tod to start?

[eirebilly]

It could have been a great combo Ruby but sadly Billy had tall poppy syndrome ( a common Munster trait) and didn't hit enough rucks for Joe and the team was over the Ulster quota so I missed out too.

Can always count on you to give me a good laugh rodders

[maestegmafia]

Hi lads..

When does the Ireland team get announced?

[Notch]

Today's SOB interview is brought to you by the word o'pportunities

We are creating those opportunities so we can take a lot of confidence from them and just make sure we try to finish as best as we can.
Another big thing for us over the past few years against Wales has been our discipline.
That can be tightened up a lot and it will add to creating a few more opportunities for us.
They defended very well (last year) but we had opportunities at certain times in their ‘22 and we didn’t finish and that kept giving them air to breathe, but in fairness to them that day they defended very well.
But we didn’t look back any further than the Argentina game, we’re trying to move forward the best we can.
Against Argentina we created a lot of opportunities and that’s what people forget, we had chances to score at crucial times and we didn’t.
We can take a positive from that and just try and finish off those opportunities when they come, you don’t get as many at international level and when you do you have to take them.
Looking back on that day, it was more about the opportunities we left behind than anything Argentina did.

That's good, a good positive word to have in mind. Positivity is key. I'd be more worried if he was saying 'system error', or 'missed tackles', or 'eldritch horror' over and over again.

[Sin é]

Hi lads..

When does the Ireland team get announced?

Friday lunchtime I think.

Sorry!

[geoff999rugby]

Picking the Kearneys sends out the wrong message, Rob no longer asks questions of the opposition and Dave never has.

I think that you may be a little harsh on Dave Kearney, in the lead up to the RWC I believe that he was Irelands best performing winger. He is not alone in underperforming for Ireland in the RWC.

I do think that he is not the correct choice as starting winger against Wales though as I feel his defence is not as good as Trimble or Earls.

He may have been the best pre World Cup but all that says to me is Ireland had no one playing the required standard of rugby at that time.
For me Ireland have a bunch of 7/8 wingers but none of them are currently near the top of the World game.

I do agree of those available Earls and Trimble should start - they and ask questions of Wales that Kearney cant

[maestegmafia]

Hi lads..

When does the Ireland team get announced?

Friday lunchtime I think.

Sorry!

Cheers

Pretty excited for this one. Should be a cracking game, last years six nations match and the last in doublin were superb to watch. Close, tight, no one gave an inch.

[eirebilly]

He may have been the best pre World Cup but all that says to me is Ireland had no one playing the required standard of rugby at that time.
For me Ireland have a bunch of 7/8 wingers but none of them are currently near the top of the World game.

I do agree of those available Earls and Trimble should start - they and ask questions of Wales that Kearney cant

Again I feel that you may be a bit harsh on him, he was playing some very quality rugby on the wing in the warm up matches. Others may not have been playing well but he certainly was and deserved his starting place. My only problem was with Schmidt taking too long to recognise when players were having an off day and delaying the substitutions. That's the part of Schmidt's coaching that I hope is rectified for the up coming 6N.

[geoff999rugby]

All I am saying is he is not World Class and is not a player the opposition worry about as being a threat in attack

Do you disagree with either of those observations ?

My corollary to that is none of our wingers are World Class but some of the others -i.e. Earls and Trimble have armoury in their locker that does cause the opposition to think. Do you disagree with that?

If you agree with the two statements above I cant see how you believe I am being harsh.

[rodders]

I think pre world cup form is a bit of a red herring because of the staggered way Joe did the preseason training. The likes of Kearney and Earls were 3-4 weeks ahead of the guys who had been playing regularly and had time off post the domestic season.

Gilroy for me has been the best winger this year and is unlucky not to have been called up, followed by DK, who is solid all round - Trimble isn't in the form he was over the last 2 seasons and Zebo has been poor.  

Earls as usual scores one try in a dead rubber game and people lose the run of themselves.  

Weather will be terrible so the tight 5 will be key.

Interesting selections by Gats - Tipuric and Anscombe - makes me think he expects Ireland to run the ball but is enticing them to kick with the selection.

[eirebilly]

All I am saying is he is not World Class and is not a player the opposition worry about as being a threat in attack

Do you disagree with either of those observations ?

My corollary to that is none of our wingers are World Class but some of the others -i.e. Earls and Trimble have armoury in their locker that does cause the opposition to think. Do you disagree with that?

If you agree with the two statements above I cant see how you believe I am being harsh.

Well I disagree as in the leadup to the RWC he was (IMO) performing on a very high level. I don't like the term world class but he was in the form that he would have seen him start in many top teams.

He has that ability to open defences but not as consistently enough as say Trimble or Earls, this does not mean that he never causes defences issues.

Jaysus, guns will having a heart attack at a Munster fan defending a Leinster player

[geoff999rugby]

Fair enough but your performing at a very high level is my best of a bad bunch - perhaps I have higher standards

Started in many top teams ???? - I struggle to see which - he would get nowhere near NZ, Aus, SA, Argentina, France, England, Wales

That just about covers the top teams

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