Ireland 2016/17 season

AI's
Nov 5th New Zealand vs Ireland Chicago
Nov 12th Ireland vs Canada
Nov 19th Ireland Vs New Zealand
Nov 26th Ireland vs Australia


6 Nations
Feb 4th Scotland vs Ireland
Feb 11th Italy vs Ireland
Feb 25th Ireland vs France
Mar 10th Wales vs Ireland
Mar 18th Ireland vs England

Really looking forward to the game in Chicago. Massive boost for World rugby that in a country that has really taken to rugby.

Check the dates on the second Ireland v New Zealand game prof

Potential new caps (from what I've seen so far this season, though its early days yet) include: Carbery, Stockdale and Sweetnam.

eirebilly wrote:Really looking forward to the game in Chicago. Massive boost for World rugby that in a country that has really taken to rugby.

Check the dates on the second Ireland v New Zealand game prof

Cheers! Hopefully they give NZ a decent game.

I don't think Stockdale is ready, you've got Niyi Adeolokun at Connacht, Matt Healy, and with all the incumbents of course we should have enough players in the back three generally ahead of him in the queue.

I would like to see Carberry brought in to learn a bit, I think Olding will cover 10/12 from the bench with Sexton or Jackson starting. I think if Sexton starts Olding might keep Jackson off the bench.

Sexton is past it. Gets injured too much. And has lost all international respect - no one fears him any longer. He needs to be nudged out this year with Jackson as the senior 10 and Carberry as his understudy for the RWC.

Has JOD been capped yet? If not, I'm sure this will be his season. I can see him grabbing a few.

Pot Hale wrote:Sexton is past it.   Gets injured too much.   And has lost all international respect - no one fears him any longer.    He needs to be nudged out this year with Jackson as the senior 10 and Carberry as his understudy for the RWC.

Every time that people have written off Sexton (often during his injury periods) he comes back and proves them wrong.

I'm not sure what the evidence is for the suggestion that he has lost all international respect. Huh?

Is Moore of Wasps available for all the games? Ireland really need a new tighthead plus they need a scrum half to put his had up and give some back up to Murray. Would like to see Stander have a crack at No8 too.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Has JOD been capped yet? If not, I'm sure this will be his season. I can see him grabbing a few.

He is developing really nicely - probably get called up to training squads. Not sure whether he will get capped, but Schmidt seemingly is a fan.

Other uncapped Munster players looking good are Andrew Conway and Darren Sweetnam. They were discussing Sweetnam on Off the Ball last night and EOS seems to really rate him. Says he is a player that Schmidt likes - skillful, fast, good defender, very strong and a brain as well, so he is one to watch. Even BOD is talking him up on twitter (which must be a first that he would talk up a Munster player! )

Moore: he probably won't be considered due to Ireland having more options.

JOD: He could get capped. Maybe against Canada.

Sexton: Still a few years left in Sexton. A few genuine contenders starting to emerge now.

Stockdale: He is raw but is very talented. Like JOD, maybe get capped against Canada and see how he goes. The wing has been a problem position for Ireland but options are emerging.

What do people see as the pecking order for tightheads?

Maine man wrote:What do people see as the pecking order for tightheads?

Presuming Nathan White isn't going to feature anymore

1, Furlong
2, Ross
3, Bealham
4, Ah You


We need some more contenders coming though.
John Ryan has started the season very well. Got the better of Gethin Jenkins at the weekend. He's in his mid 20s now but thats not old for a tighthead and I'm sure he had some kind of stomach problems which stalled his progress a bit.
Ross Kane has looked very good for Ulster in his 2 appearances. I don't think he'll feature for Ireland this season but definitely one to keep an eye on.

It will be interesting to see if Moore gets a call-up to the training squad this November.

What are the updates on Peter O'Mahony? His return seems to be delayed over and over.

On the scrum half front, would people like to see Hart from Racing Metro called into the training squads? I know it's highly unlikely but scrum half is an area Ireland don't have great depth.

Maine man wrote:On the scrum half front, would people like to see Hart from Racing Metro called into the training squads? I know it's highly unlikely but scrum half is an area Ireland don't have great depth.

Welcome to 606v2 Maine Man - where are you from?

Does anyone know if Nathan White will even get back to playing club games? I thought it was doubtful if he's ever play again?

Don't know about White. He has been out for a long time.


Dan Leavy is another Ireland contender.

Pot Hale wrote:

Maine man wrote:On the scrum half front, would people like to see Hart from Racing Metro called into the training squads? I know it's highly unlikely but scrum half is an area Ireland don't have great depth.

Welcome to 606v2 Maine Man - where are you from?

Maine?

Originally from Tyrone but haven't lived there for some time. Lived in Maine for a few years and I currently live in Wales. Was an ulster season ticket holder many moons ago. Been following this site for a long time but never wrote on it as a lot of it ends in childish arguments. But in the end I just wanted to get a few opinions on teams that interest me.

Maine man wrote:Originally from Tyrone but haven't lived there for some time. Lived in Maine for a few years and I currently live in Wales. Was an ulster season ticket holder many moons ago. Been following this site for a long time but never wrote on it as a lot of it ends in childish arguments. But in the end I just wanted to get a few opinions on teams that interest me.

Maine man, if you want to avoid childish arguments then best steer clear of any thread that has Lions or Gatland in the title for the next nine months - they're already at it

Maine man wrote:Originally from Tyrone but haven't lived there for some time. Lived in Maine for a few years and I currently live in Wales. Was an ulster season ticket holder many moons ago. Been following this site for a long time but never wrote on it as a lot of it ends in childish arguments. But in the end I just wanted to get a few opinions on teams that interest me.

That's a good journey. So which teams interest you that you want opinions on?

Wise words which I will try remember!

eirebilly wrote:Really looking forward to the game in Chicago. Massive boost for World rugby that in a country that has really taken to rugby.

Check the dates on the second Ireland v New Zealand game prof

Will be there! Heading up from mexico with 5 yanks, and my brother is bringing a load of rugby playing canadians from vancouver so we have about 15 people with tickets now. Tickets are nearly fully sold out, when we bought 2 weeks ago, we had to split up the groups. Really looking forward to it, have never seen the ABs play.

wolfball wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Really looking forward to the game in Chicago. Massive boost for World rugby that in a country that has really taken to rugby.

Check the dates on the second Ireland v New Zealand game prof

Will be there! Heading up from mexico with 5 yanks, and my brother is bringing a load of rugby playing canadians from vancouver so we have about 15 people with tickets now. Tickets are nearly fully sold out, when we bought 2 weeks ago, we had to split up the groups. Really looking forward to it, have never seen the ABs play.

Yep - should be a great weekend with both Maori and NZ matches to go to.

Maine man wrote:Originally from Tyrone but haven't lived there for some time. Lived in Maine for a few years and I currently live in Wales. Was an ulster season ticket holder many moons ago. Been following this site for a long time but never wrote on it as a lot of it ends in childish arguments. But in the end I just wanted to get a few opinions on teams that interest me.

What do you mean childish arguments?
You're just a big poopy face for saying that....

wolfball wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Really looking forward to the game in Chicago. Massive boost for World rugby that in a country that has really taken to rugby.

Check the dates on the second Ireland v New Zealand game prof

Will be there! Heading up from mexico with 5 yanks, and my brother is bringing a load of rugby playing canadians from vancouver so we have about 15 people with tickets now. Tickets are nearly fully sold out, when we bought 2 weeks ago, we had to split up the groups. Really looking forward to it, have never seen the ABs play.

Jealous of you there bud. Should be a cracking game. Hopefully the Americans turn up in numbers

eirebilly wrote:

wolfball wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Really looking forward to the game in Chicago. Massive boost for World rugby that in a country that has really taken to rugby.

Check the dates on the second Ireland v New Zealand game prof

Will be there! Heading up from mexico with 5 yanks, and my brother is bringing a load of rugby playing canadians from vancouver so we have about 15 people with tickets now. Tickets are nearly fully sold out, when we bought 2 weeks ago, we had to split up the groups. Really looking forward to it, have never seen the ABs play.

Jealous of you there bud. Should be a cracking game. Hopefully the Americans turn up in numbers

Cheers! It looks like it will be a sell out. I thought I had a handle on the "AB Brand" but today I am in mexico and had lunch with someone today who is mexican but went to an AB/England game in London a few years ago and says the haka made her cry with the passion of it all. Since then she tries to watch the ABs play when she can. Would love if the irish rugby team generated similar passion from goodlooking latin american women

profitius wrote:Potential new caps (from what I've seen so far this season, though its early days yet) include: Carbery, Stockdale and Sweetnam.

I'll add Dan Leavy to that list. Immense performance tonight.

profitius wrote:

profitius wrote:Potential new caps (from what I've seen so far this season, though its early days yet) include: Carbery, Stockdale and Sweetnam.

I'll add Dan Leavy to that list. Immense performance tonight.

He will find it hard with SOB, TOD and JvdF though.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

profitius wrote:

profitius wrote:Potential new caps (from what I've seen so far this season, though its early days yet) include: Carbery, Stockdale and Sweetnam.

I'll add Dan Leavy to that list. Immense performance tonight.

He will find it hard with SOB, TOD and JvdF though.

I think he is a better all round player than VDF and TOD even though they're good players. Not to mention he has captained a lot of teams. It'll be interesting to see who is selected.

profitius wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

profitius wrote:

profitius wrote:Potential new caps (from what I've seen so far this season, though its early days yet) include: Carbery, Stockdale and Sweetnam.

I'll add Dan Leavy to that list. Immense performance tonight.

He will find it hard with SOB, TOD and JvdF though.

I think he is a better all round player than VDF and TOD even though they're good players. Not to mention he has captained a lot of teams. It'll be interesting to see who is selected.

From knowing next to nothing about JvdF at the beginning of last season (yet having heard about Leavy and his potential) I think he has really put his hand up as the future at 7 for Ireland. I think Leavy and other challengers will have to do a whole lot more to jump ahead. Leavy looks to be more physical but I think JvdF offers slightly more as an effective link-man in attack and as a general nuisance around the field in defence. I could be wrong though as I haven't seen enough of Leavy to justify that comparison.

I remember Leavy briefly in his U20 days and he was rather lanky yet powerful. He looks flipping huge now, certainly big and physical enough to play at 6 rather than 7. I wonder if Leinster will consider pairing the two on the flanks as they did in the previous game.

Having such good competition at 7 with different playing styles is always a great luxury to possess.

Another thing I am very keen to see is the centre options that Ireland will use in the near future. I really haven't a clue who the starting 12 and 13 will be. I think Henshaw will be weaker at Leinster this season if he is used at 12 and will eventually drop behind the other options there for Ireland (McCloskey, Marshall, Olding, Scannell and so on). Is he out for the AI anyway?

Ringrose certainly looks established at 13 for Leinster but I think it would be good to see himself and Henshaw fighting for the shirt. For the AI I can see us reverting back to Payne at 13 with Zebo playing at 15.

If Payne is fit, he starts at full back for me. I'd like to see Olding at 12 and Henshaw at 13 (if fit).

From what I've seen of Ulster so far this season, Olding has been outstanding. He does the basics very well. I'd like to see him at 12 for Ireland.


Leavy is an excellent attacker. He has excellent hands, good passer, good offloader, slower than VDF but a strong ball carrier. Better than VDF at the breakdown too. Its good to have more options as there will be injuries.

Does anyone know who Ireland are touring against next summer if anyone?

During the last lions tour Ireland played USA and Canada if my memory serves me right. Hopefully they'll be touring somewhere similar.

Ireland are touring Japan next summer. That should be good.

That should be an excellent tour.

John Ryan is keeping up his form. Practically won a bonus point for Munster yesterday. That's 4 matches in a row he has crushed the opposition. Compare how the Munster scrum looked against Scarlets to the Connacht scrum, you'd think Ryan will be ahead of Bealham at least.

profitius wrote:John Ryan is keeping up his form. Practically won a bonus point for Munster yesterday. That's 4 matches in a row he has crushed the opposition. Compare how the Munster scrum looked against Scarlets to the Connacht scrum, you'd think Ryan will be ahead of Bealham at least.

Has John Ryan been injured for the past number of seasons? He looks phenomenal this year - both in the set piece and in open play.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

profitius wrote:John Ryan is keeping up his form. Practically won a bonus point for Munster yesterday. That's 4 matches in a row he has crushed the opposition. Compare how the Munster scrum looked against Scarlets to the Connacht scrum, you'd think Ryan will be ahead of Bealham at least.

Has John Ryan been injured for the past number of seasons? He looks phenomenal this year - both in the set piece and in open play.

He has a medical condition called ulcerative colitis that has caused him to lose weight in the past. He said it took him a while to get the right combination of medicine to keep it under control.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/guinness-pro12/john-ryan-overcomes-troubling-ailment-to-prop-up-munster-30872430.html


Also good coaching has something to do with it. I think Munster have improved as a unit. For the last 2 seasons James Cronin could go from dominating international class props to struggling against pro12 level props. He has looked much more consistent and solid this season along with the whole scrum.

John Ryan has certainly got to be involved. Looks like he deserves a spot in the 23 so far. One of the best forwards in the league in the opening rounds. Also, have been surprised by Rodney Ah You. Towards the season I was watching an out of shape, disinterested player and thought we had signed a lemon. He's actually been very, very good, made yards with the ball in hand and not been bested in the scrum.

Add Bealham into the mix and I think we have enough options we can afford to drop Marty Moore completely, which should give the IRFU some more leverage when the time comes to try and get him back to Ireland.

Tadgh Furlong as well. When was the last time we had even a couple of good tighthead options?

Never had many options but there are plenty now. There seems to be one emerging every year rather than every 8ish years in the past.


This might be the season Mike Ross isn't first choice anymore.

The number of positions where we do not have much depth are diminishing. The main areas of concern would be at 9 and at 2. I think we are pretty well stocked in every other position on the field. Even at second row, where we were beginning to look a bit weak this time last season.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The number of positions where we do not have much depth are diminishing. The main areas of concern would be at 9 and at 2. I think we are pretty well stocked in every other position on the field. Even at second row, where we were beginning to look a bit weak this time last season.

I do think Rob Herring has progressed a great deal, to the point where he is amongst the viable back-ups to Best. And with Cronin and Strauss still round thats four decent hookers for me.

Unfortunately its Murray and then daylight to the next best option.

Notch wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The number of positions where we do not have much depth are diminishing. The main areas of concern would be at 9 and at 2. I think we are pretty well stocked in every other position on the field. Even at second row, where we were beginning to look a bit weak this time last season.

I do think Rob Herring has progressed a great deal, to the point where he is amongst the viable back-ups to Best. And with Cronin and Strauss still round thats four decent hookers for me.

Unfortunately its Murray and then daylight to the next best option.

That's true. There is also Niall Scannell for Munster who I am hoping has a big year. I'm not sure how many are test quality though (specifically in their line-out throwing).

9 is an area of concern. I would like Marmion to step up for Ireland but he has flattered to deceive in his few appearances to date. It is unfortunate that Luke McGrath cannot seem to progress well enough either. His basics are just not up to scratch.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Notch wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The number of positions where we do not have much depth are diminishing. The main areas of concern would be at 9 and at 2. I think we are pretty well stocked in every other position on the field. Even at second row, where we were beginning to look a bit weak this time last season.

I do think Rob Herring has progressed a great deal, to the point where he is amongst the viable back-ups to Best. And with Cronin and Strauss still round thats four decent hookers for me.

Unfortunately its Murray and then daylight to the next best option.

That's true. There is also Niall Scannell for Munster who I am hoping has a big year. I'm not sure how many are test quality though (specifically in their line-out throwing).

9 is an area of concern. I would like Marmion to step up for Ireland but he has flattered to deceive in his few appearances to date. It is unfortunate that Luke McGrath cannot seem to progress well enough either. His basics are just not up to scratch.

marmion has had a poor start to the season. Caolin Blade looked alot better when he came on yesterday, good pass and a few decent snipes. This is his first year with a senior contract so I hope to see if he has what it takes for Connacht and maybe international.

Nucifora and Schmidt are aiming to have three test quality players in every position across the four provinces in time for RWC 2019.

Who would you nominate as top 3-4 in each position?

I presume Gibson Park at Leinster is being looked at as a possible IQ for 2019.