Ireland 2016/17 season

First topic message reminder :

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

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

Did the fat lady sing yet?

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

For all the talk of project players. 1 out of a squad of 40.

rapidsnowman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

It's with feelings of indignation that I note that you yourself seem to totally forget Daverage!

SecretFly wrote:

rapidsnowman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

It's with feelings of indignation that I note that you yourself seem to totally forget Daverage!

I'm even more shocked that Fergus McFadden's name hasn't cropped up yet....

How is Tommy B's batteries these days anyway?  Surely it's not quicker he's getting with age?

ps though some have... .... not naming names but track and field sprinting....

SecretFly wrote:

rapidsnowman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

It's with feelings of indignation that I note that you yourself seem to totally forget Daverage!

Oops, forgot Jeeerid, how could I forget Jeerid.
Daverage on the other hand, even Leo Cullen's forgotten him

SecretFly wrote:How is Tommy B's batteries these days anyway?  Surely it's not quicker he's getting with age?

No sure fly, Charles Piatau, won't give him the ball.

Pete330v2 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

rapidsnowman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

It's with feelings of indignation that I note that you yourself seem to totally forget Daverage!

Oops, forgot Jeeerid, how could I forget Jeerid.
Daverage on the other hand, even Leo Cullen's forgotten him

When did he last play for Leinster?

rodders wrote:

SecretFly wrote:How is Tommy B's batteries these days anyway?  Surely it's not quicker he's getting with age?

No sure fly, Charles Piatau, won't give him the ball.

Yeah...chasing after Piatau should improve Tommy's speed and stamina. Nice coaching Kiss

carpet baboon wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

rapidsnowman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

It's with feelings of indignation that I note that you yourself seem to totally forget Daverage!

Oops, forgot Jeeerid, how could I forget Jeerid.
Daverage on the other hand, even Leo Cullen's forgotten him

When did he last play for Leinster?

Jeerid?

Em................ Pro12 semi-final last year?

SecretFly wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

rapidsnowman wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Is that an Ireland squad without any big names excluded due to injury?
Are we going into a 6 nations with a full selection to choose from ?
Surely not

That depends on whether Jared Payne is a big name.

It's with feelings of indignation that I note that you yourself seem to totally forget Daverage!

Oops, forgot Jeeerid, how could I forget Jeerid.
Daverage on the other hand, even Leo Cullen's forgotten him

When did he last play for Leinster?

Jeerid?

Em................ Pro12 semi-final last year?

Yeah Jeerid.
Jeerid Payne.

That's how he says it anyway

So judging by the lack of chat, I assume that everyone agrees with the selection. Wow, this is boring.
Does anyone want to do some inter-provincial bickering?

the-goon wrote:So judging by the lack of chat, I assume that everyone agrees with the selection. Wow, this is boring.
Does anyone want to do some inter-provincial bickering?

Well to be fair most are probably wondering how Bowe and Gilroy are in ahead of Byrne but Leinster fans cant cry about bias and us Ulstermen are just glad to get some representation given our performances

the-goon wrote:So judging by the lack of chat, I assume that everyone agrees with the selection. Wow, this is boring.
Does anyone want to do some inter-provincial bickering?

Well we can do that when Kearney or Earls costs us the title.

Do we think handsome robs international career should now be over and his great performance against NZ be what we all remember?
With Zebo, ohallaran, earls and Conway all able to play 15 is he there to give advice and be a in case of emergency pick?

marty2086 wrote:

the-goon wrote:So judging by the lack of chat, I assume that everyone agrees with the selection. Wow, this is boring.
Does anyone want to do some inter-provincial bickering?

Well to be fair most are probably wondering how Bowe and Gilroy are in ahead of Byrne but Leinster fans cant cry about bias and us Ulstermen are just glad to get some representation given our performances

I wouldnt pick Byrne over Bowe. I think Bowe is a better player than Byrne will ever be although Bowe probably doesnt have many seasons left in him.

carpet baboon wrote:Do we think handsome robs international career should now be over and his great performance against NZ be what we all remember?
With Zebo, ohallaran, earls and Conway all able to play 15 is he there to give advice and be a in case of emergency pick?

Probably. His defense is a too much a weakness. All others have their weaknesses too though.

Folks - lifted from elsewhere, but Rory Best has played in the last FIFTY Irish Six Nations games 10 years without missing a 6N match.

The last-but-one Lions tour he had to miss with a neck injury - he played one AIL game and then started in the 6N teh next game, having not played for Ulster that whole season.

He is going to finish his international career with one of the most impressive CVs any Irish player has had.

Don Alfonso wrote:Folks - lifted from elsewhere, but Rory Best has played in the last FIFTY Irish Six Nations games 10 years without missing a 6N match.

The last-but-one Lions tour he had to miss with a neck injury - he played one AIL game and then started in the 6N teh next game, having not played for Ulster that whole season.

He is going to finish his international career with one of the most impressive CVs any Irish player has had.

Agreed. For me Ireland's greatest ever hooker. No question.

Don Alfonso wrote:Folks - lifted from elsewhere, but Rory Best has played in the last FIFTY Irish Six Nations games 10 years without missing a 6N match.

The last-but-one Lions tour he had to miss with a neck injury - he played one AIL game and then started in the 6N teh next game, having not played for Ulster that whole season.

He is going to finish his international career with one of the most impressive CVs any Irish player has had.

Makes me think he must be Mexican?

Very nice balanced side in my opinion.

Not sure why people quest Bowe's inclusion, he may not have the same gas in the tank as before but he is still an excellent player. Don't think he will feature too much though, will probably be brought on in tight games as an impact sub.

In POM and CJ, Ireland probably have the best 6-8 combination around but it would be exceedingly harsh on Heaslip to lose the 8 shirt. With POM really coming back into form, its amazing that he may not even make the match day squad.

eirebilly wrote:Very nice balanced side in my opinion.

Not sure why people quest Bowe's inclusion, he may not have the same gas in the tank as before but he is still an excellent player. Don't think he will feature too much though, will probably be brought on in tight games as an impact sub.

In POM and CJ, Ireland probably have the best 6-8 combination around but it would be exceedingly harsh on Heaslip to lose the 8 shirt. With POM really coming back into form, its amazing that he may not even make the match day squad.

I think POM needs to be there. He just has to be.

Personally I would have CJ and Heaslip fighting directly for the 8 shirt. Stander is best there and I think POM is actually better than he is at 6. O'Brien and van der Flier fighting for 7. Obviously this would mean having POM, O'Brien and Heaslip starting. Barring injury I would be amazed if it isn't CJ, O'Brien and Heaslip, though.

The only way POM is to be there is to be at 6. For that to happen, CJ will have to be at 8. CJ is probably the form rugby player around right now and should be the first name on the team sheet.

I just think that Heaslip, has done so well in the past and is playing very well right now, has the 8 shirt and as such, pushes CJ to 6 and leave POM out of the team...

The reality is that SOB and Heaslip are probably not going to be long term options in the back row anyway come the next World Cup. I could be wrong, but SOB (like Sexton) is available for a couple of games and then off for weeks/months and Heaslip will be 37. The future will look like this:

6) Peter O'Mahony (c) or Sean O'Brien v2
7) van der Flier, Leavy
8) Stander, Conan, O'Donoghue

eirebilly wrote:The only way POM is to be there is to be at 6. For that to happen, CJ will have to be at 8. CJ is probably the form rugby player around right now and should be the first name on the team sheet.

I just think that Heaslip, has done so well in the past and is playing very well right now, has the 8 shirt and as such, pushes CJ to 6 and leave POM out of the team...

Do you think CJ is better at 6 than POM? I would have CJ at 8 over Heaslip, despite Heaslip's good form. Stander does the same better basically. If we didn't have this ridiculous residency rule then we would be able to avoid such a dilemma.

Its vicious Rory, I believe that POM is a better 6 than CJ but that CJ is the better all round player so must be in the side.

Damn this strength in depth and hard decisions that Schmidt is faced with

I would be very surprised if Heaslip is not at 8 for Ireland. It seems to be his best position.

Looks like Kearney may be out for rest of 6 nations.
9. Murray
10. Sexton/Jackson
11. Earls
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Trimble
15. Zebo

This is likely, but what about TOH?
I think we may appreciate Trimble’s physicality against the French.

People wanted all players to fight for their shirt.  Now that Heaslip has stood up to the challenge and bloody well met it with the bit between his teeth - and often then some (incidentally, I don't know how many hours that man has clocked up in the International shirt, as distinct from games played - but I'd imagine it's hefty with the numerous 80 minuters he has done for us).
And now that he met the challenge put up to him by us chattering classes, it seems he's doing it a little too well and *ahem*...well, "we didn't mean you Heaslip.  We thought you might struggle under the challenge and maybe that we'd have a few critical rocks to throw at you by now but.... please go away and let someone else in even though you've been in fantastic form."

The competition is wonderful and has brought out the best in Heaslip, which many have predicted would happen if he was challenged for the shirt. However, the question is whether or not Heaslip is playing better than his rival at 8 - CJ Stander. Both have been sublime this season. What I don't like is having to move one of them (CJ) across the back row to accommodate both. I think the balance is a little skewed.

I think that CJ is marginally the better player, despite Heaslip playing some of his best rugby right now. Whoever gets the shirt won't bother me though because they are both fantastic options. As long as Heaslip isn't undroppable and if he is outplayed, that his rivals will get an opportunity at 8.

The next few years will be a massive tussle for the 8 shirt - Heaslip, CJ, Conan, all of whom are playing exceptionally, and then O'Donoghue who has the potential to reach the same levels.

Heaslip has been awesome but he always is when his contract is up for renewal and when it is a Lions year, so we've had a double upsurge this time...expect his form to peter out by the end of year...

..as would yours if you put in as many minutes as he does without being called to the comfort of the benches. Man ain't a machine.

Incidentally again... none of us want CJ to burn out. That man is going at such a fever pace, and collecting his room full of MOTMs, that I'm beginning to fear he might be a Large Red Sun burning brightly but potentially with a short lifespan (in rugby terms). Someone should tell him to ease up a bit: "We need you long term..... "

SecretFly wrote:..as would yours if you put in as many minutes as he does without being called to the comfort of the benches.  Man ain't a machine.  

Yes he bloody is

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
The next few years will be a massive tussle for the 8 shirt - Heaslip, CJ, Conan, all of whom are playing exceptionally, and then O'Donoghue who has the potential to reach the same levels.

Unfortunately it looks like Conan doesn't think he has a shot and is off to Leicester

marty2086 wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
The next few years will be a massive tussle for the 8 shirt - Heaslip, CJ, Conan, all of whom are playing exceptionally, and then O'Donoghue who has the potential to reach the same levels.

Unfortunately it looks like Conan doesn't think he has a shot and is off to Leicester

So I've heard, but it certainly doesn't sound like it based on this interview:

http://www.the42.ie/jack-conan-leinster-ireland-3240012-Feb2017/

It would be nice if Gibbs has a quite word and gets him to move north

Interesting interview, probably means he'll be announced by Leicester tomorrow now

He would be mad to move away from Leinster. He is nipping at Heaslip's heels and he is almost 10 years younger. The next threat to his position would be young Max Deegan, but it is far too early to tell if he can progress to the next level.

Never was an 'E' so abused in recent days. I'm confused by how confused people seem to be about it.

I'm confused, Fly.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:He would be mad to move away from Leinster. He is nipping at Heaslip's heels and he is almost 10 years younger. The next threat to his position would be young Max Deegan, but it is far too early to tell if he can progress to the next level.

Yes and no, Heaslips new central contract says hes unlikely to oust him for a few years so if he moves away for two years and keeps on an upward trajectory his value to Leinster in 2019 will be through the roof

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I'm confused, Fly.

I've always known Jonathan Brian Gibbes as Jonno Gibbes. Yet all across the media, and now here, I'm seeing people so easily forget that last 'e' or thinking it ain't important. I just feel we're talking about a different man when I see people mention Jonno Gibbs. A small thing but my bloody off-kilter mind catches these things.

Oh, I get it now. I feel your pain. My last name also has an often forgotten "e" at the end.

I was talking about Josiah Gibbs fly. He was a big fan of Ulster apparently.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Oh, I get it now. I feel your pain. My last name also has an often forgotten "e" at the end.

I once knew a guy called Rick who had a forgotten P and the beginning.

Pete330v2 wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Oh, I get it now. I feel your pain. My last name also has an often forgotten "e" at the end.

I once knew a guy called Rick who had a forgotten P and the beginning.

That's one of the best reasons for forgetting though. Anyway, would you all stop making so big of a deal about a missing 'e'. There's more important things happening in the world

marty2086 wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:He would be mad to move away from Leinster. He is nipping at Heaslip's heels and he is almost 10 years younger. The next threat to his position would be young Max Deegan, but it is far too early to tell if he can progress to the next level.

Yes and no, Heaslips new central contract says hes unlikely to oust him for a few years so if he moves away for two years and keeps on an upward trajectory his value to Leinster in 2019 will be through the roof

There aren't many teams he can join and immediately become first choice. Heaslip will always be on Irish duty, giving him many opportunities to start at 8 for Leinster. The fact he can also play 6 to the same standard means he will most often feature as part of the starting XV and almost always be part of the 23. Like I said, moving away would be mad and his competition would overtake him.

He is in a much better place than the likes of O'Donoghue, who despite being younger sits behind CJ Stander, who is only 26. If he moves, O'Donoghue will simply take his spot in the Ireland camps.

I don't think McCaffreys signed on for next year at Tigers so that may be one place he could