Ireland Summer 2021

Thought I'd get the ball rolling as it confirmed today that Ireland will be playing Japan and USA this summer instead of touring Fiji

So with 8 players off with the Lions, who would you like to see play?


Ireland Squad
Backs (17)
Will Addison (Ulster) 4 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster) uncapped
Caolin Blade (Connacht) uncapped
Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
Harry Byrne (Leinster) uncapped
Joey Carbery (Munster) 22 caps
Craig Casey (Munster) 1 cap
Andrew Conway (Munster) 24 caps
Shane Daly (Munster) 1 cap
Tom Daly (Connacht) uncapped
Chris Farrell (Munster) 14 caps
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps
Hugo Keenan (Leinster) 11 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 29 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) 4 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 34 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster) 34 caps

Forwards (20)
Ryan Baird (Leinster) 3 caps
Finlay Bealham (Connacht) 14 caps
Paul Boyle (Connacht) uncapped
Ed Byrne (Leinster) 4 caps
Gavin Coombes (Munster) uncapped
Ultan Dillane (Connacht) 18 caps
Peter Dooley (Leinster) uncapped
Caelan Doris (Leinster) 7 caps
Dave Heffernan (Connacht) 5 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster) 21 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 11 caps
Dave Kilcoyne (Munste) 43 caps
Ross Molony (Leinster) uncapped
Peter O’Mahony (Munster) 75 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster) uncapped
James Ryan (Leinster) 35 caps
John Ryan (Munster) 23 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster) uncapped
Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 31 caps
Fineen Wycherley (Munster) uncapped

So Farrell isn't going with the Lions then.

Nope. At least with 8 players away and maybe one or two called up from the standby list, his hand has been forced somewhat. I'd like to see some new combinations tried. Would like to McCloskey and Ringrose in midfield with Cooney and Carberry at half back with H Byrne in reserve. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

Yeah saw this earlier, good news. Id like to see some of the good young guys. Baird, Doris, Harry Byrne, Coombs, Casey, Wycherly etc.

Ben Healy and JJ Hanrahan?

Forgive me for just throwing random names out there but I do think both are good enough for international rugby and, remember, Scotland could snatch Ben Healy, we are reno for it, just ask Eddie Jones :P.

I think Japan should not be underestimated, and I don't think they will. I think the game will be high scoring and a lot of fun to watch. But use the USA match to see the next gen players. Which is exactly what England (hopefully) are doing.

Highland Shaun wrote:Ben Healy and JJ Hanrahan?

Forgive me for just throwing random names out there but I do think both are good enough for international rugby and, remember, Scotland could snatch Ben Healy, we are reno for it, just ask Eddie Jones :P.

Id like to see Ben Healy too. JJ is a lost cause at this stage.

From Ulster I would be very disappointed if O'Sullivan, O'Toole and Balocoune were not included

Absolutely no point taking JJ, take any of Harry Bryne, Michael Lowry and Ben Healy in preference to him

Collapse2005 wrote:

Highland Shaun wrote:Ben Healy and JJ Hanrahan?

Forgive me for just throwing random names out there but I do think both are good enough for international rugby and, remember, Scotland could snatch Ben Healy, we are reno for it, just ask Eddie Jones :P.

Id like to see Ben Healy too. JJ is a lost cause at this stage.

I have a very close mate from Castleisland, which is Hanrahan's home town. On that basis, and considering my mates family are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met, JJ can still do no wrong and deserves his starts. This is all despite Castleisland having no real castle and no real island. And being in the beating heart of Munster country.......

JJ sadly just never kicked on from his under 20 days. He has never been capped by Ireland and given he is off to Clermont now having not had his contract renewed so he wont be included. Kerry is lovely alright, some lovely places near Castleisland, Killarney, Killorglin etc.

There might not be too many new caps. Instead they will be looking to finetune performances and get the wider squad playing together. Farrell is still under pressure and coaches under pressure just want to win.n

profitius wrote:There might not be too many new caps. Instead they will be looking to finetune performances and get the wider squad playing together. Farrell is still under pressure and coaches under pressure just want to win.n

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. It wouldn't be the maddest approach in the world, throw in a few caps into the USA game but utilise the time to get the senior squad gelling a bit more.

Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 5 caps
Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 21 caps
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 11 caps

Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
Peter Dooley (Leinster/Lansdowne) uncapped
Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 43 caps

Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 14 caps
Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) uncapped
John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 23 caps

Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 3 caps
Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 18 caps
Ross Molony (Leinster/UCD) uncapped
James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
Fineen Wycherley (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped

Paul Boyle (Connacht/Lansdowne) uncapped
Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps
Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 75 caps
Nick Timoney (Ulster/Banbridge) uncapped
Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps

Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 1 cap
Caolin Blade (Connacht/Galwegians) uncapped
Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps

Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
Harry Byrne (Leinster/Lansdowne) uncapped
Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 22 caps

Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 4 caps
Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps
Tom Daly (Connacht/Lansdowne) uncapped
Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 14 caps

Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 24 caps
Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 1 cap
Will Addison (Ulster/Enniskillen) 4 caps
Robert Baloucoune (Ulster/Enniskillen) uncapped
Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 29 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 34 caps

James Lowe, Eric O'Sullivan, Gavin Thornbury, John Cooney and Ross Byrne
not considered because of injury.

Earls,Sexton, Healy rested

Not impressed by Moloney being picked instead of O'Connor

Moloney is an odd selection. A pro14 standard player according to how leinster use him. Dooley is in a similar situation being leinsters 3rd choice although there's not many looseheads knocking on the door.

Hume is unlucky too considering the size of the squad.

At least they rested the old lads and most of the uncapped deserve to be there.

profitius wrote:Moloney is an odd selection. A pro14 standard player according to how leinster use him. Dooley is in a similar situation being leinsters 3rd choice although there's not many looseheads knocking on the door.

Hume is unlucky too considering the size of the squad.

At least they rested the old lads and most of the uncapped deserve to be there.

If I was to guess Molony and Dooley are only there to hold the tackle bags. Neither are Test level (even tier two Test level)

James Hume in Gary Ringrose injured

geoff999rugby wrote:James Hume in Gary Ringrose injured

He should have been there already but good to see.

Sounds like another Ulsterman called up - I assume either O'Sullivan declared fit, Alan O'Connor called up as replacement or Michael Lowry drafted in.
Outside bet Rob Lyttle - anyone else would be a major surprise

James Ryan is out. It's been a bad 12 months or so for him.


Japan looked decent against the lions. It should be a good test.

From the Leinster website;

The Ireland coaching team have named their squad to face Japan at the Aviva Stadium in the opening fixture of the Vodafone Summer Series.

James Ryan will wear the captain’s armband on Saturday and will be partnered in the second row by Ultan Dillane.

Peter O’Mahony starts on the blindside flank and is joined in the back row by Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris, who makes his international return after missing the 2021 Six Nations Championship.

The front row is made up of Dave Kilcoyne, Rónan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham.

At half-back, Jamison Gibson Park will partner Joey Carbery who returns to the international scene for the first time since the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

Stuart McCloskey and Chris Farrell are paired in midfield with Jacob Stockdale and Jordan Larmour on the wings while Hugo Keenan is at full-back.

The replacements include Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, John Ryan, Ryan Baird, the uncapped Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Billy Burns and Shane Daly.

The match will be televised by RTE (ROI) and kicks off at 1pm.

Ireland team to play Japan:

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 11 caps
14. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 29 caps
13. Chris Farrell (Munster/Young Munster) 14 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 4 caps
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 34 caps
10. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 22 caps
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 9 caps

1. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 43 caps
2. Rónan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 11 caps
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 14 caps
4. Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 18 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps CAPTAIN
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 75 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 31 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 21 caps
17. Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
18. John Ryan (Munster/Cork Constitution) 23 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 3 caps
20. Gavin Coombes (Munster/Young Munster) uncapped
21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 1 cap
22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 6 caps
23. Shane Daly (Munster/Cork Constitution) 1 cap

https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/ryan-captain-ireland-test-japan/

Ryan captains (thought he was injured). Weird to think he is the 3rd most capped player in the match day squad.
Tom Daly was surely worth a call up.

Team for USA. 8 potential new caps and 10 if Coombes and Casey are included. They've only had a few minutes each.

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 12 caps
14. Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster) uncapped
13. James Hume (Banbridge/Ulster) uncapped
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) 5 caps
11. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 24 caps
10. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 23 caps
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) 2 caps
1. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 44 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster) 12 caps
3. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster) uncapped
4. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster) 4 caps
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 36 caps captain
6. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 8 caps
7. Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster) uncapped
8. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster) 1 cap

Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht) 5 caps
17. Ed Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 5 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 15 caps
19. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster) uncapped
20. Paul Boyle (Buccaneers/Connacht) uncapped
21. Caolin Blade (Galwegians/Connacht) uncapped
22. Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster) uncapped
23. Will Addison (Enniskillen/Ulster) 4 caps

Exciting team, some really promising young guys getting game time.

Hope Carbery plays a lot better or his time could be up. Would have liked to see Harry Byrne start instead.

Looks a good side. Be good to see how 9 & 10 work.
Be good to hopefully see Boyle and Blade get some game time.

Carter starting for USA. See how he does.

Carter or Carty? Carty did quite well v England I thought.

Sorry. Carty.

Ireland v USA on the Channel 4 Youtube channel because Channel 4 would rather show a football game from 55 years ago on their actual channel. Who says rugby isn't popular lol

Good try

What a try from Baloucoune

Ireland opening the USA up here.
Could be 50/60+ at this rate.

Coombes having a good game.

Keenan is quality under the high ball.

Keenan is a great player

Conway is quality. I'd have him ahead of stockdale on the wing.

USA started so well and then it seemed like Ireland just flicked a switch and boom 31 points later.

That USA full back doesn't look like a traditional fullback, he also doesn't look fit enough to be playing fullback

Nice to see Will Addisson playing, has had a hard time with injury during the season

Doris is a great player but he really has feet for hands

Dont think it was a red, they are both low and the player had no time to adjust as the pass was forward. Really harsh

I think it's fair enough, there was not a huge change in height and shot with that force to the head from distance will always be a red now

I said this on the welsh thread, then I repeated it on the lions thread, now I'll reiterate it here...

I get why world rugby is going after head contacts, but the amount of red cards we are seeing is ruining the sport! It's not like this statute has just come out, it's been going on for 18 months?

Ball carriers are leading into contact lower and lower and using their head as a weapon, every pro coach and player will deny it,but I've spoken with 3/4 pro front rows in recent months and they have all confirmed it to me.

I watched the lions SA coverage and there is a movement in SA and Aus to start penalizing challenges below the waist (chop) because of the danger to knees and ankles...

Where do we go?!?!

Brilliant try. Great hands

I said this on the welsh thread, then I repeated it on the lions thread, now I'll reiterate it here...

I get why world rugby is going after head contacts, but the amount of red cards we are seeing is ruining the sport! It's not like this statute has just come out, it's been going on for 18 months?

Ball carriers are leading into contact lower and lower and using their head as a weapon, every pro coach and player will deny it,but I've spoken with 3/4 pro front rows in recent months and they have all confirmed it to me.

I watched the lions SA coverage and there is a movement in SA and Aus to start penalizing challenges below the waist (chop) because of the danger to knees and ankles...

Where do we go?!?!

neilthom7 wrote:I think it's fair enough, there was not a huge change in height and shot with that force to the head from distance will always be a red now

There was no time to react from the time Kellegher caught the ball and the tackle was made. Makes no sense to give a red for that in my view. Ruins the game too.

Harry Byrne is a better player than Carbery, hope he gets more games. Harry and Ross are probably our two best 10s now.

Spoke too soon

Collapse2005 wrote:

neilthom7 wrote:I think it's fair enough, there was not a huge change in height and shot with that force to the head from distance will always be a red now

There was no time to react from the time Kellegher caught the ball and the tackle was made. Makes no sense to give a red for that in my view. Ruins the game too.

The guy went in almost straight up, he shouldn't have to react to Kelleher catching the ball as he was always targeting the tackle on him, we will have to agree to disagree on this one because for me and the 4 officials it was a clear red

I like Carbery. Think he’s decent enough.
Byrne is a good prospect. Like you say, hopefully gets good game time.

Cement a spot on next years 6 nations hopefully.

There haven't been any clear standouts really to replace Sexton as yet so any of those guys over the the next year who really stick their hand up could be in with a good shout.

That was probably surprisingly easy after the first 10-15 mins.

Some really good passing moves from Ireland and good offloads but pretty poor from USA so don't know how much they can really take from that one.

Still a good win and some nice play so should be a happy summer break for those guys

Casey hopefully will cement a spot on the replacement bench at least while Murray is still in the frame.

Balacoune, Hume, Coombes, Timoney, Addison all did well. Many caps to come hopefully.

I like Conway, big fan of his, but he turns 30 tomorrow, not as much time obviously as other wingers.

Very enjoyable performance. I'm not too bothered by the scoreline but was mainly looking at performance and they delivered.