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Six Nations squad announcement.
Pretty disappointing to see the likes of Cullen, Wallace and Jennings kicking about there. Have a feeling Deccie's eyeing a steady campaign to keep himself in with a shout for the Lions, doesn't want to tear up the squad just yet.
How come? Jennings is our only specialist 7, Cullen is as good as ever (and probably our back-up captain) and Wallace has had a good season, injuries aside. Wallace is a terrific player - he's just made of glass.
I'd agree it's a conservative squad. However, my only issue with those 3 is what's the point if he's never going to play them? He might as well blood young players as bench warmers. Cullen in particular has been extremely hard done by imo - the second row should've been Cullen and O'Connell for the last 2 years at least. Mind you, seems Cullen's even had enough, given the timing of his operation.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Have to say as well, O'Sullivan would've got crucified for annoucing such a squad. But St. Deccie can do no wrong.
Happy that Leamy isn't there but very disappointed overall.
He's injured, so isn't available.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
And?Quote:
Originally Posted by Macy
He's still not there! It's a winner for me!
So it isn't because he was dropped - he'd be there if he wasn't injured.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
I know. MY joy stems from is absence. The reasoning behind it is irrelevant.
That World Cup was a nailed on home win before the teams began qualifying. Very few teams ever beat New Zealand on their own patch, and it certainly wasn't going to happen in a World Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by joeSoap
Ireland got a mixed fixture list for the 6N tournament. Another trip to France on Valentines weekend, and end with a daunting trip to London. On the plus side, the first game at home, and it's not against the haha whipping team. That's the third game, not the first for a change.
Predictable enough team. Only tight calls were Earls/McFadden and O'Callaghan/Ryan.
Team: R Kearney, Bowe, Earls, D'Arcy, Trimble, Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, O'Call, O'Conn, Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip
Subs: Cronin, Court, Ryan, O'Mahony, Reddan, O'Gara, McFadden
This thread is sooooooo last year.
The half-back pairings are a joke. Why he isn't using Reddan's fast ball with his provincial out-half against Wales I don't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Hardly a joke - its a pretty close call whichever way you look at it.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
Good team in general - don't fancy Earls in the centre from a defensive point of view. Donnacha Ryan is very unlucky not to be starting but no doubt he will get plenty of game time.
If our scrum can continue in the same vein as the world cup we have every chance of winning the game.
Maybe a joke is a bit harsh but surely keeping the provincial pairings together is the way to go? It's most like Deccie tries to be democratic with his decisions. Hence DOC and Leamy always ended up in the squad.
I'm not convinced by Earls in the centre, but I don't mind that one so much to see how it goes. After that a very conservative selection. I don't think it should necessarily be provincial half back pairings (drove me nuts that Stringer - Sexton never got a proper chance), but hard to see the plan with picking Murray and Sexton. Playing Sexton surely means we want fast ball? It smacks a bit of just trying to pick our best backs and fit them in to the game plan rather than the other way around, but I guess time will tell!
I was always of the opinion that quick ball is determined by the superiority of the forwards rather than the velocity of the pass from the scrum half - If our pack do a good job, Sexton will get plenty of opportunities to attack. Otherwise, on the back foot, he will struggle. Murray isn't the fastest passer of the ball in the world but Reddan is hardly Stringer-esque when zipping it out. (Granted he is better than Murray at this particular skill). I'd love to see Murray/Sexton develop a consistent relationship, as going forward, these are the likeliest pairing in the next 3-5 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macy
I don't have a problem if that's the logic, but then why start O'Callaghan in the second row ahead of Ryan? It just doesn't follow through to the rest of the team - Earls is the only other "one for the future" selection and that was forced.Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
I think Kidney's just decided Murray is his man. It's not like Leinster where he'll change SHs to suit the opposition, although I think for this particular game Murray's extra physicality will be needed to match Phillips.
Earls out (pulls out as his daughter is unwell), McFadden in http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/sixnat...03/earlsk.html
Thoughts on yesterday?
I'm still raging.