The IRISH RUGBY thread

[smort]

Surprised Billy Twelvetrees didn't make it as his versatility could have been important in tournament play. When is the Irish squad announced?

[screenexile]

Surprised Billy Twelvetrees didn't make it as his versatility could have been important in tournament play. When is the Irish squad announced?

Monday

[galwayman]

Maybe it's just me but I have always thought Fitzgerald was hugely overrated. Both himself & Felix Jones have fairly big reputations but I for one have never seen the evidence why.

[Bord na Mona man]

Also no place for Easter or Cipriani? If anything happens to George Ford they are goosed!!

Good news to see Cipriani out. A waste of space a lot of the time, but you'd still fear him more than Ford or Farrell.

[AZOffaly]

Wouldn't say Felix Jones has a big reputation in fairness. I think he'll probably lose out because he's really a specialist full back, whereas Zebo, Fitzgerald, Earls and others could potentially cover that position and a few others (wing/centre). If you are bringing a specialist, he'd want to be making the first XV, and I can't see Jones making that.

He's a good solid club fullback at Munster, but he's not at that sort of level in my opinion.

[johnneycool]

I see England have announced their squad. . . some big calls in there no Twelvetrees and the 2 Rugby league lads in. A statement of intent there with the bang crash game with those centres.

Also no place for Easter or Cipriani? If anything happens to George Ford they are goosed!!

It'll be interesting to see what Schmidt does. Trimble away back to Ulster this weekend is a big call. I would have thought he was ahead of Dave Kearney but I guess injury is a problem. Fitzgerald and Henshaw in the midfield this weekend is a very interesting one I think it's a partnership that could do well but is Fitzgerald strong enough in defence for that role?

Still more questions than answers at this stage but an intriguing few weeks ahead!

Watched the highlights of the two England, France games and boy are they hard to watch! Burgess is yet another crash ball man, poor hands for a centre, with even Guscott pointing out, not to mention his poor positioning!
Watson is their saving grace as he was able to conjure a try out of absolutely nothing, he'll take some watching even if he is starved of proper possession!

[ludermor]

I see England have announced their squad. . . some big calls in there no Twelvetrees and the 2 Rugby league lads in. A statement of intent there with the bang crash game with those centres.

Also no place for Easter or Cipriani? If anything happens to George Ford they are goosed!!

It'll be interesting to see what Schmidt does. Trimble away back to Ulster this weekend is a big call. I would have thought he was ahead of Dave Kearney but I guess injury is a problem. Fitzgerald and Henshaw in the midfield this weekend is a very interesting one I think it's a partnership that could do well but is Fitzgerald strong enough in defence for that role?

Still more questions than answers at this stage but an intriguing few weeks ahead!

Who is the 2nd league fella? Burgess is a huge call and i think he will get destroyed defensively by some teams. 

[tyroneboi]

I see England have announced their squad. . . some big calls in there no Twelvetrees and the 2 Rugby league lads in. A statement of intent there with the bang crash game with those centres.

Also no place for Easter or Cipriani? If anything happens to George Ford they are goosed!!

It'll be interesting to see what Schmidt does. Trimble away back to Ulster this weekend is a big call. I would have thought he was ahead of Dave Kearney but I guess injury is a problem. Fitzgerald and Henshaw in the midfield this weekend is a very interesting one I think it's a partnership that could do well but is Fitzgerald strong enough in defence for that role?

Still more questions than answers at this stage but an intriguing few weeks ahead!

Tommy Bowe is playing with Ulster this weekend as well. I think the pair of them will be in the final 31. I'm not a huge fan of Fitzgerald at either centre or wing but seems to be a favourite of Schmidts. For me Healy is the interesting one. No one seems to know for certain what is going on there? I think he'll risk him in his squad though.

[omaghjoe]

Physicality is what wins World Cups, which is why Ireland wont

Which is why the world cup is between NZ England SA and perhaps France if they can get their act together.

[tyroneboi]

England have to peak from the group stages onwards. I have my doubts about England I just don't see a World Cup in that squad.

[gawa316]

Physicality is what wins World Cups, which is why Ireland wont

Which is why the world cup is between NZ England SA and perhaps France if they can get their act together.

Does physicality win 6 nations?

[screenexile]

England have to peak from the group stages onwards. I have my doubts about England I just don't see a World Cup in that squad.

Wales game is key. I don't ser either of them beating the Aussies and Wales are smash merchants as well at this stage so it will just be a savagely tight claustrophobic game probably decided on kicking and Wales have the advantage there. I'll be glued to it though I think it will be fascinating.

[ashman]

Physicality is what wins World Cups, which is why Ireland wont

Which is why the world cup is between NZ England SA and perhaps France if they can get their act together.

France fairly bullied England last weekend.

[johnneycool]

Physicality is what wins World Cups, which is why Ireland wont

Which is why the world cup is between NZ England SA and perhaps France if they can get their act together.

France fairly bullied England last weekend.

Certainly in the scrum which I was surprised at TBH!

[tyroneboi]

England have to peak from the group stages onwards. I have my doubts about England I just don't see a World Cup in that squad.

Wales game is key. I don't ser either of them beating the Aussies and Wales are smash merchants as well at this stage so it will just be a savagely tight claustrophobic game probably decided on kicking and Wales have the advantage there. I'll be glued to it though I think it will be fascinating.

And that's why I think Owen Farrell will get the nod ahead of George Ford. Fiji as well in that group will be no pushovers either. Aussies are looking good though.