Forwards (17)
Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Simon Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) (Captain)
*Peter Bracken (Wasps)
*Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
Leo Cullen (Leicester)
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
Keith Gleeson (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster)
Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster)
Bernard Jackman (Clontarf/Leinster)
*Shane Jennings (Leicester)
Mick O'Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Malcolm O'Kelly (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster)
Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Bryan Young (Ballymena/Ulster)
Backs (13)
Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster)
Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Munster)
*Brian Carney (Clonakilty/Munster)
Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/Connacht)
*Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Kieran Lewis (St.Mary's College/Leinster)
*Barry Murphy (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
Geordan Murphy (Leicester)
*Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Wasps)
Jeremy Staunton (Wasps)**
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
* indicates uncapped player
**Subject to Fitness Test
There really is quite some strength in depth in Irish rugby at the moment. There are some very good players in what is a B squad.
Would have liked to see young Humphreys get a run-out, and I can't understand Roger Wilson's absence (unless he's crocked), but you could assemble a very decent side out of what's there. Geordan Murphy really has fallen out of favour if he has to travel on this.
interesting squad alright. think the majority of these lads are playing to get into the world cup squad at best. In my opinion the only guys that have a chance of getting in the team come world cup are jerry flannery an geordan murphy.
A very strong squad indeed . Why isn't Luke Fitzgerald included in it?
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/features/insideirishrugby.html (http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/features/insideirishrugby.html)
THis looks like it will be worth watching
What sort of teams will the pumas be putting out?
I was interested to read at the weekend that Ben Kay thinks Shane Jennings os the best back row forward he has ever played with at any level. thats some compliment given the pack company kay has kept during his career.
Stuart barnes wrote (yet again) at the weekend that Ireland are either crazy or have some fantastic team in order to leave out G Murphy
Quote from: lynchbhoy on May 22, 2007, 02:40:26 PM
Stuart barnes wrote (yet again) at the weekend that Ireland are either crazy or have some fantastic team in order to leave out G Murphy
Barnes has got a bad case of man-love for Murphy. He's always bigging him up.
No doubt he's very talented but can also be very erratic. He's had some right stinkers in an Ireland jersey which is why he's not considered an automatic pick.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on May 22, 2007, 02:53:29 PM
Quote from: lynchbhoy on May 22, 2007, 02:40:26 PM
Stuart barnes wrote (yet again) at the weekend that Ireland are either crazy or have some fantastic team in order to leave out G Murphy
Barnes has got a bad case of man-love for Murphy. He's always bigging him up.
No doubt he's very talented but can also be very erratic. He's had some right stinkers in an Ireland jersey which is why he's not considered an automatic pick.
I know I used to laugh and agree with him,
but when not in a leicester jersey, Murphy just isnt the same player.
He misses too many tackles at international level. not a great habit to have in any of your back three if you intend challenging for the world cup.
out of interest... is anyone heading to any of the world cup games?
Quote from: lynchbhoy on May 22, 2007, 02:56:06 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on May 22, 2007, 02:53:29 PM
Quote from: lynchbhoy on May 22, 2007, 02:40:26 PM
Stuart barnes wrote (yet again) at the weekend that Ireland are either crazy or have some fantastic team in order to leave out G Murphy
Barnes has got a bad case of man-love for Murphy. He's always bigging him up.
No doubt he's very talented but can also be very erratic. He's had some right stinkers in an Ireland jersey which is why he's not considered an automatic pick.
I know I used to laugh and agree with him,
but when not in a leicester jersey, Murphy just isnt the same player.
Murphy was the only Leicester back to turn up on sunday IMO. However Girvan Dempsey hasn't done an awful lot wrong for Ireland in recent times and probably deserves the start on consistency alone.
What's the point of taking Mal O'Kelly to the southern hemisphere? He must be guaranteed a place on the World cup squad but I think he'll be fucked in the French heat come August time.
Is Tony Buckley the half bearded back row for Munster?
What about Brian Carney? What has his form been like for Munster? Will he be in the world cup sqaud?
Tony Buckley or Mushy as he is known, is a prop, Height 1.96 m Weight 134 kg compared to John Hayes'
Height 1.93 m Weight 125 kg , so he's a big strong lump of a young lad, unproven really yet as he has only played a handful of games for Munster, but is spoken of with great potential. Bath tried to sign him this season but he turned them down after a better offer from Munster.
Carney has played well in the few games he has played , but unless he plays well against the Argies he wont make the world cup squad, still lots to learn about the union game and the years may be against him, but he has speed , strength and power and would be good cover for Shane Horgan or Trimble on the wing
Ireland Team For First Argentina Test Named
Carney to make test debut
www.IrishRugby.ie
by Editor
Carney is the only uncapped player in the starting XV and is joined in the back three by Gavin Duffy, who starts at full back for the first time for Ireland. There is a new centre partnership in the shape of Andrew Trimble and Kieran Lewis, who starts the game at inside centre. Paddy Wallace will also form the halfback combination with Isaac Boss.
In the forwards, Jerry Flannery starts at hooker for the first time since the summer tour last year. Malcolm O'Kelly also returns to the side after missing the entire RBS 6 Nations Championship due to injury. In the backrow, Jamie Heaslip makes his second start for Ireland at No.8 and is flanked by Neil Best and the experienced Keith Gleeson. team will be captained by Simon Best for the first time.
Ireland Coach Eddie O'Sullivan said, "This tour is about allowing players to challenge for the World Cup squad and it starts this weekend in the first test against Argentina. Players have to put their hands up over the next two weeks to put their case forward. Now that might put pressure on players, but there is no more pressurised an environment then international rugby and the world cup, so this will be a good test for them."
The Ireland team to play Argentina on Saturday, 26th May 2007 in the Estadio Brigadier Estanislao Lopez del Barrio Centenario, Santa Fe at 16.10hrs local time (20.10 Irish time) is as follows:
Player Club Caps
15 - Gavan Duffy Galwegians/Connacht 4
14 - Brian Carney Clonakilty/Munster 0
13 - Andrew Trimble Ballymena/Ulster 14
12 - Kieran Lewis St.Mary's College/Leinster 1
11 - Tommy Bowe Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 8
10 - Paddy Wallace Ballymena/Ulster 3
9 - Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster 7
1 - Bryan Young Ballymena/Ulster 5
2 - Jerry Flannery Shannon/Munster 14
3 - Simon Best Captain Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 16
4 - Trevor Hogan Shannon/Leinster 3
5 - Malcolm O'Kelly St.Mary's College/Leinster 83
6 - Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster 10
7 - Keith Gleeson St.Mary's College/Leinster 25
8 - Jamie Heaslip Clontarf/Leinster 1
Replacements:
16 - Bernard Jackman Clontarf/Leinster 2
17 - Tony Buckley Shannon/Munster 0
18 - Mick O'Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster 9
19 - Stephen Ferris Dungannon 1
20 - Tomas O'Leary Dolphin/Munster 0
21 - Geordan Murphy Leicester 46
Quoteout of interest... is anyone heading to any of the world cup games?
Yep have 2 tickets per group game and the quarter-final if we get there, unfortunately the brother has decided to get married in the middle of Oregon in the good ol' USA early September so will miss the first 2 group games...
QuoteIs Tony Buckley the half bearded back row for Munster?
That half-bearded player is John O'Sullivan, Kerry Mike probably didn't know that because he generally only plays Magners League and no right-minded Munster fan would go and watch the bread and butter stuff, he's also from Kerry but learned his rugby in Kildare.
QuoteBath tried to sign him this season but he turned them down after a better offer from Munster.
He actually signed for Bath and then reneged but considering his coach is Judas Kidney this doesn't come as a shock. ::)
QuoteCarney has played well in the few games he has played , but unless he plays well against the Argies he wont make the world cup squad, still lots to learn about the union game and the years may be against him, but he has speed , strength and power and would be good cover for Shane Horgan or Trimble on the wing
Christ if Horgan continues his current form Carney should start, he's a class act and has played well abd I actually think O'Sullivan wouldn't have approved his contract if he wasn't going to bring him to the World Cup. He definitely would be an asset too...
All irish rugby fans keep Monday 28th May at 9.30 on RTE 1 free:
Inside Irish Rugby '07
Watch 'Reaching For Glory: Inside Irish Rugby '07' on Monday, 28 May, on RTÉ One at 9.30pm
It has been a historic year for Irish rugby: it was goodbye (for now) to the oldest rugby stadium in the world, wins for Ireland over the game's super-powers, Croke Park opened its doors, Ireland won the Triple Crown for the third time in four years, and they also came oh so close to winning their first Six Nations Championship...
RTÉ Sport's cameras were there every step of the way and now they bring you inside the camp to experience the season through the players' eyes.
RTÉ Sport brings you exclusive access to the dressing rooms for Ireland's wins over Australia and South Africa in the Autumn Internationals. The cameras travel around Europe and enter Croke Park amongst the players for Ireland's latest Triple Crown win.
Hear the tactics, dressing room talks and watch squad training sessions in this 52-minute documentary from the same team who made 'The Dubs: Story of a season' and 'Final Words: Brian Kerr's World Cup Story'.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/features/insideirishrugby.html
This sounds awesome - seriously cant wait. Have been reading about it and it sounds like a Living With the Lions Irish style!!
Quote from: tyroneboi on May 22, 2007, 10:35:27 PM
All irish rugby fans keep Monday 28th May at 9.30 on RTE 1 free:
Inside Irish Rugby '07
Watch 'Reaching For Glory: Inside Irish Rugby '07' on Monday, 28 May, on RTÉ One at 9.30pm
It has been a historic year for Irish rugby: it was goodbye (for now) to the oldest rugby stadium in the world, wins for Ireland over the game's super-powers, Croke Park opened its doors, Ireland won the Triple Crown for the third time in four years, and they also came oh so close to winning their first Six Nations Championship...
RTÉ Sport's cameras were there every step of the way and now they bring you inside the camp to experience the season through the players' eyes.
RTÉ Sport brings you exclusive access to the dressing rooms for Ireland's wins over Australia and South Africa in the Autumn Internationals. The cameras travel around Europe and enter Croke Park amongst the players for Ireland's latest Triple Crown win.
Hear the tactics, dressing room talks and watch squad training sessions in this 52-minute documentary from the same team who made 'The Dubs: Story of a season' and 'Final Words: Brian Kerr's World Cup Story'.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/features/insideirishrugby.html
This sounds awesome - seriously cant wait. Have been reading about it and it sounds like a Living With the Lions Irish style!!
Bits of it on you tube already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcVv-xFNPuI&mode=related&search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcVv-xFNPuI&mode=related&search=)
Quote from: Dinny Breen on May 22, 2007, 06:42:09 PM
QuoteIs Tony Buckley the half bearded back row for Munster?
That half-bearded player is John O'Sullivan, Kerry Mike probably didn't know that because he generally only plays Magners League and no right-minded Munster fan would go and watch the bread and butter stuff, he's also from Kerry but learned his rugby in Kildare.
O'Sullivan was the most impressive Munster player on display the night Ulster gifted them the Magners league game up in Ravenhill.
Is he not getting a run out in either Argentina or the Churchill cup? I suppose competition is strong for the backrow at the minute and would mitigate against him. Right athletic player all the same.
The bearded fellow may also be Tim McGann though John O'Sullivan is also known to grow a bit of a beard at times. O'Sullivan is a fine prospect at Number 8 and may be the long term replacement for Anthony Foley, and will hopefully battle it out with Jamie Heaslip for the Irish Number 8 spot in years to come. His few years with Connacht have been a good learning curve for him and he is a welcome addition this season to Munster. Always good to have a Kerryman on the panel too.
QuoteKerry Mike probably didn't know that because he generally only plays Magners League and no right-minded Munster fan would go and watch the bread and butter stuff
Dinny, Have been at most home League games this year in both Limerick and Cork as a long term season ticket holder so you would be surprised what I know.
Quote from: tyroneboi on April 30, 2007, 03:23:14 PM
interesting squad alright. think the majority of these lads are playing to get into the world cup squad at best. In my opinion the only guys that have a chance of getting in the team come world cup are jerry flannery an geordan murphy.
What does Neil Best have to do to get into the team? I appreciate Ireland is very well off for players at the back of the pack, but he's never been less than excellent (imo) when he has got his chance (usually only in short bursts). Sadly, I fear he is another flair player on whom the ever-cautious EOS is reluctant to take a chance, preferring instead the tried and trusted. :(
(Players like Flannery and Murphy, whilst capable of great performances, have also been erratic/inconsistent at other times)
QuoteWhat does Neil Best have to do to get into the team?
Well he has been in and out of the team but there is huge competition for places in the back-row and Simon Easterby has been keeping him out and Easterby had a fantastic 6 Nations.
Just look at Jamie Heaslip who has probably been the form Irish number 8 this season. He still hasn't broken through yet to the full side.
Quote from: Evil Genius on May 23, 2007, 11:49:53 AM
What does Neil Best have to do to get into the team? I appreciate Ireland is very well off for players at the back of the pack, but he's never been less than excellent (imo) when he has got his chance (usually only in short bursts). Sadly, I fear he is another flair player on whom the ever-cautious EOS is reluctant to take a chance, preferring instead the tried and trusted. :(
I wouldn't quite describe Best as a flair player at all...physical would be the word to describe him...
However he is competing with -
Easterby who comfortably beat him for Llanelli and had an excellent 6Nations
Quinlan who when not injured was brilliant for Munster
Both of the above provide a serious lineout option which best doesn't
Wallace who had an outstanding season
Jennings who was voted the 2nd best player in the ZP
Leamy who was brilliant for Ireland but not at his best for Munster
Heaslip who is the form No8 in Ireland and probably has has a better season than Leamy
Then you have Ferris, Gleeson etc also in the mix and only 3 can play and 6 will travel....
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on May 23, 2007, 12:36:47 PM
Quote from: Evil Genius on May 23, 2007, 11:49:53 AM
What does Neil Best have to do to get into the team? I appreciate Ireland is very well off for players at the back of the pack, but he's never been less than excellent (imo) when he has got his chance (usually only in short bursts). Sadly, I fear he is another flair player on whom the ever-cautious EOS is reluctant to take a chance, preferring instead the tried and trusted. :(
I wouldn't quite describe Best as a flair player at all...physical would be the word to describe him...
However he is competing with -
Easterby who comfortably beat him for Llanelli and had an excellent 6Nations
Quinlan who when not injured was brilliant for Munster
Both of the above provide a serious lineout option which best doesn't
Wallace who had an outstanding season
Jennings who was voted the 2nd best player in the ZP
Leamy who was brilliant for Ireland but not at his best for Munster
Heaslip who is the form No8 in Ireland and probably has has a better season than Leamy
Then you have Ferris, Gleeson etc also in the mix and only 3 can play and 6 will travel....
Fair enough, "flair" was the wrong term - I might have said "impact", or somesuch. However, my point was that whenever he has played in an Ireland shirt, he has
always played very well (brilliantly, even). Nonetheless, I get the impression that regardless of how well he does, he will always be dropped in favour of other, not more obviously talented players.
By contrast, there are some individuals with whom EOS will always perservere, irrespective of their actual performances in an Irish shirt, since he knows them, and they're "reliable".
I happen to think this derives from an innate conservatism in O'Sullivan. And whilst this has served him (and Ireland) well in taking us this far i.e. genuine contenders, I fear it will ultimately prevent us ever being actual champions (Six Nations, or even World Cup).
In the end, you can't always "save your ace"; eventually, there comes a time when you have to put your best cards on the table (no pun intended) and trust that they won't be trumped.
Christ, I'm beginning to sound like a Kenny Rodgers song; I'd better go now... :-[
QuoteEasterby who comfortably beat him for Llanelli and had an excellent 6Nations
Things like that annoy me, Best played pretty well in both games against Llanelli but his tight 5 were brutal, so quite simply you cannot compare them in that manner. Best has been dropped for Easterby because as EG suggest Conservative Eddie has his favourite sons and Easterby is one of them. Give me the more destructive and aggressive Best anytime. Anyway considering the game Jennings had against Llanelli should he not be streets ahead of Easterby, just applying your logic loike....
Quote
Quinlan who when not injured was brilliant for Munster
No he wasn't. in fact I reckon he was distinctly average and will not be travelling to the World Cup...
QuoteBoth of the above provide a serious lineout option which best doesn't
Both of the above are average tail jumpers imho
QuoteWallace who had an outstanding season
Internationally only, terrible form for Munster
QuoteJennings who was voted the 2nd best player in the ZP
Hasn't even been capped yet I think, no chance of going to the world cup..
QuoteLeamy who was brilliant for Ireland but not at his best for Munster
Far from brilliant for Ireland, poor 6 nations by his standards...
QuoteHeaslip who is the form No8 in Ireland and probably has has a better season than Leamy
Well there you go I agree with something at last :)
The 5 back-row that should travel and will travel will be Easterby Wallace, Leamy, Best and Heaslip. EOS might bring an out and out open-side and that should be Jennings. He has however god knows why used that sh*t on a stick Mick O'Driscoll as cover for the back-row before. My own starting three would be Best, Wallace and Heaslip.....
QuoteHe has however god knows why used that sh*t on a stick Mick O'Driscoll
A bit harsh there Dinny, Micko has never left down any side even Ireland when he has played for them, granted he is not a back row cover but not his fault if he is producing the goods in training and EOS throws him into the fray.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on May 23, 2007, 03:40:29 PM
QuoteEasterby who comfortably beat him for Llanelli and had an excellent 6Nations
Things like that annoy me, Best played pretty well in both games against Llanelli but his tight 5 were brutal, so quite simply you cannot compare them in that manner. Best has been dropped for Easterby because as EG suggest Conservative Eddie has his favourite sons and Easterby is one of them. Give me the more destructive and aggressive Best anytime. Anyway considering the game Jennings had against Llanelli should he not be streets ahead of Easterby, just applying your logic loike....
Quote
Quinlan who when not injured was brilliant for Munster
No he wasn't. in fact I reckon he was distinctly average and will not be travelling to the World Cup...
QuoteBoth of the above provide a serious lineout option which best doesn't
Both of the above are average tail jumpers imho
QuoteWallace who had an outstanding season
Internationally only, terrible form for Munster
QuoteJennings who was voted the 2nd best player in the ZP
Hasn't even been capped yet I think, no chance of going to the world cup..
QuoteLeamy who was brilliant for Ireland but not at his best for Munster
Far from brilliant for Ireland, poor 6 nations by his standards...
QuoteHeaslip who is the form No8 in Ireland and probably has has a better season than Leamy
Well there you go I agree with something at last :)
The 5 back-row that should travel and will travel will be Easterby Wallace, Leamy, Best and Heaslip. EOS might bring an out and out open-side and that should be Jennings. He has however god knows why used that sh*t on a stick Mick O'Driscoll as cover for the back-row before. My own starting three would be Best, Wallace and Heaslip.....
Dinny
Easterby has been in outstanding form for Llanelli this season - better form than Best has been for Ulster where he has noticeably tailed off - and he provides the lineout option that Best doesn't....
When comparing Jennings to Easterby they play in different positions
Quinlan was in outstanding form at the start of the season until suspension and injury and has been in great form since then...
Wallace will go and start because he is so vital for Ireland - probably Jennings (who will be capped next week and is A team captain) will go as well as we need a 2nd No7
Leamy made maybe 2/3 mistakes for Ireland but still played extremely well in his ball carrying etc....
My personal choice would be
Leamy
Wallace
Heaslip
with Jennings on the bench but totally undestand we need a fully functioning lineout and we can't do that without a good jumper at No6.....
Just not a Quinlan fan, so my personal bias will always win through on him. Easterby has played a lot rugby for Llanelli at 7, he is similar to Wallace in that he is neither an out and out 6 or 7 but lacks Wallace's carry skills but is better on the ground a master of the dark arts but with BOD and Flash we don't need an out and out 7 hence Wallace gets my nod and I like a good aggressive hard bastard at 6 hence Best gets the nod and Heaslip is just a better 8 than Leamy and is a better line-out option. Leamy's form is not great but would be the perfect bench player as he can make an impact and cover all 3 back-row positions.
Jennings is good with a winning pack, will be interesting to see how gets on with a very average pack with Leinster next year...
great start for ireland and brian carney looks pretty handy!
Argentina 3
Ireland 10
Heaslip playing well too. It looks to be a scorcher of a day there
How'd the game end??
22-20 to the Argies. Lack of a decent placekicker killed Ireland - Wallace went off...not a placekicker anyway to be replaced by Geordan Murphy. Gavin Duffy took over the kicks slotting one and missing another. Pack seemed to do pretty well but no coherency in backs but hardly surprising in the circumstances. Fairly ok performance without getting any of the first 15 too worried. Flannery put in some huge hits, Neil Best good bar daft binning and Heaslip had a huge match.
Ya i thought heaslip had a good game and carney had a good first half. lack of place kicker killed us.That was a brutal attempt at a drop goal by murphy.
Cracking game, very physical and played to a tremendous tempo throughout. It did lack structure but I thought that added to enjoyment as you hadn't clue what was going to happen next. Ireland played well and were the better team the lack of a quality place kicker as the lads have pointed was the issue. As for World Cup selection I thought Flannery, O'Kelly, Heaslip and Best all laid down markers and will be in the squad. Boss, Carney and Wallace were the pick of our backs. Our inexperience showed at the end when we had them on the ropes and instead of pushing for the try or penalty we opted for a drop goal.
How many players will be taken to the World Cup? Whats the split between backs and forwards? Will there be 3 scrum halfs taken for example? How many back rowers etc etc?
30 players will be travelling to the World Cup, generally it's done on a 17 - 13 split, 17 forwards 13 backs. The really specialist positions such as scrum-half and hooker will have 3 each travelling.
The expected breakdown will be
5 props,
3 hookers
3 Second-row
6 Back-row (Maybe 6 props and 5 back-row)
3 Scrum-halfs
2 Out-halfs
2 Full-Backs
and 6 centres/wingers
Thanks for that Dinny. If thats the case i think that Steady Eddie will go with this squad of players. Obvioulsy there will be one or two injuries or surprise inclusions but i think he may go with this:
Forwards
Hookers: Sheahan, Best, Flannary
Props: Best, Hayes, Horan, Young, Best
2nd Row O'Callaghan, O'Connell, O'Kelly
Back Row: Easterby, Wallace, Leamy, Best, An Other (Could be two of 4/5)
Backs
Scrum-Halfs: Reddan. Stringer, Boss
Fly Halfs: O'Gara, Wallace
Full-backs: Murphy, Dempsey
Wing/Centre: Hickie, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Horgan, Carney, Trimble
I expect the breakdown as follows :
4 props
3 Hookers
4 second rows
6 backrows
3 scrum halves
2 Outhalves
8 outside backs
Props : Horan , Hayes , Best and Young
Hookers : Best , Flannery and Sheehan
2 Rows : O Connell , O Callaghan , O Kelly , O Driscoll
Backrows : Easterby , Wallace , Leamy , Best , Heaslip and Jennings
Scrum Halves : Stringer , Boss and Reddan
Outhalves : O Gara and Wallace
Outside backs : O Driscoll , Darcy , S Horgan , D Hickie , Dempsey , Murphy , Trimble and Carney
My logic in 4 props is that in a match day 22, you need only 3 props so having 4 in 30 should cover that. If Eddie wants another prop it will be Bracken, and then Carney will lose out with Boss providing additional outside back cover. Only positions in doubt next weekend is O Driscoll/ Cullen and Hogan in second row and 2 from Jennings vrs Ferris vrs Heaslip in backrow.
Consistent rumour has it that overtures to David Humphries will be made and given the lack of a quality after O Gara then this can only be a good development if it happens
Team for second test named. Don't think that team is capable of winning too many passengers for my liking but with a World Cup place on the line they should put in a performance. Will be interested in seeing how Reddan, Kearney, Carney eile, Jennings and Ferris perform.
15 - Geordan Murphy Leicester
14 - Brian Carney, Munster
13 - Barry Murphy U.L. Bohemians/Munster
12 - Gavin Duffy Galwegians/Connacht
11 - Rob Kearney UCD/Leinster
10 - Jeremy Staunton Wasps
9 - Eoin Reddan Wasps
1 - Bryan Young Ballymena/Ulster
2 - Frankie Sheahan Cork Constitution/Munster
3 - Simon Best (Captain) Belfast Harlequins/Ulster
4 - Leo Cullen Leicester
5 - Mick O'Driscoll Cork Constitution/Munster
6 - Alan Quinlan Shannon/Munster
7 - Shane Jennings Leicester
8 - Stephen Ferris Dungannon/Ulster
Replacements:
16 - Bernard Jackman Clontarf/Leinster
17 - Tony Buckley Shannon/Munster
18 - Malcolm O'Kelly St. Mary's College/Leinster
19 - Neil Best Belfast Harlequins/Ulster
20 - Isaac Boss Ballymena/Ulster
21 - Kieran Lewis St.Mary's College/Leinster
22 - Luke Fitzgerald Blackrock College/Leinster
Interesting to see how Reddan does. He was good for Wasps this season, he might be a better option to replace Stringer in the long term.
Surely taking three second rows is too skimpy? i suppose O'Driscoll can play here or back row and offers good versatility. They will have to take 5 props.
anyone see it, was it as bad as it sounds?
from the BBC
Argentina held Ireland scoreless as they grafted to victory over the under-strength visitors in the second and final Test match in Buenos Aires.
Ireland struggled throughout and Jeremy Staunton missed three penalties which would have kept his side in the game.
Federico Todeschini hit two first-half penalties as the Irish failed to make intense pressure count.
Todeschini added another penalty and Manuel Contepomi's late try completed Argentina's 2-0 series victory.
The game offered several Irish players the chance to press their claims for World Cup selection but Eddie O'Sullivan is unlikely to be have been impressed by an error-ridden display.
606: DEBATE
Your reaction to Ireland's defeat
Ireland got sucked into a forward battle in the early stages and when the ball did go wide, passes were spilled on numerous occasions.
The home side took the lead in the ninth minute with fly-half Todeschini slotting a penalty from 30 metres after Frankie Sheahan had conceded a penalty.
The Irish responded by charging into the Argentine 22 but scrum-half Eoin Reddan knocked on just as the visitors appeared to have numbers out wide.
Staunton made a reasonably assured start for Ireland and he went close to levelling in the 25th minute when his long-range penalty was inches wide.
Simon Best and his Irish colleagues got sucked into a forward-dominated game
Ireland captain Simon Best is tackled by Rimas Alvarez Kairelis
Ireland had a try-scoring opportunity in the 26th minute after Alan Quinlan had charged down Todeschini's attempted clearance but Mick O'Driscoll lost possession five metres short of the line.
The visitors were camped in the Argentine 22 in the 10 minutes before half-time but amazingly, they failed to register a score.
Staunton's break had the Irish charging at the Argentine line but Bryan Young was held up.
More intense Irish pressure set up a straightforward penalty chance for Staunton from a central position 20 metres out but the fly-half pulled the opportunity badly wide.
To rub salt into Irish wounds, debutant Shane Jennings needlessly conceded a penalty after charging into a ruck from the side and Todeschini slotted the kick to put Argentina 6-0 up at the interval.
Staunton's struggles with the boot continued when he missed another penalty from 35 metres eight minutes after half-time and his opposite number Todeschini extended Argentina's lead to nine points on 56 minutes.
Ireland's play became increasingly ragged in the final 20 minutes with not even the introduction of livewire Neil Best rallying the visitors.
With victory already assured, Argentina put the tired Irish under intense pressure in the closing minutes and Manuel Contepomi broke through Brian Carney's dreadful attempted tackle to seal the home side's victory with Todeschini adding the conversion.
The game suggested that the much-vaunted strength in depth in Irish rugby is not as extensive as touted in some quarters.
Quote from: CiKe on June 03, 2007, 10:56:49 AM
anyone see it, was it as bad as it sounds?
Worser
The biggest problem was a lack of cutting edge. A large amount of credit has to go towards Argentina's defence, which was imperious, well organised and disciplined, but Ireland never looked like either having the power or the subtleness required to break through.
This was evident from early on, and then an eagerness spead throughout the backline to force the issue and get involved too quickly, which meant a plethora of forward passes, wrong passes, and dropped passes.
Reddan looked useful, but I doubt we'll see any of Staunton, Murphy or Kearney in an Irish shirt again too soon. Nothing went right for Staunton at all. Duffy looked like a player playing out of position. Carney's only real involvement was a missed tackle and he looks like he could be our answer to Andy Farrell. Murphy was poor as usual.
I thought the pack performed okay, and the front row did nothing wrong at all. Bryan Young looked quite useful in loose. Neither Mick O'Driscoll or Leo Cullen is fit for international rugby, but the rest of the pack all look decent back-up.
QuoteReddan looked useful, but I doubt we'll see any of Staunton, Murphy or Kearney in an Irish shirt again too soon. Nothing went right for Staunton at all. Duffy looked like a player playing out of position. Carney's only real involvement was a missed tackle and he looks like he could be our answer to Andy Farrell. Murphy was poor as usual.
I thought the pack performed okay, and the front row did nothing wrong at all. Bryan Young looked quite useful in loose. Neither Mick O'Driscoll or Leo Cullen is fit for international rugby, but the rest of the pack all look decent back-up.
Not sure I could agree with all that, Reddan to me was too ponderous and isn't even challenging Boss for the 2nd scrum-half spot. Agree about Staunton and Barry Murphy (Can honestly say I have never seen a worse display in an Irish green jersey) but apart from one terrible knock-on I thought Kearney did OK as did Geordan Murphy. Duffy was the pick of the backs simply because he did nothing wrong. You're very harsh on Carney, again he had little to do and at the end he tried an intercept, looked foolish but they had a man outside (which the fat sh*t Hook failed to point out in his analysis) and were always going to score.
Young was my man of the match and Quinlan and Ferris did quite well, in fairness to MOD he did try and didn't hide unlike the over-hyped Cullen and Jennings.
Can't see many others going to Argentina, not a good day for Irish rugby....