Thought Luke was gooonnee for the season?

Nope. Expected back for Saracens.

He has turned down a move to Ulster how many times? 2? 3?

Lowe will surely play in the quarter ? He’s too good to leave out

if Heaslip hadn't had to retire, there might have been a small argument in favour of such a move. Conan is Leinsters first choice 8 and will remain so for another 2 years at least I'd say. At that stage SOB will have retired too. Conan ain't going anywhere.

I think Leinster missed a trick not bringing Beirne home, but in Fardy we found a gem instead.

I also happen to think that Josh Murphy is going to be the best 6 we've produced in many many years

Hendo benching

Hendo on the bench

Some impact of the bench but Hendy has been excellent for Ulster and Ireland so think that's harsh.

You're actually unbelievable.

Wallaby centre Kyle Godwin linked to a province in Ireland (Aus press won't say which one). A risky signing due to his injury profile.

Toner and Ryan have both been excellent too. I would have picked Hendo but it's close enough.

I would like to have seen Hendo started as well.

Dont begrudge Toner or Ryan their selection at all. given the scots have f**ked up our lineout on occasion theres logic in going for banker ball with Toner.

Didn’t someone say he was off to Connacht


Very good Irish team. Big impact off the bench aswel. Toner rewarded for a great game last time out I’d say

I don't think it is.

Hendy had a massive game against France, massive. Toner is what Toner is, and that's not Hendy.

The impact off the bench particularly in the forwards is incredible

Connacht

Hendie definitely brings more off the bench than Toner.

Not a fan of that Toner selection. Our back row is going to be tied up enough dealing with the Scottish back row, so my logic would be to get as many carriers on the pitch as possible, and Hendo does that better than Toner does. Though I suppose Joe probably will be seeing Healy and Furlong as our primary carriers

Though in fairness there is also value in Hendo off the bench

don't think its any reflection on Hendo who's obviously vastly superior

I think they're planning on keeping this tight for the 1st hour, scrum and lineout them to death

Yeah, Josh will be a decent 6 but don't see him being top class.

Beirne a much better 6.

Toner had a massive game against Wales, massive. Hendy is what Hendy is, and that's not Toner.

Would prefer Hendo to start but really think this is Schmidt flexing the muscles on his new found strength in depth. It's the complete opposite of the EOS years where the first 15 were guaranteed places. McFadden/Conan dropped from the bench due to non-performances the last day and Toner rewarded for a top quality performance. This approach to selection can only mean higher levels of consistency and performance into the years ahead.

I think Toner is better in the maul and he's better at changing the point of attack as well. Scots were very effective at slowing any English momentum there.

A Toner/Ryan pairing might have a better balance to a Henderson/Ryan one, but its still disappointing to see Henderson unable to nail down his starting berth. He's now 26 and is yet to become the top-class international that we all know he can be.

Anyway, it's really Ryan who has been picked over Henderson.

I'm sure it's just a call made based on injury and with next week in mind too.

Is it? French selection suggests otherwise.

Schmidt decided he wanted Toner in the team, so had the choice to keep one of the two athletic, carrying locks and chose Ryan.

I don't know if that's logical or not looking at it again

Apart from you know, continually putting in top class international performances.

Changing the point in attack through handling?

Better than the player with the most try assists on the 2017 Lions tour?

I can understand Henderson being on the bench if he's still only at 95% after the injury.

Its jumper ffs

Think I would have gone for Henderson and Toner for this one but fair play to Joe for putting so much faith in Ryan. Huge impact on that Irish bench

At the line-out. JFC earl.

Yep

Fantastic squad

It's unreal we can be that strong on paper with all the injuries we have at the moment.

Ulster then so

That's kind of my thinking too. If he had to pull out at short notice, at least we're not rejigging the starting lineup.

SOB back for England perhaps? Bench spot anyway.

Not surprised to see Jordi in for Conan. I think there is a lot more substance to Jordi at this level. He keeps putting in the big performances.