The Official Irish Rugby Thread

anonymous_joe · Post by **anonymous_joe** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:15 pm

Nolanator wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:12 pm We're not going to lose to Georgia, FFS. It's not a world cup.

No, but we'll pick a team that's a bit too conservative and that doesn't really do anything badly but is just uninspiring.

Flametop · Post by **Flametop** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:07 am

anonymous_joe wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:15 pm
Nolanator wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:12 pm We're not going to lose to Georgia, FFS. It's not a world cup.
No, but we'll pick a team that's a bit too conservative and that doesn't really do anything badly but is just uninspiring.

I bet we take our 3 points on every kickable penalty.

Winnie · Post by **Winnie** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:48 am

Floppykid wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:55 pm I'd love for McCloskey to prove me wrong, but I do not believe he's the answer to our problems at centre.

Certainly not if he is playing beside Farrell
They do the same thing

rfurlong · Post by **rfurlong** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:40 am

rfurlong wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 4:31 pm Easterby has said that they wont be throwing caps around just for the sake of it against Georgia Seriously Simon, cop the fvck on .....

Based on the extended autumn squad previously announced (incl. development players), plus some of the others called into camp based on the pictures today (EOS), the team I'd like to see for the Georgia game would be:

15. Daly
14. Earls
13. Farrell*
12. McCloskey
11. Stockdale
10. H. Byrne
9. Casey

*only because theres no other centres in the squad.

1. EOS
2. Heffernan
3. Bealham
4. Henderson
5. Wycherley
6. Baird
7. JVDF
8. Doris

Not sure if some of the above players are injured?

The above lineup would see 6 debutants (Baird, Wycherley, EOS, Daly, Byrne, Casey), but based on Easterby's comments, I now fully expect none of them start

The fact that Coombes, Frawley and others aren't even being looked at during this window is an indictment frankly

bumping this in the face of that rumoured G&T team

if farrell picks wingers with an average age of 32, puts POM on the bench instead of Baird, plays a tighthead at loosehead instead of EOS, puts Ross Byrne on the bench instead of Harry, doesn't involve casey ....... well then he can fvck right off frankly ... and bring Easterby and Catt with him

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:41 am

I’ve slept on it and decided that Faz is going to name the following team:

Healy
Kelleher
Ryan
Baird
Ryan
Beirne
Connors
Doris
JGP
Billy
Earls
Stu
Henshaw
Keenan
Stockdale

Heffernan
EOS
Porter
Hendy
VDF
Murray (is Marmion in the squad? If so then him)
H. Byrne
Farrell

Still a bit meh but a bit more exciting than that abortion of a side GT put out.

Bogbunny · Post by **Bogbunny** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:51 am

Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:41 am I’ve slept on it and decided that Faz is going to name the following team:

Healy
Kelleher
Ryan
Baird
Ryan
Beirne
Connors
Doris
JGP
Billy
Earls
Stu
Henshaw
Keenan
Stockdale

Heffernan
EOS
Porter
Hendy
VDF
Murray (is Marmion in the squad? If so then him)
H. Byrne
Farrell

Still a bit meh but a bit more exciting than that abortion of a side GT put out.

Isn't Henshaw still not out injured?

Duff Paddy · Post by **Duff Paddy** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:05 am

Nolanator wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 11:12 pm We're not going to lose to Georgia, FFS. It's not a world cup.

irishrugbyua · Post by **irishrugbyua** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:06 am

Bogbunny wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:51 am
Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:41 am I’ve slept on it and decided that Faz is going to name the following team:

Healy
Kelleher
Ryan
Baird
Ryan
Beirne
Connors
Doris
JGP
Billy
Earls
Stu
Henshaw
Keenan
Stockdale

Heffernan
EOS
Porter
Hendy
VDF
Murray (is Marmion in the squad? If so then him)
H. Byrne
Farrell

Still a bit meh but a bit more exciting than that abortion of a side GT put out.
Isn't Henshaw still not out injured?

Yep.

irishrugbyua · Post by **irishrugbyua** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:16 am

Leinster submitted full senior and academy squad for european competition this season, 66 players total. Confirms addition of Marcus Hanan(LH Prop/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) to academy squad.

Leinster squad

Spoiler: show

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:18 am

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:06 am
Bogbunny wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:51 am
Jim Lahey wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:41 am I’ve slept on it and decided that Faz is going to name the following team:

Healy
Kelleher
Ryan
Baird
Ryan
Beirne
Connors
Doris
JGP
Billy
Earls
Stu
Henshaw
Keenan
Stockdale

Heffernan
EOS
Porter
Hendy
VDF
Murray (is Marmion in the squad? If so then him)
H. Byrne
Farrell

Still a bit meh but a bit more exciting than that abortion of a side GT put out.
Isn't Henshaw still not out injured?
Yep.

Farrell to start then. Conway to bench.

Here. First.

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:25 am

earl the beaver wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 10:33 pm Calls up a LH then plays a TH at LH instead

This is still the best bit.

rfurlong · Post by **rfurlong** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:29 am

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:16 am Leinster submitted full senior and academy squad for european competition this season, 66 players total. Confirms addition of Marcus Hanan(LH Prop/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) to academy squad.

Leinster squad
Spoiler: show
LH Prop(5)
Cian Healy(33)
Ed Byrne(27) - injured
Peter Dooley(26)
Michael Milne(21)
Marcus Hanan(20)

TH Prop(6)
Michael Bent(34)
Tadhg Furlong(28) - injured
Andrew Porter(24)
Vakh Abdaladze(24) - injured
Ciaran Parker(24) - injured
Tom Clarkson(20)

Hooker(5)
Sean Cronin(34)
James Tracy(29)
Ronan Kelleher(22)
Dan Sheehan(22)
John McKee(20) - injured

Lock(9)
Scott Fardy(36)
Devin Toner(340
Ross Molony(26)
James Ryan(24)
Jack Dunne(22)
Ryan Baird(21)
Charlie Ryan(21)
Brian Deeny(20) - injured
Joe McCarthy(19)

Backrow(12)
Rhys Ruddock(30)
Jack Conan(28) - injured
Josh Van Der Flier(27)
Dan Leavy(26)
Josh Murphy(25)
Will Connors(24)
Max Deegan(24) - injured
Caelan Doris(22)
Scott Penny(21)
Martin Moloney(21) - injured
Sean O'Brien(20)
Alex Soroka(19)

Scrumhalf(6)
Jamie Gibson Park(28)
Luke McGrath(27)
Rowan Osborne(24)
Hugh O'Sullivan(22)
Paddy Patterson(21)
Cormac Foley(21)

Outhalf(4)
Jonathan Sexton(35) - injured
Ross Byrne(25)
Harry Byrne(21)
David Hawkshaw(21)

Centre(7)
Robbie Henshaw(27) - injured
Rory O'Loughlin(26) - injured
Garry Ringrose(25) - injured
Conor O'Brien(24) - injured
Ciaran Frawley(22)
Tommy O'Brien(22) - injured
Liam Turner(21)

Back Three(12)
Dave Kearney(31)
James Lowe(28)
Adam Byrne(26) - injured
Cian Kelleher(26)
Hugo Keenan(24)
Jimmy O'Brien(23) - injured
Jordan Larmour(23) - injured
Michael Silvester(22)
Aaron O'Sullivan(20)
Andrew Smith(20)
Niall Comerford(20)
Max O'Reilly(20)

loosehead and scrum half depth/quality looks a bit dodgy IMO

irishrugbyua · Post by **irishrugbyua** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:33 am

rfurlong wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:29 am
irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:16 am Leinster submitted full senior and academy squad for european competition this season, 66 players total. Confirms addition of Marcus Hanan(LH Prop/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) to academy squad.

Leinster squad
Spoiler: show
LH Prop(5)
Cian Healy(33)
Ed Byrne(27) - injured
Peter Dooley(26)
Michael Milne(21)
Marcus Hanan(20)

TH Prop(6)
Michael Bent(34)
Tadhg Furlong(28) - injured
Andrew Porter(24)
Vakh Abdaladze(24) - injured
Ciaran Parker(24) - injured
Tom Clarkson(20)

Hooker(5)
Sean Cronin(34)
James Tracy(29)
Ronan Kelleher(22)
Dan Sheehan(22)
John McKee(20) - injured

Lock(9)
Scott Fardy(36)
Devin Toner(340
Ross Molony(26)
James Ryan(24)
Jack Dunne(22)
Ryan Baird(21)
Charlie Ryan(21)
Brian Deeny(20) - injured
Joe McCarthy(19)

Backrow(12)
Rhys Ruddock(30)
Jack Conan(28) - injured
Josh Van Der Flier(27)
Dan Leavy(26)
Josh Murphy(25)
Will Connors(24)
Max Deegan(24) - injured
Caelan Doris(22)
Scott Penny(21)
Martin Moloney(21) - injured
Sean O'Brien(20)
Alex Soroka(19)

Scrumhalf(6)
Jamie Gibson Park(28)
Luke McGrath(27)
Rowan Osborne(24)
Hugh O'Sullivan(22)
Paddy Patterson(21)
Cormac Foley(21)

Outhalf(4)
Jonathan Sexton(35) - injured
Ross Byrne(25)
Harry Byrne(21)
David Hawkshaw(21)

Centre(7)
Robbie Henshaw(27) - injured
Rory O'Loughlin(26) - injured
Garry Ringrose(25) - injured
Conor O'Brien(24) - injured
Ciaran Frawley(22)
Tommy O'Brien(22) - injured
Liam Turner(21)

Back Three(12)
Dave Kearney(31)
James Lowe(28)
Adam Byrne(26) - injured
Cian Kelleher(26)
Hugo Keenan(24)
Jimmy O'Brien(23) - injured
Jordan Larmour(23) - injured
Michael Silvester(22)
Aaron O'Sullivan(20)
Andrew Smith(20)
Niall Comerford(20)
Max O'Reilly(20)

loosehead and scrum half depth/quality looks a bit dodgy IMO

not much to be done about that until they develop some more options.

not too worried about loose and concerns on quality/depth at 9 isn't anything new.

DeDoc · Post by **DeDoc** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 11:54 am

rfurlong wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:29 am
irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:16 am Leinster submitted full senior and academy squad for european competition this season, 66 players total. Confirms addition of Marcus Hanan(LH Prop/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) to academy squad.

Leinster squad
Spoiler: show
LH Prop(5)
Cian Healy(33)
Ed Byrne(27) - injured
Peter Dooley(26)
Michael Milne(21)
Marcus Hanan(20)

TH Prop(6)
Michael Bent(34)
Tadhg Furlong(28) - injured
Andrew Porter(24)
Vakh Abdaladze(24) - injured
Ciaran Parker(24) - injured
Tom Clarkson(20)

Hooker(5)
Sean Cronin(34)
James Tracy(29)
Ronan Kelleher(22)
Dan Sheehan(22)
John McKee(20) - injured

Lock(9)
Scott Fardy(36)
Devin Toner(340
Ross Molony(26)
James Ryan(24)
Jack Dunne(22)
Ryan Baird(21)
Charlie Ryan(21)
Brian Deeny(20) - injured
Joe McCarthy(19)

Backrow(12)
Rhys Ruddock(30)
Jack Conan(28) - injured
Josh Van Der Flier(27)
Dan Leavy(26)
Josh Murphy(25)
Will Connors(24)
Max Deegan(24) - injured
Caelan Doris(22)
Scott Penny(21)
Martin Moloney(21) - injured
Sean O'Brien(20)
Alex Soroka(19)

Scrumhalf(6)
Jamie Gibson Park(28)
Luke McGrath(27)
Rowan Osborne(24)
Hugh O'Sullivan(22)
Paddy Patterson(21)
Cormac Foley(21)

Outhalf(4)
Jonathan Sexton(35) - injured
Ross Byrne(25)
Harry Byrne(21)
David Hawkshaw(21)

Centre(7)
Robbie Henshaw(27) - injured
Rory O'Loughlin(26) - injured
Garry Ringrose(25) - injured
Conor O'Brien(24) - injured
Ciaran Frawley(22)
Tommy O'Brien(22) - injured
Liam Turner(21)

Back Three(12)
Dave Kearney(31)
James Lowe(28)
Adam Byrne(26) - injured
Cian Kelleher(26)
Hugo Keenan(24)
Jimmy O'Brien(23) - injured
Jordan Larmour(23) - injured
Michael Silvester(22)
Aaron O'Sullivan(20)
Andrew Smith(20)
Niall Comerford(20)
Max O'Reilly(20)

loosehead and scrum half depth/quality looks a bit dodgy IMO

I agree about scrumhalf, although I've liked what I've seen of Osbourne.
Disagree on loosehead. I think Dooley is very underrated, and Milne has really impressed me this season

rialtoblue · Post by **rialtoblue** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 12:08 pm

DeDoc wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 11:54 am
rfurlong wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:29 am
irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 9:16 am Leinster submitted full senior and academy squad for european competition this season, 66 players total. Confirms addition of Marcus Hanan(LH Prop/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) to academy squad.

Leinster squad
Spoiler: show
LH Prop(5)
Cian Healy(33)
Ed Byrne(27) - injured
Peter Dooley(26)
Michael Milne(21)
Marcus Hanan(20)

TH Prop(6)
Michael Bent(34)
Tadhg Furlong(28) - injured
Andrew Porter(24)
Vakh Abdaladze(24) - injured
Ciaran Parker(24) - injured
Tom Clarkson(20)

Hooker(5)
Sean Cronin(34)
James Tracy(29)
Ronan Kelleher(22)
Dan Sheehan(22)
John McKee(20) - injured

Lock(9)
Scott Fardy(36)
Devin Toner(340
Ross Molony(26)
James Ryan(24)
Jack Dunne(22)
Ryan Baird(21)
Charlie Ryan(21)
Brian Deeny(20) - injured
Joe McCarthy(19)

Backrow(12)
Rhys Ruddock(30)
Jack Conan(28) - injured
Josh Van Der Flier(27)
Dan Leavy(26)
Josh Murphy(25)
Will Connors(24)
Max Deegan(24) - injured
Caelan Doris(22)
Scott Penny(21)
Martin Moloney(21) - injured
Sean O'Brien(20)
Alex Soroka(19)

Scrumhalf(6)
Jamie Gibson Park(28)
Luke McGrath(27)
Rowan Osborne(24)
Hugh O'Sullivan(22)
Paddy Patterson(21)
Cormac Foley(21)

Outhalf(4)
Jonathan Sexton(35) - injured
Ross Byrne(25)
Harry Byrne(21)
David Hawkshaw(21)

Centre(7)
Robbie Henshaw(27) - injured
Rory O'Loughlin(26) - injured
Garry Ringrose(25) - injured
Conor O'Brien(24) - injured
Ciaran Frawley(22)
Tommy O'Brien(22) - injured
Liam Turner(21)

Back Three(12)
Dave Kearney(31)
James Lowe(28)
Adam Byrne(26) - injured
Cian Kelleher(26)
Hugo Keenan(24)
Jimmy O'Brien(23) - injured
Jordan Larmour(23) - injured
Michael Silvester(22)
Aaron O'Sullivan(20)
Andrew Smith(20)
Niall Comerford(20)
Max O'Reilly(20)

loosehead and scrum half depth/quality looks a bit dodgy IMO
I agree about scrumhalf, although I've liked what I've seen of Osbourne.
Disagree on loosehead. I think Dooley is very underrated, and Milne has really impressed me this season

Dooley is a great player who has had a couple of badly timed minor injuries in the last 24 months. I expect/hope him to overtake Byrne this season. I think he's a much sounder scrum technician than Byrne

cfm93 · Post by **cfm93** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:28 pm

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Georgia, Guinness Series/Autumn Nations Cup, Aviva Stadium, Sunday, November 29, kick-off 2pm):
15. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 31 caps
14. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
13. Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster) 12 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) 3 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 86 caps
10. Billy Burns (UIster) 2 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 85 caps

1. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 13 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 14 caps
3. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 30 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) 56 caps
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 30 caps Captain
6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 16 caps
7. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 44 caps

Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht) 4 caps
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 102 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 21 caps
19. Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht) 14 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 71 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 27 caps
22. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
23. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster) uncapped

feckwanker · Post by **feckwanker** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:29 pm

FFS.

What's the f**king point of that?

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:30 pm

Good to see POM involved

Mr. Very Popular · Post by **Mr. Very Popular** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:34 pm

cfm93 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:28 pm
IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Georgia, Guinness Series/Autumn Nations Cup, Aviva Stadium, Sunday, November 29, kick-off 2pm):
15. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 31 caps
14. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
13. Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster) 12 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) 3 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 86 caps
10. Billy Burns (UIster) 2 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 85 caps

1. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 13 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 14 caps
3. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 30 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) 56 caps
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 30 caps Captain
6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 16 caps
7. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 44 caps

Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht) 4 caps
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 102 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 21 caps
19. Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht) 14 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 71 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 27 caps
22. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
23. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster) uncapped

At least we have 1 new cap.
Marmion should be starting. Doris should be involved

feckwanker · Post by **feckwanker** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:38 pm

Mr. Very Popular wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:34 pm
cfm93 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:28 pm
IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Georgia, Guinness Series/Autumn Nations Cup, Aviva Stadium, Sunday, November 29, kick-off 2pm):
15. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster) 31 caps
14. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
13. Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster) 12 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster) 3 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 86 caps
10. Billy Burns (UIster) 2 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 85 caps

1. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 13 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 14 caps
3. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 30 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) 56 caps
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 30 caps Captain
6. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 16 caps
7. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 44 caps

Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht) 4 caps
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 102 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 21 caps
19. Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht) 14 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 71 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 27 caps
22. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
23. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster) uncapped

At least we have 1 new cap.
Marmion should be starting. Doris should be involved

Agreed. Played better than CJ last week.

DiscoHips D'Arcy · Post by **DiscoHips D'Arcy** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:38 pm

Serious amount of caps in that team for a runout against Georgia. Hendo needs a game I understand but do we learn anything from herring throwing him the ball. Healy there when EO'S has been called in. Do Stander, Murray and POM need the gametime?

Jim Lahey · Post by **Jim Lahey** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:48 pm

It was evident after the France game that Farrell is Joe-lite and there would be no radical deviations from the beaten trail.

The media trotting out that we had to be conservative in the remaining 6N games for prize money made sense, but that we would experiment in the makey-uppy cup. Clearly they are full of shit and afraid of asking tough questions or face losing access. Farrell and his coaching staff are not building for the future at a time when we really need to change things up given our declining fortunes.

irishrugbyua · Post by **irishrugbyua** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 1:56 pm

what an awful team. Farrel and co. going nowhere.

Jumper · Post by **Jumper** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:01 pm

Lowe dropped from the squad?

If Schmidt was still the coach, I couldn't imagine Lowe seeing many more opportunities as he would have no time for a lazy winger who can't be arsed in only his second cap. It looks like Farrell might be of the same mind.

TheBouncer · Post by **TheBouncer** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:01 pm

Will learn plenty springing Healy POM and Roux from the bench tbf

Nolanator · Post by **Nolanator** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:15 pm

Fuck off Faz.

irishrugbyua · Post by **irishrugbyua** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:15 pm

Lowe and Conway injured apparently.

irishrugbyua · Post by **irishrugbyua** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:15 pm

Andy Farrell says Ireland have been thinking about moving Finlay Bealham to loosehead for a while.

"We need to build in that area and Finlay has been in fine form. We're excited to see how he goes."

Salanya · Post by **Salanya** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:19 pm

That's such an uninspiring selection. The likes of Burns are in because right now there aren't many options, but it's still very 'meh'.

Why hasn't he learned from Leinster's developments that Keenan is a fullback?

And why POM on the bench, you're not going to learn anything from that, and VdF could do with some minutes.
And two bashers in the centre: I don't resent either of those lads their opportunity, but that doesn't look very dynamic (happy for them to prove me wrong).

Winnie · Post by **Winnie** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:20 pm

What a spectacular waste of an opportunity this tournament has been

Armchair_Superstar · Post by **Armchair_Superstar** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:47 pm

Absolute military medium.

We've a bigger player pool than we need now and we are capping guys off steady European performances instead of bringing through raw talent.

Bogbunny · Post by **Bogbunny** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:51 pm

Winnie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:20 pm What a spectacular waste of an opportunity this coaching team has been

Corrected

Floppykid · Post by **Floppykid** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:01 pm

That's a really inspiring team, looking forward to this bigtime.
Good to see exciting players get a run out.

hermie · Post by **hermie** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:05 pm

That's a stinker of a side. It was never really going to be too much better given the squad but still to see the teamsheet is

earl the beaver · Post by **earl the beaver** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:06 pm

Really valuable calling EOS in to play a TH ahead of him at LH.

hermie · Post by **hermie** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:06 pm

irishrugbyua wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:15 pm Andy Farrell says Ireland have been thinking about moving Finlay Bealham to loosehead for a while.

"We need to build in that area and Finlay has been in fine form. We're excited to see how he goes."

He's been in decent form. But at TH!

redderneck · Post by **redderneck** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:09 pm

I can see some sense in giving Doris a break. He spent the last game horsing himself into contact against lumps - to his credit IMHO - and a rinse & repeat against lumps who make England look multidimensional Doctor Who characters is probably going to teach us nothing and could rightly fcuk him up.

CJ - get back on the horse lad.

Ruddock is to the manor born when it comes to all matters lumpy. Ah well.

It has to be said though. FFS live a little with the backline man.

Be under no illusions. This game is ALL about the pack. I will have my mind made up about Easterby after this one. I'm already leaning.

Bwen · Post by **Bwen** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:09 pm

@Westies: How is Denis Buckley going this season or is he injured? Probably deserved a cap at some stage but his face never fit.

Nolanator · Post by **Nolanator** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:13 pm

Bwen wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:09 pm @Westies: How is Denis Buckley going this season or is he injured? Probably deserved a cap at some stage but his face never fit.

Doesn't he have a rep for being an absolute head the ball at times?

crouchy · Post by **crouchy** » Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:15 pm

Just how little does Farrell rate John Ryan?

O'Sullivan should have been in the initial squad selection so he could be involved in games like this, save us having to use Healy.