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Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:53 pm
by Mullet 2
irishrugbyua wrote:
diarm wrote:Am I missing someone or can Rob Kearney become the only Irishman in history with two grand slams next weekend?

I suppose Best could claim it as he subbed for most of 09 but fair play to Rob if he can win two having started all 10 games!

4 Six Nations, 3 Heinkens, 3 Pro14s, 1 Grand Slam and 2 Lions tours.

82 Irish caps, 3 B&I Lions Caps, 193 Leinster Caps.

European Player of the Year for 2012.

But the guy wins MOTM and hicksville goes bananas

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:56 pm
by Mr. Very Popular
irishrugbyua wrote:
diarm wrote:Am I missing someone or can Rob Kearney become the only Irishman in history with two grand slams next weekend?

I suppose Best could claim it as he subbed for most of 09 but fair play to Rob if he can win two having started all 10 games!

4 Six Nations, 3 Heinkens, 3 Pro14s, 1 Grand Slam and 2 Lions tours.

82 Irish caps, 3 B&I Lions Caps, 193 Leinster Caps.

European Player of the Year for 2012.
with all that,you'd think at this stage he'd be able to pass to someone not called Kearney

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:59 pm
by Mullet 2
Image

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:03 pm
by diarm
Mullet 2 wrote:
irishrugbyua wrote:
diarm wrote:Am I missing someone or can Rob Kearney become the only Irishman in history with two grand slams next weekend?

I suppose Best could claim it as he subbed for most of 09 but fair play to Rob if he can win two having started all 10 games!

4 Six Nations, 3 Heinkens, 3 Pro14s, 1 Grand Slam and 2 Lions tours.

82 Irish caps, 3 B&I Lions Caps, 193 Leinster Caps.

European Player of the Year for 2012.

But the guy wins MOTM and hicksville goes bananas
That's some career!

I wouldn't mistake a few eijits on the internet for the whole rest of the country. On most days of the week, you could find my old man in a West Cork pub giving out about Rob Kearney but when I rang him on my way out of Lansdowne Road on Saturday, his first words were how justified it was.

I'd said I thought he was excellent but maybe Ringrose or Leavy might have edged it. He told me wait until you watch it back on the telly and that the whole pub were in agreement for once!

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:11 pm
by irishrugbyua
Ireland U20 Review of squad so far:

Props
Jack Aungier(Leinster) - 3 starts, 1 sub appearance.
Jordan Duggan(Leinster) - 3 starts, 1 sub appearance.
Tom O'Toole(Ulster) - 1 start, 3 sub appearances
James French(Munster) - 1 start, 3 sub appearances.

Both TH Props(Aungier/O'Toole) have been standout players in the pack, while both LH Props(Duggan/French) have been solid in the set piece without being outstanding in any of their appearances to date. Joe Byrne who was named in initial squad has yet to appear.

Hooker
Ronan Kelleher(Leinster) - 3 starts.
Diarmaid Barron(Munster) - 3 sub appearances.
Eoghan Clarke(Leinster) - 1 start, 1 sub appearance.

Kelleher has been a standout in his 3 starts, missing one start due to illness. While both Clarke/Barron have mixed the good and bad in their appearances to date. If Kelleher is out of final game it will be interesting to see who starts in his place.

Second Row
Jack Dunne(Leinster) - 4 starts.
Cormac Daly(Leinster) - 3 starts.
Matthew Dalton(Ulster) - 2 starts(1 backrow(6))
Charlie Ryan(Leinster) - 3 sub appearances.
Ronan Coffey(Munster) - 1 sub appearance.

Dunne has started all 4 games at tighthead lock and has generally been very good in the set piece, around the field he has mixed the good and bad. Daly was good in his 3 starts before injury, his hands being especially of note. Dalton looked out of place at 6 when he started there, while he looked more comfortable in his recent start in the second row. Ryan had two very limited sub appearances which are hard to evaluate, while his prolonged sub appearance against Scotland he looked rusty in, unsurprisingly given his lack of game time all season. Coffey had a relatively brief appearance at the start of the tournament before being dropped.

Backrow
Jack O'Sullivan(Munster) - 4 starts(8)
Sean Masterson(Connacht) - 2 starts(6), 1 sub appearance.
Matthew Agnew(Ulster) - 3 starts(7)
Ronan Foley(Leinster) - 3 sub appearances.
Aaron Hall(Ulster) - 1 start(7)
Joe Dunleavy(Ulster) - 1 start(6)

O'Sullivan has been a standout player, carrying the side as times with his explosiveness and footwork. Interested to see if he moves to 6 when Doris returns or if Doris does. Masterson has been somewhat disappointing considering he is returning from last season. Agnew has been decent in his 3 starts, with his last start being his standout game. Foley has appeared off the bench in all 3 of his games and covered multiple positions performing decently. Hall was good in his only appearance before injury. While Dunleavy was good in his 1st appearance last weekend. Max Kearney who was named in initial squad has yet to appear.

Scrumhalf
Hugh O'Sullivan(Leinster) - 2 starts, 2 sub appearances(1 at 15)
Jonny Stewart(Ulster) - 2 starts, 1 sub appearance.
Patrick Patterson(Leinster) - 1 sub appearance.

O'Sullivan has been good in all of his appearances to date, with a brief appearance at 15 due to injuries. Stewart has looked improved in his appearances to date also. Patterson had a brief appearance off the bench which is hard to make a judgement on.

Outhalf
Harry Byrne(Leinster) - 4 starts.
Conor Dean(Leinster) - 3 sub appearances.

Byrne has been generally good, but with some poor moments.. the youngest player in the squad I believe. Dean has been okay in his sub appearances so far. Interested to see who starts the final game and if the return of Michael Lowry may cause changes for the World Cup.

Centre
Angus Curtis(Ulster) - 3 starts(12)
David McCarthy(Munster) - 1 start(12)
Tommy O'Brien(Leinster) - 3 starts(13), 1 starts(14).
James Hume(Ulster) - 1 start(13), 1 sub appearance.

Curtis has been a standout in all 3 of his games and has made the 12 position his own. McCarthy struggled in his only start before being dropped. O'Brien has generally been pretty good without being as impressive as last season. Hume was okay in his only start after a long injury break. Sean O'Brien who was named in initial squad has yet to appear.

Back Three
Michael Silvester(Leinster) - 4 starts(15)
James McCarthy(Munster) - 3 starts(11)
Peter Sullivan(Leinster) - 2 starts(14)
Angus Kernohan(Ulster) - 1 start(14), 3 sub appearances.
Mark Keane(Ulster) - 1 start(11)

Silvester has generally been good in his appearances, flashing potentially excellent counter attacking ability. McCarthy was very good going forward but somewhat suspect defensively. Sullivan was good in his two starts before being dropped. Kernohan/Keane have been decent in their appearances to date. Dan Hurley who was named in initial squad has yet to appear.

Thoughts?

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:12 pm
by unseenwork
Didn't think McCarthy was that good going forward.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:21 pm
by irishrugbyua
unseenwork wrote:Didn't think McCarthy was that good going forward.
Yeah maybe very good was a bit much.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:22 pm
by Boxcar Ira
Mullet 2 wrote:
irishrugbyua wrote:
diarm wrote:Am I missing someone or can Rob Kearney become the only Irishman in history with two grand slams next weekend?

I suppose Best could claim it as he subbed for most of 09 but fair play to Rob if he can win two having started all 10 games!

4 Six Nations, 3 Heinkens, 3 Pro14s, 1 Grand Slam and 2 Lions tours.

82 Irish caps, 3 B&I Lions Caps, 193 Leinster Caps.

European Player of the Year for 2012.

But the guy wins MOTM and hicksville goes bananas
That's the award he'll cherish

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:25 pm
by hermie
O'Sullivan has been quietly impressive. That he'll be back next season is a boost, he'll only get better. Silvester has looked good, obviously not Larmour good but a joy to watch nonetheless. Looking forward to seeing Doris and O'Sullivan in tandem. With them looking after a lot of the ball-carrying it'll free the rest of the pack up to focus on the nuts and bolts which they've generally been good at. Defence is a bit of a worry, as is Kelleher's injury profile.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:26 pm
by Mullet 2
Image

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:26 pm
by irishrugbyua
hermie wrote:O'Sullivan has been quietly impressive. That he'll be back next season is a boost, he'll only get better. Silvester has looked good, obviously not Larmour good but a joy to watch nonetheless. Looking forward to seeing Doris and O'Sullivan in tandem. With them looking after a lot of the ball-carrying it'll free the rest of the pack up to focus on the nuts and bolts which they've generally been good at. Defence is a bit of a worry, as is Kelleher's injury profile.
O'Sullivan isn't back next season.

Players eligible for next season: Charlie Ryan, Harry Byrne, Angus Kernohan, James McCarthy.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:27 pm
by hermie
irishrugbyua wrote:
hermie wrote:O'Sullivan has been quietly impressive. That he'll be back next season is a boost, he'll only get better. Silvester has looked good, obviously not Larmour good but a joy to watch nonetheless. Looking forward to seeing Doris and O'Sullivan in tandem. With them looking after a lot of the ball-carrying it'll free the rest of the pack up to focus on the nuts and bolts which they've generally been good at. Defence is a bit of a worry, as is Kelleher's injury profile.
O'Sullivan isn't back next season.
Hugh O'Sullivan. Is he not?

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:28 pm
by DiscoHips D'Arcy
Kernohan seriously blotted his copybook in the second half. I actually thought the backrow last week was very good and gave O'Sullivan the license to roam. Probably not enough of a turnover threat still albeit i know Agnew got two.

I like O'Brien. Tidy player, but just not sure his best position. Maybe lacks a bit of a spark but does the right thing.


The front row i think is where the real talent might lie but Dunne looks promising too and Dalton if he can cut out the stupid mistakes. Too much adrenalin perhaps atm.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:28 pm
by unseenwork
I do wonder whether Curtis has the height to play his game at 12 in the pro game.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:28 pm
by irishrugbyua
hermie wrote:
irishrugbyua wrote:
hermie wrote:O'Sullivan has been quietly impressive. That he'll be back next season is a boost, he'll only get better. Silvester has looked good, obviously not Larmour good but a joy to watch nonetheless. Looking forward to seeing Doris and O'Sullivan in tandem. With them looking after a lot of the ball-carrying it'll free the rest of the pack up to focus on the nuts and bolts which they've generally been good at. Defence is a bit of a worry, as is Kelleher's injury profile.
O'Sullivan isn't back next season.
Hugh O'Sullivan. Is he not?
neither O'Sullivans' are.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:29 pm
by fishooks15
Kearney has had some career. Good to see him put in a performance yesterday too as he was utterly dogshit for the first three.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:41 pm
by Porterbelly1
Delighted to get Copeland :thumbup:

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:43 pm
by unseenwork
Porterbelly1 wrote:Delighted to get Copeland :thumbup:
Has the potential to be a superb addition, had been thinking about him for Ulster but for some reason I don't think it would work out quite as well.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:44 pm
by Trostan
Yer Man wrote:
CM11 wrote:
Yer Man wrote:Ryan to bench?

Lineout looked a lot sharper when Henderson came on.
Logic? Hendo came on for Toner.
I'm just not sure about starting a sh1t-fight over benching Toner :lol:

Yes, Henderson replaced Toner and bored logic is that Toner is the biggest lineout asset.
Don't know exactly what it was, but we just looked sharper & quicker in the lineout after the switch.
Maybe it was less obvious where the ball was going? Then again we've spread the ball around quite well.
Or maybe we just got the bloody ball in quicker and gave Scotland less time to react.

I'll give Toner credit - he made a great steal on the Scottish throw in the fist half.
James Ryan's steal was a woeful overthrow that his octopus arm reeled in.
I think a good part of Toner's advantage is his accuracy.
Calling and winning lineouts by him seem to lead to very accurate maul drives.
There's a practiced efficiency there that he blends into.

Only carries well once or twice in any game, but puts himself about - always has good stats.
And, as I hear it, he is an extremely strong guy, driving scrums and mauls when needed.
But he is no impact sub in the way that Henderson is.

Should be well gone by RWC 19, if Beirne isn't chosen as a 6.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:44 pm
by irishrugbyua
Porterbelly1 wrote:Delighted to get Copeland :thumbup:
seen multiple connacht fans complaining elsewhere.

two Gorey RFC backrows at Connacht next season. :thumbup:

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:51 pm
by Porterbelly1
irishrugbyua wrote:
Porterbelly1 wrote:Delighted to get Copeland :thumbup:
seen multiple connacht fans complaining elsewhere.

two Gorey RFC backrows at Connacht next season. :thumbup:
He's been poor when he's played against us tbf, but I can see him revelling with a bit more of an expansive gameplan.

He's got loads left in the tank. Great to add a bit of pace to the back row.

We could still be getting an NIQ back rower with Dawai and Heenan leaving and Muldoon retiring

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:55 pm
by Floppykid
Lads, I was gutted that we didn't play more 7s style rugby against NZ in Chicago. Really spoiled it for me.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:56 pm
by Trostan
Porterbelly1 wrote:
irishrugbyua wrote:
Porterbelly1 wrote:Delighted to get Copeland :thumbup:
seen multiple connacht fans complaining elsewhere.

two Gorey RFC backrows at Connacht next season. :thumbup:
He's been poor when he's played against us tbf, but I can see him revelling with a bit more of an expansive gameplan.

He's got loads left in the tank. Great to add a bit of pace to the back row.

We could still be getting an NIQ back rower with Dawai and Heenan leaving and Muldoon retiring
Is it true that Muldoon is going to coach at Bristol?

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:59 pm
by hermie
Trostan wrote:
Yer Man wrote:
CM11 wrote:
Yer Man wrote:Ryan to bench?

Lineout looked a lot sharper when Henderson came on.
Logic? Hendo came on for Toner.
I'm just not sure about starting a sh1t-fight over benching Toner :lol:

Yes, Henderson replaced Toner and bored logic is that Toner is the biggest lineout asset.
Don't know exactly what it was, but we just looked sharper & quicker in the lineout after the switch.
Maybe it was less obvious where the ball was going? Then again we've spread the ball around quite well.
Or maybe we just got the bloody ball in quicker and gave Scotland less time to react.

I'll give Toner credit - he made a great steal on the Scottish throw in the fist half.
James Ryan's steal was a woeful overthrow that his octopus arm reeled in.
I think a good part of Toner's advantage is his accuracy.
Calling and winning lineouts by him seem to lead to very accurate maul drives.
There's a practiced efficiency there that he blends into.

Only carries well once or twice in any game, but puts himself about - always has good stats.
And, as I hear it, he is an extremely strong guy, driving scrums and mauls when needed.
But he is no impact sub in the way that Henderson is.

Should be well gone by RWC 19, if Beirne isn't chosen as a 6.
And yet he was terrific off the bench against France providing what was desperately needed. There are different types of impact. His hands would be one clear advantage over Hendo.

Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:03 pm
by Liathroidigloine
Did anyone mention Dev's excellent turnover of the Scots maul?

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:06 pm
by Porterbelly1
Trostan wrote:
Porterbelly1 wrote:
irishrugbyua wrote:
Porterbelly1 wrote:Delighted to get Copeland :thumbup:
seen multiple connacht fans complaining elsewhere.

two Gorey RFC backrows at Connacht next season. :thumbup:
He's been poor when he's played against us tbf, but I can see him revelling with a bit more of an expansive gameplan.

He's got loads left in the tank. Great to add a bit of pace to the back row.

We could still be getting an NIQ back rower with Dawai and Heenan leaving and Muldoon retiring
Is it true that Muldoon is going to coach at Bristol?

Supposed to be, although I'll believe it when it's confirmed.

Don't think their relationship was as good as it was made out to be.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:06 pm
by Trostan
hermie wrote:
Trostan wrote:
Yer Man wrote:
CM11 wrote:
Yer Man wrote:Ryan to bench?

Lineout looked a lot sharper when Henderson came on.
Logic? Hendo came on for Toner.
I'm just not sure about starting a sh1t-fight over benching Toner :lol:

Yes, Henderson replaced Toner and bored logic is that Toner is the biggest lineout asset.
Don't know exactly what it was, but we just looked sharper & quicker in the lineout after the switch.
Maybe it was less obvious where the ball was going? Then again we've spread the ball around quite well.
Or maybe we just got the bloody ball in quicker and gave Scotland less time to react.

I'll give Toner credit - he made a great steal on the Scottish throw in the fist half.
James Ryan's steal was a woeful overthrow that his octopus arm reeled in.
I think a good part of Toner's advantage is his accuracy.
Calling and winning lineouts by him seem to lead to very accurate maul drives.
There's a practiced efficiency there that he blends into.

Only carries well once or twice in any game, but puts himself about - always has good stats.
And, as I hear it, he is an extremely strong guy, driving scrums and mauls when needed.
But he is no impact sub in the way that Henderson is.

Should be well gone by RWC 19, if Beirne isn't chosen as a 6.
And yet he was terrific off the bench against France providing what was desperately needed. There are different types of impact. His hands would be one clear advantage over Hendo.

Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.
Good point. Joe's unlikely to pick Beirne at 6 unless he's playing there for Munster and that's highly unlikely.
Still, more "young" depth for Ireland.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:06 pm
by CM11
fishooks15 wrote:Kearney has had some career. Good to see him put in a performance yesterday too as he was utterly dogshit for the first three.
He was not 'dogshit' or anything close in his first 3 games.

Why does everything have to be distilled down to either shite or brilliant on here?

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:08 pm
by Mullet 2
CM11 wrote:
fishooks15 wrote:Kearney has had some career. Good to see him put in a performance yesterday too as he was utterly dogshit for the first three.
He was not 'dogshit' or anything close in his first 3 games.

Why does everything have to be distilled down to either shite or brilliant on here?

Fishy loves a bit of hyperbole

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:09 pm
by camroc1
CM11 wrote:
fishooks15 wrote:Kearney has had some career. Good to see him put in a performance yesterday too as he was utterly dogshit for the first three.
He was not 'dogshit' or anything close in his first 3 games.

Why does everything have to be distilled down to either shite or brilliant on here?
Generally has to do with the colour of their provincial jumper, CM.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:18 pm
by Yer Man
Floppykid wrote:Lads, I was gutted that we didn't play more 7s style rugby against NZ in Chicago. Really spoiled it for me.
We only ran for 194m in Chicago. BNZ ran for 514m.
You'll never score any points being that conservative.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:22 pm
by Yer Man
hermie wrote:Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.
I could see Beirne coming into the Ireland squad at #19, usually covering lock but with the option of 6.
And with Henderson in the team as well we can have a 7/8 cover at #20.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:23 pm
by CM11
Yer Man wrote:
hermie wrote:Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.
I could see Beirne coming into the Ireland squad at #19, usually covering lock but with the option of 6.
And with Henderson in the team as well we can have a 7/8 cover at #20.
Yep. Although will he really give up the security blanket of Toner? Good position to be in though.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:24 pm
by Yer Man
CM11 wrote:
Yer Man wrote:
hermie wrote:Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.
I could see Beirne coming into the Ireland squad at #19, usually covering lock but with the option of 6.
And with Henderson in the team as well we can have a 7/8 cover at #20.
Yep. Although will he really give up the security blanket of Toner? Good position to be in though.
We can rotate Henderson/Toner/Ryan as starters and launch Beirne off the bench each game.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:24 pm
by Mullet 2
Floppykid wrote:Lads, I was gutted that we didn't play more 7s style rugby against NZ in Chicago. Really spoiled it for me.

We'll never beat NZ playing like that.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:26 pm
by CM11
Mullet 2 wrote:
Floppykid wrote:Lads, I was gutted that we didn't play more 7s style rugby against NZ in Chicago. Really spoiled it for me.

We'll never beat NZ playing like that.
Well, we might sneak a 3-0 win if our defence is really good and they have a case of Scotisis.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:29 pm
by Luckycharmer
Yer Man wrote:Just finished re-watching the first half.
Barnes, tbf, was outstanding.
He did miss a blatant knock on by Jones just prior to Scotlands first 3 pts at the start of the game.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 5:58 pm
by hermie
Yer Man wrote:
hermie wrote:Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.
I could see Beirne coming into the Ireland squad at #19, usually covering lock but with the option of 6.
And with Henderson in the team as well we can have a 7/8 cover at #20.
Beirne can play 6 and 8 so you can have an out and out 7 on the bench without any concerns, which will be nice.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:03 pm
by Liathroidigloine
We all know that we are going to be put through the grinder on Saturday, don't we?

I don't know whether to head for a walk in the hills with no reception for a few hours.

Re: The Official Irish Rugby Thread

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:12 pm
by Yer Man
hermie wrote:
Yer Man wrote:
hermie wrote:Hard to see Beirne playing much at 6 for Munster. Doesn't totally rule him out of playing there for Ireland (Carbery) but it lessens the chances.
I could see Beirne coming into the Ireland squad at #19, usually covering lock but with the option of 6.
And with Henderson in the team as well we can have a 7/8 cover at #20.
Beirne can play 6 and 8 so you can have an out and out 7 on the bench without any concerns, which will be nice.
Just think, Eddie Jones would probably pick:

4 - Toner
5 - Ryan
6 - Henderson
7 - not an openside
8 - Beirne