Cockatrice wrote:I have read reports that Dan was the Head Coach of the Wolfhounds and Emerging Ireland and elsewhere that he was part of the coaching set up... is this more window dressing or can someone confirm what he coached?
This seems a genuine enough claim, however quite how much this adds to a CV is questionable. Doak, Clarke, Bradley and others we wouldnt want near the place can also make similar claims. As I said yesterday I think this is appears an interesting appointment on a number of levels
+ve three years allows us to align coaching team contracts (finally)
+ve I rate Townsends judgement above anyone we have presiding over such matters
+ve knows the IRFU system and politics and has form for holding down a role more than 5 minutes
-ve never been a Head Coach over anything more than a scratch team
-ve Starting date???
-ve A big enough name/reputation to attract the quality of player we have struggled to find?
May 26 2014 5:05 PM
THE Emerging Ireland coaching team have named their 26-man squad to compete in the IRB Nations Cup in Romania next month.
Head coach Dan McFarland (Connacht) and assistant Neil Doak (Ulster) will marshall their troops for three games in the tournament, with the first on Friday June 13 against Russia. The second is five days later against Uruguay on Wednesday June 18 and the final match coming against hosts Romania on Sunday June 22.
McFarland said:, "I am looking forward to working with Neil and this exciting group of players in what will be a highly competitive tournament. It is a great opportunity for players to showcase their abilities and represent their country.”
Ireland senior head coach Joe Schmidt said: "There is a good mix of experienced and younger players in this squad. They will face three tough fixtures as Romania have already qualified for RWC14 and both Uruguay and Russia are in the final stages of the Repechage for World Cup qualification.”
Players from previous Emerging Ireland squads who have subsequently been capped for Ireland include Dave Kearney, Jack McGrath, Marty Moore and Jordi Murphy and six from last year's Emerging Ireland squad will travel with the senior team to Argentina.
This is one hell of an 'A' team
Ireland Wolfhounds coach Dan McFarland has been given access to some of the country's biggest hitters for Friday's match with England Saxons.
Sean O'Brien returns to a green jersey, at openside, as does Keith Earls [outside centre].
Felix Jones, starting at fullback, is named captain and in a back three with Fergus McFadden and Luke Fitzgerald. Gordon D'Arcy partners Earls in midfield.
The half backs are Ian Madigan and Kieran Marmion with Isaac Boss and Noel Reid, who can also cover midfield, in reserve.
O'Brien is in an all-Leinster back row, alongside Dominic Ryan and Jack Conan. Iain Henderson and Mike McCarthy are in the second row, with a chance to cover Paul O'Connell and Devin Toner, against Italy, up for grabs.
It is an all-Leinster front row, too, as Jack McGrath is joined by Richardt Strauss and Mike Ross. The inclusion of Ross would raise the possibility of Marty Moore starting the Six Nations opener against the Italians.
