Ireland v Australia

[BaggyTrousers]

It looks pretty strong but how many of those players are fit at any one time?

Not convinced Shammy, I think there are between 15 & 20 players who might just be looked upon enviously by lesser lights of international rugby, then about 3 who anyone but the All Blacks would take in a heartbeat, then there are guys who frankly are no use to man nor beast, wastes of skin & bone - some admittedly because - age has wearied them, and the years condemn - their sell by date has past, in some cases a year or two back at least.

The other thing we need to keep in mind is that even if we do have 20 serviceable players for the international game, sadly they do not cover the full 15 positions. We are in rag order for several positions. In my estimation in positions where we do not have 2 good options there are: 2,3,4/5,8,9,13,15 that's half the team where an injury leaves us horribly exposed.

Now of course there are guys who were not on that list of whom we either think we know they are good enough or have high hopes for, but even then, that is just judgement based rather than top level evidence based.

I am convinced that we are in for a few dodgy years, it will be long and painfull (like the 90s) especially if JS is hamstrung by an unrealistic IRFU demand for success NOW. Its clear as day that he needs to be allowed to oversee a changing of the guard & hope that what is coming through can cut the mustard.

I don't share the notion that we are dripping with talent in all provinces.

[bazzaj]

Of course, im not going out and saying that Ireland are going to win the 6N but when looking at our player pool, I dont see any reason why we cant.

1. Healy, McGrath, Court
2. Best, Cronin, Strauss (on return)
3. Ross, Fitz
4/5. POC, Ryan, Tuohy, DOC, McCarthy, Tonar
6. POM, Henderson, Ferris
7. SOB, Henry
8. Heaslip, Wilson (SOB)
9. Murray, Reddan, Boss
10. Sexton, Jackson
11/14. Trimble, Bowe, Zebo, McFadden, Gilroy, Kearney, Earls
12. Marshall, D'arcy, Olding
13. BOD, Cave
15. Kearney

I would say that list of players does show a bit of depth in the current Irish pool, obviously light at 9 & 15, but taking the correct pick out of that list of players would be good enough to push over a lot of teams. Either way, on another topic id like to see Schmidt pick some more younger players given a go in the 6N and build towards RWC, players like Hanrahan, Olding, Lutton etc

Allow me to tear that list apart BD. I have given each player their "pedigree" without fear or Ulster favour.

1. Healy, McGrath, Court - Healy is quality, McGrath unknown has not been tested but has promise, no more, Court, sadly a failure at international level.
2. Best, Cronin, Strauss (on return) - Rory, well I have man love for him but even then he has just that one very hurtful weakness, Cronin a headless chicken always found wanting against a top side, Strauss should not be included, he will not play in these 6Ns.
3. Ross, Fitz - One of Ireland's scariest positions, the Straw man who can hold up a scrum mostly and nothing else but who has also left more than one party when the heat came on, Fat Deccie FFS have you seen his fitness history, playing well this season but can he be relied upon to play 10 games a season?
4/5. POC, Ryan, Tuohy, DOC, McCarthy, Toner - Paulie, magnificent but at the last knockings & injury prone, Ryan honest but no more at top level, Tuohy does he have an international career? Don't think so. DOC, an old favourite of mine but gone,McCarthy, old & useless, Toner tall & useless other than for top class ruck inspection.
6. POM, Henderson, Ferris - POM promising, Hendo promising will be great, Stevie - now its just painful you even put his name there, have some respect he will not play 6Ns.
7. SOB, Henry both quality
8. Heaslip, Wilson (SOB) Heaslip can be real quality, sometimes, Restart Roger, including him is ludicrous, thon ship sailed many moons ago
9. Murray, Reddan, Boss - Murray could be good, still not entirely convinced, the other two, old & not good enough, don't be confused by Reddan v Samoa, came on when Samoa were decimated - p could have looked good. I'm going to gulder when Schmidt gives him the shirt against OZ
10. Sexton, Jackson -Sexton is top class, GP on the way to being the same.
11/14. Trimble, Bowe, Zebo, McFadden, Gilroy, Kearney, Earls - some excellent talent, again don't be overly impressed by Kearney Minor (see Reddan comments)
12. Marshall, D'arcy, Olding - D'Arcy may have played his last international, after looking at it again, he was absolute gutters except when making Ferg's try after GP passed too early. Olding will be magnificent, Luke a player you've got to love despite his flaws & good luck to him on Saturday - no way JS can pick D'Arcy
13. BOD, Cave -ageing class & unrecognised class Darren not even close to Schmidt's thinking.
15. Kearney - says it all, one flaky option then probably Earls.

That is a fairly bare cupboard in my opinion, I see why JS is going for his tried & trusted Leinster faithful, the real stars there are dimming rapidly apart from Sexton. If Jo wasn't in his first year & needing results, surely he'd have the balls to play to the future to a much greater extent.

By the way, I noticed you left out the Quiff & I am happy to leave it at that.

Most of the top sides are developing teams with 2 quality top level options per position and at least another who can do a job, with World Cups in mind.
Bear in mind NZ went down to their 4th choice 10 for the final of the last WC due to injury.
As it stands looking at those Irish players listed, we are weak up front and very vunerable if an injury occurs in that area.
Henderson will be a second row as thats where he is needed but we have front line props and second rows who are in the "do a job" category at best.
Thats simply not good enough for international rugby and the development in that area is the biggest challenge for Joe and his team.

[damianmcr]

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Connell CAPTAIN
5. Toner
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. McFadden
12. Marshall
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. R Kearney

16. Cronin
17. McGrath
18. Archer
19. McCarthy
20. McLaughlin
21. Murray
22. Madigan
23. Henshaw

[thecrouch]

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Connell CAPTAIN
5. Toner
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. McFadden
12. Marshall
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. R Kearney

16. Cronin
17. McGrath
18. Archer
19. McCarthy
20. McLaughlin
21. Murray
22. Madigan
23. Henshaw


Marshall back in. Archer on the bench though.

[davejohnston]

Disappointed for Jackson, considering he proved his doubters wrong. I understand the argument for Madigan being able to cover a few positions, but does that mean PJ won't get another chance until Sexton is injured again?

[caledoniancelt]

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. O'Connell CAPTAIN
5. Toner
6. O'Mahony
7. O'Brien
8. Heaslip

9. Reddan
10. Sexton
11. McFadden
12. Marshall
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. R Kearney

16. Cronin
17. McGrath
18. Archer
19. McCarthy
20. McLaughlin
21. Murray
22. Madigan
23. Henshaw


Marshall back in. Archer on the bench though.

Roll on the resumption of Rabo and HEC
Advance Australia fair

[damianmcr]

I didnt hear the press conference but think Schmidt said he want to build a squad and thats likely the reason why Madigan, Archer and Henshaw are in.

[thecrouch]

When Joe was announcing the tight head position he said something like "Declan Fitz.. sorry Steven Archer". Maybe Fitz has injured himself again and this was a late change in the lineup?

Archer folded like a deckchair in the scrums against Italy in the 6N - I would hope he has improved since then.

[caledoniancelt]

I didnt hear the press conference but think Schmidt said he want to build a squad and thats likely the reason why Madigan, Archer and Henshaw are in.

Why no Tuohy?

[shamalicious]

FFS

No Tuohy, no PJ.

[davejohnston]

I didnt hear the press conference but think Schmidt said he want to build a squad and thats likely the reason why Madigan, Archer and Henshaw are in.

He did say this, initially, although it was more in reference to Gordon D.
It hopefully also includes Paddy - although he went on to say, Paddy was unlucky because Madigan offers more cover in the backs.

I guess we will have a better idea next weekend.

[ruckover]

14 Leinstermen and 1 Leinster exile says it all in my opinion. Fitzpatrick, Tuohy and Jackson all very unlucky to miss out. Sadly I'm slightly in the mindset that I want us to be beaten just to make a point.

[Scranner]

I didnt hear the press conference but think Schmidt said he want to build a squad and thats likely the reason why Madigan, Archer and Henshaw are in.

Why no Tuohy?

"Build a squad." That's what he said. Be interesting to see how Archer does - if he gets on. At least Deccie can hold his own in the set piece. And for the life of me I can't understand why he hasn't given Tuohy at least a bench spot.

I can, however, understand the Jackson/Madigan situation. Paddy got it last week because he has been playing 10 regularly. Madigan got it this week because he has played all over the show this season and it looks as if he's covering 10, 12 and 13 from the bench.

[thecrouch]

Madigan is a better bench option than Jackson IMO purely because he can cover more positions.

Jackson is a better 10 than Madigan for sure, the problem is he's a 10 only.

[Rooster]

Ship the Warren Gatland out.

Deccy can take his place.

Let Deccy sit on the bench, don't want him broken as well