i doubt fergus will get a game- he is a decent player but if he cant get his game at leinster what hope has he. SOB definately to start and to keep a spot- id sat ferris is half delighted he is injured as he was about to lose his spot- to say he has being off the boil recently is an understatement. we need a 7 to be fully dynamic in the back row- unfortunately jonny o connor is the only natural 7 in the entire country and he is out of favour internationally for some time- imagine a back row of heaslip, o brien as the ball carriers and jonny o connor cleaning up and making a complete nusance of himself with stringer at 9- you would not get quicker ball from any 6,7,8, 9 axis in the world i think- i think that would be the quickest backrow ireland could possibly field with the added bonus of the best and quickest passer of a ball in world rugby- i think that could run team ragged!

liathroidboy (Mayo) - Posts: 4921 - 31/01/2011 10:57:23    857171

Ferris may be a bit of a glass man but he is till a powerhouse (and a Lion), I wouldn't rule him out just yet. SOB is the most exciting prospect by HC standards but he has not proved himself in an Ireland shirt, just yet . The back line in Leinster is probably the most effective in Europe at any level so it's hard for prospects like McFadden, O'Malley and Conway to make an impact. I expect McFadden to feature at the weekend at some stage and I'd expect him to do a job. He's a versatile player and has proven this with Leinster on the wing and in the centre. We have an embarrasment of riches for the back three but we could be doing with more options for SH, hooker, tighthead and FB

Likely team:

Healy, Cronin, Ross, POC, Cullen, SOB, Wallace, Leamy, Reddan, Sexton, Earls, Darcy, BOD, McFadden and Fitz

Con Cavan (Cavan) - Posts: 894 - 31/01/2011 11:40:41    857202

Ferris is world class and if he can stay injury free he is a cert for a spot. If O Brien can make an impact at 7 then the back row is sorted. David Wallace will be chomping at the bit as well. I think JOC international days are behind him.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 31/01/2011 11:43:51    857207

Fergus McFadden has started the majority of Leinster's games this season.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12291 - 31/01/2011 11:46:12    857210

i think people are a small bit niave regarding SOB- i would rather not have him in the team than see him play at 7- in gaelic football terms it would be like getting a a half back and playing them at full back- its a million miles apart- long term his role is at 6 and heaslip at 8. & is and always has being the problem- wallace is a 6 playing at 7 is is ineffective on the ground- his bally carrying is second to none but thats the last thing you want from a 7- they have to be the ultimate ground hog a la richie mc caw- george smith, or neil back- this has always being along with props the major weakness of this team- we havent had a good prop since the claw and we havent has a 7 since o connor!

liathroidboy (Mayo) - Posts: 4921 - 31/01/2011 12:10:25    857229

Yes and has always shown spark and line breaking ability . I suppose the point BB is making is that if he cannot nail down a place with Leinster etc why do I think he'll get a game against Italy?

1. The Leinster backline is the most effective in Europe (present form) so there is nothing in it
2. The injury list will allow him a shot
3. It's Italy, it's a WC year and a player of McFaddens versatility needs game time - Kidney knows that

Then again Kidney is a conservative old bean. The Italians will see this as a genuine oppurtunity, seriously.

Con Cavan (Cavan) - Posts: 894 - 31/01/2011 12:24:12    857244

Ballboy you have to cut your cloth to suit, we all know SOB best position but who's to say he can't develop into a top class number 7? And David Wallace is a natural number 8, who told you his best position is number 6? And your GAA reference is a poor one. Mike McCarthy from Kerry off the top off my head. Half back who won an all star at full back, i'm sure we could name more!

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 31/01/2011 13:28:23    857299

ah please dont talk all starts thats an accomodation team- gooch could get one at midfield such is how they are picked its all about getting the men on the list somewhere- 7 is without doubt the most difficult position on a rugby pitch and what you are suggesting is the same old irish way of throw him in and hope for the best- we would get ate on the ground- its too late to develop a 7 out of o brien- the only position i would say on a pitch that you either have or you dont is a 7. ill say it again jonny o connor is the only 7 in ireland, to me if he is the only one he is the best one

liathroidboy (Mayo) - Posts: 4921 - 31/01/2011 15:12:23    857415

Sorry I mean he actually played fullback and halfback with success, he was actually picked in the positions he played not accomadated so you are wrong there! . And yes 7 is a specialized posotion I just don't agree that SOB could not do a more than decent job there. Jonny O C doesn't cut the mustard there anymore I'm afraid, good and all as he is. And I ask you again, since when did David Wallace become a number 6?

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 31/01/2011 15:31:23    857443

Ya Wallace has played at 7 for most of his career, can never remember him at 6. In fairness now lads there is very little difference between 6 and 7 such as there is very little difference between right corner forward and left corner forward.

Also Liathroidbhoy, where do you stand on people wasting money on going to watch a televised rugby match when at the same time they are complaining about having less money to spend and protesting about tax hikes etc?

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 31/01/2011 18:27:41    857646

oh my god 6 and 7 are miles apart- 6 is a ball carrier and tackler- usually the hard man of the team that stads close to the ruck and is also supposed to be a main lineout option- 7 is a support player i.e. the link man. his job is slowing ball down and being first to the breakdown- how can anyone say these are the same is completely beyond me! wallace play like a 6 and doesnt down the work on the ground

liathroidboy (Mayo) - Posts: 4921 - 31/01/2011 21:42:47    857856

Ballboy no offence but you are talking rubbish. Are you trying to tell me that throughout his career all the coaches he played under and Wallace himself never realised he was a number 6? His natural position is probably 8 as he has stated himself. But Ballboy you seem to know more than everybody else when it comes to rugby!

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 01/02/2011 08:54:49    857890

Team Named :

Healy, Best, Ross, POC, DOC, Leamy SOB, Wallace,TOL, Sexton, Earls, BOD, Darc, McFadden and Fitz.

Wasn't aware Boss was back but the begrudgers will be placated with this selection. Personally, I'd still be concerned with Fitz at FB

Con Cavan (Cavan) - Posts: 894 - 01/02/2011 13:48:17    858058

Well i have problems with this team. For a start Sean Cronin is the form hooker in Ireland and should be starting. Also why oh why is Leo Cullen not in next to O'Connell??? As for fullback, christ knows what is going on. I think every fullback and anyone who has even thought about playing there would have to be shot before they play Gavin Duffy.

I still hope we win but i'm a very frustrated Connacht man at the moment.

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 01/02/2011 14:41:00    858088

Take off those Connacht glasses, Duffy is the personification of mediocre. Always has been, always will be. His versatility is the only reason he gets near the Ireland squad and it fills me with dread the thought of him getting on the pitch. Distinctly average in every way

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 01/02/2011 16:23:02    858176

Pomeroy whereas Duffy would not be first choice if everyone is fit your comment is horse****.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 01/02/2011 16:36:17    858192

Duffy isn't good enough, it's as simple as that

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 01/02/2011 16:41:44    858198

Ya nothing like a solid dependable fullback who never drops a high ball. He is a squad player and is good enough to be in the squad. I am not saying he should be in the team but mediocre is not an accurate assessment of his game.

jonny1951 (Mayo) - Posts: 1431 - 01/02/2011 16:49:39    858208

Gavin Duffy at the moment is the only fit fullback we have. When has Luke Fitzgerald been playing fullback for Leinster? When even has Keith Earls played fullback for Munster? Yet they were considered more than Duffy was. Granted Gavin is not spectacular like Kearney, or mercurial like Murphy but he would have done his job well and would have been a safe pair of hands. Not like taking a risk with Fitzgerald.

I just hope it comes off, more than likely will against Italy, but what about against France.

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 01/02/2011 16:54:41    858213

PomeroyPlunkett
County: Tyrone
Posts: 2425

858198
Duffy isn't good enough, it's as simple as that

------------------

+1
tried and tested

Con Cavan (Cavan) - Posts: 894 - 02/02/2011 13:59:50    858689