Forwards: Best, Buckley, Court, Cronin, Cullen, Ferris, Flannery, Healy, Heaslip, Leamy, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, O’Brien, Ross, Ryan, D. Wallace
Backs: Boss, Bowe, D’Arcy, Earls, Kearney, McFadden, Murray, Murphy, O’Gara, O’Driscoll, Reddan, Sexton, Trimble, P.Wallace
After Ireland’s loss to France at the weekend many rumours were flying around that Tomas O’Leary and Luke Fitzgerald had been dropped from the squad especially O’Leary after his poor performance vs France, of course as seen today it’s true both have been dropped.
It will be a great chance for Conor Murray to gain some valuable experience soaking up the game atmosphere and who knows with injury dictating he could also get game time as I assume Eoin Reddan will be first choice with Issac Boss on the bench. I was shocked to see that Luke Fitzgerald had been dropped due to his reputation of a great footballer and runner also previously touring with the Lions where he was first choice in the 2nd test. He may have been off form but he is a class player who seems to play on confidence but a great solo performance in a game in the Rugby World Cup could of reignited his form.
Not many fans were pleased with Tony Buckley in the last few games he has played but personally i’m glad to see him go as I think John Hayes has past it and we need a solid team with the legs to put in a good shift. It’s testament to the great backrow that Ireland have to see that Shane Jennings and Kevin McLaughlin didn’t make it, with return of Stephen Ferris at the weekend and his first touch of the ball being him storming over an French forward. Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip will lead the line with Wallace or Ferris a debate many fans will have during the course of the World Cup of course with fitness playing a factor for both players.
The fight for the Hooker position will be an interesting battle with Rory Best winning at the moment, but a fit Jerry Flannery will prove a test for the Ulsterman. Having two top class hookers isn’t a bad thing of course as if one player is having an off day Kidney will simply swap and both players are experienced in the testing atmosphere in which they will be playing in. It will be good for Ireland’s future having Sean Cronin there with Rory and Jerry as he will train with them plus learn alot while he is out there with long tours and the test atmosphere which he hasn’t experienced much.
All in all, this is the team that has been chosen to go out and win the World Cup. Happy or not we can’t change it so let’s get behind the team.
That’s my thoughts, let me know what you think?
In hindsight I think that Declan Kidney made the right calls. If I was a head coach would I opt to take just one specialist full back in Rob Kearney? No. Cover is essential and Georgan Murphy can play on the wing too. Luke Fitzgerald’s form this past year has not been poor. Its been dreadful. But Luke will be back though and should now aim to get form for Leinster and target the 6 Nations.
As a Kiwi living in Ireland, I hope the Irish do well. You have 3 world class players in O’Brien, Bowe & O’Driscoll, and some other very good players. If O’Brien could play for NZ, I would definitely have in my 22. I would go with O’Brien, Ferris and Heaslip with Wallace on the bench. You will need to man up in the forwards to beat Australia, and not give them any counter attacking ball, but it is possible. I would also not have O’Callaghan in my starting 15, but rather Cullen to partner O’Connell. You need to hope Healy and Ross don’t get injured, coz your other props are not great. Would go with Flannery but tell him to be disciplined. Could consider O’Driscoll at 2nd-five, given he’s lost a yard of pace. Hope my team can handle the pressure, and that if we lose it’s not from choking but from being outplayed…
Thanks for the comments guys, good point Colin in allowing Luke time to ease off and hopefully regain form whilst the RWC is being played.
Matt, I agree Sean O’Brien is the standout player for Ireland at the moment and on the form he is in I think he would walk into most international squads easily.
As a Welshman with strong links to my heritage I really hope that Ireland finally show how good a team they are on the biggest stage of all. I agree with Matt that the prop area could be an issue if Ross or Healy get injured but it is the back row that excites me. I am a HUGE fan of David Wallace and think that he has been the outstanding 7 in the six nations for the past five years. His strength and workrate are quite amazing and he has a deceptive turn of speed. I would start with him with Ferris on the bench as an impact player. Sean O’Brien is just a one off and Jamie Heaslip is such a superb eight. My big concern is with Paddy Wallace. He is the sort of player who never seems to do the right thing – the penalty he gave away at the death that could have lost the Grand Slam is a glaring example – and I feel that he has had many a chance and not taken them. However, all in all it will be great to see them show the world what they can really do.
Yeah Kevin, I agree Paddy Wallace should be kept in the stands. I would actually consider O’Driscoll at 2nd-five and McFadden at centre, in saying that the Darcy/O’Driscoll combo have played a lot together. I personally think David Wallace is a tad small for a loose forward, and to beat Australia I think Ferris would be better to nullify Pocock. I disagree about O’Brien being one-off, I think he is one of the best loosies in the north, and I would have him in ABs on the bench ahead of Adam Thomson, who franly got completly outplayed by Brussow in the weekend.
Matt. I think that playing O’Driscoll there would be great as an attacking force but then his massive defensive qualities at centre may be missed. Also, it would leave them with a huge dilemma when it came to goal kicking. Being able to debate such back row quality is so good, isn’t it. Whereas I agree that Wallace may be a tad small he has played consistently through the whole of the domestic season and proves himself time and again. Sure, his days at this level may be numbered but his experience is invaluable – a point flying around here in Wales where they have picked a very young back row withnot much experience to guide them through when the going gets tough – and he his such a competitor.
Following on – What I meant about O’Brien was that he has become such an awesome player at 6 ot 7 and the speed at which he has adjusted to international rugby is amazing. So ‘a one off’ in the most positive sense.
Kevin, did you see ABs vs Aussie? I rest my case about Ireland needing a big forward back. The ABs, after a terrible first half, just about snatched the game off the back of a great forward effort. If you try and play 15 man rugby against Aussie, they will win comfortably.
Matt – Yes I watched the game and am still trying to figure out how the All Blacks lost it right at the start. I have rarely seen them so slow out of the blocks. I think that the problem area with who to select in the Irish back row has, unfortunately, been sorted with David Wallace’s injury. I just hope that we can keep Heaslip fit because he will be a huge plus with Ferris and O’Brien. It will take a mighty pack effort but there is more than enough experience there. O’Driscoll will be needed at his best to cement that back division that looked uncomfortable without him.