Guinness Series 2012

The squad announcement is on Wednesday. Are we expecting any call-ups? Macca? Wilko's not been in great form so wouldn't bet on him.

Anyone heading to any of the games? Going to South Africa and Fiji myself. Hoping to see a few of our lads involved in the Fiji game. It's hard to be objective but McSharry, O'Halloran, Griffin, Henshaw and Marmion have all been brilliant lately for me anyway.

The squad announcement is on Wednesday. Are we expecting any call-ups? Macca? Wilko's not been in great form so wouldn't bet on him.

Expect more of the same from Kidney. The fact our final game is against Argentina which we may have to win just to get the 8th spot for world cup seeding says it all about the direction we are heading. Back at square 1 from when he took over which was at a low ebb.

I don't believe Kidney has wonderful raw materials to work with but since 2009 (which was brilliant at the time) we haven't really delivered much of substance since then. Some very poor defeats in that time. The game has evolved a long way since 2009 and Kidney hasn't changed with it, kicking game for a while back then and the conservatism of the majority of games at the time suited his no risks approach. similar with the 2 million phases going about 2 yards that Munster successfully used to close out the Heineken.

That would never be allowed to happen now and as we have seen with Harlequins, Clermont, Leinster the emphasis is only on kicking as a last resort, keeping ball in hand is priority. Even Munster and Connacht (at times Leinster and Harlequins) are coming around to that way of thinking when traditionally it would be a case of keep things tight in the pack. No elaborate back line moves.

On the international scene NZ obviously have the same approach (even Wales, Australia etc.).

The game is moving on and if we don't move with it at international level we face a long period in the doldrums.

Squad announcement streaming live at noon

www.irishrugby.ie/news/27538.php

Mul and Macca called up

I think Paul Marshall should be in. Muldoon, D'arcy and McLaughlin are questionable choices.

fairly happy with that squad picked. well done to strauss and henderson.

im slighty disappointed to see darcy still there and also ROG when a chance should be given to keatley and madigan.

im surprised luke marshall got a call up and not paul.

also again we dont have a fullback in the team. earls in nowhere near a full back. when was he last played there.

its a pity that from the 4 lads who left us isnt in there. cronin/strauss is 50/50 or 49/51.
keatley can be hard done by. hagan and carr need to start for leinster first

6 locks, 3 sixes and 3 looseheads....

but only 2 hookers and 1 tighthead.

Having outdone Eddie on the upslope by clinching a Championship and Grand Slam, Yoda looks like he's after Eddie's comedy selections crown on the downslope of his regime.

Luke Marshall was brought in to get experience in training hold some tackle bags and maybe get an A cap against Fiji. Shame that Loughney didn't get in but he hasn't played as much with White in the way. For me it's going to be interesting who gets the 7 jersey. Dave Wallace is gone and SOB is injured. So Chris Henry should be in with a very good shot of claiming it for this series.

Props: David Kilcoyne - Mike Ross - Tom Court - Cian Healy.

Hookers: Rory Best - Richardt Strauss

Second Row: Mike McCarthy - Donncha O'Callaghan - Paul O'Connell - Donnacha Ryan - Dan Tuohy

Flankers/No. 8: Stephen Ferris - Jamie Heaslip - Iain Henderson - Chris Henry - Kevin O'Laughlin - Peter O'Mahony - John Muldoon

Scrumhalves: Conor Murray - Eoin Reddan

Out-Halves: Ronan O'Gara - Jonathan Sexton

Centres: Darren Cave - Gordon D'Arcy - Brian O'Driscoll - Luke Marshall

Wingers/Fullbacks: Tommy Bowe - Keith Earls - Fergus McFadden - Andrew Trimble - Simon Zebo

Paul Marshall must be feeling very hard done by alright. Full-back selection will be interesting. Loughs could still be in with a shout if he has a good game against Ospreys (assuming he plays).

Fitzpatrick was ahead of him in NZ and Loughs isn't starting consistently for us, I doubt he's in the picture this time round.