Personally I think Muldowney will start. One of our best forwards last year.

On the injury front according to Linley McKenzie Pewhairangi out for 3 months, Niyi out for 4 weeks, Leader out for 3 weeks and McSharry is going through the return to play protocols.

connemara man wrote: I would like to see someone step up in the backs. With the average age pretty low someone needs to be the leader out there

Na na na na Leader precisely! Half kidding, as he showed great enthusiasm against Castres.
By the end of the season, I've got hopes that he and Jake Heenan become those driving forces

Age maturity and leadership are 3 very different things. imo John showed poor leadership at times last year. Getting narky at refs and poor decision making at times.
For me leadership is an issue across the board in the team.

I'd like to see more of Tom stepping up in the pack. He did a lot by his actions but was quiet. Granted it was his first season.
I would like to see someone step up in the backs. With the average age pretty low someone needs to be the leader out there

phatguerilla wrote:
Also like you and many on here I'm a big fan of Masterson but as Mul is captain he will probably start the majority of games based on last season.

I'm slightly less worried about maturity/leadership in the pack.. You know AhYou, Buckley, Roux, Marshall JHW all passed 25, Muldowney White and McCartney above 30 (ok, in just a week for the latter ). Muldoon and Naoupu are not "absolutely required" now, they have to fight for their place

I'd really like to see young Cian Romaine have a go as back-up 5/6 (19) too...

If you want power in the scrum when Roux comes off, it's better to put McKeon on the bench
So you'd like
6) Mul 7) Fox 8 ) Masterson
19) Marshall (or Muldowney) 20) McKeon

Sorry should have been clearer. Roux/Dillane looks like a nice combo to start the game, but what if Roux is the one that has to go off, will there be enough power in the scrum from a tiring Dillane and Marshall? Marshall has obviously played second row but he's still in between second row and six, and Dillane is extremely raw. If George is on the bench as well it would provide the option of replacing a big lump with a big lump, and gives more flexibility as Marshall could go six, George could go to eight, depending on needs.

Also like you and many on here I'm a big fan of Masterson but as Mul is captain he will probably start the majority of games based on last season.

I think McKeon/Masterson is a promising 8/6 association, with Mul as an impact player, but Lam probably won't follow me.. You also have the possibility to put experience in the engine room with Muldowney as 5/6, but I'd let him one more week off as he didn't play one second in friendlies, just back from injury, and Dillane deserves to retain the spot..

What do you mean by "gives us some flexibility of Marshall can't go into the second row, or if he does but can't handle it"?

Muldoon will have to start the first game of the season - lead from the front etc etc. Ronaldson at 12 looked pretty handy last season, would like to see that again if McSharry isn't fit. But I also like Leader at centre so either way I'm happy enough. Naopou on the bench instead of Muldoon might be more likely, gives us some flexibility of Marshall can't go into the second row, or if he does but can't handle it. Don't suppose this is on tv?

My team prediction

1) Buck
2) McCartney
3) White (assuming Moore if fit for Ireland)
4) Roux
5) Dillane
6) Masterson
7) Nepia
8 ) McKeon
9) Marmion (assuming Schmidt makes the mistake to choose Boss)
10) Carty
11) Healy
12) McShazz (Leader if not fit)
13) Aki
14) Danie
15) Leader (TOH if Leader at centre)

16) Heff
17) Bealham
18) AHYou
19) Marshall
20) Muldoon
21) Cooney
22) Ronaldson
23) TOH (Carr if O'Hall starts)

Finally the shadow boxing is over and we get back on the road at home to Dragons next Friday. :woohoo: :woohoo:

With the World Cup coming into view there won't be much hype about the league starting but points now have the same value as points in December or April when there will be much more attention paid to the league.

May 2004 was the last time the Dragons won in Galway but most of our matches at home to them have been tight one score games and Dragons are the Welsh team least affected by international callups (Faletau and Amos). Like us they have made a few low key signings.

Pre-season has been ok for them
Nottingham 48-12
Scarlets (h) 20-29
Cardiff (a) 35-28

For me we can't afford any slip ups in these games if we are realistic about top 6. It's likely to be scrappy. I'd take any kind of win just to get the ball rolling again even if Dragons got a losing bonus point.