to be honest my thoughts have alreayd turned towards next weeks 2 pro12 matches and whether either Munster or Glasgow can pick up points or even drop points which i think in Munsters case is very possible against Cardiff.

RogueXV wrote:

connachta wrote: No reason for that to happen except collapse of the starting team against Italy, or injury. Tests will be done this summer during "Test-matches", that's logical...

Yeah, makes more sense to give the lads in the extended squad a run out against the Springboks in SA than swapping in a couple in here and there at home against Italy and Scotland. :evil:

great introduction to international rugby for the newbies. getting mullered by 20 stone SA beasts

Darragh wrote: We really have learned nothing from the World Cup.

I am starting to really dislike Schmidt. He appears cut from the same cloth as steady Eddie.

We will be torn apart in South Africa and the November internationals that matter.

And then back into another 6 nations.

I now understand why the Southern teams don't even concern themselves with the sub standard 6 nations.

Bright side is we have no worries of buckley, healy and o'halloran ever being selected. So we watch the same shite in the knowledge that we will always have our best players available

We really have learned nothing from the World Cup.

I am starting to really dislike Schmidt. He appears cut from the same cloth as steady Eddie.

We will be torn apart in South Africa and the November internationals that matter.

And then back into another 6 nations.

I now understand why the Southern teams don't even concern themselves with the sub standard 6 nations.

connachta wrote: No reason for that to happen except collapse of the starting team against Italy, or injury. Tests will be done this summer during "Test-matches", that's logical...

Yeah, makes more sense to give the lads in the extended squad a run out against the Springboks in SA than swapping in a couple in here and there at home against Italy and Scotland. :evil:

Anyone here going to the u20s? I'm going to head along. I have Tickets to Saturday and if my head is OK I'll go to the women's match Sunday.

Or is that over doing it?

No reason for that to happen except collapse of the starting team against Italy, or injury. Tests will be done this summer during "Test-matches", that's logical...

i assume if he plays them all from the start against Scotland the following weekend then they won't start for us against Leinster.

If it means Dillane/Marmion/Whitey are available whereas most of the Leinster guys won't, I'm delighted with those news..

connemara man wrote: There are only 3 players I think shouldn't be there that's McFadden Madigan and Trimble

Trimble isn't playing well. Zebo should be on that wing.
As such Payne should be at 15 with McCloskey given another chance at 12.
Jackson is just better than Madigan. So is worth the 22 jersey
And nothing McFadden has done all season has shown he is worth that spot. Take your pick from the multitude of backs that are multi positional in Ulster for that.

Ireland won't lose. But should they lose and come 5th in the championship that would be bad news for Connacht as its an extra million out of the IRFU budget and that would greatly effect us.

Also I don't see Marmion getting any more than token minutes. If Joe doesn't rate/like you it seems only inju or age can get you into the team.

Yup exactly my thoughts- keep same backline as faced England but bring in Payne for Kearney and Zebo for Trimble (then move Earls to 14)

There are arguments for Dillane to start - also an argument could be made for Furlong on bench over White (from selfish POV hopefully Ireland finish the match with 4 Connacht players on the pitch though)

Cian Healy on bench, he really is living on reputation at this point - his agent must be mastermind to have gotten him a 3 Year Central Contract.
Gilroy and Jackson for McFadden and Madigan

Obviously I'll watch and support but I'm more excited about the u20 match, Nigel has them playing some great rugby

I'm kinda disappointed that he went so conservative, more fool me tho for thinking Joe might experiment instead he's gone for the same old "reliables". It's a shame that management doesn't think we can experimt against Italy.

On the plus side tho, 4 Connacht players in the 23!

Think Joe is playing it a little conservative to avoid any possibility of grabbing the wooden spoon. I may be biased but Ultan should get the start. I'd have McCloskey at 12, Robbie at his more natural 13 and Payne at FB. 50/50 for me between Trimble and Zebo so one to start, the other to the bench and McFadden out. Marmion should get 15-20 minutes.

There are only 3 players I think shouldn't be there that's McFadden Madigan and Trimble

Trimble isn't playing well. Zebo should be on that wing.
As such Payne should be at 15 with McCloskey given another chance at 12.
Jackson is just better than Madigan. So is worth the 22 jersey
And nothing McFadden has done all season has shown he is worth that spot. Take your pick from the multitude of backs that are multi positional in Ulster for that.

Ireland won't lose. But should they lose and come 5th in the championship that would be bad news for Connacht as its an extra million out of the IRFU budget and that would greatly effect us.

Also I don't see Marmion getting any more than token minutes. If Joe doesn't rate/like you it seems only inju or age can get you into the team.

it's starting to annoy me now, i've heard it a few times from senior players you have to earn your'e right onto the team and seemingly wait your turn. maybe best thing for Irish Rugby is that we get beaten on saturday

15. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 23
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 61
13. Jared Payne (Ulster) 12
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht) 18
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 48
10. Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 59
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 45
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 28
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 92 Captain
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 57
4. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster) 37
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 34
6. CJ Stander (Munster) 3
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 1
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 83 Vice Captain

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 49
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 57
18. Nathan White (Connacht) 11
19. Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht) 1
20. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) 8
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 4
22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster) 28
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 30




At least Marmion made the bench but no start for Dillane? McFadden and Madigan again?? Is Joe ultra-conservative or ultra-stubborn to the point of blindness?

So, with Reddan sitting out training today, could we have four Connacht players in the match day 23 for Italy?