15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)
13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)
12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*
11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*
9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*
1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)
2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)
4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*
5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)
7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*
8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain

Replacements:

16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)
18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)
19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)
20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)
21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)
22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

Just looked at the team again. I'm beginning to wonder what Robbie Diack has to do to get into this team. He's playing a hell of a lot better than Ruddock at the moment.

phatguerilla wrote:

Droptheclaw wrote: Not a bad line up, but I would have replaced Boss with Marmion and gotten Toner out of there for Henderson. Plus I'm not sure how much we are going to learn from Trimble in our A team. We all know what he can and can't do. Delighted for Henshaw. Born in 1993. Madness

I think Trimble is being given a chance to rehabilitate himself into the squad, a la playing Ross against Fiji. I don't think either of them deserve that treatment but that's how it looks to me. With Bowe out Trimble is the natural next selection imo. I'm really excited for the two lads as well, I would watch a Wolfhounds game anyways but seeing the two conn lads start plus the exciting new partnership of McSharry/Cave gives it an extra buzz.

its lookin like a back 3 of gilroy, zebo and kearney for 1st 6ntns game based on this selection with earl on bench. a blinder ala fiji could change that though.

menacethedenis wrote:

sea_point wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: Good stuff, delighted the 2 lads got the start.<strong> Do they sing the National Anthems before these games? Will we have to sit through Ireland's Call yeah?</strong>

It's an international, so yes anthems are standard protocol.

And as 1/3 of the starting XV are from the North, "standing" for Ireland's Call respects the whole squad.

I have no problem with the sentiment, it's the shittiness of Phil Coulter's composition I have the issue with. And yes as I'm on the Clan terrace I will be standing. Sitting is not recommended there.

When it's played at the right tempo (as it is for home games) and everyone joins in it's fine, I was at all our pool games at RWC 2007 and it was fantastic, against the Argies and 30,000 Ireland supporters (and a good deal of the French, who love IC) belting it out, hairs on the back of my neck were at full mast. Same thing for all the group games actually thinking back (about the only bit of excitement at the games)..

Was at Ireland v England Women ^N game at Esher RFC a couple seasons back, and the girls absolutely belted out IC, they even sang the second verse which caught all the Irish supporters out completely...

AnB would sound muck too if half the crowd sang it half heartedly, and if various maudlin versions were played from game to game like happens with IC.

Droptheclaw wrote: Not a bad line up, but I would have replaced Boss with Marmion and gotten Toner out of there for Henderson. Plus I'm not sure how much we are going to learn from Trimble in our A team. We all know what he can and can't do. Delighted for Henshaw. Born in 1993. Madness

I think Trimble is being given a chance to rehabilitate himself into the squad, a la playing Ross against Fiji. I don't think either of them deserve that treatment but that's how it looks to me. With Bowe out Trimble is the natural next selection imo. I'm really excited for the two lads as well, I would watch a Wolfhounds game anyways but seeing the two conn lads start plus the exciting new partnership of McSharry/Cave gives it an extra buzz.

Delighted for Robbie and Dave. Hope they both have blinders.

menacethedenis wrote: Good stuff, delighted the 2 lads got the start. Do they sing the National Anthems before these games? Will we have to sit through Ireland's Call yeah?

you wont hear it anyway with the poor sound system :whistle:

I'll get my arse out in north London as a show of solidarity. Not sure the locals in the pub will appreciate it

ConnachtCows wrote: Is this game on tv at all? Dont know what channel might be showing it.

Not only is it on RTE, it will be the first match at the Sportsground this season that RTE are showing.

Everybody should moon the cameras the let them know what we think of that.

Not a bad line up, but I would have replaced Boss with Marmion and gotten Toner out of there for Henderson. Plus I'm not sure how much we are going to learn from Trimble in our A team. We all know what he can and can't do. Delighted for Henshaw. Born in 1993. Madness

rte2 without george hook

That just made my day. Phone's at the branch have being ringing out all day (and yesterday). Will be up at one tomorrow and plan to run up and beg for tickets otherwise I'll be praying for scalpers!

ConnachtCows wrote: Is this game on tv at all? Dont know what channel might be showing it.

Ya it's on RTE2

ConnachtCows wrote: Is this game on tv at all? Dont know what channel might be showing it.

rte2 without george hook

Is this game on tv at all? Dont know what channel might be showing it.

sea_point wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: Good stuff, delighted the 2 lads got the start.<strong> Do they sing the National Anthems before these games? Will we have to sit through Ireland's Call yeah?</strong>

It's an international, so yes anthems are standard protocol.

And as 1/3 of the starting XV are from the North, "standing" for Ireland's Call respects the whole squad.

I have no problem with the sentiment, it's the shittiness of Phil Coulter's composition I have the issue with. And yes as I'm on the Clan terrace I will be standing. Sitting is not recommended there.

Congrats to Dave and Robbie.

I am very very excited by the back line named. But worried about the pack.

menacethedenis wrote: Good stuff, delighted the 2 lads got the start. Do they sing the National Anthems before these games? Will we have to sit through Ireland's Call yeah?

It's an international, so yes anthems are standard protocol.

And as 1/3 of the starting XV are from the North, "standing" for Ireland's Call respects the whole squad.