Luke McGrath is the poster boy of Leinster comedians such as Francis and O'Driscoll who can't seem to get their heads around the fact that their first choice Irish-qualified scrum half is (at best) the fifth best No9 in the country (after Murray, Marmion, Cooney, and Blade).

MulMan wrote: Just an interesting thing I've seen from different forums, many (I'm assuming Leinster fans) watched last weekends game and felt McGrath did well (and better than Marmion) when he came on, now it could be bias but I thought he was bang average, did well for his try but so did Marms in the first half. He made a couple of chronic kicks that got nowhere near touch and he picked and went then had to turn back on himself getting caught in posession. This myth that he's super quick from the ruck is bull, the ruck clearance improved in the 2nd half but don't think that had anything to do with him. I honestly hope that Cooney is at 21 instead of McGrath, I think he's the most overrated player in Irish rugby.

McGrath wasn't up to much, nicely taken try asides. Even the Leinster Pravda* boys in the independent described McGrath as having "a patchy performance" in their player ratings.

*Yes, Pravda, not Prada. Though that works too.

Just an interesting thing I've seen from different forums, many (I'm assuming Leinster fans) watched last weekends game and felt McGrath did well (and better than Marmion) when he came on, now it could be bias but I thought he was bang average, did well for his try but so did Marms in the first half. He made a couple of chronic kicks that got nowhere near touch and he picked and went then had to turn back on himself getting caught in posession. This myth that he's super quick from the ruck is bull, the ruck clearance improved in the 2nd half but don't think that had anything to do with him. I honestly hope that Cooney is at 21 instead of McGrath, I think he's the most overrated player in Irish rugby.

Great to see Marmion and Aki have good games last night and get a score each. Hopefully Both their ankle injuries are minor enough.

I see our old friend Wank@r Francis is at it again in the Indo this morning. Calling for everyone's pet Leinster scrum half Luke McGrath to be in the Irish squad ahead of Marmion and Cooney. What a dildo!

Aki has started at 12 in nine of the eleven matches since he became eligible. He was rested for Fiji and missed the second Oz test due to injury. He played 80 in every one of those games bar the last 6N game against England.

Henshaw's only appearance at 12 this year (from 6 starts) was when Aki wasn't available. Henshaw and Ringrose have only been available for selection for the same international fixture once this season (the only game the Aki wasn't).

It's quite clear that Aki is first choice 12; Henshaw & Ringrose (and Farrell, potentially) are fighting for 13. The Henshaw/Ringrose first choice Ireland centre combination is brought to you by the same "journalists" that told us McGrath would travel to Oz instead of Marmion.

Mark Mostyn wrote:

phatguerilla wrote:

connachta wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Really happy for Bundee but unfortunately we're probably going to see less and less of him in Connacht green for the next 18-24 months.

18 ok, 24 no, why?

Godwin/Farrell could still be a very very good pairing.

It's a make or break season for Robb. But he's a great tackler/great carrier/great runner. If he can stay injury free and improve handling, he could be a surprise

After the world cup players will be rested with the six nations in mind. He appears to be one of Joe's first 23 at this point, whether that continues for more than the next 18 months isn't clear right now.

Don’t think Bundee is in Joe’s first 23 at the moment. He will probably get plenty of minutes regardless as he is more durable than Henshaw, Ringrose, or Farrell.

Maybe 24 is more accurate so - Henshaw and Ringrose would be my first choice right now but Henshaw is just about edging it on past performances, I feel like he was rushed back from the shoulder injury and not been his best, and has been said how often is that combo actually available. Bundee in contrast was probably player of the 6n, or back at least, held things together in a constantly changing midfield. Bundees main work on is probably his long range passing but honestly that's not even asked of him that often for Ireland, he's an auxiliary back row and extremely effective at it. His kicking has improved in the last year and he might never be a true 2nd 5/8 but he will be able to provide that outlet if required, but again is 12 kicking ever on the horizon in Joe's plan at the minute? What's really clear is Joe picks players who fit the system, if you want to be a 12 or 14 or whatever you better be able to fill whatever requirements Joe has for that position. That's why Zebo is leaving and Conway is on his way to the world cup. As long as Bundee continues to be able to fill the role he will be selected at 12, 23 or 24.

Mark Mostyn wrote:

Betty Swallocks wrote: I think you may be wrong and that Aki and Ringrose will be the first choice centre partnership if all fit.

Don’t know how you can say Henshaw isn’t first choice he’s started every big game he’s been available for going back years now.

I believe the starting centers when all fit will be Aki at 12 Ringrose at 13 and Robbie on the bench. Aki seems to be a favorite of Joes and he brings more to the 12 position than Robbie.

Betty Swallocks wrote: I think you may be wrong and that Aki and Ringrose will be the first choice centre partnership if all fit.

Don’t know how you can say Henshaw isn’t first choice he’s started every big game he’s been available for going back years now.

I think you may be wrong and that Aki and Ringrose will be the first choice centre partnership if all fit.

Thing with Henshaw and Ringrose is that they are rarely fit for international windows at the same time. Henshaw is particularly injury prone.

It's like saying that Sean O'Brien is a Joe first choice backrower. That's all well and good you can't rely on it the same way ya would for Murray/Sexton/Furlong. It more than leaves the door open for Bundee.

ConnachtCows wrote:

Mark Mostyn wrote:

phatguerilla wrote:

connachta wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Really happy for Bundee but unfortunately we're probably going to see less and less of him in Connacht green for the next 18-24 months.

18 ok, 24 no, why?

Godwin/Farrell could still be a very very good pairing.

It's a make or break season for Robb. But he's a great tackler/great carrier/great runner. If he can stay injury free and improve handling, he could be a surprise

After the world cup players will be rested with the six nations in mind. He appears to be one of Joe's first 23 at this point, whether that continues for more than the next 18 months isn't clear right now.

Don’t think Bundee is in Joe’s first 23 at the moment. He will probably get plenty of minutes regardless as he is more durable than Henshaw, Ringrose, or Farrell.

Wow, I'd expect him to be the first name chosen in the centers

Well I might be wrong but I’d be very surprised if Henshaw and Ringrose don’t start against the ABs if fit.

Mark Mostyn wrote:

phatguerilla wrote:

connachta wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Really happy for Bundee but unfortunately we're probably going to see less and less of him in Connacht green for the next 18-24 months.

18 ok, 24 no, why?

Godwin/Farrell could still be a very very good pairing.

It's a make or break season for Robb. But he's a great tackler/great carrier/great runner. If he can stay injury free and improve handling, he could be a surprise

After the world cup players will be rested with the six nations in mind. He appears to be one of Joe's first 23 at this point, whether that continues for more than the next 18 months isn't clear right now.

Don’t think Bundee is in Joe’s first 23 at the moment. He will probably get plenty of minutes regardless as he is more durable than Henshaw, Ringrose, or Farrell.

Wow, I'd expect him to be the first name chosen in the centers

phatguerilla wrote:

connachta wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Really happy for Bundee but unfortunately we're probably going to see less and less of him in Connacht green for the next 18-24 months.

18 ok, 24 no, why?

Godwin/Farrell could still be a very very good pairing.

It's a make or break season for Robb. But he's a great tackler/great carrier/great runner. If he can stay injury free and improve handling, he could be a surprise

After the world cup players will be rested with the six nations in mind. He appears to be one of Joe's first 23 at this point, whether that continues for more than the next 18 months isn't clear right now.

Don’t think Bundee is in Joe’s first 23 at the moment. He will probably get plenty of minutes regardless as he is more durable than Henshaw, Ringrose, or Farrell.

connachta wrote:

phatguerilla wrote: Really happy for Bundee but unfortunately we're probably going to see less and less of him in Connacht green for the next 18-24 months.

18 ok, 24 no, why?

Godwin/Farrell could still be a very very good pairing.

It's a make or break season for Robb. But he's a great tackler/great carrier/great runner. If he can stay injury free and improve handling, he could be a surprise

After the world cup players will be rested with the six nations in mind. He appears to be one of Joe's first 23 at this point, whether that continues for more than the next 18 months isn't clear right now.

phatguerilla wrote: Really happy for Bundee but unfortunately we're probably going to see less and less of him in Connacht green for the next 18-24 months.

18 ok, 24 no, why?

Godwin/Farrell could still be a very very good pairing.

It's a make or break season for Robb. But he's a great tackler/great carrier/great runner. If he can stay injury free and improve handling, he could be a surprise