sligsup wrote: I think Marmion will travel as alot of his recent social media posts are training in the Sportsground , that would indicate he will. Beirne will be included which will see Roux lose out although Joe does like him as a th lock option. Think Beahlam should travel but wont. Farrell is to weak defensively for Joe. He priortises defense over flair always.

KK has been saying before he was sacked that the lads were going to train as normal for the rest of the season and then do a review after.

I think Marmion will travel as alot of his recent social media posts are training in the Sportsground , that would indicate he will. Beirne will be included which will see Roux lose out although Joe does like him as a th lock option. Think Beahlam should travel but wont. Farrell is to weak defensively for Joe. He priortises defense over flair always.

In particular Arnold, even him ahead of Scannell or McCloskey is a bad call, every time these squad selections come around its the same infuriating stuff from Joe, Ryan ahead of Bealham is another headscratcher but let's hope it'll be different when the actual squad is picked

If it's true as reported in both the Indo and the IT this morning that our only representative in the 32 to tour Australia to be announced later today will be Bundee, well then it will be a sad day for Connacht and Irish rugby. Luke McGrath being chosen in front of Kieran Marmion will prove, if any further proof is needed, of Schmidt's ongoing bias against Connacht players. Sam Arnold in front of Tom Farrell would be another strange call, but Munster of course have to be soft soapped.

Delighted for Buckley can't wait to see what he can do if he gets a run at 13 in place of Bundee, I always thought this would be his best position.

Fair point. It's all good.

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote:

sea_point wrote:

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote:

connemara man wrote: Denis Buckley added to the barbarians team!!

I really wish they were playing an Ireland XV instead of England.

Wouldn't make any difference really, when he was absolutely flying he was besting the best in the other provinces with ease, plus his add ons as an auxiliary back-row.
And still Joe didn't show the slightest interest. He's been a bit quieter the first half of this term, but has got back to form towards the end of the season.

But with a Leinster 1+2 at Loose Head in Joe's setup, Munster will scream blue murder if one of theirs doesn't travel to Oz as 3rd Choice
His only chance of making the plane is putting in a stormer against England, and then Joe resting all or most of the Leinster Lions this summer (which he should, given the length of their season)......

Oh, it's not that I would expect it to influence Joe's thinking. Pigs flying etc. I would just enjoy an international audience wondering who's this guy and why is he being ignored.
Insofar as there is an international audience for a BB's game these days.

In fairness, playing against England at Twickenham will do just that though I would have thought more so than against against Ireland at the Aviva or probably Thomond..?

sea_point wrote:

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote:

connemara man wrote: Denis Buckley added to the barbarians team!!

I really wish they were playing an Ireland XV instead of England.

Wouldn't make any difference really, when he was absolutely flying he was besting the best in the other provinces with ease, plus his add ons as an auxiliary back-row.
And still Joe didn't show the slightest interest. He's been a bit quieter the first half of this term, but has got back to form towards the end of the season.

But with a Leinster 1+2 at Loose Head in Joe's setup, Munster will scream blue murder if one of theirs doesn't travel to Oz as 3rd Choice
His only chance of making the plane is putting in a stormer against England, and then Joe resting all or most of the Leinster Lions this summer (which he should, given the length of their season)......

Oh, it's not that I would expect it to influence Joe's thinking. Pigs flying etc. I would just enjoy an international audience wondering who's this guy and why is he being ignored.
Insofar as there is an international audience for a BB's game these days.

ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote:

connemara man wrote: Denis Buckley added to the barbarians team!!

I really wish they were playing an Ireland XV instead of England.

Wouldn't make any difference really, when he was absolutely flying he was besting the best in the other provinces with ease, plus his add ons as an auxiliary back-row.
And still Joe didn't show the slightest interest. He's been a bit quieter the first half of this term, but has got back to form towards the end of the season.

But with a Leinster 1+2 at Loose Head in Joe's setup, Munster will scream blue murder if one of theirs doesn't travel to Oz as 3rd Choice
His only chance of making the plane is putting in a stormer against England, and then Joe resting all or most of the Leinster Lions this summer (which he should, given the length of their season)......

England has one of the best scrum in the world. If he does well, Joe may (at least) consider him for Ireland 3rd choice...

connemara man wrote: Denis Buckley added to the barbarians team!!

I really wish they were playing an Ireland XV instead of England.

Denis Buckley added to the barbarians team!!

Bundee out injured for Baa Baas
And AJ been recalled by Sale, Finn Russell replaces him

Dillane and Niyi still involved though

Bundee withdrawn from the Baa Baas due to injury

phatguerilla wrote: McGrath and I think Cooney's box kicking is more dependable and consistent than Marmion, who if we're going to be critical, has known for years that this is a primary requirement from a Schmidt scrumhalf but does not appear to have brought it up to the level required. Schmidt doesn't appear to use his bench as a second strategy, he generally (imo) as much as possible benches similar players to those who are starting, so there's no place for a running scrumhalf to come on with 15-20 minutes to go.

Another key skill is directing the pack. Murray is pretty good at this, as is McGrath. Cooney and Marmion seem less vocal. The best I can think of currently is Gareth Davies of Scarlets.

Thought Marmion had lost a lot of his zip this year (though much better in his last few games). He seemed to have got bulkier from the arse down, as if he had over trained.

superconnacht7 wrote: So who is the addition from our side to the BaaBaa's!?

None of the players mentioned anyway

I've been sworn to secrecy, but somebody well deserving. Thought the announcement would be yesterday so should be today hopefully.