Knowing Schmidt's form with Connacht it may well be just Marmion travelling!! However surely TOH will be picked too? Bealham may travel, but after that. Denis hasn't done enough this year unfortunately and we know Schmidt doesn't rate him, and either of Dave Heff or Jake Heenan might be bolters.

I'd be still hopeful that Tiernan and Finlay will get in, but with both Niyi and Matt injured I don't think they ever had a chance,John Cooney might get in too, I know he's moving on but still recognition for what he's done with us. But I agree it's a backward step, although is probably a fairer reflection on what we should have this season, compared with last season when a number of our lads were overlooked until the Kearney's pulled out and we got Tiernan and Matt in

Healy instead of Denis, Treadwell/Ryan for Roux, Porter for Bealham, Kearney for TOH, Sweetnam for Healy/Niyi/Kelleher.
What a move backward if it happens as such...
Get rid of Marmion and IRFU will enjoy the good old "3 provinces" team again:angry:

dobby wrote:

Shelflife wrote: I think it's being announced on Monday.

Heard it will be announced today. have to think this is the buckley announcement hopefully. please let it happen for denis.pleassssssse

I wouldn't get my hopes up...

Shelflife wrote: I think it's being announced on Monday.

Heard it will be announced today. have to think this is the buckley announcement hopefully. please let it happen for denis.pleassssssse

I think it's being announced on Monday.

I think Tiernan will still get the call, I'd expect Finlay with him covering both sides of the scrum and really there's nobody else to bring at tighthead, they'll probably bring Healy, Kilcoyne and JCronin at loose so Denis prob will miss out, Quinn will probably make it but could be dropped for James Ryan. Marmion will go and John Cooney might go too, SOB2 might yet go as he could cover 2nd/back rows, but I'd have my money on Just Bealham/Marmion/Roux/JCooney/O'Halloran hope a few more get the chance from a Connacht perspective it would do them the world of good but it'll be hard to pick any of our back row ahead of Leavy, Ruddock VDF Conan and O'Donnell and Matt and Niyi injured along with Ultan will obviously keep them out, still though this tour 4 years ago I think we only had one player (Henshaw) playing and Marmion went over to North America but didn't play, so I suppose that's some positive

MulMan wrote: it's looking like some stage during this week, Joe always likes to be last, his usual day I think does be Tuesday, could be totally wrong on that though

Wonder who we think might be selected from Connacht. Tiernan has had a nightmare couple of weeks. Kieran should be involved. Denis turned over so much ball last season and this season has not being doing anything like it. Finlay has struggled. Quinn has been solid most every game. I would have liked to have seen Heenan progress but its just been a very hard season to very many positives and he has not been overly impressive. Matt has struggled with his hand injury and Niyi has struggled with poor ball provided all year. Tom McCartney is not yet qualified but is heading in the right direction. SOB2 really deserves a chance. He is playing out of his skin every game

it's looking like some stage during this week, Joe always likes to be last, his usual day I think does be Tuesday, could be totally wrong on that though

Anyone have any info on when Joe will announce the squad for the USA/Japan tour?

I presume there's a good chance we will play Japan in the opening game so - that would be some craic.
I am not planning this one (then again, train to Vladivostok, maybe catch a game in Krasnoyarsk on the way ...)

The last few world cups it's been A Vs B and C Vs D

I'm predicting we top our group and the face Italy in the QF as we watch South Africa decline even further

Anyone know the story with the QF/SF? Last time it was A v B and C v D so based on that we would get SA or NZ, but I can't see that written anywhere.
The reports on it seem to be omitting a key piece of info here ...

Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, Playoff winner.

Wow That's cool
No Argentina, no France
and Aki will be IQ despite the change of rule.

sea_point wrote:
If MCCartney was/is fit, he'd be travelling also I believe...

Tom played ITM Cup in 2014 and didn't fetch up at Connacht until late October, so he's not eligible for the Japan tour. Moot point given his injury.

Betty Swallocks wrote: A lot of who goes to Japan depends on whether Schmidt brings people like Cian Healy, Devin Toner, Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo, and Keith Earls. Assuming he doesn't (other than Zebo) and assuming he goes with a squad of around 32 (14 backs and 18 forwards) then I would expect something like this.

Back three: Zebo, Conway, TOH, Gilroy, Sweetnam, Adam Byrne.
Centre: Marshall, Olding (can also cover Out Half), Scannell, Ringrose.
Out Half: Jackson, Carbery.
Scrum Half: Marmion, McGrath.
Props: Buckley, J Cronin, Bealham, J Ryan, Kilcoyne.
Hookers: S Cronin, Treacy, Scannell.
Locks: D Ryan (capt), Dillane (if fit), Molony, Roux.
Back Row: Conan, Leavy, van der Flier, Heenan, O'Donoghue, Ruddock (vice Capt).

I think Donncha Ryan's selection will depend on his contractual situation with Munster. If he goes to France as mooted I don't think he'll go to Japan.
An opportunity for Andrew Browne (as Westy85 was suggesting), as he is a lineout caller for us, something neither Roux or Dillane do (yet).

I'd also like to see Jake get a run on the trip, he's very good as is but I think International recognition will allow him to push on a bit more as well.
SOB2 is an outside shot, but he can cover 4,5,6,7,8 so you never know, a lot of rugby to be played yet between Champions Cup & Pro12, but again another for whom a cap or just being in the Squad is going to push him on ...

If MCCartney was/is fit, he'd be travelling also I believe...

The Lions tour will have a definite impact on Joe's squad in that there will be some players included who are on standby for the Lions at Gatland's request. I anticipate quite some turnover/callups from NZ as the tour progresses, so there could be a few Connacht lads on standby for Japan also (so plan your Hols for Thailand, Bali or Queensland lads...:whistle: )..