I'd imagine the likes of Healy Earls etc will travel so they are match fit if called upon for the lions.

Dillane won't be fit for the tour. Would love to see Andrew Browne get a call up he's being playing very well recently.

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).

Mark Mostyn wrote: So with the Lions announced, I wonder what Connacht players will travel to Japan this summer.

Buckley and Bealham surely.
Roux will be there or thereabouts.
I wonder does Sean O'Brien have a shot? Only really has Ruddock to compete with in terms of out and out 6s but Leavy, Conan, and O'Donoghue can cover there.
Marmion obviously, maybe Cooney if they bring a third 9.
Tiernan surely has to be first choice fullback.

I think your underestimating just how much(and how wrongly) Schmidt doesn't rate O'Halloran. Expect to see Zebo start all 3 tests at full back barring injury.

So with the Lions announced, I wonder what Connacht players will travel to Japan this summer.

Buckley and Bealham surely.
Roux will be there or thereabouts.
I wonder does Sean O'Brien have a shot? Only really has Ruddock to compete with in terms of out and out 6s but Leavy, Conan, and O'Donoghue can cover there.
Marmion obviously, maybe Cooney if they bring a third 9.
Tiernan surely has to be first choice fullback.

Sean Masterson and Corey Reid named at 8 and 23 respectively for the Ireland U19 game this weekend. Ambrose Conboy (Connacht Elite Player Development Officer) is assistant coach

EnricoPalazzo wrote: Stuart Barnes singing Marmion's praises, suggests that "with the capacity to break open a game" he could potentially be a good third-choice scrum-half for the Lions!

I don't think it will happen, but great that its being talked about none the less!

www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12062...mpionship-highlights

Murray and Webb are streets ahead of everyone else, after that it's wide open but you'd have to imagine Youngs, Care, or Laidlaw would be 3rd choice

eezipc wrote:

dobby wrote:

salmson wrote: Couldn't disagree more. Payne can play, but he dropped every kick that came his way. Kearney is the opposite. If only we had a fullback who covered both bases. #JusticeForTiernan

+1

Just watched it again. Payne every time over Kearney at full back. No doubt.
Also Marmion got some thump from Itoje in the first half. How he was not yellow carded is very odd.

Must say that settling on a near 32 year old at full back is only plastering over the cracks (no matter how he played), bring in a just turned 26 year old tailor made replacement, any ideas?

This makes me sick given how Kieran played:
www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/joe-schmidt-singl...ritty-victory-117348

"We just have to keep investing and sowing confidence in these [young players]." - Like you've done for years is it?

If he goes over I'd say people's heads will explode

Stuart Barnes singing Marmion's praises, suggests that "with the capacity to break open a game" he could potentially be a good third-choice scrum-half for the Lions!

I don't think it will happen, but great that its being talked about none the less!

www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12062...mpionship-highlights

dobby wrote:

salmson wrote: Couldn't disagree more. Payne can play, but he dropped every kick that came his way. Kearney is the opposite. If only we had a fullback who covered both bases. #JusticeForTiernan

+1

Just watched it again. Payne every time over Kearney at full back. No doubt.
Also Marmion got some thump from Itoje in the first half. How he was not yellow carded is very odd.

wp_rathead wrote:

connemara man wrote: New Zealand
England
Australia
Ireland

---

Scotland
France
South Africa
Wales

---

Argentina
Fiji
Japan
Georgia

This is the final seedings for the world cup

Ah Chrisht, we're gonna get a pool with Argentina aren't we

I can see Ireland Wales Argentina happening because we're just that lucky

Fiji have not actually qualified yet. Italy despite being outside the top 12th will be in the 3rd pot as they have qualified.

Ireland South Africa Argentina Samoa is the worth we can have...
sounds awful

connemara man wrote: New Zealand
England
Australia
Ireland

---

Scotland
France
South Africa
Wales

---

Argentina
Fiji
Japan
Georgia

This is the final seedings for the world cup

Ah Chrisht, we're gonna get a pool with Argentina aren't we

Marmion makes round 5 team on the NZ Herald

www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cf...80&objectid=11821785

New Zealand
England
Australia
Ireland
Scotland
France
South Africa
Wales
Argentina
Fiji
Japan
Georgia

This is the final seedings for the world cup