You could maybe call into question the presumptive starting full back over Tiernan, but obviously Joe goes with what Joe goes with.

In fairness, some of our players are not in top form, or have had recent injuries. Kieran has been playing well, and should get his place ahead of McGrath. I think Tiernan has reason to feel hard done by, but Schmidt is probably thinking he's got zebo or earls to cover full back if Kearney has to go off, so having a specialist winger on the bench makes sense. Apart from that I don't think the other lads have any major ground for complaint. I personally feel Finlay has struggled a bit at scrum time of late, and he hasn't been as high profile in open play as he had been last season.

So the Pro12 champions will have 1 out of 23 (on the bench) and maybe not even that - if Marmion is edged out by McGrath. Ridiculous, and yet another indicator of Schmidt's disdain for our players.

Only one in there according to Gerry:
www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/internati...eland-team-1.2959925

menacethedenis wrote: Only 2 Connacht players in the U-20 squad coached by Nigel Carolan; Cillian Gallagher & Sean Masterson. Is Sean any relation to Eoghan does anyone know?



www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/internati...t&utm_medium=twitter

Brothers I think. Caelan Doris is in the squad as an U19 and is one of the biggest prospects in Leinster atm. He's also from Mayo. I wonder would Carolan be able to convince him to come home?

Only 2 Connacht players in the U-20 squad coached by Nigel Carolan; Cillian Gallagher & Sean Masterson. Is Sean any relation to Eoghan does anyone know?



www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/internati...t&utm_medium=twitter

salmson wrote:

Sol_ie wrote: For whatever reason Schmidt doesn't rate Buckley, but his injury profile this season hasn't helped him much. Positives: we get to keep him in the west for another bit.

Matt Healy has cause to feel a bit sore, tho.

I'd have said the same about Schmidt and Buckley a while ago but when has been fit to select? He was out injured in the run-up to the 2016 6N, out for the SA tour, out for the November internationals and clearly wasn't fully fit on Sunday. His scrummaging (on one leg!) was magnificent but he really struggled round the park. Made 4 / missed 4 tackles, just the one turnover, and his in ability to run created the dog-leg in defence that Toulouse broke through to set up the first try. All things being equal Buckley's a far better player than Kilcoyne but a half-fit Buckley is not better than a fully-fit in-form Kilcoyne.

As for Matt, his USP is try scoring, and his double against Zebre was the first time he'd scored this season, so I'd see the logic in selecting a player like Conway over him. Obviously form vacuums Bowe and Gilroy are a different story.

Notwithstanding his incredibly dumb yellow against Toulouse, I think Roux can feel a bit annoyed Dillane was picked ahead of him - he's not fit and he's hardly played since October. Also surprised Carty isn't in there as 3rd fly half given Sexton's ongoing everything-knack.

"Dillane hardly played since October" ..... really.... are you sure. I don't think Roux had even a remote chance of being called up the Irish squad.

It is tough on Buckley but have to agree re injury profile not in his favour!

Being selfish about it I am glad he is available to us and hopefully will give him time for a full recovery. His chance will come if he stays fit!

Sol_ie wrote: For whatever reason Schmidt doesn't rate Buckley, but his injury profile this season hasn't helped him much. Positives: we get to keep him in the west for another bit.

Matt Healy has cause to feel a bit sore, tho.

I'd have said the same about Schmidt and Buckley a while ago but when has been fit to select? He was out injured in the run-up to the 2016 6N, out for the SA tour, out for the November internationals and clearly wasn't fully fit on Sunday. His scrummaging (on one leg!) was magnificent but he really struggled round the park. Made 4 / missed 4 tackles, just the one turnover, and his in ability to run created the dog-leg in defence that Toulouse broke through to set up the first try. All things being equal Buckley's a far better player than Kilcoyne but a half-fit Buckley is not better than a fully-fit in-form Kilcoyne.

As for Matt, his USP is try scoring, and his double against Zebre was the first time he'd scored this season, so I'd see the logic in selecting a player like Conway over him. Obviously form vacuums Bowe and Gilroy are a different story.

Notwithstanding his incredibly dumb yellow against Toulouse, I think Roux can feel a bit annoyed Dillane was picked ahead of him - he's not fit and he's hardly played since October. Also surprised Carty isn't in there as 3rd fly half given Sexton's ongoing everything-knack.

For whatever reason Schmidt doesn't rate Buckley, but his injury profile this season hasn't helped him much. Positives: we get to keep him in the west for another bit.

Matt Healy has cause to feel a bit sore, tho.

This isn't surprising from Schmidt. He has form in not choosing Connacht players. Frankly speaking 4 out of 40 for the reigning Pro12 champions is a joke. Roux of course should be in, as indeed should Denis Buckley over the ludicrously overrated "Killer" Kilcoyne.

must admit I find the omission of Quinn Roux is strange, I could be mistaken but didn't Schmidt make a big deal over bringing solid scrummager to south Africa. he must be confident we can hold our own against the French and english

So Bealham, Dillane, Marmion and TOH make the cut. I thought Heffernan and Carthy would make it until the final cut to 33. Very difficult for SOB 2.0 to crack the squad with the amount of fit and on form back rows.
Also a bit disappointed with Roux not making it. He has been fantastic the last while for us.

Saw a quote saying that Dave Heffernan was training with them too

DeadStraightStare wrote: Was it announced who attended the Irish camp that Jack picked up that knock at the other week?

Was there any signal of new players into the Irish 6 Nations squad? Or anyone left out?

Yes, was confirmed that Jack was at Ireland camp when he hurt his leg. Also widely reported that SOB was at the camp. No official list released, and no Munster players at it due to the rearranged Racing match.

Was it announced who attended the Irish camp that Jack picked up that knock at the other week?

Was there any signal of new players into the Irish 6 Nations squad? Or anyone left out?