phatguerilla wrote: Kearney for me is further developed as a second row than Henderson, but Henderson has a higher potential ceiling. But at the minute its just potential and this years six nations was distinctly underwhelming compared to what he has promised so far. I think he can still get better but he's far behind the likes of launchbury which is the bracket he has been most compared to imo.

Agreed. He has more Senior competitive Second Row experience for sure, Henderson is taller and bigger and has been exposed to International Squads and Tests though. The downside for Henderson is that his role isn't defined at Ulster or with Ireland and the longer that goes on the less progress he'll make especially if he happens to get a couple of injuries. Trying to come back from injury against specialists is tough for a guy who can fill a couple of roles..

Kearney for me is further developed as a second row than Henderson, but Henderson has a higher potential ceiling. But at the minute its just potential and this years six nations was distinctly underwhelming compared to what he has promised so far. I think he can still get better but he's far behind the likes of launchbury which is the bracket he has been most compared to imo.

Mc Keon is pretty much what Ireland needs to play "small" teams, with his mobility

sea_point wrote:

FACECUTTR wrote: Yes I think Ah You will make the Argentina tour along with Marmion and Henshaw. Maybe McSharry will make Argentina too if Marshall stays off.

Henshaw, Marmion and Ah You to Argentina
Harris-Wright, McKeon, McSharry, Griffin to Romania. Mick Kearney as a bolter, he's been in great form this season, really matured.

For Romania I'd definitely see McKeon getting a slot as a specialist Number 8.
If you send Heaslip, Wilson and Jordi Murphy to Argentina with Ireland there are not a lot of strong candidates behind them. There are players like Ruddock who can play 8 but are seen as 6's. Heaslip may even get a break this summer as he's been busy every summer for the last few years which will remove another candidate to the Senior Squad...

Coughlan won't make the Ireland squad, and is not really what you would call emerging. He might have got a slot under Kidney or EddieO, but Schmidt? No chance, he'll make sure that the Squad Dan selects does what it say on the tin, and that's bring on the next ..

Luke Marshall will go to Argentina if fit, so McSharry is a prime centre candidate and possibly Griff too for Romania..

You're forgetting a certain Munster bound Copeland who would be ahead of McKeon for No.8. Would deffo expect McKeon, McSharry and Kearney to go Romania.

Possibly JHW, Buckley, Griffin aswell all in mix to get a seat.

Mick Kearney as a bolter, he's been in great form this season, really matured.

Agreed I can't believe he's only 23. Not many guys his age have 49 senior caps for a a province in that position.

To be honest I could see either Coughlan or Wilson going as Captain of Emerging Ireland. Maybe Diack as a Captain to as he's slightly younger.

sea_point wrote:
Coughlan won't make the Ireland squad, and is notreally what you would call emerging.

Agreed Coughlan shouldn't be brought on either squad. But why in God's name would you bring an inferior and almost as old player like Wilson, either?

FACECUTTR wrote: Yes I think Ah You will make the Argentina tour along with Marmion and Henshaw. Maybe McSharry will make Argentina too if Marshall stays off.

Henshaw, Marmion and Ah You to Argentina
Harris-Wright, McKeon, McSharry, Griffin to Romania. Mick Kearney as a bolter, he's been in great form this season, really matured.

For Romania I'd definitely see McKeon getting a slot as a specialist Number 8.
If you send Heaslip, Wilson and Jordi Murphy to Argentina with Ireland there are not a lot of strong candidates behind them. There are players like Ruddock who can play 8 but are seen as 6's. Heaslip may even get a break this summer as he's been busy every summer for the last few years which will remove another candidate to the Senior Squad...

Coughlan won't make the Ireland squad, and is not really what you would call emerging. He might have got a slot under Kidney or EddieO, but Schmidt? No chance, he'll make sure that the Squad Dan selects does what it say on the tin, and that's bring on the next ..

Luke Marshall will go to Argentina if fit, so McSharry is a prime centre candidate and possibly Griff too for Romania..

I did see an article where he was asked if he planned to rest some players this summer and he said he hadn't decided. With Leinster, Munster and Ulster involved in HEC and Rabo knockouts/playoffs I'd say it is a safe bet there will be a handful left home. For me Argentina would be a good place to start to look at players you have questions about.

Someone floated the Schmidt might leave the players who played for the Lions out of the Argentine trip. Anyone else hear this?

Yes I think Ah You will make the Argentina tour along with Marmion and Henshaw. Maybe McSharry will make Argentina too if Marshall stays off.

pinky wrote: Bucharest in June, eh?
A few Connacht lads in the squad surely.
Good value beer.
Convenient to Black Sea beaches with sunshine and a good view of the Impending War.

Pinky

Your not suggesting a Summer tour by any chance are you :whistle: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I'd have ah you in the full squad with Moore, assuming Ross gets the summer off.

Would expect a good few of our lads to make this. Buckley McKeon Kearney Harris-Wright McSharry TOH Griffin

On Ah You's recent form I'd have him there as well.

Would expect a good few of our lads to make this. Buckley McKeon Kearney Harris-Wright McSharry TOH Griffin

connachtexile wrote: Big Congrats to Dan McFarland for landing the job! Think he'll be fantastic! Kinda annoyed they don't call it Ireland Wolfhounds though.

The wolfhounds are our 2nds. Therefore if a player was eligible for another country and played for emerging Ireland, he's still available for that country

pinky wrote: Bucharest in June, eh?
A few Connacht lads in the squad surely.
Good value beer.
Convenient to Black Sea beaches with sunshine and a good view of the Impending War.

This be the war if Zebo goes Romania instead Argentina?


Be serious craic to go over to it though,