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<blockquote data-quote="Leinster Fan" data-source="post: 919734" data-attributes="member: 76349"><p>Kilcoyne has been in good form but still it's going to be very very hard for him to get in ahead of McGrath. McGrath has proven himself at the highest level for years and has a massive amount of experience that's probably worth more than good form. Definitely a better scrummager as well. He's been working his way into a bit of form over the last few weeks. He picked a s*** time to be injured at the start of the season though, those games would have done him no end of good. Kilcoyne should get a chance of the bench next week though and then we'll see from there. </p><p></p><p>Agree re Best he's under big pressure. Like O'Mahony though his leadership and standing in the squad he might hang on though. Scannell has been very good for Munster but maybe missed an opportunity to a certain extent yesterday. At his age big chance injury will make the choice for us. Sean Cronin has perfected the impact sub role. Porter is gaining more and more of a stranglehold on the 18 jersey every international window. His work at the breakdown has been noticeably better this season as well. </p><p></p><p>I'm with you in the second row. Looking back as well it's really turned around it was perceived as a weakness a while ago and now we've got four top quality options. It's been said enough times but we should all take a moment to just appreciate how stupidly good James Ryan is. </p><p></p><p>Agree on O'Mahony even if it's not always obvious we're always much better with him in the team. Leadership as much as anything. Backrow is unbalanced without him as well. Stander at 6 seemed like a great idea at the time but looking back O'Mahony was always the better choice. Beirne is the only one who could challenge him because they're very similar skillset wise but I think we're better keeping both in their natural positions for the time being. Stander is under big pressure given that O'Brien, Vdf and Conan are all in good form and he isn't tbh. </p><p></p><p>At scrumhalf I've no idea how to deal with the backups but this international window will definitely give us a much better idea of where we stand. Depressingly it'll probably underline just how important Murray is. </p><p></p><p>Out half is looking better than it was a while ago. Carbery and Byrne are both improving. Still wish Paddy Jackson was less of an idiot though. </p><p></p><p>Centre like second row has seen a bit of a turnaround as well in recent times. Henshaw/Ringrose has the potential to be very very good as a partnership but they have an annoying habit of getting injured just as the other one is getting fit. I'm a McCloskey fan as well but offloading is a big part of his game and that doesn't happen under the current regime. Same goes with Aki to a certain extent. I'd worry if Ringrose goes down though because Henshaw doesn't create enough at 13. </p><p></p><p>Earls and Kearney have won Joe's trust and for a coach who always goes for defensive solidity in the backline that's invaluable. Stockdale and Larmour are after them. Stockdale is a key player for us because he scores tries and finishes off attacks and we generally struggle(d) with that. Larmour's abiltity to play across the back 3 and cover centre makes him a certainty for the 23. Conway and Addison are next in line and they're good options, Conway is solid going back and can be excellent going forward and Addison's versatility is a big plus. I'd be happy enough to see either of them playing but I wouldn't like to rely on either of them for an extended run of games. After that there's a big list of fringe wingers, Sweetnam's top of that list for the moment but they're all going to need an injury crisis to see serious game time. </p><p></p><p>All in all we're in a very strong position compared to both other international squads and where Irish squads (if not teams) have generally been at this point. Won't stop me watching the ABs game and the World Cup more in hope than expectation.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Leinster Fan, post: 919734, member: 76349"] Kilcoyne has been in good form but still it's going to be very very hard for him to get in ahead of McGrath. McGrath has proven himself at the highest level for years and has a massive amount of experience that's probably worth more than good form. Definitely a better scrummager as well. He's been working his way into a bit of form over the last few weeks. He picked a s*** time to be injured at the start of the season though, those games would have done him no end of good. Kilcoyne should get a chance of the bench next week though and then we'll see from there. Agree re Best he's under big pressure. Like O'Mahony though his leadership and standing in the squad he might hang on though. Scannell has been very good for Munster but maybe missed an opportunity to a certain extent yesterday. At his age big chance injury will make the choice for us. Sean Cronin has perfected the impact sub role. Porter is gaining more and more of a stranglehold on the 18 jersey every international window. His work at the breakdown has been noticeably better this season as well. I'm with you in the second row. Looking back as well it's really turned around it was perceived as a weakness a while ago and now we've got four top quality options. It's been said enough times but we should all take a moment to just appreciate how stupidly good James Ryan is. Agree on O'Mahony even if it's not always obvious we're always much better with him in the team. Leadership as much as anything. Backrow is unbalanced without him as well. Stander at 6 seemed like a great idea at the time but looking back O'Mahony was always the better choice. Beirne is the only one who could challenge him because they're very similar skillset wise but I think we're better keeping both in their natural positions for the time being. Stander is under big pressure given that O'Brien, Vdf and Conan are all in good form and he isn't tbh. At scrumhalf I've no idea how to deal with the backups but this international window will definitely give us a much better idea of where we stand. Depressingly it'll probably underline just how important Murray is. Out half is looking better than it was a while ago. Carbery and Byrne are both improving. Still wish Paddy Jackson was less of an idiot though. Centre like second row has seen a bit of a turnaround as well in recent times. Henshaw/Ringrose has the potential to be very very good as a partnership but they have an annoying habit of getting injured just as the other one is getting fit. I'm a McCloskey fan as well but offloading is a big part of his game and that doesn't happen under the current regime. Same goes with Aki to a certain extent. I'd worry if Ringrose goes down though because Henshaw doesn't create enough at 13. Earls and Kearney have won Joe's trust and for a coach who always goes for defensive solidity in the backline that's invaluable. Stockdale and Larmour are after them. Stockdale is a key player for us because he scores tries and finishes off attacks and we generally struggle(d) with that. Larmour's abiltity to play across the back 3 and cover centre makes him a certainty for the 23. Conway and Addison are next in line and they're good options, Conway is solid going back and can be excellent going forward and Addison's versatility is a big plus. I'd be happy enough to see either of them playing but I wouldn't like to rely on either of them for an extended run of games. After that there's a big list of fringe wingers, Sweetnam's top of that list for the moment but they're all going to need an injury crisis to see serious game time. All in all we're in a very strong position compared to both other international squads and where Irish squads (if not teams) have generally been at this point. Won't stop me watching the ABs game and the World Cup more in hope than expectation. [/QUOTE]
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