Ireland Squad

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Hamstrings are tricky injuries and Kelleher has had a horrible run but hopefully he can be fit. Himself and Sheehan is up there as one of the best hooker duos around.

Undisputed I’d say.

 

[big ginger 8]

Undisputed I’d say.

I was being nice to Marchand and Mauvaka, but yeah I agree.

 

[munstermuffin]

Injured Irish trio will 'definitely' be available for World Cup selection https://the42.ie/6145668

Hamstrings are tricky injuries and Kelleher has had a horrible run but hopefully he can be fit. Himself and Sheehan is up there as one of the best hooker duos around.

Last uear at some stage Kelleher was certain to be back and didn't. And from that being my department I'd pay little attention to PR. But hopefully selection is based on everyone available and not injury enforced.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sheehan could miss the pool stages. Big call on what to do there.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Sheehan could miss the pool stages. Big call on what to do there.

Got to take him. Even if it means taking 4 hookers and ditching a back three player or something (not that you would really have to do that). You don’t leave the best hooker in the world at home.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Got to take him. Even if it means taking 4 hookers and ditching a back three player or something (not that you would really have to do that). You don’t leave the best hooker in the world at home.

I think so, Kelleher could be the biggest loser in all of this, can't bring two injured hookers to France.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Sheehan not looking good and Kelleher 50/50.

Conan and Kilcoyne left at home too and while both should be fine the optimism isn't super.

Have been told 5 key decisions
1. Hooker
2. Kilcoyne or Loughman
3. Conan or Prendergast
4. Earls or Stockdale
5. Frawley or McCloskey

 

[Smurfy]

I think Sheehan not looking good and Kelleher 50/50.

Conan and Kilcoyne left at home too and while both should be fine the optimism isn't super.

Have been told 5 key decisions
1. Hooker
2. Kilcoyne or Loughman
3. Conan or Prendergast
4. Earls or Stockdale
5. Frawley or McCloskey

On the hooker I’d bring Herring and Stewart, and whichever of Sheehan or Kelleher is likely to be fit for the Sa/Scotland games. I’d bring Loughman regardless of Killer’s fitness, and I think I’d have Earls ahead of Stockdale, and McCloskey ahead of Frawley simply because he’s a specialist centre and we already (presumably) have Crowley as a utility back. I thought Prendergast looked vey raw on Saturday and am not sure how he would cope against a side that generated more pace on the game and demanded better decisions, so if there is any possibility of him being fit for the SA game I’d bring Conan. I really would love to know why Farrell doesn’t rate Coombes, because for me he looks to have the hands and football nous to fit into the Irish gameplan. ive heard that it’s pace, but he’s never looked that shabby in that department in the open field, and he’s got an excellent workrate from what I’ve seen. I’m certain Faz has excellent reasons for his decision, but I can’t see them.

 

[munstermuffin]

On the hooker I’d bring Herring and Stewart, and whichever of Sheehan or Kelleher is likely to be fit for the Sa/Scotland games. I’d bring Loughman regardless of Killer’s fitness, and I think I’d have Earls ahead of Stockdale, and McCloskey ahead of Frawley simply because he’s a specialist centre and we already (presumably) have Crowley as a utility back. I thought Prendergast looked vey raw on Saturday and am not sure how he would cope against a side that generated more pace on the game and demanded better decisions, so if there is any possibility of him being fit for the SA game I’d bring Conan. I really would love to know why Farrell doesn’t rate Coombes, because for me he looks to have the hands and football nous to fit into the Irish gameplan. ive heard that it’s pace, but he’s never looked that shabby in that department in the open field, and he’s got an excellent workrate from what I’ve seen. I’m certain Faz has excellent reasons for his decision, but I can’t see them.

To be fair I think it a case of Sheehan might not be back at all and Kelleher is an unknown. Kelleher is very injury prone so it probably dangerous now bring both and you get the feeling it is an either instead of both going.
I agree I think Loughman has more to offer than Killer at this juncture.
I agree I'd have McCloskey over Frawley as he is a much better player but the spot is really for the Samoa smaller games but I feel there is less of a need for a 10 here especially as Sexton will now be getting minutes here too.
I think the fact Conan is in the mix of loosing out is just based on fitness. If he is fit he travels. Supposedly Faz spoke to Coombes and well Gav will take it on chin and work on what he was told and improve.
And lastly I think Earls has to travel. Is in better form the last year than Stockdale, is a leader for the 2nd team which we need, is a better finisher and I think just as a whole offers more. It's nothing against Stockdale either he just isn't at peak of his powers and I think hasn't done enough.

 

[Groundhog]

Tbh all of the other decisions are much of a muchness for me but my confidence will take a big knocking if we lose Kelleher and Sheehan. Herring is a very decent player but there's a cliff between very decent and world class.

For the record though I'd have Loughman over Killer, Conan over Prendergast ALL DAY if Conan is even mostly fit.

Earls Stockdale...... Meh. Think Earls will realistically get it, has so much credit in the bank with Farrell and you probably want him over Stockdale if we lost a raft of senior players. No real indication Stockdale has found his way back fully yet either. Rooting for Earls on a personal level of course too

My thoughts on Coombes being dropped won't really surprise anyone.

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Sheehan being out would be a huge fillip for SA, where we’re most likely to be tested in the scrum during the pool stages. I still think we are in with a good chance of second place in the pool, but we are unlikely to progress past the QF without our first choice front row. Hopefully Sheehan will be fit by then?

 

[big ginger 8]

Ireland expect Sheehan diagnosis by Thursday as 'instrumental' hooker sees specialist https://the42.ie/6148601

 

[munstermuffin]

Ireland expect Sheehan diagnosis by Thursday as 'instrumental' hooker sees specialist https://the42.ie/6148601

Interestig part there is it seems to suggest it the same problem as Conan. Does this mean Conan a bigger risk too?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sheehan will be back for SA. Pressure on Kelleher no who'll need to be fit for the two openers to beat Stewart to the squad.

 

[big ginger 8]

So squad largely as expected with Loughman in for Healy.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Healy's a big loss off the bench.

The age of men is over, the time of Big Joe has come.

 

[Which Tyler]

After the weekend.
If Ireland reach the final, they will be clear at the top with the longest run in history.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Wild to think we're still the bookies 4th favourites for the comp whilst on one of the most impressive runs in the history of the game.

 

[munstermuffin]

Wild to think we're still the bookies 4th favourites for the comp whilst on one of the most impressive runs in the history of the game.

Who are 3 ahead of us?
France I get as in they host.
South Africa and New Zealand I don't get if they the 2. Both are good and will be a battle but I think more so the weekend showed how poor aouthern hemisphere has been last 12 months

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's South Africa (3.75), France (4.00), New Zealand (5.00), Ireland (6.00) in that order
New Zealand being third is just so the bookies can get people betting realistically, it's all on public perception
South Africa still well deserved favourites IMO, but I'd have Ireland and France on level 2nd atm