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Three tests have been confirmed with two further games against the Maori heavily rumoured. A 42 man squad seems to be the expected squad size. Will be interesting to see some of the edge players brought along. There will be those who argue senior citizens like Sexton should be left at home and given the summer off but I don't think the IRFU would let this happen nor should it. Winning a test or even a series in NZ would be huge and we can still adapt and rotate once out there.
I think currently I'd be looking at:
Loosehead: Porter, Healy, Josh Wycherley
- not sure on Kilcoyne's status? Wouldn't want to bring two old men anyway. Wycherley is playing mostly good stuff but with his size he's going to have to get his scrummaging up to a ridiculous level.
Hooker: Kelleher, Sheehan, Herring
- don't think there's really anyone else in the conversation yet.
Tighthead: Furlong, Bealham, O'Toole, Moore
- Moore mostly as a safety blanket but don't think he's a Farrell player. Won't be Ryan with him leaving, nit sure if Archer fits either and Clarkson is still pretty raw.
Secondrow: Ryan, Henderson, Beirne, Baird, Ahern, McCarthy
- Think three of these have question marks around fitness but are expecting them to be fit. If we had any Connacht fans on the board I think they'd be annoyed at no Murray or Thornbery but Ahern and McCarthy are both playing well and have rare traits.
Backrow: Conan, Van der Flier, Doris, O'Mahony, Timoney, Coombes, Prendergast, Hodnett/Kendellen
- don't think there should be much controversy here. Lots to like.
Scumhalf: Gibson-Park, Murray, Casey, Doak
- Doak mostly as an apprentice, his youth and potential edging him over Blade.
Outhalf: Sexton, Carbery, Healy
- Healy is really improving a huge amount, Harry needs a proper pre-season anyway...
Centre: Henshaw, Ringrose, Hume, Aki, Frawley
- again don't think there's anyone else near these guys.
Backthree: Keenan, Hansen, Lowe, Baloucoune, Lowry, Conway
- could make arguments for a few others like Haley, JOB, McIlroy, Larmour etc and I wouldn't mind hugely as long as the first four go.
I think currently I'd be looking at:
Loosehead: Porter, Healy, Josh Wycherley
- not sure on Kilcoyne's status? Wouldn't want to bring two old men anyway. Wycherley is playing mostly good stuff but with his size he's going to have to get his scrummaging up to a ridiculous level.
Hooker: Kelleher, Sheehan, Herring
- don't think there's really anyone else in the conversation yet.
Tighthead: Furlong, Bealham, O'Toole, Moore
- Moore mostly as a safety blanket but don't think he's a Farrell player. Won't be Ryan with him leaving, nit sure if Archer fits either and Clarkson is still pretty raw.
Secondrow: Ryan, Henderson, Beirne, Baird, Ahern, McCarthy
- Think three of these have question marks around fitness but are expecting them to be fit. If we had any Connacht fans on the board I think they'd be annoyed at no Murray or Thornbery but Ahern and McCarthy are both playing well and have rare traits.
Backrow: Conan, Van der Flier, Doris, O'Mahony, Timoney, Coombes, Prendergast, Hodnett/Kendellen
- don't think there should be much controversy here. Lots to like.
Scumhalf: Gibson-Park, Murray, Casey, Doak
- Doak mostly as an apprentice, his youth and potential edging him over Blade.
Outhalf: Sexton, Carbery, Healy
- Healy is really improving a huge amount, Harry needs a proper pre-season anyway...
Centre: Henshaw, Ringrose, Hume, Aki, Frawley
- again don't think there's anyone else near these guys.
Backthree: Keenan, Hansen, Lowe, Baloucoune, Lowry, Conway
- could make arguments for a few others like Haley, JOB, McIlroy, Larmour etc and I wouldn't mind hugely as long as the first four go.