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<blockquote data-quote="snoopy snoopy dog dog" data-source="post: 568414" data-attributes="member: 13611"><p>There's a lot of truth in what you say. The context of Irish poster's opinions on loosehead props should be considered though.</p><p></p><p>Throughout 00's, Ireland had awful options at 1. Once Peter Clohessy left the scene (mercifully), Marcus Horan had a free run in the jersey for much of the decade. Horan was a decent player around the park but survival was his sole aim in the scrum. The other challengers for the 1 spot were Reggie Corrigan and Emmet Byrne, each solid players but not really top class international standard. Tom Court came into view only a year or so after Ulster banished him to Bedford to learn how to prop better - he was awful when he first shipped into Irish rugby.</p><p></p><p>Now Ireland have a 25/26 year old Cian Healy who is becoming world class. Tom Court is playing at a level above any Irish loosehead in the 00s. Dave Kilcoyne is an uncut diamond who's terrific around the park and okay in the scrums. He's now playing at a level similar to Marcus Horan but is quickly improving. Jack McGrath is somewhere between Court and Kilcoyne - a solid scrummager who'll get his hands dirty in open play. Healy, McGrath and Kilcoyne are still improving. Court was a latecomer to the game and could play on at a high level for another 3 years. Then there's Paddy McAllister, Callum Black, Denis Buckley and Brett Wilkinson, all solid club players. Ireland are in a much better position at 1 than they have been for a very long time.</p><p> </p><p>3 is an issue, no doubt about it. Mike Ross is clearly the best option but has shown signs of wear and tear recently. Declan Fitzpatrick is okay but can't stay fit. Stephen Archer is closing the gap on BJ Botha but i feel that has more to do with the Springbok regressing than with a marked improvement in Archer's ability. Ronan Loughney is a really bad player (he's okay at loosehead though). Michael Bent seems to be out of his depth at the moment. Jamie Hagan on form is next in line. That people are talking about Ricky Lutton after a handful of appearances shows how badly off Ireland are at 3 at present. I think Ireland will go to the next World Cup with Mike Ross and a newly qualified Nathan White as stopgap tighthead options. Beyond that, I have hope that Martin Moore, Tadhg Furlong and Jamie Hagan can pick up the baton and be better than what has gone before.</p><p></p><p>One thing that shouldn't be lost in all this is the impact Simon Best's retirement had after 2007. He shipped a lot of undue criticism but was a really good 3. Had he contiinued in the game, he would have replaced John Hayes three years earlier than Mike Ross eventually did.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="snoopy snoopy dog dog, post: 568414, member: 13611"] There's a lot of truth in what you say. The context of Irish poster's opinions on loosehead props should be considered though. Throughout 00's, Ireland had awful options at 1. Once Peter Clohessy left the scene (mercifully), Marcus Horan had a free run in the jersey for much of the decade. Horan was a decent player around the park but survival was his sole aim in the scrum. The other challengers for the 1 spot were Reggie Corrigan and Emmet Byrne, each solid players but not really top class international standard. Tom Court came into view only a year or so after Ulster banished him to Bedford to learn how to prop better - he was awful when he first shipped into Irish rugby. Now Ireland have a 25/26 year old Cian Healy who is becoming world class. Tom Court is playing at a level above any Irish loosehead in the 00s. Dave Kilcoyne is an uncut diamond who's terrific around the park and okay in the scrums. He's now playing at a level similar to Marcus Horan but is quickly improving. Jack McGrath is somewhere between Court and Kilcoyne - a solid scrummager who'll get his hands dirty in open play. Healy, McGrath and Kilcoyne are still improving. Court was a latecomer to the game and could play on at a high level for another 3 years. Then there's Paddy McAllister, Callum Black, Denis Buckley and Brett Wilkinson, all solid club players. Ireland are in a much better position at 1 than they have been for a very long time. 3 is an issue, no doubt about it. Mike Ross is clearly the best option but has shown signs of wear and tear recently. Declan Fitzpatrick is okay but can't stay fit. Stephen Archer is closing the gap on BJ Botha but i feel that has more to do with the Springbok regressing than with a marked improvement in Archer's ability. Ronan Loughney is a really bad player (he's okay at loosehead though). Michael Bent seems to be out of his depth at the moment. Jamie Hagan on form is next in line. That people are talking about Ricky Lutton after a handful of appearances shows how badly off Ireland are at 3 at present. I think Ireland will go to the next World Cup with Mike Ross and a newly qualified Nathan White as stopgap tighthead options. Beyond that, I have hope that Martin Moore, Tadhg Furlong and Jamie Hagan can pick up the baton and be better than what has gone before. One thing that shouldn't be lost in all this is the impact Simon Best's retirement had after 2007. He shipped a lot of undue criticism but was a really good 3. Had he contiinued in the game, he would have replaced John Hayes three years earlier than Mike Ross eventually did. [/QUOTE]
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