IMO he was the best of the 3 in the tests in his limited time.
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Schmidt Era Ireland
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IMO he was the best of the 3 in the tests in his limited time.
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Ok seeing the Welsh thread I've decided I'm going to do an analysis of where I think our depth is at coming up to the start of the season.
Loosehead prop: Cian Healy>>>>>>>>>>>>Dave Kilcoyne>>>Tom Court, Jack McGrath>>Denis Buckley
Not bad at all in Healy I honestly believe we've got one of if not the best looseheads in the world, which mean that there will be a drop off in quality after him however Kilcoyne is a good player in a similar mold although his scrummaging is questionable at times. Courst is a good solid option While McGrath and Buckley are both good young props who should get chances to push on this season.
Hookers: Rory Best, Richardt Strauss>>Sean Cronin, Mike Sherry
It's good dept but there are a lot of questions as well. There are questions over Best, Strauss and Cronin's throwing with Best getting the most attention. There are a lot of valid reasons for Best's capitulation but will his confidence be too shot to hwlp him back? Hopefully renewing his partnership with PO'C should go a long way in fact PO'C is someone that should help all our throwers. Mike Sherry is the best thrower out of them though he is of course helped by throwing to three of the best targets in Ireland, anyway there are question over whether or not he has the physicality needed for top international rugby.
Tighthead prop: Mike Ross>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Declan Fitzpatrick, Jamie Hagan>>Michael Bent, Martin Moore, Stephen Archer
The infamous achilles heal of Ireland. With Ross we're usually able to mix it with the best of them without him...not so much. Fitzpatrick is a decent option but can't stay fit anyway, I have some hope for Hagan he was looking really good towards the end of last season and he will hopefully be starting week in week out this season. I have not completely written off Bent just yet (unlike Psychic Duck and some others) their is history of props comeing to Leinster and being **** for their first season and Bent showed some promise vs S.A. having said that however I don't have that much hope. Martin Moore is a player I have higher hopes for he's looked good every time he's gotten a chance and he could well get a lot of chances this season. Archer I don't have much hope for he has improved but not as much as some from Munster would have you believe and not to a high enough level, we'll see this season and maybe he can get ahead of Botha. Beyond next we should be stronger Nathan White will become eligble and could well find himselg into the 23 for a year or so there's also the possibility of Tadgh Furlong maybe breaking through.
It should also be said we're not entirely sure how the new rules will effect the players I'm presuming it'll be a similar order but who knows maybe the new rules will give someone like Buckley with his size and strength an advantadge. A boy can dream can't he?
Locks: Paul O'Connell>>>>>>Donncha Ryan>>Mike McCarthy>Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy>>>Mick Kearney
O'Connell is a colossus the only problem is keeping him fit, his performance is rarely a problem and he raises the performance of those around him. Ryan looked really good in 2012 but wasn't as good last season, still a very capable hard working player hopefully without the responsibility of calling he'll be able to flourish again. McCarthy is another hard working player was fantastic against S.A. last autumn icluding a memorable tackle on Etzebeth, wasn't as good come the 6N but still a decent option though he does limit the lineout. I look forward to seeing how he reacts to the environment at Leinster. Henderson is clearly one of the best prospects in Ireland but it remains to be seen can he really produce it in the row. Toner is an improving player but is he good enough? MO'C is talking about him as a potentially world class player but we shall see. Tuohy is a strong physical player but has dipped. Kearney had a good season last year hopefully he can push on.
Blindside Flankers: Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien>>>>>Iain Henderson>Peter O'Mahony>Rhys Ruddock, Kevin McLaughlin
We're well stocked though there is a good chance we won't see either of our two best in the 6 shirt, Ferris through injury and O'Brien because he's our best 7. There's no question over Henderson's performances at 6 and O'Mahony is a good player for a loose game in the Messam mold as long as he cuts out the fighting ****, good lineout player as well. Ruddock and McLaughlin are also good players if we want our 6 to play a tighter role. There's also plenty of guys who could be really good but aren't in international contention at the moment so I'm not going to go through them.
Openside Flankers: Sean O'Brien>>>>>Chris Henry>>>Peter O'Mahony>>>>>>>Shane Jennings>>Sean Doughall, Dominic Ryan, Conor Gilsenan
OBrien is an excellent option Henry is good enough and O'Mahony is serviceable. After that Jennings is the experienced pro who's just never really cut it at international level. Doughall was looking good for Munster before injury last season, if Ryan stays fit he could come into the reckoning. Gilsenan is currently the best of the really talented young Leinster 7's coming through probably too light at the moment to really come into the reckoning. Feel like I'm forgetting someone.
Number Eight: Jamie Heaslip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris>>>>>>>>>>>Eoin McKeon>>>>>>>Peter O'Mahony, Rhys Ruddock
Jamie Heaslip is a great option had a very good Lions tour imo after him O'Brien and Ferris could maybe do a job but chances are they wouldn't be available to play 8. McKeon could be a decent option the others aren't 8's. MM will say Coughlan I'd say his selection is very unlikely at this stage. Hopefully Jack Conan can appear as an option. Thank God Heaslip is so durable.
Scrumhalf: Conor Muray>>>>>>Eoin Reddan, Kieran Marmion , Paul Marshall, Isaac Boss>>>Luke McGrath, John Cooney, Michael Heaney
Big questions over a lot of these playrs. Murray comes back from the Lions tour in huge credit have high hopes for his progression. Not much to say about Reddan and Boss they should both probably start to be phased out. I think Marmion could be an excellent option I look forward to seeing how he progresses this season. Marshall probably won't change he'll still be as erratic as ever a super sub but not right for a starter. The other three all have potential especially McGrath but will have a tough time starting at their provinces.
Outhalf: Jonathan Sexton>>>Ian Madigan>>>>>Paddy Jackson>>>Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan
Despite some naysayers Sexton is a Sex-bomb and there's only one better we're well sorted with him. After him Madigan is an excellent option and to be honest I'd probably take him over all the other teams starting 10's from the 6N can't wait to see how he reacts to being the starting 10 for Leinster. Jackson despite the secondhalf slump is still a talented young player who should be fine as long as someone else is kicking. Keatley would maybe be ok but again you'd need someone else to kick. The talk coming out of Munster suggests Hanrahan will be played more at 10, if he plays often and goes as hoped he could jump up the list bery quickly.
Inside Centres: Luke Marsall>>>Gordon D'arcy>Stuart Olding, Dave McSharry>>Ian Madigan>>>>JJ Hanrahan>>>>>>>>>>>>Eamonn Sheridan
What was a problem position now looks a lot better, from what I'm hearing the Ulster guys are really happy with how Luke Marshall is progressing since the concussion. Gordon D'arcy was having his best season in years last year before injury. Olding and McSharry are too really good prospects particulary Olding. Madigan can do a good job there and maybe I should have him higher. Hanrahan will be higher if he concentrates on 12. Sheridan's a bit of an outside bet.
Outside Centres: Brian O'Driscoll>>>>>>>>>>Darren Cave>>>Eoin Griffen, Stuart Olding, Keith Earls, Luke Marshall>>Eoin O'Malley
Despite Gatland's insanity (
) BO'D is still well BO'D and our best option be far, could become the most capped player of all this season. Darren Cave is a really smart player but maybe lacks the athleticism necessary for the top level. Keith Earls as a 13 has been discussed to death. Griffen looks like he could be something. A lot of people have spoken about Olding and Marshall could end up at 13. If O'Malley can prove his form and fitness he'll jump up the chart. Also at the end of the season Payne will become a particulary classy option.
Wings: Tommy Bowe>>>Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy, Luke Fitzgerald>> Andrew Trimble, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden>>Tiernan O'Hallorn, Andrew Conway, Dave Kearney
We are ridiculously well stocked here imo. Don't think there needs to be much discussion over it but I think MM will feel the need to discuss part of it.
Fullbacks: Kearney>>>>>Simon Zebo>>>Robbie Henshaw>>Felix Jones, Craig Gilroy, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway
Again I don't think there's much need for discussion just to add again that Payne will come into the reckoning next season.
Loosehead prop: Cian Healy>>>>>>>>>>>>Dave Kilcoyne>>>Tom Court, Jack McGrath>>Denis Buckley
Not bad at all in Healy I honestly believe we've got one of if not the best looseheads in the world, which mean that there will be a drop off in quality after him however Kilcoyne is a good player in a similar mold although his scrummaging is questionable at times. Courst is a good solid option While McGrath and Buckley are both good young props who should get chances to push on this season.
Hookers: Rory Best, Richardt Strauss>>Sean Cronin, Mike Sherry
It's good dept but there are a lot of questions as well. There are questions over Best, Strauss and Cronin's throwing with Best getting the most attention. There are a lot of valid reasons for Best's capitulation but will his confidence be too shot to hwlp him back? Hopefully renewing his partnership with PO'C should go a long way in fact PO'C is someone that should help all our throwers. Mike Sherry is the best thrower out of them though he is of course helped by throwing to three of the best targets in Ireland, anyway there are question over whether or not he has the physicality needed for top international rugby.
Tighthead prop: Mike Ross>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Declan Fitzpatrick, Jamie Hagan>>Michael Bent, Martin Moore, Stephen Archer
The infamous achilles heal of Ireland. With Ross we're usually able to mix it with the best of them without him...not so much. Fitzpatrick is a decent option but can't stay fit anyway, I have some hope for Hagan he was looking really good towards the end of last season and he will hopefully be starting week in week out this season. I have not completely written off Bent just yet (unlike Psychic Duck and some others) their is history of props comeing to Leinster and being **** for their first season and Bent showed some promise vs S.A. having said that however I don't have that much hope. Martin Moore is a player I have higher hopes for he's looked good every time he's gotten a chance and he could well get a lot of chances this season. Archer I don't have much hope for he has improved but not as much as some from Munster would have you believe and not to a high enough level, we'll see this season and maybe he can get ahead of Botha. Beyond next we should be stronger Nathan White will become eligble and could well find himselg into the 23 for a year or so there's also the possibility of Tadgh Furlong maybe breaking through.
It should also be said we're not entirely sure how the new rules will effect the players I'm presuming it'll be a similar order but who knows maybe the new rules will give someone like Buckley with his size and strength an advantadge. A boy can dream can't he?
Locks: Paul O'Connell>>>>>>Donncha Ryan>>Mike McCarthy>Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy>>>Mick Kearney
O'Connell is a colossus the only problem is keeping him fit, his performance is rarely a problem and he raises the performance of those around him. Ryan looked really good in 2012 but wasn't as good last season, still a very capable hard working player hopefully without the responsibility of calling he'll be able to flourish again. McCarthy is another hard working player was fantastic against S.A. last autumn icluding a memorable tackle on Etzebeth, wasn't as good come the 6N but still a decent option though he does limit the lineout. I look forward to seeing how he reacts to the environment at Leinster. Henderson is clearly one of the best prospects in Ireland but it remains to be seen can he really produce it in the row. Toner is an improving player but is he good enough? MO'C is talking about him as a potentially world class player but we shall see. Tuohy is a strong physical player but has dipped. Kearney had a good season last year hopefully he can push on.
Blindside Flankers: Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien>>>>>Iain Henderson>Peter O'Mahony>Rhys Ruddock, Kevin McLaughlin
We're well stocked though there is a good chance we won't see either of our two best in the 6 shirt, Ferris through injury and O'Brien because he's our best 7. There's no question over Henderson's performances at 6 and O'Mahony is a good player for a loose game in the Messam mold as long as he cuts out the fighting ****, good lineout player as well. Ruddock and McLaughlin are also good players if we want our 6 to play a tighter role. There's also plenty of guys who could be really good but aren't in international contention at the moment so I'm not going to go through them.
Openside Flankers: Sean O'Brien>>>>>Chris Henry>>>Peter O'Mahony>>>>>>>Shane Jennings>>Sean Doughall, Dominic Ryan, Conor Gilsenan
OBrien is an excellent option Henry is good enough and O'Mahony is serviceable. After that Jennings is the experienced pro who's just never really cut it at international level. Doughall was looking good for Munster before injury last season, if Ryan stays fit he could come into the reckoning. Gilsenan is currently the best of the really talented young Leinster 7's coming through probably too light at the moment to really come into the reckoning. Feel like I'm forgetting someone.
Number Eight: Jamie Heaslip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sean O'Brien, Stephen Ferris>>>>>>>>>>>Eoin McKeon>>>>>>>Peter O'Mahony, Rhys Ruddock
Jamie Heaslip is a great option had a very good Lions tour imo after him O'Brien and Ferris could maybe do a job but chances are they wouldn't be available to play 8. McKeon could be a decent option the others aren't 8's. MM will say Coughlan I'd say his selection is very unlikely at this stage. Hopefully Jack Conan can appear as an option. Thank God Heaslip is so durable.
Scrumhalf: Conor Muray>>>>>>Eoin Reddan, Kieran Marmion , Paul Marshall, Isaac Boss>>>Luke McGrath, John Cooney, Michael Heaney
Big questions over a lot of these playrs. Murray comes back from the Lions tour in huge credit have high hopes for his progression. Not much to say about Reddan and Boss they should both probably start to be phased out. I think Marmion could be an excellent option I look forward to seeing how he progresses this season. Marshall probably won't change he'll still be as erratic as ever a super sub but not right for a starter. The other three all have potential especially McGrath but will have a tough time starting at their provinces.
Outhalf: Jonathan Sexton>>>Ian Madigan>>>>>Paddy Jackson>>>Ian Keatley, JJ Hanrahan
Despite some naysayers Sexton is a Sex-bomb and there's only one better we're well sorted with him. After him Madigan is an excellent option and to be honest I'd probably take him over all the other teams starting 10's from the 6N can't wait to see how he reacts to being the starting 10 for Leinster. Jackson despite the secondhalf slump is still a talented young player who should be fine as long as someone else is kicking. Keatley would maybe be ok but again you'd need someone else to kick. The talk coming out of Munster suggests Hanrahan will be played more at 10, if he plays often and goes as hoped he could jump up the list bery quickly.
Inside Centres: Luke Marsall>>>Gordon D'arcy>Stuart Olding, Dave McSharry>>Ian Madigan>>>>JJ Hanrahan>>>>>>>>>>>>Eamonn Sheridan
What was a problem position now looks a lot better, from what I'm hearing the Ulster guys are really happy with how Luke Marshall is progressing since the concussion. Gordon D'arcy was having his best season in years last year before injury. Olding and McSharry are too really good prospects particulary Olding. Madigan can do a good job there and maybe I should have him higher. Hanrahan will be higher if he concentrates on 12. Sheridan's a bit of an outside bet.
Outside Centres: Brian O'Driscoll>>>>>>>>>>Darren Cave>>>Eoin Griffen, Stuart Olding, Keith Earls, Luke Marshall>>Eoin O'Malley
Despite Gatland's insanity (
) BO'D is still well BO'D and our best option be far, could become the most capped player of all this season. Darren Cave is a really smart player but maybe lacks the athleticism necessary for the top level. Keith Earls as a 13 has been discussed to death. Griffen looks like he could be something. A lot of people have spoken about Olding and Marshall could end up at 13. If O'Malley can prove his form and fitness he'll jump up the chart. Also at the end of the season Payne will become a particulary classy option.Wings: Tommy Bowe>>>Simon Zebo, Craig Gilroy, Luke Fitzgerald>> Andrew Trimble, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden>>Tiernan O'Hallorn, Andrew Conway, Dave Kearney
We are ridiculously well stocked here imo. Don't think there needs to be much discussion over it but I think MM will feel the need to discuss part of it
.Fullbacks: Kearney>>>>>Simon Zebo>>>Robbie Henshaw>>Felix Jones, Craig Gilroy, Keith Earls, Andrew Conway
Again I don't think there's much need for discussion just to add again that Payne will come into the reckoning next season.
1 - Put Paddy Mac in at loosehead contention
2 - Would Caldwell enter the reckoning at lock if he can stay fit and play well for Bath?
3 - Can't say I'd put Henderson ahead of O'Mahoney in fairness. Still has things to prove. Greater potential, but that's down the line, not now.
4 - No Tommy O'Donnell?
5 - Coughlan would totally be in contention for a go at 8 if Heaslip broke - and so would Wilson, if he could stop breaking.
6 - Olding might belong in the fly-half category as well.
7 - I missed Sheridan first time around and was about to be all smart arse - he's huge, he might have a chance. Speaking of huge men and outside chances, Chris Farrell should get some gametime for Ulster this year...
8 - Reckon you're being fair harsh on Keet.
2 - Would Caldwell enter the reckoning at lock if he can stay fit and play well for Bath?
3 - Can't say I'd put Henderson ahead of O'Mahoney in fairness. Still has things to prove. Greater potential, but that's down the line, not now.
4 - No Tommy O'Donnell?
5 - Coughlan would totally be in contention for a go at 8 if Heaslip broke - and so would Wilson, if he could stop breaking.
6 - Olding might belong in the fly-half category as well.
7 - I missed Sheridan first time around and was about to be all smart arse - he's huge, he might have a chance. Speaking of huge men and outside chances, Chris Farrell should get some gametime for Ulster this year...
8 - Reckon you're being fair harsh on Keet.
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I was thinking about Paddy Mac but with the season long injury and not being sure whether he'll be possibly played tighthead I decided to leave him out.
Caldwell could I suppose but I don't think his discipline is good enough and will he even start for Bath?
I just like what Henderson brings more than O'Mahony, I wouldn't really have a problem with PO'M starting though unless Henderson was clearly in better form.
As I said I knew I was forgetting someone. TO'D would be my second choice 7.
Coughlan could be I suppose but he'll be 33 this season and I think Schmidt's the type of guy who'd prefer to give a young guy a chance. Will Wilson stop breaking? I forgot about because he's so broken to be honest. He also has to get ahead of Williams. They both probably should be on the list but I think chances of starting would be low because I'd say SO'B is the clear 2nd choice 8 to the coaches and there isn't much point having a specialist 8 on the bench.
I was thinking about Olding for 10 (and 15 tbh) but decided to leave him until we see if he's actually played there or not.
Again I thought about Farrell but he's just coming back from a really tough injury and has loads of competition at Ulster, he'll have to have some incredible form to get into contention this season. Beyond this year though certainly I think he'll be a very viable option.
I probably am I just remember being really ****** off at him after the Emerging Ireland tour.
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I think Olding and Hanrahan will make it into the squad as regulars between now and next summer. A bolter could be Shane Layden.
To be honest I've never been convinced with Jamie Hagan. One good game is followed by a bad game. Maybe the new rules will suit him? Martin Moore has a great build for a prop so I think hes the most likely to succeed. I wouldn't write Bent off either.
To be honest I've never been convinced with Jamie Hagan. One good game is followed by a bad game. Maybe the new rules will suit him? Martin Moore has a great build for a prop so I think hes the most likely to succeed. I wouldn't write Bent off either.
Difficult to say where Caldwell stands in the Bath pecking order after spending a lot of last season injured. If he gets his game, it nigh automatically follows he's playing well, Bath aren't short of decent players there. His discipline has been fine in England insofar as I have noticed, seems to get a lot less attention from refs. If he's playing well, can Ireland afford to ignore him? Tuohy's struggled for form and fitness. McCarthy was godsawful last 6N. Toner, who can say, Henderson, maybe not a lock. Say one thing for Caldwell, athletically he's a natural international lock. Suspect he might have to move back to Ireland if he wants international recognition.
Heard Olding may get a crack at 10. Not sure what the story is with Wilson's fitness - fit, I'd have him ahead of Williams for the big games - but both he and Coughlan surely must be ahead of boys like McKeon and Ruddock until they prove themselves a lot more. Farrell, everything seems to indicate he's come back fine, he'll get first crack at a shirt due to not touring and it's up to him to take it from there. It's outside but no more outside than Sheridan, if he can cement himself into the Ulster team he'd be halfway towards an Ireland cap imo.
Which seems to be true in a lot of places - there's some paper thin depth there, plenty of positions where a breakthrough season would put them on the verge of international recognition.
Heard Olding may get a crack at 10. Not sure what the story is with Wilson's fitness - fit, I'd have him ahead of Williams for the big games - but both he and Coughlan surely must be ahead of boys like McKeon and Ruddock until they prove themselves a lot more. Farrell, everything seems to indicate he's come back fine, he'll get first crack at a shirt due to not touring and it's up to him to take it from there. It's outside but no more outside than Sheridan, if he can cement himself into the Ulster team he'd be halfway towards an Ireland cap imo.
Which seems to be true in a lot of places - there's some paper thin depth there, plenty of positions where a breakthrough season would put them on the verge of international recognition.
Well will look at it by position and give my view:
1 - Bang on big difference between Healy and rest but not because the rest aren't up to it but more Healy is worldclass and IMO is the best LH in world.
2- Think Sherry is underestimated and Cronin is totally out of picture. Strauss and Best offer much the same and are much better players. Best needs to sort throwing but I believe he will.
3- Agreed but it's a worry.
4/5 - Agreed but believe this may be where Henderson settles (like Ryan did) and Toner is a waste of time there I'd hope someone younger is ahead in camps etc.
6 - Ferris is broken I fear and may be better off concentrating on Ulster and try prolong his career but is best 6. SOB then POM but gap back I think is bigger. Henderson is next but again still needs to prove a bit after him it open season but people will laugh but in summer Dave O'Callaghan has bulked up considerably and I feel he could make big strides.
7. How can you forget TOD who is only behind SOB here easily.
8. Agree Heaslip is #1 but after him (providing SOB elsewhere) Coughlan has proven game after game, season after season that he is good enough and all that will hold him back is age. Is a much better 8 than POM although CJ may be at 8 this year so it'll be interesting.
9 - Murray is ahead easily and solidated that on Lions but after that there alot of potential but been honest until Small Paul starts regularly, McGrath moves in to European squads (when Boss and Reddan both available) and Marmiom is more consistent they will remain potential. Big difference between that and been ready.
10 - Easily ordered
12 - Depends on what you want, battering ram then Marshall with D'Arcy or Downey behind. Playmakers Marshall/Olding with maybe JJ behind but I put JJ in same as last comment he's a good player but has proven nothing yet.
13 - Alot of options but none seem good enough been honest . If any were BOD (who has played average at best last 12 months) wouldn't be needed in fairness.
Back 3 we are well stocked but again depends how we play. A conservative back 3 - Bowe Kearney Zebo Attacking - Gilroy Zebo Bowe
1 - Bang on big difference between Healy and rest but not because the rest aren't up to it but more Healy is worldclass and IMO is the best LH in world.
2- Think Sherry is underestimated and Cronin is totally out of picture. Strauss and Best offer much the same and are much better players. Best needs to sort throwing but I believe he will.
3- Agreed but it's a worry.
4/5 - Agreed but believe this may be where Henderson settles (like Ryan did) and Toner is a waste of time there I'd hope someone younger is ahead in camps etc.
6 - Ferris is broken I fear and may be better off concentrating on Ulster and try prolong his career but is best 6. SOB then POM but gap back I think is bigger. Henderson is next but again still needs to prove a bit after him it open season but people will laugh but in summer Dave O'Callaghan has bulked up considerably and I feel he could make big strides.
7. How can you forget TOD who is only behind SOB here easily.
8. Agree Heaslip is #1 but after him (providing SOB elsewhere) Coughlan has proven game after game, season after season that he is good enough and all that will hold him back is age. Is a much better 8 than POM although CJ may be at 8 this year so it'll be interesting.
9 - Murray is ahead easily and solidated that on Lions but after that there alot of potential but been honest until Small Paul starts regularly, McGrath moves in to European squads (when Boss and Reddan both available) and Marmiom is more consistent they will remain potential. Big difference between that and been ready.
10 - Easily ordered
12 - Depends on what you want, battering ram then Marshall with D'Arcy or Downey behind. Playmakers Marshall/Olding with maybe JJ behind but I put JJ in same as last comment he's a good player but has proven nothing yet.
13 - Alot of options but none seem good enough been honest . If any were BOD (who has played average at best last 12 months) wouldn't be needed in fairness.
Back 3 we are well stocked but again depends how we play. A conservative back 3 - Bowe Kearney Zebo Attacking - Gilroy Zebo Bowe
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Cronin offers something none of the other hookers do as well as him raw pace. He's a very good carrier and is comfortable out wiide. Feek has also noted him as a strong scummager.
It's a very long post quite easy to forget someone as I note he'd be my second choice.
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It's a very long post quite easy to forget someone as I note he'd be my second choice.
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Not if Marshall and D'Arcy maintain fitness, and Hanrahan needs to become a regular at Munster first which is by no means guaranteed.
Agreed Cmac Hanrahan has to break in to Munster first won't be with Ireland for 12-18 months at least.
But BG8 Sherry is faster in my opinion. I think Best and Strauss are more better all round and reason I say Cronin is back of que is if you were to go through all attributes of a hooker would you say Cronin tops any??
He was left out of original squad this summer even
But BG8 Sherry is faster in my opinion. I think Best and Strauss are more better all round and reason I say Cronin is back of que is if you were to go through all attributes of a hooker would you say Cronin tops any??
He was left out of original squad this summer even
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Wow Sherry faster? There is no way on earth. If you can't even admit that there's no point discussing him.
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You don't do the "my province's players are the best half as well as me" I must say.
True - it's at moments like this you can see I'm not Irish!
To me the two pairs are neck and neck, with POM and Henderson looking more like internationals than the other two. All of them have things to prove; POM's had the most glory in an Ireland shirt, but that tackle count has to go up. Ireland have better seagulls if that's Schmidt really wants, and history would suggest he'll want a workhorse to release O'Brien and Heaslip. Henderson works hard and carries like a mad so and so, but his breakdown work is deficient. Weirdly, POM might actually be the better tight carrier at the moment, due to better body angles.
As for the other two - Henry might be short a yard of pace, but might not; he's looked fine so far but hasn't truly been tested. Oddly enough, his work rate and breakdown work might be just what Schmidt wants. TOD, haven't seen as much of the other three, so can't comment as much, but I've never seen him be an absolute pillock at every other ruck the opposition has, which is what I'd want an openside to do.
I'd expect both TOD and Henderson to overtake the older man in future - possibly the near future - but it's by no means certain. The big question really is what does Schmidt want to complement SOB and Heaslip.
Having seen Sherry non-stop I think you don't realise how fast he is. OK he hasnt had the bursts down the wings like Cronin but Sherry is fast and if you watch Munster alot he's showed glimpses in games in Rabo for certain.
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Sherry has decent pace for a hooker but Cronin is one of the fastest hookers in world rugby if not the fastest he regulary outpaces backs.
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Schmidt was in the Munster camp on wednesday. According to Conor Murray Schmidt said everyone starts the season with a clean slate and he'll be watching the Rabo games closely and picking on form.
Sherry is no way as fast as Cronin but faster than Best and around the same as Strauss. He is bigger than Strauss and better darts than Best and was also a contender to captain Munster so he is highly regarded.
Olding isn't a regualr with Ulster and hes getting capped. In any case I think we'll see a lot more of Hanrahan this season and I think he'll suit the Penney style down to the ground.
Sherry is no way as fast as Cronin but faster than Best and around the same as Strauss. He is bigger than Strauss and better darts than Best and was also a contender to captain Munster so he is highly regarded.
cmac95 said:
Olding isn't a regualr with Ulster and hes getting capped. In any case I think we'll see a lot more of Hanrahan this season and I think he'll suit the Penney style down to the ground.
As I say I just going on I see Sherry everyday and Cronin admittedly not as much but do think Sherrys pace is under rated. Maybe he isn't as fast as Cronin (I don't know) but he's faster than alot think.
As for Schmidt he was in Munster camp for 1 hour Wednesday and also has visited all provinces but been honest he was saying same things they all say so wouldn't read too much in to it. As for comments re Olding the difference Olding was capped due to alot of absentees and he showed form in games
As for Schmidt he was in Munster camp for 1 hour Wednesday and also has visited all provinces but been honest he was saying same things they all say so wouldn't read too much in to it. As for comments re Olding the difference Olding was capped due to alot of absentees and he showed form in games
Olding was a regular when capped though. Not for a prolonged period, but he'd been playing regularly since the Six Nations and shown up well in the big games. Whether he will continue to be a regular, in what position, is currently unknown - but he was playing regularly at that point.
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The inside centre situation at Ulster is pretty interesting. Marshall and Olding both have the talent to justify wanting to be the starter, but Paddy Wallace is still floating around and has always performed for Ulster. The odds are one of them will have to either mover position (Marshall to 13 or Olding to 10) but there's talent in those spots too. A move to Leinster next season wouldn't be the worst thing for one of them.
