Schmidt Era Ireland

[Peat]

Ulster says No.

 

[munstermuffin]

Hope Marshall is left at 12. Really a fine player and the type I'd prefer out of them all at 12. Just hope he can stay fit

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

I'm not quite sure which player Schmidt will want to replace Darcy. Marshall or Olding. I think whoever he prefers, needs to be brought in for the autumn matches for Darcy will no doubt be broke by then anyway.

 

[admartian]

I like the look of the Irish outside backs depth. And is the situation behind BOD really that bad? At least that's how I'm reading it.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I like the look of the Irish outside backs depth. And is the situation behind BOD really that bad? At least that's how I'm reading it.

Well, it is and it isn't. The problem is as of the moment no other outside centre has really stood out for their province over the last number of years. There are plenty of okay options, but none who have truly established themselves as a player who could potentially have anywhere near the same impact as Brian. That said, there's a year's rugby to play before we have to make that decision, so there's plenty of time for the pretenders to make a name for themselves. Here's a few of the options Schmidt will have available to him.

Jared Payne (Ulster)
Will become Irish qualified in time for next year's November internationals. Quality player, and one who will likely see a lot of time in the centre this year as Ulster try to get Bowe, Gilroy and Trimble all onto the pitch at once. Probably the most developed of any of the players up for the position, however may prove unpopular what with him being a Kiwi. He'll be 29 by the time he's available which may be a worry, but would give us another three seasons to develop another player in the position.

Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster)
He's had a horrendous run of injuries over the past few seasons, but in my mind he's one of the most talented backs in the country. He's a good defender and a decent distributor and boasts a good step and solid boot. May lack the raw pace to be a top winger, but has the brains to make it in the midfield. He'll want to feature more in that department to get his hands on the Ireland shirt, but with Leinster likely to seriously ration BOD's game time this year he may have that wish.

Chris Farrell (Ulster)
Absolute monster of a young lad. At 6'4 and 105kg he could be Ireland's long term solution to the lack of size that has plagued out midfield over the last few years. Unfortunately didn't get to make an impact last season due to injury, but he'll be one to watch this year. BOD's retirement is probably coming a bit soon for him, but he looks a player.

Keith Earls (Munster)
Got a fair bit of time under Kidney as second choice 13 and says it's his favourite position, but has never really impressed there. Was dogged by defensive issues in the past which he has sorted to an extent, but there are still serious questions about his vision, positioning and distribution. Should only be considered in an emergency for me.

Fergus McFadden (Leinster)
Has been playing a lot of his rugby on the wings lately, but his natural position is at centre. Most see him primarily as a 12, but as shown by his performance against Bath in 2011/12 he can do a serious job at 13. I see him as the long term replacement for Gordon D'arcy for Leinster as most will, but new coach Matt O'Connor said he'd be happy with him covering 13 in the wake of Eoin O'Malley's retirement.

Darren Cave (Ulster)
Solid outside centre. Good skillset and at 26 and with 5 caps probably wouldn't take too much bedding in time. However there have been questions as to whether he has the pace to make it as an international 13.

Eoin Griffin (Connacht)
Part of the 2009 under 20's grand slam winning team and apparently quite a nifty little player. Can't say I know too much about him to be honest.

Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Came straight out of the under 20's and into the Connacht starting squad, albeit in the back three. Eric Elwood seems to think he has all the skills to make it at this level, but again, time will tell. Might be a bit early for him and seeing as he's playing most of his rugby at 15 he probably wont be seriously considered as our world cup outside centre.

Brendan Macken (Leinster)
A lot of hype surrounded Brendan when he came out of the schools system. It wouldn't be fair to say he's been a disappointment, but perhaps more could have been expected. He's 21 now and is the only other natural 13 in the Leinster squad, meaning he should get a lot of chances to show his stuff. Questions should be asked of his defensive positioning and his distribution. Again, one to keep an eye on, but not a realistic replacement for BOD at the moment.

Well, that's pretty much every person who can play outside centre in the country. I'd imagine Payne is the most likely to succeed O'Driscoll, with Cave and Fitzgerald in reserve. Long term Henshaw and Farrell will challenge.

 

[big ginger 8]

Feic played 12 that match vs Bath.

http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_preview/0,20244,11069_48230_1,00.html

I'd also mention Stuart Olding. May prove to be a bit small for top level centre play but has all the skills Luke Marshall is also often talked about as a 13.

Thinking about it Ulster have far too many centres maybe we should give them one of our young backrowers for a young centre.

 

[admartian]

Well, it is and it isn't. The problem is as of the moment no other outside centre has really stood out for their province over the last number of years. There are plenty of okay options, but none who have truly established themselves as a player who could potentially have anywhere near the same impact as Brian. That said, there's a year's rugby to play before we have to make that decision, so there's plenty of time for the pretenders to make a name for themselves. Here's a few of the options Schmidt will have available to him.

Jared Payne (Ulster)
Will become Irish qualified in time for next year's November internationals. Quality player, and one who will likely see a lot of time in the centre this year as Ulster try to get Bowe, Gilroy and Trimble all onto the pitch at once. Probably the most developed of any of the players up for the position, however may prove unpopular what with him being a Kiwi. He'll be 29 by the time he's available which may be a worry, but would give us another three seasons to develop another player in the position.

Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster)
He's had a horrendous run of injuries over the past few seasons, but in my mind he's one of the most talented backs in the country. He's a good defender and a decent distributor and boasts a good step and solid boot. May lack the raw pace to be a top winger, but has the brains to make it in the midfield. He'll want to feature more in that department to get his hands on the Ireland shirt, but with Leinster likely to seriously ration BOD's game time this year he may have that wish.

Chris Farrell (Ulster)
Absolute monster of a young lad. At 6'4 and 105kg he could be Ireland's long term solution to the lack of size that has plagued out midfield over the last few years. Unfortunately didn't get to make an impact last season due to injury, but he'll be one to watch this year. BOD's retirement is probably coming a bit soon for him, but he looks a player.

Keith Earls (Munster)
Got a fair bit of time under Kidney as second choice 13 and says it's his favourite position, but has never really impressed there. Was dogged by defensive issues in the past which he has sorted to an extent, but there are still serious questions about his vision, positioning and distribution. Should only be considered in an emergency for me.

Fergus McFadden (Leinster)
Has been playing a lot of his rugby on the wings lately, but his natural position is at centre. Most see him primarily as a 12, but as shown by his performance against Bath in 2011/12 he can do a serious job at 13. I see him as the long term replacement for Gordon D'arcy for Leinster as most will, but new coach Matt O'Connor said he'd be happy with him covering 13 in the wake of Eoin O'Malley's retirement.

Darren Cave (Ulster)
Solid outside centre. Good skillset and at 26 and with 5 caps probably wouldn't take too much bedding in time. However there have been questions as to whether he has the pace to make it as an international 13.

Eoin Griffin (Connacht)
Part of the 2009 under 20's grand slam winning team and apparently quite a nifty little player. Can't say I know too much about him to be honest.

Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Came straight out of the under 20's and into the Connacht starting squad, albeit in the back three. Eric Elwood seems to think he has all the skills to make it at this level, but again, time will tell. Might be a bit early for him and seeing as he's playing most of his rugby at 15 he probably wont be seriously considered as our world cup outside centre.

Brendan Macken (Leinster)
A lot of hype surrounded Brendan when he came out of the schools system. It wouldn't be fair to say he's been a disappointment, but perhaps more could have been expected. He's 21 now and is the only other natural 13 in the Leinster squad, meaning he should get a lot of chances to show his stuff. Questions should be asked of his defensive positioning and his distribution. Again, one to keep an eye on, but not a realistic replacement for BOD at the moment.

Well, that's pretty much every person who can play outside centre in the country. I'd imagine Payne is the most likely to succeed O'Driscoll, with Cave and Fitzgerald in reserve. Long term Henshaw and Farrell will challenge.

Thanks for this. Woah that Harrell kid is a monster. What is the policy with the regime? Is it rotation, are they keen (or do they seem to be) on giving newbies a chance at the expense of some results? I Think if no one is putting their hand up, mixing it up a bit would be the way I would go.

Also, regarding Payne, nah; you shouldn't get any **** for that. At least not from most AB fans here. Payne is a class player.

And we only really have a go at the Poms and Aussies for poaching just to rile them up a bit.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Spiel

I meant the away leg sonny:

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2011-12/rugby/match/144282.html

With regards Olding, I think he's going to stay as a 10-12 sort of player. Paddy Wallace doesn't have all that much time left and Ulster only really have the one other option at 10 at the moment. Having three young and talent players, namely Jackson, Olding and Marshall, for two positions is far from overkill.

I'd agree that we could do with another centre though.

More Spiel

There isn't any policy of throwing youth in as such (indeed, if you look at when Irish players tend to make their international debuts in comparison to the other home nations our guys are usually a bit older) but there's a fairly strict player welfare system in place that requires certain amounts of recovery time and having had players out with the Lions and two international tours this summer there'll be plenty of game time in the early part of the season for the young guys. There Celtic League also carries on during the AI's and 6N's so they get game time there too. I'd hazard a guess and say that Brendan Macken got more game time for Leinster last season than BOD through the player welfare scheme, so young guys can get a shot.

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

Payne- I have really high hopes for, hope he gets a good bit of time in 13. Do you think he will come straight into the set up as soon as he's qualified?

Fitzgerald - It all depends on game time I guess. He must get some at 13 this season if he is to take over the reigns from BOD, but that means not playing BOD.

Farrell - I view him more as a 12 and in saying that, will be close to the Ireland squad after or around 2015.

Earls - no. Just no. Useless and coudnt make a decision for his life. That Scotland game when he didn't pass the ball just confirmed my hatred for him.

McFadden - I rate him, but not as a 13. Played really well in the June internationals and hopefully it gave him a bit more confidence.

Cave - Agree with you here, has the skills but doesn't maybe have that spark to set a game alight.

Griffen - If he gets game time and is playing well, then I think we could maybe see him in and around the set up.

Henshaw - Is a full back and should stay there, will replace Keraney soon I think.

Macken - Don't know much, but if he works hard with BOD and picks up a few things, he could make strides this year.

Would you consider Olding at 13? I'd rather him than Marshall move to 13

 

[munstermuffin]

Feic can agree in a way but think Luke Fitz is too injury prone to ever really regain national spot but I just suspect he wants 13 shirt now and not wing. Same for Earls too much stop start with injuries I think to get back as a starter. Jared Payne is 1 however I'm very interested to see what happens.

 

[big ginger 8]

I meant the away leg sonny:

http://www.espn.co.uk/heineken-cup-2011-12/rugby/match/144282.html

With regards Olding, I think he's going to stay as a 10-12 sort of player. Paddy Wallace doesn't have all that much time left and Ulster only really have the one other option at 10 at the moment. Having three young and talent players, namely Jackson, Olding and Marshall, for two positions is far from overkill.

I'd agree that we could do with another centre though.

Ok well it was the home one that was impressive...

Unless he gets a chance to nail down a position I expect Olding will be moved all over the backline. His final position will probably be decided by which backs get injured. I expect him to have the 22 shirt for big matches an cover 10-12-13-15.

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

Don't see him as a 10 for Ireland, 100% a centre and should switch between 12 and 13 to gain experience. Wherever he ends up, he's extreamly versatile and can do a job anywhere.

 

[Peat]

Jared Payne (Ulster)
Will become Irish qualified in time for next year's November internationals. Quality player, and one who will likely see a lot of time in the centre this year as Ulster try to get Bowe, Gilroy and Trimble all onto the pitch at once. Probably the most developed of any of the players up for the position, however may prove unpopular what with him being a Kiwi. He'll be 29 by the time he's available which may be a worry, but would give us another three seasons to develop another player in the position.

So far easier than you'd think; we just pick the guys who aren't injured. Which tends to leave a drop off on the bench. We're going to have more trouble squeezing all the centres in I think.

 

[IRISH RUGBY MAN]

For the first 6 weeks or so, Payne will most likely start at 15 because of Bowe being injured, Gilroy and Trimble on the wings. Those boys need a good start to the season to regain their Ireland spot. Payne may then move into the centres when Bowe is back

 

[big ginger 8]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/irfu-in-new-20m-kit-deal-29542666.html

Canterbury are favourites to take ove as Ireland's kit poviders.

 

[lynam1104]

While I generally prefer Canterbury to Puma they have about 3 designs which the give to every team every year.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If Canterbury offered the IRFU the best deal they'd be stupid not to take it. Be that as it may, I was delighted when the IRFU abandoned them a few years ago since their jerseys were awful looking things. Thankfully they seem to have largely abandoned the bra strap look which they put on all their jerseys post the 2007 World Cup.