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<blockquote data-quote="big ginger 8" data-source="post: 1097744" data-attributes="member: 53057"><p>Bored so thought I'd have a look at the squad for the season ahead and thoughts on them. Probably only look at the pack for the moment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Looseheads:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Andrew Porter</strong> (26): Firmly first choice. Had a great start to the year before having some scrum issues towards the tail end of the season. Feel he got an unfair amount of the blame because nobody wants to blame Furlong and people never really no what to make of a hooker's scrummaging or a locks apart from their size. Still there was improvement as the NZ tour went on. At his best he's a huge asset so hopefully with a year under his belt at the new position and bodyweight he's a lot more comfortable. Would like to see him get back to doing some jackaling again and we need to manage his minutes with the lack of backup approaching his quality.</p><p></p><p><strong>Cian Healy</strong> (34): Clearly on the wind down, as he has been for a few years. I would guess we'll get a retirement announcement for after the WC. Can still do a job but I wouldn't be comfortable with him starting a game vs a team that plays at any decent pace or playing anymore than 50 minutes. Still a very reliable sub but not the force he once was.</p><p></p><p><strong>Ed Byrne </strong>(28): Pretty much the same as it has been for a few years now. Solid player will do the job in the URC and probably get a lot of time there but very meh and don't want him starting any high profile games.</p><p></p><p><strong>Michael Milne </strong>(23): Last season basically didn't happen for him last year due to injuries with only a 17 minute appearance vs the Stormers to his name. Doesn't have the speed of some other tops props but is very strong and powerful in tight. A good season for him is at least pushing ahead of Byrne, excellent would be getting passed Healy.</p><p></p><p><strong>Marcus Hanan </strong>(22) (Academy Year Three): Three sub appearances during an international period with a lot of injuries the season before last isn't a great sign for his future unless he pushes on a lot this season. Wasn't a standout a underage level or known as an exceptional athlete. Not sure if he'll stay once his academy contract expires this year but might get a development one year deal.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jack Boyle </strong>(20) (Academy Year Two): So much potential and talent. Needs to bulk up a bit so we might not see him this season apart from a token bench appearance or two but he should be the future. Has looked the full package in his two years at 20s.</p><p></p><p><strong>Temi Lasisi </strong>(21) (Academy Year Two): Were rumours last year that he was converting to tighthead. Looked very raw in his one appearance last year, which is understandable given he played 8 until 20s. Could be a very useful player with his carrying but would guess he's still a long term project at this stage although his size might see him used ahead of Boyle for the moment.</p><p></p><p><strong>Hookers:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Ronan Kelleher </strong>(24): I believe he's meant to be back before the start of the season. Despite Sheehan's excellent performances I still think Kelleher is our best option which is saying a lot. If both can stay fit I don't think there's a club hooking duo I'd prefer. Brings loads of power and pace and is equally comfortable in tight and out wide.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dan Sheehan </strong>(23): As mentioned above was brilliant in NZ and appears to have taken another step up. Should be battling it out with Kelleher. I still believe some of our scrum issues come from him but unsure how much he can fix given his height. Also has a bad habit of letting himself get a bit high in the tackle at times and being shrugged off like for Ioane's try in the second(?) test.</p><p></p><p><strong>James Tracy </strong>(31): Solid reliable third choice. Will start a load of URC games and not lets us down. Again won't really want him involved in the big games but will probably at least sub a few. Also probably the richest player in the squad, definitely top three.</p><p></p><p><strong>John McKee</strong> (22) (Academy Year Three): Really took his chance last season with his performances in South Africa. Potentially a bit undersized and a bit less athletic than the top prospects but am a lot higher on him after those performances. Should be hoping to push Tracy and at least secure a bench spot for himself in the games were the top two aren't available.</p><p></p><p><strong>Lee Barron </strong>(21) (Academy Year Two): Very similar athletic profile to Sheehan, looked very raw in SA but was a very late call up there. I don't expect to see him much this year but if he puts it all together he could have a very swift rise.</p><p></p><p><strong>Tightheads:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Tadhg Furlong </strong>(29): Was somewhat limited at the end of the season, probably due to the calf injury he picked up. Still an absolutely brilliant player and far and away our best option here. Not sure there's much more to say than that.</p><p></p><p><strong>Michael Ala'alatoa </strong>(30): Was a very useful signing for us last year. Would expect his role to be similar again accumulating a huge amount of minutes. His scrummaging is fine but not great. His loose work is very good without being exemplary, very hard to give out about him as a backup.</p><p></p><p><strong>Vakh Abdalaze </strong>(26): Kind of hard to believe he's that 'old' now. Another player who was hugely limited by injuries. Back injuries in a tighthead do not exactly spell a bright future. If he can get on the pitch and stay there he is a very powerful athlete who could be very useful over the URC campaign.</p><p></p><p><strong>Thomas Clarkson </strong>(22): Had some tough outings vs Ox and Kitshoff at the end of the year but is hopefully better for it. Ceiling is maybe a bit limited by his athleticism but has a very good skillset and do expect him to be an international eventually.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rory McGuire </strong>(19) (Academy Year One): Massive unit who was very good for the 20s. Won't see him this year most likely unless there's an injury crisis but if developed right could become a big player.</p><p></p><p><strong>Locks:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>James Ryan </strong>(26): Looked to be back close to his best in NZ. Need his leadership to this year and for him to really show his ability vs the bigger SA and French packs.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jason Jenkins </strong>(26): Seemed to be coming on with Munster as the season finished out. Looks like he might fit into our style of play well (although his handling will need work) but hopefully will help add that physical presence we sometimes lack. Certainly offers something different to everyone not named Joe McCarthy. Hopefully can stay fit and at least be reliable.</p><p></p><p><strong>Ross Molony </strong>(28): Had an excellent season last year which was great but showed his ceiling is limited by his size and athleticism. Will be a key cog again throughout the season and you wouldn't be disappointed to see him start even if being a bit worried vs some of the monster packs. Probaly the best forward at the pullback pass apart from Furlong.</p><p></p><p><strong>Ryan Baird </strong>(23): Easy to forget he's only turned 23. Not a great year for him last season and was very disrupted. Still has being putting in work in the offseason not going on holiday but playing rugby and visiting the Chicago Bears' camp. Probably needs to commit to one position but the sky is still the limit with his ridiculous athleticism. But if the performances don't come he won't be in the 23 with the quality in the back five.</p><p></p><p><strong>Joe McCarthy </strong>(21): Huge breakthrough last year obviously. Needs to keep the foot down and not suffer second season syndrome. Also needs to cut down the penalty count. With his size he's not a player we produce a lot and offers something we really need.</p><p></p><p><strong>Charlie Ryan </strong>(23): Bit of a forgotten man, had no appearances in the academy and was rumoured to be off to Exeter with Dunne and ROL but was given a senior contract, presumably a development one. Has had a lot of injuries but was a very good player at underage level. Very hard to know what to expect if he makes the pitch at this stage.</p><p></p><p><strong>Brian Deeny </strong>(22): Another athletic secondrow, looks a bit underweight but was very industrious in his performances in SA. Has crowded room ahead of him so needs to stand out when selected.</p><p></p><p>This is taking longer than expected, will add the rest later.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="big ginger 8, post: 1097744, member: 53057"] Bored so thought I'd have a look at the squad for the season ahead and thoughts on them. Probably only look at the pack for the moment. [B]Looseheads: Andrew Porter[/B] (26): Firmly first choice. Had a great start to the year before having some scrum issues towards the tail end of the season. Feel he got an unfair amount of the blame because nobody wants to blame Furlong and people never really no what to make of a hooker's scrummaging or a locks apart from their size. Still there was improvement as the NZ tour went on. At his best he's a huge asset so hopefully with a year under his belt at the new position and bodyweight he's a lot more comfortable. Would like to see him get back to doing some jackaling again and we need to manage his minutes with the lack of backup approaching his quality. [B]Cian Healy[/B] (34): Clearly on the wind down, as he has been for a few years. I would guess we'll get a retirement announcement for after the WC. Can still do a job but I wouldn't be comfortable with him starting a game vs a team that plays at any decent pace or playing anymore than 50 minutes. Still a very reliable sub but not the force he once was. [B]Ed Byrne [/B](28): Pretty much the same as it has been for a few years now. Solid player will do the job in the URC and probably get a lot of time there but very meh and don't want him starting any high profile games. [B]Michael Milne [/B](23): Last season basically didn't happen for him last year due to injuries with only a 17 minute appearance vs the Stormers to his name. Doesn't have the speed of some other tops props but is very strong and powerful in tight. A good season for him is at least pushing ahead of Byrne, excellent would be getting passed Healy. [B]Marcus Hanan [/B](22) (Academy Year Three): Three sub appearances during an international period with a lot of injuries the season before last isn't a great sign for his future unless he pushes on a lot this season. Wasn't a standout a underage level or known as an exceptional athlete. Not sure if he'll stay once his academy contract expires this year but might get a development one year deal. [B]Jack Boyle [/B](20) (Academy Year Two): So much potential and talent. Needs to bulk up a bit so we might not see him this season apart from a token bench appearance or two but he should be the future. Has looked the full package in his two years at 20s. [B]Temi Lasisi [/B](21) (Academy Year Two): Were rumours last year that he was converting to tighthead. Looked very raw in his one appearance last year, which is understandable given he played 8 until 20s. Could be a very useful player with his carrying but would guess he's still a long term project at this stage although his size might see him used ahead of Boyle for the moment. [B]Hookers: Ronan Kelleher [/B](24): I believe he's meant to be back before the start of the season. Despite Sheehan's excellent performances I still think Kelleher is our best option which is saying a lot. If both can stay fit I don't think there's a club hooking duo I'd prefer. Brings loads of power and pace and is equally comfortable in tight and out wide. [B]Dan Sheehan [/B](23): As mentioned above was brilliant in NZ and appears to have taken another step up. Should be battling it out with Kelleher. I still believe some of our scrum issues come from him but unsure how much he can fix given his height. Also has a bad habit of letting himself get a bit high in the tackle at times and being shrugged off like for Ioane's try in the second(?) test. [B]James Tracy [/B](31): Solid reliable third choice. Will start a load of URC games and not lets us down. Again won't really want him involved in the big games but will probably at least sub a few. Also probably the richest player in the squad, definitely top three. [B]John McKee[/B] (22) (Academy Year Three): Really took his chance last season with his performances in South Africa. Potentially a bit undersized and a bit less athletic than the top prospects but am a lot higher on him after those performances. Should be hoping to push Tracy and at least secure a bench spot for himself in the games were the top two aren't available. [B]Lee Barron [/B](21) (Academy Year Two): Very similar athletic profile to Sheehan, looked very raw in SA but was a very late call up there. I don't expect to see him much this year but if he puts it all together he could have a very swift rise. [B]Tightheads: Tadhg Furlong [/B](29): Was somewhat limited at the end of the season, probably due to the calf injury he picked up. Still an absolutely brilliant player and far and away our best option here. Not sure there's much more to say than that. [B]Michael Ala'alatoa [/B](30): Was a very useful signing for us last year. Would expect his role to be similar again accumulating a huge amount of minutes. His scrummaging is fine but not great. His loose work is very good without being exemplary, very hard to give out about him as a backup. [B]Vakh Abdalaze [/B](26): Kind of hard to believe he's that 'old' now. Another player who was hugely limited by injuries. Back injuries in a tighthead do not exactly spell a bright future. If he can get on the pitch and stay there he is a very powerful athlete who could be very useful over the URC campaign. [B]Thomas Clarkson [/B](22): Had some tough outings vs Ox and Kitshoff at the end of the year but is hopefully better for it. Ceiling is maybe a bit limited by his athleticism but has a very good skillset and do expect him to be an international eventually. [B]Rory McGuire [/B](19) (Academy Year One): Massive unit who was very good for the 20s. Won't see him this year most likely unless there's an injury crisis but if developed right could become a big player. [B]Locks: James Ryan [/B](26): Looked to be back close to his best in NZ. Need his leadership to this year and for him to really show his ability vs the bigger SA and French packs. [B]Jason Jenkins [/B](26): Seemed to be coming on with Munster as the season finished out. Looks like he might fit into our style of play well (although his handling will need work) but hopefully will help add that physical presence we sometimes lack. Certainly offers something different to everyone not named Joe McCarthy. Hopefully can stay fit and at least be reliable. [B]Ross Molony [/B](28): Had an excellent season last year which was great but showed his ceiling is limited by his size and athleticism. Will be a key cog again throughout the season and you wouldn't be disappointed to see him start even if being a bit worried vs some of the monster packs. Probaly the best forward at the pullback pass apart from Furlong. [B]Ryan Baird [/B](23): Easy to forget he's only turned 23. Not a great year for him last season and was very disrupted. Still has being putting in work in the offseason not going on holiday but playing rugby and visiting the Chicago Bears' camp. Probably needs to commit to one position but the sky is still the limit with his ridiculous athleticism. But if the performances don't come he won't be in the 23 with the quality in the back five. [B]Joe McCarthy [/B](21): Huge breakthrough last year obviously. Needs to keep the foot down and not suffer second season syndrome. Also needs to cut down the penalty count. With his size he's not a player we produce a lot and offers something we really need. [B]Charlie Ryan [/B](23): Bit of a forgotten man, had no appearances in the academy and was rumoured to be off to Exeter with Dunne and ROL but was given a senior contract, presumably a development one. Has had a lot of injuries but was a very good player at underage level. Very hard to know what to expect if he makes the pitch at this stage. [B]Brian Deeny [/B](22): Another athletic secondrow, looks a bit underweight but was very industrious in his performances in SA. Has crowded room ahead of him so needs to stand out when selected. This is taking longer than expected, will add the rest later. [/QUOTE]
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