FRANCE LOCK Pascal Pape is still considering whether to appeal his 10-week ban for kneeing Jamie Heaslip in the back, according to coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
The incident occurred during the Six Nations meeting between France and Ireland earlier this month, with Pape shown a yellow card at the time by referee Wayne Barnes.
Some felt the offence – which left Heaslip with three fractured vertebrae - merited a red card, although Saint-Andre claimed it had been accidental.
Pape has since apologised to Heaslip, but Saint-Andre says the second row is still thinking about an appeal.
“I find the punishment is very, very severe,” the coach said.
“It was his last Six Nations, it is a shame it will finish like that for him and the France team. Pascal, and the lawyers from the Federation and Stade Francais will reflect on whether to appeal.
“As a coach one is eager to tell him to appeal but if it is to risk a heavier punishment…that is really for the club to decide as it is Stade Francais who pay his wages.”
Is it just me or does he look like a giant ten year old?
He’s not called ‘Manchild’ at Ulster for nothing lol.
Ruddock is the established 6 who is unlucky not to be starting already due to POM’s form. Henderson is an option there for sure but if he starts for Ireland it has to be in the second row whatever his preference.
Jaysus a lot changes in a week. We must be the most fickle set of sports fans in the world – POM put in two man of the match-worthy performances against Scotland and Wales and now all of a sudden he is on poor form because he slipped off a tackle against England and wasn’t as obviously dominant in the breakdown. POM is also Munster captain and brings an emotional intensity that Ruddock lacks, so Ruddock is by no means unlucky. In fact he is lucky to be in with a shout considering SOB and Ferris are still unavailable, and with the attacking form Jordi Murphy has shown.
What Ireland need, if the England match is anything to go by, are effective ball-carriers. Bring Henderson in for that at 6 and he will create gaps all over the Italian defence. It will not affect the balance of the back row and gives us another excellent line-out option as well.
I didn’t say POM’s form was bad in fact I said the opposite, you are one pointing out perceived flaws with his England performance.
Pom is in super form what was said is that his form is so good it keeps ruddock out of the team, If Pom is unavailable then ruddock comes into the reckoning for the Italy game.
Henderson is also in the mix as he’s been in the match day squad.
Simply there’s a massive amount of backrow players who are good enough and that could all fit in easily enough.
There’s a chance that ferris will be back for ulster very soon( plays his first game this weekend fingers crossed) and with mueller leaving at the end of the season Henderson will naturally fit into the second row for his club.
Diack is also very strong at 6 so no matter where he wants to play I’d guess its in he row or not at all.
Henderson has the potential to be a world class flanker. His natural athletic ability gives him an edge no other 6′s have in Ireland. He has showed this season that he can dictate the momentum of his team, driving them forward in attack with evasive ball-carrying, and defence with aggressive tackles behind the gainline. He was seriously impressive for the Wolfhounds against England. I really think the sky is the limit with Henderson. I’d love to see a Henderson, O’Mahony, O’Brien back row some time in the future.
Henderson played 2nd row for the Wolfhounds against England and Ruddock played at 6, and as you said he was very impressive. His future should be seen in the 2nd row, having a dynamic player such as Henderson in the 2nd row would be huge for the Ireland team.
Ferris is back next week. he’s a bit athletic too wouldn’t you say.
Future second row due to shortage of tall lads about to coming through in rugby. I would personally start ruddock at six if Pom don’t make it on sat. He is much more physical than hendo.
Why do any media articles about hendorson jeep mentioning his physicality when I just don’t see him as huge at all? He does make ground with a good drive tho and has good step.
I think if we start Henry we have to start Henderson at six more explosive you have Henry and heaslip to do the dirty work
Personally I would love to see Henderson start in the 2nd row, that’s where his future lies for Ireland and that’s where he’s been playing his rugby for Ulster, I think it would be a great chance for him to develop his game and show us what he can bring to the International stage. Going forward to the World Cup I would see Rhys Ruddock as being Peter O’Mahony’s deputy and having the two of them pushing each other and bringing out the best in each other is the kind of competitive environment the Irish set up need to begin nurturing, so it is for this reason I would like to see Ruddock start at 6 for the Italian game, especially considering how good his form has been this season.
Ferris is playing next Monday for the Ravens. http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/stephen-ferris-poised-to-make-return-to-playing-for-ulster-1-5914512
Great news for ferris, I hope he gets a good run injury free.
I’d hate to pick an Irish backrow for the World Cup if all are available.
Would the All Blacks develop Henderson doing “donkey work” or would they have him playing out of the ruck running at half-backs? I think the All Blacks would play a 6 that can clean out rucks.
In fairness , Ruddock is well able to clear out rucks and is abit more grizzled at 6 than Iain Henderson ,
I would go with Ruddock, but don’t be surprised if Scheimt goes for Henderson at 6 and picks Ruddock and Don Ryan on the bench ,
No matter where Henderson plays his talent is out of the ruck running at the gain line. If the “donkey work” still needs done who in the “rows” complements that?
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/rugby/stephen-ferris-poised-to-make-return-to-playing-for-ulster-1-5914512
Think he should develop his game at lock Ireland have a wealth of options in the back row not as blessed in the second row with the ability to carry like hendo would love to see dom Ryan get more game time out an out open side so he is can carry and can bust guys with his tackling
Be nice to see him develop more as lock Ireland have unreal options in the back row we don’t have as many options in the second row department and Henderson could develop like a bakkies Botha and be a real carrying threat from the second row and it makes sense with muller finishing at the end of season