IRELAND HEAD COACH Joe Schmidt will name his first match-day squad of this year’s Six Nations on Thursday.
Before he does, we’d like to hear who would make your selection for the game against Scotland on Saturday (KO 14.25), from 1-23 and why, in the comments section below.
Does Rob Kearney get the nod at fullback, who will be your back-up at out-half and what about your starter at openside flanker?
Below is a reminder of the 38-man squad that Schmidt currently has available, now that Jonathan Sexton, Peter O’Mahony and Andrew Conway have been ruled out of contention for the clash at Murrayfield, and Ian Keatley has been catapulted into contention.
While there are injury doubts surrounding other players such as Andrew Trimble, for argument’s sake let’s say that all of those listed below are available for selection on Saturday.
Front rows: Rory Best (c), James Tracy, Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Jack McGrath, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, John Ryan, Tadhg Furlong.
Locks: Devin Toner, Donnacha Ryan*, Iain Henderson*, Billy Holland*, Ultan Dillane.
*can also offer cover in back row
Back rows: Sean O’Brien, Tommy O’Donnell, Josh van der Flier, Dan Leavy, CJ Stander, Jack Conan, Jamie Heaslip.
Halfbacks: Kieran Marmion, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Paddy Jackson, Ian Keatley.
Centres: Robbie Henshaw, Luke Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Rory Scannell (can also cover out-half).
Back three: Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Simon Zebo, Rob Kearney, Tiernan O’Halloran.
Let us know who you think should make the squad in the comment section below.
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Mcgrath Best Furlong Ryan Toner Cj O’brien Heaslip Murray Jackson Earls Henshaw Ringrose Trimble Zebo
https://media.giphy.com/media/GjYjLvGErsggg/giphy.gif
I STILL think Kearney shouldn’t be starting
Team I would go with …
McGrath, Best, Furlong
Ryan, Toner
Stander, Heaslip, SOB
Murray
Jackson
Trimble, Henshaw, Ringrose, Earls
Zebo
R: N Scannell, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, JvdF, Marmion, R Scannell, O’Halloran
In terms of the team that will start Joe will go with that first 15, bar Kearney at FB. On the bench he’ll probably go with Treacy, Keatley & Zebo instead of the brothers Scannell & O’Halloran.
He loves Kearney can’t see him being dropped
Zebo isn’t coming off the bench. Either 11 or 15
@John Kelly: I was going to post my team but this is pretty much it.
I think its a toss up between this team and Kearney at FB with Zebo on the wing and Earls on the bench
McGrath, Best, Furlong
Henderson, toner,
VDF, Heaslip, Cj stander,
Murray, Jackson
Henshaw, Ringrose,
Earls, OHalloran , Zebo.
1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. Stander
7. VDF
8. Headlip
9. Murray
10. Jackson
11. Earls
12. Henshaw
13. Ringrose
14. Zebo
15. O’Halloran
McGrath Best Furlong Toner Ryan Stander O Brien Heaslip Murray Jackson Trimble Henshaw Ringrose Zebo O Halloran.
1. McGrath 2. Best 3. Furlong 4. Ryan 5. Toner 6. Stander 7. Van den flier 8. Heaslip 9. Murray 10. Jackson 11. Zebo 12. Henshaw 13. Ringrose 14. Trimble 15. O’Halloran 16. N Scannell 17. Healy 18. Ryan 19. Henderson 20. O’Brien 21. Marmion 22. R Scannell 23. Earls
1 Jack m
2 Rory B
3 T Furlong
4 toner
5 Ryan
6 CJ
7 SOB
8 Heaslip
9 Murray
10 Jackson
11 Earls
12 Scannell
13 henshaw
14 Trimble
15zebo
Bench Scannell, Healy, John Ryan, Henderson, JVDF, Marmion, Keatly. Ringrose
O halloran, zebo, ringrose, Henshaw, Earls, Jackson, Murray, heaslip, vdf, stander, toner, Ryan, furlong, best, ma grath
McGrath, Best, Furlong
Henderson, Toner
Stander, Heaslip, SOB
Murray
Jackson
Zebo, Henshaw, Ringrose, Earls
O’Halloran
R: Scannell, Healy, Bealham, Ryan, JvdF, Marmion, Scannell, Trimble
1. Tiernan O’Halloran
2. Andrew Trimble
3. Garry Ringrose
4. Robbie Henshaw
5. Simon Zebo
6. Paddy Jackson
7. Conor Murray
8. Jack McGrath
9. Rory Best
10. Tadgh Furlong
11. Billy Holland
12. Dan Leavy
13. Jamie Heaslip
14. Keith Earls
15. Ian Keatley
16. Cian Healy
17. Finlay Bealham
Great half back combo , and the centres will be hard to stop on a crash ball .
I love that phrase “crash ball” Always reminds me of Kevin Maggs for some reason.
1 McGrath
2 best
3 furlong
4 dillane
5 Henderson
6 Stander
7 VDF
8 Heaslip
9 Murray
10 Jackson
11 Earls
12 Henshaw
13 Ringrose
14 Trimble
15 Zebo
16 Scannell
17 Healy
18 Bealham
19 Ryan/ Toner
20 SOB
21 Marmion
22 Scannell
23 O’Halloran
It absolutely amazes me that you think we should drop our best second row for Iain Henderson (who barely plays at all) and Dillane (who’s been injured for a while now)
Now 2nd rows need to be more athletic. In my opinion Toner offers nothing else other than a line out option. In the 6Ns you have Itoje, Kruis and Johnny Gray all extremely athletic and mobile 2nd rows. In my opinion Ireland should go with Dillane and Henderson due to their mobility and athleticism but saying that I do think Schmidt will go with Toner and Ryan
I’m meant to be working so don’t really have the time to reply to that, but this article pretty much sums it up for me
https://dementedmole.com/2017/01/08/ireland-second-rows-in-2016-the-post-paul-oconnell-era/
And I should be studying for my Leaving
Oisin if your right and toner and Ryan offer nothing apart from lineout ( our major source of tries) why may I ask will joe pick those two statues?
Wow excellent article
Kearney will start as he generally delivers for Joe. I’d be one of his biggest critics but in fairness he delivered against NZ. Ryan and SOB will start imo with Henderson and vdf coming off the bench around 50mins to inject pace into game
About 40 comments and McCloskey hasn’t even been mentioned as a bench option. Ulster have been terrible but McCloskey has performed better than most. Not sure I’d start him over Ringrose but considering the calls for him 12 months ago I’m surprised he hasn’t even been named.
Johnny 5 we have 3 centres playing better and for winning teams. RS is the only player who’s got a chance of breaking the partnership of henshaw and ringrose.
@Johnny 5: Boooo! McCloskey’s defensive errors were woeful against Clermont, always coming out too quick, not drifting, and he certainly didn’t imrpove on his mistakes when playing against Exeter.
My advice to McCloskey, lose the top not and try to get some advice from Andy Farrell
O halloran earls ringrose hesnhaw zebo Jackson Murray stander VDF SOB Henderson Toner furlong best McGrath
McGrath, Best, Furlong,Toner, Henderson, Stander, SOB, Heaslip, Murray, Earls, Henshaw, Ringrose, Zebo, O’Halloran
Any 10?
Popplewell-wood-claw-o’connell-mc bride- o’brien-slattery-foley Murray-campbell-geoghean-gibson- O’driscoll-ringland-o’reilly.
@sean byrne: Campbell for Kyle, are you mad?
McLaughlin, Wood, Millar, O’Connell, McBride, J O’Driscoll, Slattery, Duggan, Murray (on form, needs to do it consistantly for legend status), Kyle, T O’Reilly, Gibson, O’Driscoll, Ringland, T Kiernan.
1. McGrath, 2. Best 3. Furlong, 4. Ryan, 5. Toner 6. Stander 7. O’Brien 8. Heaslip 9. Murray 10. Jackson. 11. Zebo 12. Henshaw 13. Ringrose 14. Trimble 15. O’Halloran 16. Healy 17. Scannell 18. Ryan 19. Henderson 20. Van der Flier 21. Marmion 22. Scannell 23. Earls
Team I want:
mcgrath, best, furlong
toner, hendo
stander, heaslip, van der flier
murray, jackson
marshall, henshaw
earls zebo trimble
scannel, finly, ryan, dillane, o’brien, marmion, scannel, kearney
Team that will be picked:
mcgrath, best, furlong
toner, ryan
stander, heaslip, van der flier
murray, jackson
henshaw, ringrose
zebo kearney trimble
scannel, healy, finly, hendo, o’brien, marmion, scannel, earls
Stick to the Fulham Dacourt!
1 McGrath 2 Best 3 Furlong 4 Ryan 5 Toner 6 Stander 7 O’Brian 8 Henderson 9 Murry 10 Jackson 11 Earls 12 Henshaw 13 Ringrose 14 Trimble 15 Zebo 16 N Scannel 17 Healy 18 Belham 19 Henderson 20 VanDeflier 21Marmion 22 R Scannel 23 Kearny
Henderson will start , we need at least one 2nd row who can carry the ball forward and make defensive hits . And at 6ft 7in tall he’s a great lineout option.
1 Mc Grath
2 Best
3 Furlong
4 Toner
5 Ryan
6 Stander
7 Van Der Flier
8 Heaslip
9 Murray
10 Jackson
11 Earls
12 Henshaw
13 Ringrose
14 Trimble
15 Zebo
16 Scanell
17 Healy
18 Ryan
19 Henderson
20 O Brien
21 Mc Grath
22 Keatley
23 Kearney
McGrath, Best, Furlong Toner, Ryan Stander, SOB, Heaslip Murray Jackson Henshaw, Ringrose Earls, Trimble Zebo R. Scannel, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, JVDF, Marmion, Scannel, TOH
McGrath, Best, Furlong, Toner, D Ryan, Heaslip, Stander & O’Brien
Jackson & Murray
15 Kearney, 14 Zebo,13 Henshaw, 12 McCloskey & 11 Trimble (12 is likely to be Ringrose)
Subs: Healy, Tracy, J Ryan, Henderson, van der Flier, Ringrose, Marmion, Keatley (if Ringrose starts Earls on the bench)
N Scannell and Conan to get opportunities over the course of the championship. It’s a pity Byrne and O’Loughlin didn’t get a shot ahead of Gilroy and Bowe (past form vs current form)
Treacy doesnt even start for leinster why would he make irelands subs?
I say the only real choices are:
Who partners Toner in Second Row?
Trimble v O’Halloran…
I think it is fair to say that Schmidt is looking at the Henshaw-Ringrose center pairing…
The Front Row is nailed down… Back row of CJ, Heaslip, SOB is one of the strongest in the world… The All Blacks would fear them…
I would loved a winger like Healy or Kelleher… A guy with real gas… Gilroy has a fair bit…
1. Healy
2. Best
3.J. Ryan
4.Henderson
5.Toner
6.Stander
7. Van der Flier
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Jackson
11. Earls
12. Mccloskey
13. Henshaw
14. Bowe
15. Zebo
16. Tracey. 21. L. Mcgrath
17. Mcgrath 22. R. Scannell
18. Furlong. 23. O’ Halloran
19. D. Ryan
20. Conan
I had a look at who started in previous games, if schmidt hasnt changed his mind in the last few months then the depth chart is:
15: kearney, Zebo, OHalloran
14/11: Trimble, Earls/Zebo, Gilroy, the rest(Z started vs NZ, but E started the last game vs Aus)
13: Ringrose, Marshall
12: Henshaw, McCloskey/Scannell
10: Jackson, Keatley/Scannell
9: Murray, Marmion, McGrath
8: Heaslip, CJ, Conan
7: SOB, VDF, TOD
6: CJ, POM, Leavy
5/4: Toner, Ryan, Henderson, Dillane, Holland
3: Furlong, Bealham, Ryan
2: Cronin, Tracy, Scannell
1: McGrath, Healy, Kilcoyne
Again, this is purely based on who Schmidt picked in previous games. Not based on my own preferences
McGrath Best Furlong Toner Ryan Stander O Brien Heaslip Murray Sexton Earls Henshaw Ringrose Trimble Zebo Bench Scannell Healy Ryan Henderson O mahony Marmion Jackson Bowe
No sexton scannell 22 and Jackson 10 and van den flier on the bench
Looks like Trimble might be out though.
15. Zebo
14. Earls
13. Ringrose
12. Henshaw
11. Trimble
10. Jackson
9. Murray
1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Furlong
4. Toner
5. Ryan
6. SOB
7. VDF
8. Stander
16. N Scannell
17. Healy
18. Bealham
19. Dillane
20. Heaslip
21. Marmion
22. R Scannell
23. O’Halloran
Healy,
Scannell
kilcoyne
Dillane
Henderson
Van der Flier
ODonnell
Conan
Marmion
Jackson
Bowe
mcLoskey
gilroy,
Trimble
OHalloran
Reinstate the Probables V Possibles match!!
Zebo, Bowe, Trimble, Ringrose, Henshaw, Jackson, Murray, Heaslip, Stander, O’brien, Toner, Henderson, Furlong, Best, Mcgrath
15-Zebo
14-Trimble
13-Ringrose
12-Henshaw
11-Earls
10-Jackson
9-Murray
1-McGrath
2-Best
3-Furlong
4-Henderson
5-Toner
6-Stander
7-O’Brien
8-Heaslip
16-Tracy
17-Healy
18-Bealham
19-Dillane
20-van der Flier
21-Marmion
22-Keatley
23-O’Halloran
1. McGrath, 2.Best, 3. Furlong
4. Toner, 5.Ryan
6. Stander, 7. O’Brien, 8. Heaslip
9. Murray, 10. Jackson 11. Zebo 12. Henshaw 13. Ringrose 14. Earls 15. Kearney
Replacements;
Treacy, Belham, Healy
Henderson, J VDF,
Marmian, Scannell, O’Halloran
Dillane & Trimble not fully fit so I’m ruling both out. A chance that Zebo starts at 15 with Bowe at 14 to add some experience & no place for Kearney