LAST UPDATE | 1 Sep 2019
Murray Kinsella reports from Cardiff
WHILE JOE SCHMIDT’S moods in media dealings after games can be hard to predict or analyse at times, the Ireland head coach cut a clearly downcast figure on Saturday evening following his team’s 22-17 victory over Wales.
While an improved performance in Cardiff as Ireland bounced back from their hammering against England was encouraging for Schmidt, he now faces into the hardest part of the job.
Letting players they haven’t made matchday 23s and wider squads is difficult at any time, but calling someone to tell them they won’t be going to the World Cup – unless injuries mean a late call-up – is on another level.
The win in Cardiff might have sealed a few last decisions for Schmidt and his coaches, clearing a couple of headaches in that sense, but informing players of those final calls is not a pleasant experience.
“I think it’s a horrible couple of days, it’s probably the worst couple of days I’ve had in coaching, this time four years ago,” said Schmidt at Principality Stadium yesterday.
“I know how hard these players are working and how hard they’ve worked over a number of years because this is the pinnacle, this is what they’ve wanted to go after, this is what we talked about last Christmas as being very much the sole focus of the year.
“And for those players who miss out, it’s going to be a real body blow, and I’m incredibly conscious of that and I sympathise with it.
“But you can only take 31 and that’s the brutality of it.”
While there are certainties to travel in Schmidt’s current 40-man squad, there are many who will be on tenterhooks over the next 24 hours or so, anxiously checking their phones on Sunday as they hope for good news.
Schmidt is due to confirm a 31-man squad with World Cup on Monday, meaning he is likely to speak with players who have missed out before then.
The public announcement of his 31-player group won’t come until Sunday 8 September, the day after the return clash with Wales in Dublin, allowing him to make any late changes that unfortunate injuries might require.
Nailing the make-up of his squad will be crucial for Schmidt, meaning he has big calls to make on the numbers of locks, back rows, halfbacks, centres and back three players in the final group.
“Right now, I’m not sure myself because we need to have a look back and see what our balance is,” said Schmidt. “Whatever you do, there’s always a risk you don’t get it quite right. I don’t think we got it quite right last time [in 2015].
“Sometimes, retrospect is the only time you actually know if you got it right or not because going forward you predict as best as you can and do as much work as you can to ensure that they’re in the right physical condition, that they are ready to go.
“But you don’t really know until you send them out there and they’re in the thick of it, really.”
Captain Rory Best and Niall Scannell look certainties to travel at hooker, with Sean Cronin and Rob Herring in a contest for the final of three spots. The impactful Cronin will certainly be hard to leave out.
Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Furlong, John Ryan and Andrew Porter look like good bets for the five prop spots, while Iain Henderson, James Ryan and Devin Toner are set to go as lock options, with Tadhg Beirne offering second row and blindside flanker cover.
With CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony and Jack Conan favourites to go in the back row, the versatile Jordi Murphy could provide cover in all three slots if he travels to Japan.
Conor Murray is nailed-on at scrum-half, while Kieran Marmion may edge out Luke McGrath if Schmidt only brings two scrum-halves, as he did in 2015.
Johnny Sexton, Joey Carbery and Jack Carty are now seemingly in line to go as the options at out-half, while Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw look certainties in midfield.
Chris Farrell offers physicality if Schmidt opts for a fourth centre, while Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale are locked in as back three players.
Schmidt is likely to name the versatile Jordan Larmour too, having invested heavily in him up until this point, while Keith Earls will definitely travel if he recovers from his current knee injury.
That may leave Andrew Conway and Will Addison battling for the final spot in the 31-man squad. Both possess the ability to play in several positions but Addison is the more versatile. We don’t envy Schmidt these calls.
Whatever way the squad goes, Schmidt will field something close to his first-choice XV next weekend in Dublin when Warren Gatland’s Wales come to town presumably at full strength.
Henshaw and Sexton are in line to make their first appearances of the season having “trained the house down” on Thursday and Friday. There was no update on Earls yesterday, but Ireland will hope to see him back on the pitch too as they look to build on the improvements in Cardiff.
With James Ryan and Kilcoyne leading the way, the levels of physicality were certainly much better from Ireland yesterday.
“That’s what they want to feel; that they’re up for it, that they’ve got energy reserves,” said Schmidt.
“I knew we were heavy-legged last week against England. I know we created a lot of angst for people outside the environment but we knew how hard we had worked in Portugal, we knew we would be a bit vulnerable.
“It was still unacceptable to fall off as many tackles as we did, to fall as far behind as we did, so I think we restored a bit of self-confidence this week as much as anything.
“We’ve got to make sure we build on that again this week, there will be some changes and, talking to Gats, those changes will happen and it will be a whole different contest again.”
After Conway’s performance yesterday and cartys they definitely deserve a place
@Mark walsh: carty definitely. If its between Conway and Addison for spot 31, it’s a tough call. Judging by Joe’s previous form I think that he values versatility slightly more than ability to create. Very tough call though
@John Flynn: but it seems that he’s not as convinced by Conway, who’s played well both on the wing and at full back all season.
@Mark walsh: it’s a tight call but although I’m a big fan of Addison I’d go with Conway. He’s playing well and fully fit. Whereas Addison has been injured a lot this year.
@Ger: any chance of bringing both and dropping Lamour?
@Michael Buckley: could happen. I think Addison is a bit more reliable at the moment than Larmour. But Larmour seems to be a favourite of Joe’s and he has that bit of an xfactor if we’re chasing a game. Possible that Addison might go in place of Farrell who was poor against Wales. Can’t wait to see.
Not sure if anyone caught it but Devin Toner could be in trouble with the citing commissioner today. Shoulder to the head on the try line and it doesn’t look v pretty.
Schmidt has some big calls to make today, the biggest being Conway or larmour. I think Addison played his way into the side yesterday. For me Conway travels, he’s the better winger at the moment and has been unreal all season. After that I think the only other question is two of Ruddock, Conan or murphy and I’d think Ruddock will probably lose out.
@Jim Demps: yip, right under the posts. Was surprised it wasn’t picked up at the time. I can’t see Larmour or Ruddock travelling.
@Jim Demps: Jimbo it would be nothing short of a disgrace if Conway does not travel. For me him and Addison should be nailed on. With Larmour missing out
@Andrew Adams: Would feel very sorry for Ruddock, as for Larmour I believe on form he should not travel, Joe might have other thoughts on that.
@Andrew Adams: I can see both travelling! What has Beirne done in green to be included?
@Gareth Wogan: Jesus you’ve all short memories and red glasses… apart from fact that Larmour covers 11-15 and Conway doesn’t, he has delivered against big opposition not Wales B teams. If he loses out he loses out to Addison. Personally, I might risk Leaving Rob Kearney out put Addision in, that way you bring both Conway & Larmour
@BMJF: for me, if Conan travels then Ruddock loses out as there is no room for both. Murphy’s versatility pretty much assures him of a place. Assuming Toner travels, I see it as a shootout between Kleyn and Beirne. I like Kleyn’s old fashioned style but for a RWC squad, Beirne makes it due to his versatility. Larmour is an edge of the seat player going forward but i just don’t see him making the squad bar an injury to Addison.
@BMJF: never gonna happen
@Andrew Adams: Larmour has that ability but he hasn’t shown it this season unlike last year.
@BMJF: you’re right. I cant see Addison going over Larmour. I think if JS was seriously thinking along those lines he would have given Addison more game time in these warm ups.
@Andrew Adams: Conan not competing with Ruddock… Conan is nailed on.
@Andrew Adams: Larmour is a certainty … a guy who’s played one game in many months and cramped up against a Wales B team isn’t going to replace Larmour!! If you were to risk him anywhere it would be to replace an aging R Kearney but that’s highly unlikely too
@BMJF: I wouldn’t be betting my house on Larmour making it. Far from a certainty.
@BMJF: agree. I can’t see him leaving Larmour behind to bring Farrell. I reckon he’ll bring 5 half backs, 5 back 3, 3 centres and a utility (Addison). That gives him plenty of players who can slot it at 12 or 13.
@BMJF: what has the opposition got to do with a player suffering cramp? By that logic, the starting XV should have finished the game with ease and put up a cricket score. As for Larmour being a certainty…. Sure we’ll soon find out.
@BMJF: Larmour has only delivered against Italy in chicago
@Jim Demps: if you say it enough times it might just happen. The coaching staff have invested a lot of time in Larmour and he’s going to be part of the squad.
I just feel that Addison, is an average player and what you see is all he got :: I was not impressed by him against a poor Walsh team :: any of the players who were picked against England got the hard end of the stick :: England looked like a top team where Wales like a 3 team ::Love the way posters pick players for the WC by comparing how a player played against England (they all played bad) and how their players played against a 3rd tear Wales team :: But joe knows what is up :: and Joe will do the picking not the posters !!
@Andrew Adams: I’d being all 3 (Conan, Ruddock and Murphy) and drop Stander. As a Munster Man, I’ve been disappointed in his bug day performance and to mean shouldn’t travel.
Forwards: Healy, Kilcoyne, Scannel, Best, Cronin, Furlong, Porter, Ryan, Ryan, Henderson, Toner, Beirne, PO’M, VDF, Murphy, Stander, Conan
Backs: Murray, Marmion, McGrath, Sexton, Carty, Carbury, Henshaw, Aki, Ringrose, Kearney, Addisson, Earls, Stockdale, Conway
That would be my best guess anyway. I could see Joe taking Ruddock (who’d be hideously unfortunate to miss out) instead of Conan but, ultimately, that would leave us short at 8. I could also see Larmour travelling instead of Conway but, after yesterday, I think Conway has won that battle. Addisson’s versatillity allows him to cover centre making Farrell miss out and ensuring that Conway travels.
Stand By: McGrath, Herring, Bealham, Kleyn, Ruddock, Cooney, Byrne, Farrell, Larmour.
@Cian Nolan: don’t see how Conway won the battle v Larmour? He had a few moments of magic in first half against a disorganised 2nd welsh team… but he also got turned over twice running into contact when the option was to kick or pass in dangerous parts of the field. One particular occasion was close to our 22 and really poor decision making
@BMJF: Conway can tackle !!!
@BMJF: overall last season I would say Conway out performed Larmour on the whole tho and Larmour hasn’t done much in this warm up campaign to nail is place on the plane tbh. It’s a very tight call if it’s down to one or the other.
@Ian Verdon:Larmour is fantastic. Not saying anything against Conway, they could both easily make the plane. But I’d say Larmour will make his claim this week.
@David: On top form he is, at only 22 he’s already at an impressive level but his form over the last season hasn’t been any better than Conway’s imo. In this warm up period I’ve been more impressed with Conway’s showings than Larmours. Joe may well bring both yet.
@David: Gordon D’arcy’s assessment on Larmour as a winger was pretty damning.
https://www.offtheball.com/rugby/looks-lost-wing-darcy-larmour-899045
He’s a talented player but hasn’t settled into the international game yet.
@Ian Verdon: that would do it for me
@Cian Nolan: there’s no chance of Ruddock going ahead of Conan. If R goes it’s instead of Beirne or Murphy
@Walter Obrien: yeah he can but he gives the ball away too
@Ian Verdon: warm up games don’t decide who’s chosen in the main. Larmour has the experience under Joe and has delivered
@Ian Verdon: maybe but Larmour can cover centre too if called upon
@Rochelle: I’d agree with D’Arcys assessment of Larmour but JS clearly likes him and has invested in him as Murray said. Larmour will travel along with Conway. Addison will miss out
@BMJF: call best for me over larmour going by performances this season. All this X factor talk about larmour or any player annoys the hell out of me. His tendency to look for the gap every time he attacks sometimes leaves us loosing ground and less time for our defence to recover. ( btw I like that he has the confidence to do it but you’ve got to pick and choose when) Conway is way more well rounded
@BMJF: Such nonsense. Honestly, you come out with just flat out incorrect things with a bizarre level of confidence behind them. When has he delivered at international level? His only performance was against Italy, in November in Chicago. And even then the week after he fell apart against Argentina.
And how has he trumped Conway on “experience under Joe”? Both have 15 caps, but Conway has started most of his (9) as oppose to Larmour’s 5 starts. Conway has more tries too, and has only lost once in green.
@Havid Dickey: hate to break it to you but Larmour is traveling mate. There’s no way Schmidt won’t pick him. He trusts Larmour in that 23 slot and it’s fair to say Larmour has been solid when called upon. Everyone is saying Conway is great under the high ball but he was fairly atrocious yesterday, no better than Larmour. And to say Larmour can’t tackle is ridiculous, if you watched last season you would know he started all of Leinster champions cup games and never really looked exposed. Your judging him off one game vs England where the whole team were shambolic. However, I still reckon all of Conway, Larmour and Addison will travel , with Farrell missing out .
@BMJF: they both have the same number of caps albeit Larmour is 6 years Conway’s junior. Most of conways caps have come on the wing whereas Larmour’s are more evenly spread across wing and fb which could give him an edge, he also can cover 13 but if we bring Addison he would certainly go into 13 before Larmour would so that’s not much of a advantage imo. I just feel over the course of the last season and indeed in these warm up games Conway has been more dependable both in attack and defence. Has he been spectacular no but imo he’s impressed more that Larmour. Larmour has the higher ceiling no doubt there but players don’t get picked for that. It’s very close like I said and he may well bring both but as of right now if I had to choose one or the other I’d pick Conway.
@Havid Dickey: and one is 22 years old the other 29
@Cian Nolan: will JS bring three 9’s? Murray nailed on but a toss up between McGrath and Marmion.
Carty can be dodgy defensively.
Would like to see Beirne in the squad in place of Klein. He offers more. Would love to see Ruddock go as I feel he is the best six in the country after POM. Unfortunately for him if Beirne and Murphy travel there is ample six cover. Ruddock is a handy eight. Has done many times for Leinster. Maybe Conan’s / Standers place under threat.
Conway and Addison both deserve a place on the plane maybe at the expense of Larmour. If Addison goes can he afford to bring four centers? If not Farrell misses out.
My 15 for Scotland:-
Addison, Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Stockdale, Sexton, Murray, No 8? See above, JDVF, POM, Ryan,Toner, Furlong, Best, Healy
@Ro Molloy: bench :-
Killer, Cronin, Porter, Beirne, (Conan / Stander/Ruddock), McGrath, Carty, Conway.
@Cian Nolan:
Good set of players :::Conway V Larmond is in question ::joe has invested a lot of time in Larmond so he might get it :: But am a fan of Conway so either is ok with me !!
@Chris Mc: I am not putting one over the other. Just stating that poster’s declaration that Larmour has more experience under Joe than Conway is factually incorrect. Conway has more minutes than Larmour under Joe.
@Chris Mc: and …. Carbery is 23 and Sexton is 34
@Ro Molloy: can’t see him bringing 3 9s since he’s going to have to bring 3 10s with Joey carrying an injury. Be interesting to see who he brings between McGrath and Marmion. I would have said Marmion all day long but he wasn’t great against Wales.
@Fade: Its not fair to say Larmour has been solid at all, in fact he has been extremely dodgy defensively.
Addison should not only travel but play as our starting 15. It was so nice yesterday to see deep kicks punished by a 15 capable of counter attacking and offloading rather than ambled back into contact.
@Rochelle: do you honestly think he’s have got the same return v a good side like England, a full Wales NZ is SA?
Yesterday was a shambles of a welsh side and once they brought on a 10 we as good as we were.
There going to some very disappointed players,The squad won’t be picked on one game v a second string welsh team but over a body of work done over the past few months. Saying that some very good performances helped a few players.
We don’t know what instructions were given and joe won’t be happy with the drop off in the second half.
The 3 big winners yesterday were
Conway – has always played well , Making a break looks great but finding a man in a better position to finish and score is golden. He’s on the plane.
Kilcoyne – was traveling ahead of McGrath but yesterday proves we are once again in the realms of 2 top class loosheads who may well interchange.
Porter – might just have nailed the floating prop role. From Andy Farrell’s point of view he’s part of the future.
@Chris Mc: Conway also makes some stupid decisions and turns ball over in dangerous positions – one particular incident in 2nd half will have infuriated Joe. You’ve also got to look at opposition yesterday
@BMJF: Stop repeating yourself! It’s boring.
@Walter Obrien: Is it?
@Walter Obrien:
Is that an echo ::nothing about the game just the usal Echo::
@Martin Quinn: Spoofer Quinn the 42 Rugby’s “thinks he knows it all because he propped with some 3rds 50 years ago “. Take up a hobby like English Grammar … you know… check out the difference between a colon and a semicolon!
@Walter Obrien:
If you say so :: if I only played for a 3a team it is a hell of a lot more then you ::but we both know I played more but the only part of your knowledge is you live in a great part of the rugby world in Ireland but it is wasted on you :: try something original in your next post ::something about the GAME of Rugby not hitting out at posters (i don’t mine me) who all know more then you ::: Love a colon and a semicolon! they are so smooth :: Now try my suggestion ::OK :::::: ;;;;;
@Walter Obrien: you’d know all about colons alright as you are never done talking through your hoop on this site spewing dung.
Aso addison was brilliant start him all day
@Mark walsh: couldn’t agree more
@Mark walsh:
Lads we were playing against the welsh 3rd team ::do you honestly think he would have done it against that English team ????
@Martin Quinn: that’s a great way to finish off, don’t think I’d like to have a drink with you
@5hbeZh0I:
Hugh that is sad I think we could have a had good time :::
He will definitely travel but Ringrose form has been a bit worrying especially in a defensive capacity. More missed tackles yesterday.
@Kevin: He’s normally so assured in defence,I wonder does it have anything to do with not having earls outside him, maybe he hasn’t the same communication understanding with Conway/Larmour and it’s been a while since he played wing so it can take time to adjust to the offensive and defensive differences between two positions. Hopefully on Saturday he’ll be back to his world class best.
@Ian Verdon: Ringrose is holding back and partly earls too.
@Kevin: he’s a massively overrated player
@Ian Verdon: that missed tackle yesterday had a lot to do with Porter been taken out who had the inside man forcing ringrose inside and then he got caught. Should have been a penalty to Ireland.
@Chris Mc: I wasn’t highlighting a specific missed tackle, I feel his timing and his decision making in defence is a little off, it’s very fixable and as I said reckon a significant part of it is not having earls outside him. He’s not on top form right now that’s for sure but imo the 13 jersey is certainly his.
@Ian Verdon: world class?
@PScald:
And so are you !!!
@Martin Quinn: don’t throw stones in glass houses
@5hbeZh0I:
Ringrose up to these last couple of game was World class but something happened his defence (the best in our backfield for a long time ) has gone down :: but for @PScald: to say he’s a massively overrated player is IMO ridicules but if you follow this page you would know that :: so it has a history myself and @PScald and you can agree with my point or his And thanks for your advice and I will never throw stones in glass houses
Ya have to feel for the lads who are set to miss out. Injury may well get them back in, but some ridiculously tight calls. Delighted to see Addison have a chance as I’m a big fan of his rugby brain. Conway has come on so much and his ability under the high ball might see him sneak past Larmour. Luke McG will be unlucky. I think he’s excellent defensively for a scrum-half and a great communicator. Farrell probably just has not had enough time in green to show his worth, but some of his earlier starts in green were super impressive.
@Brian O’Driscoll: Go back to the celebrity wife and the trophy kids, Brian. You know nought about rugby. Worst pundit ever. You shouldn’t be on the plane! ITV are fools to pay your fare
@Brian O’Driscoll: ability under the high ball?? On yesterday’s evidence, I don’t think he has much
@Fade: He’s on the plane pal !!
@Walter Obrien:
So glad you have a pal :: well done ::
Leave Kearney at home
Must have something on Joe
@Chris Galvin: yeah, our most decorated player ever must definitely have something on Joe…
@Chris Galvin:
Munster FOOL :::
@Martin Quinn: generic fool
@Martin Quinn: Fantastic insight there Spoofer!
@Walter Obrien:
Yes it was but not an echo !!
I have my doubts about Luke McGrath travelling.I’ve funny feeling joe will bring 2 scrumhalves and use carbery as an emergency option.Henshaw has barely played this year and hasnt been seen yet in warm ups.With the cover we have at centre I think he wont go. Earl’s is a worry also, he needs to play next week or risk being cut. With Conways performance yesterday and his flexibility as a back 3 player he should go.Picking the backs is a tough job.i think it will be a 17/14 split that looks like this. Healy,Kilcoyne,Scannell,Best,Cronin,Furlong,Ryan,Porter,Ryan,Toner,Henderson,Beirne,POM,CJ,VDF,Conan,Murphy.
Murray,Marmion,Sexton,Carbery,Carty,Aki,Farrell,Ringrose,Addison,Stockdale,Earl’s,Conway,Larmour,Kearney.
I went with versatility in many positions,especially the backs and lock/Br
@David O’Brien: I agree that he’ll only bring two sh’s initially.I don’t think there will be a player in the 23 that’s named for the match on Saturday that won’t be traveling & Joe has already said Henshaw will be playing in that match so even tho imo it’s a risk I say he’ll be on the plane. After Conway & Addison’s performances yesterday I would like to think they’ll travel. Conway is in top form & Addison can cover 10-15 & at 13&15 especially he’s very good. That leaves potentially Larmour vs Farrell for the last back spot. I don’t think Farrell played that well yesterday yet I don’t think Larmour has done much this warm up campaign but Joe has invested a lot of time into Larmour over the past year or so. It’s such a tight call. I would be hesitant not to bring 4 out & out centers tho.
@Ian Verdon: I’m very worried about Henshaw,Earl’s, Carbery and Sextons injury record right now. They have all been out for long stints this season.there are just too many important fellas injured or carrying injuries right now. We need to be ready to go against Scotland with our strongest team. Rotation after that to get everyone gametime and up to speed.I feel that it is a throw of the dice between Farrell and Henshaw and right now Farrell is shading it,even after yesterday’s lacklustre performance. He covers centre and wing while the Henshaw experiment at FB backfired badly. I’m really happy I’m not Schmidt making these calls. Who ever he picks I’ll be right behind them.
One of the strangest decisions so far is tht he hasn’t used ruddock or TOD in the warm up games.
@Ian Verdon: I think he brings 3 scrum halves due to Murray’s injury profile and lack of form.
If he isn’t fit and playing well do we really want Carbery as back up 9 against NZ? Carbery is also carrying an injury.
That’s why they should pick the squad after this weeks game when guys like Murray, Best, Henshaw, Earls, Healy, Carbery etc can hopefully show that they are firing on all cylinders.
They are not in a position to pick the squad yet IMO.
Too many lingering questions.
I think Joe is trying to do an Eddie Jones in naming it early!
@David O’Brien: Does Farrell cover wing? I have never seen him play there tbh. If Henshaw is indeed named in the 23 especially if he’s down to start he’ll travel. Yes it’s a risk brining players that are potentially not 100% but all teams will be in the same host in that regard after these warm up games. I would include Farrell myself and omit Larmour as of right now but I don’t see Joe doing that. He’s a massive fan of larmours and yes Larmour has such a high ceiling but I don’t think he’s produced enough b the warm up campaign.
@Oran Burns: The squad has to be sent in by tmo afternoon I am pretty sure. You could well be right re the 3 sh’s and Oh’s but I think an extra center or versatile b3 player is a better option. Can’t be too caught up worrying about potential injuries.
@David O’Brien: Sorry in terms of the Rhys and TOD game time. I find Rhys’s lack of game time perplexing as he’s been in great form for Leinster and covers all the b3(7 not his natural position tho) TOD was Ireland’s 4th choice 7 at best coming into this. I say Joe would start Murphy, Pom and possibly cj ahead of him but having said that I thought he went very well against Italy albeit a very weak Italian side. Possibly both haven’t been doing enough in training, compared to others who are we to know.
@Ian Verdon: just checked, Sept 8th is the deadline for submitting WC squads.
@Oran Burns: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/rugby/ireland-will-keep-options-open-as-regards-rugby-world-cup-squad-until-bitter-end-andy-farrell-942819.html
He must submit the 31 man squad to World rugby tmo and to the media etc on the 8th. Hence why anyone involved in the final game will be on the plane one would imagine.
@Ian Verdon: he played there quite abit out in France before switching to centre. He was used on the right wing mostly in his first season. He can move for a big lad.
@David O’Brien: Ah ok but he’s never done it for Munster or for Joe so I highly doubt Joe is considering him as a wing option tbh. I like him as a 12 mostly. He’s great at stepping in as first receiver and has lovely subtle hands
@Ian Verdon: he might use Ringrose at out half as he played there in school!
@Oran Burns:
”
“I think he brings 3 scrum halves”
I read that they have to put their Squad in this week before the weekend so next week game will mean nothing to the picking of the Squad
@Oran Burns:
Sept 8th
Thanks Oran :: interesting regarding the game next week as it is on
Sept 7th
@Martin Quinn: what’s your point? He’s not saying the match is on the 8th. Your understanding of basic conversation is about as good as your grammar colon colon
@5hbeZh0I:
Thanks for your interest Hugh ::::
We will be picking a team for next week but it will have no effect on who will be on our squad to Japan :: It will just be for the public’s interest as Joes list will already gone in :: Let me think Hugh yes that it :: if you need anything else please let me know ::again thanks for your interest !!……………..
@Martin Quinn: Are you feeling OK? Might be worth seeing someone, I don’t think you’re mentally well
Of course there’s a possibility Sexton, Earls & Henshaw don’t travel if injured
Really dont get the hype about Jordi Murphy hes a decent player and obviously versatile but no more than that. Hes not going to make an impact world cup and I feel you would be leaving out better players. I think with O Mahony playing well yesterday at 7 I think they will bring both Kleyn and Beirne. Beirne can cover 6 and has played 8. We will have 2 No 8 anyway in Stander and Conan. So it’s only 6 and 7 and think with Beirne you can have him and O Mahony for 6 and O Mahony and JVDF for 7.
@Martin McCarthy: that is an option but with Pom and josh likely to be in the starting br that means one of them will have to play every game if we have no other 7 cover included. If Murphy is in the squad he can be played at 7 or 6 against Japan ,Russia or Samoa and possibly in 2 of those teams. I wouldn’t want pom or josh playing every game.
@Martin McCarthy: stander won’t start now in the big games, hasn’t played well for a while.Conan by far the better 8
@Martin McCarthy: Jordi was probably MOTM when Ireland beat New Zealand in Chicago. He has never let Ireland down unlike some of the bigger names in the back row.
@Lapmo Dancer: never? We watch the last time we played a World Cup quarter final
@Martin McCarthy: I agree with you. I’ve never really rated Murphy as anything other than a decent stop gap. I think that the fact that Joe switched POM to 7 against Wales rather than play TOD a natural 7 or Murphy who plays mostly at 7 shows his thinking and neither will travel.
@Lapmo Dancer: Jordi only played a few minutes of that game…he got injured and was replaced by jvdf, who also had a fantastic game.
Ah just get on with Joe!! Unfortunately There’ll be injuries between now & the plane so 31 picked tomorrow won’t be 31 going
So what team does Joe pick next week agai St Wales. Surely it’s time to see the likes of sexton, Henshaw, earls etc. You just cant turn up against Scotland if you haven’t put in the minutes on the pitch.
What’s out best 15 right now?
@Paul Hogan: who knows what work they have done in training. Joey has been injured for a massive part of the end of last season and 35 minutes back he’s injured again, so on your reckoning he shouldn’t travel either.
My World Cup squad…thoughts 17-14 split. No ruddock (Jordi versatility wins, 2 scrum halves).
Cian Healy, Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, John Ryan
HOOKERS (3)
Rory Best, Niall Scannell, Sean Cronin
LOCKS (4)
James Ryan, Devin Toner, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne
BACK ROW (5)
Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy, Jack Conan
SCRUM-HALVES (2)
Conor Murray, Kieran Marmion
OUT-HALVES (3)
Johnny Sexton, Jack Carty, Joey Carbery
MIDFIELD (4)
Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Will Addison
BACK THREE (5)
Keith Earls, Jacob Stockdale, Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway
@Danger: could be it. I would like Ruddock over Murphy and I think Joe might go with Farrell over Addison but otherwise I think you’re on the money.
This is where we’re going to see the true blue joe. Any non leinster players won’t be picked fairly. From a munster point of view Killer, Ryan, Beirne, Conway, Klyen are in all likelihood going to be left home. It was always how he worked, don’t see him changing now!
@Kevin O’brien: Yawn
@Kevin O’brien: not Jan Kleyn, surely? We need all the muscle we can get
@Kevin O’brien: you need serious help if you think a coach is going to pick players for a World Cup ( his last with Ireland) because he coached the club they player for 5 years ago.
Leinster have had the largest amount of players in the Irish squad simply because they as a club have been by a very long way the best team in the country, league titles and hineken cups to prove it.
Look don’t watch international rugby if you don’t support your country and stick with your club because that’s all you see.
@Kevin O’brien:
When you read back your post do you not realize how BIAS your Posts are ??
Of course you do and you do it with a smile on your face !!!
@Kevin O’brien: yes, Joe a New Zealander is going to feck up his legacy as an international coach so that he can be “loyal” to a team he coached for a few years but otherwise has no ties to. Please delete your account. I had my account suspended for less nonsense than that.
Great win, but bigger test against their 1st team next week… and it has to be Conway.Zebo any one? Don’t have to like him, but has the x factor.
@running man: we scraped a win against a second string team
I hope he makes the Best selection possible.
@Brian Farrell: by not selecting best?
My guess
3 hookers: Best, Scannell, Cronin
If Herring was going to travel, he would’ve played yesterday. Best will go as touring captain, but Scannell could start.
5 props: Healy, Kilcoyne, Furlong, Ryan, Porter
If Healy is fit, McGrath misses out to Kilcoyne.
4 locks: Toner, Ryan, Henderson, Kleyn
I don’t think Kleyn has done anything to really warrant inclusion, but Schmidt really likes his ‘bulk’. I think Roux would be a better choice since he also calls lineouts, but sinn é.
5 back rows: O’Mahony, van der Flier, Stander, Conan, Beirne/Murphy
I think O’Donnell and Ruddock are missing out, by virtue of the “would’ve played yesterday” logic. Beirne/Murphy decision depends on how convinced Schmidt was by O’Mahony at 7. If he’s convinced, Beirne goes, otherwise it’s Murphy.
@ScewMadd: 2 scrum-halves: Murray, Marmion
Risky, but it seems to be Schmidt’s thinking that he can get by with two. Marmion has been the clear back up since Reddan retired.
3 out-halves: Sexton, Carbery, Carty
I think Schmidt would’ve taken two if Sexton and Carbery were fully fit. Carty goes ahead of Byrne.
4 centres: Ringrose, Henshaw, Aki, Farrell
If anyone’s at risk here, it’s Farrell. Could be dropped to make room for a sixth back row player.
5 back three: Kearney, Stockdale, Earls, Addison, Conway
I think Larmour is going to miss out, unfortunately. Really like him. Addison is a better centre though and Conway is more of a classic Schmidt winger.
@ScewMadd:
Joe has put a lot of time into Larmour so you could see him going :: Addison and Farrell are the ones who will be the most under pressure!!
@Martin Quinn: have you heard of a full stop?
@5hbeZh0I:
HUGH you are right :: if I was writing a letter I would use all those funny little squgles between the words but posting on here I just like the “::::: ” it helps my flow :: but thanks for noting my mistakes and giving me the opportunity to explain …………………………………..!!!!
Joe still needs this week’s game to make a few final changes for sure. There will be some players on next weekend that did not play this week that are go to shine and others that will not. The Wales team will step it up aswell don’t forget.
@David: he will have the squad picked and submitted tomorrow. It will only be made public next week
@David: suggest you read the article.
@Tony O’Sullivan: thanks Tony. Any other input there.
Why not do short straw long straw? That’s far more exciting and nobody gets blamed. You pull the long straw and you’re going to the World Cup. Pull the short straw and you will be watching it in tv. Obviously now you’d have to do a few separate ones or your could end up with all backs in your team but besides that the idea is as solid as a marshmallow! I wonder can you get commission for coming up with these gems?
I have a feeling he’s going to have a horrible couple of months
@5hbeZh0I:
That is a great way to finish off :: Don’t think we would like to have a drink with you !!
@Martin Quinn: I’m OK with that. It’s not my fault the team peaked 18 months ago. If anything we have a better chance as underdogs
@Martin Quinn: you might want to have your schizophrenia looked into
@5hbeZh0I: Hahahahaha!
@Walter Obrien: he really does come across as mentally unwell
I struggle telling folks on tinder I’m not interested, I can’t imagine the difficulty Schmitt has on his hands telling the folks who ain’t made it they ain’t going
@BMJF: but he can defend. he’s a great tackler technically and tactically and larmour is neither.