McFadden and or Jones are further behind pecking order than Fitz or Trimble with possibility of Bowe, Fitz and to a lesser extent Trible for centre
I’d have Trimble ahead of Earls on the wing myself. Think he is a far more developed player and offers a lot more. I think Bowe is a nailed on starter all right and deservedly so.
Would really like to see Kidney try and develop some combinations that aren’t tried at provincial level in these games as opposed to just giving fellas game time. Difficult balancing act between giving everyone game time and trying things out but I fear we are concentrating a little too much on the latter and too little on the former.
I have to disagree Larry. I’m talking about positions. Jones is the 2nd choice full back and will travel unless Kidney decides to bring just one 15. McFadden is seen by Kidney to be the centre cover and will travel as as well unless he has a disaster this weekend. Earls was brilliant in the 6 nations and is finally becoming the top player he threatend to be. He would be my first winger on the team sheet.
Assuming Kidney is going with a 16-14 split which it looks like with the teams he is trying.
3 scrumhalves
3 outhalfs including Wallace
Bowe, Earls, BOD, Darcy and Kearney are certainties.
That leaves 3 places with McFadden getting the cover for centre.
Jones cover for fullback.
Trimble or Fitz for the last spot, in which Trimble should get.
Of course and I said it above, it would be different if Kidney decides just to bring one fullback and McFadden has a nightmare Saturday, which could be a big posibility.
I thought Darcy was out
He will be back for the last warm up game. Thank God.
Larry Trimble doesn’t offer more than Earls on the wing, he brings something different, but certainly nothing more.
I can’t believe Wallace is still considered for Irish teams. We can’t play against a top level team with him in the squad.
He offers more in terms of recent international form but you’re right that it’s more a contrast in styles than a gap in quality.
I too would be astonished if Trimble didn’t make the squad. I don’t see Jones as the second choice full back at the moment. He hasn’t even got a run out there yet, he’s a fine talent but I think Kidney would prefer proven quality and versatility.
Ah Trimble will definitely go. I would like to see Jones go ahead of Murphy anyway if there was such a choice. I’d like to see him get some game time though obviously, but i think he will.
I suppose Wallace has to travel as a 3rd out half, if anything else. If we didn’t bring Wallace, and Sexton got injured in the first game, and was out for 2 games. We would have a big dilemma, bring Wallace over as his replacement, meaning Sexton can’t play anymore. Or take a chance with O’Gara being the only recognised out half for 2 games and hoping he doesn’t get an injury. I suppose by deafult Wallace has to go.
Ya, maybe i see your point Anto on bringing him. but he’s being played in the centre quite alot, thats what i don’t get. He is not up to it Internationally. But i think you could say that about a few of our players, certainly at the highest level of it.
Its quite worrying from a long term perspective that we haven’t got any ready made replacements in the centre. I think Spence should have been involved even if he was never going to travel. Players with potential need exposure.
Spence would have been involved only for injury, kev
Wallace is more than up to it Kev. He played well again on Saturday and was our best player on tour only last year need we forget. Sexton plays very well when Wallace is outside him too imo. The O’Gara, Wallace combination doesn’t work though. I think Wallace is a pure 12 but he’ll be third choice outhalf all right. Spence has been form centre for past year. Real pity he is injured. He would have done very well imo.
What’s the story with calling up replacements when there are injuries? Can you add to the squad automatically when someone gets injured or how does it work?
I have no real strong opinions on Wallace he does a job, thats about it. I taught he wasn’t great Saturday got caught out of position a few times. Himself and O’Gara will have to be up to it saturday as their channel will be pounded all day. TOL will be badly missed in this sense.
Their is no way Kidney would have looked at Spence even if he wasn’t injured, it’s just not him. Eoin O’Malley and Danny Barnes will be the long term 12-13, Barnes is going to be a serious player.
Better explained with an example. Just say Kearney gets injured and is out for the rest of the tournament, he can be replaced, him out and another in. If Kearney gets injured say for a game or two, you have a decision to make. You can replace him with a player outside the 30, but Kearney wouldn’t be allowed to play again, as he would be dropped from the squad. 2.Don’t replace him and wait till he gets better.
England -4 against Wales tomorrow looks a good bet. I can’t see Wales front 5 containing England. Ashton and Foden should see plenty good ball to win this with a bit to spare. Wales are taking a big chance on sun tan boy in the centre. How many chances is he going to get.
Ah Lads i didn’t realise that.
I disagree, and going on a summer tour is a big difference to the World Cup. All 3 SH teams would eat ROG and Wallace alive. TOL won’t do at this level either when it comes to it. Its going to be a wicked pace against the top 3. I’d be worried about David Wallace as well. We have the bones of a serious back row well up to it if they stay fit, but thats the key.
Watching the 2 games in Tri Nations so far makes you wonder how the NH teams will get near it, even France. England will possibly grind out a decent performance, but thats it.
Paddy Power must love this forum[quote=“Anto, post: 588384”]
England -4 against Wales tomorrow looks a good bet. I can’t see Wales front 5 containing England. Ashton and Foden should see plenty good ball to win this with a bit to spare. Wales are taking a big chance on sun tan boy in the centre. How many chances is he going to get.
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Sid what are your thoughts on Englands chances for the WC now? If I recall you were quite bullish before on them.
You’d have to wonder about Declan Kidney. The man is completely out of his depth.