Was McLaughlin at the top table? Because if so that was the first days conference I’d imagine?
Thats it so, we were watching the Italy announcement.
Surprised at the Sexton omission so.
MBB had us Mac, the coont. 
Rugby football is the heartbeat of the nation and our country has now stopped for breath until we get clarity on this team.
If only I could claim this as a ballhop, but alas nae. I took my link from here http://www.irishrugby.ie/10735_19663.php
MBB - you’re some cunt boy
Its a fucking mess Bandage.
In fairness, it would have been the ballhop of all ballhops. To even get fellas arguing about the merits of selection. Classic.
according to RTE
Stephen Ferris - spot left open for Ulster blindside Ireland have brought Keith Earls into the team to play France and there is still a chance that Stephen Ferris could make the starting XV for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash in Paris.
Munster flyer Earls replaces Andrew Trimble on the left wing while the blindside flanker spot has been left open.
Kevin McLaughlin, who started there against Italy, and Sean O’Brien have both been named among nine replacements in the squad announced today, making a squad of 24. Trimble is also among the subs.
The squad will have to be trimmed to 22 and with Ferris not among the back-up players named that means two men will have to come out. Ferris trained with the Ireland team today but has been restricted by injury since Ulster’s Heineken Cup Round Six victory over bath on 23 January.
Final decisions on Ferris and the composition of the replacements bench are to be made on Thursday.
Leo Cullen has been named in the starting XV alongside Paul O’Connell. Donncha O’Callaghan, originally named in the side to face Italy but subsequently ruled out, has not been named in the squad. Munster team-mate Donnacha Ryan set to continue on the bench.
O’Callaghan has struggled with an injury in recent days and has definitely been ruled out of the squad.
As expected, the starting front row from the Italy game is retained with Cian Healy, Jerry Flannery and John Hayes set to start again. Marcus Horan still on the comeback trail after his two month absence from the game due to a minor heart problem.
Ulster duo Rory Best and Tom Court will provide cover from the bench at hooker and prop respectively.
In the back-row, Ferris or McLaughlin will line out alongside David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip.
Half-back pair Ronan O’Gara and Tomás O’Leary also keep their places after assured displays against Italy. Jonathan Sexton is brought into the nine-man replacement line-up. Leinster out-half Jonathan Sexton has also been named on the bench.
Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll continue at full-back, right wing and in the centres.
The trimming of the squad could see Ferris named at six and two of the replacements dropped from the 22.
One back and one forward is likely to be taken out of the mix with either O’Brien and McLaughlin likely to miss out as Ryan supplies cover at second row and can also play at number six.
In the backs, Sexton could miss out as he does not cover as many positions as Wallace.
But Ireland have the scope to mix and match in the backline and accomodate could Sexton if they want, meaning Wallace or Trimble could also miss out.
Ireland team to play France in the RBS 6 Nations at Stade de France, Saturday at 5.30pm:
15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 - Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 - A.N.Other
7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)
Replacements:
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Just out curiousity lads, how many people did you pass the team onto before this was righted? :lol:
fuck me pink!
so whats the team?
Sexton being left out is an absolute joke. Let’s go back to the guy who’s been shit in Paris for years because he was competent against Italy at home. So much for building for the next World Cup too. Kidney’s position will be untenable if this pans out like recent Irish performances in Paris with O’Gara in the side.
The real official team:
15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 - Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
9 - Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster)
4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 - A.N.Other
7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)
with reflection, this is funny as fuck!
well done all. 
Just here.
Ya it is, it was funny for me at the time of realisation as well.
Would have probably gone for Trimble ahead of Earls and would certainly have gone for Wallace ahead of Darcy. Ferris’ fitness will be important but I’d say odds are against him making it. Cullen starting at lock was the correct call regardless of whether or not DOC was fit or not.
Larry is the only Rugby poster on here who doesn’t let his provincial bias show
But sure some on here still appear to think there is some sort of quota system where Ulster players have to start. Beyond ridiculous really.
:lol: Larry would have big Davy back if he could.