Geordan out - Who-T-F in?

[hugonaut]

Just to be clear, I really rate Earls as a winger - he's a smashing finisher with tons of pace and a useful footballer. Not quite sold on him as a 13 at the moment, although it's still early in his career [he should have another 7-8 years in front of him] and if he gets the right coaching – and unfortunately there's no sign of that happening with either Dutchy or Gaffney – he could turn into a quality international 13.

Like Luke, I see no real reason to consider him an international 15. Good in the air? No. A big boot? Not especially so. Great positioning? Hasn't played there enough to tell, and thus probably not. Tackling? Probably pretty decent, but doesn't fill you will confidence like a Matt Burke, Leon McDonald or Latho would. He's also undersized for a fullback, in my opinion [180cm, 90kg] – not a deal-breaker, but not immaterial either.

While I would never dispute Chris Cullen's brilliance, I'm more a Chris Latham kind of fullback. I think Kearney has to improve on two aspects of his game - one with the ball, and one without the ball. Obviously the first one is passing at pace, and the second one is tackling on his right [I think it's his right, anyway!] shoulder. He gets an awful lot of stick for a guy who has absolutely proven himself as a fullback, in my opinion.

[ronk]

That's basically the state we're in. 3 young players with huge amounts of raw talent but all with similar-ish flaws to their game. They do the hardest stuff well and fall down on comparatively basic stuff, largely because they've been so good at those other things that they've never needed to develop those aspects of their game.

Luke has the least obvious flaws and probably requires the most subtle changes. He needs to get out there and finish moves off as well as start them, he drifts out of games, at times he overcomplicates things. He can pass well but he's only scratched the surface of what he's capable of, he needs to stop settling. I'm beginning to form an impression that he's changing his style to become more like Nacewa, but he's still got the execution wrong. Nacewa has this brilliant side step (of sorts) where he drags the defence around and sets up a relatively simple step at speed. It's a zig-zag that doesn't involve a huge change of direction. Luke gets much closer to the tacklers and then attempts huge changes of direction that require a lot of acceleration coming out of them. It has its place as a move and not many players can do it as well as he can, but by not keeping his speed and forward progress Nacewa is more likely to not get caught be covering defenders. Kearney should be doing this too, if he develops that part of his counter-attack he will be even more troublesome. I'd also think it will make him a better defender.

If Ireland were trying to convert a chance by exploiting space in the corner before the defence resets, I'd want Luke inside setting up Earls outside. They each need to learn to do vice-versa: Luke to stay wide like a natural winger, Earls to straighten, draw and pop. There's a time and place for switch moves and cut-inside steps, but both players overuse them to the point where defences are catching them too easily. I also have this half expectation of seeing one cut inside while the other switches. It's just coaching, it's fixable, they've all developed their games considerably. Bowe was the same when at Ulster.

[Peg Leg]

Again, my own slight changes to the team Hugo named.
I think if Wallace doesn't start, he doesn't make the bench. Leamy, along with those starting, offers us more options from the bench I think.
I'd give McFadden a shot from the bench too, anywhere in the centre or the wings. See how he goes. He'd definitely be able to do a job against the Italians. Fitz has some work to do to gain back his automatic right to be in the squad. I'm sure he'll get there with gametime, but I'm still undecided where his actual best position is.

I don't think Leamy is in good form at all Ruck, to be honest. Wally is still capable of giant hand-off fest runs and dragging nineteen lads over the line on his back ... just has more to offer [in my opinion] than Leamy, especially if you're looking for something a bit special. Although I can see exactly where you're coming from, obviously.

By the way, do you think Earls looks back to full-fitness, and pace, since his return? I'm not so sure.

I agree in principal, however Ferris is a bit of a schizo in terms of strength ie. he will run through brick walls all day but will probably twist an ankle that'll keep him out of the remainder of the 6N... so I think Leamys versatility would be a better option at 19 with a run out on 60mins or so!!

[CiaranIrl]

Again, my own slight changes to the team Hugo named.
I think if Wallace doesn't start, he doesn't make the bench. Leamy, along with those starting, offers us more options from the bench I think.
I'd give McFadden a shot from the bench too, anywhere in the centre or the wings. See how he goes. He'd definitely be able to do a job against the Italians. Fitz has some work to do to gain back his automatic right to be in the squad. I'm sure he'll get there with gametime, but I'm still undecided where his actual best position is.

I don't think Leamy is in good form at all Ruck, to be honest. Wally is still capable of giant hand-off fest runs and dragging nineteen lads over the line on his back ... just has more to offer [in my opinion] than Leamy, especially if you're looking for something a bit special. Although I can see exactly where you're coming from, obviously.

By the way, do you think Earls looks back to full-fitness, and pace, since his return? I'm not so sure.

I agree in principal, however Ferris is a bit of a schizo in terms of strength ie. he will run through brick walls all day but will probably twist an ankle that'll keep him out of the remainder of the 6N... so I think Leamys versatility would be a better option at 19 with a run out on 60mins or so!!

Yeah, but Wallace on the bench means Sean O'Brien to 6 and Wallace to 7, which is better I reckon.

[Scott]

From IT

Murphy set to miss rest of the season

Rugby: Geordan Murphy’s season appears to be over amid reports that the Ireland international not only damaged ankle ligaments but also broke a bone in his foot last weekend. Leicester have yet to confirm the news but expect to make a statement later this afternoon.


Murphy was stretchered off towards the end of the Tigers win over Northampton on Saturday with early indications suggesting he had suffered a dislocated ankle. While that injury would have kept him on the sidelines for up to six weeks, a broken bone will take considerably longer to heal.

Damaged ligaments will only compound the problem and the fullback, who now faces on operation on the broken bone, is set miss the entire Six Nations campaign. The 32-year-old visited specialists earlier in the week and underwent a number of scans on the injury. A spokesman for Leicester said they expect to announce details of the injury later today.

The news, if confirmed, adds to Declan Kidney’s problems ahead of the Six Nations. With Rob Kearney already ruled out, and Gavin Duffy struggling to recover from a knee injury, Kidney has precious little options at fullback.

Leinster’s Luke Fitzgerald is the obvious candidate to start in what he considers his favourite position but he has failed to nail down that role at provincial level with Isa Nacewa favoured by coach Joe Schmidt.

[Scott]

Not good news. Really feel for him. Am a huge fan and hoped he would get a good run in the WC. Unlikely to even be involved now.

Whats the latest on RK? The last official word i remember was he was out for 6weeks. Thats obviously not the most up to date. Is he due back mid 6ns?

[Vamos los azules]

Whats the latest on RK? The last official word i remember was he was out for 6weeks. Thats obviously not the most up to date. Is he due back mid 6ns?

6 months was the estimate back in December after he had had the op but the media seem to be giving the impression that he could be back during the 6 Nations so maybe something has changed in the meantime. Haven't seen anything official though. The last time he was mentioned in one of the Leinster squad updates they said "a few months" - which could mean anything.

[fourthirtythree]

Yeah, but Wallace on the bench means Sean O'Brien to 6 and Wallace to 7, which is better I reckon.

Much better option than Leamy on the pitch. He has been in decent form, but we've seen what he does at international level, and it's time to move on.

[Broken Wing]

Geordan on Drivetime now saying he hopes to be available for the RWC squad but his season is pretty much over unless Leicester are still active in May.

Surgery on Friday week and then try to get back to training as quickly as possible.

[Isaac4leinster]

Staunton to 15 t'fcuk.

[hugonaut]

A strong game from Wallace and very little other than biff and niggle from Leamy – in a way, I was delighted to see the distinction between the two drawn so clearly within the 80 minutes. Wallace has better discipline, is a better athlete and a better footballer ... there should be no way that he is overlooked in favour of Leamy for a place in the matchday squad.

O'Connell nowhere near his imperious best, but sure lasted for a long time. If not hugely positive, at least a small positive. Hayes started quite brightly I felt, but the Munster scrum again struggled against a fairly non-vintage front five. O'Callaghan poor, indisciplined and ineffective for a guy with 65 Irish caps – on the back of Tuohy and Cullen's good performances at the weekend, his place should really be under pressure.

Similarly, Varley's game in the loose – which I thought was extremely impressive in the first half of the season – is beginning to look a lot more limited. Get the ball, look for somebody to run into, run into them. I had him far more neck and neck with Cronin than most people, but I was obviously wrong, or at least have now changed my opinion.

Very few bright sparks or people putting up their hand from Munster today, bar one of the oldest guys on their side in David Wallace. Stringer was outplayed in every single aspect of the game by Mignoni, a guy pretty much physically identical in terms of size and age. O'Leary might have been a better bet from the off – easy to say in hindsight – because Munster's backplay is so limited under Holland that it doesn't matter if ROG gets the quickest pass in the world to work with; but that's not necessarily going to be the same with Sexton, O'Driscoll and Bowe outside in a green jersey.

[gfo]

Knowing Deccie & his blinkers, Earls is probably his prime candidate to assume the position.

Or Mick O'Driscoll

[CRAZYDAVE]

Knowing Deccie & his blinkers, Earls is probably his prime candidate to assume the position.

Or Mick O'Driscoll

Where the F... is Anthony Foley when you need him

[Dave Cahill]

No one has mentioned Adam D'Arcy. Might be an option.

[Isaac4leinster]

I presume considering he has been picked for the Irish squad consistently Gavin Duffy must be in line to start. I completely forgot about hi, If he doesn't get picked it would make his selection in 30 man squads over the last 5 years look ridiculous.

I haven't seen that much of him this season but he meant to playing great stuff.

[Armchair]

I presume considering he has been picked for the Irish squad consistently Gavin Duffy must be in line to start. I completely forgot about hi, If he doesn't get picked it would make his selection in 30 man squads over the last 5 years look ridiculous.

I haven't seen that much of him this season but he meant to playing great stuff.

I thought he was being overlooked because he was injured?

[Felipe-fan09]

Knowing Deccie & his blinkers, Earls is probably his prime candidate to assume the position.

Or Mick O'Driscoll

What about John Hayes? He doesn't have any of the main skills for full-back, but having a FB who can lift in the lineout is invaluable, and he should be put in any position necessary so we can hold onto that asset.

[Leinsterman]

No one has mentioned Adam D'Arcy. Might be an option.

Does he have an Irish passport?

[Isaac4leinster]

I presume considering he has been picked for the Irish squad consistently Gavin Duffy must be in line to start. I completely forgot about hi, If he doesn't get picked it would make his selection in 30 man squads over the last 5 years look ridiculous.

I haven't seen that much of him this season but he meant to playing great stuff.

Not as far as i was aware and he was named in the squad, though maybe he is

[Dave Cahill]

No one has mentioned Adam D'Arcy. Might be an option.

Does he have an Irish passport?

Yep, came over with one (according to all the news reports at the time)