The Ireland Depth Project. Pt 1 Front Row

[johng]

So. I thought it might be entertaining to start a quest for depth across all the provinces and beyond.

I have thrown in a few to start. The plan is to accumulate as many names as possible. Then discuss what order they should be in. (which could change as the season moves on)

Then eventually put it all together with several options in every position.

I have just thrown in the obvious ones. Tend to leave out uncapped over 30 players.

1 Healy.....Kilcoyne.....McGrath.....Court.....D Buckley.....Wilkinson.....Black.....Cronin
2 Best.....Strauss.....Cronin.....Sherry.....Varley.....Harris-Wright.....Herring.....Dundon.....Annett
3 Ross.....White*.....Hagan.....Archer.....Fitzpatrick.....Bent.....Loughney.....Lutton.....Moore.....Andress.....T Buckley.....McAllister

*Qualifies at the end of the season.

Updated. 23/9/13 Plenty of room for players like Cronin and Moore to go up the charts as the season progresses.

[simonokeeffe]

So. I thought it might be entertaining to start a quest for depth across all the provinces and beyond.

I have thrown in a few to start. The plan is to accumulate as many names as possible. Then discuss what order they should be in. (which could change as the season moves on)

Then eventually put it all together with several options in every position.

I have just thrown in the obvious ones. Tend to leave out uncapped over 30 players.

1 Healy.....Kilcoyne.....Court.....McGrath.....D Buckley.....Wilkinson.....Black.....Cotter
2 Best.....Strauss.....Cronin.....Sherry.....Varley.....Harris-Wright.....Herring.....Dundon.....Annett
3 Ross.....Fitzpatrick.....Bent.....Archer.....Loughney.....Lutton.....Moore.....White*.....Andress.....T Buckley.....McAllister

*Qualifies at the end of the season.

McGrath ahead of Court going by training squad
Bent down one too and I would say Archer and Hagan 2 and 3 in no particular order

[johng]

How could I forget Hagan....So soon. Don't rate Dekkie Fitz then?

[Morf]

Don't rate Dekkie Fitz then?

He's broken again, isn't he?

[Xanthippe]

How could I forget Hagan....So soon. Don't rate Dekkie Fitz then?

How indeed John, how indeed

[johng]

Was wondering how long it would take you.

Out of sight eh? Is he injured also? I was wondering how the new scrum laws would suit him.

[johng]

Don't rate Dekkie Fitz then?

He's broken again, isn't he?

Is he? Got hurt v Connacht?

He seems decent between injuries. If those periods were just a bit longer....

[Morf]

Don't rate Dekkie Fitz then?

He's broken again, isn't he?

Is he? Got hurt v Connacht?

He seems decent between injuries. If those periods were just a bit longer....

Ricky Lutton came on at prop for the injured Declan Fitzpatrick just before half-time, but there was still sufficient time for a final attack from Ulster, and a well-worked drive from the lineout got Iain Henderson to within a metre of the line before the young second row unfortunately knocked on under a heavy Connacht tackle.

From the Ulster Rugby match report.

[Morf]

Don't rate Dekkie Fitz then?

He's broken again, isn't he?

Is he? Got hurt v Connacht?

He seems decent between injuries. If those periods were just a bit longer....

Decent? He's never fit long enough to get "fit". Makes Ross look like Afoa.

Can lock out a scrum on his day.

[Munsterboy]

So. I thought it might be entertaining to start a quest for depth across all the provinces and beyond.

I have thrown in a few to start. The plan is to accumulate as many names as possible. Then discuss what order they should be in. (which could change as the season moves on)

Then eventually put it all together with several options in every position.

I have just thrown in the obvious ones. Tend to leave out uncapped over 30 players.

1 Healy.....Kilcoyne.....Court.....McGrath.....D Buckley.....Wilkinson.....Black.....Cotter
2 Best.....Strauss.....Cronin.....Sherry.....Varley.....Harris-Wright.....Herring.....Dundon.....Annett
3 Ross.....Fitzpatrick.....Bent.....Archer.....Loughney.....Lutton.....Moore.....White*.....Andress.....T Buckley.....McAllister

*Qualifies at the end of the season.

James Cronin is ahead of Cotter at Munster. Very good start to the season and may challenge Kilcoyne for his place before long. Bent would be a long way down that pecking order at this stage, there are several better options.

[johng]

James Cronin is ahead of Cotter at Munster. Very good start to the season and may challenge Kilcoyne for his place before long. Bent would be a long way down that pecking order at this stage, there are several better options.

Sorry I mixed up Cotter and Cronin. Was Cronin I meant to put in.

Re Bent. Yes he would appear to be in freefall for Leinster and Ireland. Hope he gets a chance to prove himself one way or another this season.

I put him so high based on the fact that he parachuted straight in and also the lack of options generally at TH.

I will edit the OP to reflect suggestions. (Which is the point of the thread in the first place)

Anyone got any front row players that are missing? Or could do a job?

[simonokeeffe]

Declan Fitzpatrick is a bit 'week too soon' for my liking

[rooster]

Declan Fitzpatrick is a bit 'week too soon' for my liking

I would put Ricky Lutton ahead of him, at least he busts a gut on the pitch and is more reliable.

[simonokeeffe]

Declan Fitzpatrick is a bit 'week too soon' for my liking

I would put Ricky Lutton ahead of him, at least he busts a gut on the pitch and is more reliable.

Tom Crean would be more reliable than Declan Fitzpatrick in terms of injury

[jezzer]

McAllister not a LHP?

[johng]

McAllister not a LHP?

He is, but was supposed to be switching to TH this season. I reckon they had a re-think under the new scrum laws. emphasis engagement sequence.

[JB1973]

can anyone here tell me why there are so many good loose heads around but so good few tight heads?
Why is one propping position so much harder than the other?

[Morf]

can anyone here tell me why there are so many good loose heads around but so good few tight heads?
Why is one propping position so much harder than the other?

Very much a different skillset and physiological make-up.

See the Georgians and the possibly top 4 THPs in the world. (slight exaggeration possibly)

[johng]

can anyone here tell me why there are so many good loose heads around but so good few tight heads?
Why is one propping position so much harder than the other?

Scrum force is all on the shoulders of a TH. He has a man on each shoulder where a lose head has only one shoulder in and has the help of the hooker.

That's why a TH has to be so big and ideally have narrower shoulders to givethe opposing lh and hooker less of a target.

[Peg Leg]

Tighthead always has two on him