Ireland v Scotland, RBS 6 Nations 2014

[All Blacks nil]

Nothing Scary there.

Yeah I don't want to be dismissive of their chances but we should win without too much trouble as long as our set piece functions and I see no reason why it won't.

I was thinking last night that I don't actually expect Henry to have much of an impact on Sunday. Not that he'll be poor but his strengths don't really suit playing the Scots aside from freeing up Heaslip and POM to carry more so I'd expect him to be fairly average and for TOD to have a decent impact if he is indeed on the bench.

Wales is a different kettle of fish though and he'll be vital for that one. I'm thinking along the same lines with Marshall and Darce. Think I'd start Marshall on Sunday and then Darce next week because the breakdown will be a war zone and we'd be better off with Darce's workrate to halt the welsh momentum. People could argue that he has rarely done that against them in the last few years but I think that was down to tactics as much as anything and would expect the team to be in a better place next week.

Very great points.

Having Cronin, McGrath, Moore, Henderson and O'Donnell on the bench for the forwards would allow for some big impact to spring on after about 60 minutes. I agree that this could well make it look like they should all start the following week, but that would be an overly simplistic way of looking at it. They would have an impact precisely because of what the starting players can achieve in the first 60.

We will assume the squad and Joe will have left any complacent thoughts to the likes of us.
COMPLACENCY CONFOUNDS CERTAINTY

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Hardly complacent, what threats do the Scots have if our set piece gives us good possession? One of our biggest worries is the loss of SOB, if we get good possession then his loss in terms of ball carrying and at the breakdown isn't anywhere near as bad as it would be otherwise. Also our possible lack of cutting edge in the centre wouldn't be as keenly felt either if we don't put ourselves on the back foot with a malfunctioning set piece.

It's what cost us last year against them as much as the kicking but I think we're in much better shape with it this year.

[Kinger83]

Reddan out with calf strain. Boss called up to the squad.

When is the team due to be named?

I think it's not to be announced until Friday.

[simonokeeffe]

If, and it's a big if, and everyone of the back three were fit at any one time, what would be the pecking order in the wingers roles, ignoring left/right preference?

1. Bowe
2. Earls
3. Fitz
4. Zebo
5. Ferg
6. Kearney
7. Trimble

?

Bowe 14 and fitz 11 imo they are some way ahead of all the others.


ps no chance of Copeland making a bench spot? He would some impact off the bench against Tiring defences

think the preplanned (attacking) substitution would be for Henry at 7 so probably Tommy O'Donnell

[blockhead]

[url]http://www.independent.ie/sport/eoin-re ... 61786.html[/url

Reddan out Boss in. Joe will have to pick Murray now. Hope he doesn't slow our attack down.

[Flash Gordon]

[url]http://www.independent.ie/sport/eoin-re ... 61786.html[/url

Reddan out Boss in. Joe will have to pick Murray now. Hope he doesn't slow our attack down.

I'm not worried about Murray, Boss however.......

[Flash Gordon]

The fact everyone on here is rushing to justify Zebo being left out tells you all you need to know. It's a shocking omission, imo. I get the whole left vs right debate but Zebo is a rare talent and there was enough in his Wolfhounds performance to say he's fully recovered.

I thought Kilcoyne was very good in that game as well. He's going to be an important part of our propping plans as we move on, I think it would have been very useful to have him in the preliminary 34.

Trimble is a total conundrum. He either looks amazing or useless at test level. It seems to be the really big games that he gets up for and plays well. I'm not sure Scotland will be one of those and so I'd only be considering him for the sentimental reason of spreading the caps more "fairly" to our Nordie cousins - which is no legitimate reason at all.

By the by, I also think Roger Wilson has been one of Ulster's best players lately (and the only player who tried a leg in the RDS, as it happens). Shame to see he didn't even get a look in for the Wolfhounds. His ship has sailed for the Irish squad, it seems.

Agree totally on Wilson, he is a fine player in fine form - I was having the same conversation with my Dad a couple of days ago. I guess he's 30+ now and there is a bit of a queue in his position. On the plus side for Ulster and for Ireland, I am really pleased that Henry's about. Think the Scotland game will be made for him.

On Zebo, this has to be a fitness/sharpness call - definitely not down to this summers' antics given the inclusion of his partner in crime. As for Andy Trimble, he's a fantastic professional but I don't see much amazingness at test level I've got to admit. He'll probably not let you down but he's unlikely to change the game.

[simonokeeffe]

[url]http://www.independent.ie/sport/eoin-re ... 61786.html[/url

Reddan out Boss in. Joe will have to pick Murray now. Hope he doesn't slow our attack down.

Murray is definitely best 9 with had, he plays to gameplans well so if hes instructed to get it away quick he will

[Donny B.]

http://www.planetrugby.com/fun-games/missing-men

Did it in 4 minutes 40.

Tough to remember players from a game I'm struggling to remember at all.

[CiaranIrl]

Rumours that Moore starting is the surprise. No idea if that's true though.

[Lar]

http://www.planetrugby.com/fun-games/missing-men

Did it in 4 minutes 40.

Tough to remember players from a game I'm struggling to remember at all.

He... 4:33

Had 14 players after about 2:45 but left wing stumped me for a while.

[fourthirtythree]

http://www.planetrugby.com/fun-games/missing-men

Did it in 4 minutes 40.

Tough to remember players from a game I'm struggling to remember at all.

He... 4:33

Had 14 players after about 2:45 but left wing stumped me for a while.

You called?

[paddyor]

Tuohy vs MacCarthy
Tuohy
Pro12
Scarlets 15-8 Ulster 0/0/5(K/P/R), 0(MR), 3/1(Tack), 3/0(LO) - 6th Sept 62m
Ulster 12-13 Glasgow 0/4/14(K/P/R), 17(MR), 1(OL), 6/0(Tack), 7(LO) - 13th Sept 80 m
Ulster 32-13 Treviso 0/2/6(K/P/R), 19(MR) 1(CB), 1(OL), 2(TO), 10/2(Tack), 3/1(LO), 1(Pen) - 27th Sept 80m
Ospreys 12-18 Ulster 0/0/6(K/P/R), 10(MR), 1(DB), 1(TO), 6/1(Tack), 4/0(LO), 2(Pen) - 4th Oct 80m
Ulster 39-21 Cardiff 2/0(T/A), 10(Pts), 0/2/4(K/P/R), 21(MR), 2(CB), 1(OL), 11/1(Tack), 2/0(LO) - 25th Oct 80m
Ulster 41-17 Edinburgh 0/1/8(K/P/R), 35(MR), 1(CB), 1(OL), 3(TO), 9/2(Tack), 5/0(LO), 1(Pen) - 22th Nov 62m
Zebre 11-19 Ulster 0/0/8(K/P/R), 6(MR), 1(DB), 19/2(Tack), 0/1(LO) - 30th Nov 80m
Leinster 19-6 Ulster 0/2/4(K/P/R), 6(MR), 2(OL), 14/3(Tack), 2/0(LO), 1(Pen) - 28th Dec 80m
Ulster 29-19 Munster 0/1/9(KPR), 8(MR), 2(DB), 1(TO), 13/1(Tack), 2/1(LO), 1(Pen) 3rd Jan 80m
Tota 684m
2/0(T/A), 0/12/64(KPR), 122(MR), 4(CB), 4(DB), 5(OL), 7(TO), 91/4(Tack), 24/3(LO), 6(Pen)

HEC
Ulster 22-16 Tigers 0/3/9(KPR), 4(MR), 1(DB), 1(OL), 10/1(Tack), 2/0(LO), 1(Pen) 11th Oct 80m
Montpellier 8-25 Ulster 0/1/5(KPR), 14(MR), 1(OL), 2(TO), 10/1(Tack), 2/1(LO), 1(Pen) 19th Oct 80m
Ulster 48-0 Treviso 1/0(T/A), 5(pts), 0/2/7(KPR), 23(MR), 2(CB), 1(DB), 1(OL), 1(TO), 6/4(Tack), 1/1(LO), 1(Pen) 7th Dec 80 m
Treviso 3-35 Ulster 0/2/8(KPR), 7(MR), 1(OL), 1(TO), 6/0(Tack), 6/1(LO), 2(Pen) 14th Dec 80 m
Ulster 27-15 Montpellier 0/0/8(KPR), 8(MR), 5/2(Tack), 1/1(LO) 10th Jan 80m
Tigers 19-22 Ulster 0/0/4(KPR), 3(MR), 1(TO), 11/1(Tack), 7/0(LO) 18th Jan 64m
Total 464m
1/0(T/A), 0/8/41(KPR), 59(MR), 2(CB), 2(DB), 4(OL), 3(TO), 48/9(Tack), 19/4(LO), 5(Pen)



MacCarthy

Pro12
Scarlets 19-42 Leinster 0/2/1 0 0 0 0 0 2/1 1/1 0 0/0 6th Sept 39m
Leinster 29-29 Ospreys 0/1/1 0 0 0 0 0 6/2 3/0 3 0/0 14th Sept 72m
Glasgow 12-6 Leinster 0/3/6 5 0 0 0 1 9/2 0/1 1 0/0 20th Sept 80m
Munster 19-15 Leinster 0/1/5 19 0 3 0 0 6/0 1/0 0 0/0 5th Oct 80m
Leinster 16-13 Connacht 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 2 4/0 0/0 0 0/0 26th Oct 34m
Leinster 36-19 Scarlets 0/4/3 13 0 1 1 0 8/1 2/0 0 0/0 30th Nov 68m
Leinster 19-6 Ulster 0/1/6 9 0 1 0 0 4/0 4/1 1 0/0 28th Dec 80m
Connacht 8-16 Leinster 0/0/1 0 0 0 0 0 4/0 1/0 0 0/0 4th Jan 39m
(KPR) MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen
Total 494 mins 0/12/23 46 0 5 1 3 43/6 12/3 5 0/0

HEC
Ospreys 9-19 Leinster 0/3/6 4 0 0 1 1 8/1 3/0 1 0/0 12th Oct 68m
Leinster 19-7 Castre 0/1/3 2 0 0 0 0 1/2 1/0 0 0/0 19th Oct 54m
Saints 7-40 Leinster 0/0/4 6 0 0 0 1 15/0 2/1 0 0/0 7th Dec 60m
Leinster 9-18 Saints 0/1/3 6 0 0 0 0 4/0 0/0 0 0/0 14th Dec 72m
Castres 22-29 Leinster 0/0/4 6 0 0 0 1 15/0 2/1 0 0/0 12th Jan 65m
Leinster 36-3 Ospreys 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 0 2/0 1/0 0 0/017th Dec 19m
(KPR) MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen
Total 348 mins 0/5/20 24 0 1 0 1 45/3 9/2 1 0/0


Last 5 games

Tuohy
424 mins
T/A (KPR) MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen
Total 1/0 0/5/33 32 0 2 3 5 49/7 18/3 4 0/0

MacCarthy
272 mins
(KPR) MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen
Total 0/2/14 19 0 0 1 3 29/0 8/2 1 0/0

I think Toner is nailed on with Nails and No More Nails for the other 2nd row place. I started this after a comment on whiffofcordite about Tuohy being a better carrier and passer than Toner, checking back thru 5 games showed he wasn't. I think the bench spot is up for grabs though so it's worth comparing these 2. The stats only show on the ball stuff which isn't really MacCarthys things. His mauling(D&O), his hits(choke tackle incl.) and his scrummaging are IMO some of his bigger plus points. I can't comment on Tuohy in this regard as I haven't seen him that much.

Very surprised at how little game time MacCarthy has, at the start of the season his form was poor probably due to his fitness(leaning on his knees and blowing hard). TBH he didn't do a lot to get himself into the AI squad. What he does do with the ball he seems to do as well as Tuohy even if he doesn't do a s much of it. The other noticelable thing is he makes less mistakes than Tuohy
TO Pen Mistakes per game
Macarthy (843) 3 6 .955
Tuohy (1148) 11 10 1.46

The difference for the way the stats are presented is I got tired of the first way. There may be a few mistakes but should be good for the most part.

[simonokeeffe]

Apparently Mike McCarthy's entire head turned septic so am calling Tuohy for the bench. We go with Hendo then we have all 3 locks being usually middle of the line out jumpers and losehead scrummagers
The important thing is whether its McCarthy or Hendo or Tuohy they will get into a fight with Jim Hamilton

Luke struggling too so McFadden to start and Henshaw to bench my guess

[paddyor]

Apparently Mike McCarthy's entire head turned septic so am calling Tuohy for the bench. We go with Hendo then we have all 3 locks being usually middle of the line out jumpers and losehead scrummagers
The important thing is whether its McCarthy or Hendo or Tuohy they will get into a fight with Jim Hamilton

Luke struggling too so McFadden to start and Henshaw to bench my guess

Glad I went to the trouble

[Xanthippe]

http://www.planetrugby.com/fun-games/missing-men

Did it in 4 minutes 40.

Tough to remember players from a game I'm struggling to remember at all.

He... 4:33

Had 14 players after about 2:45 but left wing stumped me for a while.

I was the same - 4:37 cause I got stuck on Trimble

[Mackman15]

CH SC MR
DT POC
POM JH CH
CM JS
DK LM BOD AT
RK

That's my read of it at any rate

[Oldschool]

I wouldn't risk Reddan or Luke for this one we need them fully fit for the 6Ns and not busted at the start.
So Tactics Anyone?

[AdamK]

Heard Luke it out for both games (Wales as well). Absolutely gutted for him if true.

[AdamK]

I wouldn't risk Reddan or Luke for this one we need them fully fit for the 6Ns and not busted at the start.
So Tactics Anyone?

Maybe. But on a wet windy day the Scots will want to have their day in Dublin again. I think Joe would rather have a fully fit squad than playing silly buggers.

For me it's imperative we have Fitzy for Wales tho.