November Internationals 2014

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » September 14th, 2014, 12:14 pm

2 rounds of Pro12 more than enough for aimless speculation. Dont think theres too much debate over wider squad, TOD, Jones, Luke maybe but Bowe is the only certainty in the 3/4 line, 20, 22, 23 up for grabs too

Injured
Sherry, Moore, DF (assuming), Henderson, SOB, Murphy, DK, Tuohy, Ryan, Earls

Kearney,
Bowe, McFadden, Trimble, Zebo
Darcy, Olding, Henshaw, Payne
Sexton, Jackson, Madigan
Murray, Reddan, Marmion

Healy, McGrath, Kilcoyne
Best, Cronin, Varley
Ross, White
Toner, Kearney
POC, McCarthy,
Ruddock, Diack
SOB, Henry
Heaslip, Copeland

My prediction

RK, Bowe, Henshaw, Darcy, Trimble, Sexton, Murray
McGrath, Best, Ross, Toner, POC, Ruddock, Henry, Heaslip
Killer, Cronin, White, McCarthy, POM, Reddan, Madigan, Payne

HenryFitz · Post by **HenryFitz** » September 14th, 2014, 1:53 pm

D'Arcy and O'Connell will have retired. Think there's some hope that the injured lads will have recovered in time, though they might get re-injured in the interim. Are these fixtures part of the IRFU's push for more compensation from the World Cup? Schedule them, and then force the IRB to cancel them?

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » September 14th, 2014, 8:02 pm

2014 meant 2014

LeRouxIsPHat · Post by **LeRouxIsPHat** » October 1st, 2014, 1:30 pm

Not sure where to put this but I see Lancaster has got an extension until 2020...not usually a fan of coaches getting such long term deals BUT any chance we could do the same with Joe?? I'd make an exception in his case!

Can see this not working out well for England. Lancaster has done a really good job over all but don't think he's the man to take them forward for too much longer. They have a very very strong plan A which could even see them winning the World Cup, but I don't think he's great tactically and whilst he's created an incredibly strong Plan A, his attempts to move beyond that have had very mixed results. To my mind they need to rein themselves in a bit and go back to their strengths, a World Cup win isn't behind them if they do, but think it'd be found out fairly soon after.

paddyor · Post by **paddyor** » October 1st, 2014, 3:13 pm

He's won nothing yet either. This year they've to travel to Ireland and Wales. Wales won't be easy either even with limitations of welsh game plan they're always up for it.

Did he really get an extension that long?

dropkick · Post by **dropkick** » October 1st, 2014, 3:37 pm

I would agree with previous points. Lancaster has done a good job in changing the culture of the English team but on the field I don't see anything special and has won nothing yet. So as an Ireland fan I'm happy to see him sign a long term contract. As we've seen with many teams, things can get stale when the same man is in charge for a long period of time.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 1st, 2014, 4:30 pm

a chronic lack of props/ones that scrummage might do him in too (Cole and Corbisiero are circling the drain) and their best chance at success is bosh rugby of the highest order and to hope Farrell stays fit. Joe Ford looks the real deal but a chronic lack of midfield creativity/passing kind of negates his skillset. IMO theyre weak on the wings too especially in regards to people who fit the gameplan

LeRouxIsPHat · Post by **LeRouxIsPHat** » October 1st, 2014, 5:22 pm

Would agree with that Simon.

It's funny, I've always been a massive critic of Farrell, but now I think he's their best hope of becoming a top class team. I still don't think he's great, but he's improved a lot and even his defence alone is a game changer. That helps get them on the front foot and allows him to knock over penalties as a result. In theory it should be one dimensional and easy to stop, but it really isn't.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 1st, 2014, 6:08 pm

LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Would agree with that Simon.

It's funny, I've always been a massive critic of Farrell, but now I think he's their best hope of becoming a top class team. I still don't think he's great, but he's improved a lot and even his defence alone is a game changer. That helps get them on the front foot and allows him to knock over penalties as a result. In theory it should be one dimensional and easy to stop, but it really isn't.

its like the giant boulder in Indiana Jones

Slade at Exeter is good too but England were suffering (like France) from a multitude of foreign 10s, now more of running 10s when they want kicking 10s

The Anathemata · Post by **The Anathemata** » October 1st, 2014, 9:58 pm

LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Not sure where to put this but I see Lancaster has got an extension until 2020...not usually a fan of coaches getting such long term deals BUT any chance we could do the same with Joe?? I'd make an exception in his case!

Can see this not working out well for England. Lancaster has done a really good job over all but don't think he's the man to take them forward for too much longer. They have a very very strong plan A which could even see them winning the World Cup, but I don't think he's great tactically and whilst he's created an incredibly strong Plan A, his attempts to move beyond that have had very mixed results. To my mind they need to rein themselves in a bit and go back to their strengths, a World Cup win isn't behind them if they do, but think it'd be found out fairly soon after.

Could well end up being another expensive basket case, a la Moyes & Pardew. IRFU are never going to offer Joe a 6 year contract. It would make him too powerful and potentially compromise their own blazerdom status.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 2nd, 2014, 12:57 am

The Anathemata wrote:
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Not sure where to put this but I see Lancaster has got an extension until 2020...not usually a fan of coaches getting such long term deals BUT any chance we could do the same with Joe?? I'd make an exception in his case!

Can see this not working out well for England. Lancaster has done a really good job over all but don't think he's the man to take them forward for too much longer. They have a very very strong plan A which could even see them winning the World Cup, but I don't think he's great tactically and whilst he's created an incredibly strong Plan A, his attempts to move beyond that have had very mixed results. To my mind they need to rein themselves in a bit and go back to their strengths, a World Cup win isn't behind them if they do, but think it'd be found out fairly soon after.
Could well end up being another expensive basket case, a la Moyes & Pardew. IRFU are never going to offer Joe a 6 year contract. It would make him too powerful and potentially compromise their own blazerdom status.

youd assume the old farts in RFU have break clauses in there or capped payoffs or performance related criteria

IRFU probably shy now after kamikaze extensions to the two previous coaches

ichabodscrane · Post by **ichabodscrane** » October 2nd, 2014, 9:34 pm

Don't think Joe would commit to that long a contact. He may have his eyes on a certain NZ post after Mr Hansen. I'd love to keep him until the next World Cup but I can't see it.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 3rd, 2014, 1:30 am

ichabodscrane wrote:Don't think Joe would commit to that long a contact. He may have his eyes on a certain NZ post after Mr Hansen. I'd love to keep him until the next World Cup but I can't see it.

way NZ works hed have to take a super rugby job first but

hopefully Tim Schmidt can make a few age grades and Leinster academy and that encourages him to stay here

All Blacks nil · Post by **All Blacks nil** » October 4th, 2014, 9:55 pm

simonokeeffe wrote:
ichabodscrane wrote:Don't think Joe would commit to that long a contact. He may have his eyes on a certain NZ post after Mr Hansen. I'd love to keep him until the next World Cup but I can't see it.
way NZ works hed have to take a super rugby job first but

hopefully Tim Schmidt can make a few age grades and Leinster academy and that encourages him to stay here

Do you pick teams on form or knowledge of the system?
Interesting times ahead.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 5th, 2014, 12:52 pm

Injured (updated)
Healy, DF (assuming), Henderson, Tuohy, Ryan, SOB, Murphy, DK, Earls, McFadden

probable team

RK, Bowe, Henshaw, Darcy, Trimble, Sexton, Murray
McGrath, Best, Ross, Toner, POC, Ruddock, Henry, Heaslip
Cronin, Cronin, Moore, M Kearney, POM, Reddan, Madigan, Payne

blindside (POM v Ruddock) only starting jersey that looks anywhere near up for grabs (and 20 by extension)
If Cronin starts for Munster in Europe he should make 17
19 and 23 the other ones in play

ichabodscrane · Post by **ichabodscrane** » October 5th, 2014, 4:53 pm

Will Sexton be available after his broken jaw?

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 5th, 2014, 5:04 pm

ichabodscrane wrote:Will Sexton be available after his broken jaw?

unless there was a complication/infection yes, he should be back for one or two of their euro games based on original timeframe

ichabodscrane · Post by **ichabodscrane** » October 5th, 2014, 5:05 pm

Team v Georgia: assuming the South Africa match up will be attritional and we'll need to rest key players for Australia.

Payne, Zebo, Cave, Olding, McFadden, Madigan, Marmion

Cronin, Cronin, Moore, M Kearney, D Foley, POM (c), TOD, Copeland.

Subs: Strauss, Kilcoyne, Fitzpatrick/White, McCarthy, Ryan/McKeon/Faloon, Reddan, Jackson, Macken/Reid/Fitz (if available would be a certainty).

Highly unlikely given the wholesale changes that I've selected but I'd like to see something like that.

simonokeeffe · Post by **simonokeeffe** » October 5th, 2014, 5:20 pm

ichabodscrane wrote:Team v Georgia: assuming the South Africa match up will be attritional and we'll need to rest key players for Australia.

Payne, Zebo, Cave, Olding, McFadden, Madigan, Marmion

Cronin, Cronin, Moore, M Kearney, D Foley, POM (c), TOD, Copeland.

Subs: Strauss, Kilcoyne, Fitzpatrick/White, McCarthy, Ryan/McKeon/Faloon, Reddan, Jackson, Macken/Reid/Fitz (if available would be a certainty).

Highly unlikely given the wholesale changes that I've selected but I'd like to see something like that.

doubt we'll see McFadden this side of Christmas, initial comments from MOC that its very serious injury

tricktreat · Post by **tricktreat** » October 6th, 2014, 5:42 pm

The big question will be can Henry, Trimble and Toner reproduce the form they showed last season.
Finding a settled centre partnership is also crucial.

I think Ruddock would be a good option against passive backrows.
Wouldn't have himslef and Toner in the same team against the Boks though.

Babbling 'brook