Ireland's Rugby World Cup 2015 Thread - "You're wrong on several counts..."

[Don Alfonso]

First topic message reminder :

Alright.

The time for whinging at the Welsh, sniping at the Scots and educating the English is done. Playtime is over. The bitterness is dialled up to ten, the eye-patches producing metaphorical one-eyedness are donned, chips are placed on shoulders – it’s time for some proper, down n’ dirty, internecine bickering.

Who will go to the 2015 Rugby World Cup to play for Ireland?

Who should go?



The players have the following opportunities to shine like a diamond for Joe:


Emerging Ireland Tbilisi Cup

Emerging Italy v Emerging Ireland
Saturday 13th June 14:00 BST

Uruguay v Emerging Ireland
Wednesday 17th June 14:00 BST

Georgia v Emerging Ireland
Sunday 21st June 16:00 BST


Ireland Matches

Wales v Ireland
Millennium Stadium
Saturday 8th August

Ireland v Scotland
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 15th August

Ireland v Wales
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 29th August

England v Ireland
Twickenham Stadium
Saturday 5th September


31 players.

A 17/14 split? Has Madigan played himself off the plane? Do Ruddock or Trimble have enough time to make it back? Can Rory’s darts be trusted? Does POM spend too much time on the wing? Are Payne and Strauss “Irish” enough? Why is Reddan there? Has Zebo been by-passed? Is Cave too slow? Why Felix Jones?

HAVE AT THEE!

[Submachine]

That was a good joke Submarine. I liked it.

i'm here all week.

[BamBam]

Which position are they likely to take an extra player in if Madigan is scrum half cover?

Seems its going against the instincts of any player from another position to fill in at 9 though, getting to every ruck rather than looking to find an opportunity to carry or find an overlap etc, will be interesting to see

[Submachine]

Which position are they likely to take an extra player in if Madigan is scrum half cover?

Seems its going against the instincts of any player from another position to fill in at 9 though, getting to every ruck rather than looking to find an opportunity to carry or find an overlap etc, will be interesting to see

Talking about 12 cover. As it stands Cave and Darcy unlikely to travel if 6 halfbacks are chosen. Extra centre takes the load off Henshaw.

[Marshes]

What a turnaround it would be for Cave, not many would have had him in there me included, but on the basis of his last two performances for Ireland he should be in with a shout

[wolfball]

It would be exceedingly un-Schmidt like for them to use Madigan as a 3rd 9. Its also unfair to Madigan (ScrumHalf, OutHalf, Centre AND Fullback cover?)

[The Great Aukster]

How many nines can play other positions?

There are normally three nines taken because the position is too unique to sub a player into. Even those that have tried to convert from other positions generally haven't be great - TOL and Conor McPhilips spring to mind. Leicester tried it with Ian Humphreys in an injury crisis and that didn't go well.

Schmidt's thinking is sound enough as it gives another squad option and opens up the bench as well but without a fair bit of time there it is a major risk selecting an untried newbie.

I think Marmion and Boss will be keeping match fit anyway with their clubs so I can't imagine Madigan would have to play there if Murray and Reddan got injured, they would just be replaced in the squad. It's not like red-eyeing Paddy Wallace to the other side of the world

I see that as a big problem. The drop in quality from Murray to Reddan is significant but the drop from Reddan to Boss/Marmion is even greater. Having to sacrifice Murray or even Reddan for the tournament would be catastrophic. Generally the scrum half gets subbed almost every game, it's not as though having three scrum halves would not be utilised.

[Notch]

Right if we take 17 forwards and 14 backs we can take 3 9s- Murray, Reddan, Boss/Marmion, 3 10s- Sexton, Jackson, Madigan and 8 outside backs- say, Cave, Henshaw, Payne, Earls, Trimble, Bowe, Zebo and Kearney we have;

3 players who can play 9, 3 players who can play 10, 3 players who can play 12 (Cave, Henshaw and Madigan), 5 players who can play 13 (Payne, Henshaw, Cave, Earls and Bowe), 4 players who can play on the wing (Bowe, Earls, Trimble, Zebo) and at least 3 players who can play fullback at a push (Kearney, Zebo, Payne). Earls, Madigan and Bowe have also played fullback.

The problem I see with that is that only Kearney plays fullback regularly nowadays and the other players would be running in their main positions in training- I can see why Schmidt might want to fit Jones in there too. But Jones can definitely cover the wing without too much bother. Unless the issue is that they want to bring Cian Healy but feel if he isn't going to play before the tournament they need to bring an extra prop so its an 18/13 split.

2 9s seems like an unnecessary risk. If Murray or Reddan picks up a niggly injury where they may be fit later on or may need a late fitness test we'll be exposed- once you are out for an injury replacement, you are out.

[FecklessRogue]

I've actually always thought Madigan had the attributes of a scrumhalf and could have made a good one if he had moved there years ago. But he's never played there. Mad idea altogether. I hope that's not true. He is not a scrumhalf and if those chickens come home to roost and we end up with him playing 9 it will surely backfire and be a blot on saint Joe's CV. Why risk it just to get another back in the squad?

If a back gets injured we can simply call up a quality replacement surely? Notch, I'd leave Jones out of the squad, since Kearney starts as long as he's not injured. There is cover for him like you named above. If he gets injured call in Jones as a like for like replacement.

[Marshes]

Notch the squad you have gone with there in terms of backs (if 14 backs) is ideal, sorry to Jones but there is great versatility (maybe Bowe aside) which is what we want

[Marshes]

Notch the squad you have gone with there in terms of backs (if 14 backs) is ideal, sorry to Jones but there is great versatility (maybe Bowe aside) which is what we want

[rodders]

What do people think about the rumours that Schmidt is considering two scrum-halves and Madigan as an emergency 9?

I think that would be ok. Cant you call people up if there are injuries? Im sure Boss would be kept on standby.

I'd be surprised but to be honest neither Boss or Marmion deserve to be in the squad at the expense of a better outside back, like Trimble or Fitzgerald or even Cave.

Re: Aukster - I rate Reddan actually - he generally plays really well under Joe, if if his provincial form hasn't been great, and if he plays like he did against Wales then he will be a key player.

Marmion has the talent (I think Marshall too) but his form just hasn't been there this year.

Boss is underrated and has been a very good player at times, for all the teams he's played for, but when he is bad, he is bad, and can really stifle the teams attacking platform - and he was at his worst versus Scotland.

[SecretFly]

Madigan to 9
Dave Kearney to 12 or 13.

Time for career changes guys. Your Career tutors got their sums all wrong.

[Marshes]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulsters-darren-cave-dan-tuohy-and-craig-gilroys-world-cup-hopes-on-the-line-after-ireland-release-for-leinster-game-31467010.html

Cave, Tuohy and Gilroy all released for Ulster for the Leinster game. Thought Cave might get another shot at being involved.

[Notch]

Don't think it is such bad news for Cave. Henshaw is probably due a game next week and with Madigan able to cover 12 from the bench I doubt either Cave or D'Arcy will play against Wales. It's true D'Arcy hasn't been released, but he just played 80 minutes last week. It'll be good for Cave to get another 40 minutes of match sharpness. Of course, maybe neither D'Arcy or Cave will make it in the end but I would be quite surprised if D'Arcy made the cut ahead of Cave given D'Arcys recent form in green. Not so much because of D'Arcys lack of attacking threat, but because his defence has completely gone too.

Gilroy and Tuohy we already expected to be cut. Tuohy is an injury away from a call-up, but Gilroy is even further down the pecking order than that.

[Notch]

Meanwhile, Australia have gone for just 2 hookers and just 2 scrum-halves to fit in an extra back row and an extra outside back.

31-Man Wallabies Squad for Rugby World Cup 2015

Wallabies Forwards:

Hookers
Stephen Moore - C (96 Tests)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (53 Tests)

Props
Greg Holmes (17 Tests)
Sekope Kepu (56 Tests)
Scott Sio (9 Tests)*
James Slipper (66 Tests)
Toby Smith (uncapped)*

Locks
Kane Douglas (15 Tests)*
Dean Mumm (36 Tests)
Rob Simmons (52 Tests)
Will Skelton (11 Tests)*

Backrow forwards
Scott Fardy (24 Tests)*
Michael Hooper - VC (45 Tests)*
Ben McCalman (40 Tests)
Sean McMahon (3 Tests)*
Wycliff Palu (55 Tests)
David Pocock (50 Tests)

Wallabies Backs:

Scrumhalves
Will Genia (59 Tests)
Nick Phipps (31 Tests)

Flyhalves
Quade Cooper (55 Tests)
Bernard Foley (17 Tests)*

Inside backs
Kurtley Beale (52 Tests)
Matt Giteau (95 Tests)
Matt Toomua (25 Tests)*

Outside backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper - VC (108 Tests)
Israel Folau (33 Tests)*
Rob Horne (26 Tests)
Drew Mitchell (65 Tests)
Henry Speight (3 Tests)*
Joe Tomane (15 Tests)*
Tevita Kuridrani (24 Tests)*

*Uncapped at a Rugby World Cup

[Marshes]

Don't think it is such bad news for Cave. Henshaw is probably due a game next week and with Madigan able to cover 12 from the bench I doubt either Cave or D'Arcy will play against Wales. It's true D'Arcy hasn't been released, but he just played 80 minutes last week. It'll be good for Cave to get another 40 minutes of match sharpness. Of course, maybe neither D'Arcy or Cave will make it in the end but I would be quite surprised if D'Arcy made the cut ahead of Cave given D'Arcys recent form in green. Not so much because of D'Arcys lack of attacking threat, but because his defence has completely gone too.

Gilroy and Tuohy we already expected to be cut. Tuohy is an injury away from a call-up, but Gilroy is even further down the pecking order than that.

would like to see Cave given another involvment, maybe off the bench or starting alongside Henshaw/Payne again

Pity for Gilroy, coming off the back of a very strong season. I don't think he ever let himself down for Ireland either tbh. I remember to very strong games against Argentina and Wales in particular. Maybe after the World Cup..

[GunsGerms]

Meanwhile, Australia have gone for just 2 hookers and just 2 scrum-halves to fit in an extra back row and an extra outside back.

Giteau covers 9 doesnt he? Maybe the uncapped prop can cover hooker too.

[rodders]

I think if Cave have been released then D'arcy has probably done enough although will be keen to see what centre partnership we see against Wales:-

Possibly D'arcy/Henshaw or Henshaw/Earls...

[Notch]

In most other positions a player showing the form of Gilroy would have put himself in the running, but there are just so many excellent wingers around right now. He'll have his day, as he's a bit younger than most of them.

[Pete330v2]

Not so very long ago a player who'd had a season such as Gilroy just had would have been a nailed on starter for Ireland which says a hell of a lot about the options we have for the back line these days.
Gilroy will remain in the history books whatever he does in his career anyway. The first try at the Aviva stadium will always be his

[rodders]

I think Schmidt isn't too concerned with provincial form - especially the pro-12 and has stated this a few times.

He's more concerned about players knowing his systems and set plays and working on the areas of weaknesses he identifies.

This obviously means guys coming in new are disadvantaged when it comes to selection but being in the camps will stand to them in future if their are injuries and they perform well in camp.

[Sin é]

Not so very long ago a player who'd had a season such as Gilroy just had would have been a nailed on starter for Ireland which says a hell of a lot about the options we have for the back line these days.
Gilroy will remain in the history books whatever he does in his career anyway. The first try at the Aviva stadium will always be his

We all remember the calls for Fionn Carr to start!

[Pete330v2]

Not so very long ago a player who'd had a season such as Gilroy just had would have been a nailed on starter for Ireland which says a hell of a lot about the options we have for the back line these days.
Gilroy will remain in the history books whatever he does in his career anyway. The first try at the Aviva stadium will always be his

We all remember the calls for Fionn Carr to start!

I felt very lonely at that time being one of the only voices claiming he'd never be seen in an Irish shirt. It takes more than scoring consolation tries aplenty in the face of defeat to make an international winger. Carr never had what it takes (tries do not a winger make), I wouldn't have wanted to see him lining out for Ulster let alone Ireland.

[Sin é]

A great try scoring record though.

[GunsGerms]

A great try scoring record though.

I think he was unlucky never to be capped. There are plenty of worse wingers that have been capped for Ireland:

Ian Dowling
Anthony Horgan
John Kelly
Peter McKenna
Matt Mostyn
Justin Bishop
John McWeeny
Dominic Crotty
James Topping
Darragh O'Mahony

[Notch]

Carr is playing for Connacht in Limerick Sevens right now I believe- tormenting the Ulster 7s panel the last I heard. Doesn't seem to be well attended based on a few vines I've seen on twitter.

[wolfball]

Carr is playing for Connacht in Limerick Sevens right now I believe- tormenting the Ulster 7s panel the last I heard. Doesn't seem to be well attended based on a few vines I've seen on twitter.

Any periscopes?

[Pete330v2]

Yeah, for a while he did but if a try scoring record meant anything then Daisuke Ohata would have been signed up for the Toulons of this world. A winger needs more than tries and for me, at his peak, Carr was good enough for Connacht........full stop.
I know there's the arguement to say there were worse wingers to be capped but was there a worse winger to have so many screamng for him to be capped?
As for sevens, well it's a different sport so good luck to the little fella

Anyway, we digress.

[Sin é]

A great try scoring record though.

I think he was unlucky never to be capped. There are plenty of worse wingers that have been capped for Ireland:

Ian Dowling
Anthony Horgan
John Kelly
Peter McKenna
Matt Mostyn
Justin Bishop
John McWeeny
Dominic Crotty
James Topping
Darragh O'Mahony

Ian Dowling would be the first name on Joe's teamsheet going on his recent selections for Ireland.

[Sin é]

Carr is playing for Connacht in Limerick Sevens right now I believe- tormenting the Ulster 7s panel the last I heard. Doesn't seem to be well attended based on a few vines I've seen on twitter.

What do you expect on a Friday at 3pm?

[Submachine]

A great try scoring record though.

I think he was unlucky never to be capped. There are plenty of worse wingers that have been capped for Ireland:

Ian Dowling
Anthony Horgan
John Kelly
Peter McKenna
Matt Mostyn
Justin Bishop
John McWeeny
Dominic Crotty
James Topping
Darragh O'Mahony

Ian Dowling would be the first name on Joe's teamsheet going on his recent selections for Ireland.

He'd have definitely been in Joes good books. A stronger more aggressive version of McFadden. Always enjoyed watching him play.

[Sin é]

A great try scoring record though.

I think he was unlucky never to be capped. There are plenty of worse wingers that have been capped for Ireland:

Ian Dowling
Anthony Horgan
John Kelly
Peter McKenna
Matt Mostyn
Justin Bishop
John McWeeny
Dominic Crotty
James Topping
Darragh O'Mahony

Ian Dowling would be the first name on Joe's teamsheet going on his recent selections for Ireland.

He'd have definitely been in Joes good books. A stronger more aggressive version of McFadden. Always enjoyed watching him play.

Good career while it lasted. 2 Heineken Cups and a couple of Pro12 titles. Awful shame about the career ending injury. He is a physiotherapist now.

[Submachine]

A great try scoring record though.

I think he was unlucky never to be capped. There are plenty of worse wingers that have been capped for Ireland:

Ian Dowling
Anthony Horgan
John Kelly
Peter McKenna
Matt Mostyn
Justin Bishop
John McWeeny
Dominic Crotty
James Topping
Darragh O'Mahony

Ian Dowling would be the first name on Joe's teamsheet going on his recent selections for Ireland.

He'd have definitely been in Joes good books. A stronger more aggressive version of McFadden. Always enjoyed watching him play.

Good career while it lasted. 2 Heineken Cups and a couple of Pro12 titles. Awful shame about the career ending injury. He is a physiotherapist now.

I briefly toyed with the idea of becoming a Physio in my mid twenties. I spent so much time and money with them it seemed like a great gig. Then I had friction treatment on scar tissue to a hamstring injury and realised I could never be that sadstic.
Physios kick puppies for fun.

[Marshes]

England not playing particularly well here in Paris (lineout really struggling), but France looking a lot better than last week, if still a bit of a mixed bag. Scrum dominating, but trying to force the play a lot

[Marshes]

Alan Quinlan: My 31-Man World Cup Squad

In 2007 the starting XV was decided long before the squad headed to France; eight years on notwithstanding that the circumstances are very much different, we are heading to a World Cup where selecting the squad will be much more difficult that choosing the actual team.

Eight years ago the starting side was in place long before the tournament and there was little or no change. They were all rested when about 30 of us headed to Argentina for a tour. The message was clear - we were going to Argentina to battle for the remaining places in the squad and, barring injury, we knew there would be little change to the established XV.

Deliberating
Joe Schmidt, by contrast, has always picked on current form and if everyone stays injury-free from here - and that's unlikely - then aside from the wing positions he wouldn't have much deliberating to do. But, of course, it is not simply a matter of putting out your best 15 each day. There are a lot of games in a short space of time and players are going to have to be managed around that.

And the coach is going to be working off a squad of 31. Yes, injured players can be replaced but it is not a matter of inter-changing them as an injured player can't be brought back into the squad again. That's what makes the selection of the 31 so difficult. How can you maximise your resources? There are stories out there about Ian Madigan training at scrum-half. But I can't see Ireland heading there with just two specialist No 9s, although you can see the logic behind it.

Look at it this way. Schmidt has indicated he is going for a 17-14 split between his forwards and backs.
Now, let's say he starts with a backline of Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald on the wings, Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw in the centre and Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray at half-back. That's a very good backline. If, as expected, he brings three out-halves and three scrum-halves, then you add Madigan, Paddy Jackson, Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss to the squad.

That leaves just three places as cover for the back five. How do you take your pick from Felix Jones, Andrew Trimble, Dave Kearney, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy and Simon Zebo? Five of them are going to be left at home. A year ago, again going on form after winning the Six Nations, you would have automatically slotted Trimble and Dave Kearney is as your starting wingers. Now the two of them will be lucky to make the squad and I think at least one of them will not travel.

So, who do you pick? Versatility is going to be the key factor. I think Zebo stole a big march last weekend playing at full-back against Scotland and I think he will edge it, with Jones and Dave Kearney losing out.
That's really hard luck on them because both of them are class and could make a huge contribution if given the chance. But the numbers don't stack up for them. Bowe needs to play a lot better but I think Schmidt will back him and have him as his starting No 14, and I think he will go with Fitzgerald on the other wing, with Trimble getting the nod as the other winger in the squad.

Of course, an injury or two could change everything.
Up front, a lot will depend on whether Cian Healy is fit; if he is not then it will be a case of slotting in Dave Kilcoyne as his replacement. I think Kilcoyne will lose out if Healy is fit as Jack McGrath is ahead of him in the pecking order and I reckon Michael Bent will also go given that he can cover both loosehead and tighthead.
Schmidt will bring three hookers and that means Rory Best, Sean Cronin and Richardt Strauss are on the plane.

Mike Ross is the starting tighthead but the battle for the back-up No 3 is going to be tight. I had fancied Marty Moore to get the nod but his injury problems have opened the door for Nathan White. It's going to be a close call but I'm going to go for White on the basis of matches played. The back five picks itself for the starting side. Devin Toner will partner Paul O'Connell in the second-row, and Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip will form the back row.

There will be just four spots left to cover the back five, and here again versatility will be the name of the game. That's why I think Donnacha Ryan will be included. He has had a torrid time with injury but timing is everything and he is back flying at just the right moment.He can cover several positions in the back five, and so too can Iain Henderson. Tommy O'Donnell would have pushed Chris Henry a long way but the big Ulsterman has returned to top form at just the right time after his battle with illness and it's great to see him back. I think Jordi Murphy will get the remaining spot, not least as he too has an excellent track record of delivering under Schmidt.

But the dilemma which Schmidt and every other national coach faces is how do you allow for the unforeseen?
You nearly have to imagine what you do if each player gets injured, what cover have you, what switches can you make within the confines of the 31. It is not like a Six Nations campaign where you can switch your squad around from game to game. The governing body allows for changes to be made where there are injuries, but there are restrictions.

For all the planning, a lot of it will come down to luck. Some teams will suffer injuries in areas where they don't have sufficient cover, others will get the usual quota but it will have little or no impact on how the team performs.

The Men To Answer Ireland's Call
FORWARDS (17)
Michael Bent (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
Sean Cronin (Leinster)
Cian Healy (Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Chris Henry (Ulster)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Nathan White (Connacht)
Jordi Murphy (Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Leinster)
Paul O’Connell (Toulon)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
Mike Ross (Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Leinster)
Devin Toner (Leinster)

BACKS (14):
Isaac Boss (Leinster)
Tommy Bowe (Ulster)
Keith Earls (Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
Rob Kearney (Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Leinster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Munster)

Pretty much what I would go with, if Moore was anyway fit then him in for White, and if Joe is thinking two scrum halfs then Jones or Cave to come in for Boss.

[George Carlin]

I still haven't managed to work on from here who is wrong on several counts.

Come over here and be sociable, now:
https://www.606v2.com/t60201-ireland-v-wales-29-august

[the-goon]

Alan Quinlan: My 31-Man World Cup Squad

In 2007 the starting XV was decided long before the squad headed to France; eight years on notwithstanding that the circumstances are very much different, we are heading to a World Cup where selecting the squad will be much more difficult that choosing the actual team.

Eight years ago the starting side was in place long before the tournament and there was little or no change. They were all rested when about 30 of us headed to Argentina for a tour. The message was clear - we were going to Argentina to battle for the remaining places in the squad and, barring injury, we knew there would be little change to the established XV.

Deliberating
Joe Schmidt, by contrast, has always picked on current form and if everyone stays injury-free from here - and that's unlikely - then aside from the wing positions he wouldn't have much deliberating to do. But, of course, it is not simply a matter of putting out your best 15 each day. There are a lot of games in a short space of time and players are going to have to be managed around that.

And the coach is going to be working off a squad of 31. Yes, injured players can be replaced but it is not a matter of inter-changing them as an injured player can't be brought back into the squad again. That's what makes the selection of the 31 so difficult. How can you maximise your resources? There are stories out there about Ian Madigan training at scrum-half. But I can't see Ireland heading there with just two specialist No 9s, although you can see the logic behind it.

Look at it this way. Schmidt has indicated he is going for a 17-14 split between his forwards and backs.
Now, let's say he starts with a backline of Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe and Luke Fitzgerald on the wings, Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw in the centre and Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray at half-back. That's a very good backline. If, as expected, he brings three out-halves and three scrum-halves, then you add Madigan, Paddy Jackson, Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss to the squad.

That leaves just three places as cover for the back five. How do you take your pick from Felix Jones, Andrew Trimble, Dave Kearney, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden, Darren Cave, Gordon D'Arcy and Simon Zebo? Five of them are going to be left at home. A year ago, again going on form after winning the Six Nations, you would have automatically slotted Trimble and Dave Kearney is as your starting wingers. Now the two of them will be lucky to make the squad and I think at least one of them will not travel.

So, who do you pick? Versatility is going to be the key factor. I think Zebo stole a big march last weekend playing at full-back against Scotland and I think he will edge it, with Jones and Dave Kearney losing out.
That's really hard luck on them because both of them are class and could make a huge contribution if given the chance. But the numbers don't stack up for them. Bowe needs to play a lot better but I think Schmidt will back him and have him as his starting No 14, and I think he will go with Fitzgerald on the other wing, with Trimble getting the nod as the other winger in the squad.

Of course, an injury or two could change everything.
Up front, a lot will depend on whether Cian Healy is fit; if he is not then it will be a case of slotting in Dave Kilcoyne as his replacement. I think Kilcoyne will lose out if Healy is fit as Jack McGrath is ahead of him in the pecking order and I reckon Michael Bent will also go given that he can cover both loosehead and tighthead.
Schmidt will bring three hookers and that means Rory Best, Sean Cronin and Richardt Strauss are on the plane.

Mike Ross is the starting tighthead but the battle for the back-up No 3 is going to be tight. I had fancied Marty Moore to get the nod but his injury problems have opened the door for Nathan White. It's going to be a close call but I'm going to go for White on the basis of matches played. The back five picks itself for the starting side. Devin Toner will partner Paul O'Connell in the second-row, and Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip will form the back row.

There will be just four spots left to cover the back five, and here again versatility will be the name of the game. That's why I think Donnacha Ryan will be included. He has had a torrid time with injury but timing is everything and he is back flying at just the right moment.He can cover several positions in the back five, and so too can Iain Henderson. Tommy O'Donnell would have pushed Chris Henry a long way but the big Ulsterman has returned to top form at just the right time after his battle with illness and it's great to see him back. I think Jordi Murphy will get the remaining spot, not least as he too has an excellent track record of delivering under Schmidt.

But the dilemma which Schmidt and every other national coach faces is how do you allow for the unforeseen?
You nearly have to imagine what you do if each player gets injured, what cover have you, what switches can you make within the confines of the 31. It is not like a Six Nations campaign where you can switch your squad around from game to game. The governing body allows for changes to be made where there are injuries, but there are restrictions.

For all the planning, a lot of it will come down to luck. Some teams will suffer injuries in areas where they don't have sufficient cover, others will get the usual quota but it will have little or no impact on how the team performs.

The Men To Answer Ireland's Call
FORWARDS (17)
Michael Bent (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
Sean Cronin (Leinster)
Cian Healy (Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster)
Iain Henderson (Ulster)
Chris Henry (Ulster)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Nathan White (Connacht)
Jordi Murphy (Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Leinster)
Paul O’Connell (Toulon)
Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
Mike Ross (Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Munster)
Richardt Strauss (Leinster)
Devin Toner (Leinster)

BACKS (14):
Isaac Boss (Leinster)
Tommy Bowe (Ulster)
Keith Earls (Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
Rob Kearney (Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Leinster)
Conor Murray (Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Munster)

Pretty much what I would go with, if Moore was anyway fit then him in for White, and if Joe is thinking two scrum halfs then Jones or Cave to come in for Boss.

Swap fitz for cave.

[mikey_dragon]

Is there a chance that Schmidt could pick less Leinster front-row forwards? He's pretty much destroying the start to their season...

[SecretFly]

Is there a chance that Schmidt could pick less Leinster front-row forwards? He's pretty much destroying the start to their season...

Such sticks in spokes of yonder pretentious D4 (sunglasses toupee perched on bald head) Province will please Chunky no end.

[Sin é]

Is there a chance that Schmidt could pick less Leinster front-row forwards? He's pretty much destroying the start to their season...

Strong rumour that Healy & Moore wont make the world cup.

[Notch]

Apparently Trimble trained today and is expected to be available for Saturday, as per jour no Sinead Kissane on twitter.

https://twitter.com/sineadkissane

This is good news. I hope he gets some time on pitch this weekend. I really feel that in the race for the 14 shirt, Bowe or D Kearney don't quite offer what he does at his best.

[Marshes]

Apparently Trimble trained today and is expected to be available for Saturday, as per jour no Sinead Kissane on twitter.

https://twitter.com/sineadkissane

This is good news. I hope he gets some time on pitch this weekend. I really feel that in the race for the 14 shirt, Bowe or D Kearney don't quite offer what he does at his best.

It he is fit it's a big win, has become a key player under Schmidt, one of the few wingers to combine his defense duties with a really attacking threat from the get go.

[GunsGerms]

Is there a chance that Schmidt could pick less Leinster front-row forwards? He's pretty much destroying the start to their season...

Strong rumour that Healy & Moore wont make the world cup.

Its hardly a rumour. Everyone knows Healy is struggling to get fit.

[Marshes]

Les Kiss speaking about Healy, Trimble, Moore just now: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/cian-healy-making-steady-progress-but-it-s-an-hourly-thing-1.2328167

[mikey_dragon]

Is there a chance that Schmidt could pick less Leinster front-row forwards? He's pretty much destroying the start to their season...

Strong rumour that Healy & Moore wont make the world cup.

Its hardly a rumour. Everyone knows Healy is struggling to get fit.

I think that would be good news for Ireland's opponents. Really unlucky on Healy though. Is Moore a recent injury scare? With this news I think Francis has to get his first cap on the weekend. It's now or never.

[Guest]

Great news on Trimble. Hoping he can now deliver v Wales which I think he will. Moore in a moon boot doesn't inspire confidence but from what Kiss is saying I'm still hoping both he and Healy can make it.

[Notch]

Sounds like he will play too. Thats great news. The news on Healy and Moore... not so much, will be interesting to see who starts in the front row this week. Ross has started both games at tight head. Someone else needs to start there and Moore doesn't seem likely to start right away given that news- could be a major opportunity for White. Hopefully Wales are starting with Francis and their scrum is well equipped to give us a really tough afternoon- if we're looking at 2nd/3rd choice props we have to know how they stand up to a really good scrummaging outfit with France and Italy, and maybe Argentina, in our very near future.

I was thinking Dave Kearney would start on the right wing, as he and his brother are the only serious RWC contenders in the back three not to start a game yet. But if Trimble even just gets half an hour off the bench and gets through it that may well be enough to seal his place.

[Golden]

Did anyone see the Munster-Connacht game at the weekend? I was reading a report that said Marmion was the best player on the pitch. Too little too late?

[Marshes]

Did anyone see the Munster-Connacht game at the weekend? I was reading a report that said Marmion was the best player on the pitch. Too little too late?

Didn't see it but from what I heard Connacht mauled them to death (both his tries came of the back of the maul) and Marmion was working behind a very dominant pack, so you would expect good form there. He was very strong in the first half of the season when Connacht were at their best. His biggest problems now were his second half of the season form (by the end Cooney was playing much better than him and was great against Gloucester) and he hasn't really had a performance to shout about either for the Wolfhounds or the first team. Schimdt if he goes with three 9s would probably prefer Boss as he knows him and he is experienced.

If it were me I'd bring Marmion with an eye on the next World Cup as he is a great talent and has strong performances in him, he just needs game time at this level and could get that against some of the Tier 2 teams. Lets face it if we get out of the group and then lose both Murray and Reddan to injury, it won't matter who of Marmion or Boss it is. Boss should be quietly going the way of Mike Philips after his Scotland performance.

[Marshes]

Is it a bit haphazard to have a "warm-up" game after the squads have been finalised, particularly against England in Twickenham? Could end up with players in Trimble or Healy's position who are scrambling for fitness before the tournament starts..

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