The Ireland Squad Announcement Thread

[Notch]

Following on from the discussion on the 'Ireland 2016 Squad' thread which can be found here.

Ireland squad has been announced. It contains four uncapped players- Stuart McCloskey, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander. However there is no room for Garry Ringrose. Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Chris Henry have all been omitted due to injury but may feature later as they return to fitness in their provincial set-ups.

Ireland Squad RBS 6 Nations 2016 Rounds 1 & 2

Forwards (19)

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) Vice Captain
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)*
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)*
Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs (16)

Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (McCloskey/Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)

*Denotes uncapped player

[the-goon]

Is there a press conference stream for it or anything?

[thebandwagonsociety]

I presume the squad will be promising but as always the guys you hope to get into the squad end up holding the tackle bags while the usual regulars get ready for the 6Ns

[Notch]

Don't know, just seen that its meant to come out at 1pm today... waiting with baited breath here.

Certainly not going to my most productive lunch break of recent times <refreshes IRFU website again>

[rapidsnowman]

Can't see any mention, let alone link on the IRFU website.

[rapidsnowman]

Joe Schmidt will announce a squad of around 36 or 37 players on Wednesday for the opening two matches of this year’s Six Nations at home to Wales and away to France.
The Irish head coach will also announce his captain, the successor to Paul O’Connell, and before that a certain Brian O’Driscoll - with Rory Best, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Johnny Sexton all in the running.
The Kiwi-born former Leinster coach will make his announcement via email, typically avoiding the hype which surrounded the press conferences held by Warren Gatland in Wales and Eddie Jones in England - yet still the same anticipation remains.

Who's he going to email?
All of us?

[Golden]

Is the draw for the Rugby World Cup at the end of this season? For the last one it was done in December 2012. If it follows that it should be December this year.

Given we have a very tough summer tour to South Africa and play New Zealand and Australia in the Autumn (granted theres great opportunity for points here), we really need to do well this 6 nations to gather some ranking points. Not like we'd ever be playing a weak team but its something to keep in mind when people are arguing for the squad to be stacked with the youngsters.

[rodders]

Right guys I've managed to hack Darren Caves email account and there is no sign of any email yet. Maybe there is a delay.

[Notch]

Joe Schmidt will announce a squad of around 36 or 37 players on Wednesday for the opening two matches of this year’s Six Nations at home to Wales and away to France.
The Irish head coach will also announce his captain, the successor to Paul O’Connell, and before that a certain Brian O’Driscoll - with Rory Best, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Johnny Sexton all in the running.
The Kiwi-born former Leinster coach will make his announcement via email, typically avoiding the hype which surrounded the press conferences held by Warren Gatland in Wales and Eddie Jones in England - yet still the same anticipation remains.

Who's he going to email?
All of us?

Yes, thats exactly right. I am co-ordinating this on behalf of 606v2. To expedite the announcement please PM me your e-mail address as well as your full name, bank details, address, credit card numbers, mother's maiden name etc. etc.

[Notch]

Doh! IRFU have just tweeted that the squad will be announced at 2.30pm. Alright folks, nothing to see here...

[rodders]

Typical, I have a meeting at half 2. I'll have to wait until 3 to see if I've made the cut.

[Golden]

Typical, I have a meeting at half 2. I'll have to wait until 3 to see if I've made the cut.

You can room with Cave

[rapidsnowman]

Typical, I have a meeting at half 2. I'll have to wait until 3 to see if I've made the cut.

Ask your psychiatrist to rearrange - should be straightforward!  

[Pete330v2]

Hurry up Joe

[rodders]

Typical, I have a meeting at half 2. I'll have to wait until 3 to see if I've made the cut.

You can room with Cave

Ha!

[the-goon]

Squad is out, Stander, Dilane, McCloskey, L Marshall all in.

Best is Captain

[Notch]

Van Der Flier also included- but no Ringrose?

Very happy with the Captaincy decision and to see Stander there.

[Notch]

Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Chris Henry not included due to injury but likely to return as they get game time with their provinces over the coming weeks.

[munkian]

Ireland Squad RBS 6 Nations 2016 Rounds 1 & 2

Forwards (19)

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain
Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht)*
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) Vice Captain
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
CJ Stander (Munster)*
Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)*
Nathan White (Connacht)

Backs (16)

Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster)
Stuart McCloskey (McCloskey/Ulster)*
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Jared Payne (Ulster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)

*Denotes uncapped player

[Pete330v2]

No surprises really although I thought Ringrose would have been named. Stander for the starting XV!!!!!!

[BamBam]

McCloskey had his home town club named after him already?? What a man

[Notch]

McCloskey had his home town club named after him already?? What a man

He's just that good

We'll be singing McCloskeys call in the McCloskey stadium before he hangs up his boots #GetHype

[Golden]

Massive for Dillane. He's really come out of the blue this season, at least from my POV.

Thought Cronin was injured?

[profitius]

Hookers: Rory Best (captain), Sean Cronin, Richardt Strauss, Rob Herring

Props: Tadhg Furlong, Marty Moore, Nathan White, Jack McGrath, James Cronin

Locks: Devin Toner, Donnacha Ryan, Mike McCarthy, Ultan Dillane

Back rows: Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Tommy O’Donnell, CJ Stander

Halfbacks: Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Kieran Marmion, Johnny Sexton, Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan

Centres: Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Luke Marshall, Jared Payne

Back threes: Keith Earls, Dave Kearney, Simon Zebo, Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Luke Fitzgerald

[Notch]

Breakdown;

Leinster 17
Ulster 7
Munster 7
Connacht 4

[Pete330v2]

Thanks for that format Prof.

There's no lack of ability, experience and class in that squad.
No excuses then, grand slam it is

[GoodinTightSpaces]

happy enough with that squad. The really interesting thing for me is who will be the starting 15. Will we see some changes in certain positions.

[Sin é]

Delighted for Rory Best. Well deserved.

[rodders]

Like the look of that to be honest.

Glad to see the new guys in - McCloskey, VDF, Stander are very much men for the now and will add a lot.

Delighted for Luke Marshall too who's in the form of his career. Too soon for Ringrose but its only a matter of time for him.

[theslosty]

I suppose Gilroy is the only significant exclusion? I'd certainly have him in there over D Kearney and possibly Zebo too.

[carpet baboon]

Murray, Jackson Earles, McCloskey, Henshaw, Trimble, Payne.
That would be my back line against Wales.

[Notch]

Delighted for Rory Best. Well deserved.

And so say all of us!

[Notch]

The only major disappointment is the lack of any real controversy

[Sin é]

Jamie Heaslip better look out   CJ does it all.

OptaJonny ‏@OptaJonny 35s35 seconds ago 71 - No player has made more carries (71) or won more turnovers (9) than @Munsterrugby's @CJStander in the @ChampionsCup 2015/16. Selection.

[carpet baboon]

Backrow of O'Brien Cj and flyer

[marty2086]

Heaslip is named Vice Captain surely that means hes likely to start?

[Sin é]

The only major disappointment is the lack of any real controversy

No Ringrose. I can't wait to see how that goes down with the Leinster media. Off the Ball should be good tonight.

There will be very little change from world cup I'd say except through injury. Might see McCloskey instead of Henshaw as he hasn't played much this season and will get only 2 games now before the Welsh game. Probably put Jared Payne at 13 then.

Earls/Fitz at 11
Trimble/Earls at 14

Earls or Fitz on the bench (probably Fitz). He is a good impact sub now.

Of all games, CJ is needed to start against Wales. Pity it is the first game of the 6Ns.

[Sin é]

Heaslip is named Vice Captain surely that means hes likely to start?

Better have him coming off the bench when Rory goes off.

[Notch]

The only major disappointment is the lack of any real controversy

No Ringrose. I can't wait to see how that goes down with the Leinster media. Off the Ball should be good tonight.

Ah the likes of Tony Ward might moan, but no-one seriously expected anything more than the fact he might be included to train against the first team and get a bit of experience of being around the camp.

[Golden]

Heaslip will start. Hes been very good this season. Id expect CJ O'Stander from the bench for his first cap.

In fact Best might be the only non Leinster player starting in the pack. Although White will probably preferred to Moore/Furlong.

[Don Alfonso]

Jamie Heaslip better look out   CJ does it all.

OptaJonny ‏@OptaJonny 35s35 seconds ago 71 - No player has made more carries (71) or won more turnovers (9) than @Munsterrugby's @CJStander in the @ChampionsCup 2015/16. Selection.

OptaJonny ‏@OptaJonny  39m39 minutes ago
99% - @leinsterrugby's @joshvdf (98/99) has the best tackle success in @PRO12rugby this season (minimum 50 tackles). Trap.

OptaJonny ‏@OptaJonny  31m31 minutes ago
26 - @UlsterRugby's @Stuart_Mc12 has beaten more defenders than any other player in the @ChampionsCup this season (26). Bulldozer.

Young pups making waves...

[Sin é]

OptaJonny
26 - @UlsterRugby's @Stuart_Mc12 has beaten more defenders than any other player in the @ChampionsCup this season (26). Bulldozer.

[Don Alfonso]

Snap!

[Sin é]

Just got in ahead of me. Also see Paddy Jackson is the 2nd most successful kicker in the Champs Cup - just after Dan Carter

Carter 92% success rate (11/12)
Paddy Jackson 88% (15/17)
George Ford 85% (11/13)

Surprised no Owen Farrell there.

[carpet baboon]

The thought of McCloskey showing Roberts how its done gets me more excited than it should

[Don Alfonso]

In fairness, i think that might have been before the Sarries game, Sin, when he got one and missed one, so his average will have fallen.

[marty2086]

Heaslip is named Vice Captain surely that means hes likely to start?

Better have him coming off the bench when Rory goes off.

Makes no sense having a guy on the bench who can only play 8

[Sin é]

CJ could move to 6.

[brennomac]

Hilarious reading munsterfans having to get used to CJ being picked after getting themselves into a lather this morning with a yarn that he was going to be left out.

Happy with that squad given the injuries situation

[GoodinTightSpaces]

CJ could move to 6.

I have a feeling the South African native will start at 6 with Heaslip at 8

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