Where do we go from here?

[breakdown]

First well done to Ireland, they have been superb all tournament, so delighted we have won it, and delighted for BOD.

Now Joes first trophy is in the bag, where do Ireland go from here? I really hope Joe doesn't make the same mistake as Kidney did and not try to improve and build on the slam, but judging by Joes character I really doubt it will happen

In my opinion, and probably everyone else's, a new 13 should be priority, followed by building more depth for the RWC, and I would expect that is what the plan will be in the summer and November tests. It is good to see there are players that normally would not be considered good enough on an international stage stepping up and can now be relied upon but if this team has serious ambitions there is a long way to go.

We are sorted at prop with Healy, McGrath, Moore and Ross, but possibly one more could be brought in. Herring should be given a go in the summer, we are in need of locks with Paulie not going to last much after the RWC, and seemingly Henderson is fancied at 6, so our best long term options seem to be Ryan and Tuohy. Back row we are fine, and have a good number of young players, 1F and SOB will be gladly welcomed back.

9 a problem position but I'd expect Marmiom will play a big part in summer, likewise Jackson. D'arcy, while being fine for Joes game plan for this tournament needs replacing, and BOD obviously too so I'd expect a few new combinations to be tried out- Olding/Henshaw would be my bet but we will see. Back three we are fine; Trimble has been immense, likewise Kearney, both jr and sr, and not to mention Bowen will be back soon

Results wise I would not be too bothered about the Summer/November tests provided a team is picked to build for the future, next 6Ns all being well we must be favourites for a slam again presuming we will have England and France in the Aviva. World Cup will be interesting, but provided we have a reasonably big squad, I can see no reason why we couldn't get to the Semi's, we have shown we can compete against the ABs in the summer, and the only team i would imagine we would struggle against is SA (who IMO are the worlds best)

[fuzzylogic]

Henderson is an interesting prospect, some times I see him in the second row, other times in the back. A fit again SOB and Ferris in the squad could force Henderson into the second row full time. SOB, Ferris, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip & Murphy + possibly Ruddock & Copeland all competing for back row spots really is an embarrassment of riches.

13 again is interesting, Paynes name has been banded about by some, Cave by others, some even suggest a 12/13 of Marshall/Olding... I could see Bowe slipping into 13 for the RWC, McFadden has been around the squads too long not to be considered.

As for this....

Postby breakdown » Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:16 pm

World Cup will be interesting, but provided we have a reasonably big squad, I can see no reason why we couldn't get to the Semi's, we have shown we can compete against the ABs in the summer, and the only team i would imagine we would struggle against is SA (who IMO are the worlds best)

We pulled off an amazing, once in a lifetime 60min performance against the AB's in a match with nothing to lose seeing them coming off the back of a long season. Dont read anything into that.

Secondly... NZ went unbeaten all year, including beating SA twice. SA also scraped by Arg and Aus in their away games in the rugby championship... how exactly do you form the opinion they are the best in the world?

[Rooster]

Henderson is an interesting prospect, some times I see him in the second row, other times in the back. A fit again SOB and Ferris in the squad could force Henderson into the second row full time. SOB, Ferris, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip & Murphy + possibly Ruddock & Copeland all competing for back row spots really is an embarrassment of riches.

13 again is interesting, Paynes name has been banded about by some, Cave by others, some even suggest a 12/13 of Marshall/Olding... I could see Bowe slipping into 13 for the RWC, McFadden has been around the squads too long not to be considered.

Joe said today he would be looking at Cave and Henshaw in the next rounds of HEC and end of the season matches to try and fill BOD's boots but they are big boots to fill.

[big mervyn]

Henderson is an interesting prospect, some times I see him in the second row, other times in the back. A fit again SOB and Ferris in the squad could force Henderson into the second row full time. SOB, Ferris, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip & Murphy + possibly Ruddock & Copeland all competing for back row spots really is an embarrassment of riches.

13 again is interesting, Paynes name has been banded about by some, Cave by others, some even suggest a 12/13 of Marshall/Olding... I could see Bowe slipping into 13 for the RWC, McFadden has been around the squads too long not to be considered.

Joe said today he would be looking at Cave and Henshaw in the next rounds of HEC and end of the season matches to try and fill BOD's boots but they are big boots to fill.

Skill sets aside, its hard to think of another player who has exerted so much influence from 13.

[BaggyTrousers]

Well after I've finished my third bottle of Rioja, I'll probably mosey off, climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire and slump into me shakedown by the wall & snore like the stout gossoon that I am.

I'm predicting a good sound nights sleep. What about the rest of you? I can hardly wait to hear where you all are going from here .........................

[Snipe Watson]

Well after I've finished my third bottle of Rioja, I'll probably mosey off, climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire and slump into me shakedown by the wall & snore like the stout gossoon that I am.

I'm predicting a good sound nights sleep. What about the rest of you? I can hardly wait to hear where you all are going from here .........................

Great word, well used......

[Snipe Watson]

Skill sets aside, its hard to think of another player who has exerted so much influence from 13.

I despise hyperbole at the end of a career, but this guy has been some operator. I never thought I would replace the great Philippe Sella as the outside centre in my all-time team, but when BOD reinvented himself two seasons ago I had to hand it to him.

[Harold7]

we have shown we can compete against the ABs in the summer, and the only team i would imagine we would struggle against is SA (who IMO are the worlds best)

It's a good post but I have to pull you up on the last sentence. SA are good and are comfortably No.2 in the world but NZ are the best team in the world, there is absolutely no debate on that, none whatsoever, not even a sniff of a discussion to be had.

[Declan kidney]

honestly I think things will only get better. next season we will have a better 12-13 partnership with marshal and cave. bod has been one of the best centres ever but not on this seasons form. apart from the Italy game he was quiet in attack with a few defensive errors. darcy just hasn't the physicality and looks like a drowning man in the tackle. can't see henshaw getting the nod just yet as he seems a bit raw.
the new found props are a big bonus even though the scrum can look very shaky but still early days for them.
best and Cronin are to very good hookers in different ways.
toner has improved as the six nations as gone on be is still not international standard. poc is not the force of old. but with Ryan, touy and henderson and possible McCarty to partner poc all seems well there.
I think a 6 ferris, 7 Henry and 8 o'brien back row would be so tasty.
Murray is getting better and better. I have seen enough of boss in green now. reddan and increasingly mariom to back up.
sexton and increasingly confident Jackson back up.
wings speak for themselves.
full back Kearney and Payne back up who I wouldn't want to see at 13


that's my worthless opinion

[rumncoke]

PoC like BoD could well call it a Day at international level because at a certain age the pain starts to get to you and it takes longer and longer to recover you seldom feel it on the pitch but on Monday morning and there are few games as bruising as an International you get hit harder and more often .

Ireland are not that short of second rows
Assume Toner will be the first name on the sheet to secure the line out (winning your own set piece is a must). Then Ryan Touhy and Henderson are all contenders.

12 and 13 are more difficult to identify but I doubt if BOWE is seen in that role of the Two BOWE and Trimble I would play Trimble in the Centre before either BOWE or Earls .

The thought of Fitzgerald in the centre scares me watching the TV waiting for the Brainfart to happen

McFadden like Earls suffers from frequent bouts of white line fever and tunnel vision

That leaves three contenders Henshaw Cave and Payne for the 13 with Olding Marshall and Madigan as possible 12 with JJ H as an outside bet


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cormac]

There's two months of tough championship rugby coming up giving players a real chance to force themselves into Joe's plans for Argentina in June and next season's AI's. As well as the HEC matches, Ulster, Leinster and Munster all face each other in the league with the distinct possibility of repeat fixtures in the playoffs. Should be savage encounters.

I think that Joe has gone with players who he knows can play his system so far, but would hope that in the next nine months that number of players will be expanded.

[big mervyn]

There's two months of tough championship rugby coming up giving players a real chance to force themselves into Joe's plans for Argentina in June and next season's AI's. As well as the HEC matches, Ulster, Leinster and Munster all face each other in the league with the distinct possibility of repeat fixtures in the playoffs. Should be savage encounters.

I think that Joe has gone with players who he knows can play his system so far, but would hope that in the next nine months that number of players will be expanded.

It's a very punishing club schedule over the next 2.5 months. 11 straight games for clubs who reach 2 finals.

[BaggyTrousers]

After the predicted long night's sleep, a more considered response.

Joe will have POC as captain at the very least until the RWC. Paulie despite his age is relatively low on mileage (he has played about 90 games fewer than his mate Donncha) as he has had more than his fair share of injuries, one or two very long term. The question is are there niggles from them or has he a clean bill of health? He is of course 35 in the autumn so he won't be around too much longer but you have the likes of Brad Thorn not far short of 40 still playing SXV & several examples of quality locks playing in their late 30s, very much depends on the body & his own desire. Such an important player, I hope he doesn't go too early.

Centre is obviously the key area for Joe to get right, I suspect with a fair wind, Darren Cave will get first crack at 13 come Argentina as a wee bird tells me young Henshaw is not considered ready & if that transpires it's very much up to Darren to do the business & make himself hard to shift. Payne looms there also of course, mistakenly in my view.

Scrum half is another area of weakness given Boss & Reddan are almost drawing the pension and only a madman would consider p. Marmion has to be the great white hope but who else is worth a tuppenny fack?

We have a dose of potential wingers but not as many that are as good as some think they are. Whilst declaring my bias, I can't see past Trimble & Bowe, certainly Trimble's stock will never have been higher south of the border. Earlsis a good finisher but lacks nous, Fitzgerald is a brainfart with some ability but a man with a woeful record and not up to it in my opinion. Dave Kearney has impressed and will rightly be well in consideration. Some such as Gilroy & Conway appear to have stalled in their progress.

10 is in good shape, probably the best ever with Sexton, GP & Quiff all well able. JJ possibly to make a dent on it as well.

Front row is similarly much stronger & promising than for as long as any ould lad can remember, Mexico have 4 solid props, 2 of whom are nippers, one of the others world class & fair fecks to Fat Ross, he has been excellent this year & a few past in the main. Munster have some promise, Killer, maybe Archer, James Cronin has his fans and they are mainly young or youngish for props. Still a struggle at Ulster & Deccie's prolonged latest absence is a concern, Black a big worry after Friday.

Hooker, Rory by a long way but in fairness Cronin has been very good of late, Munster have Varley who I've always liked but a problem chucker, Henry & the very promising Duncan Casey, Rob Herring has been very decent this year though had a mare on Friday, so not bad.

15 Kearney has risen to the task this year & though I feel harsh saying it, still isn;t the greatest decision maker but everything else is top class. Payne? Well there is a class act, question is are they going to waste him by trying to make him 13? With his ball playing ability & outstanding decision making it's obvious they will want to try to have Payne & Kearney in the same team. I don't see any other quality 15 on the scene at present.

The back row looks strong, lots of good players, yesterdays three, then SOB, TOD & then you look at players like, Dougall & Diack & wonder could they make it, then there are some excellent guys at Mexico like Ruddock & Murphy. It's going to take the wisdom of Joe to sift through the talent & come up with the combinations that work.

The biggest thing from this championship win is the faith Joe has shown in his bench even at the most crucial of times. The benefit of this will be that there won't be a player in Ireland now who will justifiably say "My bake doesn't fit", Joe has shown guys that if you are playing well you will get a shot.

All very very encouraging & the second benefit I hope to see is that we might just lose some of the provincialism & accept guys are picked on merit. If so the recent ambivalence to the Irish team should be untenable to any supporter worth his/her salt.

Joe no longer is a very naughty whinging Mexican, he actually is the rugby messiah.

[Spiffsson]

With Schmidt you have to expect the unexpected. Watch him turn Quiffy into a 12 and bring in JJ Hanrahan - a kid with rugby smarts. Before I get my remaining bollock ripped off - I am not for one moment saying that JJ should replace Paddy Jackson, just that he seems to have something special and should be in squad planning. I rate JJ as a better fly half than Quiffy.

[Snipe Watson]

I have seen enough of Joe to be convinced that he will be entirely balanced and objective in his selections.