Autumn Internationals 2022

[Neill_M]

JTA on the bench for Samoa v Italy (1pm KO UK Time Saturday, Amazon Prime).

[StandUp]

Pointless. He will be dropped like a stone when Aki returns from his latest ban.

But it’s another nordie to blame for the humping they’re about to take.

[StandUp]

JTA on the bench for Samoa v Italy (1pm KO UK Time Saturday, Amazon Prime).

Good to see him get some game time.

[allezlesverres]

Pointless. He will be dropped like a stone when Aki returns from his latest ban.

I'm not convinced he will. He is in the form of his life and as good as Aki can be his disciplinary record is appalling. You wouldn't risk him for big games if you didn't absolutely have to. I'm an Aki fan as much as I'm a Stu fan but I'd say whilst Aki's peak performance is better than Stu's best, Stu is more dependable and never has bad games (of which Aki has plenty).

I think Stu needs to put in a huge performance as the spotlight will be on any mistakes he makes (just like stockdale) but if he comes through it he has a chance of getting ahead of Aki.

Hume is bound to be on the bench now, as he seems the only player available to provide cover in all the outside backs (he can do 12,13; Ringrose can do 12,13, 11, 14; Carberry can do 15). The only other option would be JOB but Hume is stronger and they'll want bulk versus the Boks. You can't have Lowry or Stockdale as then you'd have no centre cover.

[Neill_M]

Pointless. He will be dropped like a stone when Aki returns from his latest ban.

I'm not convinced he will. He is in the form of his life and as good as Aki can be his disciplinary record is appalling. You wouldn't risk him for big games if you didn't absolutely have to. I'm an Aki fan as much as I'm a Stu fan but I'd say whilst Aki's peak performance is better than Stu's best, Stu is more dependable and never has bad games (of which Aki has plenty).

I think Stu needs to put in a huge performance as the spotlight will be on any mistakes he makes (just like stockdale) but if he comes through it he has a chance of getting ahead of Aki.

Hume is bound to be on the bench now, as he seems the only player available to provide cover in all the outside backs (he can do 12,13; Ringrose can do 12,13, 11, 14; Carberry can do 15). The only other option would be JOB but Hume is stronger and they'll want bulk versus the Boks. You can't have Lowry or Stockdale as then you'd have no centre cover.

Going with JOB apparently according to the "chat".

[Neill_M]

JTA on the bench for Samoa v Italy (1pm KO UK Time Saturday, Amazon Prime).

Good to see him get some game time.

Will be his debut, switching from New Zealand under the World Rugby 3 Year rule.

[Neill_M]

Confirmed - Henshaw out, McCloskey starts at 12 and O'Brien no 23.

[allezlesverres]

Saw the chat re JOB. Haven't seen much of him at 13 - don't know how much he plays there - I thought he was more of a 12. Farrell would need to hope for no injuries at 11, 13 or 14 or the back line will have a pretty cobbled together look about it.

[Cormac]

O’Brien has played across the back line for Leinster. He was also a fly-half at school but don’t recall him ever featuring there for Leinster.

[StandUp]

If Lukey is fit, he should have been straight in there. This is becoming farcical.

[StandUp]

JTA on the bench for Samoa v Italy (1pm KO UK Time Saturday, Amazon Prime).

Good to see him get some game time.

Will be his debut, switching from New Zealand under the World Rugby 3 Year rule.

Yeah, hopefully this ends the rumours about him being unfit.

[Thelaw]

If he fit why has he not gotten near the pitch? Is he fit but crap?

[Neill_M]

If he fit why has he not gotten near the pitch? Is he fit but crap?

Seems to be behind Milasinovich in the pecking order.

[StandUp]

I’m hoping he’ll leapfrog Milo soon enough.

[allezlesverres]

If Lukey is fit, he should have been straight in there. This is becoming farcical.

Don't know about that. JOB is a decent player and he has been on the Ireland radar for a while. Luke M hasn't been on the Ireland radar for many years (due to injury and form issues) and I don't think anyone expected him to refind his form in such a dramatic way this season. A handful of good appearances after a long enforced absence wouldn't be nearly enough to put him back in international contention. If he keeps up his rich vein of form though? Who knows, there's plenty of International Rugby to be played in the next few months - he could yet earn another cap although the odds are probably against him.