RSA Tour squad

[Dharper]

Read an article recently whereby Buckley said he may be in a position to put on a couple more kilos before next season without taking away from his mobility, and that he'd put on approx 20kg since propping for Connacht. I've only seen small bits but certainly his work rate, handling, and breakdown work is very good. I presume at the mo he is deemed too small for scrummaging at international level? Kilcoyne and Cronin have disappointed and not kicked on in the last 2 yrs.
certainly question marks over Healy, looked a shadow of his former self so far. Maybe a full pre season for Buckley will get those few extra kg, and be put in the picture for Nov, if things don't go we'll at scrum time in SA.

[justinr73]

I hope Two Metre Peter hasn't booked his summer hols because at this rate he's going to be heading to the Rainbow Nation in June.

Must be why Joe is happy for us to keep playing Hendy at 6.

[Rooster]

I hope Two Metre Peter hasn't booked his summer hols because at this rate he's going to be heading to the Rainbow Nation in June.

Must be why Joe is happy for us to keep playing Hendy at 6.

And Kearney is so crap that Jihad gets to stay at 15

[Snipe Watson]

Two Metre Peter is as nice a guy as you could ever meet. I am delighted for him that after an inconspicuous start, he has reached the stage where everyone was relieved that he made the Ospreys game and he delivered when he got there.

[BaggyTrousers]

Two Metre Peter is as nice a guy as you could ever meet. I am delighted for him that after an inconspicuous start, he has reached the stage where everyone was relieved that he made the Ospreys game and he delivered when he got there.

Deliver he certainly did. Two Meat Pete, must be wondering what has happened to him. In his previous life he played for team where if he saw a victory all season he celebrated.

Superintendent Browne has my best wishes for his last TWO games this season. What a joy if he could turn medieval on a Mexican or two............................ or even just keep taking the ball off them as he appears to be specialising in.

I must say the thought has occurred to me, is Two Meter Peter the thinking breakdown player that Ulster have not had in a long long time, for we are suddenly having far greater success at the breakdown than for as long as I can remember. Of course the long awaited return to decent form of Chad is always going to help in that area but ........... I'll be paying more attention to Super to see if the theory hold water.

Now as for SA, I see we may be playing them without a sponsors name on their jumpers, all is not well in SA rugby

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springbo ... r-20160512

[ruckover]

I must say the thought has occurred to me, is Two Meter Peter the thinking breakdown player that Ulster have not had in a long long time, for we are suddenly having far greater success at the breakdown than for as long as I can remember. Of course the long awaited return to decent form of Chad is always going to help in that area but ........... I'll be paying more attention to Super to see if the theory hold water.

You're not actually suggesting that his "inspecting" was actually an Ulster player thinking? And that it was a good thing?!

[Rooster]

I must say the thought has occurred to me, is Two Meter Peter the thinking breakdown player that Ulster have not had in a long long time, for we are suddenly having far greater success at the breakdown than for as long as I can remember. Of course the long awaited return to decent form of Chad is always going to help in that area but ........... I'll be paying more attention to Super to see if the theory hold water.

You're not actually suggesting that his "inspecting" was actually an Ulster player thinking? And that it was a good thing?!

While we all thought 2 metre Pete was inspecting rucks early in the season we were correct, he now however has done a full depth analysis of the opposition at ruck time and is putting it to good use in that he has his timings for ball steals down to a fraction of a nanosecond when the opposition has least control of the ball, he also has calculated the angle at which he rolls in contact when carrying the ball, takes the legs out from under the player waiting to poach and presents the ball perfectly to Ruan. Feck he is a far better player than we all thought 6 months ago and long may it continue.

[BaggyTrousers]

I must say the thought has occurred to me, is Two Meter Peter the thinking breakdown player that Ulster have not had in a long long time, for we are suddenly having far greater success at the breakdown than for as long as I can remember. Of course the long awaited return to decent form of Chad is always going to help in that area but ........... I'll be paying more attention to Super to see if the theory hold water.

You're not actually suggesting that his "inspecting" was actually an Ulster player thinking? And that it was a good thing?!

Let's be clear Ruckie, a thinking Alster player is a rare thing, If former Inspector Browne has a degree in "breakdown recovery" I am quite happy to reconsider his elevation to Superintendent of Rucks and consider making him Chief sans headdress of course, Rocket can wear what he likes.

The nonparticipating ruck inspection is the work of the devil, the smart intervention to be warmly applauded.

I look at games with a critical eye, Ruckie, if something changes, I want to know why. Our breakdown work has become very much better in a short space of time, so I doubt that suddenly our forwards coach has put something in place, hence I consider a more likely explanation may be a smart approach by a player or players. Could ex-Inspector Browne be playing a part? It's possible, I'm going to watch him more closely.

Capiche?

Super still lacks power, there is no question of that, however a certain Welsh beanpole has made a decent career out of what he can do rather than what he can't, maybe he has more things to offer.

[Setanta]

I thought the squad was to be announced today??

[Dave]

Probably no changes. Except McFadden will now take up 5 extra places.

[BaggyTrousers]

After a chastening experience of mainly going sideways or backwards at the RDS, 2 Metre Peter can breath easily & not worry about his holiday plans, Toner, Kearney & Molony at Leinster alone are streets ahead never mind other provinces.

[caledoniancelt]

Probably no changes. Except McFadden will now take up 5 extra places.

Don't forget Luke Fitzgerald, he'll probably cover entire backline.

[Dave]

Probably no changes. Except McFadden will now take up 5 extra places.

Don't forget Luke Fitzgerald, he'll probably cover entire backline.

The only 2 backs in the squad

[Russ]

Probably no changes. Except McFadden will now take up 5 extra places.

Don't forget Luke Fitzgerald, he'll probably cover entire backline.

The only 2 backs in the squad

Wee Mads. Ireland's Gazza

[caledoniancelt]

G and T with his usual early leak of fibberjoe's probable squad.


The Ulster pair of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, neither of whom featured in any of the matches in the Six Nations, are likely to be included in a 32-man Irish squad which Joe Schmidt announces today for the forthcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, with Ian Madigan possibly set to miss out.

Madigan has been the de facto Irish back-up outhalf to Johnny Sexton throughout the World Cup and Six Nations, whereas Jackson has been confined to one appearance off the bench against Romania in the World Cup.
However, on foot of Madigan’s decision to join Bordeaux Bègles next season, Schmidt described the player’s move as unfortunate in the aftermath of the Six Nations finale at home to Scotland when Madigan was an unused replacement.
Furthermore, Madigan has been confined to just one start in the last eight weeks with Leinster, while his three appearances as a replacement in that time have amounted to a mere 22 minutes on the pitch, giving him just 88 minutes of rugby in eight weeks.

Superb form
In contrast, Jackson has been in superb form as a regular, staring number ten for Ulster. He has started all of their last five games as well as starting 20 games this season; Madigan has just started nine.
Even the fit-again Olding has had more game time than Jackson of late, and his versatility would compensate for losing Madigan’s ability to play in several different positions as well.

Similarly, the form and versatility of Luke Marshall, who can play at both inside and outside centre, could see him included ahead of midfield partner Stuart McCloskey, whose new three-year deal with Ulster was confirmed yesterday.
Luke Fitzgerald, electric on the wing for Leinster last Friday, can also provide midfield cover.
Another tight call will concern the outside backs, where Simon Zebo’s recent keyhole surgery has left his selection vulnerable. Although Zebo is apparently back running this week, his fitness is thought to be touch and go.
Despite starting in five of Ireland’s games at the World Cup and the Six Nations, he is seemingly in a tight race for one back three spot, given the probable inclusion of Keith Earls, Fitzgerald, Andrew Trimble and Rob Kearney.

The versatility of both Olding and Marshall would also facilitate moving Jared Payne to fullback, if needs be, where he has been playing all his rugby for Ulster this season, and impressively so.
With Ireland certain to target the first game in Cape Town against a Springboks team under a new coaching structure in their first Test since the World Cup, the prospect of a second Test at altitude in Johannesburg followed by the third Test in Port Elizabeth makes it likely that the majority of the squad will see game time.
Accordingly, it seems likely that three scrumhalves will travel, namely Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan and Kieran Marmion, and three specialist hookers, captain Rory Best, Seán Cronin and Richardt Strauss.

Return to action
In the absence of Cian Healy, David Kilcoyne looks best placed to travel as back-up to Jack McGrath, with Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham travelling as back-up to Mike Ross on the other side of the scrum while having the capacity to also cover the loose-head side.
Donnacha Ryan’s 50-minute return to action for a Munster A side last week after suffering concussion in the consecutive defeats to Leinster and Connacht in early April would appear to constitute a strong pointer towards his return to the squad after missing the Irish squad get-together in Johnstown House at the end of April.

Timely boost
Ryan will most likely be named along with Devin Toner, Ultan Dillane and Iain Henderson, whose return to form and fitness is a timely boost for the Irish squad. His ability to play at blindside flanker as well as lock also gives the management scope to include six backrowers or a fifth secondrow, in which case Mick Kearney or Peter Browne could be an uncapped inclusion.
That said, the absence of Seán O’Brien, Peter O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier limits the backrow options. CJ Stander, Jamie Heaslip, Tommy O’Donnell and Rhys Ruddock – the loose forwards on duty in Ireland’s Six Nations win at home to Scotland – look sure to travel. Jordi Murphy’s performance against Ulster last Friday also looks like earning him a place in the squad, with Chris Henry also in the running.