Who will be there?

[Cracker]

It is evident that a lot of good players across the provinces are going to be disappointed by not being selected for the World Cup.
What are your views on the Ulster players who will or may make it?
My views for what they are worth are as follows.What do the rest of you think?

Certainties.
Best,Henderson,Bowe,Payne.

Very probable.
Henry,Trimble, Jackson.

Possible.
Cave.

Not going.
Gilroy,Herring,Touhy.

[Russ]

Yes. More concerned that mediocre players like Zebo and Madigan will be there

[Rooster]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

[ruckover]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

Another reason is his versatility. Extremely useful bench player.

[rorybestsbigbaldnoggin]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

Thought he played a "footballing 12" cameo very well there against Wales, but you'll never get that sort of space and time in any match (even at Pro12 level) of any importance.

[rorybestsbigbaldnoggin]

Also, I'd say if Trimble makes 1 more substantive warm-up appearance, he's on the plane. He looked like he'd never came off against Glasgow yesterday.

[Rooster]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

Another reason is his versatility. Extremely useful bench player.

He is like one of those multitools, good at one job and passable for other jobs as long as they are simple but when pressure is on is as much good as an ashtray on a motorbike.

[Snipe Watson]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

Another reason is his versatility. Extremely useful bench player.

He is like one of those multitools, good at one job and passable for other jobs as long as they are simple but when pressure is on is as much good as an ashtray on a motorbike.

He can be a bit of a liability, but he has talent. If I were his coach, I would want him there to educate him. I think when he grows up he will be a solid utility player.

[Russ]

He missed 2 tackles that conceded us 2 tries

[kingofthehill]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

Possibly going to RWC, is being looked at for cover at scrumhalf.

[Setanta]

Good point, KOTH, only twp scrum-halves are good enough to go anyway and that leaves room for three out-halves.

[Spiffsson]

Only reason possible for selecting Madigan is his place kicking, rest of his game is poor, he is not a team player

Possibly going to RWC, is being looked at for cover at scrumhalf.

To be honest, Squiffy looks the kind of player who might be able to develop into a decent SH. Natural footballer, long pass, decent boot, speed off the mark, eye for a gap, cocky attitude. This would be a long term development with significant game time needed and can't see it happening for the RWC. Unless Fibber Joe has something up his sleeve.
Anyway - what's wrong with just naming two SHs and having another on standby in case of injury. They will all have spent significant time in camp, know the plays, calls etc. and should be able to slot in seamlessley. Since the RWC is in England there would be no long travel time, time chgange etc.

[Snipe Watson]

Scrumhalf is so specialised, surely 3 are needed. Marmion may not be good enough yet, but he is good enough to provide bench cover against Canada and Romania.

[big mervyn]

I take it, "the probables" will be getting an outing next week.

[BuckRogers]

I take it, "the probables" will be getting an outing next week.

I'm not so sure, I imagine there will be further tinkering. As I said previously with two relatively easy opening matches in the group the need to use the warm-ups for the 'probables' is reduced.

If I were Schmidt I would be using the Scotland match to test out any other players and combinations I had question marks over.

I could see something like-

1-Kilcoyne, 2-Cronin, 3-Bent, 4-Toner, 5-Touhy, 6-POM, 7-Henry, 8-Murphy, 9-Boss, 10-Madigan, 11-Daverage, 12-Dorse, 13-Cave/Earls, 14-Bowe, 15-Zebo

Best, McGrath, Moore, POC, O'Brien, Murray, Jackson, Jones

Given Cave's performance at the weekend Dorse would need a huge performance to remain in the reckoning. I expect Dave Kearney to be given an opportunity to underwhelm as he is a Joe favourite. Testing Zebo out at 15 might be worth a shot as well though I would be surprised if Felix Jones was to be omitted as Schmidt rates him.

Up front I expect Touhy to be given a run out to give the opportunity to decide between him and Donncha Ryan. Murphy could do with a run at No.8 as he seems to be he obvious choice should Heaslip get injured but has limited exposure here at this level.