Friday 22th February
6:35 am Irish Time Highlanders vs Chiefs
Otago Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Phil Burleigh, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear (captain), 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Brayden Mitchell, 1 Tony Woodcock.Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Elliot Dixon, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Fumiaki Tanaka, 21 Hayden Parker, 22 Buxton Popoali'i.
Waikato Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.Replacements: 16 Rhys Marshall, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Tanerau Latimer, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Charlie Ngatai, 22 Lelia Masaga.
8:40 am Rebels vs Brumbies
Melbourne Rebels: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Richard Kingi, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nic Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo Emile, 18 Cadeyrn Neville, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nick Stirzaker, 21 Alex Rokobaro, 22 Tom English.
ACT Brumbies: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Joseph Tomane, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Christian Lealiliano, 11. Clyde Rathbone, 10. Matt Toomua, 9. Nic White, 8, Ben Mowen (c), 7. David Pocock, 6. Peter Kimlin, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Scott Fardy, 3. Dan Palmer, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander. Replacements: 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Fotu Auelua, 19. Colby Fainga'a, 20. Ian Prior, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Tevita Kuridrani
17:10 Bulls vs Stormers
Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (c), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Mornè Mellett.
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouchè, 22 Francois Venter.
DHL Stormers: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jean de Villiers (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Steven Kitshoff.Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 Don Armand, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Gerhard van den Heever, 22 Joe Pietersen.
Saturday 23rd February
6:35 am Hurricanes vs Blues
Wellington Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.
Auckland Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Francis Saili, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (c), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tom McCartney. Replacements: 16 Jackson Willison, 17 Baden Kerr, 18 Bryn Hall, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Liaki Moli, 21 Angus Ta'avao, 22 Quentin MacDonald.
8:40 am Reds vs Waratahs
Queensland Reds: 15. Mike Harris, 14. Dom Shipperley, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Ben Lucas, 8. Jake Schatz, 7. Liam Gill, 6. Ed Quirk, 5. Rob Simmons, 4. Ed O'Donoghue, 3. James Slipper (c), 2. Saia Fainga'a, 1. Greg Holmes. Replacements: 16. James Hanson, 17. Albert Anae, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Jarrad Butler, 20. Nick Frisby, 21. Jono Lance, 22. Luke Morahan
NSW Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Tom Kingston, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Brendan McKibbon, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Dave Dennis (c), 6 Michael Hooper, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Jeremy Tilse.Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Ben Volavola.
15:05 Cheetahs vs Sharks
Free State Cheetahs: 15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Willie le Roux, 13. Johann Sadie, 12. Robert Ebersohn, 11. Raymond Rhule, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8, Philip van der Walt, 7. Lappies Labuschagne, 6. Frans Viljoen, 5. Francois Uys, 4. Lodewyk de Jager, 3. Lourens Adriaanse, 2. Adriaan Strauss (c), 1. Trevor Nyakane, Replacements: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18, Waltie Vermeulen, 19. Boom Prinsloo, 20. Sarel Pretorius, 21. Elgar Watts, 22. Ryno Benjamin
Natal Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Frans Steyn (c), 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Beast Mtawarira. Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Odwa Ndungane.
17:10 Kings vs Force:
Southern Kings: 15 SP Marais, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Marcello Sampson, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 5 Steven Sykes, 4 David Bulbring, 6 Cornell du Preez, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jaco Engels, 18 Daniel Adongo, 19 Jacques Engelbrecht , 20 Johan Herbst, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Western Force: tba
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Monday, 18 February 2013
Fantasy Super Rugby Round 1
After an interesting weekend of Super Rugby where only 4 Australian teams played, FOX Sports in Australia have finalised their points for Round 1.
The highest points in the round was a whopping 514 points, with the average being 227 points . Ged Robinson, the Melbourne Rebels hooker, was the highest points scorer with 62 points, largely down to a try, a large 13 tackles and 7 runs.
Kyle Goodwin (44) and Alfie Mafi (50) showed up well for the Force, showing that you don't have to be on the winning side to score a lot of fantasy points.The rest of the dream team can be found here
On to the Ball-Handling Hooker leagues, with @Cillian_Hogan and Poseidon's Belvedere taking charge of all three leagues. An experienced campaigner, Poseidon's Belvedere is the early favourite to take all three leagues took in an impressive 372 points, with captain Stephen Moore earning 74 points, and dream team members James O'Connor, Richard Kingi, Mike Harris and James Slipper contributing handsomely. One negative point was Scott Higginbotham's -7, which came from conceding penalties, missing tackles and being sent to the bin, not a debut to remember.
The Super Irish League had 5 of 9 beat the average score, with others more focused on being prepared for next week and having a strong team for the season.
Northern Pretenders had 4 of 7, and Twittersphere also having 4 of 7 with different teams. It's interesting to note that the top 4 in each league is the same, will it remain the same the whole way through.
An intriguing sub-plot is the battle of Garbhan and Cillian Hogan, locked in the top 4 of each. It's advantage Cillian, but can the Garbh catch his brother? Find out next week...
The highest points in the round was a whopping 514 points, with the average being 227 points . Ged Robinson, the Melbourne Rebels hooker, was the highest points scorer with 62 points, largely down to a try, a large 13 tackles and 7 runs.
Kyle Goodwin (44) and Alfie Mafi (50) showed up well for the Force, showing that you don't have to be on the winning side to score a lot of fantasy points.The rest of the dream team can be found here
On to the Ball-Handling Hooker leagues, with @Cillian_Hogan and Poseidon's Belvedere taking charge of all three leagues. An experienced campaigner, Poseidon's Belvedere is the early favourite to take all three leagues took in an impressive 372 points, with captain Stephen Moore earning 74 points, and dream team members James O'Connor, Richard Kingi, Mike Harris and James Slipper contributing handsomely. One negative point was Scott Higginbotham's -7, which came from conceding penalties, missing tackles and being sent to the bin, not a debut to remember.
The Super Irish League had 5 of 9 beat the average score, with others more focused on being prepared for next week and having a strong team for the season.
Northern Pretenders had 4 of 7, and Twittersphere also having 4 of 7 with different teams. It's interesting to note that the top 4 in each league is the same, will it remain the same the whole way through.
An intriguing sub-plot is the battle of Garbhan and Cillian Hogan, locked in the top 4 of each. It's advantage Cillian, but can the Garbh catch his brother? Find out next week...
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Updated: New Winners and Losers
Winners:
Iain Henderson
What a performance. It has taken me a long time to realise why he was hyped up so much, but everything Henderson did was awe-inspiring. In a great performance from Ulster as a collective, Henderson shone with some huge carries where it frequently took several defenders to take him down. He'll be my shout to partner Donnacha Ryan in the second row given the locks that Kidney has named.
Darren Cave
Darren Cave put in his usual solid defensive performance with an added dangerous looking performance too. Two great unselfish offloads for Diacks tries underline a good performance from the man everyone in Ireland, except Deccie thinks should be next in line at outside centre.
Connacht:
Some great performances in there to beat a strong Ospreys side that included Fotauli'i, that beat Ulster on their own patch last week. Great stuff from the Westerners.
Ronan O'Gara & Donnacha O'Callaghan
Apparently having shocking performances at the end of your career doesn't matter when it comes to representing your national side as both have had their chances increase with the naming of the squad. Only two out-halves? And no Dan Tuohy? We all know that Kidney doesn't seem to rate Toner.
Losers
Dan Tuohy
An injury to one of the locks should mean that Tuohy is next in line. An argument would be made that he should be ahead of Donnacha O'Callaghan, but behind Toner and Stevenson, and Toner who is barely Heineken Cup level. Tuohy should feel hard done by, with some strange decisions.
Andrew Trimble.
Showed a great piece of hands and generally a tidy performance for Ulster. Seems to have been permanently cast away to the scrap heap. There is more in the old dog yet. A bad Wolfhounds performance seems to have gone against him in a major way.
Iain Henderson
What a performance. It has taken me a long time to realise why he was hyped up so much, but everything Henderson did was awe-inspiring. In a great performance from Ulster as a collective, Henderson shone with some huge carries where it frequently took several defenders to take him down. He'll be my shout to partner Donnacha Ryan in the second row given the locks that Kidney has named.
Darren Cave
Darren Cave put in his usual solid defensive performance with an added dangerous looking performance too. Two great unselfish offloads for Diacks tries underline a good performance from the man everyone in Ireland, except Deccie thinks should be next in line at outside centre.
Connacht:
Some great performances in there to beat a strong Ospreys side that included Fotauli'i, that beat Ulster on their own patch last week. Great stuff from the Westerners.
James Coughlan
A Munster player who came through this weekend with his reputation enhanced. He didn't play in that horrendous game, and gets called up to the national squad. That has got to count as a good weekend.
Apparently having shocking performances at the end of your career doesn't matter when it comes to representing your national side as both have had their chances increase with the naming of the squad. Only two out-halves? And no Dan Tuohy? We all know that Kidney doesn't seem to rate Toner.
Losers
Dan Tuohy
An injury to one of the locks should mean that Tuohy is next in line. An argument would be made that he should be ahead of Donnacha O'Callaghan, but behind Toner and Stevenson, and Toner who is barely Heineken Cup level. Tuohy should feel hard done by, with some strange decisions.
Andrew Trimble.
Showed a great piece of hands and generally a tidy performance for Ulster. Seems to have been permanently cast away to the scrap heap. There is more in the old dog yet. A bad Wolfhounds performance seems to have gone against him in a major way.
Winners and Losers from the weekend
Winners:
Dave McSharry
Who knew that not playing this weekend would increase his chances of playing against Scotland. Being retained with the Irish squad means that he has a fairly good chance of being involved, and with a strong contender, Luke Marshall, picking up another injury, it seems the odds on McSharry being involved would have shortened. Not guaranteed, but feasible nonetheless.
Ian Madigan
Another stellar performance from young Madigan. 4/5 from the kicks beats the other competitors in the race to Sexton's 10 jersey with Jackson and Keatley not kicking, and a tidy performance with width and the usual creativity has done his Ireland credentials no harm at all. Jackson seemed to be on autopilot with Pienaar at 9, and Madigan continually shows his willingness to step up and take responsibility.
Luke Fitzgerald
Another energetic and industrious performance, albeit from fullback, shows that not only is Luke back, but he is in form. His eyes are on that left wing slot, and his break for Cronin's first try will have impressed the management.
Iain Henderson
What a performance. It has taken me a long time to realise why he was hyped up so much, but everything Henderson did was awe-inspiring. In a great performance from Ulster as a collective, Henderson shone with some huge carries where it frequently took several defenders to take him down.
Darren Cave
Darren Cave put in his usual solid defensive performance with an added dangerous looking performance too. Two great unselfish offloads for Diacks tries underline a good performance from the man everyone in Ireland, except Deccie thinks should be next in line at outside centre.
Connacht:
Some great performances in there to beat a strong Ospreys side that included Fotauli'i, that beat Ulster on their own patch last week. Great stuff from the Westerners.
Dominic Ryan
Hard to pick the hat trick try scorer out as a winner. Especially on a day where his future contender for a 7 jersey, Tommy O'Donnell struggled to impose himself on the Scarlet's. Win win for Ryan.
Losers:
Ronan O'Gara
Not one of his best. 2/5 kicks, and a host of mistakes. In a game where Munster were crying out for leaders and someone to give them shape, the elder statesman buckled. If Kidney was any other coach you'd be certain O'Gara wouldn't be near the team based on that performance. The less said about it the better. He knows himself that he is better than that.
Donnacha O'Callaghan
Speaking of elder statesmen; Munster's pack were being beaten up all over the park. Surely someone with a bit of experience such as Donnacha should have learned how to shut his mouth. Alas, seemingly back to the penalty machine days as opposed to his unseen dirty work.
Munster supporters
The Munster supporters on twitter last night were distraught. And rightly so. It's hard to watch that and feel enthuastic about the future. It will get better though. Mostly because it can't get any worse. Bit of effort from all involved, and injuries coming back. It might just be the kick in the arse some of them need.
RTE
Not showing the Leinster game for a second week in a row was a questionable decision. Especially when the turd that Munster offered was shown in it's place. Both games should have been shown, and there's definitely an audience for it. Sort it out RTE
Ian Madigan & Luke Fitzgerald
They may have put in great performances, but due to RTE and TG4 not showing it, no one really knows how good. There would be bigger calls for them to be involved, and every now and again Deccie shows that he listens to our calls for players to be involved.
Dave McSharry
Who knew that not playing this weekend would increase his chances of playing against Scotland. Being retained with the Irish squad means that he has a fairly good chance of being involved, and with a strong contender, Luke Marshall, picking up another injury, it seems the odds on McSharry being involved would have shortened. Not guaranteed, but feasible nonetheless.
Ian Madigan
Another stellar performance from young Madigan. 4/5 from the kicks beats the other competitors in the race to Sexton's 10 jersey with Jackson and Keatley not kicking, and a tidy performance with width and the usual creativity has done his Ireland credentials no harm at all. Jackson seemed to be on autopilot with Pienaar at 9, and Madigan continually shows his willingness to step up and take responsibility.
Luke Fitzgerald
Another energetic and industrious performance, albeit from fullback, shows that not only is Luke back, but he is in form. His eyes are on that left wing slot, and his break for Cronin's first try will have impressed the management.
Iain Henderson
What a performance. It has taken me a long time to realise why he was hyped up so much, but everything Henderson did was awe-inspiring. In a great performance from Ulster as a collective, Henderson shone with some huge carries where it frequently took several defenders to take him down.
Darren Cave
Darren Cave put in his usual solid defensive performance with an added dangerous looking performance too. Two great unselfish offloads for Diacks tries underline a good performance from the man everyone in Ireland, except Deccie thinks should be next in line at outside centre.
Connacht:
Some great performances in there to beat a strong Ospreys side that included Fotauli'i, that beat Ulster on their own patch last week. Great stuff from the Westerners.
Dominic Ryan
Hard to pick the hat trick try scorer out as a winner. Especially on a day where his future contender for a 7 jersey, Tommy O'Donnell struggled to impose himself on the Scarlet's. Win win for Ryan.
Losers:
Ronan O'Gara
Not one of his best. 2/5 kicks, and a host of mistakes. In a game where Munster were crying out for leaders and someone to give them shape, the elder statesman buckled. If Kidney was any other coach you'd be certain O'Gara wouldn't be near the team based on that performance. The less said about it the better. He knows himself that he is better than that.
Donnacha O'Callaghan
Speaking of elder statesmen; Munster's pack were being beaten up all over the park. Surely someone with a bit of experience such as Donnacha should have learned how to shut his mouth. Alas, seemingly back to the penalty machine days as opposed to his unseen dirty work.
Munster supporters
The Munster supporters on twitter last night were distraught. And rightly so. It's hard to watch that and feel enthuastic about the future. It will get better though. Mostly because it can't get any worse. Bit of effort from all involved, and injuries coming back. It might just be the kick in the arse some of them need.
RTE
Not showing the Leinster game for a second week in a row was a questionable decision. Especially when the turd that Munster offered was shown in it's place. Both games should have been shown, and there's definitely an audience for it. Sort it out RTE
Ian Madigan & Luke Fitzgerald
They may have put in great performances, but due to RTE and TG4 not showing it, no one really knows how good. There would be bigger calls for them to be involved, and every now and again Deccie shows that he listens to our calls for players to be involved.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Team for Scotland
Front Row:
I'll start with the tighthead side, as I think my loosehead pick will be easier to explain given the rest of the front row.
Mike Ross has played a lot of rugby, and seems to get a number of knocks in every game. Declan Fitzpatrick is drastically short of match time. Logic dictates that Fitzpatrick should play. It'll give him match fitness and experience that could be vital, and help everyone be less worried about Mike Ross's backup, which will take pressure off Ross.
Rory Best is in great form, I would keep him in the team and allow him to continue, but with the intention to bring on Cronin early than Kidney has been doing.
Given that Healy could and should be cited, this makes things a little easier actually. I always wanted both Kilcoyne and Court to feature in this 6 Nations, and this could be the game where that happens. There isn't much between them, and with there being an Ulster hooker and tighthead, and with "doubts" about Fitzpatricks scrummaging ability, Court would slot in seamlessly, and provide a better scrummaging capability with Kilcoyne to come on at 50 or 60 minutes for a bit more impact in the loose.
Second Row
With McCarthy being ruled out, O'Callaghan will be brought into the XV with either Tuohy or Henderson on the bench. I'd almost consider bringing Tuohy in to the XV given that he's youngish and needs experience. He will be a future regular and has always impressed. Dropping O'Callaghan is harsh, especially as he has been good this season for Munster.
Back Row:
I would rest either Heaslip or O'Brien, and probably O'Brien, Heaslip needs as much exposure as captain to learn the job. Although is form on Sunday was shocking and could do with a week off. Henry to come in for O'Brien as a straight swap. Although I would like Tommy O'Donnell to be involved, but that is far too left field for Kidney.
Henry wouldn't bring as much ball carrying abilities as O'Brien, which means Heaslip needs to step up, and O'Brien to provide a big impact off the bench.
Scrumhalf:
No change. Murray was one of the few to slightly impress at the weekend and seems to be returning to something approaching acceptable form. He needs a chance to continue this. That and the fact that Reddan hasn't been good this season. Left field suggestion would be for Marmion to appear off the bench, but lets keep it (relatively) realistic.
Outhalf:
ROG will start. No question. One of my biggest preferences is for the bench player to offer something different than the player in the team that he is covering. Much like Boss/Reddan or Cronin and Strauss at Leinster. In that regard, I think that Jackson is too similar to O'Gara to be his cover. He most likely will be, but in my mind Jackson is a younger, less experienced and therefore less practised version of ROG. My preference would be for either Madigan who could be a gamechanger, although Keatley had a man of the match performance on Saturday.
One alternate option is, now that Luke Marshall is back to fitness, to have him cover both 10 and 12 on the bench. His injury was ill timed, and he should be involved at some stage in the championship. I also love the idea of having a bench player covering both 10 and 12 proficiently.
Inside Centre:
Having said all that about Marshall, I would still keep D'Arcy at 12. PROVIDED his is 100% fit. Otherwise I'd put McFadden straight into 12. D'Arcy is in great form, but there is no need to risk him after what appeared to be a few niggles against Scotland, and he will be needed elsewhere.
Outside Centre:
I really don't know what to say here. BOD will be having some fortnight. It's really up to the man himself whether he can play. A rest might benefit him, but Ireland still need his spark.
Wingers:
With Zebo out, and Gilroy not getting involved enough for my liking, albeit in unfavourable conditions. Both wings could be up for grabs.
Earls did enough on Sunday for Kidney to put him straight in, and it's unlikely Gilroy will lose his place. I would like to see Fitzgerald involved, and it's between McFadden and himself for a bench position.
Fullback
Rob Kearney needs a run of games to get his confidence up, and get match fit. He is on the road to best form, but is nearly there.
My 23:
1. Court, 2. Best, 3. Fitzpatrick, 4. Tuohy, 5. Ryan, 6. O'Mahony, 7. Henry, 8. Heaslip (C). 9. Murray, 10. O'Gara, 11. Earls, 12. D'Arcy, 13. O'Driscoll, 14. Gilroy, 15. Kearney.
16. Cronin, 17. Kilcoyne, 18. Ross, 19. Henderson, 20. O'Brien, 21. Marmion, 22. Marshall, 23. Fitzgerald
I'll start with the tighthead side, as I think my loosehead pick will be easier to explain given the rest of the front row.
Mike Ross has played a lot of rugby, and seems to get a number of knocks in every game. Declan Fitzpatrick is drastically short of match time. Logic dictates that Fitzpatrick should play. It'll give him match fitness and experience that could be vital, and help everyone be less worried about Mike Ross's backup, which will take pressure off Ross.
Rory Best is in great form, I would keep him in the team and allow him to continue, but with the intention to bring on Cronin early than Kidney has been doing.
Given that Healy could and should be cited, this makes things a little easier actually. I always wanted both Kilcoyne and Court to feature in this 6 Nations, and this could be the game where that happens. There isn't much between them, and with there being an Ulster hooker and tighthead, and with "doubts" about Fitzpatricks scrummaging ability, Court would slot in seamlessly, and provide a better scrummaging capability with Kilcoyne to come on at 50 or 60 minutes for a bit more impact in the loose.
Second Row
With McCarthy being ruled out, O'Callaghan will be brought into the XV with either Tuohy or Henderson on the bench. I'd almost consider bringing Tuohy in to the XV given that he's youngish and needs experience. He will be a future regular and has always impressed. Dropping O'Callaghan is harsh, especially as he has been good this season for Munster.
Back Row:
I would rest either Heaslip or O'Brien, and probably O'Brien, Heaslip needs as much exposure as captain to learn the job. Although is form on Sunday was shocking and could do with a week off. Henry to come in for O'Brien as a straight swap. Although I would like Tommy O'Donnell to be involved, but that is far too left field for Kidney.
Henry wouldn't bring as much ball carrying abilities as O'Brien, which means Heaslip needs to step up, and O'Brien to provide a big impact off the bench.
Scrumhalf:
No change. Murray was one of the few to slightly impress at the weekend and seems to be returning to something approaching acceptable form. He needs a chance to continue this. That and the fact that Reddan hasn't been good this season. Left field suggestion would be for Marmion to appear off the bench, but lets keep it (relatively) realistic.
Outhalf:
ROG will start. No question. One of my biggest preferences is for the bench player to offer something different than the player in the team that he is covering. Much like Boss/Reddan or Cronin and Strauss at Leinster. In that regard, I think that Jackson is too similar to O'Gara to be his cover. He most likely will be, but in my mind Jackson is a younger, less experienced and therefore less practised version of ROG. My preference would be for either Madigan who could be a gamechanger, although Keatley had a man of the match performance on Saturday.
One alternate option is, now that Luke Marshall is back to fitness, to have him cover both 10 and 12 on the bench. His injury was ill timed, and he should be involved at some stage in the championship. I also love the idea of having a bench player covering both 10 and 12 proficiently.
Inside Centre:
Having said all that about Marshall, I would still keep D'Arcy at 12. PROVIDED his is 100% fit. Otherwise I'd put McFadden straight into 12. D'Arcy is in great form, but there is no need to risk him after what appeared to be a few niggles against Scotland, and he will be needed elsewhere.
Outside Centre:
I really don't know what to say here. BOD will be having some fortnight. It's really up to the man himself whether he can play. A rest might benefit him, but Ireland still need his spark.
Wingers:
With Zebo out, and Gilroy not getting involved enough for my liking, albeit in unfavourable conditions. Both wings could be up for grabs.
Earls did enough on Sunday for Kidney to put him straight in, and it's unlikely Gilroy will lose his place. I would like to see Fitzgerald involved, and it's between McFadden and himself for a bench position.
Fullback
Rob Kearney needs a run of games to get his confidence up, and get match fit. He is on the road to best form, but is nearly there.
My 23:
1. Court, 2. Best, 3. Fitzpatrick, 4. Tuohy, 5. Ryan, 6. O'Mahony, 7. Henry, 8. Heaslip (C). 9. Murray, 10. O'Gara, 11. Earls, 12. D'Arcy, 13. O'Driscoll, 14. Gilroy, 15. Kearney.
16. Cronin, 17. Kilcoyne, 18. Ross, 19. Henderson, 20. O'Brien, 21. Marmion, 22. Marshall, 23. Fitzgerald
Ooh Ah Luke McGrath
Luke McGrath seems to me to be the main contender from this season's 20's that could make the step up to the professional ranks.
Sometimes I think I can be a bit biased about things, and I probably am, maybe even about this as McGrath went to my old school St. Michael's in Dublin.
Now, to me, It doesn't seem like a huge jump to suggest that Mike Ruddock, who would have the best chance at looking at the upcoming talent in the ranks, seemed to only slightly think that Marmion was better than McGrath.
Given what Marmion has gone on to achieve, it wouldn't be a huge step to conclude that McGrath might go on a do something similar. He's had two full Leinster caps already in the Rabo, as well as captained Ireland and Leinster at U18 and U20 level, suggesting huge leadership ability.
However, watching him and the rest of the 20's this season you can clearly see that he is the heartbeat of the side, and without him they would be on the end of some hidings.
Watching him during the game, he controls is forwards the way Stringer did at his best, he has a good pass off both hands, and can pass without taking steps (even if that has started to creep into his game a bit recently). As he showed several times against Wales though, he isn't afraid to have a snipe around the fringes, and usually makes yards and retains the ball.
It's in defence that he really stands out. He covers the play extremely well, and isn't afraid at 5'9'' and 84kg to take on people a lot bigger than him, and stop them with great tackling technique. It's almost scary the amount of key covering tackles he makes which suggests that the rest of the team's defence isn't brilliant. At the breakdown as well, he is like D'Arcy or O'Driscoll and he small size makes it easy for him to get over the ball and generate a few turnovers.
Comments from dementedmole:
"Luke McGrath stood in for the injured John Cooney for Leinster ‘A’ in the cracking British & Irish cup semi-final against Munster ‘A’ that went into extra time in the RDS on Good Friday. The youngster stepped up to the mark well and bagged a try, outplaying his 26-year old opposite number Duncan Williams for most of the game. With another season at this level in front of him, and another very capable scrum-half in Kieron Marmion in the squad for the tournament, The Mole thinks it likely that we’ll see both No9s used in the way that Leinster have used Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss over the last two seasons.
EDIT: McGrath also made his senior Leinster debut this year, coming off the bench to replace Eoin Reddan for eleven minutes against Newport Gwent Dragons in early May."
Ross Moriarty gets 7 Weeks for tip tackle
Ross Moriarty, the English under 20s flanker who was sent off for the tip tackle on Luke McGrath, has got a 7 week ban.
There has been outrage among the few twitter people that cared, but hang on.
This is 7 week ban, meaning he is out of the rest of the 6 nations. The only other 20's games this year are the JWC, which would mean the ban would either have to be split like Andrew Hore's or extremely long.
As mentioned in a previous post, not all under 20's make it in professional rugby. If this ban had covered both the rest of the 6 Nations and JWC, theoretically, that could be the end of someone's career. Is that still cause for outrage?
Admittedly, having looked Ross Moriarty up for this piece, I've found out he's 18 years old, meaning he has at least 1 more year of 20's, and he's played 5 times for Gloucester full team this season, meaning he probably will make some career in the professional ranks. This is a Gloucester side that is performing this season.
It also looks like Moriarty has previous in this line of offending:
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