posted Jan 30, 2008

to answer some of the posts, flannery DOES have the athleticism around the park, in fact he's one of the most dynamic around. surely jackman has proved himself more than best this year?
as an englishman looking in i have to ask: with this sort of selection, how on earth are you're talented youngsters, who have shown themselves in under 19 and under 20 competition to be as good as any, to feel about their chances. it seems to be: the guys in possession are untouchable and your form will be ignored for now. what kind of incentive can that be for promising youth in ireland and how will that affect their incentive and confidence to play at the highest level? the parochial irish attitude seems to be destroying the flowering of irish talent

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posted Jan 30, 2008

Boriname, to say Flannery doesn't have the athleticism around the park shows your knowledge of rugby. Jackman should have started on form & Best should have been on the bench since Flannery is suspended.

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posted Jan 30, 2008

totally agree sportymark EOS showing himself to be limited i setting out a plan to steadily bring thro young players at full Int level eg props if Hayes and Horan were great and not just the best we have got then i could see the call for them but Buckley and Healy look promising so give them a chance, as for years the weakest part of our int side has been the front row. Keith woods article last week supports the steady devt of the young talent but they have to start games like saturdays match with the more exp to come on later as said by Deemondo above!!

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posted Jan 30, 2008

Sportymark's comments hit the nail on the head. The unwillingness shown by EOS to promote a strategy whereby there is a blend and balance between experienced players and fresh talent is one of his biggest failings. This narrow approach may well be having an impact already on the performance of the team. If the 'wheels fall off' against Italy, the team may well struggle to avoid the wooden spoon. The only consolation would be be the likely exit of the coach.

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posted Jan 30, 2008

odricky - So you would advocate players who can't get a game in their club sides as props and with about 15 club starts between them go into the 6Nations as the starting props against probably the best front row in the tournament???

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posted Jan 30, 2008

yeah that would simply be stupid,as i have said on here before,castrogiovani would pretty much eat healy in a scrum, i still think jackman really deserved a start tho but i dont think u can argue with the props, for the moment anyway

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posted Jan 30, 2008

Malcolm O'Kelly is too old, he slows up play and his awareness around him is shocking, i've watched him in the last two heineken cup games and he looks like a very tall lost child on the park

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posted Jan 30, 2008

Flannery has no pace and I've seen milk turn quicker. And that's based on seeing him in the flesh playing for Ireland.

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posted Jan 30, 2008

Well that team is definetly not going to win the Six Nations. Couldn't get passed your group in the World Cup so don't have much hope for the Six Nations. For the first time i hope Italy win a match of rugby.

Firstly Murphy should be at fullback it is his best position. I mean he is slower than Chris Paterson and he is on the wing. Silly stuff.

Tommy Bowe should have been in the 22 it is that simple.

D'Arcy at 12 i guess because i don't see any other options and certainly not Horgan as Ireland aren't the same side with him at 12.

Reddan in the team. You finally got rid of Stringer. Don't know how that one-dimensional excuse for an international player has been in the side for so long. Must be because you've not had anybody good till now.

Heaslip at 8 of course. COME ON EDDIE!!! I really hope he isn't the Lions coach. Could do a Woodward and Graham Henry and pick purely from the side he coaches or used to coach.

What is Eddie's obsession with Trimble on the wing. He is a much better centre in my opinion. Next time BOD is injured don't shove Horgan into the centres and put D'Arcy at 13. Put Trimble at 13 and leave D'Arcy at 12.

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posted Jan 31, 2008

jb you should put it into context that Horan an hayes have very rarely provided a strong platform in the front row, so we have nothing to lose

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