Ireland and Wolfhounds

EnricoPalazzo wrote: Stuart Barnes singing Marmion's praises, suggests that "with the capacity to break open a game" he could potentially be a good third-choice scrum-half for the Lions!

I don't think it will happen, but great that its being talked about none the less!

www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12062...mpionship-highlights

Sean Masterson and Corey Reid named at 8 and 23 respectively for the Ireland U19 game this weekend. Ambrose Conboy (Connacht Elite Player Development Officer) is assistant coach

So with the Lions announced, I wonder what Connacht players will travel to Japan this summer.

Buckley and Bealham surely.
Roux will be there or thereabouts.
I wonder does Sean O'Brien have a shot? Only really has Ruddock to compete with in terms of out and out 6s but Leavy, Conan, and O'Donoghue can cover there.
Marmion obviously, maybe Cooney if they bring a third 9.
Tiernan surely has to be first choice fullback.

Mark Mostyn wrote: So with the Lions announced, I wonder what Connacht players will travel to Japan this summer.

Buckley and Bealham surely.
Roux will be there or thereabouts.
I wonder does Sean O'Brien have a shot? Only really has Ruddock to compete with in terms of out and out 6s but Leavy, Conan, and O'Donoghue can cover there.
Marmion obviously, maybe Cooney if they bring a third 9.
Tiernan surely has to be first choice fullback.

A lot of who goes to Japan depends on whether Schmidt brings people like Cian Healy, Devin Toner, Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo, and Keith Earls. Assuming he doesn't (other than Zebo) and assuming he goes with a squad of around 32 (14 backs and 18 forwards) then I would expect something like this.

Back three: Zebo, Conway, TOH, Gilroy, Sweetnam, Adam Byrne.
Centre: Marshall, Olding (can also cover Out Half), Scannell, Ringrose.
Out Half: Jackson, Carbery.
Scrum Half: Marmion, McGrath.
Props: Buckley, J Cronin, Bealham, J Ryan, Kilcoyne.
Hookers: S Cronin, Treacy, Scannell.
Locks: D Ryan (capt), Dillane (if fit), Molony, Roux.
Back Row: Conan, Leavy, van der Flier, Heenan, O'Donoghue, Ruddock (vice Capt).

I'd imagine the likes of Healy Earls etc will travel so they are match fit if called upon for the lions.

Dillane won't be fit for the tour. Would love to see Andrew Browne get a call up he's being playing very well recently.

sea_point wrote:
If MCCartney was/is fit, he'd be travelling also I believe...

Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, Playoff winner.

Wow That's cool
No Argentina, no France
and Aki will be IQ despite the change of rule.

The last few world cups it's been A Vs B and C Vs D

I'm predicting we top our group and the face Italy in the QF as we watch South Africa decline even further

Anyone have any info on when Joe will announce the squad for the USA/Japan tour?

it's looking like some stage during this week, Joe always likes to be last, his usual day I think does be Tuesday, could be totally wrong on that though

MulMan wrote: it's looking like some stage during this week, Joe always likes to be last, his usual day I think does be Tuesday, could be totally wrong on that though

I think Tiernan will still get the call, I'd expect Finlay with him covering both sides of the scrum and really there's nobody else to bring at tighthead, they'll probably bring Healy, Kilcoyne and JCronin at loose so Denis prob will miss out, Quinn will probably make it but could be dropped for James Ryan. Marmion will go and John Cooney might go too, SOB2 might yet go as he could cover 2nd/back rows, but I'd have my money on Just Bealham/Marmion/Roux/JCooney/O'Halloran hope a few more get the chance from a Connacht perspective it would do them the world of good but it'll be hard to pick any of our back row ahead of Leavy, Ruddock VDF Conan and O'Donnell and Matt and Niyi injured along with Ultan will obviously keep them out, still though this tour 4 years ago I think we only had one player (Henshaw) playing and Marmion went over to North America but didn't play, so I suppose that's some positive