It's going to be a tough enough tour regardless of who goes now.

According to this mornings Indo, Sexton picked up a shoulder injury after tackles by The Freak and Mul in the first half but played on. Article says he underwent surgery on Tuesday.

Did Dave K try to tackle Ultan again?

We could end up with a squad with both top try scorers going at this rate.

Murray Kinsella has new article on the42 (sorry can't do link). Press conference tomorrow around 1pm to announce finalised travelling party.
According to Murray, Matt still favourite to replace Luke Fitzgerald and Tiernan called in after today's (Wednesday) contact session as R Kearney picked up a knock as did D Kearney, Craig Gilroy favoured to replace him if needed. Also J Sexton carrying an injury from last weekend and that's why Madigan in with squad.

So he shouldn't try in case he fails, is it? I hope that's not a philosophy ye apply to yere own lives!

There's a difference between an honest chance and a noose around your neck. It happens, coaches do let personality dictate, especially in a subjective sport. I did say I was paranoid, and I hope I'm wrong about the rugby squad.

green13 wrote:

dobby wrote: I do hope Team Ireland don't have the nerve to call Tiernan up to the Emerging Ireland squad AGAIN. It would be an insult to the guy. He has well and truly emerged

You'd hope they wouldn't have the barefaced cheek but any things possible with them.

There is no emerging Ireland tour this summer.

Not at all.

Just wouldn't like him to be cast out either that is all.

Marmian could have been better looked after than he has by Ireland.

So he shouldn't try in case he fails, is it? I hope that's not a philosophy ye apply to yere own lives!

That's my worry.

Unless he is sublime, any sub-performance from him will be used like a stick to beat him by all the doubters out there (read as Irish team management).

Same goes for Finlay and Marmian.

Dillane and Henshaw will probably be ok. Roux too because Joe has to support him now!!

Hard to say how the team will go but I think they are weaker than they were pre six nations, so they are up against it.

After they brought Marmion to Argentina his confidence seemed shredded, maybe he was trying to play the Joe way with Connacht, but he looked to be second guessing every decision when he came back, it took a while for him to get back to himself. He'd been thrown into scratch teams and the rush to point to any error of his as proof that he was useless made my skin crawl.
I can see a similar scenario for Healy if he's brought, SA kick, Healy catches, runs back, no teammates follow him, tackled, turned over, cries that he obviously can't hack the higher standard because he ran away from support, excuse not to pick him again. That would be my worry if he's brought.

My paranoia comes from experience in a different sport, not relevant here, but others are hopefully more optimistic than me.

Incidentally my first reaction was 'McFadden will get the call'

Darragh wrote:
May be better for him if he doesn't go.

How so? If he goes his game time will probably be limited anyway so risk of injury would be low. It would be a fantastic experience and I'm sure he'd jump at the chance. There was a marked improvement in Dillane and Bealham when they got back from their 6 Nations exploits.

Darragh wrote: I don't think he will go.

May be better for him if he doesn't go.

I think you're right, still feel aggrieved for him though.

I don't think he will go.

May be better for him if he doesn't go.

menacethedenis wrote: Is it possible Matt picked up a knock or niggle on Saturday and they are giving him a few days to prove his fitness? Just a thought.

It's also possible they have Zebo and McFadden in cryochambers sucking on oxygen. :evil:

Is it possible Matt picked up a knock or niggle on Saturday and they are giving him a few days to prove his fitness? Just a thought.