Ireland and Wolfhounds

columoc wrote: And for "fun" news; over on Munsterfans, posters are calling for Duncan Casey as starting 2 for 6N and WC and wait for it.....JJ O'H as starting 12.

Honestly, you've almost got to admire them. We just have to stuff them at Christmas!

With the plethora of ex-munster players in the media it would not suprise me in the slightest if we start to hear the hype over munster players to get into the 6N and WC. I feel sorry for Ulster players who have very little represenation in the media and the IRFU for that matter compared with Munster and Leinster. Fortunetly we have a completely unbiased Coach who won't get sucked into the clamour for picking players

Ya, Henshaw isnt afraid to mix it and get in the face of other players. Nice to see the bite in him. No doubt there will be days when he gets bitten but thats for another day.
Really great to have someone of his size that wants to throw himself about. That and him being a fine footballer makes him the next great hope.
Its great to watch him playing for Ireland.

Casey has done better than anyone could have expected really but a bit early to be talking about an Irish call up. One to watch though. I'd have him a distant 4th choice at the moment but one injury could see him move into the top 3 which in theory would get him a slot at the world cup.

Payne will be back in the centre. You'd wonder how much more Darcy can give. I'm afraid it'd take a minor miracle for J.J. Hanrahan to be near the squad. I'd say its more far fetched at this stage than 12 months ago as he doesn't seem to have pushed on.

He had a super game at fb on Friday night. Casey has excelled in every challenge he has faced to date in his career. He's a good scrummager and hooked on his own ball, extremely accurate out of touch, a good ball carrier and excellent at pick n go around the fringes.i thought best struggled on Saturday and cronin for all his athletic talent is a technically poor hooked imo. If casey got a chance I don't think he would be found wanting.

columoc wrote: And for "fun" news; over on Munsterfans, posters are calling for Duncan Casey as starting 2 for 6N and WC and wait for it.....JJ O'H as starting 12.

Honestly, you've almost got to admire them. We just have to stuff them at Christmas!

Which Christmas is that?

rossie wrote: He had a super game at fb on Friday night. Casey has excelled in every challenge he has faced to date in his career. He's a good scrummager and hooked on his own ball, extremely accurate out of touch, a good ball carrier and excellent at pick n go around the fringes.i thought best struggled on Saturday and cronin for all his athletic talent is a technically poor hooked imo. If casey got a chance I don't think he would be found wanting.

Christmas has come early

rossie wrote:

columoc wrote: And for "fun" news; over on Munsterfans, posters are calling for Duncan Casey as starting 2 for 6N and WC and wait for it.....JJ O'H as starting 12.

Honestly, you've almost got to admire them. We just have to stuff them at Christmas!

Which Christmas is that?

This Xmas. We play them in the sportsground.
Xmas = 12 days of Xmas. 25 th December to 5/6 January. Game is on 1st January. Hope that clears it up

Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

3 munster men and an Aussie on Against the Head, great balance as usual from RTE

clanman wrote:

rossie wrote: He had a super game at fb on Friday night. Casey has excelled in every challenge he has faced to date in his career. He's a good scrummager and hooked on his own ball, extremely accurate out of touch, a good ball carrier and excellent at pick n go around the fringes.i thought best struggled on Saturday and cronin for all his athletic talent is a technically poor hooked imo. If casey got a chance I don't think he would be found wanting.

Christmas has come early

I have been impressed any time I've seen Casey too but playing the likes of Dragons and Australia are worlds apart. Cronin had to serve a long apprenticeship to get his break on the Irish squad. If Casey can continue to progress this season he'd be worth a look but to me we have to see how he holds up against Clermont or Saracens away for example before moving him any further up the pecking order.

As a matter of interest what channel was Dragons v Munster on the last night?

rossie wrote: Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

It's been so long, I can't remember; so its due. From a Connacht perspective it will really tell if we have turned the corner.

Munsterfans probably think our best chance is during an international window when they'll be missing 23 of their squad (so JJ misses out again!)

rossie wrote: Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

No one told me the resolutions had to be new. I've been going with drink less, eat better and exercise more going on 25 years now. They'll stick one of these years.

Beat Munster!

RogueXV wrote:

rossie wrote: Ah a new year and new resolutions! We must beat munster! When was it last?

No one told me the resolutions had to be new. I've been going with drink less, eat better and exercise more going on 25 years now. They'll stick one of these years.

Beat Munster!

Lol! Unlike the old reliables this one will envitably come through in some new year!

Just listening to second captains and one of the final points related to the rugby is that Schmidt often picks subs to offer criticism at half time to the team, rather than just saying it all himself. Reddan was name checked as a leader on the bench, which tells me that until Marmion can surpass him in this field, or develop significantly as a player, he will remain 3rd choice scrum half. Personally glad to know that there's at least a valid reason for reddans continued selection but doesn't look good for marmions chances to make multiple appearances in the World Cup?